The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-03-31
KILLS DIRECT
NOMINATIONS
Test Vote Shows Clause Will
Not Be in Primary
Law.
STONE BILL CRUDELY DRAFTED
Or. Frank w. Shumway Succeeds
Or. Baker on Board Of
Health.
Representative Bosley's Antitrust
Bill Introduced in the Low
err House-Michigan Owns
Much Property.

Lansing, Mich, March 2S.-Last
weeks test vote on the question of
direct nominations of all officers from
governor TO coroner" would seem 10
warrant the assertion that the pres
ent legislature will not pass any such
measure. although ii can be depended
upon to carry out the pledge laid down
IN the last Republican state platform
and give the electors OF Michigan
genuine article of primary reform
During the discussion of the special
order which involved the fate
of the Stone direct nomination meas
ure, those legislators who assumed to
speak for the administration made 1t
clear that the platform promised to en-
Get n primary reform legislation. but
made no such pledge as TO direct
nomination law. Governor Warner, ii
will be recalled. both before and since
his election has repeatedly spoken
against the enactment of such a law
as is demanded by the extreme prl-
mary reformers, so-called. directing at
tention to the fact that the demand
which found. expression in the Stone
bill was far more radical and far
reaching than that which had been
given ear 10 by any other state legiS-
lature with the possible exception of
those of one or two Of the southern
states
Was CrudeIy Drafted.
The Stone measure. which had the
endorsement of the state grange, was
admittedly crudely drafted. It's OPP
ponents declared that it contained
more holes than a skinner 1t was
favorably reported by a majority of
the house committee on elections. and
when It was reached as a special or
der last Wednesday motion to re-
refer il TO the committee provoked
, lively discussion. 1t was during this
debate that the declaration was made
that an extreme direct nomination bill
could not pass the house. and the vote
on the motion to refer would indicate
that such is the case. 1t was well
known that once referred the bill
would probably never again make its
temperance, and ii was sent back TO
the committee by vote of 80 to Al
and voting.
IT is not unlikely that some Of the
provisions Of the Stone bill Will he in
corporated in the measure which will
finally become a law. There is plen-
ty of material for use in drafting a
bill which will meet the approval OF
n majority of the legislators, several
having been already introduced and as
many more being in sight There is
little doubt that out Of this wealth of
material there will come a measure
that will be a vast Improvement over
the present law even in the minds Of
the extreme reformers and that will
fulfill the platform pledges Of the par
ty.
Bakers Successor Named.
The new law governing the opera
tons Of the state board Of health is
now in effect and a new secretary Of
the board has been appointed. The
man who will succeed DIR. Henry Il.
Baker, who has been secretary of the
board for nearly thirty-five years, is
DR.. Frank w. Shumway. of Williams
ton, who has for several years been
the medical member Of the state board
OF pardons. DIR. Shumway is capable
and energetic and will no doubt give
a good account Of himself
The usual biennial controversy over
the exemption of all credits from tax
alton is again in sight, Senator Doher-
tvs bill providing for such exemption
having been favorably reported by the
committee on taxation. 1t is probable
that the bill will pass the senate. but
its fate in the house is predetermined
inasmuch as some strong influences
are working against II there. Former
Tax Commissioner Dust has endorsed
the measure as being in the interest
of business men generally, arguing
that il would stimulate business and
building.
Bosley's Antitrust Bill.
Representative Bosley's antitrust
bill. reference to which was made by
me recently. has been introduced. II
seeks TO restrict and prohibits unlaw
full and unfair discrimination and com
petition in the sale of articles. com
modities goods, wares and merchan
disc between the different sections
communities or localities Of the state
and provides severe penalties for viola
ton Of its provisions. The bill has
been drafted with special reference e
the Standard Oil company, one of IL:
main purposes being to do away Will
the pleasing habit Of the octopus oi
squeezing a competitor 10y dropping
prices TO starvation rates in communi
ties where the latter has built up
trade. only TO boost the prices sky
ward when the competitor has beer
disposed Of.
In his annual report to the stat,
board OF agriculture President Snyder