Lansing Letter

Lansinií, March 9, 1887. Gov. and Mrs. Lupe gave a reception to uienibers of the legislature tho other eveniiiír. It w:;s atteiuled generally by the meuiber.s of tlie legislature and tho state ollkers as by the best of Lansing society in largo forcé, and by a number of distinguished citizens from other parta of the state. The governor and Mrs. Luce received the (tuesta In the oxecutive parlors. The executive office, representativo hall and the senate chnmber were oponed for tho oecupancy of the crowdn that thronged the capítol, aiid though there was no regular order for dancing the corridors were utiü.ed for an occasional waltz or polka. The governor's rooms were adorned with ehoicp f'owers from tho agricultural college and the evening was enlivened with vocal music by Mrs. Turner of Lansing nnd liy tho university glee club, and with instrumental music by tbe Jackson orche-tra. Tho joint committee on tho university met the othor day to consider the memorial of tho regenta relativo to appropriations for the yoars 1837 and 18S8. Hegent Grosvenor nnd President Angelí were pre ont, reprcsenting the university. Tho entire nppropriation as asked for in tho memorial wiis passed, with an additiou of $"',C0O for forge and foundry rooms and equipment, and $1,250 additional for contingent expenses, This last aniount is for an addition to President Angell's salary, whieh will make tho amount $5,000. Mr. Grosvenor stated that President Angelí had receivod some flattering offers from other institutions, and that without an increado in salary they could not hopo to re tai n hím. The appropriations as unaniii] i nis! vpii' sed by the committee and as they will he adopted by the legislature. amount for tlie two years to$í07,0C5 'M. The question of tho pronosed increase of the onetwentiet'.i mili tax to one tenth mili caiiíed an animated discnssion. President Angelí and Mr. Grosvenor urged the increase. Mr. Manly said that he had made a thorongh canvass of the house, and he feit certain that it would not consent to the Increase. The members of the sonate committee wero disposed to grant tho increase, bul in view of the temper of the houpe the committee fln!ly voted toleave the taz as it is. Tho bill making appropriatious for the state public school went through the house smootlily by a vote of 65 to ö. It approprintes $70,000 for current expenses for each of the next two years, and $s,300 for repairs and permanent improvcments. The house has pagaed two other bilis of interest to Defroit: that providing for a additional judpro for the Wayne circuit court. and that providing for the incorporation of hotol companies. Botu were giyen immediate effect. Tho latter passed without debato and without opposition. '1 ha former was opposod by Mr. Stuart on a mis iijprehension. but recoived nearly a unanimous vote. Tho bill for ceding to the United States jurisdiction over the new postoflice site in Detroit was also reached, and went through without opposition. The house rested from its arduouslabors the other day and listened to speeches by a dozen ex-members of tho legislature who were in the city, and by othor gentlemen who have never aspired to political honors. Among those cilled upon wero exGov. Blnir, who spoke eloquently about pa t legislntion in the state, and President Angelí, who made a felicitous address, chlefly upon the material resources of Michigan. Renator Witner'a bilí in reference to reimbur ement by the state of business destroyed by legislativo enactment, or constitutional prohibition, is now before the setiato judiciary committoe. The material portions of the bill reud as follows: "That it shall ba the duty of the board of state auditors to examine, ndjust and settle all claims and (Iemands that may be presented to it by any persou, h'rm or Corporation against this state that now oxists, or that in;y hereafter arise on account of the enacting of any law, or from any chango in the constitution of this state, whereby any business trade or occupation thereto lawfully carried on in this state, was or is made unlawful and is prohibited. Thesairt board shall not allow or audit any claim under the provisions of this act unless the samo ehall be established by competent testimony." The bill concludes with the following words: "All claims allowed undrr the provisions of this act shall be certified to the auditor-general, who shall draw his warrant therefore upon the state treasury, payable from the general fund of the state and to the perron