The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-01-17
Principal Recommendations Made
by the Governor in His Mes
sage to the Legislature.
DOCUMENT IS An EXHAUSTIVE RESUME.
The Governor In Very Poor Health
List of Nominations Sent TO the
senate Measure for Primary
Election Law Introduced In the
House.
Lspecaal correspondenee.l


Thursday, is a somewhat lengthy, yet
very comprehensive document. IL was
devoted entirely TO state issues. In
reviewing the work of the state tax
commission, he took occasion 10 COM
mend il. He showed that since 1899,
when the commission began It's work,
the assessed valuation of the state has
increased from $96s, 100000 10 $l,4ls,-
100000. He recommended that the
powers OF the commission be increased
90 as TO make IL the final equalizing
authority of the state. The governor
recommends the adjustment OF the
,0-day limit for the introduction OF bills
IA the interest OF short session, calls
attention TO the necessity Of salts
factory primary election law, and
would have part Of the enormous pri-
mary school money turned over 10 the
general fund. lie believes there should
be an institution for the care OF ep-
ileptics, places the total amount OF
appropriations asked for the state at
S6,234, 9s7, and recommends that spe-
cial sums be pruned. lie praises the
work OF the state tax commission, and
criticises the work Of many boards OF
supervisors. lie calls attention TO the
increase OF S45O,000,00O in the assessed
valuation OF the state and the legisla-
ture is urged TO carefully consider the
mortgage tax question. He believes an
executive residence should be built at
the state capital, and stated that the
accommodations in the state capital
are inadequate. A prison for women
convicts is recommended, also home
for crippled dependent children. lie
would prohibit the use of the high-pow-
err gun now used by hunters, and would
have the state aid in improving its pub
lie highways. Outside counsel will be
employed TO defend the suit brought
by the Michigan Central. Many recon-
mendations are made on the various
subjects discussed.
Few persons who listened 10 the
governor while he read his message
were aware that he is in very poor
health. 1t is fact, however, that be-
fore the governor left his office to pre-
sent his views 10 the legislature he was
told by the physician that the slight
est excitement might prove fatal, and
his excellency was warned that even
the exertion Of reading the message
might prove fatal Ever since Gov.
Bliss was hurt, when his horse fell
in the G.. A. Il. parade at Washington,
his nervous system has been in bad
shape. and he has spells in which his
sight leaves him. The hard work Incl
dent TO the preparation Of his mes
sage. the making Of appointments and
other official duties connected with the
opening OF the legislature, has severe
" affected Gov. Bliss, and before he be-
gan TO read his message he had one
of those attacks, and for time could
not see anything. This accounted for
the fact that Gov. Bliss read only part
OF his message, turning the document
over to his secretary, Maj Herbert +.
johnson, TO complete the reading.
Gov. Bliss sent some appointments
TO the senate. They are as follows:
Theron w. Atwood, Caro-, TO be commits
sioner OF railroads for the term OF
two years, from and after January I,
1908; George w. Moore, of Port HUI
.on, TO be commissioner OF banking,
term OF four years, from January s,
1908; A. w. Smith, Of Adrian. TO be
dairy and food commissioner for the
term OF two years after January !,
1908; Scott Griswold, Of Grand Rapids,
20 be commissioner OF labor for the
term OF two years after March 1, 1908;
John S. Porter, Of Saginaw, 20 be state
inspector OF salt for the term Of two
years from January 26, 1908; James V.
Barry, of Lansing, 60 be commissioners
OF insurance for the term OF two years,
from July 1, 1908; George II. Brown,
Port Huron, adiutant general; j. II.
Kidd, Ionia, quartermaster general;
Fred w. Green, Ypsilanti, Inspector
general. The governor reappointed
his entire military staff for the next
TWO years Herbert +. Johnson, OF
Grand Rapids, is again appointed sec
Rotary 60 the governor, and Will T..
Reafdon, OF Midland, executive clerk
for the ensuing two years.
The first bill introduced in the
house at this session of the legisla-
turc indicates that the primary cleo
tion system will be one of the lead
ing subjects Of legislation in this leg
islature by the fact that the
first bill TO be introduced in the
house Is Colby's bill of two years ago.
The measure is the same one that
passed the house In 1901 and which
was killed in the senate. that part
of the measure providing that the
bill should be submitted Go the pco-
PC haviug been crossed out. Another
Sill introduced la the house Is one
by Representative Hemans proposing
that $4,000 shall be appropriated for
moDument az Andersonvile i'm re-
spect for the 700 Michigan soldiers
who died in the confederate prison
sc that place. This is a c. a. r.
measure.
Speaker Carton has permitted his
choice for some Of the committee
chairmanships 90 be known Repre-
sentative Il. s. Neal. of Worthwhile. L.