The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-06-07
THEY'RE lCHTYLUCKY|
MICHIGAN TAXPAYERS, That the
Legislative ELL Was Not
Great Deal Longer.
THIS IS A GREAT STATE, NOW,
And Ii Costs Money To Run IL Properly
Comments on Legislative
Work Done and Undone.

|
| high noon, is not very large, yet the
| people of the state are to be congratu-
| lated on the fact that the aggregate is
not vastly greater than that of two
years ago. Those persons who so
loudly an.l constantly camor for re-
duction in appropriations for state pur-
poses invariably have their minds on
| the good old times before the war" or
| possibly on some less remote period
| when the affairs of Michigan were
| easily carried OH at far less cost than
| is absolutely necessary now in view
| of the great Increase of population and
| the consequent increased demand for
accommodations for all classes of indi-
viduals for whom the state is bound
! to maintain. They also lose sight Of
! the fact that methods are not the same
now as they were forty years ago, ana
| that many things that We're not
dreamed of ut that time are considered
! absolute necessities in this day.
Michigan is great and growing state,
| and its actual needs must be sup
| Piled if the various state institutions
are to be maintained at the standard
of those of other states, the numerous
classes of unfOrtunates and depend
ents cared for as they should be- and
|
cational standpoint. The sooner the
people Of the state come to fully real
lie these facts the better it will be for
their peace of mind. There will be
less growing and criticism, and more
happiness and cOntentment.
Resources Constantly Increasing.
Another important thing which
should be borne i'm mind in considering
this matter is the fact that the re-
| sources of the state are constantly in
| Creasing as is the assessed valuation
of the property of the state For this
reason the state is prepared to look
| after these increasing duties and re-
! spOnsibilities without the individual
taxpayer having any increased burden.
Although, rs ! have already said, this
years appropriations aggregate only
little less than those of two years ago,
there is no doubt that the tax rate for
state purposes for the next two years
will be very materially decreased.
Total of the Appropriations
The total of the appropriations for
the ensuing two years is $1,000. 1924,
which is just 1924, 734 43 less than the
aggregate of two years ago when APP
preparations amounting TO SG.G34 51J.67
We're made. This years state tax will
be spread on the valuation as fixed by
the state board Of equalization which
will meet in this city in August. This
board meets every five years, and is
composed of the lieutenant governor,
secretary Of state. auditor general,
commissioner Of the state land office
and state treasurer. The valuation of
the real and personal property Of the
state as fixed by the state board of
| N ic
1t is estimated by those informed upon
the subject that this valuation will
this year be increased to about 81 ,300.-
100000. 1t will thus be seen that
while the appropriations for state pur-
poses have not increased this year
there has been n marked increase in
the ability of the state to pay, and this
fact should be ample cause for con-
graduation.
Bills Passed i'm the Rush.
Quite a few important bills We're
passed during the closing hours of
business last week, and not a few
equally as important were killed in
the crush, as it were. One measure in
which the people of the rural sections
Of the state generally, in view of the
rapid increase in electric railways. will
be interested. is that which amends the
net relative to the incorporation of
railroad companies so that projectors
OF suburban and interurban electric
railways need secure the consent Of
only two-thirds of the owners of abut-
ting property in townships for a right
Of way. This provision is as follows:
''When any corporation is organized
under this act for the purpose of con-
structing, maintaining and operating
| n nh M in lAan n
road. whose cars shall be operated by
motive power other than steam en-
zines. such railroad may be constructed
upon any public street. lane, alley or
highway of any village on such terms
and conditions as shall be agreed upon
between the railroad company and the
village board Of such village; and such
railroad may he constructed upon any
public street, lane, alley or highway
Of any township upon such terms and
conditions as shall be agreed upon by
the railroad company and the commits
siOnerS of highways of such township:
provided, the railroad company shall
have obtained the consent to the con-
struction thereof Of two-thirds of the
owners Of the property adjoining the
'oadbed of such railroad in such town
ship: and if such consent from any
owner cannot be obtained by agree
nent. then for such consent compen-
sation shall he made by the railroad
company TO such owner. which shall
De- ascertained as herein prescribed for
obtaining money or franchises for the
purposes Of its incorporation"
Sureties on Liquor Bonds.
A final attempt was made in the
, house to pass the Dingley bill, which
, provided that suretes on liquor bonds
should file a sworn schedule of their
, property with view to having it de-
:ermined If they were responsible for
the liability they assumed, but it was
! lnavailing. Practically no change
Vas made in any of the liquor laws,
,, Ibis probably being the result of the
, ,ttitude of the liquor dealers Of the
tate, who asked for none Of the nu-
nerous radical changes advocated in
PREVIOUS years and in return fought
, my changes designed to hamper them.
Freight Rate Bill Got Left.