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WEDNESDAY,

IN CONVENTION.

FIRST DAY.

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 1867. Pursuant to the provisions of law, the delegates elected to revise the Constitution of the State of Michigan, met in Convention at the Capitol, at Lansing, at eleven o'clock A. M., and were called to order by Hon. Oliver L. Spaulding, Secretary of State, who called the roll of delegates by counties, and the following answered to their

names:

[ LANSING, MICHIGAN. |

Newaygo, &c.-William S. Utley.
Oakland-P. Dean Warner, Edward
P. Harris, Willard M. McConnell,
Jacob Van Valkenburgh.

Ontonagon-James Burtenshaw.
Saginaw-Jabez G. Sutherland.
Sanilac-John Divine.
Shiawassee-Josiah Turner, S. Titus

Parsons.

St. Clair-Marcus H. Miles, Ezra
Hazen.

St. Joseph-William L. Stoughton,
Comfort Tyler.

Tuscola Benjamin W. Huston.
Van Buren-Samuel H. Blackman,
Charles Duncombe.

Allegan-William B. Williams, William E. White. Barry-Harvey Wright, Adam El-H.

liott.

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Washtenaw Thomas Ninde, Charles
Richmond, Lyman D. Norris,
Daniel Hixson.

Wayne-Robert McClelland, Daniel
Goodwin, Peter Desnoyers, William A.
Smith, Jonathan Shearer, William E.
Warner.

]

Mr. F. C. WATKINS. It appearing from the responses to the call of the roll just made that a quorum is now present of the delegates elected to this Constitutional Convention, I move, as a necessary preliminary to the permanent organization of this body, that Mr. P. Dean Warner, of Oakland county, be the temporary President of

the Convention.

The motion was agreed to, and Mr.
P. D. WARNER accordingly took the

Genesee-Sumner Howard, Henry R.
Lovell, Thaddeus G. Smith.
Grand Traverse, &c.-DeWitt C. Chair.
Leach.

Gratiot-DeWitt C. Chapin.
Hillsdale-Lewis J. Thompson, Dan-
iel L. Pratt, Simeon P. Root.
Ingham-John W. Longyear, Lem-
uel Woodhouse.

Ionia-George W. Germain, Sanford
A. Yeomans.

Jackson-Eugene Pringle, Freeman
C. Watkins, William F. Goodwin.
Kalamazoo-Marsh Giddings, Dela-
more Duncan, Milton Bradley.
Kent-Solomon L. Withey, Jacob
Ferris, Lyman Murray, Milton C. Wat-

kins.

Lapeer-Myron C. Kenney, John M.

Lamb.

Lenawee-Jacob C. Sawyer, Perley Bills, Martin P. Stockwell, Horace J. Sheldon, Charles M. Croswell. Livingston-Benjamin W. Lawrence. Mackinac, &c.-Bela Chapman. Macomb-Dexter Mussey, Thomas M. Crocker.

Mr. LEACH moved that Thomas H.
Glenn, of Berrien county, be appointed
Secretary pro tempore.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. GIDDINGS moved that David
B. Purinton be appointed temporary
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Convention.
The motion was agreed to.

THE OATH OF OFFICE.

Mr. WILLARD. I believe the law requires the Secretary of State to adI move that he be now requested to minister the oath to the delegates elect. perform that duty.

The PRESIDENT pro tem. If it be the pleasure of the Convention, the Secretary of State will now proceed, as required by the law calling this Convention, to administer the oath to the delegates present?

Mr. GIDDINGS. I would inquire what kind of an oath, under the law

Monroe-Edward G. Morton, Wil- of last winter, is to be taken by the

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MAY 15, 1867.

scribed by the law calling the Convention, the Chair is of the opinion that the oath required by the present Constitution of this State would be the proper oath to be administered to the delegates.

Mr. BIRNEY. Mr. President, I have some doubts as to the propriety of administering the oath prescribed by the present Constitution. That Constitution provides that the Legislature shall pass the necessary legislation for the election of delegates to a Convention to revise the Constitution; but it does not require that the Legislature shall require an oath of the delegates, and, so far as I have examined the records of the last Convention, I do not find any mention of an oath being administered to its members. If an oath is administered it would indicate that a delegate is an officer. If that be the case, there would be raised some grave questions for consideration.

