Eaton" proposes to submit the Constitution we may frame to Thaddeus Stevens, Chairman of the Congressional Committee on Reconstruction, so that he may examine our action to see whether or not it harmonizes with the Constitution of the United States. If it does not, he is the very man who will be apt to know it; and he will just tell us so. [Laughter.] Mr. HOWARD. I move that the gentleman from Eaton be constituted a committee to take the proceedings of the Convention, day by day, to Mr. Stevens. [Laughter.] + Mr. BURTCH. I move to amend by adding to the committee the gentleman from Genesee, (Mr. HOWARD.) Mr. LEACH. I rise to a point of order. I submit that there is no question before the Convention, and that this discussion is entirely out of order. The PRESIDENT. The Chair sustains the point of order. LAND GRANTS BY THE UNITED STATES. Mr. UTLEY offered the following Mr. UTLEY offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the propriety of incorporating into the Constitution a provision, forever prohibiting the Governor or Legislature of this State from accepting or receiving from the General Government, any grant of public lands for any purpose whatever, unless the grant be absolute in its terms, and shall convey to the State such title as shall authorize the State to immediately select, sell and convey the same to individual purchasers, holding the proceeds of such sale, instead of the lands, in trust for the purposes determined by the grant. PUBLICATION OF THE DEBATES. Mr. MORTON. I offer the following resolution: Resolved, That copies of the report of the proceedings and debates of this Convention, be printed and bound in book form for the use of the State. It is important that the printer should know as soon as possible the number of copies which we propose to order of our debates; and I have offered this resolution that the question may be determined. Mr. M. C. WATKINS. I move to fill the blank by inserting "five hundred." re Mr. FARMER. I move to insert one thousand," instead of "five hundred." double charge. I have been directed this bound volume will be necessary. Mr. PRINGLE. I rise for the pur-brary, we receiving in exchange sim- Mr. FARMER. I would suggest to the gentleman from Jackson, (Mr. PRINGLE,) whether he is altogether correct when he says that the expense would be $500 for 500 copies, and $1,000 for 1,000 copies. As I understand, the expense Some members of the additional number of volumes are in favor of printing and binding beyond 500 would be only the cost of 500 copies, while others think that 1,000 will not be too many. I have left a blank for the number, so that the Convention may agree upon whatever number it sees fit. Mr. LOVELL. I move that the resolution be referred to the committee on printing, that they may take the matter into consideration. the paper and binding. The expense I think that no less than 1,000 copies should be ordered. Many copies will Mr. MORTON. I hope that will not be needed for exchanges with other be agreed to. This matter has been States, and for distribution among the brought to the attention of the Con- various counties of our own State, so vention, at the request of the State that they may be referred to by the printer. He cannot keep the printed people. For this reason, I have moved forms standing several weeks; and un- to insert "one thousand." Mr. GIDDINGS. One reason which prompted me to make the motion to refer was that I supposed the Convention might in a short time determine how many copies would be needed for the use of the members. As yet no provision has been made as to whether members shall receive any bound volumes. It seems to me proper that this question should be settled before we decide finally upon the aggregate number of volumes. Mr. LOVELL. I would suggest that one copy of debates ought to be furnished to the library of every incorporated literary society in the State, every college, etc. The number to be printed should be fixed with reference to furnishing copies to such libraries. Mr. MORTON. I hope that the motion of the gentleman from Kalamazoo (Mr. GIDDINGS) will not be adopted, because the printer is now waiting our action that he may know how to proceed in this matter. Mr. LONGYEAR. From the statements which have been made on behalf of the committee on printing, I do not see that we shall gain anything by referring this subject back to the committee. The resolution has been offered at this time because it is necessary, for the convenience of the State Printer, that he should know how less this question be decided very Mr. GIDDINGS. Mr. President, many copies of this volume we desire. soon, he will be obliged to set up the there are some difficulties in my mind I certainly hope that the Convention matter twice, subjecting the State to a in determining how many copies of will not order a smaller number than that moved by the gentleman from whether, after all, one thousand copies but waste paper. If it took ten or Berrien, (Mr. FARMER,)-one thou- will be sufficient. On referring to the twelve years to get rid of 1,200 copies sand. The manner in which these Manual, I find that, according to the of the debates of 1850, I cannot see volumes shall be distributed can be rough estimate I have been able to the necessity for printing more than determined hereafter. So far as re- make on the moment, there are about 1,000 copies of our debates. I think gards ourselves, if we do not provide one thousand organized townships in this number will supply all the defor furnishing each member with a this