The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-03-29
FARMERS GET A SCARE
Thought Gov. Bliss Would Veto
OIeomargarine Measure.
but He Didn't.
APPROPRIATION FALLS SHORT
Pan-American Commission Asks for
$4,000 More with Which to Fur
nish Michigan Building.


week would be an important one so far
as the advancement Of railroad and So
called equal tax bills was concerned,
failed Of realization owing to the in
ability of some Of the attorneys for the
interested corporations to be present.
1t was especially desired that Henry
Russell of the Michigan Central par
ticipate In the discussion of the tax
bills. and because Of his absence in the
south, In accordance with the orders
OF his physician the hearing was post
poned until April 2. Mr.. Russell will
have returned at that time, and the
matter will certainly be proceeded
with. While the legislators are dis
posed to give every one who has any
thing to say on this subject chance
to be heard, the fact of the matter ap-
pears to be that no great deal Of time
will be occupied In discussing the bills
on the floor of the two houses. There
Is little doubt that a majority of both
the senators and representatives have
fully made up their minds as to the
course they will pursue in this con-
nection, and they will make rather
short work of the entire matter when
once it gets before them. There is
every reason for believing that a law
taxing the property of railroads and
other corporations on an ad valorem
basis will be enacted. Gov. Bliss is
credited with saying that should the
legislature adjourn without enacting
such a law, special session will be
promptly convened. There Is little
danger Of the governor being called
upon to make this promise good, how
ever.
Governor Signs Butter Bill.
A number of farmer legislators
were given severe scare late in the
week by the persistent rumor that
Gov. Bliss had fully made up his
mind to veto the bill prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of oleomar-
garine to resemble butter, on the
ground that it Is class legislation. The
rumor proved to be wholly unfounded,
the governor never at any time having
any intention to interpose a veto. The
newly enacted law is practically
verbatim copy of laws that have been
held constitutional by the supreme
courts OF other states, and there is
of the Michigan courts.
The legislative farmers club have
INDUCED in another killing" bee with
in the past few days, having in solemn
conclave set the seal of their disap-
proval on a number of bills which pro-
vide for increased expenditures in one
way and another. None of these bills
have yet come up for action but the
farmers are prepared to hit them
"where Lucy wore her beads" when
they make their appearance on the
calendar. The doomed bills provide
for the creation of the office of state
fire marshal. which, by the way,
would be an excellent Investment in
more ways than one; require that all
cows which supply milk sold in the
cities and villages of the state be test
ed for tuberculosis, and set aside GER
tain tracts of state tax lands for
forestry purposes The statesmen
from the rural districts have not yet
wearied with well doing, as they be-
lieve their action to he by any means,
but have the old AK whetted for the
decapitation of other bills carrying
appropriations.
Appropriation Not Sufficient
The Pan-American commission has
already discovered that the appro-
priation Of $4,000 recently made viii
not be sufficient for the Michigan ex-
hibit, and the commissioners have
formally decided to ask for an ad-
ditional $4,000 with which to furnish
the Michigan building. 1t will he re-
called that the regular appropriation
bill stipulated that $4,000 Of the $40,
600 appropriated shall be used for
constructing building.
The work Of extending the useful
ness of the state library which was
entered on four years ago, is going
steadily forward, and the present
legislature has already taken another
step in this direction by providing for
the registration Of study clubs with
the state librarian. Under the law as
1t previously stood books could be had
from the state library only where
organizations were formed for procur-
ing travelling library. Now clubs
which register with the state librarian
can secure books at any time upon
making application therefor. This
will be great help to members OF
clubs who are pursuing certain lines
of study and who desire authorities
for consultation.
Liquor Bills Cause Disturbances.
Two liquor bills have kicked up
quite a disturbance in the senate dur
ing the past few days. One Of these
prohibits the locating Of a saloon
within 500 feet of church or school
house. This bill was favorably re-
ported by the committee on religious
and benevolent institutions when 1t
was vigorously jumped upon by men,
bers Of the Detroit delegation, one Of
whom declared that II 1t became a
law 1t would wipe out three-fourths OF
the saloons In his district and deprive
the taxpayers Of thousands Of dollars
In taxes annually A truce was finally
arranged whereby the bill went back
to the committee, which promised to
give its opponents hearing before
another report. The other
bill was also favorably reported and
came up on the general order for
1t was a decidedly in
pocent appearing measure. designed
cstensibly for the purpose Of provid-
ing an assistant secretary for the state
board Of pharmacy. It proved to be
n wolf In Sleeps clothing, as 1t were.
md gave rise to the charge Of bad
faith against Its sponsors. The rea-