annual sessions, but not of the unlim- the Legislature for many years, yet State request anything of the kind, ast ited time which the gentleman from judging from my experience when I a matter of course he will not hesitate Wayne, (Mr. LоTHROP,) seems to favor. was there, and from the experience I a moment to convene the Legislature I think annual sessions are necessary have since had, I believe that the great in extra session, for the purpose of in a growing State like ours. I think difficulty in the legislation of this State, taking into consideration those great if we were to have annual sessions, so far as time is concerned, is that the interests of the State of which gentleand limit the time for the introduction time is consumed to a considerable ex-men have spoken here. In New York of business to thirty or forty days, we tent by matters in which the people they have meetings of the Legislature would give the Legislature full time to are not at all interested. Look at your annually. Is there any less haste, any consider and mature all bills which statutes now. This volume which I less crude legislation, any less corrupmight come before them. If we have hold in my hand contains, as I under- tion there than there is here? Not at annual sessions, we should not have stand, the public laws of the State, all. So far as report goes, the same such frequent changes of the laws. those laws in which the whole people charges are made against the legislaThey could be published almost imme- of the State are interested. I am in- tion there that are made against our diately after the adjournment of the formed that the volume that is to con- legislation. Legislature, and we would not be oblig-tain the private acts, interesting alone ed to wait, as we now do, for nearly a to private individuals and corporayear before those laws are published. tions, will be a volume twice the size I think that annual sessions limited in of this. time, will be beneficial to the people of this State. I think they are necessary. I think we can see that from the many extra sessions that have been called; I do not remember but one that was uselessly called, and that was the last one that we had which passed the soldiers' voting law. Public opinion did not demand that law, but it was demanded by certain political necessities. We all know how that matter ended. I believe that a Legislature unnecessarily called together will always end in calamity rather than in good. I say to you that when the Legislature of the State of Michigan met annually, their action was but very little better, as a general thing, in reMr. P. D. WARNER. It will be a gard to the general interests of the volume of thirteen hundred pages. State, than it is now. Some as bad Mr. MCCLELLAND. The gentle-laws, those that affect the people of man says it will be a volume of thir- this State as injuriously as any, were teen hundred pages. I differ with my passed in the year 1840, as ever were friend from Oakland, (Mr. VAN VAL- passed subsequently. Yet the sessions KENBURGH,) who was in the Convention of the Legislature at that time were of 1850. I think that the people of annual. this State have had too much legislation; and that that legislation, from some cause or other, not from the cause which has been suggested here, has been crude, and such as never should have obtained any existence in this State. I do not intend to extend my remarks, because I do not want to take up the time of this body. But I will make reference to an allusion made by the gentleman from Oakland, (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH,) and some other gentlemen, in reference to the expense this will be to the State. This is a subject upon which I have bestowed some little attention. We are now, and have been for several years past, But when we remember that our northern counties are growing counties, I believe, with my colleague, (Mr. and are asking almost every year that LOTHROP,) after an experience of so the executive should call an extra ses- many years, and after, as has been sion, we can see that the public pres- alleged here, the disregard which has sure is in favor of annual sessions. been paid to the obligations imposed in a state of prosperity. We are apI do not know how my constituents upon members of the Legislature by parently advancing very rapidly in feel upon this subject. I think the the Constitution, there is no longer everything that can make us a great, a majority of them are rather in favor of any propriety in retaining the restric- happy, and a prosperous people. But annual sessions. But that has nothing tion upon the length of the session of the day of reckoning may come. In to do with my voting here. When I the Legislature. At one time I thought my judgment, financial difficulties are think the public business requires an- there was a propriety in that restric- ahead of us; it is merely a question of nual sessions, I will vote for it, whether tion; and if the Legislature had ad- time when those difficulties will beset my constituents want it or not. hered to the provisions of the Consti- us. Now, sir, this is not the time, as tution, as they were bound by their 1850 was not the time, to fix upon a oaths to do, the restriction would have been a salutary one. But as was alleged yesterday in regard to the ineligibility to office of certain officers of this State, I say in regard to this particular restriction it is better for us to give way to what the gentleman from Monroe, (Mr. MORTON,) would call the incorruptibility of the Legislature, rather than their independence of all law and everything else, and not compel them to perjure themselves by retaining this restriction. Mr. MCCLELLAND. I am opposed to the amendment of the gentleman from Berrien. I am not like the gentleman from Monroe, (Mr. MORTON;) I came here to represent the wishes of my constituents, and