The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-01-06

In many years the Democrats have a
sufficient membership in the house to
make showing their number having
increased from two, Happier and Farm.
en- members of the last legislature, to
thirteen, the upper peninsula furnish
ing two, member from Houghton
and one from Gogebic. It is expected
by the administration men that the
Democrats can be counted on for the
passage of progressive legislation and
that the members of the minority
ests. Of the state than make political
capital out of any endorsements Of
the majority party.
The Senate.
Over on the other side of the cap
itol, in the senate hall, the situation
is somewhat changed from that of two
years ago. A number of new faces
are seen and some of the old leaders
have disappeared. Conspicuous by bis
absence from the body of which he
was a member for many years is
Charles Smith of Calumet. Mayor
James Of Hancock has taken his place
and bids fair to become one of the
leaders of the body. Senator Michael
Moriarity is there, however. and is now
the senior of the senate. Senator l..
Whitney Watkins of the Jackson dis
trict will probably be the floor leader
of the Osborn administration and will
be ably seconded by Senator Vaughan,
Collins and Fowle. The Warnerites
pin their faith to Senators Newton
and Freeman, but it is doubtful wheth-
err the opposition will be able to muster
any great strength during the session
In order to successful obstruct legis-
lation desired by the governor.
Lieutenant Governor Ross has caused
II be known that he may establish a
precedent in regard to the insurgeut
rumblings in the new senate. The
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is president of the
senate, and from time as far back as
anybody here can remember the sen.
ators at the beginning of each bien-
NAL session have re-adopted a rule that
"the president. unless otherwise Ill
rected, shall appoint all committees"
The precedent making he has in mind
is ITO disregard the custom of giving
these senators who have had one or
more terms the preference in assign.
ing the more important chairmanships
and committee places.
Death Claimed Five Members.
The death of Representative Folks
of Jackson. several days ago, makes
five members of the 1909 session who
have passed away. The other four are
Senator Fox of Tuscola, Representa-
tive Colby of Detroit, Agens Of Luding.
ten and Raalte of Ottawa.
To Restrict Carrying of Firearms.
One of the Grand Rapids represen.
tatives will introduce a bill to pre-.
vent the promiscuous carrying of pis.
tots. The bill contemplates that pc.
lice officers may carry firearms, but
only such other persons as receive
license from chief of police and prose-
cutting attorney acting Jointly or from
the sheriff and prosecuting attorney
acting jointly. No dealer in firearms
would be permitted to sell pistols TN.
less he has license from the same
authorities.
Simpson Jackson's Warden.
Deputy Auditor General Nathan F.
Simpson Of Hartford, Van Buren, coun.
ty, was selected by the board of con-
troll Of the Jackson prison as warden
of that institution.
While some are Of the opinion
that Governor Osborn is not pleased
with the appointment made by the
board, it is safe to say that If Mr..
Simpson makes good as warden Of
the prison he is sure to have the
hearty cooperation of Governor Os.
born.
The new warden has already filed
his bonds, one for $4,000 as warden
and another for $4,000 as head of the
binder Irvine plant The bonds have
been approved by the board of control.
and were sent to Lansing for approval
by the state board of auditors.
Mr.. Simpson has already taken a
lively interest in affairs of the Jackson
penal institution, and Ii is predicted
on all sides that he will make an ex-
cellent warden.
Captain Stone was rendered the po-
sition of sales manager of the binder
twine plant. by the board, at a salary
Of $500 per year and accepted.
George Houser Of Charlotte succeeds
Mr.. Simpson as deputy auditor gen.
eral, and Charles Barnes of Osceola
succeeds Mr.. Houser as chief
clerk in the auditor generals depart
ment
Hall Retires From Race.
Sidney Hall of Bay City has with.
drawn from the race as secretary of
the senate, and it is stated that he
will be offered the position as journal
clerk, which he held in the last house.
by Clerk Paul King.
Civil Service Bill.
Senator Mapes Of Kent county has
drafted a civil service bill which will
place every employe in the state Offices
and state institutions, with the excep.
lion of officers appointed by the gov.
ernor, superintendent Of state insti
-uttons wardens of prisons and tao,h