The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-03-29
FARMERS GET A SCARE
Thought Gov. Bliss Would Veto
Oleomargarine Measure.
but He Didn't.
APPROPRIATION FALLS SHORT
an-American Commission Asks for
$4,000 More with Which 20 Fur
nish Michigan Building.

Lansing, Mich. March 25.-The pre-
diction made in my last letter that last
week would be an important one SO far
as the advancement of railroad and So
called equal tax bills was concerned,
failed of realization owing to the in
ability of some of the attorneys for the
interested corporations TO be present.
1t was especially desired that Henry
Russell Of the Michigan Central par
ticipate in the discussion of the tax
bills, and because of his absence in the
south in accordance with the orders
of his physician, the hearing WAS post
pOned until April . Mr. Russell will
have returned at that time, and the
matter will certainly be proceeded
with. While the legislators are dis
posed to give every one who has any
thing to say on this subject Il chance
to be heard, the fact of the matter APP
pears to be that no great deal of time
will be occupied in discussing the bills
on the floor of the two houses. There
is little doubt that majority of bo,h
the senators and representatives have
course they will pursue in this con
nection, and they viii make rather
short work of the entire matter when
once it gets before them. There is
every reason for believing that a law
taxing the property of railroads and
other corporations on an ad valorem
basis will be enacted. Gov. Bliss is
credited with saying that should the
/ nd ~ ~
such law, special session will be
promptly convened. There is little
danger Of the governor being called
upon to make this promise good, how
ever.
Governor Signs Butter Bill.
A number of farmer Legislators
were given n severe scare late in the
week by the persistent rumor that
Gov. Bliss had fully made up his
mind to veto the bill prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of oleomar-
garine to resemble butter, on the
ground that it is class legislation. The
rumor proved to be wholly unfounded.
the governor never at any time having
any intention to interpose a veto. The
newly enacted law is practically Il
verbatim copy of laws that have been
held constitutional by the supreme
courts of other states, and there is
little doubt that it will stand the test
of the Michigan courts
The legislative farmers club have
INDUCED i'm another "killing" bee with
In the past few days having in solemn
conclave set the seal of their disap-
proval on a number Of bills which pro-
vide for increased expenditures in one
way and another. None of these bills
have yet come up for action, but the
farmers are prepared to hit them
"where Lucy wore her beads" when
they make their appearance on the
calendar The doomed bills provide
for the creation Of the Office Of state
fire marshal. which. by the way
would he an excellent investment in
more ways than one; require that al
COWS which supply milk sold in the
cities and villages Of the state he test
ed for tuberculosis and set aside GER
tain tracts of state tax lands for
forestry purposes The statesmen
from the rural districts have not yet
wearied with well doing, as they be-
lieve their action to be 10y any means
but have the old Ak whetted for the
decaptation of other bills carrying
appropriations.
Appropriation Not Sufficient.
The Pan-American commission has
already discovered that the apprO-
priation Of $4,000 recently made viii
not he sufficient for the Michigan eX-
hibit. and the commissioners have
formally decided TO ask for an adj
ditional $1,000 with which to furnish
the Michigan building. 1t will be re-
called that the regular appropriation
bill stipulated that $4,000 of the $40
600 appropriated shall be used for
constructing a building.
The work of extending the useful
ness OF the state library, which was
entered on four years ago, is going
steadily forward, and the present
legislature has already taken another
step i'm this direction by providing for
the registration of study clubs with
the state librarian. Under the law as
1t previously stood books could be had
from the state library only where
organizations were formed for procur-
ing travelling library. Now clubs
which register with the state librarian
can secure books Mt any time unon
making application therefor. This
will be n great help to members OF
CLUBS WHO are pursuing Ccl'dlh iiIV'
of study and who desire authorities
for consultation.
Liquor BiIls Cause Disturbance.
Two liquor bills have kicked ur
quite disturbance in the senate dur
ing the past few days. One Of these
prohibits the locating Of saloon
within 500 feet of a church or schoo
house. This bill was favorably re
ported by the committee on religious
and benevolent institutions when ]
was vigorously jumped upon by mem
hers Of the Detroit delegation, one o
whom declared that If it became
kiw 1t would wipe out three-fourths o
The saloons in his district and depriv
the taxpayers Of thousands of dollar
I'm taxes annually. 4 truce was FINAL.
arranged whereby the bill went bacl
10 the committee. which promised t.
give its opponents a hearing befor
making another report The othe
bill was also favorably reported am
came UP on the general order TO
consideration. 1t was a decidedly In
pocent appearing measure, designe
! ostensibly for the purpose of provit
,nt 10, 70 ha n