Mr. McCLELLAND offered the follow

Resolved, That the committee relative to reporters, &c., be instructed to inquire into the propriety of having the proceedings of the Convention published in the German language.

sir, who would fear to enter upon the or- from the natural curiosity of the public to dinary duties of life without first acknowl-witness the opening of the Convention. edging their dependence, and seeking from It had abated to-day, and would in a few on high that wisdom which is profitable to days altogether cease. direct; much more, sir, in our present capacity, do we need to invoke the gui-ing: dance of that All-Wise Being who not only orders the destinies of States and of Nations, but who notes all our conduct, and to whom we must soon render an acoount of our stewardship. I did hope, sir, in view of our high responsibilities and the vast importance of the business before us, this resolution would at least find no opposition in this intelligent body, and still trust upon sober reflection the votes of all its members will be recorded in its favor. The resolution was then adopted, yeas 73, nays 16.

On motion of Mr. ROBERTS, the thanks of the Convention were tendered to Mr. BUSHNELL for his efficient services as Secretary pro tem.

On motion of Mr. ROBERTS,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to make arrangements for the raising of the national flag at the hour of the opening of the daily sessions of this Convention.

On motion of Mr. WITHERELL, Resolved, That his Excellency, the Governor, be invited by the President to take a seat within the bar of the Convention during its session.

Mr. WELLS offered the following: Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-arms be instructed not to allow strangers to come within the bar, except those introduced by members or officers of this Convention.

Mr. McC. said he offered it as a matter of inquiry. He had received a communication from the Germans themselves on the subject. We have, (said Mr. McC.,) a great many German emigrants in the country who do not understand the English language, who are desirous of becoming acquainted with the principles of our government and our political institutions. I propose to the committee to inquire into the expediency of the measure. If it should be found impracticable they must report against it.

Mr. REDFIELD hoped it would be submitted to the consideration of the committee. The German emigration was daily settling in our State. We are inviting them here and should give them every facility in our power for becoming acquainted with our institutions.

Mr. CRARY proposed to add, "and in the Dutch language.'

Mr. WITHERELL would also add "French." The French inhabitants had occupied the soil for more than one hundred and fifty years, and were entitled to some consideration. It was not so much a question of expense as expediency. He moved to add "the French language," also.

Mr. W. said he regretted exceedingly the necessity which called for the introduction of this resolution. He should Mr. McCLELLAND said he had diswish the eyes of ten thousand of the peo-charged the duty imposed upon him by a ple were resting on the Convention during part of his constituents. He had offered the deliberation of its members, but the the proposition at their request. There experience of yesterday showed the ne- was a respectable German paper published cessity for the adoption of the resolution. in the State, so that there would be no difMr. HANSCOM said strangers were ficulty in getting the proceedings published excluded from within the bar by the ex- in that language. isting rules under which the Convention was acting.

Mr. WELLS-In that case I withdraw the motion.

Mr. J. CLARK hoped the resolution would be adopted; it certainly could do no harm, as it was merely a resolution of inquiry. He knew there was a great inMr. WITHERELL would merely re-terest felt among our German population mark that the inconvenience to which to become acquainted with the machinery members were subject yesterday arose of our government; they apply to be nat

GV

uralized and to become citizens. So long as they are desirous of acquiring information relative to our institutions and the principles of our government, it seems proper and necessary that an inquiry should be instituted relative to such information be ing communicated to them.

committee on supplies;" and the resolution so amended was adopted.

Mr. CORNELL offered a resolution requiring the Secretary of State to furnish copies of the Constitutions of certain specified States for the use of the Convention. The Constitutions of other States. were proposed to be added, by different members.

Mr. CRARY said as it was only a resolution of inquiry it would be only ordinary courtesy to adopt it. There were a Mr. C. thought it of importance that great number of Dutch settled in the copies of the Constitution of those States. State. The gentleman from St. Clair seemed should be accessible to members for the to think that they spoke the same lan-use of the Convention. He had inquired guage as the German, but that was not the of the Secretary of State, and no provicase. He should also support the amend- sion had been made for it by the last ment to include the French language. Legislature.

