The Sergeant-at-arms was dispatched after the absentees. All further proceedings under the call were dispensed with. By unanimous consent, Mr. Horton offered the following: Resolved, That Senate joint resolution No. 7 be made the special order for Tuesday next, to-morrow, at 2 o'clock P. M., and the result of the vote then taken shall be considered the final action of this House on said joint resolution; Which was withdrawn. On motion of Mr. Crossman, The House adjourned until to-morrow morning at 104 o'clock. Lansing, Tuesday, August 9, 1870. The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the Speaker. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Straub. Roll called quorum present. Absent without leave: Messrs. Ingersoll, Purcell, H. G. Williams and Yawkey. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS. By Mr. Smith: petition of citizens of Ionia county, asking the Legislature to submit to the people an amendment to the Constitution validating all bonds voted in aid of railroads. Referred to the committees on judiciary and internal improvements, jointly. MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE. The Speaker announced the following: SENATE CHAMBER, To the Speaker of the House of Representatives: SIR-I am instructed to return to the House the following bills: 1. House manuscript bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Houghton for the year 1869. 2. House manuscript bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Keweenaw for the year 1869; In the passage of which the Senate has concurred by a majority vote of all the Senators elect, and has ordered the same to take immediate effect by a two-thirds vote of all the Senators elect. Very respectfully, HENRY S. SLEEPER, Secretary of the Senate. The bills were referred to the committee on engrossment and enrollment, for enrollment. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. Mr. G. G. Briggs moved to take from the table Senate joint resolution No. 7, entitled Joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Michigan, by adding thereto a new article, to stand as Article 19-A, entitled, "Of Railroads ;" Which motion prevailed. The question pending being upon the passage of the joint resolution, Mr. Curry moved that there be a call of the House; PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE CALL. The roll of the House was called by the Clerk, and the following members reported absent without leave: Messrs. Ingersoll, Purcell, H. G. Williams and Yawkey. On motion of Mr. Romeyn, The Sergeant-at-Arms was dispatched after the absentees. Mr. Ward moved that all further proceedings under the call be dispensed with; Which motion did not prevail. Mr. Cogshall moved that indefinite leave of absence be granted to Mr. Ingersoll; Which motion did not prevail. Mr. Cogshall moved that all further proceedings under the call be dispensed with; Which motion did not prevail. The Sergeant-at-Arms announced Mr. Ingersoll at the bar of the House. On motion of Mr. Romeyn, Mr. Ingersoll was admitted within the bar, rendered an excuse, and took his seat. On motion of Mr. Walker, All further proceedings under the call were dispensed with. Mr. Wilcox then moved to amend the joint resolution by striking out proposed sections 1 and 2, and also the substitute for section 4, and making sections 3 and 4 to stand as sections 1 and 2; also, by striking out in the present section 4, the words "two-thirds," and inserting "a majority" in lieu thereof; also by striking out all of the joint resolution after the word "railroads,” in line 10 of that portion of the joint resolution providing for the manner of submission, and inserting the following in lieu thereof: "For Sec. 1. Authorizing the payment of bonds or obligations heretofore issued. "For Sec. 2. Providing for future aid for railroads. Each of said tickets shall be counted as a vote cast for each proposition thereon, not canceled with ink or pencil, and against each proposition so canceled. "The ballots shall in all respects be canvassed, and returns be made as in elections of Governor and Lieutenant Governor;" Which were not agreed to. Mr. Klein moved to strike out all after the enacting clause of the joint resolution; Which motion did not prevail. The joint resolution was then not passed, two-thirds of all the members elect not voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows: Mr. Miles moved to reconsider the vote by which the joint resolution was not passed; Which motion prevailed. Mr. Baxter moved to lay the joint resolution on the table; Which motion did not prevail. Mr. Owen moved to recommit the joint resolution to the committees on judiciary and internal improvements, jointly, with instructions to strike out section four and the substitute therefor; Which motion prevailed. On motion of Mr. Sanford, The House took a recess until 2 o'clock. AFTERNOON SESSION. 2 o'clock P. M. The House met and was called to order by the Speaker. Roll called: quorum present. The House resumed business under the order of MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. Mr. Cogshall offered the following: Whereas, Authentic information has been received by this House that the family of the Hon. Mr. Ingersoll is afflicted with sickness, and perhaps death; now therefore, Resolved, That he be excused from attendance at the session of this House for the remainder of the session, if he so desires; Which was adopted. Mr. R. V. Briggs offered the following: Resolved, By the House, (the Senate concurring), That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed, to forward one copy of the laws and resolutions passed at the present session of the Legislature; also one copy of the journals and documents of the Senate and House of Representatives, to each of the members and officers of the two Houses, directed to the clerks of the several counties in which said members and officers reside, as soon as the same shall be printed, bound, and ready for delivery. On motion of Mr. Cogshall, the rule requiring concurrent resolutions to lie on the table one day was suspended, and the resolution was adopted. By unanimous consent, the committees on judiciary and internal improvements, jointly, submitted the following report: The committees on judiciary and internal improvements, to whom was recommitted Senate joint resolution No. 7, entitled |