The House then resolved itself into committee of the whole on the general order, Mr. Littlejohn in the chair. And after some time, the committee rose, and by their chairman reported that they had had under consideration, A bill to change the name of the town of Michigan, and a resolution of reference in regard to the Governor's message, to which bill and resolution they had made sundry amendments, in which the concurrence of the House was asked. The amendments to the bill to change the name of the township of Michigan, were severally concurred in, and the bill ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The amendments to the resolution of reference in regard to the Governor's message, were concurred in in gross, and the resolution was adopted in the following form: Resolved, That so much of the Governor's message as relates to the finances of the state be referred to the committee on ways and means. Also, that so much of said message as relates to internal improvement, be referred to the committee on internal improvement. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the judiciary, and the judicial system, and proposed amendments to the constitution, be referred to the committee on the judiciary. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the selection and confirmation and leasing of state lands in the upper peninsula, be referred to the committee on federal relations. Also, that so much of the message as relates to the state lands generally, whether held in its own right or as trustee for certain funds, be referred to the committee on public lands. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the state prison, be referred to the committee on state prison. Also, that so much of said message as relates to common schools and the university, with their respective funds, be referred to the committee on education. Also, that so much of said message as relates to militia and military subjects generally, be referred to the committee on the militia. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the improvement, by a canal, of the Ste. Marie, through the agency of an incorporation, be referred to the committee on banks and incorporations. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the subject of the Holland Colony, the sale of lands and the construction of roads for their benefit; and also the management of emigration generally, be referred to the committee on state affairs. Also, that so much of said message as relates to theatrical exhibitions and public shows, be referred to the committee on ways and means. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the state tax, be referred to the committee on ways and means. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the war with Mexico, be referred to the committee on federal relations. Also, that so much of said message as relates to the establishment of a statistical bureau, be referred to the committee on state affairs. On motion of Mr. Pierce, Friday, January 7, 1848. The House met pursuant to adjournment, and wes called to order by the Speaker. On calling the roll, Messrs. Granger and Scott were absent on leave, and Messrs. H. Stone, Vickery and Voorheis were absent without leave. Mr. Terry asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Vickery for the day, on account of ill health. Mr. Mack for Mr. Voorheis, for the same time, and on the same ac count. The journal of yesterday was read and approved. Mr. Emmons moved to be excused from serving on the committee on ways and means, which motion prevailed, and the Speaker appointed Mr. Lothrop to act on said committee. The Speaker appointed as four members of the committee on mines and minerals, Messrs. Littlejohn, Lothrop, Lawrence and Taylor. PETITIONS PRESENTED. By Mr. Taylor, of Asa Pratt, a settler on the state salt spring lands, praying for relief. Referred to the committee on public lands. Also, of Knowlton S. Pettibone, asking pay for services rendered. Referred to the committee on claims. Also, of E. B. Bostwick and twenty-four others, inhabitants of Kent county, asking for the discontinuance of a certain state road. red to the committee on roads and bridges. Refer By Mr. Smith, the claim of M. Collamer. Referred to the committee on claims. Also the claim of W. W. Lawrence, clerk of the supreme court at Jackson, for removing court rooms from Ann Arbor to Jackson. Referred to the committee on claims. REPORTS. Mr. Noyes, from the committee on engrossment and enrollment, reported as correctly engrossed, The bill to change the name of the village of Michigan. Mr. Eldredge, from the committee on public lands, made the following report, which was accepted, and the committee discharged: The committe on the public lands have had the resolution under consideration, in which they were "instructed to inquire into the expediency of appropriating so much from the proceeds of the sale of the lots in the town of Michigan, as shall be sufficient to clear the streets and lay down a plank walk on one side of Washington street," and have instructed me to report, that the fund belonging to the primary schools, ought not, in their opinion, to be diverted from its natural channel upon any pretext whatever, and that the committee are therefore unanimous in their opinion, that it would be inexpedient to make the appropriation alluded to, and asked to be discharged from the further consideration of that subject. Mr. Kingsley, from the committee on the judiciary, reported back the petition of Horace Garlick and others, for the assage of a law authorizing the sale of the real estate of Jacob Baker, deceased, and reported adverse to any legislative action thereon; Which report wasaccepted, and the committee discharged from the further consideration of the subject. The Speaker announced the following communication: STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE, Hon. ALEX. W. BUEL, Speaker of the House of Representatives: I submit herewith the annual report of this office for the fiscal year 1847. Yours, very respectfully, GEO. B. COOPER, State Treasurer. On motion of Mr. Lothrop, The report of the State Treasurer was referred to the committee on ways and means. The following communications were received: STATE LAND Office, Marshall, January 7, 1848. Hon. ALEXANDER W. BUEL, Speaker of the House of Representatives: The annual report of this office for the last fiscal year is herewith respectfully submitted by Hon. ALEXANDER W. BUEL, Speaker of the House of Representatives: The annual report of the Board of State Auditors on land claims, for the last fiscal year is herewith respectfully submitted by On motion of Mr. Pierce, Your obedient servant, ABIEL SILVER, Chairman of the Board. The report of the Commissioner of the Land Office, and the report of the Board of State Auditors on land claims were referred to the committee on land claims. The following communication was announced: AUDITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, } Hon. ALEXANDER W. BUEL, Speaker of the House of Representatives: SIR-I have the honor herewith to transmit the annual report from this office for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1847. I am, sir, very respectfully, D. V. BELL, Auditor General. On motion of Mr. Lothrop, The report of the Auditor General was referred to the committee on ways and means. Mr. Spencer gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce a bill to repeal so much of an act to provide for organizing an active militia, and for other purposes, approved May 18th, 1846, as imposes an annual poll tax of twenty-five cents, being chapter fourteen of said act. Mr. Campbell gave notice that on some future day he should ask leave to introduce a bill to incorporate a company for the construction of a plank road from Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun, through Bellevue and Charlotte, in Eaton county, to Michigan, in the county of Ingham. On motion of Mr. Pierce, Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law, that whenever a stay of execution is entered on the rendition cf any judgment in any court of this state, the judgment shall not be liable to be sued during the period for which stay is issued; and also providing that whenever any judg ment is removed by writ of error, or otherwise to the supreme court, no action shall be brought or maintained upon such judgment until the final determination of said supreme court shall have been had upon the case so removed as aforesaid, and report by bill orthewise. Mr. Emmons introduced a joint resolution authorizing the Governor to employ a Private Secretary, which was read, and under the rule, lays over for one day, On motion of Mr. Eldredge, The motion to reconsider the vote by which was adopted the joint resolution relative to postage, was taken from the table, and the question being on reconsidering, it was decided in the negative by the following vote : |