Mr. BAGG was in favor of the original Mr. COOK moved to amend by directresolution, as amended by the gentleman ing the Secretary of State to cause the from Calhoun, and opposed to the other Constitutions of those States to be printed amendments. So far as he was acquain-for the use of the Convention. ted with the French population along the Detroit river, all those that can read, understand the English language. The resolution as amended was adopted.

Mr. WALKER thought that propositionwould not facilitate the progress of the Convention in revising the Constitution of Michigan. He hoped the Constitution Mr. J. D. PIERCE called up the reso- would be revised and that he should be at lution offered yesterday by Mr. WITTE- home before, by any possibility, the printMORE, that a committee of three be aping of those Constitutions could be effected. pointed to furnish for the use of the Convention, such stationery as is allowed by law.

Mr. WHITE moved to amend by adding "and to the officers of the Convention such stationery as they may require," which was accepted.

Mr. CRARY moved to add: "provided the allowance to each member do not exceed the sum of five dollárs."

Mr. C. said he offered the amendment because the allowance by law was unlimited. He believed and knew from his own experience that stationery to the amount, in value, of five dollars would be amply sufficient for each member.

Mr. FRALICK moved to strike out "five," and insert "three." The question was taken on striking out and lost.

Mr. HANSCOM thought it unnecessary to appoint a special committee for the purpose. The standing committee on supplies would soon be appointed. He moved to lay on the table. Lost.

The amendment offered by Mr. CRARY prevailed.

Mr. STOREY moved to strike out "a committee of three," and insert "the

Mr. REDFIELD was of opinion that copies sufficient for the use of the Convention might be obtained from individuals. He was opposed to any unnecessary expense or delay.

Mr. CORNELL believed a sufficient number of copies might be obtained from the State Library and from individuals without expense.

Mr. STOREY thought if anything of this kind was necessary, it would be better to send to New York. A work had been published which contains all those constitutions.

Mr. CORNELL said his object had been in part accomplished by calling the attention of the Convention to the subject. He asked to withdraw the resolution, which was granted.

Mr. STOREY offered a resolution that

procure

the Secretary of State be instructed to the Constitutions of the several States for copies of a work containing the use of the Convention.

Mr. WITHERELL moved to fill the blank with 10.

Mr. J. D. PIERCE moved to insert 20. Mr. BAGG moved to insert 100. He thought every member of the Convention

should be in possession of as much information in relation to those subjects as the committees, or they would not be fully prepared to act upon the reports of those committees.

Mr. EATON inquired how they were to be paid for; if the money was to come out of the appropriation to members for stationery, he had no objection to the largest number.

Mr. CROUSE said it was immaterial to him whether the blank was filled with twenty or one hundred. He was opposed to and should vote against the resolution in any shape. We, (said Mr. C.) as We, (said Mr. C.) as a people, have a very good constitution; it wants but few amendments, and those amendments are indicated to us by the wishes of the people. The people know what they want, and the amendments they require are but few. It is of little importance to us what constitutions the States of Kentucky or Mississippi, or California may have; they may be adapted to their wants, or the habits and character of their people, but would probably be unsuitable to the habits and character of our people. We are not sent here to telegraph from one end of the Union to the other, from Maine to California, for constitutions upon which to model our own, but to make those few amendments to our excellent constitution which the people require. I am desirous, (said Mr. C.,) to save time by coming to a direct vote on the question.

WEDNESDAY, (3d day,) June 5. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. ATTERBURY. The roll called. Journal read and corrected.

REPORTS.

Mr. McCLELLAND, from the committee appointed to report as to the best mode of proceeding to the revision of the Constitution of the State, reported.