Convention who are holding offices There are some members of this under the State; and while holding those offices they are not eligible to any other than a judicial office. If the position of delegate is an official position, which the taking of the oath prescribed by the present Constitution would indicate, then to administer that oath would seem to raise the question of eligibility in respect to the delegates elect who now hold Judicial offices. From the examination I have made of the proceedings of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, I do not find that any oath was administered to the members of that Convention. It appears to me that this requirement in the law calling this Convention was surplusage entirely; and it is a question whether this Convention, in its organization, is bound to obey this direction of the Legislature.

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I submit these remarks for the purthe taking of the oath required by the pose of raising the question whether present constitution is necessary. It is true we can support this constitution until it is changed. But all the action we shall take here will be with a view to change that constitution.

Mr. GIDDINGS. With a view to to be administered shall be substantest the question, I move that the oath tially in the following language:

"You do solemnly swear that you will well to this Constitutional Convention, according and faithfully discharge the duties of delegate to the best of your ability. so help me God.

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Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH. The fourth section of the act authorizing the meeting of this Convention contains this provision:

"The delegates so chosen shall assemble at the capitol, in the City of Lansing, on the third Wednesday of May, A. D. 1867, at 11

o'clock A. M., and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to attend at the opening session of the Convention, with the list of the names of delegates elected, and he shall administer the oath of office to the members of

the Convention."

lature.

Mr. GIDDINGS. I have no objec- the people, holding office delegated to tion to that amendment. us by the people, to neglect upon entering upon our duties to take the usual oath of office.

The amendment was agreed to.
The question was upon the motion
of Mr. GIDDINGS as amended.

I therefore move to further amend

the resolution of the gentleman from Kalamazoo, (Mr. GIDDINGS,) so that the oath to be administered to us shall

be the oath prescribed by the Constitution of this State.

Mr. GIDDINGS. I do not like to

If I was called

Mr. PRINGLE. Speaking only for myself, for I have had no opportunity to consult with others, my idea is that the proper oath for us to take is the oath of office prescribed by our present Constitution. By an examination In the Convention of 1950 the ordi- of that Constitution it will be found begin my duties here by making nary oath of office was administered that it prescribes the manner in which speeches, and I shall not at any time to the members of the Convention. I it may be changed, and provides for do much of that. It seems to me to be unnecessary to make a long speech apprehend it was the intention of the calling of such a Convention as the Legislature that the same oath this. We expect to live under that upon this matter of taking the oath of office. The resolution I have submitshould be administered to the mem- Constitution until it shall give place to bers of this Convention. I think it another. We expect to obey and sup- oath of office, nothing else; no "ironted is simply that we shall take the would be proper and necessary that port that Constitution until it shall be clad oath," or anything of the sort, the oath ordinarily administered to done away with in the manner preofficers be administered to the mem- scribed by itself. I see nothing incon-though I should personally have no obbers of this Convention. That was sistent in swearing to support that jection to that. My proposition is that we take an oath to properly discharge evidently the intention of the Legis- Constitution because, forsooth, the ac- our duties as delegates to this Convention of this Convention may result, as tion. If we do that, I suppose we Mr. McCLELLAND. My impres- has been said, in breaking it into a shall do it under the Constitution and sion is that my friend from Oakland, thousand pieces. But I can see what (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH,) is mistaken appears to me to be a good reason laws of this State; and nothing more in regard to the Convention of 1850. why, upon assembling here, we shall can be required of us. I do not think any oath at all was ad- do what all persons, all officers if you office, I should swear him to faithfully upon to swear in a man to any State ministered to the members of that please, acting for the public are re-discharge the duties of his office. I Convention. I think the gentleman quired to do when they enter upon will find, upon an examination of the the administration of their duties; propose that we here shall swear to journals of that Convention, that no take the Constitutional oath of office. discharge our duties as delegates to this Convention to the best of our mention is made of any oath being I do not think we would properly required of the members of that body. begin our proceedings here by throw-ability. That I think covers all that we should be required to do. I hold that no oath is necessary to ing aside entirely all the requirements be taken by the members of this Con- of the present Constitution in this vention. Still I should have no objec- regard. We are now living under tion to taking the oath prescribed by that Constitution. All our powers the present Constitution. I must say here as members of this Convention that it struck me as strange that the come in a regular and legitimate way Legislature, in the act calling this Con- from that Constitution. We are bound The roll of delegates was then called vention, went beyond the election of to obey and support that Constitution the delegates and the assembling of until we shall submit another to the by the Secretary pro tempore, and the this Convention. My opinion has al- people which they will adopt. We delegates came forward to the desk ways been that so soon as the Conven- shall act under the present Constitu- and subscribed to and took the oath tion assembles all the power of the Leg- tion until the people by their action administered by the Secretary of State, islature over the subject ceases. The adopt another in its stead. And we only objection I have to the oath which, shall give it no less efficient and hearty according to the opinion of the gentle- support, because, as has been sugman from Oakland, (Mr. VAN VALKEN- gested by the gentleman on the other BURGH) appears to have been prescribed side, (Mr. MCCLELLAND,) we may proby the Legislature, is that it requires vide a way for the people to do that us to support a Constitution which in which will break it into a thousand all probability we have met here to-day pieces. to break, as one might say, into a thou- We, of course, will act here accordsand pieces. I therefore hope that the ing to our best judgment. I do not form of oath moved by the gentleman care particularly, so far as I am myself from Kalamazoo (Mr. GIDDINGS) will concerned, what oath I may be called prevail; though so far as I am con- upon to take, or whether any be adcerned it makes not a particle of differ- ministered. I do not think it will ence which oath is administered to us. make any difference in the manner in Mr. MUSSEY. I desire to move an which I shall endeavor to discharge amendment which I think the gentle- my duty as a member of this Convenman from Kalamazoo, (Mr. GIDDINGS,) tion. Still, I think the people of this will see the propriety of accepting. I State would consider it a very strange move to amend the form of oath moved course of proceeding for a body like by him so as to require an oath to sup- this, coming together under the Conport the Constitution of the United stitution and the forms of law, taking Mr. MUSSEY. I move that three States. I think that is quite essential. our seats here by virtue of the votes of tallers be appointed by the Chair to

