The section gives the people the amendment proposed. I think the Parliament. He was triumphantly reright to elect whom they please to rep- dangers of the abuse of this power are turned again by the electors of Westresent them. I do not consider the less than the danger that it might not minster; he was again expelled and majority of the Legislature have any be exercised when it ought to be. again returned. It was a contest beright to deny representation to a peo- Mr. FERRIS. I desire to say a tween the people, as the constituents ple, if they have made their selection word. My colleague over the way, of an elective body, and that elective of a representative. If that was al- (Mr. WITHEY,) said he was opposed to body. It so profoundly impressed the lowed the Legislature might act under my amendment simply because he was public mind of this country, as an asthe influence of passion and prejudice. in favor of the amendment of the gen-sault by Parliament upon the rights of I do not think that I should vote in a tleman from Muskegon, (Mr. HOLT.) electors, that this provision passed into legislative body to expel any man who Now, I desire to suggest to those who many of our State Constitutions; I had been duly elected by any constitu- are in favor of his amendment, that believe it was adopted by us at that ency, with a full knowledge of his they should certainly be in favor of time. It is in our Constitution now. character previous to his election. If striking out the part covered by my It has worked no harm. It stands motion. I would inquire if they had as the monument of a great event, and not first better vote for my amend- I think it should still stand as such a ment, and then vote for his amendment? monument. Mr. BURTCH. I move that the I move that the committee now rise, report progress, and ask leave to sit again. it was old Ben. Butler himself I would not do it. [Laughter.] The motion was not agreed to. . Now, I do not think I am at all behind my friend from Muskegon, (Mr. HOLT,) my learned friend from Kent, (Mr. WITHEY,) and my very venerable friend from Oakland, (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH,) in my desire to maintain the purity of deliberative bodies in this country, whether I am a member Mr. BLACKMAN. I am in favor of the amendment of the gentleman from Muskegon, (Mr. HOLT.) I have no fears that the Legislature, or either branch of it, would abuse this power by a two-thirds vote. I think the danger is much greater that they will suffer longer than they ought to suffer, Mr. BURTCH. I have a word or than it is that they will exercise this two to say in regard to that power when it ought not to be exer- amendment, and I desire to say of such a body or not. I would have cised. I can see no reason in the world, a word in reply to gentlemen who have the power preserved to enable such a if there is just cause to expel a mem- preceded me, and who have agreed in body to preserve its purity. But take ber and he is expelled, and he is again favor of expelling men from such the case presented by my friend from returned by his constituents, why the bodies as this. I heard my friend St. Clair, (Mr. CONGER.) A man is exLegislature should be compelled to from Oakland, (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH,) pelled from this body or from any submit to his presence. They may be and my friend from Kent, (Mr. other for drunkenness, and is returned inclined to submit to it rather than to WITHEY,) say that the Legislature again by his constituents. Shall he be expel him a second time, and if they ought to have the right to purge itself expelled again? If he commits the should conclude to do so,of course there of those who are obnoxious to it. Sir, offense again, then he may be again would be no objection. men have been obnoxious to public expelled. But if his former transgresIn regard to the case referred to by bodies who were the purest men that sion has been punished, by the humane the gentleman from St. Clair, (Mr. ever lived on God's earth. When provisions of our law he should not CONGER,) of the distinguished member purity enters where there is impurity, be punished again. But if he again of Congress from Ohio, Mr. Giddings, it is always obnoxious. Sir, I appre- defiles himself, or renders himself obhe was not expelled after being returned hend that those gentlemen had in their noxious to the body, by a repetition of the second time, but it was not on ac- mind's eye a certain member who had the transgression, that is a new cause count of any prohibition like this in the become obnoxious to them. (Laugh- for which he may be expelled. And so Constitution of the United States, be- ter.) I protest that if this doctrine is for any other offense of personal imcause there was no such restriction. to be established in this country, we purity; if the impurity is not repeated, If we needed such a restriction as is may conclude that the last vestige