The Detroit times., 1910-09-02
RECORD or THE WAYNE COUNTY DELs


LAST LEG
The record OF the 1909 State Legii
umes. IL Is therefore apparent that
| TO the general public. We shall ende
To each OF the Wayne County dele
was sent two months ago and each W
tion on any measure had been misst
do any man an injustice.
Gas KuIe and Those Who Favored II.
There was first a persistent attempt
to keep bills from being reported out
from hostile committees for fear that
they might be enacted into law III
brought before the House. The revised
State Constitution specifically pro-
any rule that will prevent majority
OF the mem bers elected from discharg-
ing a committee from the further con
sideration of any measure. BUT
bill had once been given TO a commit :
tee IL would require a two-thirds vote
TO take II from that committee. and
that such "A motion could only ne MADE
once I'm regard, to any bill during the
Legislative session. thus violating the
plain provisions or the revised Consti-
tuition.
on April 10. the attention OF the
House was called to the fact that II
was within a few weeks OF the close
OF the session and yet not one or the
measures, which the legislature was
pledged to pass, had been enacted into
law. II was particularly desired TO
take from the Committee on Taxation
OF which Guy A. Miller was chairman.
the ad valorem taxation bill. provid-
ing for the taxation OF telegraph ana
telephone companies on the same basis
as the property or individuals.
When Speaker Campbell. by his de-
cision. frst thwarted the will OF the
House In regard TO getting this bill
away from the COMMITTEES. and when
numerous motions appealing from his
decision were put, there was such con-
S....t t. L. - n. .l..l s,s.a
that IL II hardly fair to hold them to
their record at that time. However.
after the matter had been thoroughly
aired In the public press so that the
holders OF special privileges on the one
hand. and the rights OF the common
people on the other, the following per-
sistently' voted against and prevented
amending the rules 40 az to make II
clear that majority OF the House
could at any time take bill from
hostile committee and control legisla-
ton: Curtiss, Flowers, Lodge, Miller,
voted In favor OF amending the rules
OF the House so that they would be In
accord with the Democratic principles
OF the revised Constitution were Aus
tin, CInrkeu, Copiey and OGg. tSee
House Journal page 1002)
Representative Lodge has stated to
us that he opposed the amendment as
there was nothing in the House Rules
preventing a majority from taking a
bill from hostile committee. The
Speaker. however. interpreted and en-
forcd the rules differently and Lodge
by voting against making the rules
more specific. voted with the Speaker
and against majority control.
Ad vaIorem Taxation OF Telephone and
Telegraph Companies.
The second measure of general pub
think the record of the Wayne County
delega ton significant was bill to tax
telephone and telegraph companies on
the value OF their property instead OF
Governor Warner In his message to
the House said. 1.-The principle sought
to be put Into effect by this measure ~
one that no candidate or party would
dare oppose In any campaign. Those
who advocate the passage OF this
measure (the Anhut- Fairbanks BID.
do so on the broad ground of it's fair
ness and justice to the people OF the
state Had a similar bin THE Dust
BID, been enacted by the preceding
legislature. the telephone and tele-
graph companies, according to Attor-
ney.General Bird. would have paid an
additional $350.000 into the state treas
ury during the last two years. The
telephone and telegraph companies
as Is shown by the advertising matter
sent by w. =. Vivian. Secretary Treas
urer OF the Michigan Telephone Traf-
nc Association. to the papers on April
news heads. etc.
When this measure finally came to
vote. Representatives Guy A. Miller
and John Stevenson voted against IT.
Icy, Curtfss, Flowers, Lodge, Ogx and
lnsOeld voted for IL. (See House
Journal. pages 1895 and 1886. Repre-
against the bill when IT was consider
ed In Committee Of the Whole where
no record or votes Is taken, calling IL
unconstitutional and pernicious."
Representative Miller was chairman
of the committee to which this bill
mad been referred He voted against
reporting II out and II was only so re-
ported out when the House showed
that IT would not stand for further
gag-rule tactics. In the previous Leg
islature, Representative Miller had
voted for bill to tax such companies
on the same basis as other property.
How the vote stood In The senate.
Senator's Anhut. Scott and Smell vot-
ed Tor this measure. Senators krcug-
er and MacKay were absent and their
vote Is not recorded. tSee page 457,
Senate JournaD.
Statewide Civil Service bill.
Another measure of general public
ployees on the state payroll drawing
public money tabout 5000, was the
state wide civil service bill endorsed
by such men as James b, Angel, Presi-
Michigan. and Ray Stannard Baker
Mr.. Baker said that Ii had been esti-
mated that the enactment OF this bill,
which had no untried provisions, but
embodied the best features OF the New
York. Massachusetts and New Jersey
laws. would save the people of Michi-
gan at least $4,000 a year and prob
ably good deal more.
The Detroit Free Press, commenting
on the defeat of this bill. said editor
tally on May the goth. 1909. THE Leg
islature's unsympathetic treatment OF
civil service reform revealed It's real
attitude towards vital and necessary
reforms, having a large appeal TO that
portion OF the public which is laboring
Tor the introduction OF new Ideas
promising betterments In another
place this paper said, mo logical ar
ed"
IL is TO the credit Of the majority OF
the Wayne delegation that they voted
FOR this measure, measure clearly I'm
the interest OF the public. and against
the control OF the state by political
machines
Record I'm the senate.
Senator krueger opposed this bill by
voting To strike out everything after
the enacting clause. Senators Auhut,
bill by voting against striking out
everything after the enacting clause
tSenete Journal page 309).
The author OF the bill later endeav-
ored to get the vote reconsidered by
which IL was killed. but both Senators
kreuger and scott voted against the
reconsideration when their votes tthc