The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-03-22
Notwithstanding
Pass Bill Prohibiting the coIoring
of Oleomargarine to Re.
semble Butter.
BILL Is VIGOROUSLY FOUGHT
Coming Week OF Great Importance So
Far as Disposition OF Bills
Are Concerned.

sAO AS6iSAotuiS ouIiuB Tie past week.
and no one can say that they did not
make the most Of It The result of
their killing constitutes the most i'm
portant bit of legislation Of the week.
This was the final passage by the
house Of Senator Goodelps bill pro-
hibiting the manufacture and sale Of
oleomargarine colored to resemble but
ter. The farmers Of the state and
their representatives In the legislature
had set their hearts on passing this
Dill just as 1t was introduced, and
they did 1t. No amendments were per-
mitted, although q number were Of
fered. The bill was vigorously fought
on the ground that 1t was class legis-
lation, etc., but its friends stood by
their guns, and passed 1t by q vote
Of ~ to %.
: Evidences are constantly increasing
that the numerous bills providing for
new state boards, state institutions,
etc., are doomed. 1t will be surpris-
ing II single one passes. During the
past few days the house committee on
state affairs has done some very COM
mendable work in this direction, bury
ing In the committee room pigeon hold
DiAo RiON AoihS lOL InC
and licensing of architects and also
creating the Office OF state accountant
whose duty 1t shall be to perfect uni
form system OF bookkeeping for cities
and counties. Most all of this class Of
bills have been referred to the state
affairs committee, and Chairman AL
ward, who Is hard headed, intelli-
gent farmer, emphatically asserts that
none of them will be reported out If
he can prevent such action.
1t is expected that this will be
week of great Importance so far as
the consideration and disposition of
important bills are concerned Much
Roadway will probably be made with
the railroad taxation bills. The first
hearing on these measures is set for
tonight, and numerous representatives
of interested corporations are here to
be heard on the subject. The bills
cover railroad, telegraph, telephone
and express companies, and the dis
cussion will cover both the specific
and ad valOrem taxation Of these
classes of property The principle
measure along the line Of ad valorem
taxation is the Chandler bill, which
covers all classes of property named.
1t Is doubtful, however, if express
companies can be retained In this bill,
1t having been discovered that the con-
stitution expressly limits specific tax
alton to corporations, whereas the
American Express company is not
corporation, but joint stock COM
pany. The queer thing about this dis
covery is that it has just been made,
and the company has for years paid
a specific tax without protest, not hav-
Ing been aware of this phase Of the
situation.
Lots of Material for Speechmakinc.
There will be no lack of material
for the legislators and corporation rep
resentativeS to talk about, there being
numerous bills aside from the Chan
dler bill which has previously been de-
scribed in these columns. The lateset
ad valorem tax bill was completed by
the executive committee of the state
grange since my last letter was writ
ten. and Is now in the hands of the
committee on railroads. 1t, of course,
has the endorsement of the state
grange, which instructed the execu-
tive committee to prepare it, The
measure provides not only for the as
sessment of the property of railroad,
telegraph, telephone and express CON-
panies, but also of palace. sleeping
car and union depot companies, the as
sessments to be made by the state tax
commission. The property is to be as
sessed at its cash value, which Is to
be determined from the reports made
by the companies to the state, the val
ne as listed on the stock exchange in
Now York and RnCfnn 9TH
evidence that can be procured that
will go to establish such true cash
value. The bill makes it the duty of
the companies affected to annually file
In the month of May with the secre-
tary of state statement of their prop
erty income its location, and all other
data necessary in making the assess
ment. The tax commission is to de-
termine the average rate of taxation
paid In the state for all purposes by
dividing the aggregate taxes for the
year by the aggregate assessed vaIu-
alton Of the property of the state. A
departure from the Atkinson law,
which was held unconstitutional un-
der the old constitution, is the provis-
ion directing that the governor and at
torney general shall act with the tax
commission as board TO review the
assessments. The former bill made
the action of the assessors final. The
revenue collected under this act is to
be credited to the school fund.
Representative McCallum will en-
deavor to induce the committee and
the legislature to substitute for the adj
valorem tax bill specific tax meas
ure he has Just completed, believing
the latetr 10 be the better method. He
has simply Increased the rates in the
present law so that the annual income
Of the state from the railroad compan-
les will amount to 81 ,250,O 900 per year
approximately, or an increase Of about
81 zoe, 900 over last years revenue.
The electors of the state. as the re-
suit Of last weeks legislation. will be
called upon to vote upon two and pos
sibly three proposed amendments to
the constitution. Both houses have
passed the joint resolution submitting
q proposition to provide method OF
c0mpensating members of the legis-
lature. Under the present arrange
ment the solons receive So per day for
the entire sitting Of the legislature.
together with mileage at the rate OF
10 cents per mile for one trip to and
from their homes. The proposition is
to substitute for this salary Of 81 900
for the full term OF two years and
mileage. The advocates Of the change