! gan county, or the counties comprising his dis- may be attached thereto, shall be en- I Mr. CONGER. I would ask the the beginning down have operated well, and had no fault found with them. I am opposed to amending and changing principles and laws, just for the I offer this amendment in order to sake of some little party gain, because I consider it wrong in principle. test the sense of this Convention upon We should not undertake to change this subject. The change made in this the excellent laws which were enacted section by the committee that reported by our fathers. We have been too this article will, if adopted by the Conversatile and changeable in the State vention, deprive some half dozen counof Michigan. We can hardly let a law ties in the northern part of this State stand upon the statute book until it of the representation in the Legislature gets dry. When there is a good law which they now enjoy. I was in hopes we should let it stand. I have sometimes that this matter would be left just almost wished that old Solon would where it was in the old Constitution. I come to life again and make some laws believe that all sections and all parties Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH. that would stand for ages. We have were well satisfied with it. It has been so varying in making laws that move to amend this section, by striking worked well in those new counties, and the people do not understand now out the words, " persons of Indian secured in the Legislature a separate what the laws are in Michigan. Even descent not members of any tribe," and representation of their interests, which those who do understand something inserting in lieu thereof, "all male In- they certainly need, if any section of about them, have to burn a great deal dians twenty-one years of age, natives the State needs it. I hope that my amendment will be adopted. of midnight oil to find out what the of the United States." law is, and what it was last year. Every Mr. MUSSEY. I would ask the genlaw that has been of any utility to the gentleman from Oakland, (Mr. VAN- tleman from Huron, (Mr. WINSOR,) if people, has usually been carved and VALKENBURGH,) to withdraw his amend- his amendment prevails, whether it cut up, until even the Supreme Court ment, and allow that subject to be con- will not create a difficulty? This secof the State have been at a loss to sidered by the Convention in connection provides that the house of repremake out what the law is. I am a tion with the article entitled "Elec-sentatives shall consist of one hundred farmer and no lawyer; but I believe the tions." If the section of that article in members. The law as it now stands, good judgment of the State of Michi- relation to that subject is adopted, as and as it will probably continue if finds fault with this cutting up of reported from the committee, then it this section should be allowed to regood laws. And this proposition now would be necessary to amend this sec- main as it is, provides for one hundred to cut up Detroit into single represent- tion. But perhaps it would not be members. If this amendment prevails ative districts, and bring antagonistic well to discuss this subject in connec- I can hardly see how it can be carried interests into operation so as to defeat tion with both this article and the out, without increasing the number of the true sense of the people in the se- other. I have no choice about it my- representatives to more than one hunlection of their representatives to the self, other than the suggestion I would dred. We already have the full numLegislature, is altogether wrong. I make, that it might save time. If the ber which this section allows. New am in favor of the amendment, and proposition in the article on elections counties will be very likely to be organhope it will prevail. is adopted, then this section can be ized from year to year and from time made to correspond with it. to time. Under the proposed amendMr. VAN VALKENBURGH. I ment they would be entitled to a sepahave no objection to complying with rate representation; while the Constithe suggestion of my friend from St. tution itself only provides for a new Clair, (Mr. CONGER.) I offer this apportionment once in five years. It amendment in order that this section seems to me that it is not expedient to might be made to conform with the adopt the amendment. article reported by the committee on elections. I will, however, withdraw state of things has existed in the past; my amendment for the present. allowing a new county organized in the Mr. LOVELL. I have hardly any northern part of the State, having a occasion to say anything now, as the moiety of the ratio of representation, to amendment of the gentleman from have one representative. That is done Oakland, (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH,) has simply by taking one representative been withdrawn. I intended to say from some county in the southern part that if his proposition was pressed up- of the State, which had the smallest on us, I should have to include all the fraction of the ratio of representation. inhabitants of the British Islands. I Mr. MUSSEY. I beg to differ would just as lief have white foreign- entirely with the gentleman. ers voting in this State as red foreign- Constitution provided that the House ers. of Representatives should not consist