The tuition per year for Michigan students being from $20 to $25 and for foreign students from $30 to $35 in addition to matriculation and diploma fees the total fees received during the last two years, approximating-Michigan students $52,000, and from foreign students, $78,000. It will thus be seen that the people of Michigan, with their 791 students in the university, are required to pay for the years 1887-8

While 781 foreign students are reaping the same benefits and equal advantages for but $78,000.

Were this in the line of other great educational institutions of the eastern States with which our university vies, the discrepancy might not be so apparent. But on the contrary we find Amherst College charging a tuition of $110 per year, Yale $140, Harvard $150, etc.

I fully endorse the policy of charging our own students but a moderate tuition, but believe that it is not sound or wise policy to extend such privileges to students of other states or countries, at the expense of Michigan taxpayers, and with returns in students' fees so far below those charged by other first-class colleges.

Again, it seems quite unfair to require that tuition of non-resident students at one of our State educational institutions should be regulated by the additional expense they will cause, and not require the same of another. If the provision be a wise one at the agricultural college, as it is claimed to be, I cannot see why the same provision would not be equally wise at the university and State normal school. If this were done, as I trust it will be, then the appropriation could be materially lessened without in any manner crippling the university, and which should be done.

In the message which I had the honor to present to the Legislature when it assembled, I said "We cannot afford to impair or cripple the usefulness of any of our State institutions. The educational, charitable and penal must be provided for, but the most scrutinizing care should be exercised in making appropriations." To this proposition I still adhere, though sharing in the pride which we have a right to feel in the high distinction our university has attained.

In the same message I had the honor to call your attention also to the appropriations asked for buildings in which to establish new specialties and branches at the university, and asked your earnest attention to the same, for reasons therein briefly given and which con

sideration I have no reason to doubt has been given. And yet I am of the opinion that the item of $75,000 for new buildings and the equipment thereof could be greatly reduced and the university still maintain its high degree of efficiency.

It is therefore in consideration of these and other reasons that I most respectfully, though reluctantly ask your honorable bodies to recall the above bill that you may consider the advisability of making the changes therein, above suggested, in such manner as in your wisdom may seem proper.

Very respectfully,

C. G. LUCE.

TO THE SENATE:

June 6, 1887

From Journal of the Senate, pp. 1806-1807

In compliance with the provisions of the Constitution, which authorizes the Governor to communicate and recommend such measures to the Legislature as he shall deem expedient, I had the honor on the 2d inst., to communicate to both Houses some views entertained in relation to Senate bill No. 36, file No. 140, being a bill making an appropriation for the use and maintenance of the University of Michigan. There are many provisions of the bill which it would have afforded me pleasure to approve; yet, after a faithful consideration, others were found which seemed to me ought not to receive the Executive sanction, and the message was therefore sent with the sincere hope that the bill might be recalled, and such amendments made as would commend themselves to the Legislature, the Executive, the University, and the judgment of the people.

But as the Legislature has not complied with my respectful request, I can now but obey that other provision of the constitution which requires the Executive to return to the Legislature such bills as he cannot approve, without his signature, and ask a reconsideration at your hands. And in so doing I desire to disclaim any purpose of embarrassing the University. This institution has performed such an important part in our educational history that every citizen of Michigan must feel an honorable pride in its success. In returning the same, allow me to briefly append the following reasons among the many suggesting themselves for such action.

1. It is unjust to burden the taxpayers of our State to educate foreign students, and with inadequate returns in tuition from them. It is unfair

that Michigan, with its 791 students, shall pay approximately $411,110.94 during the next two years, and that 781 foreign students shall receive equal advantages there and pay only about $70,000. The lands from which the university interest fund is derived belonged to us as our portion upon a division of the same among the States and no citizen of another State has any more right to its benefits without recompense than to any other tax raised for other purposes.

All of the first-class colleges of the eastern States ranking with and even below the University, have found from long experience that they can, and do charge a tuition to foreign students many times larger than the University does. And, were the same provision incorporated into the University bill, that the Legislature wisely, in my opinion, attached to the Agricultural College bill, viz: Requiring foreign students to pay such tuition as would compensate the State for extra expense incurred in their accommodation, then I believe the amount appropriated by this bill might have been materially lessened.