in whose favor the claim is allowed: provided, however, that not more than the sum of {500,000 in umount of said orders shall be paid during anyone fiscal year, uuless there be a special tax levied therefor : And provided furtber that all orders drawn in any year and not paid on presentado nt the close of tho fiscal year, shall thereafter draw interest at the rate of our per centr.m per annum. The said board shall be allowed their necessary expenses in the performance of thir duties ander this act and S3 for each day engaged therein. By the use of one of thtse tabled titles the house will be able to evade the law making it necessary to introduce bilis during the first 50 days of tho se-sion. The title can be taken from thetable, amended and joined on a new bill and a law passed that will bo iron-clad in the supremo court. There are tricks in all trades, oven in tho legislator's. The house indulged in an animated dobato the otlier day over the bill to provide for the marking, stamping and labeling of goods nnd artlcles manufacturad by convict labor iu this state. It was agreed to by the ponimittce of the whole with a provisicn that the words "prison-made" shall not be stamped upon goods manufacturad under existing contracts. Thore is a faint hope that the death penalty will be once more etabli-hed in this State. The bill to ostiiblish the penalty of death by hanging for the crime of murder, has been placed at the foot; of tho calendar but Senator Post is contident the matter will bo disposed of at this session. The bill of Representative Seward Baker, providius that pnrchasera of promissory notes shall tal: e the samo subject to all defene-i which inight havo been made against the original holder and that any per-on offerlng for salo promissory notes and niaking falso statements as to what was tho original consideration, had all after the enacting clause struck out. Tho senatu has passed the bill for theincorporation of Womon's Christian Temperance Union Associations. Senator Cro.,by has compiled a table Bhowing theamout of special tixes forlSSG that will go into the state Krom this table it is seen that tho corporata iMono])olies, which are uinally supposed to pny next to nothing toward the support of the state, really contributo sometning: Rivor improvement companies.. fn:'.1.77 Railroads 619,899.20 Insurance companies 125,489.01 Plank roads 1,698.79 Kxpress companies 2,490.31 Telephone and telegraph companies 13,3T3.fiS Mining companios 47,565.17 Freight, sleeping and palace car companies 1,857.82 Total $812,711.75 The amountassossed on the real and personal property for lbS'i was 11,202,161.67. It will thus bo seou that tho railroads alone pay more than one third of the entire cost of running the state of Michigau. Representativo Makelim has a bill betore the committee on state att'aira which increases the rato to be paid by express companiei to threo per cent. on their gross earnings instead of the one per cent. that is now paid. The taxation of tho mining companies seems small as compared with their wealth. Gov. Luce has apuroved the following 1 ill;: To make an appropriation for the deflcient'y for constructing nnd f urnishing an asylum for insane crimináis; and to prevent the taking of promi-ory notes in poyiiient for cercáis at üctitious values. Of the bilis urged by the state newspaper men, the committee on printing has reported favorably tho ono tj compal the boards of suporvisors to publish in a county newgpapÁr at the end of each session a i fuh report of their proceedings; and also the one to ceinpel tn pnblication in on or more papers of each oounty the terras and places of holding circuit courts. As Lhe law now stands supervisors' proceedings are published once a year. in pamphlet [orm, and terms of court are annoum-ed in one papor in the circuit only. Under the recent order of the state military board reijuiring all regiments to elect new olIiceiH Cor terms of not less than one or more than three year, elections will be hald March 30, as follows: The first regiment at Jackson, tuesecond at Grand Rapids and the third at Kust Saginaw; the fourth has already elected oflicers. The governor pardons Lowis Orth and Williatn .Iones, who were sent from Mackinac couuty, Feb. 24, 1S80, to Ionia tor four and three and n half years, respectively, for robbery. The house in committeo of the whole hasagreed to thebillfor thopurchase of 150 acres of land for the Pontiac insane asylura and the appropriution of $20,000 for the erection of two