May 2, 1911 From Jorunal of the House of Representatives, p. 1895 TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Sir: I herewith return without approval House bill No. 442 (file No. 204, enrolled No. 197), entitled A bill to amend section 4 of Act No. 109 of the Public Acts of 1907, entitled "An act to provide for the appointment of a bacteriologist by the State Board of Health; to provide for the purchase of the necessary appliances and apparatus for bacteriological examinations, and providing an appropriation therefor. The above-entitled measure is disapproved for the reason that the work provided for herein may be, and should be done, by other state institutions and laboratory staffs already equipped for it. Very respectfully, CHASE S. OSBORN. May 2, 1911 From Journal of the House of Representatives, p. 1895 TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Sir-I herewith return without approval House bill No. 568 (file No. 360, enrolled No. 199), entitled A bill to repeal Act No. 514 of the Local Acts of 1905, entitled "An act to provide for the collection of taxes and accounting therefor, and for the payment of a salary to the township treasurer of the township of Calumet, county of Houghton, state of Michigan", approved May 1, 1905, upon approval by the electors of said township of Calumet. The above-entitled measure is disapproved for the reason that it is a duplicate of Senate enrolled Act No. 114, approved and signed by me, April 28, 1911. Very respectfully, CHASE S. OSBORN. 1913 Jan. 2, 1913 From Journal of the House of Representatives, pp. 25-26 TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, AND THEIR FORTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE: Section five of Article six of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, relating to the duties of the Governor, is as follows: "He shall communicate by message to the Legislature, and at the close of his official term to the incoming Legislature, the condition of the State, and recommend such measures as he may deem expedient." Obedient to that mandate of the people, I find satisfaction in reporting to you that, although the State had a deficit two years ago to the amount of near a million dollars and was consequently in disgrace, it is now out of debt and has a surplus in the treasury of near a million dollars. The rate of taxation has been lowered and should continue to lessen. Hundreds of millions of dollars in property have been added to the tax rolls. More should be added at once. Conditions throughout the State are good. Institutional and departmental efficiency has increased. New economies. are being practiced and there are many others that may be resorted to. Progressive laws should be enacted comprehending more equal taxation and the assessment of property tangible and intangible now escaping taxation; insuring greater purity and honesty in elections and returns: conserving the rights of the masses and improving their conditions; divorcing the organized liquor interests from politics; practically and effectively checking the devastation of alcohol, the too easy supply and consequent excessive use of which cause measureless misery; realizing the responsibility of the strong to the weak, the duties of public brotherhood and of the state to all of its citizens; concentrating responsibility in visible officials chosen by votes in wieldy election districts; and keeping step with the onward march of better public business, higher hu manism, applied ethics and purer morals. There is little danger that such new and needful legislation will be created too rapidly for practical adjustment to it of the life and affairs of the State, but heed to this may well be given. It may also be remembered that the form of government is best that is best administered. I do not need to urge you, as legislators, to whom has been delegated all the power of the people of Michigan, whose average of citizenship is the highest in the world, to be true to your trust, because I have faith that you will be. I do not need to suggest to you that citizenship should take precedence of partisanship and that the welfare of the State is to be thought of before any consideration is given to party policies, because you are as well seized of these axioms as I am. I do not need to request your respectful and patriotic cooperation with the distinguished citizen who has just been inaugurated Governor of the State, because you will contribute such an attitude of your own free will. And I do not need to obtrude a long message of suggested legislation which would only tend to confuse the new order if remembered, and be of no value if forgotten, because I have conferred with Governor Ferris and he understands the needs of the State as I see them. My administration of affairs is my message to the people. Now permit me, in closing, to quote the eighth verse of the fourth chapter of the Epistle of Paul, the Apostle, to the Philippians, upon which may safely be builded the strong and permanent structure of state and in which may be discovered a sure rule of guidance for every action: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Respectfully, |