Mr. WINSOR. I move to amend of more than one hundred members. this section by adding to it the provis- The first House under that Constitution, ion which is contained in the present I think, consisted of sixty-four or sixtyConstitution, and which affects a great six members; but the number was many counties in the northern part of increased from time to time, until 1861, the State, as follows: "Provided, That each organized, county or counties hereafter organized, with such territory as The question recurred upon the amendment of Mr. MCCLELLAND, to insert after the words "shall consist of convenient and contiguous territory," the following: “But no township or city shall be divided in the formation of a representative district. When any township or city shall contain a population which entitles it to more than one representative, then such township or city shall elect by general ticket the number of representatives to which it is entitled." The amendment was not agreed to, upon a division, ayes 15, noes not counted. Mr. MORTON. I move to amend by inserting after the close of the third sentence the following: "But the electors of any representative district in the State, may elect a representative to the Legislature, residing in any other district of the same county." Mr. P. D. WARNER. If the gentleman will turn to the fifth section he will find this proposition is covered by that section entirely. That section provides that— "Every Senator and Representative shall be a citizen of the United Statss, and a qualified elector of some county embraced in the district he represents, or of which said district shall be a part. A removal from his Mr. WINSOR. I believe the same The when the full number of one hundred members was reached. It was understood at that time, that this provision, which the gentleman from Huron, (Mr. that time the full number one hundred tion, in its present shape, deprive a WINSOR,) now seeks to have inserted in was apportioned throughout the State number of the northern counties of the the new Constitution, must remain in the rearrangement of the districts. representation they now enjoy, and inoperative until there was another The question now before the committee force the Legislature in a new apporapportionment, or until the Constitu- is in effect, whether there shall be an tionment to unite, in some cases, two tion was amended. If there has ever increase of the number of representa- of those counties to form one repreoccurred such an instance as the gen- tives over one hundred. At the pres-sentative district? tleman states, of taking a representative ent time, the House of Representatives Mr. CONGER. That might be so; from an old county in order to give to is composed of one hundred members; I think it is so now. a new county, it has never come to my and the committee on the legislative Mr. WINSOR. It is not so under knowledge; at all events, I do not department have reported a provision the moiety clause of the present Conrecollect it at present. Besides, I think limiting the number to one hundred. stitution. it would be very impracticable indeed, The subject was examined pretty Mr. CONGER. Yes, sir; the counafter the Legislature has provided for carefully by the committee. I would ties of Iosco, Midland, Isabella and a new apportionment of representatives ask gentlemen, in forming their opinion Alpena have but one representative. and has assigned them to the several about the propriety of such a provision, Mr. WINSOR. Those are not counties, disposing of the entire num- to look at the population of the present moiety counties, I believe. I drafted ber of which the House of Representa- representative districts, as set forth in that bill myself. tives shall consist, to give a member to the Manual. It will be seen, by refer- Mr. GIDDINGS. Would not this some new locality, and take one from ence to the Manual, that by the appor- whole difficulty be obviated by fixing some county to which it has already tionment at present existing, every new the number at eighty or ninety as the been assigned. I think the provision county in the State is provided with a minimum, and at one hundred as the in the old Constitution was equitable representation far in excess of its actual maximum? Would we not then have and just; but as the matter now stands, population. I understand that the room for the adjustment of these matI could not vote for his amendment. motive which influenced the Legisla- ters suggested by the gentleman from Mr. WINSOR. I do not like to take ture in this apportionment was that Huron ? up the time of the committee, but I these new counties were growing faster Mr. CONGER. I would say in desire to make a word or two of expla- than the others--that they were settling answer to that, that this is a matter nation. I think the gentleman from more rapidly--and although at the entirely for the committee of the whole. Macomb, (Mr. MUSSEY,) is mistaken in commencement of the apportionment The number proposed by the commitregard to the working of the old law. their representation might be in excess tee, one hundred, is what seemed best Under this article of the Constitution, of that given to the older portions to them. That is a matter about which it is true, as he says, that in 1861, the of the State, yet by the time another I am not tenacious. The committee