JOURNAL

OF THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

EXTRA SESSION, 1874.

Lansing, Tuesday, March 3, 1874.

Pursuant to a proclamation of His Excellency, the Governor of the State of Michigan, the Representatives assembled this day in their Hall in the Capitol, in the city of Lansing.

At 12 o'clock noon, the Speaker, Hon. Charles M. Croswell, called the House to order.

Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Cromack.

The proclamation of the Governor, convening the Legislature in extra session, was then read.

The following is the

PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, The Legislature of this State, at its last session, by joint resolution directed the appointment by the Governor of a committee of eighteen, persons, to prepare amendments to the constitution and report the same to him;

AND WHEREAS, The said committee having been appointed, and performed the duty assigned them, and having made their report;

Now, THEREFORE, I, JOHN J. BAGLEY, Governor of the State of Michigan, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby direct that the Legislature of the State convene in extraordinary session, at the Capitol, in the city of Lansing, on Tuesday, the third day of March next, at twelve o'clock noon, for the purpose of considering the Amendments to the Constitution reported by said committee, and to consider and act upon all such other matters as may be submitted by special message.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed, at Lansing, this twenty[L. S.] first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.

By the Governor:

DANIEL STRIKER, Secretary of State.

JOHN J. BAGLEY.

The roll was then called by the Clerk, and the following members answered

The Speaker announced that a quorum of the House was present.
The Speaker then addressed the House as follows:

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GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE-I rejoice to meet you to-day. I welcome you to this old capitol, whose walls have often resounded with eloquent words for liberty, justice, and humanity.

Representing a State remarkable for the high character of its institutions, for the intelligence, morality and patriotism of its people, and for the fidelity with which its public affairs have generally been managed, you have met to deliberate upon amendments proposed to be made to the State Constitution. These amendments are quite numerous, and some of them of great importance. However appropriate the present Constitution may have been at the time of its creation, twenty years of growth and prosperity have demonstrated that it is in many respects insufficient for the wants and requirements of the Stat e now. Large interests that should be restricted are not, and other interests are hampered and fettered by useless and unnecessary restraints. In pruning the old Constitution let us preserve such features as time and experience have proved of value, and submit only such amendments as shall best subserve the general interest and the public good.

I am not of those who believe that our people have become degenerate, and all our public men dishonest. In the handling of immense sums of money, the inflation of the currency, and the great change of values incident to the suppression of the Rebellion, much fraud and speculation resulted, as they