The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-04-24
'a,amre Tar MADE slow progress rowaru
.-s LlA dealing with the

- 1865"
..s LII dealing with the
cope~e.s~n c,ars2i Ha,ly OF Detroit.
to MSH rio aher Of the constitu-
tor lss~tcr has probably given
Le tas.svi more study than any other
81 'zea cf .sa s-afe. lie recently COM
rle'ea a IN wsich has been In the
irnta cf tia -~rirl,,oes for some days.
D@rg Re '-r week the senate COM
felitee or cri ard villages has held
c@'ly secs.1ls behind closed doors In
oEde- 'ha' hey might not be disturbed
"h, . e"TT the bin which will
lneilg - ur'cd TO the senate.
Tie horcn committee has also been
Busy foc several days. A great many
argcc,icas have been made by off,
cials - various cities throughout tho
s;a'c and many Of these will be incor-
poraiod In the bill to be reported for
eel Ca. lt Is not believed that either
cc - VII cC.aplete It's work dur
ir present week. but bill viii
+. ciy p, 'c70rted within fortnight.
.i-rb q galway Commission.
III, committee OF the whole
,t. ,.e- tho Champion bill revising
-r1ing the work OF the
'a commission and this sub
flriher considered dur
week. In proceedings
So u.s.. RENE court last week In
living an excess baggage
a the commission. counsel
y companies very broad.
f-'irf'r that the present statute
nal. The new bill seeks
'u ihis objection and made
othr I NIX endments 10 tho exist.
he stftre.
Severed rl1or bills affecting rail-
rocd com. .r.cs have been advanced
CURES all companies 20 equip all ca
hoos,s ~ platforms on or before
Jan. !, 1879. Another prohibited the
cquiI mCrt cf any more street railway
ears Wlih seats which extend across
TIE entira car and entrances from run
Ming boards along the side. All new
ccrs mrst hove aisles through the cen
ter Notwithstanding the action OF
the house several weeks ago In defeat
Ing The bill which permits railway
companies o make an extra charge OF
10 cents in All cases where fares are
paid on the rain. the senate railway
committee has reported out n similar
bin with the recommendation that II
pass.
Blow az Gretna Greens.
The gretna greens OF Michigan will
~ tnf Al In ~ n. "A
M, 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 10 the marriage con-
tract shall sign and execute the affl-
dayit necessary TO procure a license 10
marry and makes the prospective bride
equally guilty with the near groom in
case of Justification. At present only
the male In the case is involved in a
delinquency OF this nature. Males I'M
der twenty-one years OF age must have
the consent OF their parents or guar
dams, 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 a direct blow at the mar
rlage industry which has fourished for
many years at ST. Joseph. where hun
dreds OF couples have been married an
nually during the excursion season.
Chicago furnishing most OF the mate
rial practiced upon by the local clergy
men and justices OF the peace. When
somewhat similar measures have been
before previous legislatures. the county
officials who Issue the licenses have
joined forces with the clergymen and
marrying officials and defeated the
Z bills.
Makes Offices Elective.
There Is a disposition on the part OF
some OF the legislators to make sew
eral appolntive Offices elective Dur
Ing the consideration of Senator Fox's
bill. generally revising the highway
laws Of the state. the measure was
amended 80 as to provide for the cleo
tion OF the state highway commissioner
by the people at the next general cleo
ton. Under the present law this OH
clal Is appointed by the governor.
! Whether the amendment will be pre-
served when the bill In finally voted
upon by the senate is problematical.
Representative Clarken has intro
duced a bill making the Office OF state
labor commissioner elective. and there
has been not little talk OF making the
same provision as 20 the commissioner
OF banking. In all OF these cases the
chances at present are against the
probability OF a 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 tho nomination of former SEN
ator Townsend A. Ely OF Gratiot coun-
~ as state highway commissioner for
term OF four years from July ] next
The nomination was confirmed by a.
vote OF 20 TO s. Mr.. Ely will succeed
Commissioner Horatio s. Earle, who