buildings for the care of patients of a quiet class who can be aceommodated outside of the present building. Mr. Anderson's bilí to regúlate railroads fixes freight rates on carloads of 20,000 pounds at $f for distances not exceeding ten miles, nor more than twenty-flye cents per mile for the second ten miles, nor more than 15 cents per mile for the third ten miles, and for distances exceeding thirty milos the charge is in no case to oxceed one and one-half cents per ton a mile. For distances less than thirty miles tho railroad shall be entltled to terminal charges of $3 a car, and for all distances over thirty miles and less than sixty miles, $1 a car. The bilí that no final judgment of the supreme court shall bo received or reversed on writ of error by tho supreme court where the matter in dispute exclusive of costs is less taan $2C0 unless ordered by a justico of the supreme court, has been advcrsoly reported. Miss France3 E. AYi"ard was ne first spaaker at the hearing before the senate committee on judiciary and the house committee on elections, sitting jointly to consider the bilí to grant municipal suffrage to women. Miss Willard appeared in advocacy of this bill and incidentally of all raeasures proposed for the protection of girlsand for extending thosphere of woman's activity in the community. Mrs.Mary L. Doe of Bay City, president of the state suffrage association, spoko of the essential differences between municipal and general suffrage and urged that tho exporimout proposed might be safely tried, as, if it was not a success, the law could be easily repsaled. Mis. Mary S. Nah of Bay City, after a few preliminary remarles, in which wit and earnest purpose were b'ended, read a paper arguing that where women are taxed they shouid certainly be repre sented in that class of e'.eutions which most closely effect taxation; Mrs, Helen P. Jenkins of Detroit read an t f'.Miiiii_ ui luiit umi L-iujici, jp;ijn.-j uiuip; the expediency of this movenient; Mrs. K. N. Kellogg of Ionia, Mrs. Ki-tchum of Grand Rapids, Mrs. Haglett of Adrián, and Mrs. Wilson of Ionia followed in efïectivo arguments on the same subject. An ex-memberof the house who heard the woman sullrage arguinents before the United States Senate committee last winter, and who also sat through the hearing in Lansing, says that. in clenrness and force, the speaking and papers hero surprised those presented by the members of th national association in Washington. The snnate has passed the bilí, which has already passed the house, amending the libel law of 1S85. The,amended section, 3. now reads as follows: "The words 'actual damage' in this act shall be eonstrued to indude all damages the plaintiff inay show he has sulïered in respect to his property, business, trade, profession, or occupation, and no other damages." The judiciary committeo of tho house have amended the bill in relation to carryinj; coneealed weapons so that tho buren of proof as to the purpose l'or which deadly weapons are carried shall rest upon the accused person in case of a complaint. The amendmont provides that no conviction shall be had under this act when it shall appear thiit the person carrying the dangerous weapou oarries it for the defense of his person or of the state. The senato has confirmed the appolntment of Miclmel Brown of Big Rapids, and James A. Crozer of Menominee, to be trustees of the soldiers' home at Grand Rapids, for six years, and Russell A. Alger of Detroit, for two years to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Byron R. Pierce. Th senate after discussing the bill of Senator Palmer requiring civil licenses to be taken out for marriages aud regulatiug the marnier of application for such license and other restrictions to prevent the matrimonial reunión of people not competent by reason oí age, the consent of parents, or other disquaiinentions, agreed to it without amendment. The blanks to be filled out by the applicant require a statement of the full name, age and color, resideuce, place of birth, occupation, father's namo and mother's inaiden name of each of the parties to be married ; the consent of parents or guardiuns, if either party is a minor, the number of times parties have been previously married, the bride's maiden name, in case she is a widow, the date, signature, date and place of marriage, names of two witnesses and certification of the clergyman or magistrate ofllciating. Wm. G. Board, "Michigan member of the national committee of the unión labor party," has issued