To Elbert V. Chilson, I, Frederick C. Martindale, Secretary of State of the State of Michigan and custodian of the Great Seal of the State, hereby certify that the attached is a true and correct transcript of a proclamation issued by the Governor convening an extra session of the Legislature, the original of which is on file in this office. In witness whereof, I have hereto affixed my signature FREDERICK C. MARTINDALE, State of Michigan EXECUTIVE OFFICE PROCLAMATION. To All Whom It May Concern-Greeting: This is an era in this country during which government by the people is becoming a reality. The tendency is to have the governmental function exercised on the part of the people as directly as possible. This is in obedience to much of the best thought that is applied to the solution of problems involved by the science of government. It is equally the result of a demand on the part of the people that their action shall not be subject to embarrassing or harassing scrutiny and that the rights of those who are living in subordinate capacity shall not be trespassed upon or in any manner endangered or selfishly directed by those in positions of strength and influence over them and about them. Any condition that makes for unfair competition in exercising the rights of citizenship causes both oppression and suppression. If this nation and this state, under God, are to be perpetuated as lands of liberty where worthy humanity of all the world shall find asylum and the insurance of equal rights, there must be provided the fullest and fairest means of expression of those rights. This is necessary if these rights are to exist at all and to be in any sense meaningful. A state of mind that relies upon all the people for the defense of our country in time of war; that is willing to sacrifice the lives of our citizens without regard to number or value in the service of the country, and in peace withholds from all or any citizens their most sacred privileges, or trammels them with difficulty in their use, is intolerable. Because of the growing appreciation of this sentiment the legislature in Michigan and legislatures in other states have improved and are still improving methods of election. In Michigan at this moment there exist an extraordinary condition and occasion which have never been paralleled. Thousands of voters in both of the great political parties, and many in parties of less magnitude as well, demand an opportunity to vote directly upon presidential candidates. If this, which is their right, is withheld at this time there can be no exercise of it for four more years, even if obtained by legislatures in regular session during that time. No candidate and no party should wish to obtain a privilege through a minority. Believing fully that it is the right of the citizens of Michigan, irrespective of political affiliations, to immediately have a presidential preference primary law, I have decided to convene the legislature in special session. Acting under the authority of Section 7, Article 6, of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, I hereby call the legislature of the State of Michigan to meet in extraordinary session on Monday, the 26th day of February, A. D. 1912, at twelve o'clock noon, for the purpose of enacting a presidential preference primary law and for the consideration of such other matters as shall be submitted by special message. [SEAL] Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State at By the Governor, FREDERICK C. MARTINDALE, Governor. Secretary of State. By unanimous consent the Senate took up the order of MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. Mr. Moriarty offered the following resolution : Resolved, That the President be and he is hereby authorized to appoint a committee of three Senators to wait upon His Excellency, the Governor, and inform him that the Senate is now in session and ready to receive any communication he may desire to make. The resolution was adopted. The president announced as such committee, Messrs. Moriarty, Rosenkrans and Weter. Mr. Barnaby offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the President be and he is hereby authorized to appoint a committee of three Senators to wait upon the House of Representatives and inform that body that the Senate is now in session and ready to proceed with business. The resolution was adopted. The President announced as such committee, Messrs. Barnaby, Collins and Miller. Mr. White offered the following resolution: Senate resolution No. 3. Whereas, It is contended that the five day requirement relative to the introduction of bills, as contained in Sec. 22, Art. V of the Constitution, does not apply to special sessions of the Legislature, and that the framers of the Constitution placed the word "regular" in this section that there might be a distinction between regular and special sessions, and in view of this contention, which is likely to be brought to the attention of the Senate in an official way, it is deemed advisable to have laid before the Senate at the earliest possible moment the opinion of the State's legal department; therefore be it Resolved, That the Secretary be, and he is hereby directed to request of the Attorney General an opinion as to the construction of Section 22 Article V of the State Constitution, which reads as follows: "Sec. 22. 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," etc. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Rosenkrans offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the daily sessions of the Senate commence at 2 o'clock p. m. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Cartier offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be and he is hereby directed to draw orders for mileage in accordance with the schedule for the payment of mileage for the regular session of 1911, with such changes and additions as may be necessary to meet the requirements of the special session. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Weter offered the following resolution : Senate resolution No. 6. Whereas, Since the regular session of the Senate death has removed the venerable Jonathan A. Sprague, for several sessions Legislative Postmaster; therefore be it Resolved, By the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Erwin A. Cady, of Port Huron, be named as the choice of the Legislature for the position of Legislative Postmaster for the special session. The resolution was adopted. The President announced that the Senate would proceed to the election of a Legislative Postmaster. The roll of the Senate was then called and the Senators voted as follows: The President announced that Erwin A. Cady having received a majority of all the votes of the Senators-elect, was duly elected Legislative Postmaster. The Secretary announced the appointment of Samuel F. Cook, as an Assistant Secretary for the special session, in place of Clarence B. Smith, who is unable to be present. Mr. Cook appeared at the President's desk, took and subscribed the constitutional oath of office and entered on his duties. The committee appointed by the President to inform the Governor that the Senate had completed its organization, and was ready to receive any communication that he desired to make, reported that the Governor would communicate with the Senate at the joint convention to be held at an hour yet to be agreed upon. The report was accepted and the committee discharged. The committee appointed by the President to inform the House that the Senate had completed its organization and was ready for the transaction of business, reported that it had performed the duty assigned to it. The report was accepted and the committee discharged. The Sergeant-at-Arms announced a committee from the House who informed the Senate that the House was organized and ready to proceed with business. Mr. Snell moved that the Senate take a recess until 2:15 o'clock p. m. The motion prevailed, the time being 12:30 o'clock p. m. AFTER RECESS. 2:15 o'clock p. m. The Senate was called to order by the President. A quorum of the Senate was present. Messrs. Foster and Taylor entered the Senate Chamber and took their seats. The Senate took up 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. 7. Resolved, by the House (the Senate concurring), That the two houses of the Legislature meet in joint convention today, February 26, at 2:15 o'clock p. m. to receive the message of the Governor. 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. The President announced that the hour had arrived for the meeting of the two houses in joint convention to receive the message of the Governor. The Senate then proceeded to the hall of the House of Representatives to meet the House in joint convention. |