tions 4398, 4399 and 4400 of the compiled laws of 1871, as amended by act No. 49 of the public acts of 1883, approved April 26, 1883, the same being sections 5990, 5991 and 5992 of Howell's annotated statutes, relative to proceedings to ascertain and determine the heirs of deceased persons. 7. Senate bill No. 272 (file No. 81), entitled A bill to amend act No. 276 of the public acts of 1887, entitled "An act to require security to be given on staying proceedings upon verdicts and judgments in the circuit courts of this State by adding a new section thereto to be known as section four." 8. House bill No. 529 (file No. 380), entitled A bill to amend section 27 of act No. 205 of the public acts of 1887, entitled "An act to revise the laws authorizing the business of banking and to establish a banking department for the supervision of such business," approved June 21, 1887. 9. House bill No. 24 (file No. 383), entitled A bill to amend section 42 of act No. 153 of the public acts of 1885, entitled "An act to provide for the assessment of property, and the levy and. collection of taxes thereon," Have made no amendments thereto, and have directed their chairman to report the same back to the House, and recommend their passage. The committee of the whole have also had under consideration the following: 10. House bill No. 116 (file No. 375), entitled A bill to declare the waters of the great lakes and their bays, inlets and tributaries free to all for the purpose of shooting and fishing with hook and line. Have made sundry amendments thereto, and have directed their chairman to report the same back to the House, asking concurrence therein, and recommend its passage. The committee of the whole have also had under consideration the following: 11. House joint resolution No. 8 (file No. 17), entitled Joint resolution to amend section three of article ten of the constitution of the State of Michigan relative to county officers. Have stricken out all after the enacting clause thereof, and have directed their chairman to report that fact to the House, asking concurrence therein. W. W. WILLIAMS, Chairman. Report accepted and committee discharged. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth named bills were placed on the order of third reading. On motion of Mr. Dewey, The House concurred in the amendments made by the committee to the tenth named bill, and it was placed on the order of third reading. On motion of Mr. Austin, The House concurred in the action of the committee in striking out all after the enacting clause of the eleventh named joint resolution, and The title and enacting clause were laid on the table. On motion of Mr. Hoaglin, Leave of absence was granted to himself until Tuesday next. Leave of absence was granted to himself until Tuesday next. Mr. Waite offered the following: Resolved, That the use of this hall be granted to Geo. J. Hunt in which to Which was adopted. Mr. McKay moved that the House adjourn. Which motion prevailed, and The Speaker declared the House adjourned until 9:30 o'clock P. M., on Lansing, Monday, May 27, 1889. The House met pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the Roll called: quorum present. Absent without leave: Messrs. Alexander, Baker, Briske, Chambers, Dal- Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Gregory until Thursday next. Leave of absence was granted to all absentees for the day. On motion of Mr. Cole, Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Dalton until Friday next." Leave of absence was granted to Mr. McGregor until Friday next. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Alexander until Monday next. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Probert until Friday next. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS. No. 2014. By Mr. Cole: Petition of W. C. Lowe and 16 others of Hudson Referred to the committee on ways and means. No. 2015. By Mr. Daming: Petition of Homer J. Fuller and 53 other Same reference. No. 2016. By Mr. Stoflet: Petition of F. J. Clark and 52 other citizens of Same reference. No. 2017. By Mr. Cole. Petition of D. M. Kelly and 17 other citizens of Same reference. No. 2018. By M. Cole: Petition of N. H. Scott and 18 other citizens of Same reference. No. 2019. By Mr. Wettlaufer: Petition of Robert McKinstry, of Detroit, on the same subject. On demand of Mr. Wettlaufer, The petition was read at length and spread at large on the Journal, as follows: Rhines Ballot System Co.: DETROIT, MICH., April 2, 1889. GENTS-I have carefully examined the Rhines system of voting and I am very much pleased with the same, and think it is far superior to the old system, and I hope it may be adopted by the State of Michigan, and if carefully investigated I think it will be. Referred to the committee on ways and means. ROBT. MCKINSTRY. No. 2020. By Mr. Wettlaufer: Petition of Alex. Leavitt, in reference to purity of elections and the use of the Rhines vote recorder and counter. Mr. Wettlaufer demanded that the petition be read at length, and spread at large on the Journal, Pending the reading of which, On motion of Mr. Pealer, The petition was laid on the table. On motion of Mr. Wood, The House adjourned. Lansing, Tuesday, May 28, 1889. The House met pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the Speaker. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Cook. Roll called: quorum present. Absent without leave: Messrs. Abbott, Chambers, Collins, Dee, Dewey, Huebner, Jackson, Killean, H. W. Robinson, O. S. Smith, Tinklepaugh and White. On motion of Mr. Gill, Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Killean for the day. Mr. Hawley arose to a question of privilege, in that he is recorded in the Journal of Friday last as voting "No" on the passage of House bill No. 341 (file No. 194), entitled A bill to amend section 9 of article 2 of act No. 198 of the session laws of 1873, being an act entitled "An act to revise the laws providing for the incorporation of railroad companies, and to regulate the running and management, and to fix the duties and liabilities of all railroad and other corporations owning or operating any railroad in this State," as amended by act No. 177, session laws of 1877, and further amended by act No. 116, session laws of 1883, Whereas, in fact he voted "Aye" on