The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1901-01-12
rotal. disbursements }. s2l. 9s7, 125 o.

Total disbursements ...........S24 ,9S7, 125 OF
"a study and an analysis of the disburse-
ments given in the above table will prove
Instructive. 1t will be seen that the ex-
pense of maintaining the state institutions
for the four years amounted to nearly $l5,-
00t 200, more than one-half of the total ex-
penses of the state. 1t is apparent, there
fore, that there can be no substantial re-
duction in the expenditures, and therefore
in the state taxes, without seriously Grip
ping the state institutions. If spirit
of economy is TO prevail let 1t be wisely
directed. Our state Institutions ought not
to be made to suffer.
81 believe that more than 81, 00O,0 900 would
have to be expended in putting the build
ings of our state institutions in proper con-
dition and In erecting new buildings, and
desire to go on record as favoring such ex-
penditure as may be necessary to do this"
The Legislature.
The governor recommends abolshing the
time limit for the Introduction of bills. He
also recommends that members be paid
fixed salary. not less than $500, and that
the constitution be amended accordingly.
Fixed salaries prevail in number OF
states, and l am assured that the effect
has been to shorten sessions. II has proved
to be economy in the long run"
The efficacy of special sessions, says the
governor, has been abundantly proved by
experience during the past four years. At
regular sessions II Is comparatively easy
for powerful interests to protect themselves
by preventing the enactment of just laws
affecting them, and, In the hurry and con-
fusion, to secure laws granting them spe
cial privileges. Special sessions, on the
other hand, each called to consider only
one subject, especially II they are called
within a short time before general cleo
lions, bring the members face to face with
the propositions submitted for legislation
and compel them to take action upon them,
with the eyes of the entire people of the
state fixed upon them.
In order to make these sessions less ex-
pensive, 1t Is recommended that not only
salaries of legislators should be fixed at a
gross sum for their term of office, but also
that section 50 of article of the constitu-
ton of the state be repealed. This section
reads as follows: EVERY newspaper in the
state, which shall publish all the general
laws of any session within 40 days of their
passage, shall be entitled to receive a sum
not exceeding SIS therefor" There are
more than 500 newspapers in the state, and
II they all availed themselves of this con-
stitutional provision the cost to the state
would be over $4,000 for each special ses-
sion. The governor further recommends a
reduction of the mileage expenses of men,
bers.
PnrdOns and Paroles.
Concerning the matter of pardons and pa
roles, Gov. Pingree says: at is interesting
for purposes of comparison, to know what
proportion of applications for executive
clemency were passed upon favorably by
President Mckinley during the year end
ed June 30. 1900. The report of the pardon
clerk of the department of justice shows
that the president acted upon 351 applica-
tions that he extended executive clemency
in 220 cases and denied applications in 1871
cases. In other words, the president acted
favorably upon SO per cent. of the applica-
lions considered by him. II will be noticed
frnr ho nh tai 10 hot DIR rsr hax
just ended. 26 per cent. of the applications
were granted by me. do not mean to say
however, that President Mckinley abused
the power granted him by the United
States constitution to extend executive
clemency. These comparisons are made
merely to show how senseless and ground
less has been the criticism and vitupera-
ton and abuse which has found ready pub
lication In the sensational press relating to
the record of this administration in til
matter Of granting pardons."
War Claims.
"By the provisions Of act Nj, public
acts of 1885, extra session OF tssIegis,a,ure,,
s state sum Secured U t BY stsss6onds known as
Michigan war loan >Sonds OF 1885, This
money was raised, sor the purpose of organ
izing and eauIppfng volunteer troops for
the war witbp6pain. 1t was disbursed by
the quarte<master general OF the state.
You WIZ recollect that committee was
appoldted by the legislature of 1890 to in
vesdgate the disbursements from this fund.
The committee submitted two reports, the
minority report attacking and condemning
the manner In which the fund was expend-
ed. The history of the collection OF this
since the Ming OF this minority report, have
made II clear to the unprejudiced that the
criticisms OF the manner In which the fund