number of the members in the House apportionment was made, they would after some deliberation, concluded that of Representatives was raised to one have a population equal to, and per- the number, one hundred, was the hundred. It is also true, however, haps exceeding the population of the best, though some of them thought the that after that time, there was an ap- older counties. If that be so, then number should be larger, and one or portionment of representatives; and there would be no injustice to the new two thought it should be smaller. As that in that apportionment, one coun- portions of the State, by the arrange- I remarked before, as the number of ty in the upper part of the Lower Pen- ment here proposed. If the same representatives to be fixed in the Coninsula gained a representative by the liberality prevails in the Legislature stitution is not the question at this operation of this provision of the Con- hereafter as heretofore, I think every time, I do not propose to speak upon it. stitution, and the county of Calhoun new portion of the State will have a lost one. I think there will be no dif- representation far in excess of its ficulty in making that apportionment. population at the time any apportionI do not apprehend that in any case, ment is made. a county would obtain a representative until an apportionment had been made by the Legislature. I think the representative contemplated in this section would depend upon the apportionment made by the Legislature every five years. The question was then taken upon the amendment of Mr. WINSOR, and it was not agreed to. No further amendment was offered to this section. In limiting the number of representatives to one hundred, the whole mat- ENUMERATION AND APPORTIONMENT. ter was left to the Legislature, with the The next section was read as follows: restriction that "each representative SECTION 4. The Legislature shall provide by district shall contain as nearly as may law for an enumeration of the inhabitants in be an equal number of inhabitants." the year eighteen hundred and seventy-five, and every ten years thereafter; and at the The phrase "as near as may be," was first session after each enumeration so made, Mr. CONGER. I will explain the inserted in order to give the Legisla- and also at the first session after each enureason for leaving out the provision of ture power to provide for the newer States, the Legislature shall re-arrange the meration by the authority of the United the present Constitution just now portions of the State, a larger repre- Senate districts, and apportion anew the Repmoved. Section three, article four, of sentation for their present population resentatives among the counties and districts, the present Constitution, provides that than they would otherwise have. I according to the number of inhabitants, including civilized persons of Indian descent, "the House of Representatives shall think that unless the number of rep-not members of any tribe. But no re-arrangeconsist of not less than sixty-four, nor resentatives is to be increased, the ment of Senate districts, shall vacate the seat more than one hundred members." amendment to this section proposed the division into representative districts by of any Senator. Each apportionment, and Under that Constitution the House of by my friend from Huron, (Mr. WIN- any board of supervisors, shall remain unalRepresentatives commenced with con- soR,) is impracticable, and inasmuch tered until the return of another enumeration. siderable less than one hundred repre- as the northern counties are so well sentatives under the first apportion- provided for now, I think the amendment. It gradually increased in num- ment is unnecessary. ber, until in 1861 there were one hundred members; before that time there had never been one hundred members in the House of Representatives. At Mr. WINSOR. Will the gentleman : Mr. BLACKMAM. I would like to ask the chairman of the committee, (Mr. CONGRR,) what was the reason for changing the year in which this enumeration shall take place, from the year mentioned in the present Con Mr. WINSOR. Would not this sec-stitution? Mr. CONGER. The enumeration Legislature shall not create an office force in the reasons assigned by the as taken now in reference to the enu- for themselves, or increase the emolu- mover of this amendment, for the meration by the United States authori-ments of any office for the sake of being amendment. It seems very plain that ties makes the aportionment of the State elected to it. But if the board of su- no person should be disqualified from for the term of four years in one case and pervisors, for instance, should increase holding an office merely because some six years in the other. It was thought the emoluments of some small office, other authority besides that of the desirable that the interim between the, this section as it now stands would Legislature had increased the emolutwo enumerations should be equal. I prevent a person, holding a seat in the ments of that office. I think the know of no reason for the change oth-Legislature at the time the emoluments amendment proposed will remove any er than that. The reason why the enu- were increased, from being elected at ambiguity, or difficulty in reference to meration before was made in the any time thereafter to such an office. the matter, and make it