Mr. LOTHROP. Will my colleague allow me to interrupt him a moment? Mr. SHEARER. Certainly, with a great deal of pleasure.

There is another idea connected with not be a public benefit to that township, their own localities; to represent their this thing; it may be said that this then they will vote against the proposi- own counties and districts. When the State, by its improvements has en- tion; if they think it will be a public proposition is made to them to raise hanced the value of the property of the benefit, they will vote for the proposi- taxes, they will say that they must not State. Any one who came here twen- tion and issue bonds. impose a tax upon these new settlety-five years ago, and traveled from ments; it will not do to pass an enabDetroit to Chicago, will be convinced ling act to impose a tax upon them. when he sees the difference between But they can issue bonds, and the road the lands now and then on the line of can help pay them off by its earnings. the Central Road, with all the large Mr. LOTHROP. There is no prop- They can, therefore, pass an enabling cities along that road, he will then see osition made here to limit section act, for the benefit of our friends in the advantage which a railroad is to twenty-seven. It is proposed to leave the interior parts of the State, so that this State. But when that five million the townships at liberty to issue their through their skill and industry, and loan was contracted, it was a bug-bear bonds; or if they prefer to raise money the earnings of the road, and the to the people, it was the ugliest thing by tax, instead of issuing bonds, they profits they will make by carrying their in the world; they made political capi- will be at liberty to resort to taxation. produce to market in that way, they tal of it to break down every man they So they will have all the liberty which will be enabled to take up the bonds could who had entered into that loan. my excellent friend desires. He is and pay them off. That is the object But you will now find that the proper-making an argument which is already of the Legislature, and hence there is ty on each side of that Central Rail- so fully endorsed by the Convention a safeguard in that body of men. I road is enhanced in value to an extent that it hardly needs any further expla- presume you will find very intelligent that will more than pay twice the cost nation. men among the legislators, that will come here hereafter. They will inquire into every particular before they pass an enabling act for this purpose.

:

lawyers. [Laughter.] I do not know
but they may lead me astray.

of the road. Just so it was with the Mr. SHEARER. I thank the gen-
Erie Canal. That canal was run tleman for his explanation; but as I
through a swamp, almost from Albany am a farmer, I am a little fearful of
to Buffalo, and now it is almost a con-
tinual city from Buffalo to Albany.
This Detroit and Milwaukee road that
runs to Grand Haven; see the cities
and large thriving villages which spring
up all along that road. Now run an-
other road from Port Huron to Gene-
see and you will open up the country,
and there will be something similar hand.
there.

Mr. LOVELL. Will not the gentleman from Wayne, (Mr. LOTHROP,) withdraw his section and move it in Convention? We know what it is.

Mr. SHEARER. I suppose you know what my argument is before

Mr. LOVELL. I made the inquiry of the other gentleman from Wayne.

