The Yale expositor., 1899-01-13
OUR LIBERTY IS IN DANGER.
Gov. Piugree Fears the Trusts and
Monopolies Will Make Us
"A MERE NATION OF SLAVES,
ne Also Sees Disaster In the Annexation
of the Philippines, but Favors Taking
All OF the American Continent We
Can Get-Equal Taxation Exhaust
lively Treated-Income Tax. Etc.

Gov Pingree's message 10 the Michigan
state legislature was n voluninous docu-
ment completely covering state affairs
and dealing at length with national af-
Gairs- The substance of the message Is
as follows:
10 the Honorable the Senate and House
of Representatives:
IL is my duty and privilege TO address
you, by message. as the Chief Executive
Of this state. upon such matters OF state
policy and state government as affect the
general welfare. The needs of great
commonwealth like ours are many. Its
necessities are varied. It's interests are
the interests of over two and one-half
millions of people. We live in an age of
rapid changes, and more rapid develop
ment Our state may be justly proud OF
its position in the union. None has great
or possibilities. Our agricultural resources
are constantly growing in magnitude; the
wealth OF our forests is fast disappearing.
but yot a source of pride; our Minerals in
extent and quality stand first in the union.
Michigan is ian a better position TO take ad-
vantage of the great inland merchant ma
rine than any other state. 1t possesses
aud educational system unsurpassed by
that OF any other state or country, which
Is fully designed to develop the highest
type OF American citizenship. Its uniVer-
.sity the pride of it's own citizens, is also
che pride of the country at large. and con-
stitutes 4 lasting monument 20 the state S
devotion to learning, to art ana the sci
ences. It's cltizons are intelligent and
patriotic. Peace and n)od order has pre-
vailed within its borders. Every sign now
now indicates that under the blessings OF
Providence. and wise administration or
the law. Michigan is about to enter upon
a new and yet greater era or prosper
tfy and development. To this end invite
careful attention to the recommendations
herein contained.
state Institutions.
In proportion with. the increase OF pop
OlatiOn there is am increase In. the needs
and requirements of the state institutions,
~ ~ of devoted n educational
and charitable objects. Our asylums, de-
voted to the care of the most unfortunate
wards OF the state. are constantly crowd
ed Not having at hand the means of pre-
venting the increase Of insanity. we can
only continue 10, provide more room and
additional facilities for the care and treat
The state has created at large expense
1--WE institutions for the care or children
and persons of tender age. Tho home for
abandoned and neglected children. at
Coldwater. l deem one OF its. most excel
lont charities. The law regulating the
adoption of children from this institution
Should be exceedingly stringent in pro-
tectiug the rights of the natural parent,
and this, too, before the rights OF FOSTER
DarputS may intervene.
The School FOR the Deaf, located at FL INT,
Is enc of the state institutions that is per-
haps better known without the borders or
Michigan than any other, except the uni
Versity. Because of its excellent manage
uuent and most perfect system OF instruc-
-ti0n, and of the high character and abil-
rttV or It's Faculty, IL Is TeCOSH'Ieu as
xnodel institution. not only throughout the
Quilted States, but also in foreign coun-
trics. 1t can be truthfully said or this
school that every gradnate IS seif-support-
tug. statement which perhaps cannot be
made concerning any similar school hav-
ing an attendance. equally as large.
2'he institution for the care OF juvenile
offenders. located at Lansing, is under eX-
celIent management. Its hundreds or lit
tie inmates are given the best substitute
for a good home and parental care that
81 r4aFe 90 n igh
tender years, so young that, in my opin-
fon, they could have but little apprecia-
tion of the fact that they had transgressed
the law. find their way to. 1t. arY'se the
adoption of such reasonable measures as
will make It impossible for parents TO
have Children sent to. this school, either
fton and expense OF caring for them, or
because they think the school presents
better facilities for training them. l also
recommend that every inducement for
county agents and others TO bring chill
drcn to the home. such as the payment
of mileage for bringing them here, be re-
moved. This system is an outrage on
youth and places n premium on n decision
against them. 1t seems unreasonable TO
committed an offence. even though he may
not know what an offence Is, and leave
the parent, who has neglected his child,
not only TO go unpublished, but to bo re-
9xarded for his carelessness and indiffer-
euce by having the state clothe, feed and
educate his offspring. 1t every case pos
Rlble the state should nOlt the parent IT,.
sponsitle for the maintenance and educa-
ton OF the son sent to his school. Both
this institution and the School for the
I5Nnd are located in this city. and you
win have ample opportunity during the
prcscEt session of the legislature to be-
come acquainted with the work done by
them.
The Home for the Feeble Minded and
F5pfIeptic located at Lapeer. is one of the
newer institutions OF the State. To its
MANAGEMENT and methods invite your
careful
will dispense with specific recon-
unendations as to the several institutions,
except in the case of the State House OF
Correction and Reformatory at Ionia.
This institution Is legally termed q re-
1ormatory, but les province as such has
been lost by the confinement within II of
come OF the most. hardened criminals, as
well as young and first offenders. The
law permitting the sentencing of old and
hardened criminals to II should be
amended so as 60 prevent this objection
able practice. and only first offenders,
and the younger class Of conyists should
youths with those who have become
hardened and habitual criminals, works
great harm to the former
Central Board of Control.
submit. for your consideration the
central board or control of all the in
Stttutions of the State, and that the sys-
tem of separate boards now in vogue be
abolished as a step In the direction OF
economy.
Insurance.
More than one billion dollars OF insur-
ancc is carried upon the lives and prop
Rrty OF Michigan citizens. Twelve mil
ftous of dollars are paid annually in
premiums. So universal has become In
gurance protection. that few persons are
row without 1t in some form. The work
OF the Insurance Department of the state
during the last two years Is so well
Known as 60 require no comment here.
The annual saving TO the people of the
state OF more than three hundred thou
saud dollars in the premiums alone IS a
record 70 be proud of.
building and Loan Associations.
There are about eighty building and
loan associations doing business in this
rfate and all but two or three of them
are organized under the laws OF Michi-
Rau. While these associations have been
Instrumental in doing much good and
have furnished tosmany persons OF mod
crate means the facilities, with which TO
provide themselves homes. yet so extern
Sive have become their, operations that
che state should proceed. at once 10 ex-
arcfse over them the closest supervision.
HniIroRds.
Michigan may Justly be. proud OF her
Transportation facilities. Surrounded as
ft Is by the great lakes. the. tonnage. OF
xEhfch increases with business. its facili-