State. The list of townships ex- mands. copy, it will, I suppose, be our own tends over some forty-four pages of Mr. M. C. WATKINS. In making the fault. But we certainly should order the Manual, averaging about twenty-motion for 500 copies, I supposed that now a sufficient number of copies to four townships on each page. If my this number might be sufficient. I cover contingencies which can readily estimate of one thousand townships be know that in some cases the State has be foreseen. There certainly should correct, one thousand copies of these been subjected to a useless expenditure be a copy in each of the State offices, debates will not be sufficient, because by the printing of books in unnecesin the library of every State in the not only do we desire to furnish a copy sarily large numbers. There are at Union, in each of the county clerk's to the library of every organized town- present on hand large numbers of the offices, in the library of every town- ship, but a very large number in addi- volumes of our laws, which are of no ship and school district, and in the tion will be needed. The Librarian possible use. It appears, too, that as library of every incorporated institu- will want to furnish copies of these to the debates of the Convention of tion of learning in the State. A suffi- volumes to the libraries of all the other 1850, large numbers of copies were accient number should be provided to States, receiving volumes of similar cumulated here in the State offices, supply all these public institutions. character in exchange. Then there where they molded or were destroyed. One thousand is certainly a small are numerous literary societies I propose that we shall print of our enough number. If, when we come throughout the State that ought to be debates a sufficient number for every to the distribution, the number order-supplied. The members of the Con- reasonable purpose, but no more. This ed should be found too small-and I vention ought also to be furnished with Convention should not publish so apprenend that this will be the case copies; and there ought to be a large large a number that many will prove before we get through we shall be number-one or two hundred, I should useless. With regard to sending a obliged to omit in the distribution the think-left in the Library for use here- copy to each township library, I think less important institutions. Certainly after. For this reason, I move to fill that a very large proportion of the 1,000 copies will not be too many. the blank in the resolution by insert- towns in this State have no township ing "fifteen hundred." libraries, though some have. But I think it altogether unnecessary to send a copy to each town in the State. For the members and officers of this Convention, we want something more than one hundred copies. We want to supply each of the State officers with a copy; and we want to send copies to the libraries of other States. It strikes me that if we order a thousand copies, we shall not find use for all of them. I am still of the opinion that 500 will be sufficient. Mr. CORBIN. I desire to ask, for information, whether any member can tell how many copies of the debates of the last Constitutional Convention were printed. Mr. THOMPSON. We have no township library in the town where I reside, and I presume this is the case in a good many other townships. Our Mr. BILLS. I hold in my hand the township library has been parceled Journal of 1850; and I see by refer- out to the school districts. If this is ring to page 50 that the number of the case generally throughout the copies ordered of the debates of that State, I see no necessity of providing Convention was 1,200. Yet we find for sending copies of these volumes to now, on application at the Library, that the township libraries. Yet I am not it is impossible to supply us with opposed to the motion of the gentlecopies of those debates. If we should man from St. Joseph (Mr. STOUGHTON;) now order 1,000 copies of our debates, 1,500 copies will not be more for the I doubt not that ten, fifteen or twenty State now than 1,000 was in 1850-inyears hence, those who may seek these deed not so much. If 1,200 copies volumes, will find that our provision proved insufficient in 1850, 1,500 will has been altogether insufficient for the certainly not be too many at this time. necessities of the case. I am satisfied Mr. WILLIAMS. In regard to the that 1,000 copies will not be sufficient volumes of debates ordered by the last to supply the demand that there will Convention, I am. informed that quite be for our debates. I am disposed to a large number of them molded in the favor the proposition to publish at least vaults of this building, and were 1,000 copies. thrown away or destroyed. I shall oppose the further reference Mr. HAZEN. I hope that the moof this matter to the committee on tion of the gentleman from St. Joseph printing. I understand it to be im- will not prevail. I presume that many portant to have this question deter- gentlemen here do not know what dismined at once. I do not believe that by delaying a decision, the Convention will be any better prepared to act on the question than it is at present. Mr. MUSSEY. If I understand the rules correctly, the question will be taken first on inserting the highest number proposed-1500. I hope that this number will not be agreed to. I think it larger than necessary. Indeed I believe that if this number should be printed, 500 of them would be entirely useless to the State. Reference has been made to the difficulty experienced