The question was upon the amendment of Mr. PRINGLE; and being taken, it was agreed to upon a division; ayes 39, noes 36. 39, noes 36.

The resolution of Mr. GIDDINGS, as

amended, was then adopted.

as follows:

"You do, each of you, solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this State; and that you will faithfully discharge the revision of the Constitution of this State, the duty of delegate to this Convention, for to the best of your ability, so help you God."

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.

Mr. GIDDINGS. For the purpose of effecting the permanent organization of this Convention, I submit the following resolution:

Resolved, That this Convention now proceed to elect by ballot, a President of this Constitutional Convention.

The resolution was agreed to.

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The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair would suggest that as a matter of convenience it would be well to have tellers appointed to receive and count the ballots.

receive and count the ballots for President.

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ceed to the election viva voce of Secre-resolution: ap-tary to this Convention.

The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDENT pro tem. pointed to act as tellers, Mr. MUSSEY, Mr. McCONNELL and Mr. PRINGLE.

The roll was called, and the delegates advanced and deposited their ballots for President of the Convention. The tellers having received and counted the ballots,

Mr. MUSSEY, on behalf of the tellers, announced the result as follows:

Whole number of ballots cast, 82. Of which Mr. CHARLES M. CROSWELL, of Lenawee county, received 67;

Mr. DANIEL GOODWIN, of Wayne county, received 13;

Mr. ROBERT MCCLELLAND, of Wayne county, received 1, and

Mr. DEWITT C. LEACH, of Grand Traverse county, received 1.

The motion was agreed to. The roll was called, and the vote sulted as follows:

FOR THOMAS H. GLENN.

Resolved, That Seymour Foster is hereby appointed Postmaster of this Convention, and that he receive for his services a compenre-sation of three dollars per day.

Messrs. Aldrich, Alexander, Bills, Birney, Blackman, Brown, Burtch, Burtenshaw, Case, Chapin, Chapman, Coolidge, Daniells, Divine, Duncan, Dunscombe, Elliott, Farmer, Ferris, Germain, Giddings, W. F. Goodwin, Harris, Hazen, Henderson, Holmes, Holt, Howard, Huston, Kenney, Lamb, Leach, Longyear, Lovell, Luce, McConnell, Miles, Murray, Mussey, Musgrave, Ninde, Parsons, Pratt, Pringle, Root, Sawyer, Sheldon, T. G. Smith, Stockwell, Stoughton, Thompson. Turner, Tyler, Utley, Van Riper, Van Valkenburgh, Walker, P. D. Warner, M. C. Watkins, F. C. Watkins, White. Willard, Withey, Williams, Woodhouse, Wright, Yeomans, President-67.