If you put taxation in, they will look upon it with distrust, and say, "We must not tax our people in the interior part of the State; but we can enable them to issue bonds.". When that act passes both houses of the Legislature, and comes under the scrutinizing eye of the Governor, and he sanctions it, then we must get the people to convene in the township before Now, I wish to be understood. The they will vote for that proposition. Legislature can pass an enabling act Mr. SHEARER. I may not have They hold their town meetings before to allow townships to issue bonds after that ken that lawyers have. I am they vote the tax. They are fearful the vote of the people is taken, not to merely endeavoring to take a common that the road would not be comexceed ten per cent.; and those bonds sense view of this matter. I see it menced, but after they see it commay run for almost any length of time pleases my friends around me a great menced, they vote for it. Men change that the people may desire. Now I can- deal. I might be flattered by their their minds in this regard. Although not see any improvement on this section laughter and pleasantry into believing we have a little road thirty and a-half twenty-seven as it now stands. I do not that I was making a wonderful speech. miles long, in one of the richest believe there can be any improvement But I do not believe I can make a parts of the State of Michigan, we wish made in it. My colleague (Mr. LOTHROP) wonderful speech. I am trying in my to come to Lansing, and we wish also to says, however, that they may raise this feeble manner, to elucidate why it go to Detroit. We could not get any aid by taxation, or by bonds, under his would be an advantage to hold fast to assistance from Detroit, from the fact proposition. Now, I prefer bonds; I section twenty-seven. Notwithstand- that their charter precluded the callprefer the issuing of bonds to the ing my friend from Detroit, (Mr. ing of a meeting to impose a tax. We levying of taxes, and that is why LOTHROP,) and many of our friends called upon Governor Crapo not to I speak. The people in the new parts here, would be willing to pay the money impose his veto upon the proposition, of our State are not prepared to pay right down, it might not be the for we wanted to get the people of their money down now. There are choice of the people, when they come Detroit to assist us. We have a great guards and checks enough around this to vote at the township meeting, to many friends there, but we could not section twenty-seven to make it all safe. pay the money right down. I presume call a meeting to get them to vote a In the first place, those who wish to there are a great many men who would tax. Hence, that compelled us to get an enabling act from the Legisla- rather pay the money instead of issu- adopt the other project from Howell ture for this purpose, must get the con- ing bonds, and they can do that now to Plymouth, and then go down and sent of the majority of the members in without any permission from the Leg- join the road that will go to Monroe. each House of the Legislature. Then islature. But I do not wish to leave Detroit. I they must get the consent of the Gov- I am fearful if this proposition to presume that we will have the citizens ernor. After the bill has passed the pay taxes comes before the Legisla- of Detroit to assist us as soon as we Legislature, and the Governor has ture, they will not allow people to can get a law passed to call upon them, signed it, then they must go to the issue bonds; that is what I am fearful but we shall never call upon them for township and get it voted on by the of. The Legislature are a very curious over two per cent. I presume. I have people. I have had some little expe- set of men like ourselves. They come made a little calculation upon it; a rience in these matters. If the people from various parts of the State; a two per cent. tax upon the city of Deare called together to consider this great many of them come to the Leg-roit, will run the road from Plymouth matter, if they think that the road will islature to attend to the business of to Detroit.

I am in favor of issuing these bonds, tion, gentlemen say. I say we have this provision, with the understanding because the net income of the road just compensation, because we have the that whenever we get back into Conwill help pay for it, together with the use of that road to travel upon, but vention, and take up this subject again, energy and industry manifested by the we cannot cultivate it. We are not there shall be a carefully prepared propeople on the line of the road. That, obliged to fence that road; we can turn vision which will approach substanwith the enhanced value of the land on our farm into a common, and it may tially to what is in the first part of this. each side of the road, in process of lay there. They cannot oblige us to Such a provision without the proviso, time, will give us the road at a cost fence it. can be prepared which will be unobjecwhich will be merely nothing. tionable to all.

Under the circumstances, I will defer the rest of my speech until next Monday. I have about half a day more to talk. [Cries of "Go on! go on!"

I will say nothing more now. I am slow of speech, but what I have said I mean, let it be in ever so uncouth a manner. I mean all I have said. I stand by the proposition adopted by this committee. The word "county" is stricken out, and the townships are to be taxed, not the counties. I think it would be better to have it so, because tee? a road might run through a county, Mr. SHEARER. I thought I was in one part of it, while another part understood. I go for the bonding sysof the county in another direction tem. might be provided with another road. The nearer you can get these industrial matters to the people the better they will be understood, and the better they will be carried out. If you fetch these roads into villages and townships, every man will understand whether it is better to have the road there or not.

V

I have been asked also to yield one
other thing: that there should be some
provision that this aid should not be
repeated each succeeding year. Lest
Mr. P. D. WARNER. Which prop- gentlemen might say that I have not
osition does the gentleman favor; the been quite explicit enough-in this matter,
proposition of his colleague, (Mr. Lo-I will say that this provision now offered
THROP,) or the section of the commit- allows a town, where no bonds have
been issued, and no credit pledged, to
raise every year this ten per cent.
There is no question about that part of
it. I have no objection personally to
Mr. CONGER. I have but a single it. But I have agreed with other gen-
remark to make before the vote is tlemen who desired to restrict this ten
taken. I have the proposed amend- per cent. to a certain number of years,
ment before me now, and I see by the that we would try and compromise up-
reading of it that there is this objec-on ten per cent. for five years, or three
tion to it: if the bonds of any munici-years, or eight or ten years, or any
pality for ten per cent. are to be paid number of years that we can agree upon.
in any given year, there is no way This proviso does not prevent the Leg-
under this section to raise over ten islature from authorizing this ten per
per cent., and, therefore, there will be cent. of tax every year. If that meets
no way of raising the means to pay the views of those with whom I have
the interest accruing upon the bonds. agreed to meet on some ground in that
Mr. LOTHROP. I answer without respect, by a limitation to a certain
the remotest hesitation, that this pro- number of years, I have no objection
vision does not prevent the levying to it. But I speak of it in order that
any tax, and paying any indebtedness those with whom I have spoken, and
of any kind, either principal or inter- to whom I have pledged myself in that
est, which the town owes. It does not respect, should not be taken unawares.
present the slightest difficulty in the
world.

