Charlevoix county herald., 1905-01-28
The State Legislature.

The important event OF the week
was one that attracted no special
notice, and was especially remarkab b e
because it excited no remark. Except
for being reminded of it by brief para
graphs in the newspaper people living
a block from the Capitol building. or
even employed within its walls, might
not have known that q senate r to rep
resent the state in the national con-
gress for the next six years was being
elected. Long ago it was decided by
the popular voice that julius G. Bur-
rows should be ,hosen to succt Ell
himself at the end OF his present term
on the 4th Of March next, and when
the members of this legislature were
elected it was expected and intended
that they should at the proper time 60
through the legal form for his election.
This they have done, giving him for
The second time a unanimous election
to the national senate. On the former
occasion, indeed, IL was not such
quiet and uncontested affair as this,
and there were headquarters and lieu
tenants and caucuses and thrOngs OF
interested followers, though OppOsi-
tion disappeared before the close; but
ia this case there was no opposition at
any stage, and no new emphasis has
been given TO the demand for popular
election OF United State senators, by
a lOng-drawn contest side-tracking
the proper business of the legislature.
Mr.. Burrows has already served ten
years in the senate, aud seventeen
years in the house.
Governor Warner has accepted an
invitation to attend President ROoSe-
velt's Inauguration ceremonies, and
in connection with that decision The
governor has made another which is
even more interesting. The governors
second des!sion is in connection with
the proposed trip OF the Michigan
officials To Washington and IL that all
who go, officially or otherwise, shall
bear their own expenses. Heretofore
this inauguration trip has been quite
an expensive luxury to the tax payers
uf the state. And speaking Of the
evident desire for economy noted here
since the new administration was
entered upon, the determination OF
the leaders Of both branches Of the
legislation that the general ''junket"
of former legislative experience shall
not take place this session, should De
approvingly noted. 1t has been ar
ranged that the several committees
shall quietly visit The respective insti
tutions which they are commissioned
10 aexamine, and an adjournment
through next week was decided upon
for that purpose.
Primary reform bills for several
counties have been introduced and
discussed but up To the hour of mail
ing this correspondence no bill had
yet been disposed Of There is no
evident desire In either house or
| senate to prevent the enactment OF
such legislation as the people of the
several counties may desire. Thas
far, however, the problem has been
for the people Of the several cities and
counties to decide for themselves as to
changes in their present primary re-
form provisions which will best meet
the ends desired. Many of those who
have been quite aggressive in their
favor for the brand Of primary reform
suggested by the democratic platform
of last year now frankly admit that
such action would not he best, and
they will work In harmony with
Governor Warner and the majority in
each house for such legislation as will
meet in full the pledges Of the repub-
lican state platform. giving to the
state as a whole the provisions prom
ised and to the people OF each county
and each political district in the state
just such primary reform arrange
ments as they may desire.
The daily sessions Of the two houses
OF the legislature are opened with de-
votional exercises conducted by the
various Lansing pastors and visiting
clergymen, upon invitation. and the
solons thus secure as often as once a
week, IL should be- hoped. ministrat-
| ions adapted to the needs and prefcr-
ence> Of each. 1t Is related of the
last legislature that one of the city
Clergy, after Offering prayer 10 the
senate, expressed his disapprobation
of the practice of members continuing
10 pull at their. cigars during prayer,
and declined further to be a party to
scenes so unbecoming. 1t is likely
that those offenders failed of reflect
ion aud that no member OF the present
body would so misbehave. The Rev.
! Mr. Slv In ODeninU the house sasxinn