last winter had not been vetoed by the Governor, the result would have been very disastrous to the people of this State. And I think that a large majority of the people of this State concur in the propriety of those vetoes, and now see that they were right. companies who were, by that means, make, and thereby enhance the value of enabled to go on and finish them. their lands, twenty-five, fifty, or oneThrough that loss on the part of the hundred per cent. Now, would it be State, through the means which were unjust to make these persons pay their thus contributed indirectly by the State proportion of the tax which will result to construct these roads for the benefit in enhancing the value of their lands? of the older counties of the State, Or if you adopt the principle of the Mr. CHAPIN. I wish to make a those counties are to-day enjoying the gentleman from Cass, and say we have remark or two on the proposition now blessings and the prosperity which is no right to impose this tax for this before the committee. I shall vote for the result to them from those great purpose, then what will be the result? the amendment of the gentleman from means of communication. But we in The citizens residing there must take Tuscola (Mr. HUSTON) to the amend- the newer portions of the State are their last penny to make these improvement offered by the gentleman from still in the woods; we have no such ments, and thus enhance the value of Kent, (Mr. M. C. WATKINS;) not so means of communication. Now, we the lands held by these other persons, much in the hope that the amendment do not ask you to do anything for us; without any sort of remuneration from will pass, as for the purpose of ex- we simply ask that you will allow us them for that benefit. There is where pressing my views in regard to what to do for ourselves. We ask that you the injustice is; there is where the should be the limitation in this section. will allow us to tax ourselves to a wrong exists. I apprehend the true question before reasonable extent to promote our own But adopt the principle recognized the committee is merely the question improvement. Is that unreasonable? by the section as reported by the comas to the amount which these munici- I ask gentlemen if there is any danger mittee, to allow these townships and palities shall be permitted to vote to be apprehended to the rights of the other municipalities to tax themselves, for the purpose of aiding railroads, older counties, or to the rights of any- to impose this burden upon the taxplank roads, and other roads in their body, if we are thus permitted to tax able property of the townships, for this respective localities. The gentleman ourselves for our own benefit, and for purpose, and you will do justice to all. from Kent (Mr. M. C. WATKINS) has our own improvement? I really hope Every man's property will be enhanced argued that five per cent. was suffi- that the committee of the whole will in value, and every man will contribcient for this purpose; that it would not adopt the amendment of the gen- ute in proportion to the value of his raise an amount amply sufficient. I tleman from Kent, (Mr. M. C. WAT-property towards that which will enhave a very high respect for the opin- KINS.) The five per cent. which his hance its value. No injustice is done, ions of that gentleman, but I must be amendment would restrict us to, as I no injury is inflicted upon any class of permitted to differ from him now. I have already remarked, would not be citizens, but a great good is accomthink five per cent. would be an entirely worth the trouble it would take in our plished. inadequate amount. I think that in new counties to assemble together as I really hope this body will take no our new counties that amount would township organizations and vote. back action upon this subject. I feel be next to nothing; it would not be The gentleman from Ingham, (Mr. a deep interest in this question; my worth the trouble of voting it; it would LONGYEAR,) in the very able argument constituents feel a deep interest in it. do nothing toward the improve-which he made upon this subject, illus- It is a matter of vital importance to all ments which it is the object of trated it in the proper way. He showed the new counties of the State. We are this section to authorize townships to my mind conclusively, and I appre- struggling there for existence; we have and other municipalities to aid. I hend to the minds of this Convention, every obstacle to overcome. I ask in must say that I should be ashamed that every aid that is voted for these God's name that this Convention will to go home to my constituents, and improvements is paid back treble and not throw any additional obstacle in say that this Convention had restrict- quadruple into the pockets of those our way, will not hamper us by this ed them in this respect to the paltry who vote. There can be no possible kind of legislation, for it is legislation, that should sum of five per cent. upon their as- danger that we will be injuring our- and a kind of legislation sessed valuation. I believe that the selves by voting this aid. We will be not be permitted to go into the Conadoption of a provision of that kind enhancing the value of every man's stitution of this State. This Convenwould do more to organize opposition to property, besides obtaining for him tion is asked to go aside from its the new Constitution, and to defeat its and for ourselves the benefit of these proper course, for the purpose of hamadoption, than any other one provision improvements which we thus propose pering these new counties; and tying we could insert in