The Detroit times., 1909-01-07
-HkE n IIIHI SIUIIU dFHTTsV HIIJ WIIW ~
obbying that will not stand full pub
lefty.
stock watering Denounced.
.cho q ~ q q

The prompt enactment OF law to
tax telephone and telegraph companies
on an ad Valorem basis was one or the
governors urgent recommendations.
Provision for the state supervision of
stocks and bonds by all public service
corporations was recommended as a
means of doing away with the great
evil OF over capitalization and stock
watering.
The message took a Arm stand In
favor OF hedging the liquor traffic about
ernor indorsed the demand OF the State
Grange and state Association of Farm
ers' clubs for the extension or the local
option law to cities, villages and town
ships. He also favored limiting TO one
for minimum OF 500 population the
number or saloons that may be estab-
lished IN a municipality. giving the
residents the option OF saying whether
the number OF inhabitants per saloon
may be Increased. The further recon-
mendation was made that any person
law be thereafter absolutely debarred
from securing saloon license In this
state, and that measures be taken TO
prevent the establishment OF saloon
I'm the vicinity OF church or public
school
The legislature was urged to give
early attention to the enactment or a
good. common sense, easily workable
pressing a desire that Michigan be in
line with the best thought and methods
In this manner. He recommended that
the scope OF the law he changed and
that ali nominations made by direct
vote he made on the same day, thus in .
surinG the participation OF the greatest
number OF voters. The message advo-
Gated the nomination OF all candidates
for the legislature by direct vote and
the elimination OF the 40 per cent clause
OF the present law. The conviction was
expressed that greater period or time
should intervene between enrolment
day and primary day. This change
would effect great saving TO taxpay-
ers for the reason that II held Ia con-
junction with the spring election, one
additional clerk coufd take care of the
ehrollment. In cities where no election
IS held In April, the expense OF enroll
Ind the voters In April would be no
grtater than later In the year. The law
should provide that Il petitioner for a
recount should be compelled To show
to the satisfaction of the proper body
that there is reasonable ground for
asking for a recount In the Judgment
OF the governor every care should be
taken TO limit the expense both to the
execution of the primary law. and pro
vision should be made for giving the
greatest publicity to all expenditures
made in behalf OF any candidate.
Uniform Clerks Salaries.
The governor called attention to the
recommendation made in the message
submitted 10 the Legislature four years
ago. stating that the salaries paid
Clttkf III the uliI eIenl state
ments are not based upon length Of SER
vice. previous e1oerience or the nature
of the work To be performed A uni
form salary OF $1,000 per year IL paid
regardless of ability the work to be
performed. or the responsibility OF the
position. This course the governor be-
lieves to be radically wrong and he
strongly recommends legislation max =
ing II the duty OF the heads OF the de-
partments to properly classify and
grade. the salaries OF the employees. A
law OF this kind would bring about bet
ter service without increasing the
amount of salaries paid In the agGre-
gate. law making this change would
simply place the state departments
under system prevailing IN all we'll
managed business institutions.
IN conclusion, Gov. Warner urged
the legislature to exercise the greatest
possible economy consistent with the
reasonable needs OF the various objects
for which Ii must provide and the honor
and Importance or the state. He urged
harmony and pledged the legislature
his sincere cooperation in all matters
designed TO safeguard and enhance the
interests OF the people.