and other subjects of general interest as may be deemed essential, and that provision be made for the proper compensation for the duties discharged. The returns of lands delinquent for unpaid taxes in the counties of Isabella, Midland and Saginaw, were made at so late a date as to render such returns illegal, and the lands cannot be offered for sale for such taxes without legalizing legislation. The general interest of the State requires that the lands shall be offered at the coming sales on the first Monday of October. I recommend the necessary legislation for that purpose. It is represented to me that several municipal corporations of the State have become stockholders of private corporations, organized under the general laws of the State, authorizing the formation of companies for the introduction of water into towns, cities, and villages, and have issued municipal bonds to aid in the construction of such works. Serious doubts have arisen, whether under a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the State, such bonds are valid; in some cases, works which were in course of construction have been stopped, because of the doubts as to the validity of such bonds, thereby rendering them wholly unavailable. For the purpose of enabling such cities or villages to continue these works, as well as for the general good, I recommend to your consideration the propriety of passing a general law, authorizing cities, townships, and incorporated villages to construct hydraulic works for the introduction of water into such municipalities. On motion of Mr. Peirce, HENRY P. BALDWIN. That portion of the message which refers to the matter of social statistics was referred to the committee on State affairs. On motion of Mr. Williams, That portion of the message that refers to the matter of tax returns was referred to the committee on State affairs. On motion of Mr. Peirce, That portion of the message which refers to the authorizing of the issue of bonds for the introduction of water into towns, cities, and villages be referred to the committee on the judiciary. MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND NOTICES. Mr. Turner offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the special committee of the Senate to whom was referred the message of the Governor, be and is hereby instructed to report two distinct provisions for submission to the people, one providing for the validation of all bonds issued by municipalities, and the other for future railroad aid. Mr. Bonine moved to lay the resolution on the table ; Mr. Warner offered the following as a substitute for the resolution : Resolved, That the special committee appointed to consider and report upon the matters set forth in the special message of the Governor, be instructed to report such an amendment of the Constitution as will confer authority on all municipalities which have heretofore voted aid to railroads under existing laws, to renew their pledges of aid by a vote of their respective municipalities, and also by which future aid may be granted to an amount not exceeding three per cent., to be levied in equal annual installments, and collected within three years after being authorized. Mr. Phillips moved to amend the substitute so as to read as follows: Resolved, That the special committee be instructed to report three distinct propositions to be submitted at the November election. 1st. Validating all bonds which have been issued and delivered to railroad companies, and which have been fully earned; 2d. Validating bonds now in the hands of the State Treasurer; 3d. Authorizing the voting of future aid, not exceeding three per cent., this tax to be spread upon the tax-rolls, and to be paid within three years in equal installments. Mr. Mason moved to amend the amendment to the substitute, by adding the following at the end thereof: "Provided, That no claim against any municipality shall be made valid by virtue of this amendment, until the same. shall be submitted to the legal voters of such municipality, in accordance with the statutes under which such claims were created." Mr. Mason called for the yeas and nays. The amendment was not adopted, by yeas and nays, as follows: Mr. Mason moved to lay the resolution on the table; MESSAGES FROM THE OTHER HOUSE. By unanimous consent, the President announced the fol lowing: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, To the President of the Senate: SIR-I am instructed by the House to transmit the following bills: 1. House manuscript bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Isabella for the year 1869; 2. House manuscript bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Saginaw for the year 1869; 3. House manuscript bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Midland for the year 1869; Which have passed the House by a majority vote of all the members elect, and by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elect, been ordered to take immediate effect, and in all of which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, N. B. JONES, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The bills were read a first and second time by their titles and, On motion of Mr. Wood, The rules were suspended, and the bills were put upon their immediate passage. House manuscript bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Isabella, for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, Was read a third time and passed, a majority of all the Senators elect voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows: By a vote of two-thirds of all the Senators elect, the bill was ordered to take immediate effect. House manuscript bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Saginaw, for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, Was read a third time and passed, a majority of all the Senators elect voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows: By a vote of two-thirds of all the Senators elect, the bill was ordered to take immediate effect. House manuscripht bill, entitled A bill to legalize the return of taxes for the county of Midland for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, Was read a third time and passed, a majority of all the Senators elect voting therefor, by nays and yeas, as follows: |