more correct, even year was, as I understand it, to Being a member of the Legislature my-provided that is the intention of this privide at that time for an immediate self, I feel a little delicacy in speaking section. apportionment and an immediate ses-upon this subject. I do not think The amendment of Mr. WILLARD sion of the Legislature. that the members of the present Leg-was agreed to. meration. Mr. BLACKMAN. If we elect our islature, or the members of any Legis- Mr. McCLELLAND. I desire to members of the House of Representa- lature which might be in existence at ask the gentleman from St. Clair, (Mr. tive for two years, will not the arrange- the time of the formation of a Consti- CONGER,) if the committee on the legment of the districts in the odd year tution, should be rendered ineligible to islative department have embraced in sometimes produce a clashing in the any office, the emoluments of which any portion of this article, the part of apportionment of members? might be increased by the new Consti- the section in the old Constitution Mr. CONGER. This section pro-tution. I desire to say to the committee which relates to members of the vides that the enumeration shall be in of the whole, that I am not myself Legislature receiving certain appoint1875, and every ten years thereafter. expecting any such office; but there ments? I refer to section eighteen of The section provides that the appor- might be members of the present Leg- the article on the legislative departtionment shall be made at the first ses- islature whom the people might desire ment in the present Constitution; more sion of the Legislature after the enu- to elect to some State office, the emolu- particularly to that portion which reads ments of which will be increased by as follows: Mr. BLACKMAN. My question is this Constitution during the term of this: If the apportionment is made at those members. I hardly can think the end of the first year of the term of that it was the intention of the coma representative, and not at the end of mittee on the legislative department, the term, would it not displace some to exclude members of the Legislature members already elected for the exist- in such cases. I can see a reason ing term? I have not looked at this why a member of the Legislature matter very closely in order to see how should be excluded from an office which that would be. was created by the Legislature of which he was a member, or the emoluments of which were increased by that Legisla- Mr. CONGER. I think not. ture; I can see why he should not Mr. MCCLELLAND. Then I move himself have a part in the creation of fo amend this section by adding to it an office, or in increasing the emolu- the following: ments of an office, which he himself was to occupy. Mr. CONGER. The re-arrangement of the districts would not affect the seat of any member then elected; for this section provides that no apportionment shall affect the seat of any Senator. This article also provides for biennial sessions. If that is changed, then there may be need for some change in this section. No amendment was offered to the section. Mr. CONGER. It seems to me that a reasonable construction of the latter clause of this section would refer entirely to offices affected by the action QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE LEG- of the Legislature. There can hardly be any force to the construction unless it does refer to that. ISLATURE, ETC. The next section was read as follows: tive shall be a citizen of the United States, his county, or the counties comprising his "No person elected a member of the Legislature shall receive any civil appointment within this State, or to the Senate of the United States, from the Governor, the Governor and Senate, from the Legislature, or any other State authority, during the term for which he is elected. All such appointments, and all votes given for any person so elected any such office and appointment, shall be void." for a I would inquire if there is anything of that kind in this article? "No person elected a member of the Legislature, shall receive any civil appointment within this State, or to the Senate of the United States, from the Governor, the Governor and Senate, from the Legislature, or any other State authority, during the term for which he is elected. All such appointments, and all votes given for any person so elected for any such office and appointment, shall be void." This question was fully discussed a This provision may be somewhat few days ago, when the committee had SECTION 5. Every Senator and Representa-deficient in grammatical construction; under consideration the article on the and a qualified elector of some county embra- I have not paid particular attention to executive department; and, therefore, ced in the district he represents, or of which it in that respect. I think the last I have very little to say about it said district shall be a part. A removal from sentences of this section must be con- now. My own impression is that district, shall be deemed a vacation of his strued together. If so, it would mean if we exclude the Governor of the office. No Senator or Representative shall, that no senator or representative shall, State, I certainly would exclude during the time for which he may have been the Legislature. elected, be eligible to any office, which shall