benefit of all parts of the State, and quarter, so far as I am aware, for this limits, are sufficiently large to constiwould work injury to none. These are proposed change. It certainly has been tute a representative district, then the reasons in brief for the change pro- found to operate well in the city to surely, unless we apply this rule of posed by the committee. It is a change which particular reference has been division, and give to these minority which to a very large majority of the made, and it is entirely satisfactory to opinions a just representation in the committee seemed to be very desirable. the people there. I trust the rule will Legislature, we, in fact, deprive them The idea of the section is that each be continued, and that we shall incor- of representation. We place them subdivision of a city, as well as of a porate in the new Constitution the same under a disadvantage which other porcounty, shall have, as far as possible, provision upon this subject, which has tions of the people do not labor under. the choice of its own representatives existed from 1850 to this time. That If I understand the proposition of the uncontrolled by the feelings and sen- provision has been in operation during chairman of the committee who retiments of other portions of the people all that time without creating any dis- ported this article, this portion of the composing other districts under our satisfaction among the people more di- present Constitution was left out of system. I cannot myself see any rea-rectly interested in it. this article, for the very identical reason why the city of Detroit, or any Mr. FERRIS. The object of making son of giving the inhabitants of our other city entitled to two or more rep- the inquiry which I did of the chair- large cities the same representation in resentatives, should not be divided for man of the committee on the legisla- regard to their diversities of opinion representative purposes, just as well, tive department, (Mr. CONGER,) was, which was possessed and exercised by and just as easily as any county may that we might have the views of the the people in other portions of the be divided. There are many counties committee, and their reasons before us State. in the State which are divided for rep-in our deliberations upon this section Now, this is important, not only in resentative purposes. Representation and the proposed amendment. I must regard to the city of Detroit, but it is by single districts in the counties, so say, and I will say here in my place, very important in regard to all our far as I am aware, has proved very sat- that I am more than satisfied with the cities. For all of us know, there is no isfactory to the people. reasons the chairman of that commit-question about it, that the political tee has given. Like others who are complexion of our cities is controlled members of this Convention, I have greatly by that portion of the people been disposed to hesitate about leaving who are, to speak it in plain terms, the out portions of the old Constitution very scum of political society in those without good reason assigned therefor. cities. That class of the population is But in this case I am satisfied that the congregated together, not spread all reasons are substantial and solid, and should be controlling. Mr. D. GOODWIN. I can see no reason for making the proposed change in the provision existing in the present Constitution. That provision has not been found to operate injuriously, nor am I aware that there has been any complaint at any time in regard to it. over it, but congregated in particular In reference to the city in which I reportions of the city. I can see that side, I know that it has operated well In making up our representation we great benefit is going to result to our and satisfactorily. I am sure that the divide the State into districts, small in cities by the adoption of the section reremarks made by my colleague, (Mr. size, in order, first, to have a unit of ported by the committee, and by the MCCLELLAND,) would be found true, representation; secondly, and that is rejection of the amendment offered that the people there would be very of far greater importance, to have a by the gentleman from Wayne, (Mr. much dissatisfied with such a change full representation in the Legislature, MCCLELLAND.) It would emancipate aš is proposed. There has never been of the various shades of opinion portions of our cities from the control any dissatisfaction with the provision throughout the State. Let it be borne of that class to which I have alluded. as it now exists; on the contrary, it in mind that this representation is a The representation of the city of Dehas been gratifying to the people there, representation of the people, not of troit is, and always has been of a high to elect all the representatives from property, not of cities, not of counties, character in the Legislature, as it is that city on one ticket. I apprehend not of townships. I am in favor of upon this floor. I am certain, however, the same feeling may exist in other the section as it stands, because it is that the change proposed by the comcities, when they become large enough based upon the principle of the repre-mittee will not affect injuriously the to be entitled to two or more representation of the people. I am in favor character of that representation, but of it, also, because it applies to our will strengthen and add to the ability sentatives. In reference to the division of coun- cities the very same rule that we apply and worth of that representation. ties into separate representative dis- to the country portions of the State. Without taking up the time of the tricts, I apprehend the same rule As the