PREFACE. THE study of government as a preparation for citizenship has become, very properly, a prominent branch in our public school courses. There are several different text-books on this subject now in use among the schools of this State. It is not the purpose of this volume to encroach upon the territory which they so ably occupy. Civics and the fundamental principles of State and National government should be first taught, and then should follow the details of the workings, as shown in our local affairs. Leaving the field of general government to the able works already in the hands of pupils and teachers, this little volume contemplates only the supplementary part of giving the Constitution of Michigan in compact form, with such explanatory notes and additions as may be necessary to a fair understanding of our State government. The constitution has been placed first, and should be made the basis of the study. The classification in the constitution is not such as the teacher would follow, hence the necessity of the suggestive synopses which we have added. Let each section of the constitution be studied carefully, references to the notes and additional chapters being used to complete the work. By thus leading the pupil to study the constitution itself we inculcate habits of original research, make the fundamental law of the State more familiar, and are enabled thus to give all the facts concerning our State government within the limits of a twenty-five cent book. INTRODUCTION. AN OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. Michigan derives its name from the two Chippewa words Mitchaw, great, and Lagiegan, lake, and signifies the country of the great lakes. The first Europeans to explore and occupy Michigan territory were the missionaries and fur traders of Canada early in the sixteenth century; but the first permanent settlement in Michigan, of which there exists any authentic account, was at Sault de Ste. Marie, in the year 1668, under the direction of Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit priest of France. This, like all the early settlements of the territory now constituting the State of Michigan, was a missionary station, established for the sole purpose of converting the Indians. The actual settlement of Michigan, for the purpose of colonization and civil government, dates from the founding of Detroit by La Motte Cadillac, on the 24th of July, 1701. September 8, 1760, the French surrendered Michigan, together with Canada, to Great Britain, which surrender was ratified by the treaty-Paris, February 10, 1763-and Michigan continued under English rule until after the American Revolution. July 1, 1796, Michigan formally passed into possession of the United States and became a part of the Northwest Territory. At this period all of Michigan away from Mackinac and the Detroit river was an unbroken wilderness. In 1800 the Northwest Territory was divided into two territories, the one retaining the name Northwest Territory, the other receiving the name of Indiana Territory; the former embracing the eastern half and the latter the western half of Michigan, the dividing north and south line passing a few miles west of Mackinac. In 1802 Ohio was admitted to the Union, and all of Michigan became a part of Indiana Territory, and so continued until by an act of Congress, July 11, 1805, Michigan was constituted a separate Territory, with substantially its present boundaries. The ordinances of 1787 and 1789 were adopted as its charter, and Detroit was made its seat of government. From 1805 to 1823 the Territorial government was administered by the Governor and three Judges. On the 3d of March, 1823, Congress vested the legislative power in the Governor and Council, composed of nine persons selected by the President and confirmed by the Senate out of eighteen elected by the people of the Territory. In 1835 a Constitution was adopted and State Government elected, which was accepted by Congress June 15, 1836, and Michigan was admitted into the Union as a State upon condition of acceding to the boundary claims of Ohio, concerning which an embittered controversy had arisen. This condition, which was at first rejected by a convention called by the Legislature to consider it, was finally accepted by a second convention, December 15, 1836, and Michigan was formally declared a State by act of Congress, January 26, 1837. By an act of the Legislature, approved March 16, 1847, the seat of government of the State was removed from Detroit to Lansing. June 3, 1850, a Constitutional Convention met at Lansing and adopted a new Constitution which was ratified by the people in November, following, and has since continued in force, notwithstanding repeated attempts have been made to secure its revision. "Then blessings on thee, Michigan. We wave thy banners gay, Of this thy natal day; We'll govern thee in coming years By laws both true and just, And "onward" shall our watchword be, In God our hope and trust." Semi-Centennial Song. |