FOR E. R. MERRIFIELD.

Messrs. Corbin, Crocker, Desnoyer, D. Goodwin, Hixson, Lawrence, McClelland, Morton, Norris, Rafter, Richmond, Shearer, W. A. Smith, Sutherland, W. E. Warner-15. Thomas H. Glenn having received a

AW.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. majority of all the delegates elected

I desire to say a few words in support of the resolution I have offered. I find it is taken for granted on all hands that we shall need an officer of this kind; and if we are to have such an officer, I am confident we cannot do better than to appoint the young man named in my resolution. He is some twenty-two or twenty-three years of age; he served faithfully through the war; his only brother was killed in the army; and he is now the chief, I may say the only support of his widowed mother. It is a case that appeals strongly to our sympathies and feelings, and if we are to have an officer of this kind, I am confident we could not find a better man than he in the whole

to this Convention having cast their majority of all the votes given, was de- country around.
ballots in favor of CHARLES M. CROS-clared duly elected Secretary of the
WELL, I declare him duly elected Presi- Convention.
dent of this Convention.

Mr. BIRNEY. I move that a committee of two delegates be appointed to wait upon and conduct the President elect to the chair.

The motion was agreed to.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore appointed as such committee, Mr. BIRNEY and Mr. MCCLELLAND.

Upon being conducted to the chair, The PRESIDENT addressed the Convention as follows:

GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: For the honor you have conferred upon me in calling me to permanently preside over your deliberations, I return you my sincere and heartfelt thanks. I feel that the choice is far more complimentary to me than I am equal to the duties it imposes.

Sent here by the sovereignty of the State, guided by the councils of wisdom and solid reason, animated by a deep regard for the public welfare, I doubt not you will mould and remodel our State Constitution, so that it shall meet the increased and increasing wants of our noble Commonwealth and the approval of your constituents, and ever stand an evidence of your wisdom and sagacity, and a monument of justice and right.

Again thanking you for this distinguished mark of your confidence and esteém, relying upon your patience, forbearance and coöperation, and trusting that all your efforts may contribute to the public good, and that the blessing of Heaven may attend each of you, I now assume the duties your partiality has so kindly assigned to me. (Great applause.)

APPOINTMENT OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS.

.

Mr. P. D. WARNER. I move to amend the resolution by striking out the name of "Seymour Foster,” and inserting the name of "Geo. W. Spauld

Mr. F. C. WATKINS. I offer the ing," of Oakland. I desire to say in following resolution:

Resolved, That David B. Purinton be appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of this Convention. The resolution was agreed to.

reference to Mr. Spaulding, that not only is he a young man of deserving character, irreproachable reputation and gentlemanly deportment, but he has had much experience in postoffice matters. Having enlisted in the 14th Mr. WILLARD. I offer the follow-regiment of Michigan infantry, he ing resolution:

ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.

Resolved, That the Secretary be and he is hereby authorized to appoint two Assistant Secretaries of this Convention.

Mr. MUSSEY. I am not prepared at present to vote for this resolution. The necessity for it I suppose will depend very much upon the action which the Convention may take in regard to reporters. If the reporters who may be appointed should be able to perform much of the duties to which this reso lution relates, it is a question in my mind whether we should need more than one Assistant Secretary; if not, then we should want two of them. If it shall be necessary to have two Assistant Secretaries, then I shall be in favor of their appointment.

Mr. WILLARD. I am not very conversant with the duties of the Secretary; but I observe that the Convention of 1850 had two Assistant Secretaries. I do not see how the reporters could perform any of the duties that properly devolve upon the Secretaries.

Mr. FARMER. I move that the resolution be laid upon the table, until we can ascertain what may be the actual wants of the Convention in this regard.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

served as the postmaster for that regiment during the grand march of Sherman through the Southern States from the mountains to the sea. He is every way deserving of and qualified for the position. And in consideration of the fact that that section of our State has as yet received nothing from the hands of this Convention, I hope members here will exercise their magnanimity in behalf of our locality, and favor us by the appointment of Mr. Spaulding to this position.

