The Detroit times., 1911-01-06
Warner Once Again
Explains Empty Treasury


| Warner said the depleted condition
OF the state treasury at the present
time is not due to extravaganza but
from failure to exact from the tax
payers enough money TO run the state.
To the Members of the Forty-sixth
| Legislature OF Michigan:
For the fourth time II is my privi-
| lege TO address the Legislature OF
| Michigan assembled in regular session
| regarding the affairs OF cur great state
| and TO suggest legislation which in my
Judgment will tend TO improve condl-
tions and TO advance the best interests
| of the state and its people.
In presenting this, my retiring mes
| sage III is "A source OF great satisfac-
| tion TO reflect that much of the legis-
| lation suggested and advocated In
| executive messages during the past six
lyears met with the approval OF sue
| ceeding legislatures and when put into
practice has materially benefited the
| people OF the state and accomplished
the benehcent results hoped for by It's
supporters. l. may not be amiss TO d.
| rect attention TO the fact that with re-
| spect to some at least OF this progress
| sive legislation Michigan is pioneer.
Many OF the progressive measures ana
reforms which are now being demand
ed and asked for In other states are
accomplished results in Michigan and
| the states history shows no period or
| it's existence In which greater progress
has been made in the enactment or
| Legislation designed TO supply the
needs and safeguard the interests OF
the people, to meet conditions incident
| to the growth and development OF the
state, TO bring about fair and equitable
taxation Of all property, private and
corporate. Ito insure the adoption OF
modern methods OF transacting bust
ness OF the country than during the
period covered by the administration
| just drawing 10 close.
While much OF value to the people
il bt
mains much OF equal value TO be done.
and l have no doubt that TINS leglsla-
ture will carry forward the work so
auspiciously begun.
Michigan can point with commend
Liable pride to what has been accomp-
lished during the last few years In the
line OF legislation for the better regu-
lation ard control of failroard COM
panies, including the regulation OF
freight rates and the fixing OF lower
rates of transportation of passengers
state prison OF an industry that not
only supplies binder Irvine to Michi-
gan farmers at a less cost than they
were previously paying. but also fur
nishes rcmunerative labor TO convicts
and makes handsome profit for the
state; the placing OF the properties or
railroads. telegraph and telephone COM
uanies on a just basis for taxation re-
sulting in an increase of several mil
lion dollars in the revenues or the state
thus increasing by this amount the
fund used for the support and main
tepance of our common schools; state
wide primary election laws; the proven
ton OF stock watering and over-capi-
talization by corporations the estab-
lishment of a public domain commits
sion which is rapidly and intelligently
working out a plan for the handling OF
state lands and the preservation or the
natural resources OF our well-endowed
state; the enactment OF numerous laws
which fully safeguard the rights and
interests OF that large portion OF our
people.
The message took up the various
departments OF state government, all
of which the retiring governor pro
nounces necessary, and concluded as
follows:
You. gentlemen OF the legislature.
have been sent here to legislate In the
Interests OF all Of the people OF the
state and not for the benefit or pleas
ure OF any class or faction. II Is your
duty. as you doubtless fully appreciate
20 consider every. proposed measure on
It's merits alone and not TO favor any
measure because II emanates from one
source, or oppose IL because IL comes
from another source. IL needs no argu-
ment to sustain the proposition that
any method OF procedure based on any
consideration other than the real merit
OF the legislation proposed is unwiSe,
unworthy OF those responsible for IL
and is n material damage to the state
and all It's Inhabitants. IL is with con-
fidence that I iT dulge the hope that
the legislature here convened Will put
aside all other considerations and give
10 every proposal, whether at first sight
IL appears good or bad. and whatever
may be it's source. that. full. fair and
judicial consideration which the best
In terests OF all your constituents de-
mand that IL should receive from you.
Firmly believing that you will follow
this course. I look with confidence TO
the fcrty-siXth legislature to continue
10 advance the best interests OF all the
people OF our beloved state and thus
win for itself the commentator OF that
vast and highly intelligent constituency
has hean sent here n Serye ~