The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-10-09

| Hemans wave and the fact was
brought out aside that the bulk of the
solid business men OF the county viii
vote for the Democratic nominee foI
governor.
Mr.. Hemans devoted his remarks 10
state issues. handling Gov. Warner
as n baggageman caresses a Saratoga
Mr.. Williams whipped a few no.
jolts into Judge VIM. II. Taft. in deal
| ing with national issues, calling the
rotund candidate "a moon-man. VIII J
reflects only the light OF President
| Roosevelts sun He also touched on
the Standard Oil question, and de.
clared that IF Standard on were
painted on a screen IL would be In the
figure OF an old woman trying to
shrink up while being pelted with rot.
ten eggs" He added that senators
other Than Foraker had nestled with
Standard Oil and remarked that lit
looks as IL the sin lay only in being
caught"
Bumps for Warner.
Mr. Hemans said In part:
Gov. Warner seems to base his claim
for a third term I'm once upon four
things. which. he says, he hopes TO &C
complIsh through legislation in the
event OF his election. said Hemans. The
four measures are;
First. A law to regulate the iegis-
second. An improved primary law .
Third. A law TO regulate Issues OF
stock. and.
Fourth. A law to provide for the
ad valorem taxation OF telegraph and
telephone companies.
II becomes necessary therefore, for
us to examine the merits of these four
measures and the governors past reia-
tion Herewith.
Any law which removes legislation
from the influence OF corruption Is 70
be desired and commended. but does
any one believe that law requiring the
arguments before legislative commit
tees will destroy the sinister influences
of the dishonest lobbyist?
Issue I'm the Law.
Let US. now examine the issue pre-
scented in the law for direct nomina-
lions. As member OF the Legislatures
OF 1901 and 1908 IL was my privilege to
vote at each session for the best pri-
Michigan. Each time the law failed OF
passage In the senate. In the cam
paign OF 1904 Ispoke from every plat
bridge N. Ferris, then the candidate OF
tile Democratic party for governor. on
the issue OF direct nominations. At the
same time the present governor. whsr-
ever he lifted his voice. was giving aid
and comfort TO It's enemies. In the sub
sequent Legislature the substance of the
every glaring defect which the law
contains, Including the 40 per cent
clause. was put there with the acquies-
cence and. In many instances. at the
solicitation of the governor. IL may
lie urged that the governor has changed
LIE mind. but II cannot be urged that
man who has been In favor OF a good
primary law half OF the time Is more
apt to secure II than one who has been
In favor OF such law all the time.
Tho third measure embraces the pro-
hfbition OF over-capitalization. or
stock watering" SO called. Inasmuch
as the governor credits the failure OF
the passage OF this and other reform
legislation TO Theron w. Atwood and
the boxer" element in the last state
senate, IL Is interesting TO note that in
his message OF Jan. ,. 1907. on page 81.
of law preventing stock watering"
or capitalization OF railroads TO
the report OF the commissioner OF rail-
roads and the commissionsr ~ rail
roads then was Theron W. Atwood.
Now, IL 10 Interesting TO note that a law
embracing the idea OF this recommen-
dalton passed the lower house OF the
legislature 1T the special session on the
18th OF October. IL went 10 the state
senate. atfd fitzpatrick Kelley, presf-
dent of the senate. was referred to the
committee of railroads. In view OF the
fact that the bill never left the commit
tee IL IL important TO examine the per
/ sonnet OF the committee. Its chairman
was Mr.. Seeley. OF the governors home
county OF Oakland. another member OF
this committee was Mr.. Fuller whom
the governor recently had nominated
for office OF auditor general. The third
member was Mr. Ely, also an admins
tratiou supporter. Three OF his commit
tee OF I've were the governors stanch
supporters. yet this measure which the
govcrpof now deems Of such prime Inn
portance. went to this committee aud
was smothered There is hut ore eN-
planation--the passage ~ the bill was
not desired by the governor
Politely strangIed.
The al valorcm taxation or telegraph
AMI telephone companies now only re-
main 10 h. considered At the last spe.
cial session. a nill passed tile senate and
went 10 the house and was referred to
a. committee by Speaker Whaien and
there ~ dicd--strengied in the commit
tee The means by which this was
accomplished ~ TO be found in house
rule No. ~. Its purpose was TO give
the administration the control OF all
legislation in the house. for as long as
the administration could, through the
speaker, control the appointment OF the
committees aud control one-third OF the
vote on the floor, IL was in position TO
absolutely. control ALL legislation con.
sidered by the house. and the governor
could titus be saved the responsibility
OF signing -xetoing any and all meas-
ures that he did not svisn TO assume the
responsibility for signing or vctoins
Now remember. that q bill TO tan