Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-02-24
SURPRISING STATISTICS
Interesting Facts Touching Michi-
san's Death Rate.
Constitutional AMENDMENT
Legislative Doings of the Past Week
and Plans for the Future.

Lansing. February 20, l905.-Statistic
of the state board of health and Of the
vital statistics division of the state de-
partment show pneumonia 70 be now
our most fatal disease. Most people
will be surprised TO know that while
pulmonary consumption in this state
carried off 1850 persons in the last two
years, i, 5,52S succumbed 70 pneumonia in
the same time That il an annual death
rate from that cause of about III in
100 900 population. February i the
most fatal month for pneumonia, this
month last year recording 4S1 victims,
which was more than 100 above the
highest other month Besides consump-
tion, cancer was the only other disease
answerable for SO many as 900 deaths
during the year-l6S0 in 1904 and 1868
in l903-eXcept cholera infantum which
made the sad record of 3090 little graves
in the two years, 1920 of which were in
July, August and September.
Other diseases that ran high in the
fatality list are typhoid fever 1927 deaths
in two years; influenza, 1907; diphtheria,
9S2. Compared with these and the fore
going figures it is instructive 20 notice
the returns from smallpox, the malady
that undoubtedly inspires more popular
terror than any other. There We're only
l24 deaths from smallpox IN the whole
state in the last four years; 56 in the last
two years, out of 66, S22 deaths from all
causes; and - last year out of total Of
81 ,0l5 deaths
The house i'll its brief session Wednes-
day evening passed "A resolution submit
ting an amendment 70 the constitution
which would permit the state TO apprO-
pirate money for improvement of public
roads, which was expected 10 pass the
senate and be presented 70 the voters of
the state at the April election. This
would be in line with the governors
earnest recommendation of the subject
of good roads and there could be little
doubt of its ratification at the polls.
The burning of one of the large dorm
itory buildings at the Agricultural Col
lege a week ago makes the second occa-
sion within few years of the destruc-
tion of a state building while the legis-
lature was in session and will necessitate
a considerable increase in the contem-
plated appropriations for the college, and
1t brings into prominence the claim of
the city of Lansing that the state ought
10 restore the allowance of $500 a year
which was formerly paid TO the city for
fire and police protection. An urgent
call for help sent out one Of the city
engines on three mile run over q snow
drifted road two and one half miles be-
yond the city limits, on bitter cold
morning before daylight, and who wo1ld
say that the state does not owe the city
and the firemen for such service?
Governor Warner, upon the conclusion
of the Judicial inquiry in the case of
sheriff elect John T. Hoffman, of De-
troit, last Thursday signed the order
formally ousting that gifted CRATER from
the office TO which he had been elected,
and Hoffman is now just a common
prisoner in the county Jail, or out of it
on bail, awaiting trial for robbing the
state upon perjured proofs in coron-
er's cases. The governor also signed the
Wayne county primary election act, for
use III the approaching nominations, and
ii is hoped the new law will not favor
the success of men like Hoffman, who
secured his nomination under the pri-
mary election law of two years ago.
Senator Linsley of Three Rivers, has
bill TO secure greater publicity concern
ing proposed amendments to the consti-
tuition. 1t is frequent occurrence that
voters come TO the polls TO be confronted
with propositions TO vote upon proposed
amendments TO the constitution of the
state, upon which all our laws must rest,
without knowledge even of the provis-
ions proposed; and il is in the experience
of almost every one that sometimes there
is no person who can give the desired
Men must vote blindly
upon questions far more important than
the selection OF any officer or, what they
very often do, shirk the duty and not
vote at all. Senator Linsley's bill is
aimed TO meet an urgent need.
There are a number of primary reform
bills of general application already on
the legislative calendars, and more COM
ing. Senator Brown, of Lapeer, is pre-
pairing one with great care, which he
expects 10 tointroduce this week; and Rep
NanKeuren, Of Livingston,
has one providing for direct nomination
of state officers and election of delegates
to state convention TO nominate in cases
where no candidate has a majority,
which is likely TO be the more common
result.
Notice TO Horseowners.