Mr. LEACH. I do not wish to detain the Convention upon this question. I will simply say, as the question has been asked me, that Mr. Foster resides in this city. He is a son of the late Theodore Foster, for some years Superintendent of the Reform School here, and for some time editor of the Lansing Republican. I wish to say also that while both of these young men appear to have a good military record, we should bear in mind that Mr. Foster is the only support of his widowed mother, while the other gentleman, as I understand, is not so situated. That appears to be the chief difference between the two. I have no doubt of the competency of the gentleman proposed by the gentleman from Oakland, (Mr. WARNER.) I cer

to:

tainly know that Mr. Foster is abund- following resolution, which was agreed
antly competent for the position. I
think his case appeals strongly to our
sympathies, and I hope this Conven-
tion will not fail to heed the appeal.
The amendment of Mr. P. D. WAR-
NER was not agreed to.

The question was upon agreeing to the resolution of Mr. LEACH.

Mr. THOMPSON. I move to amend the resolution so as to make the compensation two dollars and a half instead of three dollars per day.

Resolved, That until otherwise ordered, the rules of the House of Representatives be adopted for the government of this Convention, so far as the same are applicable.

COMMITTEE ON MODE OF PROCEEDING.

Resolved, That the daily sessions of the Convention shall commence at 9 o'clock A. M., until otherwise ordered.

Mr. LEACH. It appears to me that at present there is no necessity for our meeting so early as nine o'clock in the morning. For myself, I would as soon

Mr. BIRNEY submitted the follow-come here at that hour as at any other, ing resolution, which was agreed to: but it may be inconvenient for other for some days there may be very little gentlemen to do so; and inasmuch as for us to do, I see no necessity for our meeting at so early an hour. I move to amend the resolution so as to make

one from each judicial district, be appointed
Resolved, That a committee consisting of
by the President of the Convention, to report
as to the best mode of proceeding as to the
revision of the Constitution of the State.

to:

REPORT OF DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS.

Mr. LEACH. I proposed the sum of three dollars per day, because that Mr. PRINGLE submitted the folwas the compensation paid the post-lowing resolution, which was agreed master of the House of Representatives of our Legislature last winter. do not think it is an unreasonable compensation in these times. If we are to employ a man at all, we should pay him a reasonable price for his pay him a reasonable price for his

services.

Resolved, That it be referred to a special the number of reporters who will be needed committee of seven, to ascertain and report to secure verbatim reports of all the proceedings of this Convention, the compensation they will require, and the probable expense of printing 1,000 copies of the report daily,

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for the use of the Convention; and that said
committee be also instructed to recommend
ployed, and the names of one or more suit-
the manner in which reporters shall be em-
able persons to be employed for that purpose.

CONSTITUTIONS OF 1835 and 1836.
Mr. TURNER submitted the fol-
lowing resolution:

Mr. THOMPSON. That is the same compensation received by the members of the Legislature. I suppose the duties of postmaster are not arduous at all. While I would not wish to be penurious in the bestowal of favors by this Convention, still it seems to me that a due regard for the instructed to cause to be published, in one Resolved, That the Secretary of State be finances of our State should lead us to pamphlet, 200 copies of the Constitutions of be as prudent and economical as cir-1835 and 1850, with the amendments thereto, cumstances may admit. It is for the for the use of the Convention. Convention to determine whether three

dollars a day is an extravagant price, or whether twenty shillings a day is

not sufficient.

Mr. WALKER submitted the lowing resolution:

the hour of daily meeting ten o'clock instead of nine o'clock A. M.

The amendment was agreed to. The resolution as amended was then agreed to.

EXECUTIVE INFORMATION.

Mr. FERRIS. I have prepared several resolutions which I desire to offer for adoption, the purpose of which is to obtain for the use of this body such sion of the several departments of the information as may be in the possesState, upon subjects which we will be called upon to consider; and in order to obtain that information at as early a day as possible, I will offer the resotion is as follows: lutions at this time. The first resolu

Resolved, That the State Treasurer be requested to report at an early day, to the Confol-vention, the amount, classification and terms of payment of the public debt of the State. The resolution was agreed to. Mr. FERRIS also offered the following resolution, which was agreed to:

vention be authorized to appoint five messen-
Resolved, That the President of the Con-

gers.

