The true northerner., 1909-01-08


son in accordance with a law enacted
by the last Legislature has fully justi-
fed the attitude Of those who urged
that an appropriation be made for this
purpose This legislation has not only
lessened the cost of twine to those
farmers who purchased their supply
from the state. but has Sfected a saw
ing to the farmers Of Michigan gen.
orally by forcing the twine trust to
reduce the price OF this necessary and
important commodity.
Liquor Traffic.
"In common with the trend OF pub
lie sentiment throughout the country
there is a growing disposition on the
part of the citizens of Michigan 10
hedge the liquor traffic about with more
restrictive laws. I would recommend
that under no circumstances should any
municipality or community be permit
ted TO establish more than one saloon
for each 500 inhabitants, leaving 1t op-
tional with the municipality or COM
munity to say whether the number of
inhabitants per saloon shall be greater
than 500. In all these computations
the population as shown by the last
state or national census should govern.
Michigan Railroad Commission.
"The state railroad commission Gre
ated by act of the last legislature has
made a most satisfactory record and
there is no doubt that the departure
from the Cne-man commission, which
so long obt,ined in Michigan, and the
enlargement of the scope of the laws
and the powers of the commission were
wise and timely. While the new law is
not perfect and needs some improve
ment, its enactment was decidedly a
forward step.
Anti-Lcbby Legislation.
1.-TWO years ago I took occasion to
say to the legislature, which then con-
vened, that The professional lobbyist
has no proper place in legislation and
the sooner he is eliminated therefrOm
the better not only for the public but
for the special interests by which he
is employed.
This sentiment was again expressed
in special messages addressed to the
same body of lawmakers, but without
influencing 1t. to abolish the evil
which is condemned by every right
minded citizen of the state.
Several states have already enacted
legislation which has had a most ben
eficial effect in retiring the profess
sional lobbyist with his secret, dark
lantern methods of influencing legisla-
ton. Michigan is tagging in this mat
ter and ii should hasten to take a
decisive stand against any and all lob
bying that will not stand the light of
full and complete publicity.
Taxation of Wire Companies.
"There is a universal and just de-
mand on the part of the people of the
state that telegraph and telephone
companies be required to pay an ad
valorem tax and at the same rate as
are all other property owners and tax
payers who share the burdens of gov
ernment. It. should be one of your
first duties, gentlemen, to place all the
property of the state on the same
basis for the purposes of taxation.
Over-CapitaIization.
Decentralization and stock-wa-
tering manipulations by corporations is
an evil which disastrously affects the
general public The railroad companies
have been the greatest offenders in
this respect When these practices are
INDUCED in by public service corpora
tions the general public pays tribute
through the exaction from them of in
creased tolls The general public too,
is the prey of all corporations which
seek to pay dividends on watered stock
or which unload such stock upon
confding people who are at all times
seeking legitimate investment for their
surplus funds The result in either
case is robbery, which should be spe-
cifically prohibited by statute.
Primary Election Law.
"The enactment qf a good, common
sense. easily workable primary cleo
tion law, the provisions of which can
be carried into effect at the least pos
sible cost to the people, is task to
which you should give early and con-
scientous attention There is already
on the statute books of Michigan the
nucleus of such a law The present
law is the best. that could possibly be
obtained at the time of its enactment.
1t is. however, far from being perfect
and should be amended so as to more
nearly and thoroughly meet the de-
mands of the people. Michigan should
be in line with the best thought and
methods in this matter.
Conclusion.
with respect to the several matters
specifically mentioned in this message
and to all other subjects which may
be brought to your attention during
the session upon which you have just
entered, bespeak your most thought
full and painstaking consideration.
You have sworn to discharge a most
important duty to the best OF your
ability and have faith to believe that
at no time will you lose sight Of your
solemn obligation to legislate in the
interests of all the people of our great
state. / would, especially urge you to
keep constantly in mind the duty you