CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION OF 1873. CHAIRMAN: SULLIVAN M. CUTCHEON, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County. MEMBERS: ISAAC M. CRANE, Eaton Rapids, Eaton County. JOHN DIVINE, Lexington, Sanilac County. JAMES R. DEVEREAUX, Houghton, Houghton County. WILLIAM M. FERRY, Grand Haven, Ottawa County. [Appointed to fill vacancy; qualified October 2, 1873.] EDWIN W. GIDDINGS, Romeo, Macomb County. [Resigned October 8, 1873.] HERSCHEL H. HATCH, Bay City, Bay County. DAVID H. JEROME, Saginaw City, Saginaw County. LYMAN G. MASON, Muskegon, Muskegon County. [Resigned September 2, 1873.] ELIJAH W. MEDDAUGH, Detroit, Wayne County. SETH C. MOFFATT, Northport, Leelanaw County. ASHLEY POND, Detroit, Wayne County. HENRY H. RILEY, Constantine, St. Joseph County. HEZEKIAH G. WELLS, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County. SOLOMON L. WITHEY, Grand Rapids, Kent County. CLERK: HENRY S. CLUBB, Grand Haven, Ottawa County. ASSISTANT CLERK: STEPHEN B. MCCRACKEN, Detroit, Wayne County. DOORKEEPER AND JANITOR: WILLIAM D. BURNHAM, Lansing, Ingham County. CHAIRMAN'S MESSENGER: David G. S. BARRY, Monroe. CLERK'S MESSENGER: FRANK H. JENISON, Lansing, Ingham County. FLOOR MESSENGERS: FRANK E. RICE, Saginaw City, Saginaw County. JOINT RESOLUTION To Provide for a Commission for the Revision of the Constitution of the State of Michigan. WHEREAS, The existing constitution of the State of Michigan is defective in many respects, and needs to be amended to conform to the growth and development of the State, and the advanced ideas of the people, as well as in many other respects; therefore, Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the Governor be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to nominate and appoint eighteen able and discreet citizens, who shall be authorized to examine into and report to the next session, either special or general, of the Legislature of this State, such amendments and revision of the constitution as in their judgment may be necessary for the best interests of the State and the people. Said commission shall assemble in the supreme court rooms, or some other suitable place, in the city of Lansing, at such time as the Governor shall direct, and may remain in session such time as may be necessary to perfect their labors, not exceeding one hundred days in all, and shall be entitled to receive therefor the sum of five dollars per diem for each day actually employed. They shall take the constitutional oath of office to be administered by one of the Judges of the Supreme Court or the Secretary of State; and may elect one of their number chairman. They may appoint a clerk at a compensation not exceeding three dollars per day, and such messengers and assistants as they deem necessary, at a compensation not exceeding two dollars per day, and the State shall pay all expenses of such commission, as near as may be, in the same manner as the expenses of the Legislature are paid. No more than two of such commissioners shall reside in any one congressional district as now organized, and in case of death or resignation of any commissioner, the Governor shall appoint another to fill the vacancy. Such commissioners shall have all the immunities and powers granted to members of the Legislature or the House of Representatives for the purposes necessary to discharge the duty imposed upon them. No proposition or amendment shall be adopted by them or reported by them that is not indorsed and recommended by two-thirds of the whole number of persons upon such commission. They shall cause their work to be laid before the Governor on or before the first day of December, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, and the Governor shall cause the same to be printed for the use of the Legislature, on or before the first day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-four. The Legislature at its next general or special session may cause such revision, or so much thereof as they may approve, to be submitted to the people for ratification. Approved April 24, 1873. JOURNAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION OF 1873. LANSING, August 27, 1873. The Commission appointed by the Governor, pursuant to joint resolution No. 19, session laws of 1873, met at the Senate chamber, at the Capitol, Lansing, on Wednesday, August 27th, at noon. Hon. Daniel Striker called the Commission to order. First District-Ashley Pond of Wayne, and Elijah W. Meddaugh of Wayne. Second District-Edwin Willits of Monroe, and Sullivan M. Cutcheon of Washtenaw. Third District-Charles Upson of Branch. Fourth District-Hezekiah G. Wells of Kalamazoo, and Henry H. Riley of St. Joseph. Fifth District Sixth District-Ira D. Crouse of Livingston. Seventh District-John Divine of Sanilac. Eighth District-Herschel H. Hatch of Bay, and David H. Jerome of Saginaw. Ninth District-Seth C. Moffatt of Leelanaw. The members present then came forward and took and subscribed the constitutional oath of office, and took their seats. On motion of Mr. Upson, Hon. H. G. Wells of Kalamazoo was chosen Chairman pro tem. On motion of Mr. Cutcheon, |