Mr. WITHEY. If this new section is passed in committee of the whole, cannot we, in Convention, reform it, and put it in such a shape as we desire it, if it is not now entirely satisfactory?

Mr. CONGER. I have no doubt
the gentleman believes so, but I be-
lieve differently. I believe the effect
of this provision would be to make
those desiring to purchase the bonds Mr. CONGER. We certainly could
look to see whether a town could by do it. But I would like to ask this
any construction of the Constitution committee of the whole, if the objec-
avoid paying them to their full extent; tions I have made to it are real, why
and if there be any one thing we have we should agree to this on any such
desired all through, it is that there consideration? When we can all agree
shall be nothing in the Constitution to
prevent the bondholder from seeing
that there is every provision for the
prompt payment of his bond.

Now, in reference to these industrial
institutions which have been spoken of.
Did you ever think what was the cost
of the roads in a township? Did you
ever know that private property was
taken for public use for all the roads
that we have in the United States?
Did you not know that no man is
obliged to build a highway, to turn his
farm into a common? Did you ever
estimate the amount of fences in a
county, or a township, or a city? The
farmer on each side of the road is
entitled to claim the land to the
centre of the road. Yet there is
four rods wide given to the public;
their private property is taken for pub-
lic use for the road. The farmer on
each side of the road cannot plow or
cultivate the two rods of the road
which he is entitled to claim. On every
sectional line you find a public road,
more or less; this State especially is
upon a provision which will meet the
laid out so. These roads, and the fen-
views of more than this will, why not
ces along these roads, cost a great deal
vote this down now, and at the proper
of labor. I presume my friends of the
time, in the way I have proposed, take
bar do not understand exactly how There are other objections to this, this matter up again, and
again, and prepare
these fence-rails are split and put up. not in the first part, but in the proviso. carefully a provision that will be unob-
I have helped to do that business, and I am perfectly willing to agree to that jectionable? Why should the commit-
I know that there is a great deal of basis, when it is put in proper language. tee on the legislative department have
labor in it. Now, about these fences But I do submit to gentlemen of this forced into their work a provision
and the roads in a township, and Convention that we gain nothing at all which is unsatisfactory, I venture to
the amount of land taken for public by forcing through a provision, which say, to a great portion of this commit-
purposes, and without just compensa- to many is seriously objectionable on tee of the whole, merely because we
tion, they say. Is it not a just com- account of the manner in which it is will have the power hereafter to re-
pensation in order to keep up human drawn. It was not the understanding model it?
society, to have good roads to our so far as I heard any one express him-
schools, and to the churches, and mills, self, to adopt any provision now in
and all about the neighborhood? We committee of the whole, until those in-
have to sacrifice this private property terested on either side could agree up-
for public use without just compensa- on the provision. I shall vote against

Mr. WILLIAMS. I do not understand this section as construed by the chairman of the committee on the legislative department, (Mr. CONGER.) As I construe it, there is only one question

sum.

..

