Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1903-04-02

bill and Repres 81. ne Holmes Is in
chned 10 the OF. % that II VIII neve-
again see daylight.
Another hqui AZ assure which has
had consi .ration recently Is one
which tie breHers desire to have
passed. Al present the brewers are
required II take out $500 license for
each branch house or distributing
agency, AMI as some of the larger man
ufacturers have several such distribut-
ing houses in the state, their enforced
contributions are very heavy. The
senate and house committees on
liquor traffic gave hearing on bill
designed to relieve this situation. The
result will probably be the favorable
reporting of bill which will require
the payment by both foreign and do
nestle b eweries Going business In
this state OF a ur form license fee OF
| $50 for each distributing house estab-
lished. Some of those present at the
hearing argued in favor Of making
this fee $50, bat it is probable that
the lesser sum will be recommended.
To Repeal Dickinson Bill
-Four years ago Representative j. IL.
| Dickinson of Detroit the only colored
member of the legislature, succeeded
In having passed law for the sup
| preston of mob violence. 1t was con-
ceded at the time that the bill was
| passed largely on sentimental grounds
and principally because Of the eloquent
and impassioned appeal of the colored
member The measure is somewhat
drastic In its provisions, making coun-
ties in which mob violence Is done re-
sponsible in damages to the victim of
the mob. Since its enactment seye. al
counties have been sued for heavy
damages by persons who have been
classified by gatherings Of their neigh
bors for discretions of more or less
serious nature. A bill repeating this
law has been passed by the house and
given immediate effect Its passage
by the senate is anticipated.
Representative G. j. Bylns Of Ish-
peming, who, by the way, is state
deputy for the Modern Woodmen OF
| America, has a bill which exempts
from taxation the surplus funds OF
fraternal beneficiary societies. A sim
liar bill was passed by the Indiana
legislature this winter. These funds
have never been taxed in Michigan or
elsewhere, but the probability that
they might be was suggested by the
action of the supreme court Of Illinois
in declaring them to be subject to
taxation. 1t is argued, OF course, that
these funds are made up OF small
contributions from persons OF small
means and are held for the benefit or
widows and orphans. Fraternal bene-
fciary societies generally are interest
ed in the passage Of the measure, and
the members of the various societies
among the legislators are helping to
push the bill along.
A Chance for Criminals.
The two houses passed in quick or
der late last week bill which rev.
olutionzez the system of handling per-
sons convicted of crime which has al
ways obtained in Michigan. The bill
provides that either before or after
sentence, but previous to commitment
to penal Institution, the trial court
may release convict on probation.
The idea is To give person convicted
Of crime an opportunity to redeem
himself if the trial judge thinks there
is q chance for reformation The plan
contemplates the appointment Of pro-
stationary officers to look after con-
victs on probation. The bill was
passed by the senate and rushed over
to the house where Ii was put through
under suspension Of the rules. The
next day the house asked for its re-
turn. many of the members believing
that more extended consideration
should be given bill Of such vast i'm
portance.
Early in the year there was con-
siderable talk to the effect that the
railroads would refuse to pay any
taxes this year pending a decision OF
the court of last resort as to the con-
stitutionality of the new ad valorem
tax bill and also as to the legality
Of the average rate Of taxation as de-
termined by the state board OF rail-
road assessors. Such refusal would,
of course deprive the primary school
, fund OF vast revenue and left the
schools Of the state In sorry plinght.
There is no danger Of any such ca
lamity, however.
Railroads Get Busy.
The railroads got busy last week
and dumped about S1,700.0OO into the
state treasury, and this money will all
go into the primary school fund and
be apportioned among the counties Of
the state on the basis of the number
of children of school age In the county.
The railroads refused to recognize the
new law and the assessment there
under, however. They made their
payments under the old specific tax
law, computing the tax on last years
earnings. They were given receipts
for payment on account and each re-
ceipt was endorsed to the effect that
the state did not waive Its right TO
enforce the balance Of tax due under
the assessment made by the state as
SCISSORS. In the meantime the rail
roads have asked the federal court
for an injunction restraining the state