The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-19

ate and apparently has the inside
track.
IL was 1880 when State Chair
man Alex j. Groesbeck called the
meeting TO order. Lieut.. Gov John
q. Ross was made chairman. Mr..
Ross said:
"The Republican party is still on
the map, and IL is-up To this bunch
TO keep it on the map In Michigan.
We have always stood for measures
that were good for the people as
whole, and shall continue 10 stand
for them. IL il up 10 us TO see that
the legislation promised In our plat
form Is enacted. All questions must
be met squarely; there must be no
Sinking on the part OF anyone"
Senator Virgins called on Mr..
Groesbeck TO open the discussion.
Mr.. Groesbeck read tentative draft
OF an initiative and referendum
proposition. IL provided for an in
itlative, petition signed by 20 per
cent OF the voters. submitted To the
secretary OF state at least four monhs
before "A vote on il Is taken IL pro-
vided that signatures be taken in the
offices Of those authorized TO take
them, or in regular polling places at
the time of enrolment or registra-
ton.
This proposition aroused Rep.
Fred l.. Woodwork, OF Sanilac coun-
~. who has an initiative and refer
introduce in the house
IF our measure contains a clause
requiring as high a number as 20
per cent OF the electors, and regis
tration in the booths, the people Of
my district are going to consider IL
counterfeit" he said. "Such a
plan has serious defects"
Mr. Grosebeck explained that the
figure 20 had not been fixed as
proper one. but had merely been in
serted as any figure might have been.
His purpose was rather TO show the
form OF the enactment.
Senator Frank Scott, OF Alpena,
took the floor:
"Some OF the parties. and possibly
the Republicans, have forgotten that
they are Representatives he said.
1--WE are not in the legislature TO
manifest our personal opinions, but
to carry out the wishes of our con-
stituents. The people for years have
been clamoring for certain legisla
ton, and one OF the things they have
wanted is the initiative and refer
endum. We ought 10 give them what
they want.
1T has been claimed that woman
suffrage was lost by fraud. Whether
this is true or not. the Republican
party ought at all times 10 foster the
submission OF a great question like
woman suffrage. The Republican
majority ought TO stand solid. not
only 10 permit a recount, IL II is de-
manded, but also TO resubmit the
question in the spring election.
Another thing TO be remedied is
the delay of the law. The noticing
of cases for trial is an example. All
cases should go on the calendar OF
their own volition, and II would then |
be UP 10 the circuit Judge to see
that they are given a speedy trial.
81 believe in a compulsory primary |
election. and the disfranchisement OF
anyone who does not participate in
il. That would assure US OF a con-
census OF opinion in the primary.
At / o'clock the meeting adjourn
ed for luncheon, which was served
in the rooms adjoining the conven-
ton hall. Later, the session was re-
sumed.
A number OF members-elect OF the
legislature will go TO Ypsilanti, Fri
day, TO inspect the State Normal
school Senator Ogg will be the
party's guide. The school has felt
itself hampered by lack OF funds and
the legislators have been asked 10
inspect IL before the session begins. |