Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-05-27
MANY BILLS PASSED
Michigan Legislature Adjourned We'd,
neSday Evening, May 10.
s10,304,000.00 IN TAXES.
Must be Paid During Next Two YearS-Sum.
mary of Bills Passed.

Late "wednesday night the members OF
the Michigan legislature gathered ny
their books, stationery, ink stands,
waste baskets. etc. and quit business.
After ten days recess a few of the
faithful will meet again for final
adjournment. In many respects the
session just closed has been most
important one, many new laws hav-
ing been passed. The new constitu-
tion made the enactment of numerous
laws necessary and the failure of the
last legislature to provide sufficient
funds to meet the expenses of the
state. caused the budget for the next
two years to be swelled to so. 304. =
000 90. Below is brief summary of
the more important laws passed.
Home Rule Laws-Three broad bills
granting to cities. villages and
counties powers of local legislation
contemplated by the new constitution
Taxation Telephone and telegraph
companies brought under ad valorem
tax: must pay cash value not on earn
ings VIII increase state receipts
over 500 600 yearly.
Copley bill allowing nonresident
taxpayers to appeal TO the state tax
commissioners from action of local
assessing officers.
Bierd bill allowing appeal TO three
non resident supervisors from action
of supervisors in equalizing county
valuations.
Verdier bill exempting bonds of
cities, townships. counties. villages
and school districts from taxation.
Railroad Observation-Disclosures
OF railroad commission bill, broaden
ing comm ission's powers and remov
ing doubt OF laws constitutionalitv.
Railroad employees exempted from
construction of 'fellow-servant" idea.
All cabooses must have rear platform
and back stems
ducation-Sanders bill allowing
townships To form unit school district.
Means township high schools if used.
futile bill permitting country school
districts TO pay tuition of scholars
who have passed eighth grade to near
by high schools.
Fowle bill encouraging county
manual training and agricultural
schools. State to pay 1000 a year.
but aid limited for this session to but
one school. that at Menominee. being
the only one in the state.
Good Roads-Fox bill condifes high
wav laws, making it easy for highway
commissioner to learn. his duties.
Many obsolete parts of present laws
repealed but all good portions. in
Guiding county highway law. retained.
Good roads appropriation set at
$3.50. 900 yearly through REPRESENTATIVE
Bakers efforts. $25. 900 q year more
than state ever spent.
Public Health Wood bill declaring
an infectious disease and
rigid rules for reporting
and isolating cases.
Jensen bill giving state board of
health supervision over water supplies
Coplev bill allowing state hoard of
health some power in keeping streams
free of sewage. but exempting ex-
listing CITY sewage systems.
Liquor Legislation Warner Cram
ton regulation bill. makes stricter
laws for conduct of saloons, general
provision for gradual reduction to one
to 500
Dickinson search and seizure bill, |
giving prosecutors greater rights In
for contraband liquor in dry |
Drain Laws-Hatch- Engel bill pro-
viding for election of drain commits |
sioners. All drain petitions must be
approved by township board. Town
ships nav issue bonds for drains.
Havilsnd bill providing for con-
,truction of dams in drains.
Military Laws-Stewart bill codify-
ing military laws and arranging for
70. organization of department. pro-
motions bv order of seniority. Bill
carries SIS. 900 for armories. not more
han two to be tuilt yearly.
Stewart bill to protect uniform:
also bill providing that militiamen
hall be carried for one cent a mile on
way 10 and from rife ranges.
Shields bill providing penalties for
keepers of rublic resorts who debar
soldiers In uniform. - y