lives are directly traceable to its use. As a large majority of our people are dependent on its use for lighting purposes, it is hoped that no time will be lost in providing such a test as shall make it safe for use, and at the same time give it greater illuminating power.

TAXATION OF RAILROAD COMPANIES.

We have in our state a few railroads which were pioneers of their kind and were granted special charters with special privileges. They are today among the most prosperous of our great system of railroads. They have contributed much to the growth and prosperity of our state, and have reaped a golden reward therefor. They have now become an aristocracy or privileged class of railroads, both as to rates charged and taxes paid. This condition is unjust to the general law roads, and unjust to the people of the state. A state is no more justified in a breach of contract than an individual, but in some instances the railroads have themselves broken the contract, and when this has not been done the charters themselves provide a means for their repeal. It only needs to be stated that railroads, like individuals, should be governed by the same laws, and be subject to the same burdens, for the support of the government. I trust this question will receive your early and careful attention.

QUARANTINE.

It is not unreasonable to expect a visitation of cholera to this country during the coming year. Several of the main lines of railroad run through this state, and the increased travel from the old country to the Columbian Exposition will menace the danger to the people of this state. The necessary legislation should be enacted to place unquestioned authority in the hands of some state authority for effective quarantine, and at the same time not unnecessarily interfere with travel and business. An amount sufficient to carry out the provisions of such an enactment should also be made.

STREET AND HIGHWAY CROSSINGS OF RAILROADS.

The increase in number and speed of trains and the increase in the amount of travel on our streets and highways make the need of some more adequate protection at these crossings more important. The Commissioner of Railroads is authorized to order gates and flagmen at such crossings as he may deem necessary. This is a difficult and delicate task, and by far the most responsible duty which the Commissioner of Railroads is called upon to perform. All grade crossings are dangerous. The expenses involved prevents ordering gates to all crossings, and it is a very delicate question to determine just where a crossing has become dangerous enough to require protection, and in any event the system is an expensive one to railroad companies and by no means provides for anything like absolute safety. The commissioner is also authorized to order bridges, but there is no means to provide for the damage done to adjoining property when the approaches extend beyond the right of way of the railroad company.

In some of our larger cities there is now an urgent demand for some means to avoid the danger, annoyance and delay incident to these grade crossings. It would seem that the time has come when some provision

should be made by law for the separation of the grade of streets or highways and railroads which should have in view the gradual but final abolition of grade crossings of streets or highways and railroads. Such a law would be in the interest of true economy in maintenance and operation on the part of railroads, and a saving of time, annoyance and life and limb on the part of the people.

You are intrusted with the vast responsibility of legislating for two and a quarter million of people. It is for you to determine what laws shall be passed for their government and control, how much and for what purpose money shall be appropriated, and who shall be the representative of this great commonwealth in the highest legislative body in the world for the next six years. All these duties are important to yourselves and those you represent. As the representatives of as intelligent, energetic and businesslike a people as there are in the world I believe your work will be done in such a manner as such a people do their private business, promptly, intelligently, thoroughly, and with that wise economy which prudent business men exercise in their own affairs.

After which the Governor and State officers retired.
Mr. Buzzell offered the following:

JOHN T. RICH.

WHEREAS, That eminent statesman, the Hon. James G. Blaine, is lying dangerously ill at his home in Washington; therefore be it

Resolved, That the sympathy of the Michigan legislature, irrespective of party, be extended to him, with the hope that he may recover his health and live to reflect honor on American citizenship. Also that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to him;

Which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote.

On motion of Senator McGinley,

The joint convention then adjourned.

The Senators having retired, the Speaker announced that the Senate and House had met in joint convention and listened to the messages of the outgoing and incoming Governors.

The Speaker announced the following:

SENATE CHAMBER,
Lansing, January 5, 1893.

To the Speaker ef the House of Representatives:

}

SIR-I am instructed to transmit to the House the following concurrent resolution:

Resolved (the House concurring), That Mrs. M. Adele Hazlett be appointed Postmistress and Mrs. Adelaide G. Mosher be appointed assistant Postmistress of the Legislature;

Which has been adopted by the Senate and in which the concurrence of the House is respectfully asked.

Very respectfully,
DENNIS E. ALWARD,
Secretary of the Senate.

The question being on concurring in the adoption of the resolution.
The same was concurred in.

Mr. Sullivan offered the following:

Resolved (the Senate concurring), That when the Legislature adjourn today it be until Tuesday, January 10, at 10 o'clock a. m.;

Which was adopted.

Mr. Smith offered the following:

Resolved, That the Clerk of the House order 500 copies daily of the Legislative Journal for the use of the members of the House;

Which was adopted.

The Speaker announced the following:

SENATE CHAMBER,

Lansing, January 5, 1895.

To the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

SIR-I am instructed to return to the House the following concurrent resolution:

Resolved (the Senate concurring), That when the Legislature adjourn today that it be until Tuesday, January 10, at 10 o'clock, a. m. In the adoption of which the Senate has concurred.

The message was laid on the table.

The Speaker announced the following appointments authorized by the House:

Mrs. L. J. Boies, Ingham, Janitress, gallery.

