(For proceedings in joint convention see House Journal.) The Senate returned to the Senate Chamber, the time being 3 o'clock p. m., and was called to order by the President. The President announced that the Senate had met the House in joint convention and had received the message of the Governor. The Senate resumed the order of MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE. The following message from the House was received and read: House of Representatives, To the President of the Senate: Sir:--I am instructed by the House to transmit to the Senate the following concurrent resolution : House resolution No. 6. Resolved, by the House (the Senate concurring), That the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to mail copies of the daily journal to such persons as received them during the regular session of the Legislature, according to the several mailing lists furnished by the members thereof, subject to such changes and correction as may be desirable; and that the amount of postage on such copies of said journals so sent out shall be paid by the State Treasurer on the warrant of the Auditor General on the presentation of bills duly certified by the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, showing that such stamps have been purchased and used only for the payment of postage in mailing copies of the Journal hereby ordered to be distributed. Which has been adopted by the House, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, CHARLES S. PIERCE, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The question being on concurring in the adoption of the resolution, The resolution was adopted. By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. Mr. Miller offered the following resolution : Senate Resolution No. 7. Resolved by the Senate, That a respectful message be sent to the Governor requesting him to submit to the Senate all evidence in his possession relative to the existence of a demand for a Presidential Preference Primary Act, and for the giving of immediate effect thereto. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Miller offered the following resolution: Senate resolution No. 8. Whereas, The ratio of representation in the National House of Representatives is approximately one Representative to 212,000 population, and under said ratio Michigan is entitled to thirteen Representatives; and Whereas, The State of Michigan is now divided into only twelve congressional districts, with populations as follows: Whereas, Great disparity in population now exists between the said several districts and without a new division of the State into congressional districts one representative must be elected at large; now, therefore, be it Resolved, By the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that it is for the public interest that the congressional districts in the State of Michigan be rearranged; and be it further Resolved, That a respectful message be sent to the Governor requesting that the subject of the rearrangement of the said congressional districts be submitted to the special session of the State Legislature now sitting. The question being on the adoption of the resolution, Mr. Miller moved that the resolution be laid on the table. The motion prevailed. Mr. James offered the following resolution: Senate Resolution No. 9. Resolved, That the Attorney General be requested to furnish the Senate, at his earliest convenience, with his opinion on the constitutionality of giving a Presidential Preference Act immediate effect. The question being on the adoption of the resolution, Mr. Miller offered the following substitute: Senate Resolution No. 9. Resolved, That the Attorney General be and he is hereby requested to transmit to the Senate an opinion on the following point: Is the Legislature the sole judge of its powers with reference to giving immediate effect to acts passed by it? And for a citation of all authorities bearing upon the construction of Art. V, Sec. 21, so far as it relates to said question. The question being on the adoption of the substitute, The substitute was adopted. The resolution as substituted was then adopted. Mr. Taylor offered the following resolution : Whereas, Rev. Jonathan A. Sprague, for three terms Legislative Postmaster, departed this life on January 27, 1912, at the beginning of his eightieth year; therefore be it Resolved, By the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we shall miss the pleasant associations which we recall in connection with his legislative service, including the acting many times as the Chaplain of our sessions, and that we extend to his family our sincere sympathy in the loss of one who lived a long, honorable and useful life. The resolution was unanimously adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS. Mr. Lee introduced Senate bill No. 1, entitled A bill to provide for the expression of the popular will for the nomination of a President and Vice-President of the United States; the elec tion of delegates to national party conventions, and to provide for the preparation of ballots therefor. The bill was read a first and second time by its title, ordered printed, and referred to the Committee on Elections. Mr. Lee moved that 1,000 extra copies of the above entitled bill be printed for the use of the committee. The motion prevailed. Mr. Mapes introduced Senate bill No. 2, entitled A bill to provide a method whereby the enrolled voters of each political party may express their choice for delegates to a national convention called for the purpose of nominating a candidate for President of the United States; to provide for the election of candidates for party presidential electors, making an appropriation for paying the expenses in curred in carrying out the provisions of this act, and to provide a tax to meet the same. The bill was read a first and second time by its title, ordered printed, and referred to the Committee on Elections. Mr. Mapes moved that 1,000 extra copies of the above entitled bill be printed for the use of the committee. The President declared the Senate adjourned until tomorrow at 2 o'clock p. m. ELBERT V. CHILSON, SECOND DAY. Lansing, Tuesday, February 27, 1912. 2 o'clock p. m. The Senate met pursuant to adjournment and was called to order by the President. The roll of the Senate was called by the Secretary. The following Senators were present: Messrs. Barnaby, Bradley, Cartier, Collins, Conley, Foster, Freeman, James, Kingman, Kline, Lee, Leidlien, Mapes, Miller, Moriarty, Murtha, Newton, Putney, Rosenkrans, G. G. Scott, Snell, Taylor, Vanderwerp, Vaughan, Walter, Ward, Watkins, Weter, White, Wiggins―30. The following Senators were absent with leave: Messrs. Fowle and F. D. Scott-2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM STATE OFFICERS. State of Michigan OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL. Lansing, February 27, 1912. Mr. E. V. Chilson, Secretary of the Senate, Lansing: Dear Sir:-I have your communication of February 26, submitting a copy of the resolution offered by Senator White, directing you to request my opinion relative to the provisions of Section 22 of Article V of the Constitution. The question presented is whether the requirement therein that no bill shall be passed or become a law until it has been printed and in the possession of each house for at least five days applies to a special session of the Legislature. The section of the Constitution in question reads as follows: "No bill shall be passed or become a law at any regular session of the Legislature until it has been printed and in the possession of each house for at least five days. No bill shall be passed at a special session of the legislature on any other subjects than those expressly stated in the governor's proclamation or submitted by special message. No bill shall be altered or amended on its passage through either house so as to change its original purpose." The foregoing language is susceptible of but one meaning. It is ap |