of there should be no authority anywhere here proposed, then I think the case freedom is flown from the soil of Mich- for vindictiveness on account of past alluded by the gentleman from Monroe, igan. Without any cause, without al-offenses. Hardly ever will such a (Mr. MORTON,) afforded a good reason lowing a man to be heard in his de- punishment fall upon a member of a for it. I do not know from any actual fense, a body rises in its majesty of legislative body for misconduct of this knowledge, what were the facts in that numbers, and expels a man who has kind. But it was said that the person been sent to that body by his constit- I will take a case which no doubt is was living in this State in open polyga- uents. And it is proposed that that pressing upon gentlemen, in consemy; ; he was living in constant and direct body may keep him out, even if his quence of circumstances through which violation of the laws of God and of the constituents return him again. Sir, I we have just passed, a case of flagrant State of Michigan, if report was true, trust in God that that will never be disloyalty. Should such a man be exand also in opposition to the best in- the judgment of this house. pelled? I agree that he should be exterests of society, and in opposition to Mr. LOTHROP. I do not feel quite pelled once. But suppose his constitits most sacred relations. Now, be- as much alarmed as my friend from uents return him again. Sir, if his cause his constituents knew these facts Eaton (Mr. BURTCH) seems to be; still constituents return him, then there is when they elected him, if we admit I do not feel quite willing to part com- this grave suggestion to be borne in that his conduct afforded sufficient pany with these old words; they have mind, there is at least a difference of grounds for his expulsion otherwise, I traveled with us for upwards of thirty opinion between the legislative body do not know why he should not have years. They arose on an occasion and a constituency in the State, whethbeen expelled. I do not understand which profoundly impressed popular er the person has been guilty of disthat that is any good reason why the sentiment in this country; and I trust loyalty or not. A legislative body is Legislature should be precluded from the lesson is not entirely lost on the but a transient body of persons. Such the right to expel such a person. I people now. Members of this Con- a person may be unpleasant to the think the case quoted by the gentleman vention will remember that John body; it may be unwise for his conis a good illustration in favor of the Wilkes was expelled from the British stituency to send him there. Yet, con case. sidering the case as a difference of opinion between the body and the constituency, it is better in my opinion for the body to bear with this offense and to leave the truth and right to work Prayer by the Rev. Mr. PoTTER. PETITIONS. was referred to the committee on intoxicating liquors. UNLAWFUL USE OF PUBLIC MONEY. Mr. LOTHROP offered the followMr. SUTHERLAND presented the ing resolution, which was referred to their way out among his constituents, petition of C. H. Winslow, F. Pistorins the committee on miscellaneous prorather than to expel him again from and 83 other residents of Saginaw visions: that body. If he has been once ex-county, praying that a clause may be Resolved, That the committee on miscelpelled and his constituents send him inserted in the new Constitution re-laneous provisions, be instructed to inquire back again, that is ground for action, quiring the Legislature to authorize not against him, but against the con- the issue of licenses for the sale of instituency which elected him; they toxicating liquors under proper restricshould be disfranchised rather than he tions; which was referred to the comshould be punished. mittee on intoxicating liquors. into the expediency of adopting some constihaving charge of public moneys, shall be tutional provision, by which public officers more effectually prevented from the unlawful receiving any compensation for such unlawuse thereof, by loan or otherwise, and from ful use. CASES PENDING IN CIRCUIT COURTS. Resolved, That the Secretary of this Con At all events the chances of injury Mr. MILLER presented the petition are so few under this clause that it ot E. L. Slawson, E. L. Baker, D. A. seems to me it would be better if we Slawson, S. J. Hitchcock and 403 other should keep the company of these good old words originating in a grand inaw, asking to have section 47, article persons, residents of the city of Sag-lowing resolution, which was adopted: occasion, keep them in the new Con-4, of the present Constitution, retained stitution, if we should be so fortunate in the new; which was referred to the as to make one that will command the committee on intoxicating liquors. approval of the people. words " Mr. MUSSEY presented the petition The question was upon the amend-of Mrs. Alice