chairman of the committee has committee further, I will say that I am would not apply, that should be ap- suggested, I do not know any reason in favor of the section as it stands. plied to cities. The great object of in the world why, in making up our Mr. LOTHROP. I do not know the division of counties, as I under-representation in the Legislature we whether any city in this State other stand it, is that the electors may be more should apply a different rule to the than Detroit is now directly interested directly acquainted with the character population of the country, because it in this question. However, but a few and qualifications of the person who is the people who are to be represented years can elapse before they will be. might be presented for their suffrages. in the Legislature. In consequence of the district being Take the case of the city of Detroit. smaller than the entire county, they There is no doubt in my mind that would be able to vote more intelligently, there are various shades of opinion and thereby make a better selection for existing in that large and growing city. their representation in the State Leg- There is no doubt in my mind that the islature. In regard to a city, where the controlling political influences of that population is more compact, and where city do not represent the controlling almost every man is acquainted with at opinions in several portions of the city. least every prominent man before the Now, if these portions of that city, public, the same rule would not apply. whose opinions are overborne by the And then we have no call from any mass of opinion within its corporate I really hope that this Convention will not follow the lead of my friend from Kent, (Mr. FERRIS,) and put us under their generous guardianship. The gentleman is going to redeem us from ourselves. Now, we have had something of this kind already done by the Legislature. We have been redeemed by inquisitorial boards, and all that sort of thing; and it is what we do not care so much to have. Now, as to this matter of representa 2 tion, I desire to remind gentlemen of this Convention that the rule proposed in the amendment of my colleague, (Mr. MCCLELLAND,) is the rule that has prevailed with us for seventeen years, and if there is the first objection to be made to it from any quarter, I have yet to hear of it. We have had no petition of any kind upon the subject from that city. I go further, and say that I have never heard a suggestion from any one in opposition to this rule there. Now, it happens, at this very moment, that the city of Detroit is represented in the Legislature of this State by gentlemen of one political complexion; and in this Convention it is represented by gentlemen of another political complexion; yet I have never heard the first objection to this rule by either Republican or Democrat. character on the whole, will be sent to interesting to them, because they had Suppose that you divide the city of Detroit into single representative districts; those districts have no existence except for that particular purpose. But the city of Detroit stands as it is, one representative for a particular municipal purpose. What is a representative district in a city? It has no other existence except for the election of a representative. But there is a unity of interest in a city which has been represented by men who receive the suffrages of all the people of that city. And a system which will permit that to be done is no invasion of the principle of popular elections. This present Constitution divided the city of Detroit into senatorial districts; a division no more practicable than a division into representative districts. For seventeen years the city of Detroit has been divided into senatorial districts. There have been subdivisions there for that purpose, which have no other name or place in the city, except for senatorial purposes. In order to carry out the principle advocated by those who favor the amendment of the gentleman from Wayne, (Mr. MCCLELLAND,) this article should also be amended so as to provide that the Senators to which that city is entitled, should be elected by general ticket. There is a unity of interest in a municipal body like a city, which does Mr. CONGER. I am free to say not prevail in a larger district like a that, in my view of this section, the county. That unity of interest is best question of mere temporary politics represented by bodies of men who rep- would not control at all, as has been I will state, in addition to what I resent it entirely. But cut it up in the very well remarked by the gentleman said when up before, that there is way of representation, and have one from Wayne, (Mr. LOTHROP.) That is another reason why, in my opinion, the representative from ward one, and a a changing question; one party might amendment. of the gentleman from different representative from ward five, control at one time, and another party Wayne should not be adopted. Aland you lose much of that unity of at another time. So far as that is con- though there might not be other cities representation and unity of interest. concerned I think it is a consideration which would be entitled to so many You cannot divide the city by wards which should not enter into our calcu- representatives as the city of Detroit, into districts; it would be found im-lation at all of what is best to be done perhaps no city entitled to more than practicable, unless there was a vast in this subject; nor did it, I think, one, yet it might be desirable in the diversity in the population. You must enter into the minds of the com- division of counties for senatorial purcarve out arbitrary districts without mittee at all. The simple ques-poses, that