The true northerner., 1901-01-04


suburban and interurban companies.
The argument is that, inasmuch as
they are assuming full railroad func-
tions. 1t Is necessary the state should
have the same control over them II has
over the steam roads. His suggestion
g that the best way to bring about this
result will be by thorough revision
Of the train-railway act The subject
Of the regulation of freight rates, of
safety appliances, of depot and station
facilities and the abandonment of rail
road stations, of highway crossings.
with particular reference TO the
separation OF grades. and Of securing
the fullest publicity OF railroad reports,
should have the careful attention OF
the legislature.
Antitrust Law.
The Fortieth legislature placed upon
the statute books a measure designed
to destroy all combinations of capital
which tend to restrict competition i'm
business, TO create monopolies, to limit
production or to control prices. Believ-
ing In the spirit of this law, if there
are any amendments needed to make Ii
fit more exactly the conditions. l rec
ommend that they be incorporated in
the law.
Pure Food Laws.
The pure food laws of Michigan
have resulted In largely guarding the
people against adulterated food, and
II this legislature, in its wisdom, deems
best to still further strengthen those
statutes, it should be done People are
entitled TO know they are getting what
it is represented to them they are buy
ing, and any legislation tending to
make this more certain is a step in
the right direction.
Fish and Game Laws.
There has been carefully built up n
most excellent system for the preserva-
tion and protection of fish and game i'm
Michigan. and the state cannot afford
TO take any backward steps. All pro-
posed legislation should be scanned
very closely. The slaughter of deer
during the last hunting season suggests
the advisability of restricting to two
the number of deer each hunter may
kill. 1t ought to be inquired into If
the time has not been reached when 1t
is best to prohibit the sale of all game
excepting duck. or at least TO make ad-
dtiOnal restrictions. Other subjects
for investigation are the advisability
Of n uniform open season and addi-
tional funds for fish and game protec-
ton.
Treasury Department..
1t is Of practical interest to note
that whereas the retiring state treas
urer, on the occasion of his Inaugural
ton to office Jan. /. 1897. found
practically a depleted treasury, yester-
day he turned over to his successor
something over one and a quarter mil
lions of dollars The existence Of this
large fund, as far as available, ought
TO bring some relief in the way of de-
creased taxation for state purposes.
Cooperation with Departments.
The suggestion has been made, and
it seems a very good one, that the
legislature and the departments of
the state government should keep in
touch with each other, so that all pro-
posed legislation requiring for it's exc
cutiOn the cooperation of one or
more state departments should not reach
the stage Of third reading until the
department or departments which will
be required To execute the law have
been consulted concerning the admin
istrative features of the bill.
Expenses of state OfHcers.
Your attention is directed 10 the rec
OmmendatiOn of the retiring auditor
general that a change be made i'm the
laws for the payment of expenses of
the various state officers .gentS,
boards and commissioners from "ac-
tual and necessary expenses to a per
diem and mileage account 10 cover all
expenses, under proper certification
that the travel is necessary. 1t is be-
lieved this will be a saving to the state
and will place the auditing OF this class
of accounts upon Il much more definite
and satisfactory basis.
Insurance Department..
1t seems advisable that the question
of salaries i'm the insurance depart
ment should he brought TO n business
basis. The people have the right to
know the exact compensation their
public servants receive. and for this
reason compensation i'm this depart
ment should be fully stipulated by law,
providing fair wage for services per-
formed. All fees collected in pursuance
Of the administration of the insurance
laws should be covered into the state
treasury.
The plan thus recommended should |
be the general policy i'm the admins
tration Of all departments Of the state:
specified salaries should be paid and !
all fees collected i'm due course of law |
should be credited to the state.
Records of Michigan Soldiers.
Michigan Is very proud of the heroic |
part its soldiery has played whenever |
the interests of the nation have re- |
quired of them any sacrifice. So that |
the state may possess a complete rec |
ord of the service of all its soldiers |
and sailors whe served i'm the war of |
the rebellion and in the war with /
SPAIN the legislature should make am
pie provision for the completion of this /
work now under way. The bill ought to
be framed i'm such way that the com !
pilation may be completed during the
ensuing two years.
Michi an Chicknmauga Commission.
The Michigan Chickamauga commits
sion desires to continue its work, aud
Il that is done, an appropriation is nee
essary. Many of the states have com
)leted both regimental and state monu-
ments on this battlefield and other
states are preparing TO erect monu-
nents the coming year. The Michigan
has given it's time. money