The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-01-31

slaIo Centrdl CoHimitleea snail eaCD
have two members from each con.
gressional district and that the nomi
nees Of each political party for gov
ernor, lieutenant governor, secretary
of state, auditor general, attorney
general commissioner of the state
be members ex officio.
Under the provisions OF the Bierd
bill members of the committees shall
be chosen as follows: The congress
s:onal, 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 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 a hand in naming the
men to handle the political destinies
of their parties, and in that manner
come nearer to a popular representa-
ton OF the will Of the people, at the
same time eliminating the possibility
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
lions for general consideration have
been evolved. Each suggestion, how
ever, accords with the ideas of tn
originator as to what would best suit
his own or his particular locality's in.
terests. II is recognized by the old.
line Republicans in both houses that
II this matter had been disposed OF
at the previous session it 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
good deal Of wrangIng 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 fact. The
measure is combination of sugges-
lions 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 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
a 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 Gem.
mendation and 1t Is believed that So
such readjustment as that proposed |
will be brought about. 1t is consid.
cred one of the most important bills |
yet presented
Gaze Of State Charges.
The CHARITY organizations OF the |
state, in &C operation with the state |
board of col rections and charities are |
planning 20 nave 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. Al a recent meet. |
Ing here of representatives of organ
izatious in the state with the state |
board, the astounding statement was |
made chat there are 1000 imbeciles IN |
Michigan utterly without proper care |
and that there is no room for them in
the state institution.
Representative Dunns bill for the
sterilization Of insane, criminals and |
imbeciles was the subject of consid.
GRAFTON at the meeting, but the cues.
ton of constitutionality of such a
measure was advanced
Bishop Mccormick, OF Grand Rapids.
member Of the state board. declares
that the status of the criminal is not
yet sufficiently determined for legis.
lative treatment in the manner sug-
gested.
Uniformity in Fish Legislation.
A movement has been started by
this legislature for more uniforrs leg.
islation between Michigan and Wis