trust is confided. In this country, cach State has its own constitutions; no two of which are in all respects exactly alike. The constitution of this State is an admirable instrument, not inferior to any State constitution in the Union. It constitutes the entire foundation, npon which the political and civil institutions of the State have been established; he is therefore opposed to any alteration of it, unless something hereafter transpire which should, in the minds of the people, render an amendment absolutely necessary. There can be nothing more pernicious, or fatal in the end, to a republican form of government, than constant alterations of the fundamental law, and particularly when alterations are made, merely to gratify the whim or eaprice of those who are unstable in their views as religious fanaticts or ambitious politicians.

The undersigned has yet to learn that a majority of the electors in this State, have called for the proposed alteration of the constitution, or desire to have their representatives incur the expense of submitting the question, in legal form to them for consideration and political action. He has also yet to learn that a majority of the electors are ambitious of having the white population of the State reduced to a level with the African race, in this country, or of having the African race placed on a political level with themselves, in all respects, as they would be in case the proposed amendment should be adopted. Should the constitution be amended, and the political rights and privileges of the blacks be thus extended and made equal with those now enjoyed by the whites, what would, in all humun probability be the effect? It would be to fill the State with fugitive slaves from Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia! The situation of Michigan, in reference to those States, is such as to render it unavoidable; their strength, numerically, might be sufficient, in a very few years, in some sections of the State, to control the elections, and elect themselves to civil and political offices; and such a state of things could not result in any benefit to either race, for it is not to be denied that they are a separate and distinct race from the whites, and that there are naturai distinctions and natural prejudices existing between the two races, to be subdued only by the grave.

The undersigned, for the want of time, had not intended to review. any portion of the Senator's argument, or to do any thing more than

merely to protest, as one of the members of the committee on state affairs, against the adoption of said resolution, and to expressly dissent from the doctrines contained in said report; but he cannot consent to let the matter pass without referring to one position assumed by the Senator, which is, that the right of suffrage ought to be extended to the Affrican race of this state because the third section of the first article of the constitution says; "No man or set of men are entitled to exclusive and separate privileges." This is certainly a most extraordinary construction of that provision of the constitution. If it is correct, and should be carried out to its fullest extent, what would be the effect of it? It would lead at once to a dissolution of civil government and civil society; whites and blacks would have to live in common, enjoy their property, pleasures and political honors in common, and the moment a fugitive slave from Kentucky arrived in the state he would be entitled, under that provision of the constitution, to share the white man's connubial bliss and domestic happiness! Such would be the effect, or most certainly men would enjoy exclusive privileges and pleasures.

ABNER PRATT.

No. 16.

1845.

REPORT of Select Committee.

Mr. ALLEN, Chairman of the Select Committee, to whom was referred a resolution directing them "to enquire into, and report to the Senate, First: Whether any of the officers, agents, or clerks, now in the employment of the State, can be dispensed with? and Second: Whether a reduction in the salaries of any of the officers, agents, or clerks of this State can, with propriety be reduced; and if so, that they report in what cases and to what extent such reduction can be made, with safety to the interest of the State?" has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report:

That in the opinion of your committee a greater number of persons are employed, and higher salaries paid, by the State, than a proper regard for her true interests will justify.

That it is necessary to curtail the expenses of our State government, to a reasonable extent, must be apparent to all persons, in any measure acquainted with its present financial condition.

The ordinary annual expenses of our State, now amounts to the sum of seventy thousand dollars, while the law authorizes the State to raise, upon all its assessable property, no more than fifty-six thousand dollars-leaving a balance of fourteen thousand dollars to be provided for, from some other source.

In addition to this, the State is indebted in the following sums which are now due, for the payment of which they have no available means: Due for iron for railroads,

Stocking Southern railroad,

$69,564 77

do

10,000 00

To meet this large amount the state has no other resource but the net proceeds of the Central railroad; which, allowing the highest estimate that has ever been made for its receipts, it will not exceed the sum of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. This will still leave a balance of about three hundred thousand dollars due at the end of the present year unprovided for, and without one dollar of means for payment, except by taxation.

Your committee are not a little influenced in the opinions which they have formed upon this subject, by the great disproportions which exist in the salaries paid by the state, and those which are paid by private individuals and private companies for similar services. This has been a source of just complaint on the part of those upon whom the burden falls. It is a fact well known, that merchants and others who are in the habit of employing clerks and agents, do so for about ✓ one-half the sum paid by the state. Nor is any blame attributable to any state officer for such a state of things. The blame must rest upon that wild spirit of speculation, which a few years ago involved many states as well as individuals. At that time money was the only dreg in the market,

Our state government went into operation too much under the influence of this inflated paper system, when high prices were the only avenues through which an unsound and unsafe currency could be parted with. The salaries fixed at that time are very illy adapted to the present. It is the part of wisdom, as well as a duty we owe to each other, and to the tax payers of the state, to fix upon salaries more in accordance with the present value of money, and with the prices paid by persons in their private transactions.

In recommending this course, your committee feel confident that the present state administration will most cheerfully co-operate in carrying out a system of reduction in every department, which will not only save the state a large amount of money annually, but carry conviction to the minds of those who must necessarily bear the bur