Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-02-18

acts relating TO the support and
maintenance OF poor persons, as
amended. being section 4503 OF the
Compiled Laws of 1897.
Rep. Bryant introduced a bill TO pro-
hibit the use of ferrets in hunting or
killing rabbits in this state.
Waste and Plumber.
The investigation and revision OF
the laws governing the sale and
handling of the homestead lands now
vies with the waterway investigation
as the big card In legislative circles,
and following the resolution 10 tenn
porarily withdraw all these lands
from sale, the commissioner of the
land offices announces that no more
sales will be made The showing made
by the resolution indicates wholesale
waste and plumber of state lands, and
that they are not now appraised at
half their value. Rep. MaXey. of
Barraga county, heads the committee
of investigation.
Home Rule Bill.
Senator Tuttle's home rule bill is
receiving much attention and will be
the basis of lengthy discussion. The
bill provides the machinery by which
villages may become cities through
vote of the inhabitants and for the
means of amending their charters.
Provisions are made for taxation,
elections and eminent domain and for
giving effect to all processes of the
new constitution. Half a dozen other
bills covering the same subject are
being drafted by various senators and
representatives.
Senate Doings.
Senator Anhut the kid senator"
from Detroit, seems to have lined up
in behalf of the railroad employees.
He has introduced a. bill to equip all
cabooses with rear platform and steps
and to provide a fiagman for all
freight trains of 40 cars or more, and
forbidding the use of freight cars for
cabooses. and to prevent brakemen
from riding on the top OF trains
equipped with air brakes
Senator Smell came through with
bill fixing the rate for travel on inter
urban cars at one cent a mile except
when the fare is fixed by franchise or
contract This means a reduction OF
at least 20 per cent in electric travel
ing.
senate with only three negative votes.
In general terms ii requires all per-
sons who come to Lansing TO lobby,
to register. When they can they must
file statement of expenses. The bill
will meet with opposition in the
house, where its passage is very
much in doubt in spite of the COVER
nor's earnest request for favorable
action.
Modest Appropriations Only.
The Marquette prison asked for
only a little over $1,000, among the
items being a carriage for the war.
den, S225; a pump for fire protection,
81 500, and some new furnishings for
the convict kitchen. OF the latter was
one item for two dozen swimmers
Chairman Whelan put on his glasses
and examined the list very closely
finally remarking that he was doubt
ful about the carriage, but he didn't
object to o. King the item for the
swimmers
Nearly all the state institutions are
asking for pumps for fire protection
because, as they say, the state car
ries no insurance on any of its build
ings and ii is a fact that If any in
stitution should burn to the ground,
there would be no indemnity in the
way of insurance money.
In Marquette also. where the flour
ishing Upper Peninsula Normal
School is located. they are actually in
need Of more capacity. 1t was in
tended when the present building was
erected to test the needs of this sec.
ton of the state and the result has
been quite surprising The school is
crowded TO OVERLOOKING and there is
not much doubt but that the $4,000
addition which they now ask for could
be utilized to good advantage That
sum Of money. however, at this time,
sounds very large. and it is doubtful
If the appropriation will be made
The board says il could do nothing
with a smaller sum. and so it is not
unlikely that there will be no action
Outside of its current expenses for
the coming two years, the Houghton
College of Mines is not asking for
very large sum. About $4,000 is
desired for special purposes, but it is
certain that the school will have TO
show the committee before they
recommend the appropriation.
Rapid Growth Shown.
During the trip there was observed
on every side evidences of the rapid
development of this portion of the
state. II has made some rather heavy
calls for state institutions. but il has
in every case filed them in the man
ner which showed their absolute need.
There Is no doubt now that thousands
Of dollars are annually saved the
state in transportation of criminals
and insane people by having these in
stitrtions located in the Upper PENN
sula Many students are able to at.
tend the Normal school in their midst
who could not afford to do so and
pay railroad fare to Ypsilanti and
other points.