Mr. McC. said the committee had arranged the subjects for the consideration of the committees, in conformity with the present Constitution of the State. In all cases where they could do so, they had divided the subjects for consideration so as to avoid any conflicting of the duties of one committee with those of another. They proposed the appointment of twenty-two committees, as follows:

A committee of seven on the Bill of Rights; of five on the Elective Franchise; of five on the Division of the Powers of Government; of nine on the Legislative Department; of nine on the Executive Department; of nine on the Judiciary Department; of five on State Officers, except the Executive; of seven on County Officers and County Government; of seven on Township Officers and the government of Townships; of five on the Organization and Government of Cities and Villages; of five on Impeachment and Removals from office; of seven on the Militia; of nine on Education; of nine on Finance and Taxation; of nine on banking, and corporations other than municipal; of seven on Salaries; of five on the Seat of Government; of seven on Exemptions, Real and Personal, and the Rights of Married Women; of seven on the Punishment of Crimes; of seven on Miscellaneous Provisions; of five on the The PRESIDENT announced a com- Mode of Amending and Revising the Conmunication from the Secretary of State, institution; of seven on the Schedule; of relation to the expenses of the Circuit Courts and the expenses of the County Courts in the several counties of the State, which had been ordered by resolution of the last Legislature.

Mr. WITHERELL moved to add that the copies at the end of the session be deposited in the State Library.

Mr. FRALICK moved that the resolution and proposed amendments be laid on the table, which prevailed.

Five hundred copies were ordered to be printed.

Mr. KINGSLEY, from the committe appointed to prepare rules, reported.

The report was ordered to be printed. The CHAIR announced the appointment of a Door-keeper and Messengers.

On motion, the Convention adjourned.

eleven on the Arrangement and Phraseology of the Constitution.

It was proposed that the committee on Education should take under their consideration all that belongs to the University of the State, Common Schools, &c.

The report was laid on the table.

Mr. STOREY, from the committee to inquire into the propriety of securing the services of three Reporters to report the proceedings and debates of this Convention, reported, and recommended the adoption of a resolution appointing C. J. Fox, of

Adrian, J. COATES, of Oakland county, and W VILLIAM COATES, of Pontiac, Reporters of the Convention, with a per diem allowance of three dollars each. Also the following resolutions:

Resolved, That there be printed in octavo form, in bourgeois type, for the use of the members of this Convention, one thousand copies of the proceedings and debates, as furnished by the Reporters; such proceedings and debates to be delivered to the members in sheets as fast as printed.

Resolved, That there be printed in book form, upon the same type used in printing the sheets provided for in the foregoing resolution, (without any extra pay for composition,) one thousand copies of the proceedings and debates of this Convention; and that such books be bound in leather, and distributed as follows, to wit: One copy to be transmitted to the Secretary of State of the United States; one copy to the library of Congress; one copy to the Secretaries of State of each of the States and Territories in the Union; one copy to each of the State Institutions in this State; one copy to each of the Judges of a court of record in this State; one copy to each of the members and officers of this Convention; one copy to each of the town clerks in this State, to be deposited in the town Libraries; ten copies to be deposited in the State Library, and one copy in each of the State offices; and the remainder to be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State for transmition to the town clerks of such new towns as may be hereafter or ganized,

Resolved, That the printing provided for in the foregoing resolutions shall be done under the supervision of the committee on printing.

The report was accepted and the committee discharged.

resolution, relative to the Reporters, if the vote could be taken separately.

The report was laid on the table, and the Convention went into committee of the whole on the report on the rules reported yesterday by Mr. KINGSLEY, Mr. HANSCOM in the chair.

PROCEEDINGS IN COMMITTEE.

The question was taken on the adoption of the rules separately.

Rule 8 provides that no member shall speak more than twice on the same question, without leave of the Convention, nor more than once until every member who chooses to speak shall have spoken.

Mr. BARTOW, of Genesee, proposed an amendment, to add not more than one hour.

Mr. CRARY proposed fifteen minutes as the limitation.

Mr. WALKER opposed the amendment. Some limitation might be of use in legislatures, but the questions which would come before the Convention were of such importance that though he did not suppose any member would be disposed to exceed the time proposed by the gentleman from Genesee, yet he thought there would be an impropriety in cutting off debate.

Mr. BARTOW had proposed the amendment in view of another rule, which provides for unlimited debate in committee of the whole, which would admit enough of discussion. If, as the gentleman from Macomb [Mr. WALKER] had supposed, no member would be likely to exceed the time which the proposed amendment allowed, the amendment could do no harm. He thought the limitation proper, and that there would be an impropriety in any gentleman obtruding himself upon the Convention for a greater length of time.