!

about it involved in doubt. It is not jan horse. Perhaps it is innocent; but Mr. CONGER. I hope there will be whether they can raise a tax every perhaps a thorough discussion of the no objection to the proposition of the year of ten per cent., but whether, question, a whacking of the sides of this gentleman from Oakland, (Mr. McCoNafter having been allowed to raise that Trojan horse with our spears, might NELL.) There probably has been sometax, they can raise a tax for any other reveal that it is hollow, and that it thing in my conduct that makes it imIt did occur to me, and I hope is a device of the enemy, who have portant for the gentleman to take this that course may be taken, that the best introduced it under the guise of friend- unusual course to make a fling at me. way to dispose of this provision, would ship, in order that it may give them Perhaps it has been some neglect on be to adopt it, and when we get back the means of taking our position. It my part in the discharge of my duty, into Convention, we will have it before is said, "vote for it here, and if you or perhaps it has been some inproper us printed in our journal, and we can do not like it hereafter, you can strike manner in which I have discharged it. see precisely what it is, and understand it out." I think the better way would I accept the reproof from the learned its full effect and import, and can then be to vote against it here, and if after gentleman with becoming humility. act intelligently upon it. It seems to a careful consideration of it we shall Mr. McCONNELL. I intended. me that is the shortest and easiest way be induced to believe that it is not a nothing personal by this section. I to dispose of this matter. Trojan horse, but that it is in fact an have no reference to the gentleman honest, straight-forward proposition, from St. Clair, (Mr. CONGER.) we can join hands with them hereafter, although they have not been heretofore aiding us, in preparing a section upon this subject which will be right. We can vote it down now, and then after having seen it in print, and carefully examining it, the gentleman can move it again, and if we find nothing wrong in it, we can change front and adopt it. But why should the friends of municipal aid take a provision of this kind from this source, without time for examination or criticism? I think at this time we should vote against it.

Mr. CONGER. The proviso of this section says "when added to the principal of the credit of such city or township already pledged for like aid." Suppose that credit is voted, what will be the effect of this provision? The gentleman from Allegan, (Mr. WILLIAMS,) may possibly be right, although, inasmuch as this section twenty-seven is a restriction merely, and not the grant of a power, I can not agree with him in that construction.

Mr. WILLIAMS. The difficulty is in the language of the section itself. It says, "the Legislature may. empower any city or township to raise by tax," etc. This is proposed as an express grant of power.

Mr. CONGER. I know that; but there is a proviso restricting it. I submit to this committee that it is neither reasonable nor fair to themselves, or to the committee having charge of this section, that they should knowingly adopt a proposition which they believe to be wrong, because hereafter they can take the back track and amend it. I have said all I wish to say on this subject. I shall vote against this proposed section, and at the proper time I will assist in the preparation of a proper provision.

The question was taken upon the additional section moved by Mr. McCONNELL, and it was not agreed to.

Mr. MORTON. I move to amend. section twenty-seven, as adopted by the committee, by inserting in the last clause, after the word "vote," the words "of the electors," so that the clause will read, "the question of such aid shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the city or township to be affected thereby.

Mr. LOVELL. I rise to a point of order. My point of order is that we have already passed section twentyThe question recurred upon the seven, and that we cannot go back to amendment of Mr. LOTHROP, to add the it without unanimous consent. I obfollowing to the article as a new sec-ject to this amendment. tion: The CHAIRMAN.

Whatever unSECTION The Legislature may empower derstanding the committee may have, any city or township to raise by tax, in aid the Chair understands that section amount of money not exceedling ten per of any railroad company or companies, an amount of money not exceeding ten per twenty-seven is under consideration. centum of the assessed valuation of such city Mr. BIRNEY. We have considered or township, but every such tax shall be first two or three sections since we passed approved by a vote of the electors of such city or township: Provided, That the amount upon section twenty-seven. I think levied by any such tax shall not, when added the gentleman from Genesee (Mr. to the principal of the credits of such city or LOVELL) is correct, and that section township already pledged for like aid, and then outstanding, exceed ten per centum of twenty-seven is not now under conthe assessed valuation aforesaid.

The question was taken; and upon a division, ayes 36, noes 32, it was

adopted.

SECTION

The Legislature shall have power to appropriate any improved real estate within this State, the Upper Peninsula excepted, and all personal property and household furniture excepted, in aid of any line or lines of railroad which may run from Lapland to Terra del Fuego, by way of Port Huron.