in obtaining copies of the debates of the Convention of 1850; but, sir, I feel confident that the statements which have been made as to the manner in which those volumes position was made of the 1,200 copies were disposed of are correct. I know of the debates of the Convention of that copies of those debates lay about 1850. It took at least twelve or fifteen here for a long time, molding and years for the State officers to dispose wasting, and were regarded as an inof them. Hundreds lay in the vaults cumbrance. In one way or another or cellars of the State offices, where they were permitted to be carried off, they molded, until finally they were those who had charge of them considdisposed of, I am informed, as waste ing that they thus got rid of a burden. Mr. STOUGHTON. Mr. President, paper. At least it is but two or three Such, I apprehend, will be the case I hope we shall take immediate action years ago since I saw hundreds of them with a portion of our debates if 1,500 on this subject. The only question lying there, wet and moldy, and al- copies be printed. I am in favor of which suggests itself to my mind is most entirely worthless for anything ordering 1,000 copies. This number Mr. GIDDINGS. As it appears to be the wish of members, generally, to have immediate action on this question, I withdraw the motion to refer. will furnish each member and officer laboring man's little child, stripped county, township, [city or village, by a vote with a copy, leaving something like almost to nudity by excessive taxation. of its citizens, or otherwise, to become a 875. Then I think every law-library I say, let us take such a course here as poration or association whatever, or to raise stockholder in any joint stock company, corshould be furnished with a copy. So will lighten the burdens of the people money for, or loan its credit to, or in aid of, far as concerns the township or local relieve the distresses of the poor and any such company, corporation or associ libraries, there are, I suppose, very few clothe the naked. in the State that will consider this volume a great addition to their stock of books. I hope that the blank in this resolution will not be filled by the insertion of “1,500,” though I am decidedly in favor of ordering 1,000 copies, which I think will be all that will be required. Mr. PARSONS. Mr. President, I ation. EIGHT HOUR SYSTEM OF LABOR, Mr. W. E. WARNER submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the Committee on the Legislative Department be directed to inquire 1 into the expediency of reporting a clause establishing eight hours as a lawful day's work, except in cases wherein parties shall otherwise specially agree. HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS. Mr. THOMPSON offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Kesolved, That the Committee on Town ships be instructed to inqnire into and report highway commissioner, and transferring the upon the propriety of abolishing the office of duties of said commissioners to the supervisor, the township clerk and the justice of the peace having the shortest time to serve. Mr. COOLIDGE. Mr. President, I do not see any necessity for printing a large number of these volumes. I do not think they will be much valued or read by the people generally. The discussions usually had in such bodies as this are upon subjects in which very few persons except professional ment feel an interest. I am not aware that The resolution was not adopted, can readily understand how a large debates of this kind are read to any there being on a division-ayes 18, number of copies of the debates of the great extent by anybody. It is true noes 39. Convention of 1850 might have mold- that a certain number of copies are ed in the vaults of the State offices. desirable for reference; and there are If no proper provision was made by certain libraries in which they ought the Convention or the Legislature for to be. But I cannot see the necessity the distribution of those debates, they or propriety of scattering a large numwould, as a matter of course, remain ber of these volumes through the State, in the vaults here until they became with the idea that they will be read by worthless. Either the Convention or the people generally. the Legislature should have provided for the distribution of those debates. I think that this Convention should provide for the distribution of our debates. Every one will admit, I believe, The question was taken upon the that a copy of the journal and debates motion of Mr. STOUGHTON to insert should at least be furnished to each" fifteen hundred," and on a division county clerk's office. I am inclined to -ayes 26, noes 51-the motion was think that one thousand copies are not not agreed to. as many as can be properly distributed through the State. I hope that the Convention, in acting upon this question, will not be influenced by the fact that a large number of the debates of the last Convention were allowed to mold in the vaults of the State offices. Mr. FERRIS. I wish to make only one suggestion in addition to what has already been said. I think that every lawyer in the State, of extensive prac Mr. DANIELS. I move the previous question. The demand was sustained, and the main question ordered. one The question was then taken on the REFORM OF LEGAL PRACTICE. resolution, which was adopted: cial Department be instructed to consider POSTAGE OF MEMBERS. Mr. MILES offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Postmaster of this Convention be instructed to keep an account of the