The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-02-27

amended 81 as 10 provide for the class /
ification OF cities and 10 empower the
Legislature TO repeal any local act now
In effect. II Is strenuOusly contended |
by many that classification OF cities
Is necessary I'm order that the cities OF
the state may have home rule. as con-
templated by the new constitution,
Others as strenuously contend that this !
is not necessary This is the Import
ant 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. II was practically
the unanimous opinion OF the delegates
who represent the various fair associa-
tons of the state. that a better class
OF exhibitions should be secured for
the annual fairs and that all gambling
and fake devices should be prohibited.
Liquor Legislation.
Proposed liquor legislation Is still
very much in evidence, although no ac-
ton has yet been taken by the com
mittee on measures introduced and re.
ferred 10 them. Both sides are active.
The liquor interests are supposed TO
be behind the bill introduced by Rep
resentative Ormsbee, of Oakland. a
prohibition county by the way, which
provides that any city or municipality
Of a county may vote 10 permit saloons
TO be conducted within their limits
even though the county as whole
may have voted 10 adopt prohibition.
On the other hand Representative
Stewart has introduced an Anti-Saloon
league measure which seeks TO per
nit any township In wet" county 10
vote itself dry" the question to be
submitted on petition OF one-third OF
the citizens OF the township and 10 be
re-submltted every two years II the
| electors so desire. II Is expressly pro
vided in this bill that the county local
option law is to remain operative, so
that no township in a county which
has already adopted prohibition can go
back TO its cups, as II were. The bat.
tic royal between the opposing forces
on this great question is not likely 70
be much longer delayed.
Farmers Club Active.
The legislative farmers club is more
active this year than for several SEES.
slons. The members of this organlza.
ton are scanning all measures care
fully and propose TO make their infu
ence felt.
one of the bills which the farmers
propose TO change from the form IN
which IL passed the senate is that
which fixes the salary OF the superin
tondent OF public instruction and ere
ates the Office of superintendent oil
rural schools IL is understood that
the farmer legislators will stand firmly
against higher salary than $4,000 fol
the superintendent and against the Gre
alton OF the new Office proposed.
Now that the house has appointed
special committee to cooperate with
like special senate committee In In
yestigating the school text book ques
ton. Il is expected that the inyestiga
ton will 20 rapidly forward. The com
mittees have already gathered sui
fcient data TO show that Michigan pee
, Die are paying much more for identi
oally the same books than they can b.
purchased for in Indiana and othe
states. Remedial legislation will b
enacted.
Waterways Committee.
The special waterways investigator
committee has reported progress :
the house, Chairman Curtiss stain
that good work is being done and tn
matter proceeded with as expedition
$ ly as possible. lie expressed the opir
Q ion that the committee would be read
: 10 make final report In about 81
e weeks. at which time II hopes 10 b
e fortified with the opinion OF the alto
< ney general as 10 the legality OF IN
! remedial legislation TO be proposed.
g There is some agitation In favor
: nbolishing the separate boards
o trustees OF the several prisons OF IN
: state and placing all OF these instit
IT lions under the management OF
II single board composed OF three mer
,. bers. Those who favor such a chant
i argue that II would result In create
l. economy and a general improvement
Il in conditions. The old effort 70 indu'
n the legislature to do away with co
lie tract labor In the prisons has been r
I. yived. A departure in the way
handling prisoners In county jails wi
!. be made n a bill introduced by Repr
I, sentative Sanders. OF lngham. ar
- passed by the house last week Is sin
!. larly favored by the senate. This b
- provides that these jail prisoners
! employed at repairing and buildir
= roads in the respective counties.
= Civil Service for Institutions.
pt Senator Mapes. of Grand Rapids. HI
es introduced a bill providing for sy
A. tenn OF civil service in state instit
g lions, and permitting counties al
d. cities to adopt the provisions OF q
10 bill by referendum. II In proposed
m have civil service commission
or three members. each OF whom shall
u x.t.o - ANIMAL aalarv Of ~ 600