The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1913-01-24
STATE SENATORS
NOTABLE BODY
All Occupations Repre-
sented in Makeup of
Upper House.
PRESIDING OFFICER POPULAR
Lieut-Gov. Ross Sounds the Key Note
of Good Legislation in Opening
Address.

Anyone who sits on the side lines or
IN the galleries Of the present senate OF
Michigan cannot but be impressed with
the fact that here surely is representa-
tive body OF Michigan's public men.
Bright, keen, alert business and pro-
iessional men, no one seems afraid to
meet any issue which may be presented,
and all appear to have one common
motto in determining their deliberations,
j. e., "Is it Right, and do the People
Want it!"
All occupations are we'll represented,
the lawyers having a shade the best OF
1t, but among the roster we 6nd two
publishers, a produce dealer, merchants,
manufacturers, contractors, real estate
men, physicians, bankers and live men
who give their occupation as far ners.
Our own senator, Mr.. Virgins, says
that while banking is his occupation,
nevertheless be is farmer by profession,
and while he is doing we'll at his occu-
patton, he likes his profession better
Here are 32 men OF whom "a were
born 10 our own state OF Michigan, and
they certainly are representative OF the
business interests of the state, from
Clarence +. Gittins, the youngest mem-
Der OF the senate, who represents the
first district of Detroit, to w. Frank
James, the senator from the 32nd dis
trict, comprising Houghton, Baraga and
the extreme northern counties, who has
already introduced the bill for minimum
wages for women and the Corrupt Prac
tice Act.
A body of men OF this caliber must
have presiding officer in whom they
have confidence, and Lie utenaut Gov
ernor John y. Ross certainly "fts right
IN the groove" Here is a man whose
integrity, honesty, character aud oevo-
tion to duty is above reproach. There
is no "duckiug" or side stepping. he Is
ready at all times to meet an issue
squarely and fairly, and in conversation
with him along any legislative lines one
cannot help but feel that he is talking
20 hundred point" man, who is blg
enough and broad enough to overlook
local conditions and be governed at a
simes by the needs of the state at large
Mr. Ross sounded the keynote oI
senate ~hen he said:
Sat the opening of this session of the
senate | feel called upon to say thai
while We have represented here three
different political parties, yet We are at
here for a common purpose, the pfotec
sion, advancement and upbuilding o
our state, and with that to guide US,
AN sure the blending of the ideas repre-
seuted, honestly and fearessly worked
out, will mean wise legislation.
There are many interests in the state
90 be conserved. The farmer is entitled
20 the greatest measure OF opportunity
and protection consistent with his rela
tionship % the other interests OF tht
state. The manufacturing and Inning
interests should be viewed from tn,
standpoint of their necessities, weighing
them 10 the scales of justice, counter
balanced by the other interests OF tn
state. Indissolubly linked with all o
these is the right and the opDortunit.
OF the men and women who exchang
sheir labor for a means OF livelihood 70
themselves and their families Thei
welfare and protection should be con
stantly with you.
"In other words, questions OF legisla
zion should be considered from tn
standpoint OF the farmer, the laUorel
the manufacturer, the mine owner au
che merchart, because the industris
and commercial elements which ente
into the fabric Of our modern civilizatio
are so interviewer and dependent, eac
upon the other. that for any substantis
progress, justice and harmony must per
wade the whole"
L: requires a man with these broa
gauged ideas to preside over body c
men as representative as the presen
senate OF Michigan.