Hawscomb, Mrs. Ayres ment of Mr. FERRIS to strike out the and 70 others, asking that the clause nor for any cause known to in the present Constitution prohibiting his constituents antecedent to his the granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, be retained in the new; which was referred to the committee on intoxicating liquors. election.' The amendment was not agreed to, upon a division; ayes 20, noes 39. The question recurred upon the amendment of Mr. HOLT, to strike out Mr. WALKER presented the petithe words, "No member shall be ex- tion of Rev. E. G. Vandusen, E. Chase, pelled a second time for the same J. D. Sickles and 35 other citizens of cause; nor for any cause known to his the town of Essex, Clinton county, and constituents antecedent to his election." its vicinity, for the retention in the new The amendment was not agreed to, Constitution of section 47, article 4, of on a division; ayes 14, noes not counted. the present Constitution; which was Mr. BURTCH. I move to amend referred to the committee on intoxithis section by inserting before the cating liquors. word" qualifications," the word "legal.” The amendment was not agreed to. Mr. FARMER. I move that the committee now rise, report progress, and ask leave to sit again. The motion was agreed to. The committee accordingly rose; and the PRESIDENT having resumed the Chair, Mr. PRINGLE 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 some progress therein, and had directed him to ask leave for the committee to sit again. Leave was accordingly granted. Mr. BARBER presented the petition of Robert Swaffield, Phebe J. Howland and 51 other citizens of the town of Ovid, Branch county, praying that the right of suffrage be extended to women, the same as to men; which was referred to the committee on elections. Mr. DIVINE presented the petition of F. L. Walter and 65 other citizens of Lexington, Sanilac county, in favor of a license law; which was referred to the committee on intoxicating liquors. Mr. WRIGHT presented the petition vention request, by circular addressed to each county clerk in this State, that such clerk report to this Convention, as speedily as practicable, how many causes, civil and criminal, were pending in the circuit courts of their respective counties, on the first day of January, 1866, and on the first day of July, 1867, and how many were, in that the aggregate amount of judgment in the period, disposed of by trial or judgment, and civil causes. DELEGATES IN LEGISLATURE FROM COUNTIES NOT ENTITLED TO REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. BURTCH. I offer the following resolution: Resolved, That each organized county not entitled to a representative in the Legislature, be entitled to a delegate to represent delegate shall have no vote, with such comthe interest of such counties; but that said pensation as shall be provided by law. Mr. PRINGLE. I move that the resolution be referred to the committee on miscellaneous provisions. The motion was agreed to. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. Mr. BLACKMAN. I move that the Convention now resolve itself ito committee of the whole on the general order. The motion was agreed to. The Convention accordingly resolved itself into committee of the whole, (Mr. PRINGLE in the chair,) and resumed the consideration of the article entitled "Legislative Department." POWERS OF EACH HOUSE, ETC. of John W. Stebbins and 30 others, The CHAIRMAN. When the comcitizens of Barry county, in favor of mittee rose yesterday it had proceeded prohibition. Mr. ESTEE. I move that the Con-C. Prindle, A. D. Rork and 70 other Also, the petition of A. P. Moore, S. vention now adjourn. The motion was agreed to; and accordingly (at twenty-five minutes before 6 o'clock p. m.,) the Convention adjourned. THIRTY-NINTH DAY. FRIDAY, July 12, 1867. The Convention met at nine o'clock a. m., and was called to order by the PRESIDENT. citizens of Barry county, on the same Mr. HOLT presented the petition of in the consideration of this article as 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. 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. Mr. BURTCH. I move to amend this section by adding after the words expel a member," the words "and no member shall be expelled without cause, or without being heard in his own defense." The question was taken upon the amendment of Mr. BURTCH, and it was not agreed to. Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH. I move to amend this section by transposing the last clause of the last sentence to the beginning of the sentence. That sentence will then read: "The reason 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." This is merely a transposition of the language, but I think it is a material improvement of the section. Mr. FERRIS. I would suggest to the gentleman from Oakland that this ? tion would come properly before the committee on arrangement and phraseology. SECTION 11. The compensation of the members of the Legislature shall be four dollars per day. When convened in extra session their compensation shall be four dollars per day for the first twenty days, and nothing thereafter; and they shall legislate on no other subjects than those expressly stated in the Governor's proclamation, or submitted to them by special message. They shall be entitled to ten cents, and no more, for every Mr. MILES. I would not object to at that time, whether it take twenty, Mr. FERRIS. It seems to me that matter of the arrangement of the sec-mile actually traveled, going to and returning the amendment which I offered is from the place of meeting, on the usually erly an amendment to the amendment proptraveled route, and for sationery, postage of the gentleman from St. Clair, (Mr. and newspapers, not exceeding fifteen dollars for each member during any session. Each MILES.) If the amendment proposed Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH. The member shall be entitled to one copy of the by the gentleman from St. Clair should committee on arrangement and phra-laws, journals and documents of the Legisla- be first considered and not adopted, ture of which he was a member; but shall not receive at the expense of the State, that is, should this committee refuse books, newspapers, or other perquisites of to strike out the words covered by his office, not expressly authorized by this Con- amendment, then it would interfere very materially with my amendment. The CHAIRMAN. The Chair does seology might overlook the matter, as well as the committee who reported this section. Mr. DANIELLS. I was about to make the very remark which was made by the gentleman from Kent, (Mr. Mr. NORRIS. Will the gentleman promise that the committee on arrangement and phraseology will not overlook the matter? Mr. DANIELLS. I will promise that the committee will do it. There is no Latin in this section. [Laughter.] We certainly can understand this much, at all events. The amendment of Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH was agreed to. ment. stitution. second sentence, as follows: "When convened in extra session their compensation shall be four dollars per day gen Mr. MILES. I move to amend this The CHAIRMAN. The amendment of the gentleman from St. Clair, (Mr. MILES,) being to perfect the part proproposed to be stricken out by the gentleman from Kent, (Mr. FERRIS,) will be first put to vote. Mr. BURTCH. I would like to offer as an amendment to this section the last portion of the amendment which I offered a few minutes since. I think, at this age in the history of the world, Mr. GIDDINGS. I desire to offer we should not become more tyrannical an amendment at the proper time, and than the old Jewish Sanhedrim. II will ask of the Chair now an opinion Mr. WALKER. renew the latter part of my amend- in regard to it. I desire to move to distinction made by the Chair, and apI appreciate the strike out all of this section except the prove of his ruling in regard to the The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman first line, which fixes the compensation order in which the question shall be will reduce his amendment to writing. of members of the Legislature at four taken upon these amendments. I proUntil the gentleman has done that, dollars per day. I would inquire if it pose to vote for the amendment of the and forwarded his amendment to the would be in order for me to submit gentleman from St. Clair; but with my Chair, if there is no amendment to be that motion at this time, or must I present feelings, I cannot vote for the offered to this section, the committee defer it until after other amendments proposition of the gentleman from will proceed to consider section ten of now pending have been acted upon? Kent, (Mr. FERRIS.) this article. I do not desire to lose the opportunity I think it is desirable that the vote to offer the amendment. should be first taken upon the motion to strike out a portion of the sentence, and then upon the motion to strike out the entire sentence. Mr. BURTCH subsequently moved to amend section nine by inserting after The CHAIRMAN. It would be in the words " expel a member," the order for the gentleman to submit the words, "but no such member shall be motion at this time; but before the expelled without being heard in his vote could be taken upon it, all amenddefense.' strike out must be disposed of. ments to the portion he proposes to The amendment was not agreed to. Consequently The question was then taken upon the amendment of Mr. MILES to strike out the word, "for the first twenty i days, and nothing thereafter;" and the The question recurred upon the Mr. FERRIS. I desire to state the reason why I have made this motion. Whenever the Legislature is convened in special or extra session, it is just as competent to judge what the public interests require in the way of legislation, as is the Governor himself. I do not believe in this one