COMMERCIAL FISHING. Your attention is directed to the fact that the State is constantly spending moneys to replenish the supply of edible fish in the Great Lakes and their tributaries and that commercial fishing therein has become an extensive industry. It does not seem reasonable that this industry should be permitted to avail itself of this product without in some way compensating the state for the privileges enjoyed. You should seriously consider the imposition of a reasonable sales tax upon the catch in these waters, the proceeds of which would be used in the further protection and propagation of game and food fish. HOSPITAL FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN. We should also seriously consider the establishment of a state hospital for crippled children. This work has not been prosecuted as diligently as its importance deserves. It would be a reflection on the beneficence and humanity of a great state if we did not provide in unstinted measure, ample funds to promote this most worthy purpose. PENAL AND CORRECTIVE INSTITUTIONS. Our prison facilities are hopelessly inadequate. The number of inmates has steadily increased and in consequence there has been but slight opportunity to institute modern methods of dealing with offenders or place the prisons on a self-sustaining basis. Jackson. The State Prison at Jackson has long since outgrown its present obsolete quarters. It should be abandoned and a new prison erected just as soon as the funds can be obtained. The conditions under which women prisoners are being cared for are deplorable and discreditable. It will not entail any great burden to complete the Woman's Training School at Okemos, and authority to go ahead should be given at once. The laws pertaining to the establishment, control and management of our corrective institutions at Lansing and Adrian should be so modified as to expunge therefrom the criminal features and sentences. Those committed to these institutions are the unfortunates who have been deprived of home surroundings, educational and living advantages, or who have hereditary taints which largely account for the trangressions and delinquencies which require the aid of the state to correct. Any policy which does not recognize the causes leading to their misfortunes is inhuman. These boys and girls should be treated as the state's wards. By prescribing a helpful course of study and discipline, it can no longer be said that the state has marred their future by a pronouncement of criminality which will follow them throughout their lives. CONCLUSION. The suggestions and recommendations outlined herein have been made after a careful study of the state's condition and requirements, and a close observation of the workings of its departments. My services are at your disposal and my counsel at your command. The incentive to proceed in a united and cooperative spirit to make this session a signal success should be stimulated by the faith and trust the people have shown and reposed in us. Conducting the affairs of a state is similar in all respects to the transaction of any other business, excepting that the extent of its activities is circumscribed and restricted by law. There are extremists who would enlarge its sphere or jurisdiction to regulate every phase of economic and social relationship. This would be paternalism of a kind which would stultify initiative or individual effort and place a premium on indolence. Such a system would be the antithesis of government as we understand it, whose rules of action are predicated on the theory that the safeguarding of personal rights and property is the basic principle of an enduring civilization. January 4, 1923. Respectfully submitted, ALEX J. GROESBECK. The business of the joint convention having been completed, the Governor, Justices of the Supreme Court, and State Officers withdrew. Senator Condon moved that the joint convention adjourn. The Lieutenant Governor and members of the Senate having retired, The Speaker announced that the House of Representatives and Senate had met in joint convention and had listened to the message of the Governor. By unanimous consent the House took up the order of Motions and Resolutions. Mr. Read offered the following resolution: House Concurrent Resolution No. 3. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That when the Legislature adjourns today, it stand adjourned until Monday, January 8th, at 3:30 o'clock. p. m. The Speaker announced that under Rule 50 the resolution would lie upon the table one day. Mr. Read moved that Rule 50 be suspended. The motion prevailed, two-thirds of all the members present voting therefor. The question being on the adoption of the resolution. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Town offered the following resolution: House Concurrent Resolution No. 4. A resolution providing for the mailing of the daily Journals. Resolved by the House (the Senate concurring), That copies of the daily Journals of the Senate and House be mailed as follows: 1. By the Secretary of the Senate, to not more than twenty-five persons designated by each Senator; 2. By the Clerk of the House of Representatives, to not more than fifteen persons designated by each Representative. 