The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-03-20


only. One seeks to permit the taxpay-
ers of Bay and Washtenaw to grant
their circuit judges additional COM
pensatfon if they see fit to do so, and
the other provides for a system of
county auditors to replace boards of
supervisors in Jackson, Saginaw and
one or two other counties.
The topic that is attracting the
greatest amount of attention in legis-
lative circles these days is that of
election reform, so-called. Whether to
enact a general primary election law Is
the question that is agitating the leg
islators extensively. 1t has been
pretty thoroughly discussed since the
Republicans met In state convention
and demanded general law
and the indications now are that while
a general law will be enacted, the
measure will not meet the views of the
most radical supporters of the reform.
After the Pennsylvania Law.
In all probability a law fashioned
after the Pennsylvania statute will be
the only one that can hope to have
the approval of a majority OF the
senate. This would do away with
township and county conventions,
leaving delegates to be elected by di-
rect vote of The people, but would pre-
serve the present system of congress
sional, legislative and state conven-
tons, township and county officers,
too, would be named by direct vote.
1t developed at q recent meeting of
the Legislative Farmers club that
majority of the members of that or
ganization are opposed to the enact
ment of the extreme measure asked
for Notwithstanding the attitude of
the state grange and state association
of farmers clubs in the matter. 1t
will doubtless be several weeks be-
fore the subject is finally disposed Of
and lots Of things may happen in that
time. Thus far Wayne and Kent
counties have been given primary laws
quite to their liking apparently, and
elections will be held in those coun-
ties under the new system next month.
An interesting fight for the pres
ent week is looming up in connection
with the HOLMES bill requiring sure
ties on liquor bonds to file schedules
of their property, the object being to
do away with the numerous straw
bonds that are now in existence in all
parts of the state. AS counter prop
ositlon it will be proposed that
surety company bonds be accepted in
these cases, and there is pending in
each house bill providing for the in
corporation of surety companies for
this purpose. 1t will be fight to
the finish between the temperance ele-
ment and its opponents and it Is like
ly that the former will win. 1t gen.
orally does In Michigan.
Better Results Hoped For.
The bill which seeks to bring cleo
trio railway companies under the sup
ervision of the state railroad commits
sioner Is making fair progress. I'm
successful attempts have been made
In previous years to pass this measure,
but better results are hoped for this
year now that the extension of electric
lines has brought the necessity for
supervision to the attention of the peo-
pie. There seems TO be no reason for
the supervision of steam roads that
does not apply with equal weight to
electric lines. At present the latter
are practically law unto themselves
so far as regulation is concerned.
Speaking of railroads suggest the
fact that those operating In Michigan
are evidently making some money
these days. Commissioner Atwood re-