man power. I would strike out that clause so that when the Governor calls the Legislature together in extra session, they shall be at liberty to exercise their judgment in reference to the legislation then proposed, and not wait to be told by the Governor whether they might legislate on this matter or that. say Mr. BLACKMAN. I desire to say the first sentence. As I suppose to the gentleman from St. Clair, (Mr. this Convention would desire to deterCONGER,) that a section in the article mine the question of compensation for on the executive department author-members of the Legislature, I will not zes the Governor to call the Legis- move to strike out the first sentence, lature together in extra session. which proposes to fix that compensaMr. CONGER. That may be; my tion at four dollars a day; although I attention was directed more particu- think the whole section might very well larly to this article. Perhaps the sec-go. I understand from what was said. tion to which the gentleman refers by the gentleman from Van Buren, would cover this case. But even if so, (Mr. BLACKMAN,) that the subject of my objection to striking out this clause extra sessions of the Legislature is prowould still remain. If this committee vided for by the article on the executive of the whole shall adhere to its action department. Thus, the inference alluin regard to annual sessions, there ded to by the gentleman from St. Clair, should be allowed legislation only upon (Mr. CONGER,) as being in this section, such matters as may be submitted to is not needed at all. The second senthe Legislature by the Governor. I tence of this section goes on to that think this clause is a very proper and the compensation of members of the desirable provision, especially now that Legislature when convened in extra the committee have, upon motion of session shall be four dollars per day. Mr. M. C. WATKINS. It strikes me my colleague, (Mr. MILES,) stricken I suppose it would be four dollars a day whether that sentence was retained that, as we have decided that there out the limitation as to time. shall be annual sessions of the LegisMr. McCLELLAND. Profiting by in the article or not, because the lature, the amendment of my colleague, the advice given to me by my friend amount is fixed by the first sentence of (Mr. FERRIS,) is improper. Whenever from Kalamazoo, (Mr. GIDDINGS,) yes- the section. I am unable to see why à special session is called by the Gov- terday, I would suggest to the chair- this Convention should undertake to ernor, it is for some special purpose; man of the committee on the Legisla- determine the necessities for all time to for some important business, which it tive department, (Mr. CONGER,) wheth- come in regard to what shall be done is necessary to have transacted at that er it would not be better to strike out in extra sessions. This section says time. As a matter of course, the Gov- the whole of this section eleven. I that members of the Legislature, when ernor would make a communication to think it is a very clumsy section as it convened in extra session, shall receive the Legislature in regard to that busi- stands in the present Constitution, and four dollars per day. It then goes on ness. When the Legislature have also in this article. I think it better to say that "they shall legislate on no transacted the business for which they to strike it out, and in its place to in- other subjects than those expressly were called together, I do not think sert the section in regard to this sub-stated in the Governor's proclamation, they should be at liberty to go on and ject found in the Constitution of 1835, or submitted to them by special meslegislate upon other business. If we with a little addition to it which I will sage." Now, I think the representatives of the whole people of the State are as were to have biennial sessions, then I read: might perhaps be in favor of this competent to judge of that matter as the amendment. But if we are to have Governor himself. I am unwilling to annual sessions, then when the Legisadmit for one moment that the Goverlature is called together in extra sesnor of the State of Michigan is wiser than the people of the State of Michision by the Governor, I think they should legislate on no other subjects gan. I know we have proceeded upon than those presented by the Governor. In the Constitution of 1835 the com- that idea, and we are continually taking Mr. CONGER. If it is the design of some rubbish from the past and incorpensation was limited to three dollars the committee to allow extra sessions a day. I propose to change it now to porating it in this Constitution. at all, I think this amendment should four dollars a day. But I also propose not prevail. There is no authority for to add to the section the following: calling the Legislature together in extra session, except in the clause which is now proposed to be stricken out. By the terms of section eight of this