vote of a majority of the members elect." ble and safe. The limitation proposed of Lost. fifteen minutes, is too rigid-thirty min

Mr. J. D. PIERCE offered the follow-utes might be long enough, but still he ing as a substitute:

"No motion for reconsideration shall be in order unless on the same day or day following that on which the decision proposed to be reconsidered took place, nor unless one of the majority shall move such reconsideration. A motion for reconsideration being put and lost, shall not be resumed, nor shall any subject be a second time reconsidered without the consent of the Convention." Lost.

The Convention then concurred in the report of the committee of the whole regarding the 23d rule.

hoped the amendment to the rule proposed by the gentleman from Genesee, limiting each speaker to an hour, would be adopted.

The amendment to the amendment was not carried.

Mr. DESNOYERS moved to strike out one hour," and insert "thirty minutes;" and a division of the question being called for, the Convention refused to strike out. The amendment offered by Mr. BARTOW was then adopted.

Mr. J. D. PIERCE moved to amend the 35th rule by striking out "ten " and

The question being upon the adoption of inserting " twenty." His object in propothe rules as concurred in,

Mr. J. BARTOW moved to amend the 8th rule by adding after the word "question," the words "nor more than one hour at any one time.'

Mr. B. regarded the rule as a good one. The President might not be called on to enforce it, yet it would give notice to members, and lead to a condensation of remarks. He hoped it would be adopted.

Mr. MORRISON moved to amend the amendment by striking out one hour," and inserting "fifteen minutes."

Mr. WILLIAMS hoped the motion of the gentleman from Genesee [Mr. BARTow would prevail. He did not propose to consume much time of the Convention either in long or short speeches, but if he did desire to say anything, he wished to express his ideas fully or not at all. Though it may be proper to put a legislative body in a strait jacket, he did not deem it necessary to impose stringent rules upon a body like this, whose duty it is to revise the fundamental laws, and whose business is the discussion of principles.

Though some men may condense all their ideas into a speech of fifteen minutes, yet there are others in the Convention who may be able to enlighten it for an hour. We here represent society resolved into its original elements, thrown back into a state of chaos; and he did not think the limitations which the abuses of legislative bodies had rendered necessary, exactly applicable to us. He would allow all members as wide a latitude in discussion as is reasona

sing the amendment was this:
By the
rule as it now stood, ten members could
check the proceedings of the Convention,
and he was unwilling to place this power
in the hands of ten persons. If reference
were made to the journals of our own
legislature, it would be seen how often the
power had been abused.

Mr. BRITAIN had no objection to the amendment. He supposed the gentleman [Mr. P.] had reference to himself, when alluding to the calling of the ayes and noes on this floor. He had called for them twice, but he considered the subjects embraced in the resolutions, when the votes were taken, of importance. The committee, before reporting, had considered the matter maturely, and thought onetenth ought to have the power.

Mr. WITHERELL hoped the amendment would prevail. He was in that House last March, and saw the impropriety of giving the power to a small number. The majority, for hours, were prevented from proceeding in business. First, there was a motion to lay on the table; then the ayes and noes were called-next a motion to adjourn, and the ayes and noes again called, and so on, until the minority thought proper to yield. At least onefifth of the members should be necessary to make the call.

Mr. KINGSLEY would remark that the proceeding to which the gentleman [Mr. W.] had alluded, arose under the very rule the amendment proposed, and which he wished adopted.

The vote was taken on the amendment | miliar with parliamentary practice and would decide for them.

and lost.

On motion of Mr. ROBERTS, the 28th rule was amended by inserting after the words ministers of the gospel," the words "ladies, farmers, mechanics, laborers and other citizens and strangers."

Mr. HANSCOM moved to strike out the rule, (28th.) Carried.

The question arising on concurring in the amendment, the Convention refused to concur.

Mr. BUSH offered the following as a substitute for the 2d rule:

"Upon the appearance of a quorum, the journal of the preceding day shall be corrected, and, when demanded by a majority, shall be read by the Secretary.'

Mr. N. PIERCE moved to reconsider the vote by which the Convention concurred in the report of the committee of Mr. B. knew the custom of reading the the whole, striking out the 34th rule. journal of proceedings on the day followMr. P. had no preference for the man-ing had existed for a long time, and contin.. ual mentioned in the rule. He only wished the Convention to adopt some guide. If any gentleman would suggest one more suitable, he would go for it.

ued to exist. It originated from the necessity of the case; but on occasions like this, each member would read and examine for himself, and thus save much time.. Mr. WHIPPLE did not see the impor- Mr. WITHERELL thought a less numtance of engrafting this rule among those ber than a majority might request the reaby which the Convention would be gov-ding of the journal, but he would make erned, for the obvious reason that many of no motion. the rules, as laid down in Jefferson's Man- Mr. VAN VALKENBURG moved to ual, had been altered. The President was amend the substitute by striking out "inadoutless familiar with the general princi-jority," and inserting the word "memples of the parliamentary law, and in the proceedings of the Convention he would enforce them.

