become desirable, and it is a matter worthy of the most careful consideration, whether the entire township government may not be vested in certain selectmen, somewhat like the Connecticut system; and whether the county government might not be almost entirely supplied by the election of county auditors, who, with the treasurer, should audit all accounts, and equalize the assessments of the townships, and assign to each its quota of tax for state and county purposes. Such a system, however, would greatly resemble the old commissioner system, which certainly looks well on paper, but failed to please the people. The committee might have recommended some change in these respects. But we have not yet come under the action of the Revision of last year, reducing township officers, and the people are tired of constant change in our laws.

In reference to the last division in the reference, the committee remark that they are unable by its language to judge of what particular branches of the public service it is intended to improve or reform. The committee, in reporting back these resolutions, must be permitted to express a hope that some more definite plan, or some programme or outline of a plan, may be submitted by the mover for the consideration of the House.

Whilst the committee are in favor of reform in all the public policy of the State, they cannot recommend breaking up a settled policy or system of government without a reasonable certainty of establishing something better in its place.

If the last resolution is intended to call attention to the collection and disbursement of non-resident taxes, the committee remark that another reference calls their attention to that subject, and it will be reported upon under such reference.

All which is respectfully submitted.

J. GOODWIN,
Ch'n Com. on State Affairs.

No. 4.

1847.

Reports of the Select Committee on the location of the Capitol.

Mr. Throop, as chrirman of the committee, submitted the following report which he had prepared for the adoption of the committee, and also the amendment discussed in the report to the original bill, which amendment the majority of the committee did not adopt. The committee directed the chairman to report the bill referred to them back to the House without amendment and in blank-with an understanding that this report and one by Mr, Goodrich and another by Mr. Pierce, read also to the committee, should be also reported to the House by the respective gentlemen. The chairman adds hereto a copy of the bill as he proposed to amend it, and as he maintains in the report it ought to be passedas follows:

Sec. 1. The seat of government of this State shall be at

:

in the county of Provided, That the said county shall always furnish the required and suitable buildings, for the meetings of the legislature, for the governor and for the state officers, free from expense to the state, except such reasonable sums as the legislature may from time to time allow and direct.

Sec. 2. The governor of the state is directed and empowered on behalf of the state, to enter into a contract pursuant to the above provision with the board of supervisors or of county auditors for the occupation of such buildings by the state for the purposes aforesaid for the ensuing

years.

The undersigned says in addition, that the county of Wayne will enter into such contract and furnish the capitol building and ground now occupied by the state, free of expense to the state, under such a bill locating the seat of government at Detroit, in said county.

G. B. THROOP.

REPORT.

The select committee of seven of the House of Representatives on the location of the seat of government to which was referred so much of the governor's message as relates to that subjectalso a bill entitled "an act to locate the capitol pursuant to section 9 of article 12 of the constitution of this state," and also resolutions of the board of supervisors of the county of Calhoun and the proposition of James Seymour (with a map and red lines) offering plans and inducements to the state to locate and build the capitol thereon, respectfully report:

That they have agreed to report the bill back to the House in blank, without designating any place for the location, with an amendment which they have prepared and recommend, and ask the concurrence of the House in their amendment. This amendment in substance provides that in whatever county in the state the legislature may locate the seat of government, the county shall always furnish the required and suitable buildings which may become necessary in consequence of such location, free of expense to the state, except such appropriations as the legislature may from time to time allow or direct for repairs-and directing the governor in behalf the state to enter into a contract with the county for such occupation for years.

The committee are induced to urge upon the legislature this provision of law, connected with the establishment of the seat of government at this time, because it is required by the state of our finances and is practicable; the state can make such a contract it; places the counties or villages upon equal advantages in the competition for the location; it cuts off hopes now or claims hereafter for large expenditures from the treasury in their localities for public buildings and secures the state from such expenditures—it declares the opinion of this legislature that as a central location cannot now conveniently be made, such a position is desirable and will be sought and ought to be obtained hereafter; and it settles the question upon an explicit basis so that no just hopes will be disappointed and no well founded claims be disregarded by the state, when in times hereafter and under other circumstances of the state, its finances, settlements, population, wealth and improvements, the