The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-03-08
he Had His Work All Done "Up to
Date" When re Left fer
Washington.
CASE FOR THE COURTS TO DECIDE
Proposal for Change in the Method
OF Pay for Legislators-Pros-
poets Ahead.

auguratlon ceremonies he was in
happier frame of mind than at any
time since his election rs chief eXecu-
tive. The reason for this was that, so
tar as his action is concerned, the trou-
Dlesone matter of the make up of
the state tax commission was disposed
OF, and all other grave questions of
state Importance that have thus far
arisen had been passd upon by him.
All of the acts thus far passed by the
legislature, with one or two minor
exceptions, had been examined and APP
proved by him and deposited in the Of
lice of the secretary of state as re-
CURED by law, and the decks of the
executive office were practically cleared
for the first time since the present adj
ADMINISTRATION assumed control of at
fairs. Many of these matters, especial
ly the responsibility of selecting suit
able tax commissioners, had weighed
very heavily upon the governor, who
experienced great relief when solu-
tion of the problems was finally
reached. The siege had been a very
long and hard one, and the change and
rest that VIII result from the "trip to
the national Capitol will undoubtedly
be very beneficial.
Question That Is still Open.
Although Governor Bliss and the sen
ate finally got together in this matter,
and the latter confirmed the nominal
ton of A. Il. Freeman of Manchester
for the term of two years, and Will
lam L. Dust of Detroit for the term Of
four years, the question of exactly
who will constitute the commission
during the ensuing two years is still
an open question. There is no doubt,
of course, that James G. Mclaughlin
of MuSkegon who was several weeks
ago confirmed for the term of six
years, and Commissioner Freeman will
serve during this period, but the courts
Will have to decide between Commits
sioner Robert Oakman and William L.
Dust. Commissioner Oakman claims
that he was confirmed legally two
years ago for the full term and con-
sequently has four more years to
serve, contending that the action OF
the senate in subsequently reconsider
ing his confirmation was clearly legal.
and in this contention he is supported
by excellent legal authority. He de-
clines to retire from the commission,
but has arranged with Mr.. Dust to
commence friendly proceedings to test
the title to the office. Attorney Gen
eral Oren is said to be confident that
tOakman's position is not well taken
and that the courts will settle the mat
ter in favor OF Dust. However, it is
not always easy to predict the out
come of cases of this kind. In the
meantime the work of the commission
will be pushed with vigor, all of the
commissioners, whether de iure or Gle
facto, being agreed and working to-
gether with the utmost harmony. Mr..
Dust will not resign his position as
assessor of the city of Detroit until his
title to the state office is affirmed by
the courts.
State Tax Commission Employees.
The legislature has finally come to
the relief of the employees of the state
tax commission, and authorized the
state auditors to provide for the pay
ment of their salaries, nothing have
been paid them for either services or
expenses since the end of December
This refers only to persons employed
on the work of appraising the value of
property paying specific taxes. II
making this adjustment, however, the
state auditors used the pruning knife
very freely, cutting all salaries in eX-
cess of $50 per month 33 1-3 per
cent, and all below $l2J per month 20
per cent. 1t should be borne in mind
that this force consists largely of eX-
pert engineers who were being paid
from $3.50 to $50 per month. Those
receiving the smaller salaries were eX-
pert stenOgraphers.
Premiums for the state Fair.
Members of the state agricultural So
ciety who were before the house COM
mittees on ways and means and state
affairs a few days ago i'm the interests
of the bill appropriating $1,000 per
year to be offered for premiums Oh
Michigan products exhibited at the
state fair, are very hopeful that the
bill will become law. Most of the
other states of the Union give sub
stantial aid to their state fairs, and
consider the investment an exception
ally good one. Notwithstanding the
confidence Of the state fair officials,
there are members Of the committees
who do not take kindly to the bill.
Roundup Farmers Institute.
The universal opinion is that the
roundup farmers institute which was
held at the Agricultural college last
week was the most satisfactory ever
held, DOtn IN point OF attendance ana
the class of work done. a total of fif-
ty-one counties were officially repre-
scented, and at number of meetings
the attendance exceeded $50. That
these institutes are accomplishing a
valuable work for the state there can
be no doubt. A layman who has been
engaged i'm the work ever since its in
ception several years ago Informed me
n day or two since that the advance
ment noted in the methods employed
by farmers in various sections since
the first institute was held i'm their
midst is simply marvellous, and can be
appreciated only by one who is aware
of the conditions prevailing then and
now. 1t is proposed to Increase the
value cf the general plan of institute
work by establishing a reading course,
lectures to be prepared for distribution
nv experts - various lines, so that
farmers and their children throughout
the state may have the advantages Of
rudimentary education I'm lines
Of special interest and value to them.