Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-01-20
LEGISLATURE IS
FAIRLY STARTED
Standing Committees APP
pointed and Bills Be-
EAaa gin to Arrive.
BURROWS REELECTED SENATOR
Primary Reform Measures At
tract Attention of the
State Lawmakers.
Proposed Amendment TO the Banking
Law-Opposition TO the Secre-
tary of the State Board
of Health.

Lansing, Mich. Jan. 17.-Both
branches Of the legislature are now
fairly under way, last week having
witnessed the appointment Of standing
committees, employees etc, and the in
PRODUCTION of fifty or more bills. These
measures have all been referred TO
committees which will commence their
ittings at once. Thus far no very i'm
portant general bills have been in
Produced, most of those in the hands of
The committees being local in their
application.
Today, in compliance with the
mandate Of the constitution, the two
houses in separate session voted for
United States senator, and at high
noon tomorrow the senators and rep
>esentatives will meet in joint conven-
ion TO ratify and confirm the vote
EAST today. Senator julius Caesar
Burrows received every vote cast in
he two houses and was, therefore, re-
elected for the full term OF six years
commencing March 4 next.
Primary Reform.
Now that the committees have been
appointed the legislators are COM
nencing 10 discuss primary reform
measures TO some extent. 1t is yet too
.arly TO predict exactly what shape
he legislation 10 be enacted on this
Important subject will take, but ii is
evident that. as i'm former years. there
likely TO be a sharp disagreement
between the two houses as TO the
ermS of the bill As the matter
stands at present. the senators. or Il
majority of them at least. seem In
lined 10 stand on the party platform
declaration i'm favor Of a local option
aw, while many members OF the
.ouse show disposition to 60 sled
ength and stand for primary meas
ire that will he general for the entire
tate. There is little doubt that be-
ore the matter comes up for final
lction an amicable understanding will
)e reached by the two houses.
The recommendations made by Gov
lrnor Warner in his inaugural that
provisions he made for fostering and
extending the dairy interests of the
tate will probably be acted upon at
IN early day so that the dairy and
God commissioner may enter upon the
york as soon as possible.
Bill of Representative Stone.
A bill drafted along the lines Of the
governors suggestions has been in
reduced by Representative Stone Of
,enAwee. The measure provides for
he appointment of two dairy inStruc-
ors TO be attached TO the dairy and
God commissioners staff, whose duty
I shall be to attend farmers Institutes
nd kindred gatherings throughout the
tate and give instruction in butter
nd cheese making and kindred
ranches. The bill seeks 10 provide
or the collecting Of more authentic
airy statistics. 10 regulate the sale
Z milk and cream in cities and vii
ages having a population in excess of
600. and provides severe penalties
or keeping cows in filthy stables,
cling milk from diseased cows etc.
Governor Warner is cheese manu-
Acturer and he proposes TO make every
fort to put Michigan in the front
ank as a dairy state.
Detroit legislators and other citi-
ers have started a little agitation in
ayor Of establishing certain OF the
tate departments in Detroit in lieu OF
-oyiding additional quarters for these
apartments in Lansing. The need
or more room IS very great. but the
resent administrations program OF
economy is likely TO prevent an ap-
ropriation being made for this pur-
ose at this session The people Of the
tate have never taken kindly 10 the
emoval Of any branch OF the states
msiness from the seat OF government.
there is small probability that the
Detroit idea will meet with much
Evor among the legislators.
Opposition TO DIR. Baker.
1t appears that another attempt will
made this winter TO dispose Of DIR.
!. II. Baker. who has been secretary
the state board Of health ever since
Is organization. There is consider
bic opposition to Dr Baker. and al
'ays has been for that matter. on the
art Of physicians throughout the state
Vhom he has vigorously prodded from
ime 10 time for failure 10 comply with
be laws relative 10 the reporting and
reatment Of dangerous communicable
diseases. There are others who oh
sct TO the secretary because he wears
somewhat dilapidsted pair of slippers
Turing ofiiCa hours sad does not keep
Is desk IN aTpie pie order. The leg
stature viii doubtless dispose OF this
natter as it, wisdom suggests. hut II
nay not be amiss 10 observe that the
Upper and desk counts in the indict-
nent are not altogether worthy OF con
Iteration. and furthermore that the
ON, lairts ~ derelict physicians are
Vt always the best grounds on which
base action II is not always policy