The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-06-05
TO MAKE LAST EFFORT
Legislators Will Try and Do Some-
thing in the Way of Primary
Election Reform.
RESULT CANNOT BE PREDICTED
Michigan to Have Two New State In
stitutions-Increase OF Supreme
Court Justices.

Lansing. Mich, June 2.-The reign
lnglegislative topic Is still primary cleo
ton reform, so-called, although events
Of the past week do not warrant one
In taking an extremely hopeful view
Of the situation, especially If he is an
advocate OF the proposed reform.
One week ago 1t looked quite promis-
ing in the direction of compromise
between the two houses and the enact
ment of law that would at least be
step in the direction Of a change in
the present system of nominating
candidates for Office throughout the
state. The senate conferrees were
willing to concede little to their
brethren Of the lower house and Of
Tered to vote for a bill providing for
the nomination of legislative candi-
dates by direct vote. They, however,
steadfastly refused to listen to any
proposition to include candidates for
governor and county officers, and thus
was encountered the rock upon which
the committees split. The house in
sisted upon having governor or moth
ing. Being unable to agree the two
committees so reported to their respec-
tive houses, and it was then believed
that all bets could be declared off so
far as the present session of the legis-
lature was concerned. However, some
ardent believers in the necessity for
doing something along this line, set
prospects are for another effort to get
together. This final effort will, 1t Is
be made today, the basis
being the abandonment by the house
of its determination to have the gov
ernor included in the proposed law,
and the concession by the senate that
legislative and county officers be in
Guided. Just how this plan will work
out remains to be seen, and in view
Of the devious course which this mat
ter has run during the past few
beg to be excused from
making any definite prediction as to
the outcome.
New State Institutions.
1t has been definitely settled that
Michigan will have two new state in
situations as the result of the present
sitting of the legislature. One of
these will be an additional normal
school to be located at some place in
western Michigan to be selected by
the board of education, and the other
Is a working home or sort of poly
technic institute for the adult blind.
1t has been generally understood that
the latter institution will be located
In Saginaw, Governor Bliss having
championed the passage of the
bill with this end in view, and as
there is many q slip 'twixt the cup
and the lip" it is not beyond the
range of possibilities that some other
locality may come in and by making
4 superior offer capture the plum. The
laws in each place contemplate the
donation of a suitable site by the COM
munity selected. All of western
Michigan will be out after the normal
school just as it united in pushing the
bill through the two houses. 1t was
jokingly remarked when the bill was
before The legislature that if the loca-
ton of the institution were named in
the bill, the measure would at once be
by the representatives of
the other localities that were so
yalantly working for it's passage.
Just at present it looks as if the
Kelly-Ward-Randall bill exempting
credits from taxation is very much up
n the air. AS passed by the senate
his bill exempting from taxation
and contracts and real estate mort
cages. After prolonged struggle the
house amended this so as to exempt
Ill credits of whatever nature. Late
asst week Senator Kelly endeavored
TO have the senate concur in the
but that body by vote
IF II to II sent the bill to the COM
nittee on taxation where it Is expected
o die. In fact, Senator Kelly siren
lously opposed this reference, declar-
ng that it meant the death Of the
measure. Two members of the taxa
ion committee favor the bill, two
others as emphatically oppose it, while
he fifth member is said to be hating
somewhat between the two opinions.
It is the hope that this fifth member
will flock with the friends of the bill
hat warrants the statement that the
measure may possibly see daylight
,nce more. 1t is being fought on the
ground that it would remove many
Millions of dollars worth of credits
rom the assessment rolls and place
his additional burden on the real
thus giving all the advantage
o the money lender.
For More Supreme Court Justices.
One Of the important bills which the
senate will dispose of this week is the
me providing for the increase of the
lumber of justices of the supreme
,ourt from five to eight. This increase
s warranted by the claim that the
present court Is far behind with its
work. The bill passed the house by a
,are majority. 1t provides that ut the
general election next year three adj
litional justices shall be elected. and
oranges matters so that after the ten
year terms of the present justices have
expired there will be elected every
.wo years two justices for terms Of
light years each.
The Van Zoeren bill, which abolishes