Mr. LOVELL. I had hoped that we might have been saved any further Mr. McCONNELL. I move to add discussion of this article. Yet, if it to this article an additional section, needs discussion, I hope it will be dis- which I hope will receive the unanicussed. I do not fully understand the mous approval of the committee of the new section that has been offered, and whole. I move to add the following: I am not prepared to vote for it. If there were no other reason, I confess that the source from which the amendment comes would lead me to fear it. There is an old saying, I will not quote it in the original, for it will evidently be out of place here, and improper, after the remarks that have been made. Mr. LOVELL. I move a proviso, "I fear the Greeks, even bearing gifts." which I send to the Chair to be read. Gentlemen who oppose granting muThe CHAIRMAN. Upon examinanicipal aid to railroads have fought us tion, the Chair perceives that the prothrough four weary days of discussion; viso is in Latin, and rules it out of they have beset us on every hand. Now, order, because it is not in the English when we have defended the outworks, language. maintained our position, they propose Mr. MUSSEY. I move to include to introduce in friendly guise this Tro- in the section "Pontiac."

sideration.

has been passed upon since we have Mr. LOVELL. Section thirty-one done anything in regard to section twenty-seven. We have also adopted a new section to be added to this article.

The CHAIRMAN. That may have been done; but if so, it must have taken place when the chair was occupied by some one other than the present occupant.

Mr. WITHEY. I hope the question will be taken upon the amendment of the gentleman from Monroe, (Mr. MORTON,) and that it will be rejected. It was understood that section twenty-seven as adopted should not be interfered with contrary to the wishes of the committee on the legislative department, who are entirely satisfied with it.

Mr. MORTON. My object in offering this amendment is because I have heard some members say they could

SECTION 1. The legislative power is vested in a Senate and House of Representatives. SECTION 2. The Senate shall consist of thirty-two members. But after the year 1870, the Legislature may increase the number to thirty-threee, by authorizing the election of two Senators in that portion of the State now included within the limits of the thirty-second Senatorial District. Senators shall be elected for four years and by single districts. At the first election after the adoption of this Constitution, Senators in the odd numbered districts shall be elected for two years, and in the even numbered districts for four years. Such districts shall be numbered from one to thirty-three inclusive; each of which shall choose one Senator. No county shall be divided in the formation of Senate districts, except such county shall be equitably entitled

not vote for that section unless it con- lows, the portions inserted being prin-
tained a provision submitting the ted in italics, the portion struck out
question of aid to a vote of the elect- being included in brackets:
ors of the city or township affected
thereby. I think the friends of the
provision in the Constitution will not
object to its being tied up closely, if
they wish to have a popular vote en-
dorsing it. The enabling act for Hol-
ly and Monroe was a stringent act.
Not only did it require the question to
be submitted to a vote of the electors,
but the bonds were not to be issued
until the iron was on the track. The
very fact that it was so guarded in-
duced a heavy vote in our city. Unless
the people shall have a right to vote
upon this question, no common coun-
cil could live in that town who should
issue bonds without proper security.
As there is some doubt expressed about
the section giving the right to all the
electors to vote upon this question, I
think that doubt should be removed.
Mr. LUCE. I would like to explain
one thing to the gentleman from Mon-
roe, and then I think he will withdraw
his amendment for the time being.
The section as adopted by the commit-
tee provides that no bonds shall be is-
sued until the question is submitted to
the people of the township or city af-
fected.

Mr MORTON. If that is so, I will withdraw my amendment.

Mr. LUCE. I move that the committee now rise, report this article with the amendmends back to the Convention, recommend that the amendments be concurred in, and that this committee be discharged from the further consideration of this article.

The motion was agreed to. The committee accordingly rose; and the PRESIDENT having resumed the chair,

Mr. LAMB reported that the committee of the whole, pursuant to the order of the Convention, had had under consideration the article entitled "Legislative Department;" had made sundry amendments therein, and had directed him to report the article with the amendments back to the Convention, recommend that the amendments be concurred in, and ask that the committee of the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the article. The report was received, and the committee of the whole discharged.

The PRESIDENT. The question is upon concurring in the amendments made by the committee of the whole.

Mr. LOVELL. I move that the article, with the pending amendments be laid upon the table, be printed in the journal, and be made the special order for Wednesday next."

The motion was agreed to.
The article as amended was as fol-

to two or more Senators.