a portion of a city should regard to the division into wards. And tion with the committee was, as be set off with a part of the county for these must be carved over and over far as I understood the views one district, and another portion with again, because year by year the popu- of the majority, that if the single dis- another part of the county for another lation of the wards fluctuates. There trict system was better for the State district. That might very well occur are some wards that give a vote of but than the general ticket system, then it in such counties and cities as Jackson; four or five hundred, while there are was well to apply the single district also with the county of Kent, where it those that give a vote of fifteen hun- system to the whole State alike. It might be convenient to have the city of dred or two thousand; there are some has been the custom in some States to Grand Rapids so divided. Yet the wards containing five or six times the elect the whole Legislature by general amendment of the gentleman from territory contained in other wards. ticket. I venture to say that no gen- Wayne would prevent a division of This is a matter that somewhat con- tleman in this Convention would advo- cities for such a purpose, however concerns us in Detroit. The Constitution cate that system for the State of Michi-venient it might be, but require the we now have provides a method of gan. I venture to say that any Con- county to be so divided as to include representation, and that method we stitution that had such a provision in all of the city in one district. I do not desire shall not be changed. Why it would be condemned by the univershould it be? We have hereto- sal voice of the people. The reason fore proceeded on the sound principle, is that the people desire, so far as that when we find a provision of the practicable, to have the election of their Constitution working well, we would own immediate representatives in their not undertake to change it, but would own hands, and in as small districts as retain it in the Constitution we are now is practicable. framing. If this present practice It is said that, since the old Constiworks well with us, and we are content tution went into effect, the city of Dewith it, and it is the best system, (at troit has elected its representation by Mr. D. GOODWIN. I have the least, we think so,) then why not leave general ticket. That is true. And it honor to be a member of the commitit with us? I say here deliberately is also true that there has been com- tee on the legislative department. that, whether the city of Detroit is to plaint about it; that there has been in- There was considerable discussion in be represented by men of my political conveniences resulting from it in the that committee upon the change here complexion, or by men of another po- Legislature of this State, as is well proposed, and I there opposed the litical complexion, I prefer it shall be known to those who have been here. change. I did not see then, and I do represented by gentlemen chosen on a Other gentlemen from other portions of not see now, that the reasons urged general ticket for the city. I know the State have received communications for this change are such as should that better representatives, of higher from citizens of Detroit upon matters prevail against the prevailing sentiVol. 2-No. 2. speak for the committee in this respect, but I say that for myself I feel quite desirous that this section should stand as it has been reported. It has received a great deal of attention from the committee, and commends itself, at least to my judgment, as the proper principle to be placed in the Constitution. “ ment of the people of the city of Detroit, and against the fact that the provision now sought by my colleague (Mr. MCCLELLAND) to be incorporated in this section, has been in operation for seventeen years without any complaint being made of it. It are awarded to every other? Detroit correctly said by him, every constituent is the only city that may now be inter- knows his representative; he knows ested in this amendment. But it ap- every man who is likely to be presented pears from statements which have been as a candidate for that position; theremade here that there are other cities, fore there is no occasion in that city to at least one other city in the State, establish the principle of single districts. which in order to accommodate its In regard to the senatorial system, I So far as regards the remark of the own interests has been obliged to will say in reply to the chairman of the gentleman from Kent (Mr. FERRIS) ignore the strict and absolute require- committee, who reported this article, that the people should be represented, ments of the Constitution of 1850, and (Mr. CONGER,) that though that senaI must say that I think that principle make such an apportionment of the torial system has been applied to us, in is secured as much in the case when city and the county in which it is situ- Detroit, it has not been done with our ated as would inure to their conveni- consent. But the principle upon which fifty thousand people elect five representatives, as it would be if each ten ence. There being, therefore, other the Senate is made up, is not the same. thousand of the fifty should elect one cities besides Detroit that are, or may as the principle upon which the House person. It is just as much a popular be interested in this question, I am of Representatives is made up. representation when the votes of the opposed to placing any restriction upon might have been better for us had our people are given for a number of repre- the other localities, by which they may Senators been elected as our RepresenBut it seemed