Page:Journal of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan.djvu/45

27.] The judiciary committee, instructed by resolution of the 16th, to inquire into the expediency of allowing per diem compensation to the associate judges of the circuit court, have had the subject under consideration, and report: That the last Legislative Council created the new circuit courts, and made no provision for the associate judges, except in the allowance to them of fees for all business done out of court. Although there appeared no report assigning the reasons which existed at that time for neglecting to compensate the judges for their attendance upon court, still it is presumed the omission was intentional. The judges are generally practical men, engaged in agricultural or common pursuits, and the appointment without pay should be considered a privilege, while it relieves them from many of the burthens which their neighbors are liable to bear. They are exempt, for instance, from service upon juries, and from the performance of militia duty. The committee have been advised of no good reason, why the decision of the last Council should not be adhered to; and they ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

Mr. Doty, from the committee on territorial affairs, made the following report, which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:

The Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, respectfully represent: That under the authority of an act of the Legislative Council, the inhabitants met in their several townships on the first Tuesday of October, 1832, and then and there expressed their opinion in the affirmative upon the question—"Whether it be expedient for the people of this territory to form a state government." That a very large majority of the citizens of this territory, it is believed by your memorialists, are solicitous to change their present government. Application having been duly made to your honorable body by the last Legislative Council, at the last session of Congress, for this purpose, we beg leave respectfully to refer to the facts and reasons at that time presented for consideration.

The situation of the country and of its inhabitants west of lake Michigan, is such, as, in the opinion of your memorialists, to demand an immediate separation from that part which is hereafter to compose the state of Michigan, and the establishment of a territorial government. For this purpose, those inhabitants have frequently presented their petitions to your honorable body, but the answer to their prayer has been delayed until the condition of the western section can be regarded as but little better than that of a colony to the other.

The southern boundary of the state of Michigan your