The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-02-03
GRIND IS HUSTLED
IN LEGISLATURE
Lawmakers Take a Recess
for the Space of
Ten Days.
INSTITUTIONS BEING VISITED
Business Promises To Be Con-
gested II SoIons Do Not
Hurry Matters.
Primary Reform Has Received Little
Attention Thus Far-Farmers
Watching Out for Their
Interests.

Lansing, Mich, Jan. 31.-The leg1s-
lators of Michigan, or rather so many
of them as are state institution COM
mittees, are devoting this week to
visiting the respective institutions OF
which they have charge and investi-
eating the needs of these institutions
in the way of appropriations, etc. For
this purpose work was suspended last
Thursday evening and the legislative
grind proper will not be resumed UNI
til one week from today. This weeks
visiting is very largely shorn of the
spectacular features which have char
acterized these trips in former years
and II is hoped that a commendable
reform has been inaugurated.
There is mucn speculation in legis-
lative circles as to just where the ac-
ton Of the people in the last election
in amending the constitution so as to
do away with the fifty-day limit for
the introduction of bills is going to
land the legislature From the lack
OF progress thus far made in the mat
ter Of considering proposed laws, the
conclusion is forced that there is go
ing to be a congestion Of business to-
ward the end of the session that will
either result in failure TO give meas
ures the consideration they deserve,
or in the prolongation of the session.
Things may change after the solons
return from their visiting trip, but
they will have to change decidedly If
the leaders are TO carry out their pro-
gram for an early adjournment.
Either that or vast amount of pro-
posed legislation will so TO the scrap
heap when final adjournment is
reached. Possibly this solution of
the problem would not result disas-
trously to the state, for there are those
who believe that everybody concerned
would be fully as well If not better
Off If maiorty Of the laws now on
the statute books had never been en-
acted.
The Piece de Resistance.
Thus far the matter Of primary re-
form, which. in view of the agitation
given the subject for several years and
especially in the last campaign, is the
piece de resistance Of the present SEES
sion, has received mighty little atten-
ton. One or two bills Of a sweeping
character have been introduced, but
none have been considered even in
committee. II is expected that soon
after the legislature reconvenes bill
or bills more in line with the Repub-
lican platform declarations will be in
troduced and the subject then taken
up In earnest and disposed Of There
Is no doubt that substantial pri-
mary reform law will be enacted.
In this connection ii may be re-
marked that the extreme primary plan
advocated by the state grange will
find expression in a bill to be intro
ducud by the chairman OF the house
committee on election. If I under
stand the provisions Of this bill cor
rectly It will provide for the nomina-
ton OF all candidates, even those for
United States senator, by direct vote.
To Look After Legislation.
During the past week representa-
tives Of the various agricultural organ
izstions Of the state. including the
grange. State Association Of Farmers
clubs. State horticultural society.
State Dairymen's association, etc. met
here and formed a central committee
which will look after all legislation in
which any Of these interests may be
concerned. The allied committee will
have number Of bills affecting the
agricultural interests OF the state
which 1t will especially advocate, and
1t will be equally on the alert to head
off any legislation which Is likely TO
affect these interests dlsastrously. In
this work the committee will have
powerful ally in the legislative
farmers club which was organized
last week with a large membership.
This club Will pass upon not only bills
affecting the agricultural interest in
particular. but all other measures, and
history warrants the aserstlon that It
will be a powerful factor in determin-
ing the fate Of proposed legislation.
Unsatisfactory TO Sportsmen.
As has always been the case since
there was such thing, the existing
kdbie iSSiSiutiOh NOhi'S i"i rum plEis-
ing the sportsmen Of the state. Every
two years. almost since 1.-THE memory
OF man runs not to the contrary"
these sportsmen have met and formu-
lated Simon pure articles of game
bills, but either they fail biennlally to
have their measures pass or else dis
cover that il was not as effective as
they had hoped. for no sooner is it en-
acted than they set about TO formu-
late n new and better lot At meet
ing Of the Michigan Game and Protec-
tive association few days since, the
following amendments to existing
laws were agreed upon:
Closed season for squirrel for five
years; reduction from three to two