The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-03-13
From q Ston Correspondent.


LANSING, Mich, March 13.--The
TO the constitution author
izing the initiative and referendum OF
legislative questions together with the
Plumley substitute for the Dunn reso-
luton relative to the recall OF elective
officials were reported out by the SEN
ate committee on elections. Wednes-
day and. by a suspension OF the usual
procedure, passed In the committee
OF the whole.
A similar resolution regarding the
amending OF the constitution itself
was already on the calendar and IL
also was passed. All three Of them
will come up for hnal approval Thurs
day morning In a session held especi-
ally to consider them.
The recall proposal Is the one
In the house last week by a
com bination of Republican, Demo
cratic and Progressive votes. 1t does
not in itself provide the machinery
for ousting officials but says that the
legislature shall pass laws to do so.
and that the number of voters reQuir
ed to sign petitions for recall cleo.
tons shall not be more than 20 per
cent. Of the electorate.
The only change made in 1t was
base the percentage requirement
on the vote for governor instead OF
secretary Of state In order to har-
monte 1t with the two resolutions on
direct legislation. Nor were the lat
ter tempered with In any way to
affect their substance materially. Sen
ator Wood, of the Thirtieth district,
rather staggered the men who are
pushing the measures by reading .
long list OF amendments which he
wished to have Incorporated. He
treasured them. however. by explain
Ing the changes were Of verbiage and
and intents already expressed.
To only one Of his suggestions was
exception taken. That was to exempt
from referendum appropriation acts
and those given immediate effect.
genator James, of the Thirty-second
protested against thus put
ting in the hands Of the legislature
the means to block the referendum at
any time 1t might see fit. Its past
actions" he said, show that the legis-
lature Is not at all chary about exer-
cising its power TO put laws into i'm
operation" That feature Of
the amendment was withdrawn.
The meeting, Thursday morning, IL
held In order to insure the submission
of the questions In April. Secretary
of State Martindale has informed the
senators that all amendments must
come to his Office by the end Of this
week to allow time enough for the
ceedure from then on.
Should the house refuse to concur
IN whatever changes the senate
makes, In any of the resolutions. q
would be necessary and
an opportunity for it will be afforded
during the noon recess. No con-
tingency OF this sort Is expected to
arise since none of the senators has
evinced a disposition to assume the
OF offering unpopular
which might be termed a.
"reactionary." Some doubt 10 ex-
pressed az to the possibility Of mus
tering 90 votes for the recall, but
those who are pushing II profess to
believe the rest will. when the time
comes, "close their eyes and hold
their noses and vote yes, because
4 IL after all only giving the people
4 chance to decide for themselves"
ID one member put II.
The senate passed four bills on
third reading. among them Senator
Odell's short ballot proposal to give
The governor power to appoint state
officers now elected. II has not been
before the house at all az yet and 90
will have no chance Of being submit
ed this spring.
Senator Ogg's bill to give Detroit
/ third probate Judge was one Of the
several approved In committee Of tbs
Whole. The need for IN additional
nan In this capacity II urged BY both
Judges Edgar o. Durfee and Harry
furlbert. Their new associate would
ave charge OF the juvenile cases and
II matters. pertaining 70 the children
Z Detroit, which might get into court.
Considerable time was spent In dis.
ussing q bill for the protection Of
eer and other game, the point Of
hief importance being how many
nd what kind Of deer be allowed
ach hunter.
The ANAL decision was to limit each
IAN to one deer in q season, 70 be
ither a buck or doe. Senator
'dell cited letters from guides In the
Of New York, stating
nat under law to protect doe. hunt