From The Capitol City

Although the fate of the prohibitory amendment is settled, at least tor the present, the rote it received evinces 80 plainly the ïtrong temperance sentiment of the state that it is likeiy some actioa will be taken by the legislature looking to the better enforcement of the present liquor law. If the movements of members in this directioa since the recess is any criterion, I Bhould say they are fully awake to the imporUnce of the work before them ; and it is reasonably certain some scheme will be devised whereby the interests of temperance may be promoted. Mr. Chapman, of Hillsdale, has a prohibítory bilí in readiness. It is modeled atter the Kansas law, which bringr the offender at once before the circuit court. Some doubt existe as to the constitutionality of such a measure, inasmuch as the property right in liquor remains good ; but if, after good legal advice, it is thought the bill may be brought within the provisiong of the conBtitution, it will be called up, amended and put upon its passage. Mr. Chapman 8 also the architect of a local option bill and a high license bill, the first copied from the Ontario Scott act, the other from the law ot Georgia. In the discussion of this question there are a multiplicity of ideas presented and schemes suggested. Mr. Watson, ot Montcalm, not having in his mind tbe charges of fraud being preferred by the prohibitionists, interprets the adverse vote as an unmistakable verdict in favor of high license, but he wants to see the law obeerved. Many members believe there sbould be no distinction in the tax on beer and whiskey. Olhers want an equitable distribution of the liquor tax to the county, etc. Meanwhile the saloon keeper winks mnd says one " hom " betore breakfaet is worth two afterward. I believe, if my memory is not more mendaoious thao I suppose, it was Torn Moor who said : You mar break, roo may shatter the Tase If you But the sóentof the ros wIU hang around la ■HU. Haring enjoyed the use of railroad pMses for so long a time the members flnd it hard to give them up. Dead-heading has become a chronic ailment with the average legislator and clings to him with all the proverbial tenacity of a leech. Therefore no one marveb very oonsnmedly because a number of membera have given expresaion to the opinión that some provisión should be incorporated in the general railroad law requiring passes to be ïsnied to memberi of the legiilature and chiet clerks having to do with the routine, good for the extra and regular sessions, and to all state officers during their term ol office. Of eourse a variety of argumente are pillared under this scheme, but nowhera interwoven with them do I find any intimation that the state owns the railroads. I used to think the railroads owned the state, members and all, bat ït mast be the boot covers the other pedal. Not all the members, however, are of this way of thinking. In sending back his passes Representativo Preston, of Ingham, explained that he was averee to the idea oi singling out members of the legislatura for special favors, and that from the expreBsions of his constituent he was of the belief that two cents a mile should be eetablished as the legal rate for railroad fares. The Herrington divorce bill passed the house Friday afternoon of last week. It is a stringent measure and shuta out all non-resident divorces. It prevente diTorces in which collosion is shown and provides that no party defendant against whom any divorce is granted ahall marry again within two years from the time of entry of final decree of divorce, and in case any person shall marry contrary to the provisions of this section sach person sball be deemed to have committed the crime of bigamy and be subject to the pains and penalties therefor. When the bill waa under consideration Mr. Cole created some amusement by offering an amendment to stand as a new ■ection which read as follows: "Where both parties reside in this state no divorce shall be granted exoept tor adultery, until the man and wife shall have been confined in one room for forty eight hours. Said room hall be no larger than ten by twelve feet squ&re. It shall contain but one bed and one large rocking ohair. Only one dish shall be furnished containing food and one cup for drinking purposes." Mr. Cole stated that this plan worked well in several of the old countriesj; nevertheless the amendment was rejected. The bill of Mr. Oviatt establiahing the penalty of death for the crime of murder bas passed the houe. It provides that every person who shall hereaf ter be convicted of murder in the first degree shall suffer death if the jury before whom such person shall be tried eo recommend, otherwise the punishment will be imprisonment for life. Should any person plead guilty of murder in the first degree sentence of death or imprisonment for life may .be made in the discretion of the court! Punishment of death shall in every case be inflicted by hanging. Among the startling discoveries made by the insurance sub-committee who have been investigating tbe speculative ïnsurance comoanies, two had a most decided effect. Senator Gorman found that three policies had been taken out by one man apon the life of his mother. Stenographer Haynes found two policies upon the life of his i n-law, which is enough to make any man's blood boil. In both cases speculative netghbors had made the investment without having insurable interests. The committee found in some instances a nefarious system of working up policies on the lives of aged people, the motive unlawful and the method downright fraud. They found some honest companies as well, but the cry for reform is loud. This hasn't been a very good session for vetos, but now the governor has broken the ice and made his first veto. One of them is on the act to incorpórate the city of Marine City, and the reaaon why the governor objects is because some 700 acres of farms are taken in across Bell tiver and the inhabitants have made strong protestationg against their incorporation. The bill was rushed through both houses and the protests were presented to neither of them. The second veto is on the act to publish the proceedings in full of boards of supervisors in county papers, and the governor thinks the present way is good enough. A bilí has passed the house giving a rebate of one-fourth of their road tax, not exceeding three day's work, however, to all persons who shall exclusively use wagons wr.h a tire not less than three inches wide when drawing loads of 1,800 pounds or over. It is generally favorably considered. The senate committee reported in favor of giving the state University $206,000 for current expenses. Among the items included is one oi $20,000 for a new gymnasium. Representativa Manly introduced a resolution mstructing the standing committee on state public schools to investígate the charges against John N. Foster, superintendent of the state public school at Coldwater. The charges are of improper intimacy with a female teacher. Mr. Chapman offered as a substituto a resolution of confidence in the board of control and their investigaron now in progress, which resolution prevailed. But if the board 's report is not satisfactory a legislativo examination will be ordered later on. The joint resolution of Mr. Damon requiring all citizens to be capable of reading the English language after the year 1900 was defeated in the house. Women's suffrage in municipal matters was advereely reported in the senate. Ungallant fellows. Representative Dillon's text book bill has been reported, printed and placed on the general order. Lansino, April 12th, 1887.