The diamond drill., 1921-04-02
LANSING
LETTER
VOTERS TO PASS ON STATE
INCOME TAX AND PRIMARY
Important Constitutional Amendments
May Be Submitted; Opposition to
Proposed s-Hour Day.

| A constitutional amendment to per.
init the people OF the state to pass
the question OF state income tax
law has been proposed in the senate
by Senator Macarthur, Detroit,
The resolution provides that the
voters shall instruct the legislature
whether they want laws for the ad.
ministration OF a state income tax.
The tax would relieve the heavy
burden now placed on real estate.
Members OF the judiciary commit.
tee have not yet agreed on the Hart
bill providing optional capital punish.
ment in Michigan. Rep. Russell A..
Hart. Detroit. who is author OF the
bill, has declared that he will demand
that IL be reported out by the commit.
tee for consideration on the floor of
the house.
WOULD BAR POLITICAL BOSS.
Nomination OF all constitutional
state officers by direct primary, is
provided for in constitutional
amendment presented by Rep. George
| Lord, Detroit. The measure would
also make these officers thus nominal.
ed, delegates to state conventions for
the purpose OF formulating party
| platforms and issues.
Mr.. Lord declares that his amend
ment will bring showdown on the
question OF primary versus convention
systems. He also declares that II will
abolish for all time the power of poll
tical bosses in the state. making the
elective officers directly responsible
to the people. The governor and lieu.
tenant-governor are now the only
state officials subject to the primary,
the other officials being nominated at
the party conventions.
other bills are pending which would
go to the other extreme and abolish
all primaries.
After sharp verbal battle in the
house. the joint resolution TO increase
from 10 TO 20 per cent the number OF
signatures required TO place an
amendment on the ballot failed OF
passage for lack OF two-thirds vote.
The resolution was proposed by Rep.
Moore, st. Clair, who had as his prin-
cipal opponent in debate Rep. Aaron
Miles, Mecosta county.
PRISON SYSTEM COMMENDED.
Rather than criticism for the seven
instances in which corporal punish
ment have been resorted to in Jack
son prison during the last Is months.
Warden Harry Hubert should be
commended for the fine discipline in
the institution, according to the re-
port filed by the house committed
The report states that those who have
been demanding removal OF the war
den on this score have taken action
based on entire ignorance OF condi.
tions existing at this institution" The
report was submitted by Rep. Frank.
lin Moore, st. Clair. chairman OF the
committee.
Declaring the report OF the pardon
board incomplete. and for that reason
inaccurate, Rep. Charles Evans in
house calling for the appointment OF
a joint committee composed OF two
senators and three representatives to
investigate the work OF the prison and |
pardon board since 1906. On motion |
OF Mr.. Evans. the resolution was j
placed on its immediate passage and
adopted.
Senator James Henry. Battle Creek.
has declared the report OF the com
in charge OF the construction
OF state office buildings as un-atisfac.
tory. and further investigation will be
made this week. Total appropriations
OF $1,750.000 have been provided for
been requested which will bring the
cost OF the building to about $4,000.
600.
HOUSE PASSES LENNON BILL. i
Weathering a barrage OF amend
ments, aimed 10 destroy its effective.
ness, as well as a series OF assaults I'm
an effort to drive II into the oblivion
Df committee room pigeon hole, the
Lennon hrearm bill was passed by the
house by Sc to 20 vote. In support.
ing his bill, Rep. ! ennon declared
hat the alien had brought the nee
sssity for drastic action upon himself
by a consistent refusal 10 obey the
avs OF the country and conduct him. ,
self as peaceful citizen.
Among the bills passed by the sen.
tie Is included the following: that {
proof copies OF ballots be submitted ,
o county candidates; that a joint re. Z
solution to restore Fort Mackn.c 10 q
he United States be repealed; thar /
he importation, sale or running AZ {
arge OF diseased sheep be prevented:
hat notice OF formation or abolition I
" new election precincts must be \
Riopelle's bill 10 prevent the :.