amount of postage paid by him for each its session, and that he furnish the Board of individual member of the Convention during State Auditors with a copy of such account immediately after the final adjournment of the Convention. Mr. PARSONS. I move that this The yeas and nays were ordered. The motion of Mr. PARSONS was not agreed to, there being yeas 42, nays 47, as follows: Burtenshaw, Case, Chapin, Chapman, Conger, YEAS-Messrs. Aldrich, Bills, Birney, Bartch, tice would desire to purchase a copy ment by the Legislature of this State, at its Daniells, Desnoyers, Duncan, Elliott, D. Good in the proposed Constitution for the appointof these debates; and if, after the first session following the ratification of such gratuitous distribution to the different Constitution, of commissioners to revise, simpublic bodies, any surplus copies plify and abridge the practice, pleadings and should remain, I doubt not that they State, and as far as practicable and expedient, proceedings in the courts of record of this could be disposed of in this way if to abolish all distinct forms of action at law, proper provision should be made by the Convention or the Legislature. I think we should publish a sufficient number of copies to meet all these public and private wants. Hence I am in favor of publishing 1500. Mr. BURTCH. Mr. President, I came here from among the people. I am one of them. And while gentlemen here are discharging, I doubt not, what they conceive to be their solemn duties under their official oaths, I take a different view of my obligations from that which seems to prevail here. While other gentlemen are proposing, by such resolutions as this, to increase the already excessive burden of taxation resting upon the people of this State, I see in my mind's eye the poor win, Harris, Henderson, Hixson, Huston, and to establish a uniform mode of proceed-Winans, Wrignt-42. PUBLIC LANDS FOR ACTUAL SETTLERS. Mr. FERRIS offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the Committee on Public STOCK SUBSCRIPTIONS BY MUNICIPALITIES. The Legislature shall not authorize any NAYS-Messrs. Alexander, Andrus, Blackman, Bradley, Brown, Coolidge, Corbin, Crocker, Divine, Duncombe, Estee, Farmer, Ferris, Germain, Giddings, W. F. Goodwin, Longyear, Lothrop, Luce, McClelland, Miles, Haire, Hazen, Holmes, Holt, Howard, Lamb, Miller, Morton, Musgrave, Pringle, Richmond, Shearer, Sheldon, Stoughton, Tyler, Van F. C. Watkins, White, Willard, Williams, Riper, Walker, P. D. Warner, M. C. Watkins, Woodhouse, Yeomans, President-47. Mr. LOVELL. I do not think it will be profitable to continue this discussion much longer; and as it is now nearly noon, I move that the Convention adjourn so as to give members an opportunity to work on their various committees. agreed to. Mr. BURTCH. With all due defer The resolution was again read. Mr. NORRIS. I desire to make one If it can be carried out I would be in favor of it. I should then see no objection to it. But I do not see how a correct account can be kept with the members. It is true that members are required to endorse their names upon the documents they send. But if the statements published in a very reliable Detroit paper, the Tribune, are correct, that there are persons who have a very great facility for writing other people's names, then it is possible that members may have to pay for other people's postage. Mr. MORTON. I offer the following substitute for the resolution: Resolved, That the amount of postage allowed to members of the Convention, under the resolution requiring the Postmaster to pay postage, be limited to five dollars each. PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Mr. BRADLEY. I desire to make vention properly kept during our ses- Mr. FARMER. Believing that we ADDITIONAL MEMBERS. Mr. W. E. WARNER. I have the pleasure to announce the presence of Messrs. PURCELL and HENKEL, mem bers elect of this Convention from the county of Wayne. I ask that the oath of office be now administered to them. The question was then taken upon Accordingly, Mr. WILLIAM PURCELL the substitute, and it was not agreed to. The question recurred upon adopt-and Mr. PETER HENKEL presented ing the resolution; and being taken, themselves, and subscribed to and upon a division, ayes 39, noes 42, it took the oath of office administered by the President. was not adopted. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr. ALEXANDER asked and ob Mr. LEACH. For the purpose of getting rid of this subject, I move to reconsider the vote by which the reso-tained leave of absence for Mr. BIRNEY lution was rejected; and I also move until Monday next. that the motion to reconsider be indefinitely postponed. Mr. PARSONS. I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table. The PRESIDENT. The Chair is of opinion that it is not proper to accumulate motions of a kindred nature. The question will therefore be taken on the motion to postpone indefinitely. The motion was agreed to. Mr. MILES. I raise the point of Mr. BURTCH. I desire to state As the gentleman from Washtenaw, (Mr. NORRIS,) has said, it has been stated in the papers that even when our postmaster sees the name of a member upon a document, he may not know but it was written by some one else, as there are people who have a facility for writing other people's names. My object is to have the accounts of the members of this Con The motion was agreed to; and accordingly, (at 12 o'clock M.,) the Convention adjourned. Mr. VAN VALKENBURGH. I would respectfully ask leave of absence for an indefinite period for Mr. Ingalls.