during the time for which he was the members of the same difficulty have been created, or the emoluments of which elected, be eligible to any office created I have seen shall have been increased during such term; by any law passed during that term, or arise in this matter, in connection with nor shall he be interested, directly or indi- the emoluments of which shall have a member of the Legislature, that I rectly, in any contract with the State, or any county thereof, authorized by any law passed been increased by any law passed dur- have in connection with the Governor. during said term. ing such term. It is possible the lan- I think this provision of the ConstituMr. WILLARD. I move to amend guage may need some correction. I tion of 1850 has been very salutary in this section by inserting after the words think, however, that the court would its effects, clipping the wings of some "the emoluments of which shall have hardly construe it to apply to any been increased," the words "by the office not affected by the action of the Legislature." I suppose the object of Legislature. this provision is that members of the Mr. BLACKMAN. I think there is very ambitious gentlemen in the Legislature. I am, therefore, disposed to insist upon it in the Constitution we are now framing. The question was then taken upon the amendment of Mr. CROSWELL to the amendment of Mr. MCCLELLAND, and it was agreed to. The question was upon the amendment as amended. રૅ AFTERNOON SESSION. The Convention re-assembled at 3 Mr. CROSWELL. I move to think that in the Convention of 1850, Mr. PRINGLE reported that the amend the amendment of the gentle- there was any member influenced by committee of the whole, pursuant to man from Wayne, (Mr. MCCLELLAND,) any motive, such as those which the the order of the Convention, had had by inserting after the words "Gover- gentleman is pleased to ascribe to under consideration the article entitled nor and Senate," the words "except them. That Convention was composed "Bill of Rights;" had made sundry notary public;" so that a member of of gentlemen entitled to equal respect amendments therein, which he had the Legislature may at least receive at least, with the members of this Con- been directed to report to the Conventhe appointment of notary pubtic. vention. I do not now recollect who tion and recommend that they be conMr. McCLELLAND. I have no was the mover of this clause in that curred in, and that the committee of objection to that; but I would rather Constitution; perhaps the gentleman the whole be discharged from the furhave the vote taken upon it. from Oakland, (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH,) ther consideration of the article. could tell better than I can. But I The report was received, and the am confident it was put in the Consti- committee of the whole discharged, tution from the best and purest mo- accordingly. tives, in order to avoid corruption in Mr. PRINGLE also reported that the Legislature. I have myself seen the committee of the whole, pursuant a great deal of difficulty in this State to the order of the Convention, had Mr. CONGER. I would be glad to arise from contentions on account of had under consideration the article enhave the gentleman from Wayne, (Mr. these different offices. If the gentle- titled "Legislative Department;" had MCCLELLAND,) or any other gentleman man will consult the history of other made some progress therein, and had of this Convention, give any reason States of this Union, he will find that directed him to ask leave for the comwhy this clause should be placed in the an immense amount of trouble has mittee to sit again. Constitution, or why a person elected a been caused in legislative bodies, at Leave was accordingly granted. Mr. LOVELL. I move that the Conmember of the Legislature might not one time and another, from this very He must recollect the difficul-vention now take a recess. receive some civil appointment in this cause. State; why he might not, if the choice ties that have occurred in the State of The motion was agreed to; and acof the Legislature of this State, be New York, of which State I believe he cordingly (at twenty minutes past 12 elected to the Senate of the United is a native. He certainly must know o'clock, p. m.,) the Convention took States; why he might not receive any the history of the election of several a recess until 3 o'clock p. m. civil appointment that the will of the gentlemen there which induced, as I people expressed through their repre-believe-I may be mistaken in this sentatives might desire to bestow upon matter, but I think I am correct-the him. I would like to have some gen- Convention of the State of New York tleman give a sufficient reason why, to put such a provision as this in their because a man has accepted the nomi- Constitution. nation and been elected by his constitIn this State, under the Constitution uents as a fit man to represent them in of 1835, even after a caucus had nomithe Legislature of this State, he should inated one of the members of the Legnot receive any other civil appointment islature for election to the Senate of the which the people of this State might see United States, many of the members of fit to bestow upon him. To me it has the party making that nomination, always seemed that this provision in disagreed with the action of their