Mr. MILES. I do not believe it Mr. P. D. WARNER. I move to will be well for us to exercise too much amend the resolution by striking out economy in this regard. I know that the word " five," and inserting the the postmaster of the House last win-word "six;" and also by providing ter was detained in his room here from that the President shall be authorized early in the morning until late at to appoint an additional messenger for night. And we shall require as much the Chair, and the Secretary one addiof the services of a postmaster now, tional messenger for his own use. That as was required by the House last win-will make eight messengers instead of ter. It appears to me that three dol- five, as originally proposed-six for lars a day is little enough to pay for the Convention, one for the President, the duties to be performed by the postmaster of this Convention.

and one for the Secretary. I also
move to add the clause, "at a compen-
sation not exceeding two dollars per
day."

Mr. PARSONS. I will simply say that the postmaster is obliged to be engaged here until a late hour at Mr.WALKER. I accept the amendnight, for the accommodation of mem-ments of the gentleman from Oakland bers writing letters which they desire (Mr. P. D. WARNER.) to have go off in the morning's mail. The postmaster must remain here until members get through their writing, which is generally about nine o'clock at right. I think three dollars a day ted the following resolution, which was is little enough for his services.

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Resolved, That the Commissioner of the State Land Office be requested to report at an early day, to the Convention, the quantity of classes, together with the quantities of swamp unappropriated State lands of the several lands appropriated and contracted for building roads.

Mr. FERRIS also offered the following resolution:

requested to report at an early day, to the Resolved, That the Secretary of State be Convention, the number of foreign fire insur their names, location, capital and the name ance companies doing business in this State, and address of each resident general agent of such companies.

Mr. WILLIAMS. I would inquire what is the object of such a resolution as this at the present stage of our proceedings?

Mr. FERRIS. The object of these resolutions is to bring before this Convention, at an early day, all the necesmatters. I conceive that during the sary information in regard to those course of our proceedings here, we appointed to invite the resident clergymen of Resolved, That a committee of two be will have occasion to refer more or less this city to meet with us alternately, and to all the different classes of facts open our daily sessions with devotional exer- called for by these resolutions. It is for the purpose of obtaining authentic information upon these subjects that I Mr. ALEXANDER submitted the offer these resolutions at this time. The question being taken, upon a

cises.

HOUR OF DAILY MEETING.

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division, ayes 22, noes 34, the resolution was not agreed to.

Mr. FERRIS also offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That, the Secretary of State be requested to report at an early day, to the Convention, the name and location of each railroad within the State that has been granted public lands by the United States, together with dates of the organization of such companies, and the quantity of land granted; whether any of them have received extensions of time, and also for what sections of each of said roads such extensions have been given. Mr. McCLELLAND. I would ask the gentleman, for information, whether the government of the United States has ever granted any lands to any railroad in this State?

Mr. FERRIS. I suppose the response to this resolution by the Secretary of State will furnish to the gentleman a satisfactory answer to the question he has put. I desire to obtain this information from official sources.

Mr. LAMB. I move to amend by inserting the words "at their pleasure;" so as not to require their constant attendance during the daily sessions of this Convention.

Mr. FARMER. As we are to have the Governor and other Executive officers here, it may be well to add the officers of the other departments. I therefore move to amend by adding "the officers of the judiciary.'

The PRESIDENT. There are already two amendments pending, and no further amendment is now in order.

The amendment of Mr. LAMB was not agreed to.

The amendment of Mr. HAZEN was
not agreed to.

The resolution of Mr. VAN VALKEN-
BURGH was then agreed to.

POLICY OF ACTION.

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Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms of Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, and one compethis Convention, be authorized to appoint an tent person to have charge of the cloak-room.

FIREMEN FOR THE CONVENTION. Mr. WILLARD offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the President be and ha is hereby authorized to appoint two firemen for the service of the Convention, whose compensation shall be at the rate of three dollars

per day.

Mr. GIDDINGS. I think if the resolution provided for the appointment of but one fireman there would be no objection to it.

Mr. P. D. WARNER. There apminds of members here, that it will be pears to be an idea prevailing in the in consequence of the season of the unnecessary to appoint these firemen year in which this Convention meets. I do not consider that the season of Mr. BURTCH offered the following the year makes any difference in repreamble and resolution: spect to the labors required of these firemen. Their duties are to take charge of this hall, and keep it in order for the occupation of the Convention; not to build fires in the cellar or in the furnace. There is a person employed by the State to perform that service. The ordinary duties of these firemen are to take charge of this hall and keep it in order. I think those duties, during the session of this Convention, will be more than should be devolved upon one person.

