The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1913-02-08
news FROM THE
STATE CAPITOL
SECRETARY OF STATE COMES
OUT FOR THE RECALL OF
pERELIcr OFFICERS.
A BILL COMING TO REGULATE
PRIVATE BANKS IN STATE.
The Working Mems Compensation
law-oleomargarlne In State In
situations and Other Matters
Of Note.
10y Gurd M. Hayes.l

10y Gurd M. Hayes.]
Secretary of State Frederick c. Mar
tindale Is one of the few republican
state officials who favors the Initial
i've, referendum and recall, and he
went on record in favor Of all these
progressive measures in an address be-
fore the members Of Capitol Grange.
THE time has passed by in our
state when the politician can tell the
people what legislation 1t Is best for
them to have. and what legislation he,
in his profound wisdom, will Withhold
from them" said Secretary Martin
dale.
Il do believe the time has arrived
when the electors should have the
right to recall any official who is
derelict in his trust of conserving their
best interests. The private employer
has the right to conserve his own well
fare by dispensing with the services
OF an employee who Is recreant to his
trust. The public are entitled to the
same right.
And at any time when the legis-
lative power does not respond to the
demand of the people in regard to the
enactment of legislation, that Is es-
sential to the conservation of their
property and well being, then believe
the people should have the right to
initiate such legislation. do not think
the initiative should be the usual way
OF promoting legislation, but It should
certainly be the means by which the
people can secure desired legislation
when their representatives either re-
fuse to act or are ignorant of the peo-
pies real needs. The right to depose
faithless officials must work out as a
panacea for many Of the Ills of mis-
government"
The Private Banks.
II is expected that bill will be in
troduced very soon to place private
banking concerns under the jurlsdic-
ton of the state banking department,
and word has reached Lansing that
the small capitalists are preparing to
fight this measure with all the power
at their command.
The argument is put forth in favor
of the private banks as operated in
this state, that they are an absolute
necessity in the business of small
towns and II these banks were re-
quired to capitalize for the amount
prescribed for state banks, it would be
{ prohibitive because the businessNis too
small for such capitalization. S0n the
other hand it is contended that some
degree of supervision is necessary for
the protection of those who entrust
their funds to such institutions.
The suggestion has been made by
business man familiar with both state
and private banking in Michigan that
the private banks could be placed up
der one form Of regulation which
would accomplish to a fair degree the
purpose without being burden
burden or hardship to them.
His suggestion is that law be en-
acted requiring the bankers Of this
class to go before the circuit Judge
and make a showing as to their as
sets and then furnish bond for the
security of their depositors.
1t Is pointed out that in this way the
security companies would have a rea-
son to watch these institutions, and in
addition they might be required to
file annual reports with the secretary
OF state. In all probability a bill of
this character will be proposed before
the close OF the session.
Workingnen's Compensation Law.
Senator ogg says the present law 10
unconstitutional In that 1t violates the
federal constitution which provides:
NO state shall deny to any person
within its jurisdiction the equal pro-
lection of the laws. This provision is
violated, Ogg says. In classifying the
various employees in way which gives
one class distinct advantage over
others.
Although the present law has been
in operation only four months 1t has
been Of untold advantage to the work
ing men and another attempt on the
part of the legislature to impair its
usefulness, will bring on one Of the
biggest battles In years.
IL the amendment to the working
mems compensation and employers liza
bility law, proposed by Senator ogg,
Of Detroit, is passed, 1t is claimed by
friends of the present law, that Sena-
tor Ogg's amendment will render the
statute practically imperative. In ex-
PLANTATION of the bill Senator Ogg says
the object of the proposed legislation
Is to afford the injured employee an
opportunity to proceed In an action
at law to recover his full measure OF
damages Notwithstanding the fact that
his employer has elected to come un-
der the provisions Of the present COM
pensation Law.