Mr. CRARY was not aware that the parliamentary law of Mr. Jefferson had fallen into such disrepute. Some few rules, as laid down by Mr. Jefferson, had been altered, but in Congress they were regarded as high authority. He was in favor of his colleague's amendment, making Jefferson's Manual our guide.

རྩྭ

Mr. McLEOD was one of those who had great respect for an old rule, well understood, although it might be a bad one. The rules of parliamentary practice, as comprised in Mr. Jefferson's Manual, had been a custom, to the contrary of which the memory of man runneth not. The House, in the Legislature in this State in '33 or '34, thought proper to adopt it as a guide, and it had continued such up to this time. It was much better to adopt some particular practice, as different members might have in their pockets the man ual of Mr. Jefferson, of Mr. Sutherland, and of Tom, Dick and Harry. Many principles had been settled by Mr. Jefferson, and if any doubt should arise as to the practice in some particular cases, they could get the advice of his friend from Monroe, [Mr. McCLELLAND,] who was fa

ber."

Which motion did not prevail, and the substitute was adopted.

The rules as amended were then adopted in gross.

Mr. HASCALL inquired if the clergymen, who had been invited to open the daily sessions with prayer, were officers of the Convention, and what arrangement had been made with them. He thought one chaplain sufficient. He did not wish the next Legislature to be troubled with any bills for services; and for the purpose of testing the question, moved a reconsidera tion of the resolution, appointing a committee to invite the clergymen of Lansing to open the morning sessions of the Convention with prayer, passed yesterday. On motion of Mr. COOK, The Convention adjourned.

RULES OF THE CONVENTION. RULE 1. The President shall take the chair at the time to which the Convention stands adjourned, and the Convention shall then be called to order and the roll of the members called.

RULE 2. Upon the appearance of a quorum, the journal of the preceding day shall be corrected, and when demanded by a majority, shall be read by the Secretary.

RULE 5. When the Convention adjourns, the members shall keep their seats until the President announces the adjourn-member in his place.

RULE 13. The previous question shall be in this form: "Shall the main question be now put?" And if demanded by a majority of the members present, its effect shall be to put an end to all debate, and bring the Convention to a direct vote upon amendments, if any are pending, and then. upon the main question.

RULE 14. All incidental questions of order, arising after a motion is made for the

stion being put and lost, (except in case of privileged motions,) shall not be renewed on the same day.

RULE 24. Any member, having voted with the majority, may be at liberty to move for a reconsideration; and a motion for reconsideration shall be decided by a majority of votes.

RULE 25. The rules of the Convention shall be observed in committee of the whole, so far as they may be applicable, except that the yeas and nays shall not be called, the previous question enforced, nor the time of speaking limited.

· RULE 26. A motion that the committee rise shall always be in order, and shall be decided without debate.

RULE 27. In all cases where an order, resolution or motion, shall be entered on the journals of the Convention, the name of the member moving the same shall be entered on the journals.

RULE 28. On the meeting of the Convention, after correcting the journal of the preceding day, the order of business shall be as follows: 1st, presentation of petitions; 2d, reports of standing committees-reports of select committees; 3d, motions, resolutions and notices; 4th, reading resolutions; 5th, unfinished business of the preceding day; 6th, special orders of the day; 7th, general orders of the day.

RULE 29. When the Convention have arrived at the general orders of the day, they shall go into committee of the whole upon such orders,or a particular order designated by a vote of the Convention; and no other business shall be in order until the whole are considered or passed, or the committee rise; and unless a particular subject is ordered up, the committee of the whole shall consider, act upon, or pass the general orders, according to the order of their reference.

are to be heard; and if no excuse, or insufficient excuse be made, the abseentees may, by order of those present, if there are fifteen members present, be taken into custody, wherever to be found, by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

RULE 30. No rule of the Convention shall be suspended, altered or amended, without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.

RULE 31. Upon the call of the Convention, the names of the members shall be called by the Secretary, and the absentees noted; but no excuse shall be made until the Convention shall be fully called over; then the absentees shall be called over the second time, and if still absent, excuses

RULE 32. The President may leave the chair and appoint a member to preside, but not for a longer time than one day, except by leave of the Convention.

RULE 33. The rules of parliamentary practice comprised in Jefferson's Manual, shall govern the Convention in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the standing rules and orders of the Convention.

RULE 34. The ayes and noes may be called for by ten members.

RULE 35. A majority of the members elected shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but a less number may adjourn.

RULE 36. A journal of the proceedings in committee of the whole shall be kept.

FRIDAY, (5th day,) June 7.

