The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1907-01-04
Michigan Executive Submits
His Views to the State
Legislature.
REVISION OF The CONSTITUTION
Limited Liability and Change of
Venue Laws Should Be
Amended.
State In Good Financial Condition
Reduction of Passenger Fares
Urged-The Car Shortage
-Education-Lobby

To the Forty Fourth Legislature: In
addressing myself TO the discharge of
the duty imposed by the constitution
of informing YOU of the condition of
the state and recommending such
measures as are deemed eXpedient. per
NIT me at the outset 20 congratulate
the people of the state through YOU,
| their chosen Representatives. upon the
satisfactory conditions which obtain
throughout the length and breadth of
our great state.
Peace, prosperity and happiness pre-
vail on every hand. The bountiful
gifts of nature and blessings of kind
providence have been showcred alike
upon all classes of our citizens. From
! the fertile farms of the south To the
mineral depts of the north; from every
| line of industry, and from every
branch of commerce come the glad
tidings Of cOntentment and prosperity.
Peace prevails in the ranks Of our
industrial workers, employers and en-
| ployes laboring for the common good
and sharing the common welfare. De
vOutly acknowledging the source Of
their manifold blessings. let us take
up the work which has been assigned
us by a confiding constituency with
the single purpose of advancing the
welfare Of our people and preserving
the integrity Of their institutions.
The financial condition of the state
| IS excellent, as shown by the record
of the past two years. This salts,
! factory condition of the finances Of
the state reflects quite faithfully the
general condition of the financial and
| business institutions Of the state as
well rs the citizens Of the state gen.
orally. There has not been a failure
| of state or national bank in Michi-
gan during the past four years. This
| fact reflects great credit on those Of
ticials who are charged with the duty
of supervising these institutions.
Revision of the Constitution.
The people of the state having. by
their votes, paved the way for the
adoption of new constitution il may
not be amiss TO direct your attention
10 the fact that Michigan has made
marvellous progress since the adoption
of its present fundamental law fifty
seven years ago. 1t has advanced
| from a struggling state of less than
10000 population with an investment
of but 100000 in educational institu.
tions and far less in charitable and
benevolent institutions, with meager
railroad facilities, with no commerce
nor industries worthy Of the name,
with large portion of It's vast ter.
ritory uneXplored. and with its great
mineral wealth undeveloped. 10 its
present commanding position in all
things that make state truly great.
From the civic, industrial and COM
mercial organizations of those early
days to the great municipalities and
vast and important commercial and in
dustrial enterprises of the present,
there is a span If years marked by
constant evolution and development
These great and important changes
make grave and serious the task Of
you who must take the preliminary
steps toward adjusting the constitution
Of the state to the needs Of these new
conditions, and even more grave the
responsibility Of those TO whom the
duty of formulating that constitution
shall be assigned. This work demands
of you, as it must demand of the men,
bers of the constitutional convention,
the best thought and the exercise Of
the most conscientious judgment.
State Institutions.
The reports of the boards Of con-
troll of the various state institutions
will be presented to you in printed
form and are commended to your care
full consideration. They fully set
forth the operations and needs OF these
institutions, and will. ! think, con-
vince you that the state has received
from the arrangements honest eco
nomical and intelligent service.
Military Establishment.
The work of the national guard and
naval reserves during the past two
years has been most praiseworthy and
| both commands are i'm quite satisfac-
! tory condition. These volunteer sol
diers and sailors sacrificed much i'm or
der to serve this state and they should
receive careful consideration and fair
treatment from the legislature
James McMi '9u Memorial.
In April last, the secretary of war
by special order decreed thar the beau.
| tiful park I'm the District of Columbia
/ that encloses the filtration plant, de-
signed TO supply the city of Washing
ton with pure water. be henceforth-
known as Mcmillan park. This was a
spontaneous expression Of the nations
/ gratitude to one whose comprehensive
foresight and unceasing labors accom-
/ plished so much for the nation and its
capital. BY the issuance of this order,
! the government did signal honor 70
/ this state and TO the memory OF one
of its distinguished citizens, the late