The roll was again called, and the President announced that a quorum of the Senate was present. The President then addressed the Senate as follows: Gentlemen of the Senate: I do not propose, and it is hardly my province, to address you at any length, but it may not be wholly inappropriate at the commencement of the session, that I should indulge in a few recommendations. This seems to me the more excusable, from the fact that I am not personally acquainted with many of you, and this may prove a fitting introduction. By the suffrages of the people we are here to do, I trust, what shall-in the exercise of our best judgment-seem to be for the best interests of this rapidly growing and highly prosperous commonwealth. Some of us have been here before, but to the most it will be a new experience. Many of you have been members of previous Legislatures, and the knowledge of legislation then acquired, it is hoped will materially aid in this. All of us, I believe, are here for work, and with the intention of representing the wish and the will of constituencies ever watchful, but equally deserving our best thoughts and honest votes. There will be differences upon questions of public policy, but I bespeak careful consideration of all matters properly brought before us, and a recognition of the right of the people at home to be heard. My own opinion is, that when we have sworn to faithfully perform the duties of the offices (to which we have been elected), according to the best of our ability, it is reasonably expected that we shall lay aside, not our manhood, but so far as possible our party mantles, and campaign shibboleths, and enter upon the discharge of our official trusts as citizens and as patriots. In brief that we are representing the whole people of our various sections regardless of party, or of creed. It would be an honor to the Senate of this, or any State, if it should so conduct its business that it would be difficult to determine, from anything said or done while in session,-to what particular school of politics any member belongs. To such a high state may we attain! While I counsel, gentlemen, carefulness, I must also remind you that the tendency is to prolong the sessions unduly, beyond both the patience and wish of the people, and a due attention of the members themselves. There are surely many interests pressed upon the attention of both Houses whenever called together, and this increases with our growth-but I submit that some of them might either be left out entirely, or postponed, perhaps indefinitely. Your wisdom is invoked to remedy the evils of very long sessions, and if you cannot cure it, to do the next best thing, endeavor to. It might not prove a direful calamity, if some laws should be left, not amended, or if one or more Senators should serve out a full term, without introducing a single bill. There is too much rather than too little legislation, in my judgment. Let us do our part towards making this a short, but a practical session. I congratulate you all upon the prosperity of our beloved State, and the freedom from any severe calamity. All sections may not have met with the same degree of success, but all have shared in the general well-being. We are practically free from debt, and with a surplus and a credit, which enables us to continue on in business. Every one has reason to be proud of the position Michigan occupies in the galaxy of states, and if we shall but maintain our reputation, both at home and abroad, we shall have done wisely and well. A kind Providence has given us as a State, variety of resources and of benefits, and in the gift, we should not forget the Giver. In the selection of the regular committees, subsequently to be announced, I shall do the best my judgment dictates, after a careful consideration of both the wishes expressed to me by every Senator, and all the information I have been able to gather. I wish you all a "Happy New Year." On motion of Mr. Shaw, The Senate proceeded to the election of Secretary of the Senate, with the following result: The President announced that Edwin S. Hoskins, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Secretary of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Austin, The Senate proceeded to the election of Assistant Secretary of the Senate, with the following result: Strong, Whiting, The President announced that John D. Sumner having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Assistant Secretary of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Koon, The Senate proceeded to the election of Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk, with the following result: Mr. Richmond, Mr. Shoemaker, Strong, 13 The President announced that Walter I. Himes having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Shaw, The Senate proceeded to the election of Assistant Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk, with the following result: Mr. Richmond, Mr. Shoemaker, The President announced that William M. Scudder, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Assistant Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Manwaring, The Senate proceeded to the election of Sergeant-at-Arms, with the following result: The President announced that William Crossett, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Manwaring, The Senate proceeded to the election of 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, with the following result: The President announced that Judd C. Lumbard having received a majority of all the votes cast was duly elected 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Manwaring, The Senate proceeded to the election of 2d Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, with the following result: The President announced that Daniel G. Crotty, having received a majority of all the votes cast, was duly elected 2d Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate. Mr. Austin offered the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (the House concurring), That Mrs. Josephine Robinson be and is hereby appointed Postmistress of the House and Senate, and that Charles D. Cowles be and is hereby appointed Assistant Postmaster; Which was adopted. Mr. Greusel offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the daily sessions shall commence at 10 o'clock until otherwise ordered; Which was adopted. Mr. Buttars offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the rules of the last Senate be adopted as the rules of this Senate until otherwise ordered; Which was adopted. Mr. Romeyn offered the following concurrent resolution : Resolved (the House concurring), That the joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the rules in joint convention of the last Legislature be adopted as the present joint rules unless otherwise ordered; Which was adopted. Mr. Greusel offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the President be authorized to appoint the janitors for the Senate, and seven messengers, one for himself, and six for the Senate; and that the Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms each be authorized to appoint one messenger; Which was adopted. Mr. Buttars offered the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (the House concurring), That the Postmistress be authorized to appoint the postoffice messenger; Which was adopted. On motion of Mr. Austin, The Senate took a recess until 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. AFTERNOON SESSION. 2:30 o'clock P. M. The Senate met and was called to order by the President. The President announced that the oath of office would now be administered to the officers elect of the Senate. Edwin S. Hoskins, Secretary elect; John D. Sumner, Assistant Secretary elect; Walter I. Himes, Engrossing and Eurolling Clerk elect; William M. Scudder, Assistant Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk elect; William Crossett, Sergeant-at-Arms elect; Judd C. Lumbard, 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms elect, and Daniel G. Crotty, 2d Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms elect, came forward, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of the offices to which they had been respectively elected. APPOINTMENTS. The President announced the following: SENATE CHAMBER, } In pursuance of the resolution of the Senate I hereby make the following appointments: Janitor-Barnhardt Rice, Saginaw. First Assistant Janitor-Cyrus C. Ryther, Berrien. President's Messenger-Eddy D. Newcomb, Lenawee. Messengers-Herbert C. Murphy, Kalkaska; Claude B. Smith, Kent; Joseph Edwin Greusel, Wayne; John Herrington, Oceana; Chas. Duncan, Calhoun; Chas. B. Wider, Saginaw. MOREAU S. CROSBY, President of the Senate. |