I do care what the people of my district would say to me. I apprehend that many of the arguments that have been advanced by the gentleman from Branch, (Mr. LUCE,) and other gentlemen here, are correct; I think they will be found to be correct, if you pass this amendment and have annual sessions. I have had a great deal of expe- Suppose there should be a necessity rience in this regard; and I do not be- for legislation intervening between the lieve that annual sessions will obviate regular biennial sessions; has not the any of the difficulties suggested by Governor the power to convene the gentlemen here in favor of this amend- Legislature for the purpose of passing ment. Hasty legislation will take place upon everything that is contained in just as much when you have annual his message? If the people of the sessions as when you have biennial ses- State desire it, or if any large portion sions. Although I have not been in of the people in any section of the great many things that should be left by the Constitution to the Legislature; for instance, such as salaries and everything of that kind. I said to the Convention of 1850, "You are now laboring under a pressure; the people are very much involved, and the State also is involved, and taxes are heavy. Therefore, I beseech you not to put into the Constitution an article on salaries. Leave that matter to the Legislature; let them regulate salaries so as to conform to the necessities of the time, the ability of the State to pay, and the duties that are to be discharged by the officers to be appointed or elected." My advice was disregarded then; and from the indications here to-day, and the indications we have heretofore had, in all probability my advice will be disregarded now. But I say to you that you had better beware ture met every year, that there would something for his constituents, and Mr. LONGYEAR. I will say right here, in answer to the gentleman, that by this very article, it is proposed to take from the Legislature that power, and to confer it, I suppose, upon the board of supervisors. I suppose that question will be settled by this Constitution. how you impose upon the people of this State obligations that it will be difficult for them to redeem. The item of sixty thousand or one hundred thousand dollars a year is not to be disregarded by us, when we take into consideration the burdens that have already been cast upon us by the war, which has ended so gloriously for us, and from other causes. We should study strict economy in everything, and I hope, as the gentleman from Ingat the same time have in view the full ham, (Mr. LONGYEAR,) says, that the and just compensation of every person provision of this article relating to the employed in the public service. Do collection of taxes will be adopted. not, however, permit yourselves to be Now, to show that much of the legislaactuated only by the motives that are Mr. MUSSEY. That does not ap- tion on local matters is not necessary, actuating us at the present time as in-ply to the past; laws may have a ret- I will state a fact known to every one; dividual citizens; but let us act as roactive effect, but the Constitution that every alternate year the people are statesmen should, with a view to the does not. I say that the experience of able to pay their taxes, and we hear no past and a view to the future also. the past shows that much of the time complaints from them on that score. of our Legislature has been occupied The board of supervisors are authorized by local legislation, and legislation re-to extend the time for the collection of quired for the extension of the time for taxes; and yet the people in many cases the collection of taxes, and this has in- see fit to apply to the Legislature for creased the volume of the session laws that purpose. I make that particular very much. Take for instance, the ses- matter prominent, because it accounts sion laws of 1859, which is, I think, for very much of the time of the Legisthe largest one we have, or ever had, lature that is taken up by this local or ever ought to have. By examining legislation. that volume, it will be found that very much of it is taken up with local laws, and laws for the extension of time for # Mr. MUSSEY. I can say with the gentleman from Wayne, (Mr. LоTHROP,) that I formerly entertained different views in regard to this matter from what I do at the present time. At the time the Constitution of 1850 was adopted, I conceived it to be an error of that instrument that we were to have only biennial sessions. I must say that my experience has convinced I do not believe that the State suffers me that that was a wise provision. for the want of general legislation, The provision limiting the session to neither do I believe that localities suffer forty days I then deemed, as I now the collection of taxes. for the want of local legislation, bedeem it, an unwise provision. I think Now, it may be said that local laws cause our Legislature does not conthat a great many errors that have are as necessary as other laws. But vene but once in two years. I think arisen in our legislation have arisen this is a remarkable fact in that con- that once in two years is often enough; from the fact that the session was lim- nection; that the parts of the State that with biennial sessions of the Legited, and not because the Legislature which ask the most legislation, ask it islature we will experience no incon-" did not convene oftener. It will be very frequently. There were local laws venience and suffer no damage. Thererecollected that the session was limited in 1859, which the same parties who fore, I hope that the amendment of the to forty days, until the session of 1861. obtained their passage, asked should gentleman from Berrien, (Mr. CooLNecessarily much legislation was done be changed and amended in 1861. So IDGE,) will not prevail. I