article, as now amended, the Legislature is restricted to meeting on the second Wednesday in January in every year, "unless as provided in this Constitution." And the only provision in this Constitution for an extra session at all, Mr. MCCLELLAND. I now move is the implied permission in the first to strike out this section and to insert portion of the sentence proposed to be in lieu thereof what I have just read. stricken out: "when convened in ex- Mr. GIDDINGS. I have an amendtra session," etc. I refer to this matter ment which I desire to have voted in order that gentlemen of this com- upon. י "The members of the Legislature shall receive for their services a compensation to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury; but no increase of the compensation shall take effect during the term for which the members of either House shall have been elected; and such compensation shall never exceed four dollars a day." “When_convened in extra session, they It seems to me that would be better "They shall be entitled to ten cents, and no more, for every mile actually traveled." So we have a ten-cent clause in the Constitution, and I have no doubt that we will have a nine-cent clause in it before we get through. "Ten cents, and no more, for every mile actually traveled, going to or returning from the place of meeting, on the usually traveled route." Now, be careful and take "the usually traveled route." The representatives of the people are not honest, and we are afraid that the Legislature who shall meet after us, may get ten cents too much in some way. Now I want to know if the Legislatures of this State have not been 1 mittee may act advisedly. For myself, Mr. MCCLELLAND. If the amend-economical enough to suit us all? What necessity is there for us to undertake to settle all these little ten-cent Mr. GIDDINGS. propose to questions in the Constitution of the strike out all of the section but State of Michigan? I cannot see any reason why the Leg-ment of the gentleman is a good one, "And for stationery;" be careful that you do not get too much of that. The Legislature fixed the amount of stationery for members of this Conven- with it. I insist that all the wisdom of Mr.GIDDINGS. Well, that is the tion at five dollars each. I would the State of Michigan is not confined part that I propose to keep in. rather pay my own expenses for sta- to this Constitutional Convention. Mr. MUSSEY. Yes, sir; but he is tionery than to have such a little mat- I have found some wisdom every-going to cut out extra compensation, ter as this in the Constitution. "Pos- where among the people, and to quite which it is proposed to give to memtage;" that does not mean postal cur- as great an extent as it is here. I in-bers when they are convened in special rency, I suppose, but postage stamps. sist that just as wise men will probably session. Now, I think the gentleman "And newspapers;" you cannot even be elected by the people of the State should endeavor to reach an equilibritake your own newspaper, if the of Michigan to their Legislature as um somewhere. amount for stationery and postage they have elected to this Convention. Mr. WRIGHT. I have noticed the for any session, shall exceed fifteen They will be just as powerful in intel-point in regard to this section, to which dollars. I just want to read this lect, just as economical, and just as reference has been made by the gento show the ridiculousness of the able to judge upon all these subjects tleman from Macomb, (Mr. MUSSEY.) whole thing. I do not mean of ten cents, and newspapers, and sta- I desire to offer the following substiany disrespect for the chairman tionery, and postage, as we are. I feel tute for the entire section. of the committee who reported the ashamed to be sitting here day after article, or for the committee them- day incorporating little ten-cent proposelves, for they evidently followed the sitions into the Constitution of the Constitution of 1850. Each member State of Michigan. It may suit some shall be entitled to one copy of the men to do it, but it does not suit me. of the gentleman from Barry (Mr. laws, journals and documents of the We must trust the people; we have WRIGHT) will be held in abeyance until Legislature of which he was a mem- insisted all the time that some matters the amendment designed to perfect the ber." Do you suppose that any mem- should be left to the people. If the mem-section shall be first considered. ber of the Legislature would take two bers of the Legislature come here, and Mr. GIDDINGS. I suppose that copies of the laws, or two copies of the stay more days than are necessary to journals, and put them in his coat-tail perform the business of the State, the posed of, and if agreed to by this commy motion to strike out can be dispockets and carry them off? "And people will take care of them for that. mittee, then anything else that may be shall not receive, at the expense of the But the idea that