The Yale expositor., 1913-01-09
THE SENATE DEMOCRATS WILL
NOT PUSH THROUGH ANY
PARTISAN MEASURES.
THE HOUSE REFUSES RECOUNT
TO CONTESTANTS FOR SEAT.
The Governor Does Not Believe in
Prize Fishts-Biils, Election Of
U. S. Senator and other Matters
Of Interest.
(By Gurd M. Hayes.)

Lansing, Mich, Jan. 5. 1t is not the
intention of the democrats, just be-
cause OF the fact that they have a
governor in the executive office, to
get cocky and endeaver to push
through any partisan measures. AT
least this is the declaration made by
Senator James II. Murtha, chairman
of the senate committee on executive
business and democratic floor leader
in the upper house.
Because we are fortunate enough
TO have a governor just across the
hall who is of our political faith, the
democratic members of the senate are
not going to try to slip anything over,
said Murtha. We are going to stand
for everything in the democratic plat
form and in this we are not going to
confine ourselves to bills introduced
by democratic members. Governor
Ferris made a plea for party loyalty
and harmony and good government
That is to be the plan for us in the
senate. Just to show you how
determined am to carry out this plan
let me say that in spite of the fact that
! do not and never have believed in
the initiative and referendum and in
spite of the fact that there is total
absense of sentiment for this so
called progressive Measure among my
constituents-will vote and work for
IN ac IL ia in orr Mat form ~
Election of U. S. Senator.
Apparently the lieutenants of United
are satisfied that he will have the re-
Quired number of votes on the joint
ballot January IA. State salt inspec-
tor John Baird, who has been looking
after the senator's interests, has left
for his home and Alfred Lucking's
supporters have withdrawn from the
scene of action.
House Refuses Recount.
Under cover of plea for ECONOMY
the house has refused TO conduct any
recounts or give any of the defeated
seats of the members who have been
admitted to the legislature. This is
the first time in the history of the
state that the house has refused to
conduct recounts and the members
who voted for Rep. Farmers resolu-
ton are coming in for considerable
criticism. The matter has stirred up
considerable feeling and indicates that
the house will be as noisy and belli-
gerent as last session. Representative
Taylor of Kent, Burke of Wayne,
heller of Lansing, McNitt of Wexford
and Weidenfeller of Van Buren, and
Mcbride of Holland, all of whom were
confronted with contests, voted with
Rep. Farmer to prevent recounts.
Reduce force of Employees.
In the interests of economy Lieut..
Governor Ross plans to cut down the
working force of the senate and thus
limit expenses. The plan of the pre-
siding officer of the senate is based
upon the proposal to combine
committee clerks and stenograph-
ers. Ross says six appointments may
be saved in this manner. Clerks and
messengers will be cut down at every
possible point and the total employees
of the senate will be reduced to less
than 40. There were "a last session
and more than 20 four years ago.
The introduction of Bills.
1t is evident that there are few
standpatters in the house and senate
this year. Hardly had the cheers
which followed Governor Ferris
message died away, when republicans
members of the Legislature poured in
mass of bills covering practically
every progressive measure advocated.
Senator Fred l.. Woodwork of Huron
introduced bill providing for the
submission of constitutional amend
mont to give the people of the state
the initiative and referendum. Sena-
tor O'Dell of Oceans came through
with two dairy and food department
measures. one of which calls for the
registration with the dairy and food
department of all cheese factories,
milk condensaries and creameries.
Banking Bills.
Senator Rosenkrans of Shiawassee
introduced a batch of banking law
n..,. ieb mn