Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-01-30

~ FOR the statement that should the
committee not report the bill out
within a reasonable time, prompt &C
lion on the'measure will be requested.
The measure provides that the
state central committee. shall each
have two members from each con-
gressional district and that the nomi-
uees OF each political party for gov
ernor, lieutenant governor, secretary
of state, auditor general, attorney
general, commissioner OF the state
land Office and state treasurer shall
be members ex officio.
Under the provisions of the Bierd
bill members of the committees shall
be chosen as follows: The congress
sional, senatorial, representative and
county nominees SHALL within ten
days after the August primary cleo.
ton, meet at a place to be designated
by each congressional committee. The
nominees last enumerated shall COM
prise a district congressional conven-
ton and shall elect two members to
serve on the state central commit
tees.
The object is to bring the working
forces of each political party closer to
the people, and as the nominees are
supposed to represent the choice Of
the people, 1t is deemed right that
they shall have hand in naming the
men TO handle the political destnies
OF their parties, and in that manner
come nearer to popular representa-
ton Of the will of the people, at the
of political manipulation to the public
detriment.
Congressional Reapportionment.
Reapportionment of congressional
districts is given earnest considera,
ton. Several plans have been
mapped out, but as yet only sugges-
tions for general consideration have
been evolved. Each suggestion how
ever. accords with the ideas of the
originator as to what would best suit
his own or his particular locality's in
terests. It is recognized by the old
line Republicans in both houses that
II this matter had been disposed Of
at the previous session ii would have
been a vastly easier job, because
there were few except Republicans to
satisfy. Now, with a strong Demo
cratic and Progressive element In
both houses, there is sure TO be a
good deal of wrangling before the
state is redistricted with any degree
of general satisfaction
Extended Home Rule Powers.
Senator Verdier, of Grand Rapids,
has bill before the senate calculated
to broaden the home rule powers OF
the cities of the state. The plan is
to eliminate from the present law the
jokers which have made the law
merely name and not a fact The
measure Is a combination of sugges-
tions secured from Detroit and Grand
Rapids in opening the way for munich
pal ownership of public utilities.
Under the present law, cities may
only increase their bonded indebted
ness by a two-thirds vote and that
vote may not be taken more often
than once in two years.
Under the provisions of the Verdier
bill, the vote is extended to three
| fifths and may be taken once a year
This bill opens the way to borrow not
to exceed ! per cent of the assessed
valuation of the city for the purchase
OF public utilities.
Under the present law also, general
revision of city charter may be
! brought about by the vote of two
thirds of the electors, and in order to
initiate plans for a proposed revision
petition of 20 per cent Of the voters
must be presented. Five per cent OF
the voters on petition may, under the
/ Verdier bill, open the way to a vote
The bill has gained general com
mendation and it is believed that sc -
such readjustment as that propose c
will be brought about 1t is consid
cred one of the most important bills
yet presented.
Care of State Charges.
The charity organizations OF the
state, in cooperation with the state
board of corrections and charities are
planning to have several bills enacted
for more adequate relief of the states
helpless charges. The need of in
creased capacity in the home for the
Feeble Minded at Lapeer is to be-
brought forward and demands made
for better facilities. At recent meet
ing here of representatives of organ
iZatlons in the state with the state
board, the astounding statement wa.
made that there are 1000 imbeciles IL
Michigan utterly without proper car,
and that there is no room for them IL
the state institution.
Representative Dunn's bill for tn,
sterilization Of insane, criminals ant
imbeciles was the subject of consid
Grafton at the meeting, but the ques
ton of constitutionality of such ;
measure was advanced