The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-04-17

present blind population Of the state
became sightless after reaching the
adult age, nnI too late 10 obtain ad-
mission TO the state school for the
blind. and furthermore that there are
now i'm the state more than 200 adult
blind persons who are supported by
the state The bill provides for the
instruction of adult blind persons OF
good character for limited period in
such trades. callings and branches OF
useful leaning as will enable them TO
contribute toward their own support
After such necessary course has been
enjoyed ii is designed that the home
shall furnish employment and supply
board and lodging at cost To such
persons as cannot successfully main
tain themselves at their own homes
or by personal enterprises. 1t is set
forth that many of the blind are
homeless and have neither the capital
nor business ability To enable them TO
succeed in enterprises Of their own,
but who would be glad TO earn their
own support If employment were at
forded them at reasonable wages in
an institution Of the kind proposed in
this bill Several states, including
California. Connecticut, Illinois and
Pennsylvania. have such institutions
and they have proved to be great
help to the blind of those states, and
also to the states themselves.
Final Adjournment Talk.
The question Of final adjournment
is being seriously advocated, and the
leaders in both houses have taken the
matter up in earnest, their hope be-
ing to hustle business along so that
the end of the session may be reached
at the earliest possible day. \ few
nights ago conference was held and
this matter discussed. Most of those
present We're in favor of n resolution
fixing May Z, the time for quitting
business by the houses and May II
for final adjournment, the interim be-
ing allowed to give the governor an
opportunity to dispose of all measures
passed during the final days Of bust
ness Some Of those present thought
the work could hardly be gotten out
Of the way by the first week in May,
and it is not improbable that week
later will be the time agreed upon.
Likely an agreement will be reached
during the present week.
Several good roads enthusiasts were
before the joint committee on roads
and bridges a few evenings ago in be-
half Of creating n state bureau of high
ways and a state highway commissions
er. They also urged the submission
to the people of Il proposition TO amend
the constitution so as to empower the
legislature to appropriate money for
the Improvement of public highways.
While il will be necessary 10 amend
the constitution before state aid can
be granted localities and nothing can
be done in this direction by the pres
ent legislature further than submitting
the proposition to the people, the bill
mentioned makes an appropriation of
$4,000 for the maintenance of bu-
reau and meeting the expenses of the
proposed state commissioner. holding
schools of instruction in road-making,
etc. iOllSlOtIdDlt llltIcol III TIC SUI
ject was aroused.
Holmes Bill IL Amended.
The judiciary committee of the
house has amended the Holmes liquor
bond bill by making it optional with
township boards whether or not they
will require sureties on such bonds to
file schedules of their property. This
rather takes the singer out of the
bill. The temperance people will
strongly object TO this amendment and
endeavor to secure the passage of the
measure in the form in which it was
originally introduced.
The first round in the fight over
the bill appropriating $4,000 for the
establishment of an additional state
normal school i'm western Michigan has
been won by the friends Of the meas
ure. This bill was introduced in each
house. and the committee on educa-
ton i'm each body has reported the
measure out with the recommendation
that it do pass. 1t is provided that
the location OF the institution be left
with the state board of education. y
dozen or more enterprising cities and
villages in the western portion of the
state are casting envious eyes in the
direction of this plum. In fact, some
Of the opponents of the measure are
prone to remark that if the location
were to be named in the bill, not a
few of its present ardent supporters
would lose their interest in it if, in
deed. they would not feel impelled tC
oppose its passage. However, the ed
ucational authorities of the state are
agreed that there is a bona fide need
for the proposed school.
Wanted Morning Sessions.
Some of the legislators who fee
that work is not progressing as rapid
ly as it should, made an effort late
last week to induce the house to hold
morning sessions. Committee chair
men, however, insisted that the morn
ings were needed for committee work
and that if two sessions were to b,
held daily, they be held in the after