Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-10-29
an ELOQUENT APPEAL
In Behalf Of Republican Legislation
In Michigan.
GRAT|0T COUNTY IS FAVORED.
More Money Received From the State Treas
ury Than Our County's Stete Tax Ap.
p0rtIOnment.

Gov. Warmers speech was a well
pI esented and effective defense OF his
administration as governor and can
did review of what lie had sought TO
accomplish. He referred to the fact
that as a member OF the state senate,
about ten years ago, he had voted for
Gov Pingrees first bill TO establish
equal taxation in Michigan. At that
time> the entire income of our state
from all specific taxation sources was
less than one million dollars. Gov.
clear that the increase over that
amount which the state is receiving
from such sources at the present time
is directly due TO republican legisla-
ton and republican management of
state affairs. Thestate's income from
the different sources through which
its earnings come has reached the
splendid total OF more than one mill
lion dollars in excess OF Michigan's en-
tire state tax. 1t was we'll noted that
If those who are finding fault with
state expenditures would look for a
moment on the other side of the state
ledger, they would realize that con-
graduation rather than criticism are
due TO recent republican administra-
ton of our state for the management
which has produced this desirable sit
uation. Gov. Warner referred to the
added state expense caused by the
state tax commission and the further
cost of the railroad commission, and
he made it plain that these commits
sions have returned in value to the
state many, many times their entire
cost.
The establishment of the railroad
commission was directly in line with
what has been done in some of the
other progressive states. Up to that
time Michigan had nothing to say
with regard to freight rates. The state
could take part in the regulation of
passenger affairs, but the railroads
could charge any rate they saw fit
from any point in Michigan to any
other point in the state, and they
could charge their rates arbitrarily
and without notice to the people or to
the state. Under the present law the
railroad commission is given authority
to receive complaints from any shipper
and if upon investigation a rate is
found TO be an uni easonable one the
commission has the right to take part
in the formation of a fair schedule,
The railroad commission also has the
power to adjust complaints as to the
denial of freight cars to one point
while another point was being gener-
ously served. Already during the first
year of the commissions existence
this law has been made use of in over
two hundred cases.
Within the period through which it
is claimed state expenditures have
most largely increased the enrolment
at the University of Michigan has in
creased from three thousand TO over
five thousand; the attendance at the
Agricultural College has increased
from less than four hundred to over
fourteen hundred, the attendance at
the Normal schools has increased
from less than nine hundred to four
thousand, and three additional state
normal schools have been established.
And further in that same direction,
the state assists in the management
and expense of over forty county nor
NAL schools, which are doing splendid
work in the way of providing trained
teachers for the country district
schools. Within the period of which
of the growth of expenses
is being made, the Mining College in
the upper peninsula has more than
doubled its attendance: the employ
ment institution for the blind at Sag
NAV was created and is we'll justi
flying it's establishment; the Home for
the Feeble Minded and Epileptic at
Lapeer has been built up: the sanitar-
ium at Howell for the scientific treat
ment of tuberculosis has been provid-
ed for and put into operation. and the
requirements of insane asylums. re-
institutions have largely increased.
But the growth of the state and the
growth of these institutions have not
been regarded as cause for criticism
and condemnation, especially in view
of the fact that the earnings OF the
state during the same period have
grown far more rapidly than have its
combined expenses from all sources.
Gov Warner called attention to the
fact that the state executive has no
thing to do with the expense of the
Legislature for its own purposes. His
democratic opponent was a member
OF the legislature Through four years
he was in a position then to criticise
do so, nor did he at any time mako
objection to state expenditures or to
state appropriations. And that which
Mr.. Hemans approved through his ST.
lence while a member of the legisla-
ture cannot be consistently criticised
at this time because of his wish TO
pose as reform candidate for gov
ernor
In explanation of the increase in
the earnings of the state, the govern
or called attention to the fact that
within twelve years the number OF
factories in Michigan had increased
from about 2,S40 to 1900; and the mum
Der of men employed from 101 900 TO