The true northerner., 1901-01-25
LEGISLATIVE JUNKETS.
Speaker Carton Has Found a Very
Difficult Problem to
Solve.
sOLONS MAY HAVE TO ADJOURN
While the Committees Are Visiting
the Various Institutions-Pro-
posed New Laws.

Lansing, Mich, Jan. 22.-Notwith-
standing the firm stand taken by the
prSiding officers of the two houses
at the opening of the session against
legislative junketing, the present IN
dications are that il may be absolute
ly necessary for the legislature TO ad-
iourn while the committees visit
the various state institutions. In fur
therance OF the non-junket plan the
house adopted Il resolution instructing
the committees to confer with Speak
er Carton about their trips and auth
oriZing the speaker TO arrange these
visits SO that too many members
would not be absent at the same time.
Speaker Carton has found this Il very
difficult problem to solve in view Of
the fact that each member of the
house is inclined to resent any inter-
ference with his desires in this direc-
ton, and the further fact that no such
resolution has been adopted by the
senate whose committees are inclined
to make their visits at once and are
desirous Of having the house commit
tees accompany them.
Already the joint committees on
Marquette prison have departed to
commence their investigation of the
alleged shortcomings in the manage
ment of that institution, and Will be
absent for a fortnight or so. In adj
dition to this the joint committees on
fisheries have arranged to leave Sat
urday night for trip to the various
fish hatcheries.
An Enjoyable Trip.
Each of these committees will take
away several legislators who are not
members thereof, but will embrace
the opportunity to make an enjoyable
trip and it need not be surprising if
it is reluctantly concluded that it may
after all be as well To have the junket-
ing all done with at the same time. AS
n matter of fact experience has proved
that mighty little business will be
finally disposed Of while some thirty
members of the two houses are absent.
The Marquette prison committee
promises to make the investigation Of
that institution very thorough. having
taken along an attorney, Senator Muir
fin, stenographer. etc.
The plan to furnish relief for the
supreme court, which was mentioned
in the first Of this series of letters has
materialiZed, Senator Nichols, Of
lOnia, having introduced a bill to in
vrease the number Of justices from
five TO seven, and increase the term
from ten TO fourteen years SO that
one justice will retire every two years.
The bill contemplate the election Of
three justices this spring. one to sue
ceed Chief Justice Montgomery, whose
term will expire this year. and two
others to make the Increase provided
for. One Of these justices is to be
elected for If years. one for II years
and one for 10 years.
The bill providing for a Michigan ex-
hibit at the Pan-American exposition,
as reported by the house committee on
ways and means fixed the appropria-
tion at 10000 and provides that $10,-
600 Of this shall be used for n Alichi-
gan exhibit. The number of commits
sioners is reduced from five TO three,
and cut is made in the per diem al
lowance for expenses Of the commits
sioners. Even at this. there is some
doubt of the bill passing.
Tax Bills Pour In.
Tax bills of all sorts and conditions
continue to be poured into the hopper,
and the stream bids fair 10 continue
until the expiration of the fifty-day
limit puts n stop to all bills. 1t will be
some time before there is much crys-
taliZation Of sentiments in favor of
any particular measure. One of the
latest bills on this subject is that Of
Representative Keer, of HOughton,
who proposes to repeal the tax on all
evidences Of credit Mr.. Kerr has an
other bill which repeals the law tax
ing foreign corporations having prop
erty i'm this state, and still another
which takes from the state tax COM
mission. all authority over municipal
or county assessments.
The first attempt to induce the
house to pass the Dingley joint reso-
luton proposing constitutional
amendment fixing the salary Of legis-
lators at $3.50 per year I'm lieu Of the
present per diem. mileage and extras.
was a failure, but another attempt to
pass the measure will be made
Two bills in which the general pub
lie will he more than ordinarily inter
ested were introduced I'm both the
house and senate few days ago.
They materially amend the laws gov
erning the operations Of building and
loan associations in Michigan. one re-
latingto domestic associations. or those
organized under the laws Of this state.
and the other TO the associations Of
other states which seek to do business
in Michigan Both bills were pre-
pared under the direction Of Chief
Lord OF the building and loan division
of the secretary of states office.
Investment of Surplus Funds.
Chief Lord would make it cOmpul-
sorry for domestic associations to pay
the expense Of operation from their
earnings, instead of using a part of
the installments for an expense fund
The bill provides also for the invest
ment of surplus funds in approved
state and municipal bonds, invest
ments now being limited to loans
to members, thus forcing many as
sociations to keep idle many thou
sands of dollars at times. Prov
vision is made for the consolda-
ton Of associations, and for associa-
tions going into voluntary liquidation.
In case of an impairment OF assets,
the secretary of state is TO take pos
session of the affairs of the associa-
ton, first giving 1t twenty days in
which to make good the impairment.
II he does assume control he is to call
n meeting Of the stockholders for the
purpose Of having them elect a con-
servator from their number, and IL