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State Legislature

State Legislature image
Parent Issue
Day
8
Month
January
Year
1844
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

We shall give a summaiy of whatever we find interesting in the doings of this body, without lumbering our columns with useless and unimportant matters. The Legiskture asscmbled on Jan 1. Tn the Senate the o!d officers were re-appointed, viz: James E, Platt, of Washtenaw, Secretary; Chas. A. Mack, of St. Clair county, Engrossmg, Enroll;ng and Recording Clerk; anti Wilham McAllistkr, of Kalamazoo, Sergeant-at-Arms; EDWIN M. CUST of Livingston, yas elected President pro tem. of the Senate. }n the House, EDWIN H. LOTHROP, of Kalamazoo was elected Speaker; AugusiiKE W. Hovet, of Oakland, Clerk; Wm. C. Pkasr, of St. Joseph, Enrolling, Engrossing and Recording Clerk; and Ira Ingalls, of Lenavvee, Sergeant-at-Anns and Door Keeper. The Governor was authorized to employ a private Secretar} during the session of the Legisiature whose compensatioti jshould uot exceed three dollars per day. In the Senate, Mr. Howell gave notice that he should ata future day, ask leave to brin? in a bilí relative to crimps and the punishmenl thereof, lo define certain ofTences and provide for their ponishment. Mr. Howell also gave notice that at some future day he should ask leave to bnng in a bilí to provide for the publication of sales for delinquent laxes in ihe newspapers published in the eeveral connties and adjoining counties where tlie lands lie. Al60, that he shouid ask leave to brihg in a bilí to provide a íeasonable compensation to jtirors. We shall publish the standing Committces next week.In the House, Mr. Rix offered a resolution, That the Clerk be instructed to invite the Rev. Clergy of the city of Detroit to officiate by prayer at the morning session of the House; and that thëy receive such compensation as the members may voluntarily contribute. Mr. RarasdeH was opposed to the latte clause of the resolutionj and that ií bestruck out, which prevailed and the resolution as amended was adopted. On motion of Mr. D. C. Walker, a resolution was adopted, directing the Clerk to furnish each member such newspapers as they may direct, not exceeding in value one daily paper. This foolish and expensive practice ought to be abolíshed. If the members need newspapers let them pay for them out of their own resources. However. they were quite moderate in their demands. Each member of Congress receives three daily papers, furnished at the public charge. Mr. Rowland gave notice of his intentention to introduce a bilí to amend an act of the last session, relating to crimes and punishments. The House agreed to meet at 10 o'clock A. M. In the Senate, petitions were presented by Mr. Starkey - two from A. H. Edwards and other citizens of Kalamazoo county; the one praying an amendment to the Constitution, so as to extend the right of suffrage; the other relating to fugitive slaves. Referred to Judiciary committee. Mr. Howell, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bilí to provide an adequate compensation to jurors; which was read a first and second time, and referred to Judiciary Committee. Mr. Green offered a resolution to ( ply the members of the Senate with [ papers equivalent to one daily paper; which was amended on motion of Mr. -Moody, so as to read two daily papers, and and aidppted - Yeas, 13; Nays, 4. The clergy of Detroit were invited to open mcirning sessions with prayer. In the House, the Speaker presented the petition of citizens of Kalamazoo for an amendment of the constitution of the State, by striking out the word white in the article on the elective franchise, so that all classes of our citizens may enjoy equal political privileges. Also another relative to the apprehension of fugitives from other States. Referred to committee on Federal Relations. The vote inviting the clergy to officiate each morning was reconsidered. Mr. Pratt proposed they should be paid by voluntary contributions from the members, which was lost - ayes 24 - nays 27. The original resolution was then adopted.

Article

Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News