On motion of Mr. Phillips, The Senate concurred in the adoption of the resolution. To the President of the Senate : SIR-I am instructed by the House to return to the Senate the following joint resolution : Senate joint resolution No. 7, entitled Joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Michigan, by adding thereto a new article, to stand as Article 19-a, entitled "Of Railroads ;" And to inform the Senate that the House has amended the same as follows: 1. In section 1, strike out all of lines 1, 2, and 3, and strike out the word "shall," and insert the word "may" in lieu thereof, in line 4. 2. Amend section 3 so as to read as follows: "SEC. 3. The Legislature may provide by law for the payment by the counties, townships, and municipalities of this State, of all bonds or other obligations heretofore issued or incurred in pursuance of acts of the Legislature, by such counties, townships and municipalities severally, for and in aid of any railroad company. Such bonds or obligations shall be paid by the county, township, or municipality issuing or incurring the same, and in no event shall the State pay or become liable for any portion of such bonds or obligations. The Legislature shall submit to the electors of each of said several counties, townships, and municipalities, for their decision, the question of payment, together with the mode and manner of the same. 3. Strike out all of section 4, and alternate section 4. 4. In lines 10 and 11, of that portion relative to submission, strike out the words "declaring railroads public highways," and insert "authorizing the Legislature to regulate passenger and freight charges on railroads." 5. In line 13, strike out the words "for section 4, providing for future aid for railroads." 6. Strike out all after the word "canceled," in line 15, to and including all relative to future aid proposition; In the passage of which, as thus amended, the House has concurred by a two-thirds vote of all the members elect. Very respectfully, N. B. JONES, Clerk of the House of Representatives. Mr. Warner moved that the Senate concur in the amendments made to the joint resolution by the House; Which motion prevailed, two-thirds of all the Senators elect voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows: The joint resolution was then referred to the committee on enrolled bills, for enrollment. The joint resolution is as follows: JOINT RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Michigan, by adding thereto a new article, to stand as Article 19-a, entitled, "Of Railroads." Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the following amendment to the Constitution of the State be and the same is hereby proposed, to stand as Article 19-a, of said Constitution, and be entitled, "Of Railroads:" ARTICLE XIX-A, RAILROADS. SECTION 1. The Legislature may, from time to time, pass laws establishing reasonable maximum rates of charges for the transportation of passengers and freight on different railroads in this State, and shall prohibit running contracts between such railroad companies whereby discrimination is made in favor of either of such companies as against other companies owning connecting or intersecting lines of railroad. SEC. 2. No railroad corporation shall consolidate its stock, property, or franchises with any other railroad corporation owning a parallel or competing line; and in no case shall any consolidation take place except upon public notice given of at least sixty days to all stockholders, in such manner as shall be provided by law. SEC. 3. The Legislature may provide by law for the payment by the counties, townships, and municipalities of this State, of all bonds or other obligations heretofore issued or incurred in pursuance of acts of the Legislature, by such counties, townships, and municipalities severally, for and in aid of any railroad company. Such bonds or obligations shall be paid by the county, township, or municipality issuing or incurring the same, and in no event shall the State pay or become liable for any portion of such bonds or obligations. The Legislature shall submit to the electors of each of said several counties, townships, and municipalities, for their decision, the question of payment, together with the mode and manner of the same. The aforesaid amendment shall be and is hereby submitted to the people of this State at the next general election to be holden on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November, 1870, as provided in section one, article twenty of the Constitution; and the Secretary of State is hereby required to give notice of the same to the sheriffs of the several counties. of this State in the same manner that he is now required. by law to do in the case of an election of Governor and Lieu tenant Governor; and the inspectors of election in the several townships and cities of this State shall prepare a suitable box for the reception of ballots cast for and against such amendment. Each person voting at said election shall have written or printed on his ballot the words: For all the propositions on this ticket which are not canceled with ink or pencil, and against all which are so canceled: For Article 19-a, entitled, "Of Railroads." For Sec. 1, authorizing the Legislature to regulate passenger and freight charges on railroads. For Sec. 2, prohibiting consolidation of competing lines of railroads. For Sec. 3, authorizing the payment of bonds or obligations heretofore issued. Each of said tickets shall be counted as a vote cast for each proposition thereon, not canceled with ink or pencil, and against each proposition so canceled. The ballots shall in all respects be canvassed, and returns be made as in elections of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Mr. Rich offered the following concurrent resolution, which was adopted. Resolved, (the House concurring,) That this Legislature adjourn sine die on Wednesday, the tenth day of August, present, at 12 o'clock noon. The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Private Secretary of the Governor, who transmitted to the Senate the following message from the Governor, in writing: To the Senate: EXECUTIVE OFFICE, I have this day approved, signed, and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State, Joint resolution to provide for printing 3,000 copies of law relating to social statistics. HENRY P. BALDWIN. The message was laid on the table. Mr. Rich offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the Secretary be and he is hereby instructed to transmit to each Senator by mail, the journal of to-day and to-morrow, containing the joint resolution just passed. EXECUTIVE SESSION. The President pro tem. announced a message from the Governor on Executive business. On motion of Mr. Mason, The Senate went into Executive session at 8 o'clock P. M. The Executive session closed at 8 o'clock P. M. Mr. Norris moved that when the Senate adjourns, it be until to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock; Which motion prevailed. On motion of Mr. Norris, The Senate took a recess for fifteen minutes. 8 o'clock P. M. The Senate was called to order by the President. MESSAGES FROM THE OTHER HOUSE. By unanimous consent, the President announced the following: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, To the President of the Senate: SIR-I am instructed by the House to return to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: Resolved, (the House concurring,) That this Legislature adjourn sine die on Wednesday, the 10th day of August, present,. at 12 o'clock noon; In the passage of which the House has concurred. Very respectfully, N. B. JONES, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The message was laid on the table. |