to inquire what alterations (if any) are necessary in the law relating to absent or absconding debtors, to protect the rights of defendants, in cases where writs of attachment are instituted. On motion of Mr. Fuller,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reducing the fees of the registers of deeds, of county clerks, and of the clerk of the supreme court.

On motion of Mr. Pierce,

Resolved, That the judiciary committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of organizing a new court, to be formed of justices of the peace, for the trial of minor criminal offences, and report on that subject to this House.

On motion of Mr. Renwick,

Resolved, That a select committee of five be appointed by the Chair, to inquire what offices may be (with safety to the state) abolished, and what reduction can consistently be made in the salaries of the several officers of government, and that said committee report by bill or otherwise.

Whereupon the Speaker announced Messrs. Renwick, Stockton, Larue, McClelland and Lathrop, as said committee. On motion of Mr. Turner,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of abolishing the state tax in the counties of Mackinac and Chippewa, and report to this House by bill or otherwise.

On motion of Mr. Hammond,

Resolved, That the committee on internal improvement be instructed to inquire into the expediency of leasing the central railroad, locomotives and cars, upon such conditions and with such securities as shall secure the keeping of the same in repair, and shall insure to the public all the advantages of certainty and regularity in the running of the road, at fair and equitable prices, and that said committee report with as little delay as possible.

On motion of Mr. Harbaugh,

Resolved, That the standing committee on the judiciary be

instructed to inquire into the expediency of allowing justices of the peace jurisdiction in actions of replevin, and to report thereon by bill or otherwise.

On motion of Mr. Barbour,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the law as to require the road commissioners in the several towns of this state, to give bonds for the security of all moneys that may come into their hands, raised to be expended on the highways.

On motion of Mr. Bell,

Resolved, That a select committee of five be appointed with instructions to report a bill for the relief of certain settlers upon university and state lands.

And the Speaker appointed Messrs. Bell, Brown, Bailey, Pierce and Dunham, as said committee.

On motion of Mr. Coleman,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reducing the pay of members of the township boards and road commissioners, to one dollar per day.

On motion of Mr. Fuller,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of abolishing so much of the laws of this state as relate to the fees of inspectors of common schools and inspectors of elections.

On motion of Mr. Bush,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of issuing warrants against defendants who fail to attend when a summons is served by copy. On motion of Mr. Kenny,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of altering or revising the fee bill, as to the taxation of cost, in order to produce uniformity therein, under proper penalties for the violation thereof.

Mr. Bird offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee on internal improvement be instructed to take into consideration the propriety of appointing,

by law, a person or persons, to pass through on the line of the southern railroad and appraise the damages accruing to individuals in consideration of the location of said road, as far as this is not yet performed.

Mr. Kenny moved to amend the resolution by adding the "Central railroad."

Mr. Stockton moved to amend the amendment by inserting "Clinton and Kalamazoo canal," which was accepted; and On motion of Mr. Howard,

"All works of internal improvements," was inserted, and the resolution adopted, as amended.

On motion of Mr. Walker,

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the law regulating proceedings in justices' court, as to make it necessary for suitors in any such court, to satisfy such court by their own oath and other evidence, that they have reasonable cause of action, before such court shall be authorized to issue any such process in their behalf, and that upon satisfying the court, they may be entitled to a summons and attachment, or a summons only, at their option.

Mr. Foote gave notice, that at some future day, he would ask leave to introduce a bill providing for the appointment of commissioners to assess damages occasioned by flowing lands.

The Speaker announced a communication from the Monroe and Ypsilanti railroad company, which was ordered printed. ' (See House Document No. 3.)

On motion of Mr. Brown, the House adjourned.

Saturday, January 11, 1840,

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Duffield.

The roll being called, Mr. Spencer was absent, !.

REPORTS.

Mr. Champlin presented a report from the commissioners of

Hillsdale county, in relation to the seat of justice for that county, and on his motion, the commissioners were discharged from further duties, and their report was referred to the committee on the judiciary.

The Speaker announced a report from Mr. Bell, one of the bank commissioners. Referred to the committee on banks and

incorporations.

(See House Document No. 4.)

Also, a report from the board of fund commissioners, which was laid upon the table and ordered printed.

(See House Document No. 5.)

Also, the annual report of the board of internal improvement. Referred to the committee on internal improvement. (See House Document No. 6.)

Also, the annual report of Henry Howard, Auditor General, which was laid upon the table.

(See House Document No. 7.)

Also, a report from the State Geologist, which, on motion of Mr. McClelland, was laid upon the table.

Mr. Backus, from the committee on the judiciary, made a report on the joint resolution from the Senate relative to the election of an United States Senator, accompanied by a bill entitled "An act to provide for the election of Senators for this state, in the Senate of the United States, and for other purposes." The report was accepted, and the bill was placed upon the general order.

Mr. Backus, from the committee on the judiciary, reported "A bill making appropriation for the payment of guards, and the sustenance and clothing of prisoners, confined in the state prison at Jackson," which was placed upon the general order.

PETITIONS.

By the Speaker. Of Bejamin F. Ferris and others, inhabitants of the towns of Union and Sherwood, in Branch county, and Burlington in Calhoun county, relative to a state road. Referred to the committee on roads and bridges.

By the Speaker. Of Seth Fletcher, to authorize him to sell

and dispose of certain real estate belonging to Henry D. Fletcher, a minor. Referred to the committee on the judiciary.

By Mr. Barbour. Of G. B. Griffin and others, praying for the organization of a town in Eaton county. Referred to the committee on towns and counties.

By Mr. Foote. Of Isaac Morton and others, relative to the state road running from Farmington to Shiawassee. Referred to the committee on roads and bridges.

By Mr. Sanborn. Of Jesse Smith and others, assessors and commissioners of the township of Richfield, Lapeer county, praying for an act to legalize their acts for the year 1839.

By Mr. Miller. Of Guy C. Merrill and Abraham Cahill, praying for authority to convey certain lands. Referred to the committee on the judiciary.

By Mr. McClelland. Of Lewis C. Bailey, praying compensation for the loss of a horse in sustaining the supremacy of the laws. Referred to the committee on the Judiciary.

By Mr. Underwood. Of William Wolcott and J. Walker, praying the passage of an act authorizing William F. Wolcott, a minor, to convey certain real estate. Referred to the committee on the judiciary.

By Mr. Steele. Of R. Finch and others, praying that Joseph Henry Kilborn be allowed to build a dam across the Red Cedar river, in the county of Ingham. Referred to the com

mittee on roads and bridges.

By. Mr. Kenny. Of L. Boyden and others, for the altera tion of the state road from Ann Arbor to the county seat of Livingston county. Referred to the committee on roads and bridges.

By Mr. Champlin. Of B. F. Prichard and others, for a state road from Gamblesville to Devil lake. Referred to the committee on roads and bridges.

By Mr. Sanborn. Of the inhabitants of the townships of Atlas and Richfield, praying for the organization of a township in Lapeer county. Referred to the committee on towns and

counties.

By Mr. Coleman. Of Clifford Shanahan and others, citizens