Wm. H. Spencer, Wayne, Keeper document room.

Frank A. Chamberlain, Gogebic, Assistant document room.

Assitant Janitors-Hamlin of Eaton, Levi Train of Montcalm, Buckley of Wayne, Torrence of Ingham, Cole of Osceola, Murray of Genesee. Clerk to Representatives of the Press-H. A. Hopkins of Ottawa.

The Speaker announced the appointment of the following messengers for the House:

Bert Way, of Kent; Herman Wagner, of Marquette; B. A. Passon, of Lenawee; Lewis Warren, of Montealm; E. E. Crane, of Genesee; R. C. Miller, of Ingham; John Morse, of Ionia; Will O'Riley, of Oceana; W. O. Norrington, of Ottawa; W. J. Covell, of Monroe; C. H. Briggs, of Barry; Frank Conley, of Jackson; George Hill, of St. Clair; F. Moll, of Sanilac. The Speaker also announced the following:

To the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

SIR-In accordance with the authority granted by a resolution of the House, I have this day appointed as my messenger, Norton J. Miller.

Respectfully,

Mr. Green moved that the House adjourn.
Which motion prevailed; and

SAMUEL F. COOK,
Journal Clerk.

The Speaker declared the House adjourned until 10 o'clock a. m.,

January 10.

Lansing, Tuesday, January 10, 1893.

The House met pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the Speaker.

Roll called: quorum present.

Absent without leave: Messrs. Bailey, Blakely, Chamberlain, Hilton, Knight, Linderman, Lyon, McKinstry, Mills, Moore, Norman, Rose, Smith, Tripp, Wachtel, Wisner, and Zimmerman.

On motion of Mr. Dodge,

Leave of absence was granted to Mr. McKinstry indefinitely on account of sickness.

On motion of Mr. Dodge,

Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Linderman for the day.

On motion of Mr. Bishop,

Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Chamberlain until Tuesday next. On motion of Mr. Redfern,

Leave of absence was granted to all absentees for the day.

Mr. Baum moved that the rule requiring the reading of the Journal each day be dispensed with for the session, and that the clerk be instructed to make such corrections each day as are necessary to secure an acccurate record of the proceedings of the House.

Which motion prevailed, two-thirds of all the members present voting therefor.

The Speaker announced the following committee appointments: Committee to recommend persons for clerks to the Committee on Engrossment and Enrollment, Messrs. Wagner, Curtis, and Kline.

Committee to assign committee rooms, and to report what committees need clerks, Messrs. Sumner, Bishop and M. Ferguson.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE.

The Speaker announced the following:

SENATE CHAMBER,
Lansing, January 5, 1893.

To the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

SIR-I am instructed by the Senate to transmit to the House the following concurrent resolution:

Resolved by the Senate (the House concurring), That the State printer be instructed to forward one copy of the daily Journal to each daily and weekly newspaper published within the State, and to each State officer, or member of State commission, supreme, circuit and probate judge, county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, prosecuting attorney, circuit court commissioner, and to each public library, board of trade, superior and recorder's court in the State, and that the amount of postage on such copies of said Journal be paid by the State Treasurer on the warrant of the Auditor General, on the presentation of bills duly certified by the postmaster at Lansing, and by the State printer, showing that such stamps

have been purchased and used only for the payment of postage on said copies of said Journal hereby ordered to be distributed, Which has been adopted by the Senate, and in which the concurrence of the House is respectfully asked.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. Sumner moved to amend the same by inserting after the words "circuit and probate judge," the words "stenographers in circuit courts;" Which motion prevailed.

The resolution as amended was then concurred in.

NOTICES.

Mr. Sullivan gave notice that at some future day he would ask leave to introduce

A bill to legalize and make valid certain township bonds issued by the township of Pickford in the county of Chippewa on the 22d of October, A. D. 1889.

Mr. Dodge gave notice that at some future day he would ask leave to introduce

A bill to authorize the payment of State bounties to soldiers mustered from this State into the service of the United States during the years 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, and to provide for the raising of money therefor.

Mr. Hammond gave notice that at some future day he would ask leave to introduce

A bill to amend section 7686 of Howell's statutes relative to exemptions from execution.

Mr. Hammond gave notice that at some future day he would ask leave to introduce

A bill to amend act No. 179 of the laws of 1891, relative to mechanics' liens.

Mr. Hammond gave notice that at some future day he would ask leave to introduce

A bill to revise the charter of the city of Lansing.

Mr. Holmes gave notice that at some future day he would ask leave to introduce

A bill to provide for limiting and defining controversies as to questions of fact in civil actions hereafter brought in courts of record, by requiring statements of fact made therein to be answered, or in default thereof, to be deemed as admitted to be true.

Mr. Holmes gave notice that at some future day he would ask leave to introduce

A bill to amend sections 1 and 31, and to repeal section 39 of an act entitled, "An act to authorize proceedings by garnishment in the circuit courts and district court of the upper peninsula," approved March 16, 1861, as the same have been amended (being sections 8058, 8087, and 8095 of Howell's Annotated Statutes of the State of Michigan), and to add a new section thereto, to stand as section 51.