party the present Constitution was the result caucus, on the ground that according of some spirit of rivalry, or jealousy, to the Constitution of 1835, they had no The question was on concurring in or meanness, on the part of some right to elect a member of the Legisla- the amendment made by the committee members of the old Convention, who ture to such an office. This matter of the whole. feared that somebody might receive an was discussed the other day in regard Mr. WILLARD. I desre to state to appointment of some kind, even as to the Executive. I think the same the Convention that I heard the chairnotary public, while he was a member reasons can be assigned for this pro- man of the committee who reported this of the Legislature. I never yet have vision here, that were assigned for the article to the Convention, (Mr. PRATT,) heard, and have carefully endeavored similar provision in the article on Ex-say that he regretted very much he was to ascertain, any reason why this ecutive Department. It is to keep not here at the time the article was conshould be done. I have never yet been corruption and everything of the kind, sidered. As he is absent to-day, I move able to find any satisfactory reason out of the Legislature. Gentlemen that it be laid upon the table for the why a man, who was worthy of a seat may say that it is impossible that such present. in the Legislature, might not receive an things should take place; grant that it appointment from the proper authori- is impossible; notwithstanding that, it ties, or be elected by the people to is our duty to throw all the guards we some other office. I have never been possibly can around the purity of the able to understand why a ban should Legislature. Mr. BURTCH. I move that the be put upon him for any other office in the State. If there can be any good committee rise, report progress, and reason adduced why it should be done, ask leave to sit again. I want to say then I will join cheerfully with the a word or two on this subject before it mover of this amendment in support is brought to a vote. of it. If no good reason can be assigned for it, then I desire to see that old jealous clause of our Constitution kept out of our new one. Mr. McCLELLAND. o'clock p. m., and was called to order by the PRESIDENT. The roll was called, and a quorum answered to their names. BILL OF RIGHTS. The Convention proceeded to the consideration of the article entitled "Bill of Rights." The motion to lay upon the table was agreed to. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. Mr. P. D. WARNER. I move that the Convention now resolve itself into committee of the whole on the general order. The motion was agreed to. The Convention accordingly resolved The motion that the committee now itself into committee of the whole, (Mr. rise, was agreed to. PRINGLE in the Chair,) and resumed the consideration of the general order, being the article entitled "Legislative Department." The committee accordingly rose; and the PRESIDENT having resumed the I do not Chair, ISLATURE. To this section the gentleman from Wayne (Mr. MCCLELLAND) moved an amendment, to add the following: "No person elected a member of the Legislature shall receive any civil appointment within this State, or to the Senate of the United States, from the Governor, the Governor and Senate, from the Legislature or any other State authority, during the time for which he is elected. All such appointments, and all votes given for any person so elected for any such office and appointment, shall be QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE LEG- have proposed. If members of the have to say this, that if the gentleman Legislature are liable by their associa- is really serious, he, as President of The CHAIRMAN. When the comtions to be influenced in their action in the Convention, should have selected a mittee rose this morning it had under this respect, it seems to me that the different place for this restriction; he consideration section five of this arti- action of the Legislature might be should have proposed it in the article equally influenced by members of Con-on State officers, for it does not propcle, amended to read as follows: If mem- erly come in here under the head of "Every Senator and Representative shali gress, and by State officers. be a citizen of the United States, and a qual-bers of the Legislature should not have Legislative Department. This restricified elector of some county embraced in the this privilege of being elected or ap- tion which he has proposed should district he represents, or of which said dis- pointed to any office, by reason of their have beeu put either in the article on trict shall be a part. A removal from his county, or the counties comprising his dis- influence, then it seems to me that State officers, or, as a restriction upon trict, shall be deemed a vacation of his office. members of Congress and State officers the executive, in the article on the No Senator or Representative shall, during should not have the privilege by exer- Executive Department. the time for which he may have been elected, Mr. MORTON. I hope that all these be elegible to any office which shall have cising a similar influence, of being Not been created, or the emoluments of which elected to these important positions. amendments will be defeated. shall have been increased