Mr. VAN VALKENBURG concurred in the views entertained by the gentleman from Macomb, [Mr. WALKER.] He appre

On the question of concurring in the re-hended no gentleman on that floor would

port,

Mr. DANFORTH moved that the report be printed.

Mr. COOK observed that not only the reporting of the proceedings and debates of the Convention was embraced in the resolutions, but also the mode of printing, and the distribution of the copies. He was not prepared to vote on it at present. He had no objection to action on the first

abuse his privilege. Some men (said Mr. Van V.) have matured their minds more than others, and we want their information.

Mr. KINGSLEY said the question had been considered in committee. He was not disposed to shorten the time at present. After full discussion of the various subjects which would come under the consideration of the Convention, if such a rule should be found necessary, it might be

adopted. Some gentlemen could expressi their opinions in less time than others, and every gentleman should have the opportunity of stating his opinions.

Mr. GOODWIN proposed 30 minutes as the limitation.

Mr. CRARY accepted that proposition to his amendment. Mr. C. said this is a business body, a deliberative body. We can come here and occupy hours in talking about first principles, but that is not what the people want; we are here to supply what the people want in the Constitution. If we limit ourselves to that object we meed not occupy more than fifteen minutes on any one occasion, in speaking; but if we are here to discuss constitutional law we can speak for hours. I(said Mr. C.) came here for no such purpose, but I wish to aid in embodying the amendments the people want in the Constitution, and then home.

Mr. BARTOW accepted the amendment to his amendment.

Mr. WALKER renewed the original proposition of one hour. He would have preferred leaving debate unlimited, at least at present. Perhaps all the members had not come so instructed, as the gentleman [Mr. C.] from Calhoun. The people of Macomb had instructed their delegates on some subjects, but not on all subjects that would come under the consideration of the Convention. I believe (said Mr. W.) that our constituents require us to discuss principles and consider some subjects which they have not instructed us upon,

nvestigate and discuss, I should not think it expedient to limit debate. I do not think any gentleman here is disposed to bore the House with long speeches. If there are any here with such a predisposition, the unhappy propensity will soon be corrected in an assembly like this. We are assem bled in Convention to revise the organic law of the land, and it is proper to discuss the principles on which we are called to act; then why limit the time in the outset, for this discussion? I trust, sir, the rule us reported by the committee will be adopted without amendment.

The question was taken, and both the amendments negatived.

The committee rose and reported back to the Convention the rules and amendments, which were concurred in, with the exception of the amendment to the 23d rule.

Mr. WALKER offered a substitute for 23d rule.

Mr. McCLELLAND moved to lay the original and substitute on the table. Cars ried,

Mr. J. CLARK called up the report of the committee, as to mode of proceeding, &c.

Mr. J. D. PIERCE proposed to amend by combining the committee on township officers and the committee on county officers and county government. The business of those two committees was so much alike that they might with propriety be combined.

Mr. McCLELLAND--The committee on counties is one of much importance. The two committees may combine the result of their deliberations.

The motion did not prevail.
The report was then adopted.

Mr. BUSH said: Mr. Chairman, I do not see the necessity for the amendment offered by the gentleman from Genesee, or for any amendment to the rule reported by the committee. I have had considerable experience in legislation, and I do not re- Mr. HANSCOM, from committee apcollect ever listening for one hour to one pointed to inquire what arrangement can speech from any gentleman in our legisla- be made in reference to postage and newstive halls. In the House of Representa- papers, reported, that upon conferring with tives, the rule always stood as reported by his Excellency, the Governor, they learned the committee of this Convention, till every that there was, by an act of the last legisprinciple involved in the various subjects lature, placed in his hands, as a part of the of legislation had been fully discussed; till contingent fund, the sum of five hundred all business before the House had been dollars, for the purpose of employing or perfected, and new matter excluded. Af retaining a private secretary until after the ter that period had arrived, it was custom-close of this Convention. That he had ary to limit debate; and till that time arrives in the course of our deliberation on the important subjects we are sent here to

dispensed with the services of a private secretary, and consequently the sum of $500, designed for payment for the servi