The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-05-17

hOuSc.I
eighteen senator's are vigorously OD-
posed to including in the bill any cor
poratlons besides railroad and union
depot and station companies, while as
careful a canvass Of the house makes
1t very clear that q very large maior-
ity of that Eody will stand out long
time before consenting to the final
elimination of any of the corporations
named in the Chandler bill as passed
by that body. There is some intima-
ton from the senate end that rather
than spoil the chances of passing any
al valOrem tax bill this session. that
body might consent to n bill which
cuts out telephone and express COM
panies and includes all the other
classes named. There are not want
ing those who are firmly of the belief
that nothing in this direction will be
accomplished, but | do not share this
opinion. l have never doubted that an
al valorem tax bill of ut least 4 fairly
satisfactory character would be
passed. and l am still Of this opinion.
Detroit Ripper Legislation.
was more than half right about
that Detroit ripper legislation after
all. The rippers passed more bills
than l thought they would, but far
less than they Intended. They had
programme that included every De-
trot board in sight, but for some rea-
son best known to themselves paused
in their mad career just as they were
in the midst of the slaughter. TO
laymal this is most positive evil
dencs Of weakness. for they admit that
the people would not stand for" any
further changes of this kind. What
is difficult TO understand about this
whole affair is that if the portion of
the programme carried out was so I'M
uualifiedly in the interests of the peo-
pie that the latter wera unanimously
in favor of it, us is claimed, why
these same people suddenly rebelled
against having more of the good thing
thruss upon them. This feature GER
tanly gives the entire transaction il
queer look for, rs general thing, it
is quite impossible for the people to
get too much Of Il really good thing.
National Guard Reorganization.
The Pierson bill which provides for
the reorganization of the military
forces Of the state has passed the sen
ate and is now in the house. The
DIlhtilldi t4ldiiEtN lIOlu TIC DItNtIl
system are that IL extends from five
to ten days the length Of the annual
encampmcnt of the National Guard,
and adds so per year TO the compen-
sation OF commissioned officers. The
military board is empowered TO either
pay the men, for services at encamp-
uents, either the full 50 per day pro-
vided by law or SIPS per day and fur
f1ish rations to cost the balance. The
bnl abolishes promotion by seniority,
and provides for the election Of Off
GERS by the various commands The
term of office of the brigadier is ex-
tended from two to- three years, and
he Is to be appointed by the COM
mander-in-chief from above the rank
of major in the National Guard or
from the G. \. r.. and he is to he a
member of the state military board.
No person Is eligible to the rank of
colonel who Is under the rank of ma
jor, and no one can he elected major
who Is below the rank of captain. All
the enlisted men must pass rigid
physical examination. In order to
avoid deadlocks in the election of COM
pany or regmental officers, the bill
provides that the commander chief
shall make appointments on the rec
ommendation Of the adjutant general