◄ He is still confined to his room by sickness, and probably will not be able to be in the Convention for some time. Leave was accordingly granted. PETITIONS. Mr. HOLT presented the petition of William Sprigg and 84 others, residents of Whitehall, Muskegon county, praying for the retention of section 47, article 4, in the new Constitution; which was referred to the committee on intoxicating liquors. Mr. GIDDINGS presented the petition of A. G. Towers, Alleson Kinney, and 20 other men and women of Kalamazoo county, praying for such amendment to the Constitution as will secure the right of suffrage, upon equal terms, to both men and women; Also the petition of Lewis Johnson and 18 others, men and women, of Kalamazoo county, on the same subject; Also the petition of George W. Winslow and others, citizens of Kalamazoo county, on the same subject; which petitions were severally referred to the committee on elections. Mr. BRADLEY presented the petition of Chas. Anderson, Jas. B. Palmer, Horace M. Peck and 95 others, citizens of Kalamazoo county, praying that ar- Mr. DUNCAN presented the petition of Jonas Allen and 180 others, citizens of Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, praying that no alteration be made in the Constitution in regard to licensing the sale of intoxicating liquors; which was referred to the committee on intoxicating liquors. such license. The laws of our State forbid JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. intoxicating liquors. We rejoice that the In behalf of the General Association. KALAMAZOO, Michigan, } May 18, The motion was agreed to. BOUNDARIES, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND Mr. LEACH. I move that the meMr. DUNCOMBE presented the pe-morial be entered upon the journal tition of Herrick Hodges, O. A. Ab- and printed. bott, C. T. R. Bellows and 40 others, of the town of Decatur, Van Buren county, legal voters of said town, on the same subject; which was referred to the committee on intoxicating liquors. Mr. P. D. WARNER presented the petition of M. A. White, Oliver P. H. Hazard, Nathan Powers, and 17 other legal voters of Farmington, Oakland county, on the same subject; which was referred to the committee on intoxicating liquors. The PRESIDENT presented the memorial of the General Association of the Congregational churches of Michigan, praying that the elective franchise may be extended to all citizens of the State, of suitable age and exempt from criminal disqualification; and against license of the trafic in intoxicating liquors. Mr. WILLARD. I ask that the memorial be read. The memorial was read as follows: To the President and Members of the Constitutional Convention of Michigan, in session at Lansing: The recommendation of the committee was concurred in. VOTES ON AMENDMENT TO TUTION. THE CONSTI The PRESIDENT laid before the Convention the following communication from the office of the Secretary of State: STATE DEPARTMENT, MICHIGAN, SIR-I have the honor, in compliance with Very respectfully, SAMUEL H. ROW, Deputy Secretary of State. The statement is as follows: Mr. LAMB. The committee upon boundaries, seat of government, and the division of powers of government, to whom the subject-matter of boundaries, seat of government, and the division of powers of government, was TABLE showing the Amendments to the presreferred, ask leave to report that they have had the several subjects referred, under consideration, and have directed me to report the three following named articles, to wit: 1st. On boundaries; 2d. On seat of government; I move that the same be printed, The motion was agreed to. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. Mr. WILLIAMS. The committee The General Association of Michigan, in session at Kalamazoo, May, 1867, would intro- on miscellaneous provisions, to whom duce itself to your honorable body, as being was referred so much of the present an association of over one hundred and fifty Constitution as relates thereto, having Congregational churches, numbering some nine thousand members, and one hundred and under consideration Article 18, of the forty ministers of the gospel; and speaking in Constitution, have directed me to recbehalf of such a constituency, would respectful-ommend that so much of the subjectly memorialize your honorable body as follows: First, on Suffrage. We hold as among our matter of said article as is contained deepest convictions, founded upon absolute in section 5, be referred to the comjustice, that all the citizens of our common-mittee on the legislative department; wealth of suitable age and exempt from criminal disqualification, should, on the simple and so much thereof as is contained in ground of manhood, be entitled to the elec-sections, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, be referred tive franchise, and that consequently no dis- to the committee on the bill of rights, crimination of race or color should appear in the forthcoming Constitution of this State. In this conclusion, we firmly believe the public sentiment of the State concurs, and we trust that your honorable body will not fail to establish this even-handed justice. Secondly, against license of the traffice in VOL. 1-No. 9. and respectfully ask to be discharged ent Constitution proposed by the Legislatures of 1859, 1861 and 1865, and adopted by the People at the General Elections of 1860, 1862 and 1866, with the number of votes cast for and against each Amendment; also the highest number of votes cast at such Election, otherwise than for such Amendments: |