Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-30
Correspondence Of the Sentinel.

+ Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
DErRoIr, Dece n,ber l6, 1850.
| Dear Sentinel: In my last I spoke Q
the Constitution and laws of Michigan
and proposed, l believe, TO detail some 9
their leading features. The detail mus
necessarily be brief, but l must notice5som
of those features that differ from ihe ohit
Constitution and laws.
The new Constitution just adopted by
vote Of the elect.rs, takes effect from and
after the first day of January, 1851 The
Executive department consists of Cover
nor and Lieutenant Governor, elected for
2years. The Legislative department con-
sists Of Senate and House of Representa-
tives, elected also for two years, and elect
ed by single districts, except that no town.
ship or city shall be divided in the forma-
ton Of districts. The Senate to consist Of
80 members, and the House Of not less than
"a nor more than 100 members An emu.
msration Of the inhabitants to be taken in
1854, and every 10 years thereafter, and
the apportionment made by the Legislature
on each State and United States enumera-
ton: that is, twice in 10 years. A board
of Supervisors consisting Of one person e.
lected by each township, and one by each
ward, (or in cities as the Legislature may
direct are authorized to apportion Repre-.
sentatives in counties entitled to more than
one Representative.
The Judicial power is vested in one Su.
prems Court, in Circuit Courts, in Probate
Courts and in Justices IF the Peace, and
such municipal courts as the Legislature
may esta blish in cities. The State, exclu.
sive of the Upper Peninsula, is divided in.
to eight Judicial circuits. The Upper Pc.
ninsula has separate judicial organization
and composes a separate Judicial district.
All the Judges are elected by the people,
and Judges of the Supreme Court hold their
offices years, and Circuit Judges ELECT.
ed by the people of the counties composing
their respective circuits, are elected for 6
years. A Probate Judge for each county
is elected once iu A years. Justices of tie
Peace, not exceeding four for each township,
are elected for A years and Alternately
Regular sessions of the Legislature are to
be held but once in two years, and County
and State officers, except Judges, hold theil
Offices for two years.
The State officers SO elected, are Cover.
nor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary oil
State, Superintendent Of Public Instruction
State Treasurer, Commissioner of the
Land Office, an Auditor General and ar
Attorney General.
The board of Supervisors have dutie.
nearly corresponding with the duties o
County Commissioners andiCounty Auditor
aad the Board of Equalization in Ohio
and have some other duties.
In regard to dividing counties, one pro-
vision OF the Constitution is, that mo organ
lied county shall ever be reduced by the
organization of new counties, to less than
l6 townships, as surveyed by the United
States, unless in pursuance of law, a ma
jority Of electors residing in each county 10
be affected thereby, shall SO decide Anoth.
er provision is, mo county seat once estab.
lished shall be removed, unless the place 10
which it is proposed to be removed shall be
designated by two-thirds of the board Of
Supervisors Of the county, and majority
of the electors voting thereon shall have
voted In favor of the proposed location in
such manner as shall be prescribed by
law
The township officers, elected annually
on the first Monday Of April, are, one Su-
pervisor. one township Clerk, to be also ex-
oficio School Inspector, one Commissioners
of highways, one township Treasurer and
one School Inspector. not exceeding four
Consta bles, and one Overseer Of highways
for each highway district.
Each county and each township is made
a corporate body, and the Legislature is
authorized to confer upon organized town.
ships. incorporated cities and villages, and
upon the board Of Supervisors Of the seve.
raj counties, such powers Of a local legisla-
tive and administrative character as they
may deem proper
The Legislature is prohibited granting
divorces or authorizing lotteries or sale Of
lottery tickets-is also prohibited sauditing
or allowing any private claim or account
or allowing extra compensation to any pub
lie officer, agent or contractor, after the ser.
vice has been rendered, or the contract en-.
tered into - ss
Sec. "a, Art. 4 provides, that The Leg.
I