regret very hastily during the time that provision it has been with regard to the local much that the committee on the legisremained in force. At the time the laws passed in 1861, and so with the lative department were not unanimous amendment of the Constitution was laws since that time. How was it with on this subject, and that we have not proposed by the Legislature, it was a regard to the local laws of last winter? the able services of the chairman of question whether we should remove We have been told by the gentleman that committee, (Mr. CONGER,) to susthe restriction, as to the length of the from Oakland, (Mr. P. D. WARNER,) tain this portion of their report. session, or change the Constitution so who was a member of that Legislature, as to provide for annual sessions. The that the local laws passed the last sesLegislature deemed that it would be sion will make a volume some three or better to remove the restriction, so as to four times as large as the volume of have unlimited biennial sessions and the laws of a general character. Now, not to have annual sessions. The limit are all these local laws essential and in regard to the introduction of bills necessary? I apprehend not. was still retained; and was made to extend to fifty days, which I think is an unwise provision. I Mr. DANIELLS. I want to say a word or two on the economical question that we have heard so much about. I want to know what per cent. of the present State tax is required for the expenses of the Legislature. know that my tax last year was five per cent. on the assessed valuation of my property, and that one-sixteenth part of that was for the State. Onesixteenth part of our taxes, or about that amount, is for the expenses of the State. It has been the policy of this State for the last seventeen years to adopt the system of general laws, in all cases The gentleman from Ingham (Mr. where they can be made applicable. LONGYEAR) tells us that we must and Provision is made by general law for will have about so much legislation the organization of villages. And yet anyhow, whether we have annual or at every biennial session of the Legisla- Mr. P. D. WARNER. I will state biennial sessions. I apprehend, if any ture there are applications for special my opinion in regard to the expenses gentleman will examine our session acts to organize certain villages. Do of a session of the Legislature; they laws for the last seventeen years, and the people interested in these acts de-are about eighty thousand dollars for look at the character of the laws there sire them, because they think they can a session of ninety days. contained, he will find that that rule obtain a better charter than under the Mr. DANIELLS. That does not will not hold good. But he shakes his general law? I apprehend not; it is to answer my question, unless the gentlehead, as much as to say "no." I ask secure some special legislation. Some man can state the per cent. of the tax. him if he supposes that if the Legisla- member of the Legislature desires to do The amount of eighty thousand dol Mr. DANIELLS. I am a member of the State, but also to the people at of the committee on phraseology, but large. The better, the more compreThe gentleman from Oakland has I must confess that I do not under- hensive and just the laws are, the more [Great laughter.] I stable they are, the better it is for the very curious ideas of economy. Al- stand Latin. my seat. though he has been a member of the therefore will take people, for the judges of our courts, Legislature, and a Speaker of the Mr. SHEARER. I will say a very and for all concerned in administering House of Representatives, if he wants few words on this subject. I will say the laws for the benefit of the people. me to follow him he must not get up in the outset that I am in favor of an- I believe that biennial sessions and here and tell me that bills have been nual sessions. I have become in favor restrictions upon the length of the pitched through the Legislature in of them from the history of the past. session never will accomplish this great mass, and then the journal falsified in When we refer back to the history of end of passing just and equal laws. order to make the action of the Legis- the past, we find that in 1842, the cost We have evidence enough from the lature appear legal and constitutional. of the session was $15,000; in 1843, past to convince us that such will We have no evidence I do not think that is a very good $20,000; and in 1844 it was some $40,- not be the case. exhibition. 000. Since 1850 we have had biennial that biennial sessions for the last sessions. It appears that there has seventeen years have given the people been no tendency to curtail the expenditures or lessen the enactment of the laws. I am more convinced in my opinion since it was stated by my friend from Oakland, (Mr. P. D. WARNER,) that the laws of last winter, will make Mr. P. D. WARNER. I desire to some thirteen hundred pages; the state for the information of the gen- probability is that if we had had antleman from Clinton, (Mr. DANIELLS,) nual sessions they would not have that to my knowledge no bills were made more than three or four hundred passed in that manner. I think every pages. Therefore, if we go on and bill that passed through the Leg- adopt the principle laid down in this Furthermore, calling the people toislature was voted upon. section, of biennial sessions, I see no gether annually will lead them to look Mr. DANIELLS. Then I misun-probability that there will be any cur- to the interests of the State, and to its derstood the gentleman. I understood tailment of the expenditures, or any financial condition, in order to see that him in his explanation, or in his re- lessening of the laws that will be en-these things are right. Since we have marks, to say that they were passed acted. So far as that is concerned, I had biennial