Whereas, It hath pleased Almighty God, The question was taken, and upon a and the good people of the State of Michdivision, ayes 27, noes 19, the resolu-igan that this Convention should assemble for tion was agreed to. the purpose of erecting anew the temple of Mr. FERRIS also offered the fol- liberty, that justice should be the chief corner-stone, that it should be ornamented with lowing resolution: liberty, equity and humanity;

Resolved, That his Excellency, the Governor, be requested to communicate to the Convention such information as may be found in the Executive department, as to the number, names and location of the railroads and plank roads within this State, that have been aided by local taxation or municipal bonds, the amount of such aid, and such

information generally in that regard, from the Executive department, as may be serviceable to the Convention.

The question was taken, and upon a division, ayes 26, noes 27, the resolution was not agreed to.

THE GOVERNOR INVITED TO ATTEND THE
CONVENTION.

Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH submitted the following resolution:

Resolved, That his Excellency, Governor Crapo, be invited by the President to take a seat within the bar of the Convention, during its sessions.

Mr. P. D. WARNER. I would suggest to my colleague, (Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH,) that if he desires or expects to derive any advantage from the presence of the Executive in the Convention, he ought to modify his resolution so as to give the Governor the right to take part in any discussion that may arise here. His mere presence here, without the privilege of speaking, would be of no advantage to the Con

vention.

Therefore be it resolved by the members of this Convention, That we will be governed by no selfish, party or partisan influence whatever, and that the several committees which shall be selected, shall be in accordance with the foregoing preamble and this resolution.

Mr. GIDDINGS. I move to lay the preamble and resolution upon the table.

The motion was agreed to.

And then, on motion of Mr. LUCE, the Convention (at one o'clock P. M.) took a recess till three o'clock P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention reassembled at three
o'clock P. M., and was called to order
by the President.

The roll was called, and a quorum
answered to their names.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEES.

The PRESIDENT announced the following committees, ordered by the Convention to-day:

.

Committee upon Reporting--Messrs.
PRINGLE, PRATT, LONGYEAR, MORTON,
RICHMOND, ALDRICH and DIVINE. ·

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Mr. MILES. I agree with the gentleman from Calhoun, (Mr. WILLARD), that it will require the services of at least two men to act as firemen for

this Convention. It is well known to many members here that during the last session of the Legislature, the firemen were often here from four or five o'clock in the morning until ten er eleven o'clock at night, there being two of them to do the work; and at times they were even then behindhand with their work, on account of the great amount of labor required of them, although they were competent men. I do not think it would be right for this Convention to undertake to make one man do the work of two men. I hope the resolution as origin

Messrs. BIRNEY, WITHEY, BILLS, MC-
Committee upon order of Proceeding—ally offered will be adopted.
The question was taken, and upon a
CLELLAND, SUTHERLAND, PARSONS, GID- division, ayes 55, noes not counted, the
DINGS, LUCE, MUSSEY, LEACH, BURTEN-resolution was agreed to.
SHAW, WILLARD, CHAPMAN, NORRIS and
HOLT.

LEGISLATIVE MANUAL.

Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH. I have offered the resolution altogether as a matter of courtesy. I think it cannot be objected to by my colleague, ing resolution, which was agreed to: Mr. TURNER submitted the follow(Mr. P. D. WARNER,) or by any other ing resolution, which was agreed to: Resolved, That the Secretary of State be gentleman here. It is always custom-requested to furnish each delegate in the Conary in bodies of this kind to extend such vention, a copy of the Manual of the last courtesies. Legislature.

Mr. HAZEN. I move to amend by inserting the words "and other State officers."

ASSISTANT SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, ETC.

Mr. MILES submitted the following resolution, which was agreed to:

RULES FOR THE CONVENTION.

Mr. WILLIAMS submitted the following resolution, which was agreed to:

Resolved, That a committee of five be apof the proceedings of this Convention, pointed to prepare rules for the government

ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.

Mr. MUSSEY. I move to take from the table the resolution offered by the gentleman from Calhoun, (Mr. WILLARD), authorizing the Secretary to

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