The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1899-01-31

Vdluc OI the III tHc
Cheever-Atkinson bill may supervise
the assessment of all other property
In the state upon which the rate OF
taxation provided for Is computed. The
state board, II will be observed from
the above, is charged with the duty Of
exercising advisory control over all as
sessing officers In the state. and OF
seeing that the assessment laws are
enforced.
Objections from Cities.
One Of the principal objections made to
the anti-administration bill comes from
the cities. 1t Is that the bill will take
all the vast property OF corporations
from the local tax rolls. and by put
ting the taxes paid thereon in the pri-
mary school fund will leave the other
property Of the cities to make up this
great deficiency. In Detroit this plan
would take millions of dollars from the
local tax rolls. and at the same time
It would increase the rate of taxation
to be paid by these corporations fully
one-third, for the tax rate Of Detroit
Is exceeded by the average rate OF the
state by more than 33 per cent. How
ever, as the school tax Is one OF tho
heaviest the taxpayers are called upon
to pay, the fact that the bill would in
crease the revenue available for the
support OF the schools, would, In q
measure, at least, overcome the first OBJ
lection cited.
The question is q great one and the
people of the state appear to be devot-
ing considerable time to Its consider
alton. The governor proposes to have
something to say about the Dudley bill,
and the people will doubtless hear from
him before the legislature reconvenes.
Several somewhat unusual matters
were presented to the legislature on the
day Of adjournment, and all are still
TO be acted upon. One Of them is. per-
haps, the most unique bill that will be
presented to the legislature this ses-
sion. 1t was prepared by Representa-
tive Taziman OF Livingston, and seeks
TO make men discharge - highest duty
pertaining to citizenship. tNe bill pro-
vides a penalty for neglect or refusal
on the part OF qualified elector to vote
at any township. city, county or state
election. The penalty provided Is fine
Of 500 and Imprisonment In the coun-
ty Jail for ten days. and the only per-
sons who can escape IL are electors
who are either sick or absent from
home on election day. or who have
passed 70 years of age. It Is not
pleasing commentary on our institu-
tions that any one has seen the neces-
sity for such a law, but there are few
who will seriously contend that IL cleo
tors will not willingly go to the polls
they should not be made to do so.
-, Anti-Poiygamy Bill
The other measures rs..e--ed to have
to do with the anti-polygamy agitation
that is sweeping over tn ecountry just
at present. One OF them is a concur
rent resolution, which was offered by
Representative Chamberlain OF Kala-
mazoo, and which expresses the judg-
ment that the seating OF Congressman
Elect Roberts Of Utah would be "in
conflict with all those standards OF high
civilization for which our nation stands
and an offense to the good citizenship OF
the nation and contrary to sound pub
lie policy" The representatives In
congress from Michigan are, therefore.
requested to vote against the seating
OF the congressman-elect.
The farmers Of the state will be inter-
ested in a bill which is being prepared
Sutherland OF Bay. and which seeks to
amend the law governing the county
commissioner OF schools In an impor-
tant particular. At present all the
electors of the county participate in the
nomination and election OF the commits
sioner. although the latter has juris-
diction over rural schools only. He
has nothing whatever to do with either
Nifu cnhnn1a fhnaa Of fnPnrnnra ad
districts, yet the electors of these cities
and incorporated districts are oftimes
In majority In the county and. there
fore. absolutely control the selection OF
the commissioner In whose work they
have no interest whatever. The pro-
posed amendment will restrict the vot-
ing for this official to residents Of those
sections Of the county over the schools
OF which he has Jurisdiction. There is
some question as to the legality Of the
law inasmuch as the people OF the whole
county contribute to the payment OF the
salary and expenses OF the commits
eioner.
Beet Sugar Bounty Law.
The anticipated attack on the beet
sugar bounty law is at hand. The fact
that numerous sugar factories are In
sight In various parts OF the state has
led many TO believe that IL all the pro-
jected factories materlalize the bounty
will reach enormous figures In the
course OF year. The present bounty
is cent a pound, and Representative
Mccall Of Eaton has given notice OF a
bill TO reduce this TO n cent. The bill
also contemplates taking the duty OF
administering the law from the COM
missioner OF the state land office and
placing II upon the secretary OF state.
The reason for the latter amendment ls
not apparent and In all probability no
good reason exists.
Considerable excitement has been cre-
ated among the legislators from the
rural districts by bill providing for
the condemnation Of rights OF way for
telephone lines across private property.
At present these lines are required to
be built along the highways. but parties
who are interested In an exchange pro-
jected In the Upper Peninsula have had
introduced this bill They insist that
their sole desire 10 TO fix things so
that they can extend their lines across
A. A.