The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-04-23

ing the present week. In proceedings
mad in the supreme court last week, in
a case involving an excess baggage
decision OF the commission, counsel
for the railway companies very broad
Is intimated that the present statute
Is unconstitutional. The new bill seeks
to overcome this objection and made
other needed amendments to the ex-
listing statute. Several minor bills af-
fecting railroad companies have been
advanced during the week. One of
these requires all companies to equip
al cabooses with platforms on or be-
fore Jan. 1, 1910. Another prohibited
the equipment of any more street rail-
way cars with seats which extend
across the entire car and entrances
from running boards along the side.
All new cars must have aisles through
the center. Notwithstanding the ac-
tion of the house several weeks ago
in defeating the bill which permits
railway companies to make an extra
charge of 10 cents In all cases where
fares are paid on the train the SEN
ate railway committee has reported
cut a similar bill, with the recon-
mendation that it pass.
Strengthen Marriage Laws.
The gretna green's of Michigan will
be interested in and possibly alarmed
at the action of Senator Bradley in
introducing a bill which materially
strengthens the marriage license laws
OF the state. This measure provides
that both parties to the marriage con-
tract shall sign and execute the affi-
davit necessary to procure a license
to marry and makes the prospective
bride equally guilty with the near
groom in case of Justification. Males
under twenty-one years of age must
have the consent of their parents or
guardians, and no ceremony can be
legally performed until three days
after the license is issued. No licenses
shall be issued on Sundays or legal
holidays.
The bill is direct blow at the mar
riage industry which has fourished
for many years at st. Joseph, where
hundreds of couples have been mar
ried annually during the excursion
season, Chicago furnishing most Of the
material practiced upon by the local
clergymen and justices of the peace.
1t Is very probable that Senator Brad
CT opposition.
There is a disposition on the part
tf some OF the Legislators to make
several appointive Offices elective.
During the consideration Of Senator
Yox's bill generally revising the high
way laws OF the state the measure was
am nded so as to provide for the cleo
ton of the state highway commits
sioner by the people at the next gen
eral election. Whether the amendment
will be preserved when the bill is
finally voted upon by the senate is
Representative Clark
en- has introduced a bill making the
Office of state labor commissioner
elective. and there has been not
little talk Of making the same provi-
SlOn DIS W Tic va phhh
ing. In all these cases the chances
at present are against the probability
Of majority of the two houses voting
for the proposed change.
Following the action of the senate
in amending the highway law, as
above indicated, Governor Warner
sent to the senate the nomination OF
former Senator Townsend A. Ely or
Gratiot county as state highway com
missioner for term of four years
from July /, next. The nomination
was confirmed by vote OF 20 10 ..
Mr.. Ely will succeed Commissioner
Horatio S. Earle.
Increase Commissions Salary.
The senate passed the bill revising
the law under which the banking de-
partment of the state does business.
This body increased the commission
er's salary to $4,000, but the house
has reduced the compensation to $i,-
600. The bill places the examiners
salary on a sliding scale of from 81 700
10 50, 500 and requires that applicants
for appointment to the force of exam
iners be required to pass an eXamina-
ton to be conducted by three commits
sioners to be appointed by the govern.
Dr..
The anti-saloon people are so elated
by their success at the recent cleo
ton, at which they carried nineteen
out Of twenty-seven counties for To-
cal option, that they have announced
that in 1911 the legislature of this
state will be asked to enact state
wide prohibition law. They predict
hat this fight will be the great issue
before the next legislature.
The local fire agents bill for the pay.
ment of license fee by such agents
throughout the state, the revenue to
be used for the maintenance of
state fire marshal's department, which
was described in detail by me last
week, has been withdrawn in view of
tie conclusion of Attorney General
Bird that the tax provided for was
unconstitutional.
voIuminous Report.
The special committee on water
ways, which commenced an investiga-
ION of this subject early in the ses-
sion, making an investigation which