Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-01-12

prOpriate portion, at least, Of this fund to the
construction of such roads as are deemed essen
tial to the growth and prosperity of this impor-
tant colonyl
One, perhaps, from their principal settlement.
to Grandville, in the county of Kent, another
to the mouth of Grand River, in Ottawa county,
and third to some point Oh the Kalamazoo
River in the county of Allegan.
Of the $4,000 acres of Internal Improvement
lands, appropriated at the last session of the le-
gislature, for the construction of canal around
the rapids, or the Grand River, the Supervisors
of Kent county, have selected eleven thousand
seven hundred and ninety eight and 27-l00 a
ores in the same townships, and part of the
same tract by the Holland Colony, and embra-
eng nearly all the unsold lands belonging to
the State, IN their immediate vicinity.
BY this selection, under the law referred to,
these lands NAV be held from sale, for three
years, of which theHollanders wish to purchase
Immediately, more than four thousand acres.
| suggest the propriety of SO amending the
law. as to authorize the sale Of the lands so Sc
lecsed, and the holding the proceeds In lieu of
the lands for the object of the appropriation.
Such modification, it Is understood, will re-
ceive the appreciation of the Supervisors of
Kent county.
| For detailed exposition of this subject,
refer YOU to the report of the Commissioner of
the State Land Office. In the views expires sed
| by that intelligent officer fully concur.
| No measure of legislation could be devised,
perhaps, that would have greater tendency to
| induce emigration to our state than the collec-
ton and periodical publication of accurate sta
| tstical information of Its varied resources and
capacities.
The false representations Of interested per-
sons, made for the purpose of turning the tide
| OF emigration away from our shores, would be
counteracted by such publication, and thousands,
who now pass by US, in search of new homes,
would be induced to fix their abodes in our pen
| insula. h- .t441
| individuals or associated efforts cannot be re-
| lied upon in community so young as ours, for
the accomplishment Of this object, but it may
be effected through the agency OF the township,
county and state officers with little ex pense to
the treasury.
submit whether statistical bureau might
| not be established in connection witt: one OF
the executive departments, the advantages OF
which would greatly overbalance any increase
of expenditure incident thereto.
This subject has an importance in a new coun-
try like ours, not know to it in an old one.-
Here, every thing is i n train of advancement;
every returning year exhibits the whole country
l
largely increased population.
1t is as necessary that statistics should be re
newed annually in the western states, as that
| they should be collected deceDniay in the wes-
tern states, as that they should be collected de-
cennially in the old ones.
Were all the facts, affecting the character OF
Michigan, the fertility of its soil and variety OF
Its productions, the salubrity and mildness Of
Its climate, its facilities for manufacturing, it,
commercial advantages, its avenues for trave
and transportation, the extent and value of its
fisheries. the countless wealth of its mines, its
| forests of pine and other valuable timber, its
system of education, the enterprise and intelli
gence of its people, the simplicity and cheapness
of its system OF government, the low rate Of tax
alton which will soon be reached-were the de-
tails of these various subjects annually promu
gated in authentic form, it cannot be doubted
but they would 90 far to disabuse the public
mind, and to bring us accessions of population
and wealth.
Besides, annual accumulation of such mass
of statistical matser,would be of invaluable ben
eft to the state, and to its individual ctizens,i
many other respects.
A joint resolution of the last legislature ap
proved on the 18th Mach, 1917, proposed so t.
amend the constitution as to provide for diyidin!
the state into single districts for the purpose o
representation. I-
This resolution is referred to the legislator,
now convened, and if approved by two-thirds o
the members elected to each house, is to b,
submitted to the people for their approval or re
lection, in such manner and at such time as vol
shall prescribe.
Changes of the original law, should be cauti
ously and sparingly made; no alienation of it
provisions should be hazarded, unless in SOM
material part, they are palpably defective.
i Yet it would not be wise TO close our eyes a
ganst the light of experience, if our govern
| mental system, from It's practical operation, b
found imperfect, sound policy dictates that tn
proper corrective should be applied.
BY the twenty first clause of the fourth articl
of the constitution, it is ordained that the legls
nature shall meet on the first Monday in Januar
, in every year.
!; Would not the interests of the people, be pru
motet by so modifying that provision, as to linn
it the sessions of the legislature to biennial pc
RODS?
In most new states, and in few, perhaps, NOR
e than 10 our own, strong tendency to eXcessiy
: legislation has been manifested.
Enactments, designed to effect local or privat
: objects alone, no wise conducive to the genera
/, good, multiplied acts of interpretations and fire
f qaent alterations of the general laws, have oc
5 cupied much OF the time OF our legislatures
: Their sessions have thus been greatly protract
: ed and the draft upon the public treasury mad
proportionally heavier.
' As the expenses of the legislature constitut
+. great part of the amount dsbursed in supper
: of the state government its sessions ought no
: to be more frequent than is necessary for tn
4 adoption of measures and enactment of law
s absolutely essential to general welfare.
: | respectfully submit whether session ever
alternate year would not be all sufficient 70
/ those purposes.
e Bienial sessions would very much diminis
$ the burdens upon the people, and at the sam
: time tend to give greater permanency to our sta
V utes.
D In several of the younger states, their legi>
' latures convene only once in two years, and i
no one of them, believe, has it ever been pro
D posed to alter their constitution in that regard
: recommend such further modification of tn
!. constitution and laws as shall provide for tn
r election, by the people, of all county officers
many of whom are now appointed by the exc
cutive, and it is worthy OF inquiry whether a
D State officers also, may not with advantage t
5 the public interest, be selected by the direct &C
D ton of the electors.
Fl Ihave hitherto deemed it inexpedient to max
high judicial officers elective, but the experime
E l. L. boc boEo al