3. By the Secretary of the Senate and by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, in their discretion, to Granges, Local Arbors of Gleaners, Farmers' Clubs, public officials, newspapers, State Institutions, public schools, etc., on request therefor; Such sums as are necessary for postage to meet the requirements of this resolution shall be certified by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives and paid by the State Treasurer on the Warrant of the Auditor General. The Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, whenever purchasing postage stamps for the mailing of Journals as herein authorized, shall procure receipts in duplicate, signed by the postmaster of Lansing, for the amount of said purchase, one of which receipts shall be filed with the Auditor General and the other shall be retained in his office. The Speaker announced that under Rule 50 the resolution would lie upon the table one day. Mr. Town moved that Rule 50 be suspended. The motion prevailed, two-thirds of all the members present voting therefor. The question being on the adoption of the resolution. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Roxburgh moved that an indefinite leave of absence be granted to the members of the committee on the Northern State Normal, beginning Tuesday morning, January 9th. The motion prevailed. Messrs. Rauchholz and Howell asked and obtained leave of absence for one week. Mr. George C. Watson asked and obtained leave of absence from Monday's session. Report of Committee on Inquiry Into Taxation. The Committee of Inquiry Into Taxation, appointed in pursuance of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22, of the 1921 Session of the Legislature, submitted its report, signed by Messrs. George Lord, F. H. Vandenboom, Burney E. Brower, Fred B. Wells and Charles Evans. The report was referred to the Committee on General Taxation. Mr. Evans moves that the Clerk be directed to have printed 4,000 copies of the report of the Special Commission of Inquiry Into Taxation, and that one copy be placed on the desk of each Senator and Representative and that each Senator and Representative be furnished with six additional copies. The motion prevailed. Introduction of Bills. Mr. Culver introduced House Bill No. 1, entitled A bill to amend section 1, of Act No. 276 of the Public Acts of the State of Michigan for the year 1917, entitled "An act making it a felony to neglect or refuse to obey the decree of a court of chancery providing for the support of minor children in certain cases, and to provide a penalty for the violations of the provisions of this act." The bill was read a first and second time by its title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Mr. Corliss introduced House Bill No. 2, entitled A bill to amend section 1, chapter 11, of Act 203 of the Public Acts of 1917, entitled "An act to provide for the holding of elections, to prescribe the manner of conducting and to regulate elections, prevent fraud and deception in the conducting of elections and to guard against abuses of the elective franchise." The bill was read a first and second time by its title and referred to the Committee on Elections. Mr. Corliss introduced House Bill No. 3, entitled A bill to amend sections 4, 4a and 4b of Act No. 85 of the Public Acts of 1921, entitled "An act prescribing the fees, taxes and charges to be paid to the State by corporations doing or seeking to do business in this State; prescribing the method and basis of computing such fees, taxes and charges; requiring certain annual reports to be filed by corporations; providing for the disposition of the moneys received under this act and prescribing penalties for non-compliance with the provisions thereof." The bill was read a first and second time by its title and referred to the Committee on Private Corporations. By unanimous consent the House took up the order of Messages From the Senate. A message was received from the Senate returning House Concurrent Resolution No. 4. A resolution providing for the mailing of the daily Journals. And informing the House that the Senate had concurred in the adoption of the resolution. A message was received from the Senate returning House Concurrent Resolution No. 3. A resolution providing for adjournment for more than three days. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That when the Legislature adjourns today it stand adjourned until Monday, January 8, at 3:30 o'clock p. m. And informing the House that the Senate had amended the concurrent resolution by striking out the words "3:30 o'clock p. m." and inserting in lieu thereof the words "8 o'clock p. m." And that as thus amended, the Senate had agreed to the resolution. The question being on concurring in the amendment made by the Senate, Mr. Sargent moved that the House adjourn. The motion prevailed. The Speaker declared the House adjourned until Monday, January 8th, at 8 o'clock p. m. CHARLES S. PIERCE, Clerk of the House of Representatives. |