Page:Journal of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan.djvu/155

5.] A message on executive business was received from the Governor, by Mr. Pritchette, his private secretary.

The following message was received from the Governor, by Mr. Pritchette, his private secretary:

I have this day approved and signed, and herewith return to you, the following bills, viz:—

"An act to amend the act entitled an act to establish circuit courts in certain counties, and to define their powers and duties."

"An act for the relief of Hiram Wilmarth."

G. B. PORTER.

March 5, 1834.

The following message was received from the Governor, by Mr. Pritchette, his private secretary:

The bill entitled "An act to amend the act entitled an act relative to the privileges and duties of townships," referred to me for my assent, needs some alteration. A law of this nature should be so plainly worded as to admit of no doubtful construction.

The objection to this bill is, that it provides for a recovery of a penalty from a township officer, not exceeding fifty dollars, "in the same manner as is provided for the recovery of other forfeitures in and by the 13th section of the "," when no act is previously recited to which the word "said" can have reference. If it be supposed that referrence may be had to the title, (a mode which cannot be approved) it is unfortunate that there is no act in force bearing the same title, as that to which this bill purports to be amendatory. Had the date of the original act been inserted in the title, it would have aided in making certain the act intended to be recited.

If the title be made to read, "An act to amend the act entitled 'An act relative to the duties and privileges of townships'"—and the section be amended by striking out of the 9th line the word "said," and inserting after the word "act" in the same line these words: "entitled 'An act relative to the duties and privileges of townships,'" the bill will be subject to no further objection.

G. B. PORTER.

March 5, 1834.

On motion of Mr. Martin, the committee on enrolment were instructed to make the alterations and corrections suggested in the foregoing message, in the bill to amend the "act relative to the privileges and duties of townships."

The engrossed bill amendatory to an act entitled "an act to