proper to sentatives together, as in Detroit, as if be restrained in any measure whatever tatives are. they were given by different portions for from accommodating their own con- those who had control of this matter, one alone. In the city of Detroit the pop-venience in the arrangement of their to run senatorial lines through our ulation is so compact that the selection representative districts. city. For what purpose? Not to bring of representatives can be made by the While I am in favor of giving to the constituent and the Representative people, with as full and accurate knowl- these other localities this privilege, I more nearly face to face, but for other edge on the part of the electors of the am not in favor of adopting such a purposes. For instance, one portion of character of the individuals whose rule as will not require the city of De- the city is embraced in a senatorial names are presented to them, as if the troit to conform to the general regula- district, which comprises also three or city were divided into smaller districts. tions adopted in reference to the entire four towns of the county. In that way And, as has been remarked, the charac- State of Michigan. I do not say this from the principle of the district system, is ter of the representatives from such any hostile feeling towards the people in fact violated, because, instead of cities is found to be as elevated, the of Detroit. I hold that this Conven- making a narrow district, the district individuals elected are found to be as tion should establish a principle which is much enlarged. The city of Detroit intelligent, and as well qualified, as if is equal and just in its operations over has in this way been carved up, and they were selected from single districts; the entire State, and in establishing such the several portions attached to three probably of a higher character than a general principle, which I believe to different senatorial districts, I believe; they would be in that case. I trust be just and equal, I claim that the in- or at any rate, to two. In no case have the amendment of my colleague will terests of no locality, not even the city we had a single entire senatorial disprevail, and that the principle estab- of Detroit, will suffer in any manner trict in the city until recently. For lished in the present Constitution, and whatever. I, therefore hope the amend- the purpose of making up senatorial districts, our cities have been carved which has been found to operate so ment will not be adopted. justly, will be continued. Mr. LOTHROP. We must be ex-up and attached to townships. That, cused for feeling a little interest about however, is not so important, because this matter, because it is one in which the principle of senatorial districts is we feel a personal interest. I am not different from that which should apply permitted to run in the direction which going to discuss the single district sys- to represensative districts. it has taken. I consider that the propo- tem, for there is no controversy about So far as representatives are consition offered by the gentleman from the matter. The object of the single cerned, they should represent localiWayne, (Mr. MCCLELLAND,) embodies district system, as I understand it, is ties. A representative from the city an important principle, that is directly to bring the electors and the represen- of Detroit does not speak for any paropposed to another important princi-tatives more closely together. The ticular ward, but for the unit repreple which has received the entire ap- reason for carving up a large territory sented by, and embraced in the city probation of the people of the State into small districts is to give to the rep-organization. And when the gentleof Michigan. I desire to refer to this resentative a local character. That I man tells me that one ward of the city matter as embodying a principle, and agree is oftentimes a matter of great has an interest distinct from the internot as being a question connected with importance; otherwise the representa-est of another ward, I reply to him, the local interests of any city in the tive might be one of whom his con- that those interests are properly repreState of Michigan, or as embracing stituency would know very little or sented in our municipal legislature. any political character whatever. I do nothing. not desire to refer to it in that connection. Mr. P. D. WARNER. I regret somewhat that this discussion has been But when those interests come into the Legislature of the State of Michigan, the city of Detroit, in the eye of the law, and also in fact, has but one interest. It is important that in our branch of the Legislature the representatives I believe that the principle of repre- should be brought near the constituensentation by single districts is one cies they severally represent. My colwhich not only has been tried in the league, (Mr. MCCLELLAND,) has ex- The gentleman also says that comState of Michigan, but has been uni- plained that this important object is plaints have been heard in reference versally approved by the people of the secured even under the present arrange- to this arrangement in the city of DeState. If it is a principle that is just ment in regard to the city of Detroit. troit. In what form those complaints in its operation upon the people, then That city is of itself a comparatively have been made I am unable to tell. why make a distinction in favor of any small locality; in territorial extent it is It may, undoubtedly, be true that some particular locality, by withholding from not larger than the town of Lansing person may have written here, and the locality the same privileges that here, or not much larger. And as was stated that he was not represented. 