The Yale expositor., 1912-02-29
TELLS LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON SUGGESTION
THAT IMMEDIATE EFFECT WOULD BE
CONSTITUTIONAL, BECAUSE 1T
is RIGHT
URGES THAT STATE PAY EACH DELEGATES
EXPENSES
Woskngmens Compensation Act Urged Along Lines Laid
Down by Commission After Long Investigation
of Employers Liability.

If | may be permitted the smile? Ii
cannot be seen or measured by the
most powerful microscope. 1t is form
less and colorless and SO subtle and
insidiouS as to be the most deadly
germ that threatens popular govern
ment. Who will SOW it broadcast?
Who knows when it is being sown?
Who planted the deadly seeds of the
French Revolution? When We're they
distributed and permitted to inocu-
late the heart, mind and soul OF
France? Far easier is it to detect the
little leaks that leopard the dykes OF
Holland. Surer and palmer the
knowledge Of the structural weakness
in the death-dealing dams built by
foolish men at Johnstown and Austin.
Shall we SO fatuously and plainly in
vite popular disappointment and dis
satisfaction and their disturbing eff
fects as would be done by Withholding
that which the people desire and is
their wholesome right to have?
This is not the theatrical language
OF one who wishes to perpetuate him
self in office, but Of one who, like
yourselves. loves his state and whose
chiefest ambition is TO serve it I'M
selfishly. Only last week Mr.. +. IL.
Gary, Of New York, head of the United
States Steel Corporation, made state
ments more startling than these when
he proclaimed that the situation in
America today is similar 10 the con-
dition in France just prior to the
Reign Of Terror there. do not think
We are as badly off as that. but I do
wish to repeat and TO emphasize to
you the fact that the peace and safety
of our state is endangered every time
any plainly known rights of the peo-
pie are withheld.
On every farm and in every work
shop and factory, in mines and wher-
ever workmen congregate, there are
multitudes VINO reStlessly and right
fully demand fuller opportunity TO
participate in affairs of government
without being watched by bosses and
those of unusual strength and infiu-
ence about them. Their desire for
presidential primary law is deeply
rooted and causes them TO feel that
without it they not only are often not
represented but may be misrepresen-
ted. This state of mind can easily
be infiamed, with the result that
finally a critical condition is set up.
Nothing has a more direct bearing
upon the safety of the state than
that proper servants shall be chosen,
from highest TO lowest place, and
that all the people shall be given the
best medium of participating in the
choice and the freest opportunity OF
using that medium. SO | am conf
dent that this matter will have your
consideration upon its merits, with
out resort to technical and confusing
hair-splitting or thought of personal
feeling. 1t is within your power -
act SO promptly that the first presi-
Dental primary election may occur
at the April election this year which
would ba great saving Of expense.
Employers Liability and Workmen's
Compensation Commission.
The Employers Liability and Work
mems Compensation Commission, ere
ated by this Legislature, has COM
pleted and issued valuable report.
That Commission, composed Of Hal.
III. Smith (Chairman), Charles r.
Sigh, Michael p. McCuen, William p.
Belden and Ora +. Reaves, with Rich
ard l.. Drake Secretary, has done a
painstaking and patriotic work which
should have general approval. The
State of Michigan is indebted to it.
The Federal Government and many
states have given attention to the inn
portant questions involved. A bill
has been prepared by your Commits
sion which | respectfully call to your
attention and request for il your ia
vorable consideration. The arguments
for the law proposed are irrefutable.
| directed your attention to this sub
ject in my inaugural message. Your
early action will hasten the day when
shall start a more just and wise and
happy distribution of the hazard OF
industrial employment. In this ques-
ton alone | could find easy justifica
ton for converting this Legislature in
extraordinary session. If you enact
the bill recommended by your Com
mission the law will go into effect
year earlier than otherwise and the
saving to the state in reduced court
expenses, and TO both employers and
worknen by having just sums for
damages applied in accordance with
the right, and in obviating bitter fric-
tons and enmites of suits at law,
will be many times the amount of the
cost Of a special session of the Legis-
lature.
Respectfully submitted
CHASE S. OSBORN,
Governor