The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-05-21

view to increasing the efficiency Of the
forest fire fighting force. Some legis.
lators thought they saw in the meas
ure a political movement, and so they
hoped onto 1t like a hawk on a June
bug.
The military men have finally sue
ceeded in securing what they consid-
cred needed changes in the military
law, although they did not accomplish
all they started out to do. Under the
terms of the tll, which has been
signed by Governor Warner, officers
will be promoted by seniority above a
specified grade; the state will make IN
increased appropriation for armories,
and all property used for armories will
be exempt from taxation. 1t is ex-
pected that this last provision will re-
suit in a decreased rental charge for
armories.
Primary Election Bill.
The primary election bill was one of
the important measures concerning
which the two houses radically disa-
greed, each passing its own measure
and then sending the entire matter to
conference committees for adjustment.
The committees had not much diff
Gully in reaching a unanimous agree
ment, and their recommendation will
doubtless be accepted by both houses.
One of the points at issue had to do
with the requirements necessary to in
sure the placing of candidates name
on the official primary ballot.
The representatives from Wayne
county desired a provision that any
one desiring to be candidate for
Office could have his name placed on
fed fee, whereas majority stood for
a provision requiring a petition repre-
senting a specified percentage of the
voters of the jurisdiction. AS agreed
to by the conference committee the
bill embodies the fee feature as apply
ing only to counties having a popula-
ton of 100000. AS this will affect
Wayne county only, the other counties
of the state are not concerned, the
petition feature being retained as to
them.
Primary Nominations Compulsory.
AS agreed to the bill makes the pri-
mary nomination of county officers
compulsory in each of the counties
which has already adopted the system
and requires that in April, 1910, the
question Of adoption be submitted in
the remaining twenty-eight counties
and also in all of the judicial circuits.
No change was made in the provis-
ion that each party be required to
make a primary nomination of a can
didate for United States senator, the
nomination to be at least morally bind
ing up on the legislature. No addition
was made to the number of state Off
GERS to be nominated by direct vote,
leaving only governor and Lieutenant;
governor to be SO nominated. The pro-
vision Of the present law which re-
quires the successful candidates for
these Offices to receive 40 per cent OF
the vote cast is eliminated, thus giving
the nomination to the candidate who
polls the highest number Of votes.
Anti-Lobby Bill.
Thus far the anti-lobby bill which
Governor Warner has recommended in
regular and special messages remains
In the possession of the house judic-
larry committee, a majority OF which
is opposed to its passage. An effort
will be made to have 1t reported out
and passed.
The Sanders anti-stock watering bill,
so-called, which had very hard sled
ding in the senate, has finally been
passed by that body and will become a
law 1t seeks to prevent stock water
ing by requiring that all stock and
bond issues proposed by railroad COM
panies and other public service corpor-
atoms be submitted TO the state rail.
road commission before being fioated.
The bill embodies provisions which il
is believed will guard the public
against further exploitation in this re-
gard.
.t Victory For Anti-SaIoonIsts.
The anti-saloon interests won VIC
tory in the house when that body adj
ministered chloroform to the Steven
son bill which authorized the operation
of breweries in local option counties
provided the output was shipped out
of these dry" counties in sealed pack
ages and sold only in wet counties
BY the way, the state analyst is busy
these days Analysing near beers and
other beverages which brewers wish
to manufacture for sale in local option
counties, the citizens of which are
suspicious Of the substitutes for the
real stun.
Notwithstanding the action of the
house in killing the Flowers public
domain bill it is not improbable that
|, some forestry legislation will be en-
acted before adjournment tomorrow.
Following the defeat Of the Flowers
bill, the senate, by nearly unanimous
vote, passed Senator Atkins bill which
provides for nearly unanimous vote
provides for public domain COM
mission along somewhat different
lines. Il Is believed that majority OF
the house members will vote for the
latter measure, although it does not
treat the subject In the manner pre-
ferred by them.
May Change Name of Bad Axe.
The indications are that the historic
name bad Axe" may disappear from
the nomenclature of Michigan NUM-
.t-.t...1. MISREPRESENTATION