2. I am unchanged in my opinion that a greater part of the $75,000 item asked for the purpose of an experimental and chemical laboratory, should be eliminated from the bill. That additions and changes should be made in the laboratory privileges is unquestioned, but I am thoroughly convinced that such additions as are seriously needed can be nearly or quite met by the funds received from the increase in tuition of foreign students above suggested and from the increasing one-twentieth mill tax, which will add $13,000 to former receipts from this source during the next two years.

3. The University has arisen to its present high position with much less appropriations than is provided in this bill, and with no material change in the number of students. I find that during the last two biennial periods there was raised by general taxation for the support of the University, excluding the University interest fund, the following amounts, viz. :

1883-1884

1885-1886

$155.900 200,500

While, if this bill becomes a law, it will be necessary to raise by taxation for such purposes the sum of $299,110.94 for the next two years. Believing that the permanent prosperity of the university will be enhanced by a material reduction in the appropriation provided in this bill, and that it will increase the confidence of the people, whose institution it is, in its wise, prudent and economical management, I do hereby respectfully return the same for your consideration.

C. G. LUCE.

1889

January 3, 1889

From Journal of the Senate, pp. 17-37

GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

In obedience to the organic law of the State you have assembled to assume important duties in the interests of more than 2,000,000 of inhabitants. You are clothed with authority to discharge duties that affect the moral and material interests of all this great population. You assemble under favorable auspices.

During the biennial period since the meeting of the last Legislature general prosperity has prevailed throughout our borders. We have been exempt from devastating diseases; peace, good will and harmony prevail. Serious conflicts have not arisen between employers and employed. We have not been afflicted with outbreaks, commotions or strikes in any portion of the State. The earth has yielded richly of its treasures. The mines have continued to give up their wealth, and new ones are constantly being developed. The forests still continue to contribute of their abundance. Nor have the waters that so nearly surround us been slow in responding to the general prosperity. For all these and other blessings we are grateful to an overruling Providence who guides and controls. the affairs of men.

Meeting as our Legislature does only in biennial sessions, questions of vast importance are necessarily considered at each session. And with the growing population and wealth each succeeding assemblage of the law-making body is confronted with greater and higher responsibilities. By virtue of the laws enacted by the Legislature more than $20,000,000 are annually collected from our people, for all the various public purposes, including highway, township, city, school, county and State. You, and you alone, are authorized to speak in the name of the people of this great State, restricted only by provisions of the organic law. In your wisdom and discretion the people have confided and placed in your hands this great power. By their suffrages you are made the custodians of their liberty and interests.

THE BALLOT.

To guard and protect the purity of the ballot-box is the first and one of the most important duties of the law-maker. Questions pertaining to elections will claim your careful attention. Amendments to the election

laws and a change in the system of voting and canvass of votes will doubtless be considered by you at this session. And if it is possible to more sacredly guard this foundation of American liberty by providing a new or different method you are most earnestly recommended to consider its adoption. The purity of the ballot-box must be preserved in such a manner as to protect the rights of the voter and command the confidence of our people. One of the most dangerous crimes that can be committed is to corrupt the ballot. Our laws against the use of improper means to influence voters are stringent and seem to be ample. Bribery by the use of money or other valuables is severely punished by our laws. And still rumors are current that these wholesome laws are violated with impunity. Whether this is well founded or not, it is weakening confidence in our system. And to avoid the injurious effects of this, it is hoped that the election laws may be amended in such a way as to render bribery more difficult and detection more certain.

The open charges made in so many quarters that our elections are controlled by the corrupt use of money in glaring violation of law, are painful to hear and alarming if true. If false, those charges are a gross libel upon our civilization. Unfortunate for State and Nation will it be if the fact is established that men are elected to positions of public trust because of their wealth or ability to use or command money for illegitimate purposes in securing place. What is known as the Massachusetts system is earnestly commended to your careful consideration. From that commonwealth we hear of little or no complaint against corrupt influences at the polls. To this important subject your best thought is invoked.

CONSTITUTIONALITY.

A growing evil has been developed in more recent legislation by the enactment of laws in conflict with the constitution of the State. This has caused very serious embarrassment in many cases.

Our government is wisely divided into three distinct and independent departments. We have a court of last resort composed of men selected for their wisdom and learning in the law, to pass upon the constitutionality of measures enacted by the Legislature. And your enactments must be in harmony with the constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court. And it is very important that efforts should be made to secure the passage of laws that will stand the scrutinizing test provided by the constitution itself.

The failure of so many laws in recent years for the reason suggested, somewhat weakens confidence in the wisdom of the Legislature that enacts and the Executive who approves these measures declared to be