it. I should feel to aid. their hands, throwing obstacles in constrained myself to vote against it; If you adopt the principle so ably their way, to prevent their improveand I believe my constituents would argued by the the gentleman from Cass, ment and development. I ask you not vote against it with such a provision. (Mr. VAN RIPER,) to which I cannot to do this; if you cannot do anything It would be unjust to us, who are la- subscribe, in what position do you for us, at least do not prevent us from boring under every difficulty, to say place the new counties? In those doing something for ourselves. that we shall raise only the paltry sum new counties from one-third to Mr. W. A. SMITH. If the princiof five per cent. upon our assessed one-half of the real estate is to-day ple is correct that the majority has the valuation, in order to secure the means owned by speculators, men who are to- right to tax the minority to aid in the of communication between our region day holding possession of those lands, construction of railroads, then I hold and other portions of the State. When who stand there like dogs in the man- that there should be no limit upon that you look at the previous history of this ger, and will neither sell nor permit power. If the principle be correct, State, you must see that it would be anybody to occupy or improve those then why not permit the townships and unjust for gentleman to take that posi-lands, nor do it themselves. And why the municipalities to raise any amount tion in reference to us. Two great do they follow this course? It is in that they may think necessary to aid railroads were constructed, or partially the hope that the public spirited citi- the railroads which they need in their constructed, by the means of the State. zens of the locality where their lands vicinity? The same amount that would After a time these railroads were sold lie, will make these improvements be adequate for the wants of one secfor much less than their actual cost to which we now ask to be permitted to tion of the State, would not be suffi 1. A not raise a single dollar for the pur- the frontier settlers are in a bad condi- residents of this State. They have no pose of getting men for the army, only tion in that regard. Hence, I would interest in the prosperity of the paras they importuned the Legislature to go as high as ten per cent., although I ticular localities where these lands are, grant to them what they should have said the other day that I would not go except in the enhancement of the value possessed of their own right. I do for more than five per cent. I think of their lands. But the people who hope that the members of this Conven- that probably the people in the new reside there are suffering for the want tion will take a more enlarged view of counties of the State would raise ten of proper communication between this subject, and leave the people more per cent., and a portion of the tax those localities and the markets of the free; leave them to judge for them- would come from those who held State. The question arises whether selves of their own interests. Let us these lands, and thereby they there is any injustice done by levying a respect that great and fundamental would be made to assist in these tax upon the property of the township, principle, that a free people are capa- improvements. I am willing to vote consequently levying it upon these ble of self-government. for any provision to restrict the Legis- lands, which will be enhanced in value Mr. SHEARER. I have but one lature hereafter from going beyond by the imposition of this tax for this word to say in relation to this subject. certain bounds. I know the difficul- purpose. So far as I am acquainted, I have heard it mentioned by several ties which were experienced here last the people of the State ask for this gentlemen that it would be necessary winter. Millions and millions of dol- provision in the Constitution; or rather to restrict the Legislature in its action lars would have been thrown to they ask that there shall be no provishereafter, by naming in the Constitu- the winds, if it had not been for the ion inserted here in regard to the mattion a certain per centage, beyond vetoes of our venerable and excellent ter, because they believe it can be which the Legislature should not allow Governor. I hope that gentlemen of properly left to the Legislature to say any township or city to go, in levying the committee, when they come to vote what shall be done in the premises. taxes for this purpose. I believe that on this question, will restrict the Leg- For my own part, I believe it could be is wise. I know that during last win-islature hereafter to a certain per cent-safely left to the Legislature. If any ter, when the railroad interest came up age. I will go as high as ten per cent; portion of the people of this State feel in the Legislature, it made considerable I would not be willing to go any that it would enhance the value of their difficulty and caused many vetoes. I higher; I think twenty per cent. would property and be beneficial to them if am for restricting the Legislature here- be too much. I wish to be consistent; they are allowed to aid in the construcafter in relation to this subject. That that is why I speak now. I thought tion of railroads, then let the Legislaseems to be the main point; to adopt the other day that five per cent. would ture pass a special enactment for their some principle in this Constitution, be enough. However, I am impressed special benefit. whereby the Legislature hereafter shall to think that if these improvements not be