The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-01-04
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE

The JONEnNOh = MEooA1E'
Governor Ferris showed in his mes
sage to the legislature. that he has al
read, healthy grasp of affairs. he
tackles the problems of state like
veteran and minces no words In stat
ing what he thinks ought to he done
He takes mp the election laws drst
and advocates y change in the primary
laws whereby the party enrolment
the Is per cent and the separa'r ballot
be done away with. In their places he
suggests enrolment and primary on the
same day "a blanket ballot and the pro-
vision for second choice selection
70 az 10 provide against minority
nominations
The short ballot is advocated by the
governor whereby the people may So
Iect governor who will appoint the
minor officers and who will be held
responsible for their acts. The short
ballot Is being widely SUI ported and
an its advocacy Gov. Ferris is promo
ting n reform that means very much
20 the people.
He also advocates the fullest publ
city for candidates the direct election
OF u s. Senators. reforms that are now
we'll on their way and which have the
hearty sanction OF the vast majority of
the people
He advocates the initiative, referen
dunn aud recall Gov. Ferris will find
much support for the first two but will
lind sentiment divided very much on
the third. unless the terms 0 All our
officers are heightened very much.
With municipal elections each year and
state elections every two years. the
people now have more election than
they actually take care of tor the pro-
blem is TO get people TO the polls not TO
keep the polls away from them.
Gov. Ferris takes up the taxation
matter and strikes at the "hit or miss
system now in vogue He advocates
the separation IF state from local taxes.
For the state support the institution. of
an income tax increased inheritance
taxes and the corporate excess tax re-
commended by the Osborn tax inquiry
commission are suggested.
The changes advocated by the Cover
nor in the taxation system are sweep
ing and need he studied carefully be.
fore attempted The corporate excess
plan will undoubtedly be fought hard
by the corporate interests Of the state
but the separation of state and local
taxation Is gaining favor as tine years
20 by and the present inefficient COM
mission system il more fully dem on.
sirated.
More stringent banking regulations
and the supervision of the sale Of
stocks and bonds TO safeguard invest
ments has his approval. He also re-
commends the adoption Of the Torrens
system or land transfers, reform that
IL BADLY needed. The farmer and his
welfare with the colonization of nor
theru Michigan lands has the Cover
nor's approval and he is an enthusiastic
advocate OF good roads
The governor S advocacy of change
in mine inspection whereby that Office
/. shall be takes ont of politics and
placed in competent hands is another
reform that wilt be greatly apnlauded
in the mining section. This IL re-.
form that will be watched with inter
est by all
There are several minor reforms ad
vocated. chief among which are the alb
clifton OF such useless boards and
offices as the live stock sanitary com
mission. the salt and oil inspector an,
Others
Gov. Ferris evidences his interest il
abe schools of the state bv the advo
racy OF radical changes in scboo
board selections and In the powers an,
duties OF such boards.
One suggestion in particular will
cause wide spread comment and tina
is his weekly wage suggestion which
ne advocates as a matter of simpl
justice.
Taken onrhe whole the message is
businessike, simple exposition of IN,
governor views on the different sub
iects before the Legislature for discus
sion. There is much in il for reilec
ton and study and it outlines consid
erable work tor our Legislators TO do.
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