The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1907-02-02
Work Of the State Legisla-
ture Is Now at a
Standstill.
WILL REMAIN so TILL MONDAY
Senators and Representatives Are
inspecting the State
Institutions.
Election ola Successor to the Late Sen.
ator Aiger To Be Held Feb. o.
State Teachers Employ
ment Bureau.

Lansing, Mich, Jan. 800 far an
daily sessions are concerned the work
OF the Michigan legislature Is at a
standstill and Will remain so until
next Monday evening. The time is
not being wasted by the solons. how
ever, but is being used TO excellent
advantage. The legislators are scat
tered all over the state. inspecting
the various state institutions and fish
hatcheries. When they return they
win know the condition and needs OF
these vast interests and be In a posi-
ton TO vote and act intellIgently on
bills affecting them and providing for
their maintenance.
In view OF the action OF the rail-
road companies In Withholding free
transportation this year, this biennial
junket, so-called, is not quite as en-
joyable function as In days gone by,
but the statesmen are doubtless maxi
Ing the best OF the changed situation.
Their expenses will be paid by the
state, so they will be nothing ont OF
pocket and the experience will be valu-
able 10 them.
Bill II Unconstitutional.
In this connection IL Is interesting
20 note the fact that Representative
Towner, OF Kent county, has intro
duced bill which requires all rail-
road companies operating in this state
10 transport all elective state officials
- al.n 10. go. ft.r go
business. The list OF officials 60 be
thus favored includes members or the
legislature. There was some joshing
among the members when this meas
ure put In an appearance, but the rail-
road committee OF the house, doubling
the constitutlonallty OF such a propo-
sltion, has asked the attorney general
for an opinion on this point Fred
a. Baker, OF Detroit, who has an envia-
bic reputation as n constitutional law
yer, was In Lansing on business be-
fore the supreme court when the bill
was introduced and. in reply 10 n
query, unhesitatlngly pronounced the
bill unconstitutional. 1t is argued in
favor OF the bill that such law
would eliminate the bad features Of
the free pass system and place the
railroad companies I'm favorable posi-.
ton in this regard.
Have n Hard Row 20 Hoe.
Thus far n dozen or so purely To-
cal" bills have passed the two houses
and been approved by the governor
and quite a number OF more or less
important bills have been introduced.
AS matter OF fact, however, very
little OF Importance In the way OF leg
lslatlon has been accomplished The
legislators are not 10 be held respon-
sIble for this condition, for they have
encountered n series OF situations
which have conspircd 10 retard bust
ness. Nothing like Il was ever before
experienced. In the first place the
session started out with most un-
usual senatorial contest. When this
was finally disposed Of the chief cxecu-
tive OF the state was confined TO his
home by illness and there was a gen
eral feeling among the Legislators that
matters should be held In allegiance as
far as possible until his return 10 the
state house. BY way OF putting their
time 10 the best possible use under
the circumstances II was decided TO
make the regular visits 10 state instltu-
tons at this time. and Just as the two
houses were about 90 adjourn for ten
days for this purpose the state was
startled by the sudden death OF Uni.
ted states Senator Algcr. This ar
Fiction made necessary a slight change
IN plans and II viii prccipltate anoth-
or election OF United States senator.
Candidates Mentioned.
Under tho rules laid down In such
cases this election viii take place on
Tuesday. Feb. g, that being the ex-
plratlon OF the necessary time limit
after the legislature was formally
notified by the governor Of the va
cancy Just what the outcome OF this
election will be remains 20 be de-
tbrmincd. Some OF tho members deem
II advisable 90 elect William Alden
Smith. whose full term VIII commence
on March 4. while not Few favor
compimcntlng some prominent mem
N'i Nt Aif lNita WIN M 'itNh'h ~
- -npOrtnnt and dlgnlfcd Office
PRISON most prominently men.
In this connection Is Ex.Gov-
- ohm 4. Rich This election viii
Iy unscttic matters for day
u after the legislature recon
n ncxt week. hut n viii not oc.
much excitement and the work
- two houses will soon be- under
vn, w dead earnest Governor
Warner * improving rapidly and Will
De In lansing when the legislators re-
turn.
Direct Nomination.
Sentiment ln favor Of the direct
nomination OF candidates for United
&C.. ....t. "a 10. 49,. -, f.....,.s