the bill. The Speaker announced that the proper entry would be made in the Jour nal of today, in order that the true position of the gentleman relative to the bill might appear. Mr. Southworth presented the following communications, which Were read at length, and spread at large on the Journal, as follows: DETROIT, May 27, 1889. To the Honorable, the Legislature of the State of Michigan: There hangs on the walls of the capitol a full length portrait of Douglass Houghton, representing him in his character and work as State geologist. Probably few of you are aware of the history of this painting, and I take the liberty of asking your attention to the statement, in a "Memoir of Dr. Houghton," written by Prof. Alvah Bradish, and just out of the press. (Page 98.) The bill referred to, which was passed by the legislature, for the purchase of this portrait, will be found in the session laws of 1879. That notwithstanding this action the State failed of a purchase was matter of surprise to the friends both of Dr. Houghton and of Prof. Bradish, and they deem that this occasion of the publication of a life of Dr. Houghton affords a proper opportunity to present the matter to your notice. Were the question one of mere justice to the artist much might be said, but this painting, which has for years been treated as the property of the State, though unpaid for, may at any time be removed, thus losing to the State capitol what is of priceless value and that cannot be replaced. It can hardly be necessary for me to allude to the life and services of Douglass Houghton. If these are unknown to any member of this legislature let me recommend him to read them as delineated by the pen of Prof. Bradish, and then say whether the lineaments of such a man, as portrayed by the pencil of the same artist, ought not to be secured forever to the State which he did so much to honor. A county, a township, a city, a lake, a school, are named after Douglass Houghton, and shall it be said that the State does not possess a portrait of one so distinguished! It was said by a State Senator, in an address before both houses of the legislature in 1875, "Douglass Houghton is a name which no true Lake Superior man or Michigan man ever passes without a tribute, perhaps unspoken but none the less striking, deep and pure in the bottom of his heart." Also the following: To the Honorable, the Legislature: ARD. Very respectfully, BELA HUBBARD. DETROIT, May 25, 1889. The undersigned begs leave to call your attention to the fact, which he has recently learned, that the portrait of Dr. Douglass Houghton, which has so long adorned the capitol, has not become the property of the State, although authorized to be purchased. As an intimate friend of Dr. Houghton I can bear cheerful witness to the entire faithfulness of the likeness, which is from life and painted by a gentleman nearly connected with him by marriage. There can be no question of the truthfulness of the picture in the mind of anyone who enjoyed Dr. Houghton's intimacy. Dr. Houghton was not only a man of scientific greatness, but he was a thoroughly public spirited citizen who served the State zealously and to his own personal lose. His life was destroyed while he was conducting explorations of the utmost value to the Upper Peninsula. His keen insight and sagacity enabled him to trace out almost unerringly the mineral wealth and resources of the State, and time is constantly confirming his inferences. I believe we never had a citizen who did more for the future of the State than Dr. Houghton. If further legislation is needed to keep his memory alive in the State capitol, I venture to ask your attention to the importance of keeping at Lansing what will be welcomed elsewhere if not acquired by the State. Also the following: Professor A. Bradish: JAMES V. CAMPBELL. WILLIAMSTON, MICH, May 27, 1889. MY DEAR SIR-Knowing that some ten years ago the Legislature by a vote that was practically unanimous, instructed the proper officials to purchase your historical painting of Dr. Douglass Houghton, I am now greatly surprised to find that you have never received one cent for it, although the painting, which I have often examined, and know to be a faithful likeness of our great pioneer State geologist, has been hanging on the walls of the House for many years. To speak in mild terms I think the treatment which you have received is very unjust, not to say shameful. The present Legislature should at once enforce the mandate of its predeces sors. Dr. Houghton enjoyed a world-wide fame as a scientist. In Michigan his name is honored and revered, and in the Upper Peninsula of our great State, where he was best known and where his works do follow him, his character is held in the highest admiration. As time advances the luster of his fame grows brighter and the value of his scientific discoveries are more highly appreciated by practical men, The whole State owes a debt of gratitude to Houghton; he died in her service, and the rock-bound shore near Eagle River, where he perished by drowning, is made historical by that melancholy tragedy. Hoping that the Legislature in its wisdom may speedily and cheerfully do you justice, I remain, dear sir, Very truly yours, JOHN H. FORSTER. The several communications were referred to the committee on State affairs. Mr. Southworth offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, During the session of 1879 Alvah Bradish, A. M., once professor of fine arts in the University of Michigan, brought to the capitol a full length portrait in oil of Douglass Houghton, the first State geologist of Michigan, which portrait was executed by Mr. Bradish for the purpose of offering the same to the State of Michigan as a fitting decoration for the State capitol, then just completed. It was offered to the Legislature then in session, and hung in the hall of the House of Representatives for examination, and WHEREAS, That Legislature did by joint resolution authorize the purchase of the said portrait, at the cost of one thousand dollars, such purchase to be completed by the Board of State Auditors, and WHEREAS, Such portrait since that time has remained an interesting decoration in the hall of the House of Representatives, and WHEREAS, Nothing has been done by the Board of State Auditors to pay for |