by the Legislature Take a member of Congress, for in- that I am not willing to see the Legisduring such term; nor shall he be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with stance; he may come here with his lature restricted by proper rules; but the State, or any county thereof, authorized subordinates, and it would be almost I think this distrust of men, this sayby any law passed during said term." impossible for the Legislature to re- ing that they cannot be trusted with sist the influence he could bring to power, without abusing it, is one bear, because of his control (for at least great reason why that power is abused. heretofore members of Congress have The people of the State have now been had control) of the federal appoint- educated to think that every Legislaments in the district which he repre- ture must be a corrupt set of knaves.. sents. He could bring his postmasters, I think these restrictions have a bad and collectors, and assessors, and their effect upon public men. I do not not deputy collectors and deputy asses- think the Legislature of Michigan desors, and they would have an influence serves to have such an opinion enterthat would perhaps be almost omnipo- tained of them by their constituents. tent, if we are to assume, which I do not This distrust of men as being dishonPending which, the gentleman from believe, that the Legislature will be con- est, in my opinion, is well calculated Lenawee (Mr. CROSWELL) moved to trolled by influences of that character. to make them so. I take it for granted, amend the amendment by inserting, It was said upon this floor the other that if representatives and senators do after the words "Governor and Sen-day that the auditor general controlled that which is wrong in the Legislature, ate," the words "except notary pub- a large portion of the press of the the people are as much at fault as they If that is the lic;" which amendment was adopted. State. case, he are, and are as corrupt as they are in It is public The pending question is upon the certainly should not have the privilege sending them here. amendment as amended. of being elected to the United States opinion that must correct this abuse. Senate, or of receiving any appoint- When men have betrayed the trust ment, beside that of auditor general, confided to them, they should be made during the term for which he was to feel the weight of public indignaelected. We have heard it said in this tion; that is the only remedy for that country that a man should not be evil. elected to an office for a second term. Mr. MCCLELLAND. I desire to By the adoption of the amendment to give notice that if that amendment the amendment, perhaps we should seprevails, I shall move to insert, after cure hereafter rotation in office; for I apthe words "member of Congress," in prehend that then no member of Conorder to oblige certain gentlemen on gress, or at any rate no Senator in the this floor, the words "especially Sena- United States Senate, could be elected tors Chandler and Howard, and Rep- for a second term. We should, perresentatives Beaman, Driggs, Up- haps, all have a chance of some time son, Ferry, Trowbridge, and Blair." becoming Senators in the United that some legislators have proved [Laughter.] States Senate, if my amendment, and corrupt, if they have received bribes. Mr. LONGYEAR. I suppose that the amendment of the gentleman If we ever get to that condition in this Wayne, SO amended, the gentleman from Wayne does not from intend to include any ex-members of adopted. Congress. [Laughter.] void." Mr. CROSWELL. I move to amend the amendment by inserting, after the words "during the time for which he is elected," the words "nor shall any member of Congress, or State officer, receive such appointment." Mr. McCLELLAND. be What does this idea of tying up the Legislature mean? It can mean nothing else than that men are not fit for self-government. I think we should take a different view of the matter. I do not think the Legislature of Michigan deserves such treatment at our hands. I think that in the State of New York, it could not be questioned State, I hope there will be a remedy I did not The question was on the amendment know, and I should not have credited of Mr. CROSWELL to the amendment of for a moment, that we had anything to Mr. MCCLELLAND. do with members of Congress, had it Mr. BLACKMAN. I did not expect Mr. CROSWELL. I desire to say not been asserted, as it has been by the in this connection, that I do not offer President of this Convention. It is to say anything on this question, one this amendment because I am in favor something new to me. That is all I way or another. I rise now simply to of it; I offer it to be adopted only in have to say in regard to that matter. ask if some one can enlighten me a the event that the amendment offered I know their power and I know their little on one point. I desire to inquire by the gentleman from Wayne, (Mr. influence. I know that that power and whether there is not as much advanMCCLELLAND,) shall prevail. If his influence have been felt in the body tage in this restriction, so far as æreamendment prevails, then I certainly that preceded this body here in this striction is contained in the amendshall be in favor of amending it as I hall. In regard to State officers, I ment offered by the gentleman from Vol 2-No. 3. |