Prayer by the Rev. Mr. ATTERBURY.
Roll called and journal corrected.
The CHAIR announced the following

STANDING COMMITTEES:

1. On the Bill of Rights-Messrs. S. Clark, Rix Robinson, Gardiner, Gibsón, Webster, P. R. Adams, Prevost.

2. On the Elective Franchise-Messrs. Whittemore, Alvord, Hascall, Lovel, Wait. 3. On the Division of the Powers of Government-Messrs. J. Clark, Newberry, Hart, Barnard, Asahel Brown.

4. On the Legislative Department Messrs. McClelland, Bagg, Crouse, E. S. Robinson, Soule, Alvarado Brown, Beeson, Gale, Chandler.

5. On the Executive Department-Messrs. Whipple, Skinner, Mowry, Eaton, Anderson, Sutherland, M. Robinson, N. Pierce, Daniels.

6. On the Judicial DepartmentMessrs. Crary, S. Clark, Church, Hanscom, Sullivan, Walker, Kingsley, Tiffany, Backus.

7. On State Officers, except the Executive-Messrs. Redfield, Roberts, Mosher, Orr, Carr.

· 8. On County Officers and County Government-Messrs. Rix Robinson, Cornell,

Ammon Brown, Conner, Hixon, Green,
Wait.

9. On Township Officers and Township Government-Messrs. Bush, Eaton, Chapel, Town, Beeson, Harvey, Leach.

10. On the Organization of the Government of Cities and Villages-Messrs. J. Bartow, Skinner, Marvin, Witherell, Ray

nale.

11. On Impeachments and Removals from office-Messrs. Sullivan, J. Clark, W. Adams, Beardsley, P. R. Adams.

12. On the Militia-Messrs. Hanscom, Arzeno, Dimond, O'Brien, White, Anderson, Daniels.

13. On Education-Messrs. Walker, Van Valkenburg, Butterfield, Eastman, Desnoyer, J. D. Pierce, Barnard, Wil liams, Edmunds.

14. On Finance and Taxation Messrs. Britain, Bush, Fralick, Axford, Morrison, Burns, Choate, Wells, Chandler. 15. On Banking and other Corporations, except Municipal-Messrs. Cook, Raynale, Hascall, Danforth, Gardiner, Crouse, Moore, White, Comstock.

16. On Salaries-Messrs. Storey, Van Valkenburg, Mason, Desnoyers, Eastman, Morrison, Williams.

Roberts, McLeod, Cornell, Willard, Hanscom, Edmunds, Gale.

Mr. KINGSLEY offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee on printing procure in convenient form, for the use of each member of this Convention, a copy of the present constitution of the State.

Mr. K. said, before the question was taken, he would state the object he had in view. Members of the Convention had not the old constitution before them. True; it is ordered to be printed in the manual, but it will be some time before the manual

will be arranged and printed; and even in that form, it will be inconvenient for the use of the members. He proposed that it should be printed on foolscap paper, (one side printed, the other blank,) as the most convenient form for the use of members.

Mr. N. PIERCE would suggest to the mover of the resolution, the propriety of having the constitution printed in bill form, as most likely to secure the object the gentleman proposed.

Mr. KINGSLEY believed the form he had proposed would be found the most convenient. Adopted.

Mr. N. PIERCE offered the following:
Resolved, That the committee on sup-

17. On the Seat of GovernmentMessrs. Kingsley, Axford, Danforth, Sto-plies and expenditures be instructed to

rey, Willard.

18. On Exemptions and the Rights of Married Women-Messrs. J. D. Pierce, Newberry, Lee, Chapel, Fralick, H. Bartow, Tiffany.

19. On the Punishment of Crimes 19. On the Punishment of Crimes Messrs. Witherell, Sturges, M. Robinson, Woodman, Warden, Kinne, Prevost.

20. On Miscellaneous Provisions Messrs. Church, Whittemore, Sutherland, Alvarado Brown, Marvin, Dimond, Carr. 21. On the Mode of Amending and Revising the Constitution-Messrs. McLeod, Mosher, Webster, Gibson, Harvey.

22. On the Schedule-Messrs. Mason, Hart, Robertson, Moore, Alvord, Wells, Backus.

23. On Arrangement and Phraseology of the Constitution-Messrs. Crary, McClelland, Whipple, S. Clark, Gardiner, Walker, Redfield, Britain, Wells, Tiffany, Williams.

24. On the Government and Judicial Policy of the Upper Peninsula-Messrs.

locks that are upon the tables of the mememploy some suitable person to repair the bers of this Convention, or so many of them as are not in repair.

Mr. COOK believed arrangements had been made by the Secretary of State for those repairs, which would be made as soon as locks could be procured.

Mr. McLEOD-The resolution could do no injury. It would have been better, and it would have shown more attention on the part of the State officers, if they had attended to this matter before the Convention met.

The resolution was adopted.

Mr. McCLELLAND offered the follow