:

SECTION 3. The House of Representatives
shall consist of one hundred members. Rep-
resentatives shall be chosen for two years,
and by single districts. Each representative
district shall contain, as nearly as may be,
an equal number of inhabitants, including
civilized persons of Indian descent, not mem-
ient and contiguous territory.
bers of any tribe, and shall consist of conven-
In every
county entitled to more than one Represent-
ative, the board of supervisors shall assemble
at such time and place as may be provided by
law, and divide the same into representative
districts, equal to the number of Representa-
tives to which such county is entitled by law,
Secretary of State and clerk of such county,
and shall cause to be filed in the offices of the
a description of such representative districts,
specifying the number of each district, and
the population thereof, according to the last

enumeration.

SECTION 8. The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government on the second Wednesday of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, and on the second Wednesday of January in every [second] year thereafter, and at no other time or place, unless as provided in this Constitution. The time of meeting shall be at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and the time of final adjournment shall be at twelve o'clock, noon.

:

SECTION 9. Each House shall choose its own officers, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution; determine the rules of its proceedings, and judge of the qualifications, elections and returns of its members, and may, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members elected, expel a member. The reasons for such expulsion shall be entered upon the journal, with the names of the members voting on the question. No member shall be expelled a second time for the same cause, nor for any cause known to his constituents antecedent to his election; [the reason for such expulsion shall be entered upon the journal, with the names of the members voting on the question.]

SECTION 10. A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent memties as each House may prescribe. bers, in such manner and under such penal

SECTION 11. The compensation of the members of the Legislature, during the session thereof, shall be four dollars per day for actual attendance. When convened in extra SECTION 4. The Legislature shall provide session, [their compensation shall be four by law for an enumeration of the inhabitants dollars per day for the first twenty days, and five, and every ten years thereafter; and at other subjects than those expressly stated in in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-nothing thereafter;] they shall legislate on no the first session after each enumeration so the Governor's proclamation, or submitted to made, and also at the first session after such them by special message. They shall be enStates, the Legislature shall re-arrange the mile actually traveled, going to and returning enumeration by the authority of the United titled to ten cents, and no more, for every Senate districts, and apportion anew the Rep- from the place of meeting, on the usually resentatives among the counties and districts, traveled route, and for stationery, postage according to the number of inhabitants, in- and newspapers, not exceeding fifteen dollars cluding civilized persons of Indian descent, for each member during any session. Each not members of any tribe. But no re-arrange- member shall be entitled to one copy of the ment of Senate districts, shall vacate the seat laws, journals and documents of the Legisla of any Senator. Each apportionment, and ture of which he was a member; but shall the division into representative districts by not receive, at the expense of the State, any board of supervisors, shall remain unal- books, newspapers, or other perquisites of tered until the return of another enumeration. office, not expressly authorized by this Contive shall be a citizen of the United States, SECTION 5. Every Senator and Representa-stitution. and a qualified elector of [some county em- [and the Speaker of the House of RepresentaSECTION 12. The President of the Senate braced in] the district he represents, [or of tives shall each be entitled to six dollars per which said district shall be a part.] A re- diem compensation and the same mileage as moval from his [county, or the counties com- members of the Legislature, and no more;] prising his] district, shall be deemed a vaca- shall receive an annual salary of five huntion of his office. No Senator or Representa-dred dollars, which shall be in full for his tive shall, during the time for which he may services as Lieutenant Governor and Presihave been created, or the emoluments of be elected, be eligible to any office which shall dent of the Senate. SECTION 13. In case of a contested election, which shall have been increased by the Legis-each House shall determine the amount of lature during such term; nor shall he be in- per diem compensation and mileage to be rewith the State, or any county thereof, author- diem compensation allowed to both parties terested, directly or indirectly, in any contract ceived by each contestant, but the per ized by any law passed during said term. shall not exceed the sum of four dollars per day.

t

SECTION 14. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same, except such parts as may require secrecy. The yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shall be entered on the journal, at the request of one-fifth of the members elected. Any member of either House may dissent from and protest against any act, proceeding or resolution which he may deem injurious to any person or the public, and have the reason of his dissent entered on the

SECTION 6. No person holding any elective
State office, except that of Regent of the
University, or member of the Board of Educa-
tion, [or] and no per son holding the office of
probate judge, county clerk, register of deeds,
county treasurer, sheriff, county superintend
ent of common schools, prosecuting attorney,
or any other office to which he was appointed
by the President of the United States, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate,
shall be allowed to take or hold a seat in
either House of the Legislature.
SECTION 7. Senators and Representatives | journal.