sessions we have lost vast upon in mass; and that he believed if believe we will have no more laws en amounts of money, in consequence of they had been passed separately they acted in annual sessions, no more in-not having the attention of the people Vol. 2-No. 6. called to the way in which affairs were Though there may be some objections of the Legislature. I have never had to it, I am very favorable to the opinion any experience in legislative bodies. I I think the cost of the sessions of expressed by my friend from Oakland, have had some little experience in the Legislature is very trifling, in com- (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH.) I think he handling over the statutes, and I find parison with the benefit they will be to did justice to the subject. His argu- a great many of them. Most every the State. Let the Legislature be un-ment is founded in wisdom; I corrobo- little justice in the State has a large restricted in these matters, and they rate his ideas perfectly. I am, with amount of the Sessions Laws to exwill work better. I hold that biennial other gentlemen who have spoken, in amine. The laws which are operating sessions were a restriction, as much as favor of annual sessions. I hope that upon us are scattered through these the length of the session. Two years so far as this amendment is concerned various volumes. I think the great is a restriction upon the interests of it will pass. I hope the gentlemen of trouble with us is that we have too the State, as much as forty days or this Convention will vote for the much legislation. Less legislation, and ninety days, or any other restriction. amendment. more consideration bestowed on what Let the sessions of the Legislature be So far as the financial question is we have, would be far better. Thereannual; let the people come together concerned, I believe it will cost as much fore, I hope that this amendment to through their representatives every for unlimited, or even limited biennial strike out every second year will not year, and let the result of their action sessions, taking everything into con- prevail; or, if it does, I hope that anbe scattered broadcast over the State, sideration, as it will for annual ses- other amendment will be adopted to so that the people will be posted in sions. The great point is to select make it every fourth year, instead of regard to the laws they are to live men of sense and wisdom, who are every second year. under. Not only so, but the people I willing to stay here just so long as they Mr. COOLIDGE. When I offered have conversed with since last winter can do some good and then go home. this amendment I did not know what are very much in favor of annual ses- If such men are selected for the Legis- would be the views of this committee sions. They say these biennial sessions lature, regardless of politics, their of the whole. But I thought it proper make no improvement in the laws of principal object will be to pass good that this committee should have an opthe State. And we have evidence from laws, and we shall have good and just portunity to give an expression of its the Speaker of the House of Repre- legislation. If we have the reverse, opinion upon this subject. The quessentatives, that there is no improve- they will do evil, just as much in bi- tion of annual sessions of the Legislament in the legislation; that there was ennial sessions as in annual sessions. ture has been agitated in this State,, to an enormous amount of matter col- If we have men here who do not fol- what extent I do not know. For mylected together in the laws of last self I can say that those with whom I winter. have conversed have been in favor of annual sessions of the Legislature, and expect that such will be the action of this Convention. The subject is certainly of that importance which should secure careful consideration. The change is not one of a trifling character. I have listened with very great interest to the remarks of gentlemen upon this subject. By some it is said that the diversified and ever changing interests of this State demand that the Legislature who are entrusted with the oversight of these interests more than any other persons, should be called together for the purpose of examining the necessities and exigencies of the State oftener than once in two years. To my mind that is an argument entitled to much weight. It commends itself to every business man in this body. We would suppose that the Legislature having the custody and control of the interests of this State, as they have and must have, ought to be called together at least once a year. low up the principles of justice, we I have talked with people in differ- Then, again, it is said that if the Legislature are called together once a Mr. SHELDON. I do not wish to year, there will be less liability to trespass upon the patience of this Con- loose, frivolous and erroneous legislavention. I think I do not trouble tion. I take it that that argument has I may digress from the rules; I hope them very often. I do not think there great weight also. I think so from the not; I hope to keep within the rules is any great danger of the people of remarks of a gentleman whose experof this Convention; I hope I am speak- Michigan getting asleep; or, if they do ience in this matter is not limited-I ing to the question now, when I say get asleep, they will not sleep long, mean the gentleman from Oakland, that I am in favor of the amendment because the tax collector will wake (Mr. P. D. WARNER,) who says that afof the gentleman from Berrien, (Mr. them up. It may be a very fine thing, ter the Legislature has been in session COOLIDGE.) I think it is called for uni- and, for ought I know, it may be a very forty, or fifty, or sixty days, there is an versally by the people of this State. good thing, to have annual sessions anxiety to leave here and attend to |