1 Mr. McCLELLAND. It is the And As has been very well asked here, and there is hardly any necessity of my repeating it, what was the origin of this single district system? It originated in the State of New York, and we adopted it here because it camer from the State of New York. In the Convention of 1835, and in the Convention of 1850, we could hardly do anything that contravened that which had been done in the State of New York. There will be men in the city of De- but if it prevails, I think I shall offer What do you see in every other city of entire adoption, if it were a new ques- discuss it. 5 They were elected by general ticket in the city of Detroit. And here permit like that, where we have all classes of Again, we say that this system has been in operation for seventeen years, and even if this section is adopted it will continue in operation until 1870. Now, where there is no protest or remonstrance against it, where the people, apparently at least, for I know of no opposition to it at all-where the people there are unanimous in favor of continuing this system, why not let it alone? of the East; but I have never seen a better regulated city than the city of As has been well said before, we do Detroit. Hence, it is hard for me to not ask this privilege on account of see that city trampled down by such politics or party. We ask it not only epithets, by such slanders. If the for the benefit of the city of Detroit, scum of which the gentleman from but for the benefit of the State at Kent speaks is in the city of Detroit, large. We are carrying out that which all I can say is that I have never seen should be at the bottom of the single it, although I have been there on pubdistrict principle; we unite the inter- lic business more or less for twenty ests of the people and their knowledge years. This is not the first time that of the candidates for the different of- I have heard that city traduced in the fices. Every argument that has been made to sustain the single district system is applicable to the system which we have in Detroit. And, therefore, I cannot see how gentleman can consistently oppose the amendment which I have offered. legislative councils of this State. Even when the Legislature convened in the city of Detroit, men living in far distant parts of the State gathered there, and spent their whole time and their best energies, and made their strongest speeches, to trample down the city of Detroit and her people. I have seen it for nearly thirty years. I wish the thing was stopped. If gentlemen are not satisfied with the people of the Mr. SHEARER. I am in favor of The gentleman from Oakland, the amendment, from long experience (Mr. P. D. WARNER,) says that in the county of Wayne, and in the the system in operation in Detroit is city of Detroit. The city of Detroit is opposed to the single district system, so situated, with its large and small metropolis of this State, then they which has been approved by the whole wards, that it would be almost impos- should let them alone. I do not bepeople of the State. Now, I ask him sible to subdivide those wards and lieve in these personalities; I believe where he gets his proof of that? As bring out the best talent of those wards they are wrong in principle and very I said, it is the easiest thing in the as representatives to the Legislature. degrading. world to make an assertion, but it is I have nothing to say in regard to pol- Now, in relation to this amendment, very difficult sometimes to prove it. itics in this Convention, unless some- I am in favor of it. When you go to The present Constitution does not body treads upon my toes. I have not subdivide the city, you will create anadhere in every instance to the single said a word upon that subject here, tagonisms in that city, when their welrepresentative district principle. The and do not calculate to, unless I am fare and their interests should be one. single representative system was aban-forced to do it. For the last thirty But let the people come together, when doned in regard to the city of Detroit years the city of Detroit has been rep- their interests are but one, and they and other cities and certain town-resented as much by the whigs as by can select their best men to represent ships, by the Convention of 1850. the democrats, as much by republicans them in the Legislature. Should the And yet the people of the State of as by democrats, in the Legislature. ticket be a Republican ticket or a Michigan approved the Constitution So that as far as the political horizon Democratic ticket, that makes no difof 1850, and as a matter of course they in that city is concerned, it has nothing ference at all. I do not believe in this approved what the gentleman in all to do with this question. little party idea of trampling down a probability would consider an innova- In all the acquaintance I have had principle that has stood for seventeen tion upon the single representative dis- with the city of Detroit, I have never years, and cutting it up, and carving trict system. The proof does not seen that "scum," which the gentle- it, for the purpose of making a little therefore sustain the assertion of the man from Kent, (Mr. FERRIS,) speaks political capital. It has not about it gentleman at all. I ask any gentleman of. If he has seen it there, he has the mark of statesmen or wise men. I upon this floor to point out to me a seen more than I have, and is more do not find fault with the committee single protest, from any portion of the observant than I am in reference to for doing it. But I believe we should State; against the principle in operation" scum." We must expect, in a city allow those laws to remain, which from |