Resolved, That a committee consisting of five members, and to be denominated the "Committee on Mines and Minerals," be added to the standing committees of the House. Mr. Eldredge gave notice that on to-morrow he should ask leave to introduce a bill to change the name of the town of Michigan. On motion of Mr. Eldredge, Resolved, That the Speaker be authorized to appoint one fireman for the House of Representatives, who shall receive such compensation for his services as shall be appropriated by law for that purpose. Mr. Emmons offered the following resolution : Resolved, That Andrew Harvie and Henry M. Dodge be permitted to take seats in this House with the privilege of speaking, but not of voting; Which resolution was, On motion of Mr. Pierce, On motion of Mr. Turner, The House adjourned. Wednesday, January 5, 1848. The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the Speaker. The roll was called, and the members were all present. The journal of yesterday was read and approved. Mr. Vickery stated that his colleague, Edwin H. Lothrop, Repre sentative elect from the county of Kalamazoo, was present, whereupon Mr. Lothrop appeared, subscribed and took the constitutional oath, and took his seat. The Speaker appointed as the select committee on the subject of the Chippewa county contested election, Messrs. Littlejohn, H. Stone, Vickery, Campbell and Strong. PETITIONS PRESENTED. By Mr. Vickery, of ninety-eight citizens of the village of Kalama-. zoo, praying the legislature to charter a bank to be located in that village. Referred to the committee on banks and incorporations. By Mr. Denton, of David Paddack, for the setting off of certain lands from the corporate limits of the village of Pontiac ; and The petition of Solomon Close, for the setting off of certain lands from the corporate limits of the village of Pontiac; which petitions were referred to the committee on banks and incorporations. By Mr. Dennis, of F. G. Beaman and one hundred and thirty-four others, for an amendment to the charter of the Adrian and Coldwater plank road company. Same reference. By Mr. Clark, of R. E. Bird, of Lenawee county, for relief. Referred to the committee on claims. By Mr. Dennis, of Zephaniah K. Johnson, to have certain forfeited moneys repaid to him out of the primary school fund. Same refer ence. By Mr. Dennis, of Horace Garlick, administrator on the estate of Jacob Baker, deceased, for a law to authorize said Garlick to sell the real estate of said deceased. Referred to the committee on the judiciary. Mr. Emmons, from the joint committee appointed to make arrangements relative to postage, made the following report, which was accepted, and the committee discharged: The committee on the part of the House, to whom was referred the subject of postage, under the joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives, beg leave respectfully to report, that, upon examination they find that by existing postage laws, the postage upon all papers must be pre-paid, when not mailed by the publishers. That upon the mailing of any other publication or communication, the postage may or may not be pre-paid, at the option of the persons so mailing the same. That your committee would recommend the passage of a resolution authorizing the post master to charge to the state the postage upon all communications and documents already received and hereafter to be received by officers and members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and also charge the state with the postage upon all newspapers and documents mailed by the Senate and the officers thereof, and the members of the House and the officers thereof. Your committee would further report, that the post master requires every paper or document mailed, to have the name of the Senator or member or officer endorsed thereon, with the proper initials or abbreviation designating the branch to which he belongs, and recommend that documents or papers be enveloped in pamphlet form, otherwise letter postage will be charged thereon. The following communication was announced from the Senate : SENATE CHAMBER, To the Speaker of the House of Representatives: } SIR-I am instructed by the Senate to respectfully inform the House that they have concurred in the House amendment to the joint resolution directing the Secretary of State to furnish the members of each House, &c., a copy of the revised statutes, &c. Also, to transmit a joint resolution relative to the printing of a manual for the use of the present legislature; and A joint resolution authorizing the Governor to appoint a private secretary, which the Senate have adopted, and in which the concurrence of the House is repectfully asked. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JAS. E. PLATT, Secretary of the Senate. The joint resolution relative to printing a manual for the present legislature, was read twice, and "On motion of Mr. Taylor, 'The rules were suspended, and the joint resolution was read the third time and adopted. The joint resolution authorizing the Governor to appoint a private secretary, was read twice, and On motion of Mr. Scott, The rules were suspended, and the joint resolution read the third time, and the question being on its adoption, it was decided in the negative. On motion of Mr. Smith, Resolved, That the use of the Hall of the House of Representatives be tendered to the Methodist and Congregational societies of this town for the purpose of holding religious meetings on the Sabbath, during this session. On motion of Mr. Pierce, The vote by which was adopted the joint resolution relative to printing a manual for the present legislature, was reconsidered, and the resolution being before the House, it was, On motion of Mr. Terry, Amended by inserting the words "kind of" before "information," in the sixth line. On motion of Mr. Pierce, The joint resolution was further amended by adding thereto the following: "And that an extra number be printed, sufficient for the supply of one copy to each member of the next legislature, and that such extra copies be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State." The joint resolution as amended was then adopted. Mr. Emmons introduced a joint resolution relative to postage, which was read twice, when Mr. Lothrop moved that its further consideration be indefinitely postponed, which motion was lost. On motion of Mr. Pierce, The rule was suspended, and the joint resolution was ordered to a third reading, read the third time and adopted. Mr. Spencer moved a suspension of the rule prescribing the order of business, so that the House could now go into the election of chaplain, which motion was decided in the negative by the following vote, two-thirds not voting in the affirmative : Mr. Eldredge, pursuant to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to change the name of the town of Michigan ; Which was read twice, referred to the committee of the whole and placed on the general order. Mr. Littlejohn introduced a resolution referring the various subjects contained in the Governor's annual message to the appropriate committees, which resolution was, On motion of Mr. Pierce, Referred to the committee of the whole and placed on the general. order. On motion of Mr. Pierce, Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of an entire revision of the present systems of pleadings and practice, and also of so altering and modifying existing provisions of law as to do away entirely with the distinctions between law and equity in our courts of record, and report by bill or otherwise. The following message was received from the Executive : |