Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-01-14
BY DOUGLAS D. MARTIN.

bion closed holding the record as the
most tranquil ever known in the state
capitol. There were no spirited con-
tests for Offices, no factional fights
that ruffled the serene surface of al
fairs and to top all, the two houses
were in session for less than three
days.
Absolutely the only development of
the week which caused comment was
the inaugural address which Lieut.
Gov Dickinson sent to the senate
when he took his seat as presiding
officer of that body. 1t was the first
time in Michigan history that lieu
tenant-governor has ever submitted
such a message This did not deter
the titular head of the republican
party, however, who sent In his mess
age a day before Gov Ferris second
inaugural address was scheduled TO
be delivered.
The lieutenant governors message
was remarkable for two things; the
stress which he laid upon the neces-
sity for advanced liquor legislation
and the emphasis with which he dwelt
upon the care with which the primary
election law must be remodeled. He
also spoke of the need for better legis-
lation, pleading with the legislature
to write a chapter in Michigan history,
"the constitutionality. the clearness,
the standard of which will make il the
most commendable of all the chapters
OF the long list of Michigan's stat
utes."
Elections and Appointments.
Perhaps the most important event
in the house was the unanimous cleo
ton of Rep. Charles Smith, of Lapeer,
as speaker Rep. Smith was opposed
by Noble Ashley. of Detroit, previous
to the opening of the legislature, but
the strength of the Lapeer man was
such that his opponent withdrew.
For the first time in years the
Wayne delegation was left out in the
cold so far as political pap is con-
cerned. The house would not even
give the gentlemen from the county
that harbors the metropolis as much
as an assistant postmastership, al
though Wayne had plenty of candi-
dates for jobs
Wayne received the same treatment
in the senate, where Oswald s Proc
tor was defeated for sergeant-atarms
by d. II. Mills, of Hillsdale. Mills was
not even a candidate until late Tues
day afternoon and his presence in the
race was unknown to the other eau
didates until just before the senators
went into their caucus room TO cast
the ballots He has been deputy sec
rotary of state under Frederick c.
Martindale for the past six years and
is well known and popular about the
capitol.
Wayne S Rice, OF Newaygo. was
named SPEAKER pro TEN of the house,
and Daniel b. Tufts of Ludington. son
of Rept. Tufts. was made sergeant-at-
arms. l.. S. Walters, of Traverse City,
father OF Senator Robert Walters, was
named postmaster Of the legislature
without opposition. Senator Walter
Taylor. of Kalamazoo. was named
president pro tenn Of the senate, and
Dennis Award. of Glare, was re-
elected secretary.
jackson Prison Scandal
Senator DeLand, of Jackson. left
the legislature early in the week TO
visit his home city and start private
investigation of the Jackson prison
scandal that has surrounded the resis-
nation of Chaplain Tougher He spent
a day inquiring into matters and then
returned, but refused to say whether
he had decided TO ask for a probe OF
the prison or not. Close friends of
the senator, however. say he will ask
for an official probe.
Senator DeLand said that he had
been advised that there was some
thing quee< in the refusal of the par
don board TO favorably consider the
application for pardon made by Myrl
Van Vorce. Ii was Mrs Van Vorce
who brought forth letters tending to
show that the chaplain of the prison
had been indiscreet in his CORE
spondence These letters resulted in
the resignation of the chaplain. Sub
sequently the board, which had de-
cided to consider favorably the appli-
cation for a parole, reversed its de-
cision.
Majority Oppose Liquor Traffic.
A poll of the house and senate has
confirmed the rumor that the legis-
lature is "dry"-that is, a majority
OF the members are known TO be op-
posed TO the liquor traffic. In the sen
ate Lieut-G Gov. Dickinson has appoint
ed on the committee TO which will be
referred all questions concerning the
LIQUOR traffic the following members:
Senator Henry Straight, of Coldwater
John Damon, of Mt. Pleasant, AMI
Charles w. Foster, of Lansing. All
three of these men are recognized
champions of the white ribbon cause
and it goes without saying that ths
record for inactivity which was made
by the liquor committee in the last
session, will not be duplicated this
year.
Committees Appointed in Senate.
Lieut.-Gov. Dickinson reversed the
usual form of naming committee
members and refused to appoint AM
senator TO a committee which viii
have in charge the interests of STATE
institution in a senator's home dis
trict. Senator Verdier, of Grand Rap
ids. heads the judiciary committee
one OF the most powerful committee
of the senate. Associated with hin
are Wood, of Manistique; Murtha, o
Detroit; Fitzgibbons, of Port Huron