2. That no new State institutions be established by the next Legislature, and that there be a general weeding out of the unprofitable State institutions already in existence, and of unbusiness-like methods of management wherever they exist. 3. That Michigan prisons should, in the aggregate, be made self-supporting. 4. That no more than the regular one-sixth mill tax be granted to the University for the coming two years. 5. That no change be made in our road laws whereby the maintenance of our roads shall be made more burdensome than at present, or that will dispossess the farming community of their management. 6. That a more economical and effective system for the collection of taxes upon non-resident land must be devised. 7. That our tax system be so amended as to secure a more equitable distribution of the burdens of taxation upon both personal property and real estate, and upon both corporate and private capital. 8. That we re-affirm the resolutions passed at our last annual meeting relative to the compilation of the laws of the State, which resolutions were as follows: Resolved, That we commend the action of the last Legislature in ordering a recompilation of the general laws of the State, together with citations and notes of the decisions of the Supreme Court thereon, as a wise step taken in the interests of the ten thousand public officers who are expected to enforce and observe the laws in their official capacity, but who do not have the time and legal training necessary to enable them to search through and compare the contents of many volumes of laws and decisions; Resolved, That we also commend the action of the Legislature in returning to the wise policy of the State in preparing, publishing and owning its own compilation of the general laws, in accordance with the express terms of the Constitution, as well calculated to ensure correctness in publication and saving of expense to the people; Resolved, That we recommend that the next Legislature, after the close of its own work, order the new compilation published as speedily as possible and consistent with correctness of execution, and provide for offering for sale, at the very lowest price possible, a sufficient number of copies to supply every citizen who desires them, with the laws which he is expected to obey and the ignorance of which is no excuse for their violation. J. T. DAMILLS, President. F. D. WELLS, Secretary. Referred to the committee on State Affairs. No. 6. By Mr. Mudge: Petition of Lydia F. McBride, Walter White, and 125 other citizens of Gratiot county relative to the reorganization and extension of school district No. 9, North Star township, Gratiot county. Referred to the committee on Counties and Townships. MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE. The President announced the following: To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Sir-I am instructed by the House to transmit the following bill: A bill to authorize the board of education of the union school district of Bay City to issue bonds payable at a future date with interest; Which has passed the House by a majority vote of all the members elect, and by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elect been ordered to take immediate effect, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, LEWIS M. MILLER, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The bill was read a first and second time by its title and, pending its reference, On motion of Mr. Forsyth, The rules were suspended, two-thirds of all the Senators present voting therefor, and the bill was placed on its immediate passage. The bill was then read a third time and passed, a majority of all the Senators elect voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows: By a vote of two-thirds of all the Senators elect the bill was ordered to take immediate effect. The President also announced the following: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, To the President of the Senate: Sir-I am instructed by the House to transmit the following bill: House bill No. 52, entitled A bill to amend act No. 108, session laws of 1895, entitled "An act to prevent the spreading of bush, vine and fruit tree pests such as canker worm and other insects, and fungus and contagious diseases, and to provide for their extirpation;" Which has passed the House by a majority vote of all the members elect, and by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elect been ordered to take immediate effect, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, LEWIS M. MILLER, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The bill was read a first and second time by its title and referred to the committee on Horticulture. The President also announced the following: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, To the President of the Senate: Sir-I am instructed by the House to transmit the following bill: A bill making appropriation for the current and running expenses of the Central Michigan Normal School until the general appropriation for that purpose shall be available; Which has passed the House by a majority vote of all the members elect, and by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elect been ordered to take immediate effect, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, LEWIS M. MILLER, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The bill was read a first and second time by its title and referred to the committee on Normal Schools. The President also announced the following: To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Sir-I am instructed by the House to return to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: WHEREAS, The citizens of Michigan, ever anxious for the advancement of the best interests of their noble commonwealth, have learned with feelings of intense gratification, that there is a possibility of an advancement to a cabinet position under the incoming administration of her most favored and distinguished son; therefore be it Resolved (the House concurring), That we cherish with jealous pride the history of the achievements of Gen. Russell A. Alger as soldier and hero of the rebellion. That we contemplate with admiration his wise and statesman-like administration of the affairs of the State as Governor. That we, as representatives of the whole people of the State of Michigan, express to the President-elect our earnest approval of the contemplated appointment, believing that the conduct of national affairs will be distinguished through his attainments. Resolved, That these resolutions be endorsed by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House, and that a copy be forwarded to the President-elect, to each of our Representatives in the National Senate and National House of Representatives, and to General Alger; In the adoption of which the House has concurred. Very respectfully, LEWIS M. MILLER, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The message was ordered spread on the Journal. To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Sir-I am instructed by the House to transmit to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: WHEREAS, The services of General Russell A. Alger during the war of the rebellion were of a character to distinguish him as a brave and successful union officer; and WHEREAS, As the Governor of the State of Michigan in later years he served the State with the same loyalty and ability shown by him during the war; and WHEREAS, General Alger has been mentioned as a possible member of the cabinet of President-elect McKinley; therefore Resolved by the House (the Senate concurring), That it is the unanimous desire of the members of the legislature, without regard to party, to have the honor of a cabinet position offered to our friend and fellow citizen; Resolved, That after adoption this resolution be forwarded to the President-elect after having been signed by the Lieut. Governor and the Speaker of this House, and that a copy also be sent to General Alger at Detroit; Which has been unanimously adopted by the House, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, LEWIS M. MILLER, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The question being on concurring in the adoption of the resolution, The Senate concurred. The President also announced the following: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Lansing, January 18, 1897. To the President of the Senate: Sir I am instructed by the House to transmit the following bill: House bill No. 43, entitled A bill to change the name of Rose Theresa Sootofskie to Rose Theresa Herman; Which has passed the House by a majority vote of all the members elect, and by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elect been ordered to take immediate effect, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfuly asked. Very respectfully, LEWIS M. MILLER, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The bill was read a first and second time by its title and, on motion of Mr. Merriman, was laid on the table. The President also announced the following: To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Sir-I am instructed by the House to transmit to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: Resolved by the House (the Senate concurring), That we do heartily endorse the Hon. John B. Corliss in his efforts to have the emigration laws so amended as to restrict the tide of foreign labor which flows daily across our borders, robbing our citizens of employment only to return to a foreign land to invest their earnings, thereby depriving our merchants of a large volume of business which they are justly entitled to; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of State be and is hereby instructed to transmit a copy of this resolution to each of our Senators and Representatives at Washington, who are hereby requested to lend their influence to check this gross injustice to our citizens; Which has been adopted by the House, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, LEWIS M. MILLER, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The question being on concurring in the adoption of the resolution, The Senate concurred. The President also announced the following: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, To the President of the Senate: Sir-I am instructed by the House to transmit to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (The Senate concurring), That the Judiciary committees of the House and Senate may receive propositions to fold, wrap, address, stamp and mail the daily House and Senate Journals. Said proposals to be received at 9 o'clock, January 20th inst., in room J, capitol building. And the said Judiciary committees are hereby authorized to award contract for such work to the lowest responsible bidder; hereby reserving the right to reject any or all proposals; |