The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1919-03-07
CAPITOL NEWS
BY Representative Lynn J. Lewis

Dy representative LyHN j. Lewis
The last week of February was a
busy one in the Legislature; many
bills have emerged from Committees;
members of Senate and House belong
to many committees and are kept
busy in the forenoon, afternoon and
evening; many public hearings hav'
been held, the most important last
week, being upon the Bill forbidding
the teaching of any language other
than English, below the ninth grade
in all the schools of the state; strong
opposition has arisen to this Bill in
the German-Lutherans and the Catho-
lies. They claiming that such legis-
laion deprives them of their constitu-
tional rights. The Public hearing on
the so-called Eight Hour Bill was
largely attended by the opponents Of
the measure-the manufacturers and
employers of the State; the measure
was cbampioned by Representative
Happier and Holland of the Upper
peninsula, both laboring men, 1t
row each serving their fourth term
in the Legislature A hearing was
also granted the Druggists and Ex-
tcNct .-ndfactdrcrs in come :tion
with the new amendments to the Pro.
hibition law The Chairman of The
Committees are always willing to
grant hearings on any measure to the
citizens of the state if they request
il. On Thursday evening, March 9Th,
hearing will be held in the House
OH m! I:ill which would bar Private
Banks in Michigan after January 1st,
1921. This Bill is meeting with
opposition as would be expected.
However, the State Banking Commits
sioner approves the measure, and our
Governor, while personally interested
in two private banks, informed the
writer that he would not oppose the
Bill.
The Croll Bill has passed Senate
and House and will soon be a law.
This measure provides for the is
suance of long time Bonds by
Drainage districts if the people pre-
fer to do so, rather than to pay the
cost of the Drain by Tax Levy cover
ing from one to four years.
At the next General Election Nov.
1920, the people will vote on an
amendment to the constitution giving
municipalities the right to own and
operate fuel yards; the Joint Resolu-
ton providing for this submission has
passed the Senate and will pass the
House.
Hereafter, law cases may be appeal
ed from the Circuit Court to the
Supreme Court as matter of right
and regardless of the amount invol-
we'd; the Lewis Bill repeating the
$500 limit has passed both Houses
and will become effective in July.
All physicians of the State will be
particularly interested in the progress
of the Ewing Bill which has passed
second reading and general orders in
the House; this Bill fixes the Standard
tread of vehicles and after January
lst, 1921 prohibits the use of the
narrow tread sleighs; the object of
course is to provide track of suffi-
cient width for automobiles in winter
time. This Bill or one of similar
nature has been before the Legislature
in the last three sessions, and | now
believe it will pass.
Justice, Constable and Jurors fees
in civil cases will be raised if the
Senate agrees with the House on the
Bill considering the same compen-
sation provided in the civil code of
fifty years ago, and is ridiculously
low.
One of the important functions of
the Legislative sessions is the meet
ing twice month of the Senate and
House Club; this organization has
existed for many years; it is wholly
social, and its membership consists
of the wives of the Senator's and
Representatives, while the wives of
the State officials are honorary mem.
bers; Officers are elected at the begin
ming of each session and continue l. i.
office until the next session; the first
meeting this year was held at the
home of Mrs. (Senator) Charles w.
Foster, the retiring President; the
meeting last week was with Mrs.
(Senator) Roy M. Watkins. The