SECTION 15. In all elections by either House, or in joint convention, the votes shall be given viva voce. All votes on nominations to the Senate shall be taken by yeas and nays, and published with the journal of its proceedings. SECTION 16. The doors of each House shall be open, unless the public welfare require secrecy. Neither House shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than where the Legislature may then be in session.

SECTION 17. Bills may orignate in either House of the Legislature; but no new bill, except appropriation bills, shall be introduced after the first [fifty] forty days of a session shall have expired.

of the conditions of the contract. No mem-
ber of the Legislature, or officer of the State,
shall be interrested, directly or indirectly, in
any such contract.]

SECTION 24. The Legislature shall not es-
tablish a State paper, but shall provide for
the speedy publication of all statute laws of a
public nature, and of such judicial decisions
as it may deem expedient. All laws and ju-
dicial decisions shall be free for publication
by any person.

SECTION 25. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be deemed vacant, and also the manner of filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that purpose in this Constitution.

of

Resolved, That the Secretary of the board of Regents of the University be requested to report to the Convention a statement of all moneys received and disbursed during the past year in the University, the receipts and disbursements for and on account of each of the departments, the number of students attending the last session, the number who were not residents of the State, and the number graduated last year in each of the departments; also, the amount of all appropriations and donations heretofore made to the University.

MILITARY DEPARTMENT.

Mr. PRINGLE. I move that the Convention now resolve itself into committee of the whole on the general

The motion was agreed to.

SECTION 18. Every bill and joint resolution
SECTION 26. The Legislature may confer
passed by the Legislature, shall be presented upon organized townships, incorporated cities
to the Governor before it becomes a law. If and villages, and upon the board of super-
he approve he shall sign it; but if not, he visors of the several counties, such powers order.
shall return it with his objection, to the a local, legislative, and administrative char-
House in which it originated, which shall en-acter as they may deem proper. The Legis-
ter the objection at large upon the journal, lature shall provide by general law for or-
and reconsider it. On such reconsideration, ganizing townships, cities aud villages on
if two-thirds of the members elected agree to such conditions and subject to such regula-
pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objec- tions as may be prescribed.
tions, to the other House, by which it shall be
reconsidered. If approved by two-thirds of the
members elect to that House, it shall become

thorize any [county,] city or township, to
SECTION 27. The Legislature shall not au-
a law. In such case the vote of both Houses pledge its credit for the purpose of aiding in
the construction of any railroad to an extent
shall be determined by yeas and nays; and whereby the outstanding indebtedness, exclu-
the names of the members voting for and sive of interest, on account of aid to any and
against the bill, shall be entered on the jour- all railroads, shall exceed ten per cent. of the
nals of each House respectively. If any bill
be not returned by the Governor, within ten assessed valuation of such [county] city or
days, Sundays excepted, after it has been township. No county shall be authorized to
law in like manner as if he had signed it, un-such aid shall be submitted to a vote of the
in the Upper Peninsula. The question of
less the Legislature by their adjournment pre-
vent its return; in which case it shall not be-
The Governor may approve,
sign, and file in the office of the Secretary of
State, within five days after the adjournment
of the Legislature, any act passed during the
last five days of the session, and the same

itself into committee of the whole, (Mr. The Convention accordingly resolved WILLIAMS in the chair.)

The CHAIRMAN. The first article on the general order is the article entitled "Military Department.

Mr. WILLARD. I observe that the chairman of the committee who reported this article, (Mr. STOUGHTON,) is not in his seat.

Mr. LUCE. He has no objection

presented to him, the same shall become a pledge its credit for any such purpose, except to our considering this article now.

come a law.

shall become a law.

SECTION 19. Every bill and joint resolution shall be read three times in each House before the final passage thereof.

city or township to be affected thereby.

SECTION 28. The Legislature shall not authorize, by private or special law, the sale or conveyance of any real estate belonging to any person, nor vacate nor alter any road laid out by commissioners of highways, or any street or public ground in any city or village, or in any recorded town plat.