a cali for a ma-s convontion to be held in Lansing Maren 15 to nomínate Justices of the supremo court and regents of the university. Mr. Beard, speaking of the Cincinnati party nnd inviting a full attendance, says: "This is the grand opportunity for the producer and consumar to crystalize into a new party. The farmers are interested in the succoss and good pay of the laborer, for they are the great consumers of the country. This now party caine into existence to make the Declaration of Independence a reality iustead of a hollow mockery; therefore let all who helieve in liliertv and justioe do their duty beforo it is too ate." The senate has passed the house bill raaking an appropriation for a deficicney in the fund for oonstructing an asylum foi insane crimináis, having added a tax clause in which tho house concurred. and the bill goes to the governor. The joint resolution asking congress to give to tho state of Michigan, in trust for the university of Michigan, the government lands within the state, together with such othor lands as revert tq tlie general governnient by tho forfeiture of land grants, failed of its passage in the senate. The committeo on legislatlon of the Michigan and West Michigan piess asso ciations and other gentlemen interested in press laws held a sensloD on tho '2d inst. Fhey favor a bill providing that notices ol foreclosure of chattel mortgngos, sherifl sales, registiation notices, etc, shall bo publishpd instead of being poted as is often done. They also propose to amend the statutes so that supervisors shall be required to publish their finimcial statements at tho close of every session instead of annually ns at present. The advisabilitv of niuendiner the libel laws also canie in for discussion. Messrs. Thorp & Godfrey of the State Republican gave the press gentlemen a banquet at the Hudson house in the evening. Ropresentntive Breen of Menominee bas notiüed the democratio state central committee tliat lie oannot accept the nomination for regent, tendored him. His ira on, are incompatibility with his present duties as representativo. The house has passed the bili providing for the poyment of bounties for killin English sparrows. Tlie terms of the bil] allow a boiinty of one cent ahead for each sparrow killed. The hnads of thebirds are to be presented in lots of not less than twenty-five to the city, villago or township clerk who is to issue to the enterprising hunter a certifícate for the amount of money due him. Tho certiiicates are to be paid by the county treasurer. Senator Hubliell gave an elegant banquet at the Lnnsing house the other night. The speaking which followed the banquet was oponed by Mr. Hubbell in a greoting to his guests. Other toasts were as folio ws: "The Executive," by tho governor; "The Senate." oj. V. JJabcock: '"The House," Speaker Markey : 'The Judiciary," Mr. Diekema: "The Pulpit," Senator Deyo; "The State tnsütutiong," Beward Baker; "Michigan hulii !; es " Representativo Harringf on ; ''Public plaions," Kepresentative Crocker; "j o ru pntatlve üovernI ment." Speaker ■■ ... . Bates: "Our Host," Senator IJ. ■'-' The joint comraitteo on the soldiers' iiome will report i.i favor of an appropriation of $20i.tif;0 for running expensos for tho two current yoars. The items aro as follows: Quartermaster's department, 181,766.97; snbsistencs on a basis of350iumates, 137,750; medical department. $10,000; pay departmont, $86,114, making the total as above. Tho committCG also rocommend an appropriation of $'2S,i::4 for the ! tion of a new hospital, and for a water supply to the BOldiem' home. Plans wero submitted by G. W. Fairtield, superintendent of construction, for tho hospital and they wero highly approved of by the committee. Col. Wolls, the executive member of the board of trustees, says that Gen. Byron R. Pierce will assume tho office of commandant April 1. Col. Wells will continuo as trusteo. but the activo management of the soldïers' home will be with Gen. Pierce. The senato has passed Mr. Palmer's marriage licenso bilí. A bilí which was much discussed in the house in relation to child labor proposed to re-enact tho section of the act of 1885, which forbids the employruent of any child under 10 years of aee in any factory or workshop, and to forbid the employment of any ohild undcr tho age of 14 "unle.-s such child had attended the schools tho required lngtli of time. lts provisions wcre deomed by sorae memliers too stringeut and it did not recsive quite the requisita number o[ votes to pass.