The true northerner., 1901-02-01

NICHOLS Dill WHICH increases lne NUM-
ber OF justices from five TO seven, and
the term of office from 10 to IA years,
but has not yet reached any conclu-
sion. Through an erroneous publica-
tion the impression has been created
that the bill seeks To increase the
terms of the justices now on the
bench. This. of course Is not the
case, as such provision would be
. clearly invalid. lnasmuch as the
constitution, which provided for the
creation of the present supreme court
as the successor of the old court
made up Of circuit judges, provided
that the term of the members should
be eight years, many persons were OF
the opinion that the legislature could
not legally provide for longer term.
1t appears. however, that this question
was raised in 1897 when the member
ship of the court was increased from
four to five and the term from eight
to ten years, and the unanimous opin-
ion of the lawyers and court at that
time was that the constitutional provi-
sion mentioned related only 10 the first
eight years Of the life of the court.
In response to the request Of the SEN
ate made on motion of Senator Helme,
Attorney General Oren has within the
past few days officially expressed a
similar opinion. The fate Of the bill
Is problematical, legislators being op-
posed to the change proposed.
OF Interest to Farmers
The farmers of Michigan will be in
tereSted in some of the demands made
by the Michigan Millers' Association
at their annual meeting here a few
DAYS ago. The members spent much
time in discussing the probable cause
of the short crops of wheat which
Michigan has produced in recent
years Some attributed it to soil ex-
hauStiOn due to lack of fertilization
and care on the part OF the farmers,
while others were of the opinion that
the Introduction of strong foreign
grades of wheat would overcome the
difficulty. The association. therefore,
formally requested the legislature TO
make an appropriation Of not TO exceed
81 900 with which to defray the eX-
penses of an expert to be sent abroad
for the purpose of selecting varieties
OF wheat to be experimental with at
the Agricultural College experiment
station with view TO determining
which are best adapted to Michigan
soils. The question of adulteratlon or
mill feed was discussed at length. the
statement being made that fully 10
per cent Of the feed shipped into the
state by the oat meal trusts is adui-
terated. and the legislature was asked
70 provide for the inspection of feed
by the dairy and food commissioner.
The Introduction of so-called health
foods has made such inroads on the
sale Of -four that the association &c
cided to have published 1000 600
pamphlets setting forth the food value
Of wheat bread.
Aid for the state Fair.
Another effort is being made this
winter 70 secure state aid for the state
fair. 1t has been several years since
this matter has been brought to the
attention of the legislature, but little
headway having been made on prevl-
GUS occasions. Other states help the
fair association very materially. Ihe
officials of the Michigan fair are ask
ing for annual appropriations of $4,000
to be offered as premiums for Mlchl-
gan products. The association is now
out of debt for the first time in years,
and wants to remain so.
Michigan will make an exhibit at
the Pan-American exposition. This
much has been settled by the enact
ment of a law appropriating $4,000
and providing for the appointment by
Governor Bliss of five commissioners
to arrange for the exhibit. The bill pro-
yides that $4,000 of the amount shall
be used in constructing Michigan
building. and the balance for the eX-
hibit. Governor Bliss will exercise
great care in selecting the commission,
his desire being to secure the service
of representative men who can secure
the possible exhibits in the vari-
Gus lines Of horticulture, agriculture,
manufacture, mining, etc.
All hope that the present legislature
would change the method of compen-
sating legislators has been abandoned,
several attempts TO have the house
pass the Dingley joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the constitu-
ton to effect this change having
proved unsuccessful. AS finally amend
ment the resolution provided for a
salary of 81 600 for the term in lieu OF
per diem, mileage and ell extras. 1t
is barely possible that another attempt
to pass the resolution might be sue
cessful. but it is doubtful if it is made.
The suuuay Marriage Industry.
The ministers and other citizens
who are opposed to the Sunday marri-
age industry as it flourishes at st.
Joseph during the summer excursion
season, have made n start toward its
determination. Representative Lugers
having introduced their bill which re-
quires that marriage licenses be pro-
cured at least five days in advance Of
the solemniZation of the marriage.
Representative Of the sections which
profit by the industry viii work hard
for the defeat of the bill. They insist
that the situation as regards the al
legged evils Of the system has been
greatly overdrawn and misrepresented.
The anti-imitation butter and oleo-
margarine bills are making satisfac-
tory progress to all appearances. 1t
was only one day last week that Rep
resentative Waterbury introduced his
bill prohibiting the manufacture and
sale OF imitation butter Of any de-
scription, the bill, however, not apply
ing to oleomargarine in its natural
color and sold in a manner as to ap-
prise the purchaser of its nature. In
less than thirty 2slX hours the house
no,nrnitfaa on state n fairs had rOo1a a