The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-01-22


which they favor or oppose. Within
two months after the close of the leg
islative sessions each lobbyist must
file with the same official a sworn
itemized account of his expenses in
connection with his employment.
On Friday of this week the legisla-
ture will adjourn until Monday even
present program and it is not likely
to be changed. The purpose is to give
the various committees on state in
stitutions an opportunity to visit
these institutions and thus get this
necessary work out of the way. Here
tofore it has been customary to allow
the members of these committees
mileage to COVER their expenses A
departure will be made this year and
allowance for actual expenses only
will be made. This will probably re-
suit in saving to the state.
Prisoners to Work Roads.
Representative Sanders of Ingham
proposes to revive the old time and
oft recurring agitation in favor of
working short time prisoners in coun-
ty jails on the roads of the state. He
would have the chain gang system
or any other effective system of pre-
venting escape and would have the
work done under the direction of the
highway commissioners of the several
townships. Heretofore this PROPOSE
ton has always gone down before the
sentiment that the sight of convicts
working on the highways is repug-
nant to citizens of this section of the
country. Representative Sanders be-
lieves his plan is mighty sight better
than the present system of maintain
ing these prisoners in idleness.
Sale of Liquor at State Fair.
At the recent annual meeting of the
state grange much dissatisfaction was
expressed by the delegates at the pol
icy of the management of the state
agricultural society in permitting IL
toxicating liquors to be sold on tie
state fair grounds during the annuai
exhibitions. 1t was threatened r.
many of the farmers that unless tn.
custom was abandoned they woula
urge the present legislature to witt
hold the annual appropriation in al
of the society. This agitation has al
ready borne fruit, the executive corr
mittee Of the society having at IS
annual meeting a few days ago adopt
ed a resolution declaring against the
sale of liquor on the grounds after
this year.
The exception was made for the
reason that the privilege for this year
has already been sold. The members
of the committee do not regard the
custom complained of any more high
ly than do the grangers, but in their
efforts to put the society on its feet
financially, they have taken advantage
Of every opportunity to swell the So
ciety's treasury The amount receiv-
ed for the liquor selling privilege
helped out matesially.
State Boart. of Agriculture.
The alumni o. the Michigan agri-
cultural college proposes to have a
for member of the state board of agri-
cultural college proposes to have a
elected this spring. Heretofore these
graduates have endeavored to have a
say in this matter. but AS the mem
hers of the board have until now
been appointed by the governor, they
have not always been successful In
persuading the chief executive to APP
point their selections.
Several days ago the executive COM
mittee. of the alumni association met
here and resolved to endorse Hon.
William l.. Carpenter of Detroit, who
recently resigned from the supreme
bench, and DR.. J. Charles Monroe Of
South Haven, for the Republican nom
nation, it being conceded that the
Republican candidates will be elected.
Messrs. Carpenter and Monroe are
graduates of the institution, and the
alumni association, which has men,
bers in all parts of the state, pro-
poses to get very busy at once on
this proposition. They complain that
at present most OF the members of the
board are not graduates Of the college
and consequently cannot have the pc
culiar interest. in its welfare that
graduates have.
Supplies for Institutions.
A year or more ago Governor War
ner had an expert on values visit
each state institution and make a
thorough study of the system of pur--
chasing supplies in vogue at each
place, prices paid for various COM
modities, etc. He also inaugurated n
system Of monthly reports from each
state institution covering the amount
of each commodity purchased and
the price paid therefor. In this man.
ner the varying prices paid by the
several state institutions were known
and by comparison it was possible to
advise managers where savings could
be made, the result being the effect
ing of numerous economies.
Senator Mckay has now introduced
a bill which provides that all meat,
butter and similar supplies be pur-
chased within the state Of Michigan, it
having been the custom for years to
purchase many supplies in Chicago
and other places outside of the state
There is a movement on foot, too, to
establish a central purchasing agency
and have it purchase supplies for all
the state institutions. This latter
=