The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1899-01-24

al different DillS covering the taxation
Of the property of corporations. care
full review Of the situation warrants the
prediction that In all probability the
legislature will pass measure en-
bodying the principles OF the Atkinson
bill" which were Endorsed by the Re-
publican state convention.
VIII Redeem the Pledges.
The fight is not SO much against the
passage of any bill on this subject. as
il is over theNquestion whether the ad-
ministration shall say just what bill
shall be passed and dictate It's everv
provision. Both parties promised legis-
lation on this question. and the indiea-
tions are that they will redeem these
pledges They may not enact just the
exact law that some one may say they
promised. but the result will closely APP
proxmate the party pledges.
The question OF insurance is one In
which all the people of the state are
nearly as much interested as they are
in tax legislation. The fact that during
the past few days the stock fire insur-
ance companies doing business in the
state have granted concessions which
will annually reduce the premiums paid
by Michigan property owners at least
$3.50, 900. makes the total annual reduc-
tion made during the past two years
fully 100000, and this gratifying result
is largely due TO the efforts Of Commis-
sioner Campbell. In previous letters l
have outlined several changes the COM
missioner will ask TO have made in the
insurance laws. Since then he has
drafted bill which is designed to re-
wise all the laws relative to the organi-
zation and management OF mutual fire
insurance companies. This bill pro-
vides for the repeal OF separate mutual
acts, the ones TO be retired being those
which provide for the Incorporation OF
merchants. manufacturers. limited and
Lloyds' mutuais. experience having
convinced the commissioner that the
state will be far better off without this
class OF companies.
No Change In Farmers Mutuals.
During the past year he has been
called upon to close up number OF
these companies which sought 10 do
business al! over the state and made
failure of il TO the great sorrow OF those
of their members who suffered losses
which have not been paid. as well as
the far larger number who had paid
for insurance only 10 lose what they
had invested in premiums No change
will be made in the law relative 10 farm
ers mutualS no complaints having
been made of them. They are doing a
safe business and Will not be molested.
Provision will be made for the reincor-
poraton of the other classes of mutuals
under the provisions OF the new law,
although these provisions will differ
greatly from those Of the separate laws.
The object OF the commissioner In maxi
ing this revision is TO insure greater
safety for the property owner.
Other new bills prepared and noticed
on the subject OF insurance provide
that no company shall reinsure with
any company not authorized to do busi-
ness in Michigan, the object being to
force this reinsuring with companies
which pay taxes In this state on pre-
miums received: also to provide that in
case any state makes excessive de-
mands upon a Michigan company which
| L has licensed, the commissioner Of this
state shall retaliate upon companies of
that state which are operating in Mich
gan. The companies will ask that the
law be amended so to provide that they
shall be assessed upon their net re-
ceipts In Michigan. making deductions
for all premiums returned and for pre-
miums paid other companies for rem
surance. The present law provides for
| a tax upon gross receipts, allowing no
deductions whatever. 1t Is understood
that Commissioner Campbell favors an
amendment as a matter OF exact JUS
tice to the companies, the present law
requiring double taxation.
Equal Suffrage Question.
The regular biennial fight over the
equal suffrage question is a promise OF
| the near future. Representative Howell
| of Lenawee having given notice of
| Joint resolution to strike the word male
| from the constitutional provision gov
erning the elective franchise. A SINH
| lar bill has passed the house in previ-
Gus years, but the senate has ruthlessly
| killed it.
While the women have not yet come
| to the rescue Of the above measure.
| they have appeared in behalf of Sena-
| tor Collingwood's bills providing that
| there be at least one woman member
| Of the board OF control OF each state
| institution i'm which females are cared
| for. There is a growing sentiment in
| favor OF this change. Even in & e abb
| sence of any law requiring II, this senti-
| lnent mas Dten IeCOEn4Zeu III one VI lNO
| instances in this state with beneficial
| results.
During the absence of the legislature
| both the senate chamber and repre-
Sentative hall will be renovated. The
| latter Will be treated TO a new carpet
and a new outfit of chairs. The pres
ent carpet has been used since 1886.
| and the chairs have been In commission
| since the present state house was dedi-
| Gated, just twenty years ago.
Michigsns Soldier Dead.
| Final arrangements have been made
for bringing home for burial the bodies
| OF all Michigan soldiers In the late war
| who died either In other states or In
| Cuba. The legislature provided by
| Joint resolution last week for the pay
ment OF all expenses In this connec-
| ton that are not borne by the general
| government. and the governor has APP
| pointed Charles l.. Kipllnger OF Char
| lotte to superintend the work. Mr..
| Klplinger who was a member OF the
1 Thirty-fourth Michigan Infantry and