The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-02-26
BILLS HELD UP
bY The HOUSE.
Dickinson Primary and Anti
Lobby Not Considered.
OBJECTIONS TO MEASURES.

Marked Disposition to Amend the Pri.
mary Bill So as to Make 1t More
Sweeping In Its Provisions-New
Anti-Lobby Bill introduced In the
House by Representative Miller.
Proposed Liquor Legislation Much In
acknowledgements Bills.
Lansing, ,Mieh., Feb. 23.-Two bills
of more or less interest to the general
| public, which IT was expected would
be acted upon to some extent last
week. failed to be taken up for con-
| sideration: The measures referred to
are the Dickinson primary election bill
and the anti-lobby bill, which was
! passed by the senate and has since
been in charge of the house commit
tee on Judiciary.
1t was expected that the Dickinson
primary bill would be considered by
the senate in committee of the whole
last Wednesday, but decided opposi.
ton to this arrangement developed
| with the result that its consideration
| was postponed for one week. Unless
this program is changed. therefore.
the bill will be taken up tomorrow.
There appears to be a marked DISPOSE
ton to amend the bill so as to make
1t more sweeping in its provisions.
No Convention Nominations.
AS at present drawn the only state
~ nn1n cd Ia
lieutenant governor, whereas some OF
those senators who opposed consider
alton last week favor including all
state officers, leaving no nominations
to be made by state convention. 1t is
quite apparent that there will be an
interesting discussion on this bill when
the senate takes it up for action.
| The anti-lobby bill, which was
passed by the senate with but three
dissenting votes, was generally eX'
pected to have rather clear sailing in
the house, but it struck a snag in the
judiciary committee the vote being six
to three to oppose reporting the meas
ure out to the house II the commit.
tee maintains this attitude, it will be
necessary for the friends of the bill TO
master fifty-one votes in order to get
it before the house for discussion.
Under the old rules it required two.
thirds vote to take bill from COM
mittee, but this object is not hard of
accomplishment under the present
regulations. Friends Of the bill assert
that they will experience no difficulty
in mastering votes enough to take the
bill from the committee and pass it.
MilIer's Anti-Lobby Bill.
Representative Miller of Wayne has
introduced a new anti-lobby bill. 1t
applies only to state officials, provid-
ing penalty for any such Official,
whether elected or appointed, to ar
tempt to influence in any manner di-
rectly or indirectly, the course OF leg
islative action, or to oppose or advo-
cate the passage Of any bill or resolu-
ton, except through communica-
tions or messages addressed to the
president of the senate and speaker
of the house of representatives. Such
messages when addressed by the gov
ernor may refer to any matter Of pub
lie concern, but when prepared or for
warded by any other state officer shall
refer only TO matters concerning the
duties of the office or officer trans
hitting the message.
1t may be said that the anti-lobby
bill, which the house judiciary COM
mittee is not disposed to report out
for action is general in it's applica-
ton, requiring all persons who ap-
pear for or against pending matters
to register and disclose the source of
their employment or their interest in
the matter, and further requiring all
such persons to file sworn state
ment of expenses incurred in connec-
ton with the appearance before the
legislature or committee thereof Evil
neuvering before this subject is final
IL disposed Of
Amendments to Constitution.
Although the new constitution Is
only few months old, measure has
already been introduced providing for
tuU OuDlulooiOh W tiC DCOplC az buC
April election of several proposed
amendments. Representative Colby Of
Wayne, who is sponsor for this resolu-
ton, would have the organic law
amended so as to provide for the class.
Ification of cities and to empower the
legislature to repeal any local act now
in effect. 1t is strenuously contend
ed by many that classification of cities
Is necessary in order that the cities of
the state may have home rule, as con-
templated by the new constitution
Others as strenuously contended that
this is not necessary. This is the inn
portant question in connection with
the home rule proposition.
The good people of the state will be
pleased TO know that at the annual
meeting OF The Michigan Association
OF Fairs last week, It was practically
The unanimous opinion of the dele
gates who represent the various fair
associations OF the state that better
class of exhibitions should be secured
for the annual fairs and that all gam