members are coming necessary can be inserted. State, books, newspapers, or other per- here to occupy their time and fritter it quisites of office, not expressly author- away uselessly, is a matter I think we ized by this Constitution." If there is should not trouble ourselves about at any legislative document that you want all. That is a thing which will regulate to use, you can not have it unless it is itself. The people outside of this Con- Kalamazoo, (Mr. GIDDINGS.) Why not expressly authorized by this Consti-vention understand these things just strike out the whole Constitution? as well as we do here. I shall be He is opposed to anything in the shape incorporated in any one section. I thought of for a constitution. It strikes say the Constitution would be better me that the gentleman did not see that without a single word of it, than it is exhibition of liberality. tution." "The Legislature shall determine the compensation of its members: Provided. That such compensation shall not exceed six hundred dollars per annum to each member.” The CHAIRMAN. The substitute not see why it is necessary for us to remain here any longer, if we are to follow the lead of the gentleman from Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH. I do This Constitution is to last for all happy when we begin to put off these of legislation. Now, I apprehend that time, unless we are to have another little frivolous, useless things, and per- the very object of our coming here is Constitutional Convention, which I mit the Legislature to have something to legislate. We are here to make hope will not be. I have a paragraph to do in the years that are to come after here from the New York Post which we have left here. expresses my views on this whole subject exactly. It does it better than I can do it myself. After referring to what we are doing here in the State of Michigan, speaking of what a Constitutional Convention should do, it goes on to say: "The real animus of this whole system of forestalling legislation, and tying the hands of the future representatives of the people, is nothing less than a blind distrust of public institutions. As such it ought to be rebuked laws, the organic law of the State of Michigan, and that law cannot be made Mr. MUSSEY. I do not propose without the use of language. That to try to answer the gentleman from language should be explicit; so explicit Kalamazoo, (Mr. GIDDINGS,) for it is very that we shall not have to refer to the evident that he is considerably exas- courts on every occasion for its meanperated over this section, and he has ing. The gentleman from Kalamazoo succeeded very well in ridiculing it. has a perfect horror of legislation. I But there is one clause of this section think if we follow his lead we might as which he has not noticed. I think it well strike out the whole Constitution is the most liberal provision which was and return to our constituents, and ever in our Constitution. first line of this section, as I read it, do by the gentleman from Kalamazoo. The very tell them that we were directed so to provides that the members of the Legislature shall receive a compensation of gether too hasty about these matters. It appears to me that we are altofour dollars a day for three hundred We were sent here to deliberate upon and sixty five days in the year, whether these matters; to make a Constitution, the Legislature is in session or not. not to complain against everything in And then it goes on to provide an ex- the shape of legislation. We have been condemning this Con- tra compensation of four dollars per make a Constitution without legislation. We cannot stitution of 1850 for the last ten years, day, when they are convened in special That is the object of our convening because there was so much legislation session. The gentleman certainly here, and we all ought to do our work in it. Now here we have reported for ought not to talk of this Convention deliberately. I am of the opinion of our action a section embracing ten being penurious and engaged in little the gentleman from Kalamazoo that lines in print. I will not say that ten-cent business, etc. I think, it is a we are not to be penurious. We should it is upon one subject, for that is not little outrageous on his part to get up not be penurious in regard to time; we the case; it is upon widely different here and talk about this being a little should not be hasty in our action; subjects; upon the most incongruous ten-cent affair, when it is the most we should deliberate on and incoherent subjects that could be liberal provision that any man ever subjects before us, and act all the act un everywhere. It is high time that Americans at least, should act upon the professed belief in the competency of the people for selfgovernment, and should see that it is better to act freely and correct their errors by their experience, than to deprive them of the just control of their own affairs." |