allowed to run wild in the rail- should be made by the State itself, and road business; that is the main point. bonds issued, it would probably be I said the other day that I was wil- better. But that is not the subject ling to go as high as five per cent. But under consideration. I am convinced that if we set the princi- Mr. LAWRENCE. I do not expect ple at ten per cent. it would probably be to occupy much of the time of this all that is necessary. I would not be committee in this discussion, as my willing to vote for a proposition to go sentiments have been placed before this as high as twenty per cent. Hence I Convention by others in a much better will vote for the five per cent., and if way than I could do it myself. Did I the question should then come up on not represent a portion of the people the ten per cent., I would be willing to of this State who were looking with go for that. I think there should be most intense interest to see what dis- fication necessary for a man to go into something in the Constitution to pre-position we will make of this matter, the mercantile business; you are vent the Legislature from going here- I would not now trouble this commit- not acquainted with that kind after to extremes in railroading busi- tee of the whole with a single word of business, and if you go into ness. I think probably, as the gentle- upon this subject. I must say that I it you may lose all the property you man from Gratiot (Mr. CHAPIN) has cannot see the force of the argument now have. You never could compete said, ten per cent. would be nothing made here, that the people of the State with the sharp business men of the more than right for the newer regions should not have the right to impose State; you are not competent for it, of the State, from the fact that the as-burdens upon themselves, when they and you will find it to your disadvansessed valuation of property in those conceive it to be for their interest to tage. Therefore, we will insert a procounties is not equal to that in the do so. The strongest argument that vision in the Constitution of the State older counties; hence, ten per cent. has been adduced here on the other prohibiting you from obtaining perwould probably not be too much, es- side, I conceive has been presented by mission to go into such a business; you pecially as the most of the land in the the gentleman from Cass, (Mr. VAN must remain a farmer all the days of new counties is held by speculators, RIPER,) notwithstanding his youth. your life; there is no choice left for and this might induce them to allow And this argument was presented in a you." And you might carry the prinactual settlers to purchase their lands, very modest manner for the considera- ciple still further, and say that the and go into that part of the State. tion of this Convention, although I investment of money in railroad stocks. I know something about the trouble may not view the subject in the light was a hazardous experiment for any which our friends are in there. They that he does. man to make, who was not a railroad are obliged to go into the woods, where As the gentleman from Gratiot, (Mr. man of long experience, or a man of they find themselves surrounded by CHAPIN,) has stated, the people along capital. You might as well insert in lands owned by men from the east and the routes of proposed railroads are this Constitution a provision prohibitelsewhere, who will not sell any of the surrounded by immense quantities of ing any individual, unless he had a lands, but keep them for the occupation land owned by persons who do not re- certain amount of property, from inof the wild beasts of the forest, while side there, and who perhaps are not vesting it in railroad stocks, for fear he would hazard his property for all future township to say that your property, or locality require or justify the constructime. my property, or any other man's prop- tion of a railroad, there a railroad, erty shall take such a direction as the properly constructed, is a great public majority of the electors of that town- blessing to the community. But, ship shall determine, then I say that we where it is not authorized by the nehave entirely mistaken the office of cessities of the community, then, like that township, when we have given it any other unfortunate adventure, it is the general impress which has been not a blessing, but a curse. put upon it here, or the general impress which it has received from the various statutes of the State. Why should a Constitutional Convention assume the guardianship of the citizens of this State, and dictate to them what kind of property they shall invest their money in? I do not pretend to deny but what sometimes the case might arise where some minority would be injured by allowing a tax of this kind to be imposed. But is there any general law upon the statute books which does not at some time or other give some persons reason to complain of its operation? I do not think any one will claim but that this is the case, and with these few remarks I will conclude what I have to say. Now, how shall these railroads be constructed? It is proposed by this section to let the credit of townships You might just as well assume that be pledged to aid in the construction it is the office of the electors of the of railways. This, in my judgment, township to determine what particular means debt. It means debt with all business shall be done in the township. its blessings and with all its curses. There are gentlemen upon this floor Now, I do not believe very much in who, I have no sort of doubt, are exer- the blessing of debt. It is the