SECTION 29. The Legislature shall not grant
No bill or nor authorize extra compensation to any
joint resolution shall become a law without public officer, agent or contractor, after the
the concurrence of a majority of all the mem-service has been rendered or the contract
bers elected to each House. [On the final entered into.
passage of all bills the vote shall be by yeas ated or drawn from the treasury for the benefit
SECTION 30. No money shall be appropri-
and nays, and entered on the journal.] On
the final passage of each bill the vote shall be
taken separately by yeas and nays, and
entered on the journal.

SECTION 20. No law shall embrace more than one general object, which shall be expresssed in its title. No public act shall take effect or be in force until the expiration of ninety days from the end of the session at which the same is passed, unless the Legislature shall otherwise direct, by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to each House. SECTION 21. The assent of two-thirds of the members elected to each House of the Legislature, shall be requisite to every bill appropriating the public money or property for local or private purposes.

Mr. WILLARD. Then I will make no motion.

If

Mr. BILLS. The gentleman from St. Joseph, (Mr. STOUGHTON,) who reported this article, asked and obtained leave of absence, and I am told he has gone to the depot to leave town. that be so, I think it highly proper that we should pass over this article. I therefore move that this article be passed over for the present.

Mr. NORRIS. I apprehend this of any religious sect or society, theological article will be passed without any or religious seminary, or schools under de-amendment to it. If so, I do not see nominational control, nor shall property belonging to the State be appropriated for any any necessity for the chairman to be such purposes. But each House of the Legislature shall have power to employ chaplains to open its daily session with devotional exer

cises.

SECTION 31. The Legislature shall not [pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts; nor] authorize any lottery or permit the sale of lottery tickets; nor grant divorces; nor audit or allow any private claim or account; nor pass special acts extending the time for the collection of taxes; nor pass any act au

here.

The question was then taken upon the motion of Mr. BILLS, and it was not agreed to.

PERSONS LIABLE TO PERFORM MILITIA DUTY.

The first section of the article entitled "Military Department," was then read as follows:

SECTION 22. No law shall be revised, altered thorizing the grant of license for the sale of bodied male citizens between the ages of eigh

or amended by reference to its title only-but
the section or sections of the act altered or

amended, shall be re-enacted and published
at length.

ardent spirits or intoxicating liquors as a
beverage.

SECTION

"The militia shall be composed of all able teen and forty-five years, except such as are exempted by the laws of the United States or of this State; but all such citizens of any religious denomination whatever, who from scruples of conscience may be averse to bearing arms, shall in time of peace be excused therefrom, upon such terms and conditions

SECTION 32. The style of the laws shall be,
The people of the State of Michigan enact."
[SECTION 23. The Legislature shall provide
-. The Legislature may empower any city or
by law that the furnishing of fuel and station-township to raise by tax, in aid of any railroad company
ery for the use of the State, the printing and or companies, an amount of money not exceeding ten per
binding the laws and journals, all blanks, centum of the assessed valuation of such city or township, as shall be prescribed by law."
papers, and printing for the executive de- but every such tax shall be first approved by a vote of the
electors of such city or township; provided that the amount
partments, and all other printing ordered by
the Legislature, shall be let by contract to the levied by any such tax shall not, when added to the principal
lowest bidder or bidders, who shall give ade-of the credits of such city or township already pledged for like
quate and satisfactory security for the per- aid, and then outstanding, exceed ten per centum of the

formance thereof. The Legislature shall pre-
scribe by law the manner in which the State
printing shall be executed, and the accounts
rendered therefor, and shall prohibit all
charges for constructive labor. It shall not
rescind nor alter such contract, nor release
the person or persons taking the same, or his
or their sureties, from the performance of any

assessed valuation aforesaid.

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF STATE
UNIVERSITY.

Mr. THOMPSON, by unanimous
consent, offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:

Mr. PRINGLE. I would like to make the inquiry of some gentleman upon the military committee, why that class of persons of foreign birth who

have declared their intentions to become citizens, who have become voters under our laws, but who have not yet become citizens under the laws of the United States, are not included among those who are liable to perform mili