The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-02-24
FARMERS KEEP
WELL INFORMED
Have Committee at Lansing
Watching Course of
Legislation.
BILLS IN WHICH They FIGURE
Favor Direct Voting and Primary
b Law Embracing All f.
Offices. 81
Bill Aimed at Christian Scientists
Attempt To BE Made to
Pass an Anti Cigar
cite Bill.
BILLS IN WHICH They FIGURE

upOu prODdDlt icSlSldIOu IL the ACTION
OF a joint committee representing the
State Grange and State Association OF
Farmers clubs. This committee met
IT. this city and adopted resolutions
which may be taken to fairly express
the desires of the farmers of the state
In the line of legislation. First of all
the joint committee declared again in
favor of a general direct voting and
primary law that will embrace all of.
fees from governor down. AS in,
timated last week it is not at all prob.
able that such measure will become
law. but rather that at an early day
local option measure in the line OF
the Republican platform declaration
will be passed. Work on the bill has
made considerable progress during the
past few days and those having the
matter in hand hope to complete the
bill during the present week.
Numerous Other Measures.
The farmers do not, however, by
any means confine their demands to a
general primary law. There are num-
erous other measures, all of more than
ordinary importance, that they wish to
have enacted into laws. and the legis-
lative committees of the two organiza-
tons propose to camp down in this
vicinity for the purpose Of keeping
these matters before the legislators.
The tax commission, of course,
comes in for attention from the
farmers. They desire TO have the
number Of commissioners reduced from
i've 70 three and the law amended 20
that the commission shall eonfine its
work to the assessment and equaliza-
ton Of corporate properties only. The
existing fee system of paying county
of1cials Is obnoxious to the farmers.
who desire to have 1t supplanted BY
the salary system. Strong efforts viii
be put forth in behalf Of the Holmes
bill regulating the use and speed Of
automobiles on public highways. The
reduction Of the width of country high
ways from four to three rods is asked
for, as is the state analysis and in
spection Of all stock foods offered for
sale and Of all wire fencing, the OBJ
ject of inspecting the latter being to
see that it is galvanized so as to with
stand the action Of the elements
Farmers throughout the state have
purchased fencing which rusted soon
after being put up.
Live Stock Experiments.
The two organizations are strongly
in favor Of improving live stock con-
ditions in the state and they join in a
request that the legislature make an
appropriation Of $4,000 to be used I'M
der the direction Of the state board Of
a agriculture by oficials Of the expert
ment station in conducting live stock
experiments. They also ask that
provision be made for the appoint
ment Of two state dairy instructors
who shall be regular graduates of some
recognized dairy school and whose
duty It shall be to instruct the dairy
men Of the stnte. The grading and in
Apestion Of grain, hay, seeds and fruit
offered for sale in the state Is also
in the legislative program that
these two powerful grange organiza-
tons will urge upon the Legislature.
As part Of the campaign to be made
IN behalf Of these various measures,
subordinate oranges and local clubs
throughout the state will he asked to
cooperate to the extent of petitioning
khedr respective members Of the legis-
nature IN behalf of the bills named,
and the Joint committee will meet here
peoan early IN March to take further
pction in the premises. At that time
they will look over whatever bills az
fec4ing the interests named above that
may have been introduced In the mean
lime and endorse such as are salts
Factory. In cases where no satisfac-
tory bills have been introduced the
will draft measures for in
PRODUCTION.
Anti Cigarette Bill.
Another attempt will be made this
year to pass an anti-cigarette bill
which makes It misdemeanor to
bring into the state or sell herein cigar
cites or cigarette papers. Senator
Sheldon of Ottawa, is sponsor for the
latest measure, and it is expected that
Mrs. Lucy Page CASTOR, who has made
such a strenuous fight for bills Of this
character before previous legislatures.
VIII be here again to speak in behalf
Of the Sheldon bill
The death In Detroit within the past
fortnight fsom diphtheria Of two chill.
dren whose parents are Christian
scientists and who were not treated
by medical practitioner, will result
In the introduction by a. member OF
the Detroit delegation Of bin to pre-
vent such treatment as these children
yf,e4a uasuen IN GAySafian eeleane heal.