easiest cising various functions in these town- thing in the world to run into debt; Mr. LOTHROP. I do not feel very ships. Why should not the electors of anybody can do it. I can do it myself; able to discuss this question this morn- these townships determine just as well and I never saw a neighbor who could ing, not feeling at all well physically. what part of their capital shall be de- not do it; I never saw a community But I desire to submit to this commit- voted to farming in these townships? that could not do it. It is one of the tee some few ideas on this subject. II take it there is no question that there most delightful operations in the am an earnest and sincere friend of is a great deal of bad farming, and if world. A friend near me suggests internal improvements in the form of we could have all farming done well, it that there are some men who cannot railroads. If it rested at all with me, would improve the whole property of be trusted to any great extent; but I I would bring a railroad to every man's the town. What right has my neigh- never saw a man in my life who could door. But there are very many bless- bor to conduct his farming interest not run into debt to a certain extent. ings that I would be glad to enjoy my-poorly? Do not my interests require There is not a township in this State self, and there are many which I would that his farming shall be done well? that cannot run into debt to a certain be very glad to impart to others, which Will not gentlemen say that it is for extent. But you must recollect that it would be perfectly utopian to expect the public interest that all the farming when you run into debt, that debt that either I myself, or my neighbor in any town should be done well? means debt. should enjoy. And, therefore, why should not a tax be levied to provide each farmer with capital, in order that he may do his farming well? For the reason that that is not the object of that municipal organization. ! I regard this matter of indebtedness, This matter of building railroads is whether National, State, city or town, a matter of great interest, both to the as one of the most serious questions public and to individuals. It is a that is likely to be pressed upon us matter of great financial concern, benow or hereafter. It is one of those cause no railroad can be either built or great questions that are going to tax operated, unless it stands on a sound I have a profound conviction that the master minds of the community. financial foundation. I do not suppose the financial and general well-being of It will tax them to prevent that indebtthe question before this committee is a town depends largely upon institu-edness, whether National, State or muat all whether railroads are desirable tions of a religious character. Yet, nicipal, from bearing down the interor undesirable. But the specific ques- we all agree that it is no part of the ests of the country. And he who shall tion is, what part shall the primal object of a municipal organization to solve that great problem which lies bemunicipalities of this State take in construct churches, or to aid in sus-fore us, he who will be able to bear them? I think there is a very pro- taining them. our interest safely through the crushfound fallacy in the assertion that the Yet, some of our friends have said ing weight of debt, will be the great question is, whether individuals shall upon this floor that a railroad is like a statesman to whom the people should be permitted to invest their money as highway; and the construction and erect a column higher than any other they may desire. I would allow men maintenance of highways and bridges that shall be erected to any other name. to invest their money just as they are left in charge of the township I look at this matter of the indebtedplease, wherever they live, or whatever authorities. Sir, a railway has no ness of townships with still more anxpursuits they follow. But the question more relation to an ordinary highway iety, for this reason. A township in here is, what is the proper office of than a banking institution has to the my judgment is a community the least townships in our political organization? common conduct of a man's own pri- well adapted to contract a debt wisely; Is it the proper office of our townships vate financial operations. A banking the least well adapted to bear that into build railroads? Is it the. proper institution is a piece of private prop-debtedness safely, and to discharge it office of our townships, or of the elec-erty,,and, although it may have an in- honorably. A township is a small tors in the townships, to vote at their fluence upon the interest of townships, community made up of a limited numpleasure, at the pleasure of the major- yet it is a matter of private concern, ity, the property of those who own and must be so conducted. property in those townships for this purpose? If that is their function, then not only you and I, but every agree most cordially in what has been member of this Convention who has done one single thing towards framing the organization of a township, has entirely mistaken the nature of that township. If it be the office of the A I have been interested for upward of said here in regard to the value of a ber of persons. In order to have a township a safe political organization, its functions should be limited, and it should have but a few things in its charge. One of the last things that should be committed to it is the power of contracting debt for any purpose. The construction of highways, the building of school houses, and the administration of simple justice should |