The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-04-02
80
81 ''' 45.I|41'l'1:.
jHope Of Its assage In
X the Present oFn'
DICKINSON BILL IS PASSED.

Amended So as to Limit the Scope OF
Its Operations to Counties Which
Have Adopted Local Option, and So
as to Eliminate Private Residences.
Senator Moriarity Wants Congress
to Stand For the Present Tariff on
Iron Ore.
u Lansing, Mich, March 30.-Last
week witnessed, action taken on sew
eral measures of more than ordinary
Importance. both houses contributing
TO the progress made In disposing of
these much discussed bills. The dis
cussion which attracted the most at
tention was that INDUCED in by mem
bers Of the house over the much talked
of Ormsbee bill, which sought to make
a general revision of the liquor laws.
1t was generally understood that this
bill came with the endorsement of the
brewers and retail dealers of the state.
For this reason the anti-saloon
league people were opposed to it's
passage. Recognizing the growing
hostility to the business, the trainers
OF the bill provided for greater re-
strictions in some respects, but, IN
other particulars, it was regarded as
a grant of privileges not now enjoyed
by the business.
Action Causes Surprise.
The interests which caused the bill
70 be introduced evidently expected
that it would pass, and they were
greatly surprised when the house mus
tered enough votes to concur in the
action of the committee of the whole
in striking out all after the enacting
clause. On the day following this ac-
ton a motion to reconsider this vote
was adopted, but only after prominent
supporters Of the bill gave their
solemn promise that no unfair advan-
tage would be taken.
Even then it is doubtful II sufficient
votes to reconsider could have been
secured had it not been understood
that Speaker Campbell WOULD rule, if
this bill were killed, that fno other
bill on the subject could ! be consid-
cred, thus preventing amen hdmeht OF
the liqu3r-laws at this ses4ion. The
Ormsbee bill now reposS Is on the
table. There is no hope or its pass
. sasa- IN its present ttornsI and what
legislation affecting existing laws will
be enacted IS just at present very
problematical. !
Dickinson Bill Amended.
While the house was practically
chloroforming the Ormsbee bill, the
senate was passing the Dickinson
search and seizure bill, which was in
troduced at the instigation of the anti
saloon league. This bill was not
passed, however. until it has been
amended so as to limit the scope of
its operation to counties which have
adopted local option and so as to elm
mate private residences.
AS passed by the senate, the bill
provides that any person may make
affidavit that he has reason to believe
that liquor is concealed in building
on the premises, and that rthereupon
the magistrate shall ISSUE search
warrant The finding II liquor is made
prima facie evidence of violation OF
the law.
The house killed beyond resurrec.
ton the Stevenson bill, for which rail-
way conductors had been working for
several weeks. This bill permitted
railway companies to charge an extra
fare Of ten cents in all cases where
fare was paid on trains. The object
OF applying this penalty, as claimed
by the railroad men, was to force pas
sengers to purchase tickets before
boarding the trains and thus give
conductors more time to devote to
the running of the trains. A motion
to reconsider the vote by which the
bill failed of passage was defeated,
thus putting the bill beyond recall.
Morrice Reforestation Bill.
VA slightly better fate befell the
Morrice reforestation bill. This meas
ure had for its purpose the withdraw
al from the market of all state tax
lands and the placing of these lands
in charge OF forestry commission
with power to set aside, In its judg.
ment, large tracts for forestry pur-
poses and the disposal of the balance
to settlers. There is a chance that
this bill may not pass, inasmuch as
the vote defeating II was reconsidered
and the bill tabled. Representative
Morrice will call the bill up for further
consideration at some future date.
he senate dipped just a trifie into
pnal affairs few days since, Sen
Moriarity securing the adoption
solution, urging the Michigan
m congress to stand for
tariff on iron ore, and
ng securing favorable ac-
asolution protesting 20 INST
federal inheritance AK.
now derives substantial
e from fnheritances, and the
does not. relish the invasion of
preserves by the federal govern
t. FgNtR seyr yeyvvf ~
Text. Book Legislation. y N
Possibly no matter pending in the
Legislature is of greater. personal in,
terest or concern TO a larger number
NJ cIfizena of Michiaan than the move,