The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-02-03
Growth ofthe Fiat Habit.

The growth Of the fiat habit in the
larger cities of the state has induced
Representative Peek. Of Jackson, to
seek to guard the lives and limbs of
the fat dwellers. The proposed law
covers the entire state and its provis-
ions apply TO all department houses
more than three stories high, excluding
basement 1t provides that stairways
shall be constructed Of iron or steel
on the outside Of these buildings, such
fire escapes TO he accessible from each
apartment The semi-annual inspec-
ton of all such buildings by the labor
commissioner or some one deputiZed
by him for this purpose is provided
for. The owner or agent of the build
ing is made responsible for the equip
ment. Much complaint has been heard
lately of the careless manner in which
apartment houses are being con
structed throughout the state. In De
troit it is freely charged that most
Of these buildings are the very worst
Kinds OF fire traps and the prediction
is freely made that sooner or later this
method Of construction will result in a
tragedy that will startle the state.
No skeleton Bills.
Speaker Master has made a ruling
that should be pleasing to the people
Of the state generally. 1t is that no
skeleton bills will he received. At
previous sessions alleged bills consist
ing Of titles only have been intro
duced by the score. II occasion pre-
scented itself these titles were added 10
later and the bills thus formed enacted
into laws. This system made possible
the enactment of snap legislation. in
asmuch ms interested parties mad no
means OF learning the provisions OF the
measures. Hereafter all bills intro
duced in the house must he complete
so that che who runs may read" as
il were. and all concerned be fully in
formed ms 10 the details Of the pro-
posed legisa ton.
BY a practically unanimous vote the
senate has passed the Doherty hill re-
organizing the state board Of health
The bill reduces the salary Of the sec
letary Of the board who. by the way.
is to he appointed by the governor
instead Of elected by the board as now.
from $1,000 to 50 100. and also makes
reduction i'm the appropriation for
the work of the board besides reauir-
ing that all accounts Of the hoard he
submitted to the board of state audi
tors for allowance or rejection.
First Veto Message.
Governor Warmers first veto mes
sage had to DO with the matter of
changing names Of persons. There
was Il sort Of an epidemic Of such bills
this year. and the governor approved
and signed one or two of them before
il occurred 10 him that the law pro
vided that this work may be done by
judges of probate. Under these cir
cumstances he wisely urged that the
expensive machinery Of the legislature
should not be worked 10 accomplish a
result TO he had at vastly less expense.
Then, too. the fact is that the legisla-
ture never looks into the reason for
these changes. taking the word Of the
introducer Of the bill that the change
should be made. Important property
interests are sometimes involved i'm the
changes proposed. and the governor
concluded that both from the stand
point OF economy and as best guard
ing all interests involved the probate
Judge should look after these matters.