Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-04-07
THE STATE LEGISLATION
Some of The More Interesting
Bills Under Discussion
FARMERS WIN OVER AUT0|STS
Many Good Bills Being Pushed Hard
BY Both House and Senate.

"Wednesday afternoon the Holmes
automobile bill was fought over III the
house committee of the whole, and at
the close of one of the most spirited
contests of the session the autoists found
themselves routed before the farmers
cohorts, and the bill was agreed TO with
slight amendment of its provisions as
outlined last week The speed limit in
business sections of cities and villages
was raised from eight to ten miles an
hour, and the fine for first offense was
reduced from fifty TO twenty-five dol
lars, which were the only notifications
the auto men secured. This practically
assures the passage of the bill by the
house when il Is reached on the calen-
dar. The senate the same afternoon
passed the house bill repeating the law
under which the secretary of state has
for many years collected and published
in monthly bulletins the crop and
weather statistics of the state. The bill
was then laid on the table 10 await the
presence of sufficient number 10 give
immediate effect.
Since the recommittal and practical
disposal of the Stone primary bill, bill
framed from the provisions of two bills,
one by Mr. Ivory and one by Mr.. Double,
both members of the elections commit
tee, and now known as the IvOryDOuble
bill has been introduced and referred to
that committee. 1t provides for party
registration, and the holding of pri-
maries for all parties in all counties on
the same day. Those primaries are,
optionally with each party i'll any con-
gressional district or smaller political
division, for the nomination of candi-
dates by direct vote. or for the election
of delegates to nominating conventions,
a. the parties shall demand by petition
of "A percentage of the voters registered
therein. Thus one party III a certain
county or district, town or city, might
employ one method, and another party
III the same jurisdiction might employ
the other method at the same time and
place. This would be carrying ont to
the fullest degree the option principle
for which the Republicans contended in
the last campaign, and il Is the meas
ure preferred by Governor Warner, who
however. stands by his pledge 10 sign
whatever primary election bill the legis-
lature shall in its wisdom enact.
The joint hearing by the liquor traf
tic committees of the two houses. Tor
arguments upon the Hudson local option
bill Tuesday evening. attracted much
attention, and the temperance forces of
Detroit and other cities We're on hand
with strong delegations and able advo-
Gates, and the house has been deluged
with petitions in behalf of the bill, The
measure provides the same system which
is now in force in Ohio. by which the
voters of any township, village, city,
ward or election precinct may vote out
saloons from their limits, though local
option may not prevail i'll the county or
the city embracing such smaller divis-
ion Grant NJ Hudson, sponsor for the
bill, is merchant of Schoolcraft, and
is chairman of the house committee on
the Industrial School for Boys.
Senator Fyfe has introduced bill
making appropriation for the expense of
gathering information on the subject of
old age pensions, a. tina system Is in
practice in New Zealand, Australia and
Germany. The senator hopes TO see 1t
in existence in Michigan, believing it to
be measure of wise economy a well IA
Of humane duty; and the idea has other
friends, and will have more when it L.
discussed.