Lansing, Monday, January 16, 1865. The House met, pursuant to adjournment, and was called to

order by the Speaker.

Prayer by Rev. Mr. Hickox.

Roll called: quorum present.

Absent at roll-call, without leave, Messrs. A. Allen, Clements, G. C. Jones, McKernan, Monroe, Munger, Phillips and Stewart. Mr. Rowe asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. A. Allen for an indefinite time, on account of sickness.

Mr. Laing asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Clements for an indefinite time.

Mr. Swift asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. G. C. Jones for an indefinite time, on account of sickness.

Mr. O'Grady asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. McKernan, for an indefinite time.

Mr. Haynes asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Monroe for an indefinite time, on account of sickness.

Mr. Utley asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Munger for an indefinite time, on account of sickness.

Mr. Laing asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Phillips for an indefinite time.

Mr. W. T. Smith asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Stewart for an indefinite time.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS.

By Mr. Woodman: memorial of the township board, and 89 voters of the township of Porter, in Van Buren county, asking for the passage of an act to legalize the action of said township in voting to refund to individuals the amount paid by them as bounties to volunteers;

Referred to the committee on war bounties.

By Mr. Swift: petition of the Board of Trade of the city of Detroit, asking the passage of a joint resolution to secure the repeal or modification of the passport system;

Referred to the committee on federal relations.

By Mr. Cobb: petition and resolution of the board of supervisors of Kalamazoo county, asking a special act to be passed,

authorizing the county of Kalamazoo to return the money collected from tax on dogs, and that the same be refunded to the several townships of said county;

Referred to the committee on the judiciary.

By Mr. Utley: petition of Seth Beals and 59 others, praying that the townships of Pierson, Winfield and Maple Valley may be taken off from the county of Montcalm and annexed to the county of Newaygo;

Referred to the committee on towns and counties.

By Mr. Warner: petition of the township board of the township of West Bloomfield, and 21 others, citizens of the county of Oakland, asking the legalization of their action relative to war bounties;

Referred to the committee on war bounties.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.

By the committee on banks and incorporations:

The committee on banks and incorporations, to whom was referred

A bill relative to the liability of municipal corporations for the misconduct of their contractors,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, without amendment, and recommend that it do not pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

C. F. MALLARY, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

On motion of Mr. M. D. Howard,

The bill was laid on the table.

By the committee on banks and incorporations:

The committee on banks and incorporations, to whom was referred Senate bill No. 4, entitled

A bill to amend an act entitled an act to authorize the several townships in any of the counties on the line of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, to aid in the construction of said road, approved February 5th, 1864,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, without amendment, and recommend that it do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

C. F. MALLARY, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The bill was referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order.

By the committee on the judiciary:

The committee on the judiciary, to whom was referred

A bill to amend section 979 of the compiled laws, relative to duties upon sales at auction;

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, without amendment, and recommend that it do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

A. D. GRISWOLD, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The bill was ordered printed, referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order.

By the committee on the judiciary:

The committee on the judiciary, to whom was referred Senate bill No. 3, entitled

A bill to amend section 21, of chapter 63, being section 1819 of the compiled laws,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, without amendment, and recommend that it do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

A. D. GRISWOLD, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The bill was referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order.

By the committee on the judiciary:

The committee on the judiciary, to whom was referred

A bill to amend an act entitled an act to amend section three thousand nine hundred of the compiled laws, the same being section 248, of chapter 117, of the revised statutes of 1846, entitled, of courts held by justices of the peace, approved March 14th, 1863,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, without amendment, and recommend that it do not pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

A. D. GRISWOLD, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

On motion of Mr. Woodman,

The bill was laid on the table.

By the committee on State affairs:

The committee on State affairs, to whom was referred

A bill to authorize the Governor of this State to convey cer

tain real estate,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, without amendment, and recommend that it do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

J. B. COBB, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The bill was ordered printed, referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order.

By the committee on State affairs:

The committee on State affairs, to whom was referred

A bill to extend to actual settlers, under the provisions of the "Homestead Act," certain rights and privileges as freeholders,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the

House, without amendment, and recommend that it do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

J. B. COBB, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The bill was ordered printed, referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order.

By the committee on harbors:

The committee on harbors, to whom was referred preamble and resolutions of the board of supervisors of Saginaw county, asking the Senate and House of Representatives to pass a law authorizing the county of Saginaw to raise money by loan on the bonds of said county, being $100,000, to aid in the improvement of Saginaw river; and, also, Senate bill No. 2, entitled

A bill to provide for the improvement of the navigation of Saginaw river, and to authorize the county of Saginaw to loan money in aid thereof,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, and recommend that the bill do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject. SAML. W. YAWKEY, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The preamble and resolutions were laid on the table.

The bill was referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order.

By the committee on harbors:

The committee on harbors, to whom was referred

A joint resolution in relation to the improvement of the mouth of Saginaw river,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House without amendment, and recommend that it do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

SAML. W. YAWKEY, Chairman. Report accepted and committee discharged.