The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-05-17

eighteen senators are vigorously OPP
posed TO including in the bill any cor
porations hes les railroad and union
depot and station companies, while as
careful a canvass of the house makes
it very clear that very large major
ity of that Eody will stand out long
time before cOnSenting to the final
elimination of any of the corporations
named i'm the Chandler bill as passed
by that body. There is some intima-
ton from the senate end that rather
than spoil the chances of passing any
al valorem tax bill this session, that
body might consent to a bill which
cuts out telephone and express com
panies and includes all the other
classes named. There are not want
ing those who are firmly of the belief
that nothing in this direction Will be
accomplished, but | do not share this
opinion. | have never doubted that an
ad valorem tax bill of at least fairly
satisfactory character would he
passed. and | am still Of this opinion.
Detroit Ripper Legislation.
| was more than half right about
that Detroit ripper legislation after
all. The rippers passed more bills
than | thought they would, but far
less than they intended. They had
programme that included every De-
troit board in sight, but for some rea-
son best known TO themselves paused
in their mad career just rs they were
in the midst of the slaughter. To
layman this is q most positive evil
dence Of weakness, for they admit that
the people would not stand for any
! further changes Of this kind. What
is difficult to understand about this
whole affair is that if the portion of
the programme carried out was so un-
! qualifiedly in the interests of the peo-
pie that the latter were unanimously
! in favor of it, as Is claimed, why
these same people suddenly rebelled
against having more of the good thing
thrust upon them. This feature GER
tainly gives the entire transaction n
queer look, for, as n general thing, it
is quite impossible for the people to
get too much of n really good thing.
National Guard Reorganization.
The Pierson bill which provides for
the reorganization of the military
forces of the state has passed the SEN
ate and is now in the house. The
principal changes from the present
system are that it extends from five
to ten days the length of the annual
encampment Of the National Guard
and adds $50 per year to the compen-
ration of commissioned officers. The
military board is empowered to either
pay the men, for services at encamp.
nents, either the full 50 per day pro
vided by law or S1.25 per day and fur
nish rations to cost the balance. The
bnl abolishes promotion by seniority
and provides for the election of Off
GERS by the various commands. The
term Of office of the brigadier is eX
tended from two to three years, and
he is to be appointed by the com
mander-in-chief from above the rank
of major in the National Guard OF
: from the G.. a. r., and he is to be 6
member OF the state military board
No person is eligible to the rank Of
colonel who is under the rank of ma
ior. and no one can he elected majo
who is below the rank Of captain. Al
: the enlisted men must pass n rigit
physical examination. In order t
avoid deadlocks in the election of com
/, pany or regimental officers, the bill
provides that the commandments
, shall make appointments on the rec
concentration Of the adjutant genera