The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-02-06


sary work out of the way the legis-
lators will get down to business in
earnest.
Although the legislators generally
agree that an addition to the state
house Is necessary in order to properly
accommodate the various state depart
ments and avoid the present necessity
for the state renting inadequate quar-
tiers for its servants, they are not
unit as to the amount that should be
expended for the improvement.
Bills Have Been Introd need.
However, there has been q practical
getting together and bills providing for
the addition have been introduced in
the house and senate. These bills pro-
vide an appropriation of $250,000, and
authorize the governor to appoint a
board of building commissioners who
shall receive compensation at the rate
of So per day for time actually de-
voted to the work. The bills further
more contemplate the making Of an
mitted by architects in response to
invitations to be issued, $500 for the
second best and $3.50 for the third.
Provision Is made for expanding $4,000
for plans and specifications.
The executive mansion project Is
meeting with considerable favor and it
is not improbable that an apprOpria-
ton may be made for the erection of
a home for the chief executive. Gov
ernor Bliss is inclined to think that a
proper building could be erected for
$3O,O0O but many legislators are of the
opinion that this sum would not pro-
vide a building in keeping with the
dignity and Importance of the state.
Marriage Industry at st, Joseph.
The fight of two years ago over the
marriage industry at st. Joseph will
be fought over again this year. Repre-
sentative Van Zoeren of Kent having
| introduced measure designed to put
it out of business. Representative
Lane of Brrien, who saved the day
for the Berrien county Gretna Green in
| 1901, was on a sick-bed when he heard
of the Van Zoeren bill, but he took
| the next train for Lansing to put up
! the pins to defend the existing law
and save 1t from amendment. The
battle will wage fiercely when the
grind is on again next week. The Ger
gymen Of the state will doubtless
again oppose the continuation of the
marriage industry"
A bill Of Importance to all the coun-
ties in the state is one introduced by
Representative Wade of Allegan, chair
man of the house judiciary committee,
which provides new scale of salaries
for probate judges. The scale is based
on population and provides for an av-
erage increase in salaries of about 20
per cent, the minimum salary fixed in
the bill being $400. In counties Of
| 10000 population the salary is to be
| $500; between 10000 and 10000,
$1,000; between $4,000 and 10000, ST.
500; between 10000 and $4,000, $1,000,
and so on.
Representative Wade, by the way,
promises to make an excellent record
at the head Of the judiciary commit
tee which, of course, is one of the
most important committees In the list.
He made a good record In less
important position two years ago, and
fairly earned the promotion with
which he was hoDored this year.
Work for Anti-saIoon Lenguo.
The state ant-saloon league has
mapped out programme that will
keep members and officers busy dur
ing the legislative session. In the first
place they have already had intro
duced joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the constitution prohlb-