mentable spectacle than the sinking of a vessel, miles away from the reach of a friendly hand, where all save one to tell the story of the other's fate, sink to a watery grave, never more to resume their places on the theatre of human action.

In the death of our honored friend his constituents truly lost a faithful advocate-a firm and ardent friend of every interest of the country he represented on this floor. His familiar form is still fresh in my memory. His place on my right, I behold is vacant-that friendly hand which I frequently had occasion to grasp in friendship, after the adjournment of the Legislature last winter, and previous to his departure for the place of his abode in May last, is no more within my grasp.

I cannot describe the sadness I experienced when I first read of the terrible and heart-rending manner in which the Honorable member from Ontonagon had closed his career on earth.

During the past year Providence has dealt severely with us. Death has not confined its arrows to the warrior or the hero on the battle-field; but as of old, entering alike into all ranks of society and conditions of men, has selected for its victims, the legislator, the soldier, and the civilian. Five from among the members of the two Houses have been summoned in one short year to appear before their Maker. But of all, sir, who have gone to "that bourne from whence no traveler returneth," this man's last end is the most affecting. Nor has any left a widow and orphans under such distressing circumstances as our honored friend, Abner Sherman.

REMARKS OF MR. HAZE.

MR. SPEAKER: I shall not do justice to my feelings if I allow these resolutions to pass without my offering one word in memory of the honored dead. True, I did not expect to speak to these resolutions, but long years of acquaintance have given me an opportunity to know more of the genial nature of the deceased than was wont to impress a less thorough acquaintance.

With all the bias that unfavorable associations and influences had thrown about him, he still possessed a noble and generous

nature, that must ever command respect. A tender and sympathizing heart, I have witnessed him, in the hour of affliction, weep like a child.

Mr. Speaker-The sad fatality that has rested upon both departments of this Legislature during the past year, has brought the narrow house appointed for all living, fearfully near to us all.

We are forcibly reminded of the truth of that text that assures us that in the midst of life we are in death. I will not attempt to express the sad emotions that wrung my feelings when informed by his colleague, the Hon. Mr. Pendill, of the untimely death of him we now lament, who, with his lovely and promising boy, had gone down on the unfortunate "Sunbeam," beneath the engulfing wave of Lake Superior, to rise no moré.

The deceased while yet with us, may often have presented an unprepossessing exterior; but, Mr. Speaker,

"We all have our frailties

We all are unwise,

And the grace that redeems us

Must shine from the skies."

I heartily second the resolutions.

The resolutions were unanimously adopted.

The Speaker declared the House adjourned until to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock.

Lansing, Wednesday, January 27, 1864.

The House met, pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the Speaker.

Prayer by Rev. Mr. Bryant,

Roll called: quorum present.

Messrs. Beakes and G. A. Smith appeared and answered to their names.

Absent at roll call, without leave, Messrs. Dow, H. Miller Pendill, Toll and Wight.

Mr. Cowan asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Dow, for an indefinite time.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS.

By Mr. Buckley: petition of the township board of the township of Emmet, Calhoun county, in regard to bounties paid to volunteers;

Referred to the committee on banks and incorporations.

By Mr. Parsons: petition of Capt. A. B. Wood, 1st Lieut. Porter K. Perrin and 148 other officers and privates belonging to the 27th regiment of Michigan infantry volunteers, requesting measures to be taken to secure to said petitioners the payment of the State bounty authorized by an act of the Legislature, passed at the last session thereof, which bounty was promised to said petitioners at the time of their enlistment;

Referred to the committee on military affairs.

By Mr. Jenison: petition of J. C. Brunson, Joseph Upton, Hugh Jenison and 88 others, citizens of Victor, Clinton county, praying for the passage of a law to authorize said township to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers;

Also, petition of Wm. Van Dike, S. S. Bennett, Andrew J. Jones and 45 others, citizens of Riley, Clinton county, praying for the passage of a law to authorize said township to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers;

Also, petition of the township board of Westphalia, county of Clinton, praying for the passage of a law to legalize the vote of said town, and authorize said tax to be raised to pay bounties to volunteers;

Referred to the committee on ways and means.

By Mr. Wilson: petition of John Clark, Henry Groff, Alvin Porter, Carl Hill and 70 others, citizens of Metamoras, in the county of Lapeer, asking the Legislature to legalize the action of said township in voting money to volunteers;

Referred to the committee on ways and means.

By Mr. Congdon: memorial of the township board of Lima, Washtenaw county, praying for the legalizing of the acts of said township in raising money to pay volunteers;

Referred to the committtee on ways and means.

By Mr. McKernan: petition of S. S. Robinson and 52 others, asking the appointment of Ransom Sheldon, John H. Foster and Wm. H. Stevens, as commissioners for the Fort Wilkins and Fort Howard military road.

On motion of Mr. Lockwood,

The petition was laid on the table.

By Mr. Beakes: petition of the township board of the township of Lodi, Washtenaw county, for authority to levy a tax to pay a loan for the payment of bounty and to legalize the vote for that purpose;

Also, petition of the township board of Northfield, Washtenaw county, for the same purpose;

Referred to the committee on ways and means.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.

By the committee on State affairs:

The committee on State affairs, to whom was referred the petition of Charles Porter, M. W. Stockwell and 18 other citizens of Oakland county, asking that such persons as were drafted in the late draft and paid their $300 commutation money, or went into the service, or furnished a substitute, be exempted from the tax raised to pay volunteers, would respectfully report that the subject matter of the petition, by reference of the Governor's message, was referred to the committee on ways and means, and that similar petitions have been already referred to that committee.

Your committee have therefore instructed me to report the petition back to the House, and ask that it be referred to the committee on ways and means, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

GILBERT E. READ, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

The recommendations of the committee were concurred in, and the petition was referred to the committee on ways and

means.

By the committee on banks and incorporations:

The committee on banks and incorporations, to whom was referred Senate bill No. 4, being

A bill to authorize the township of South Haven, in Van Buren county, and other townships in the counties of Van Bu ren and Allegan, to make loans, and levy taxes for the construction and improvement of the harbor at the mouth of South Black River, in said township of South Haven,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under con sideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, with the accompanying amendments, recommending that the amendments be concurred in, and that the bill when so amended do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

JAS. A. SWEEZEY, Chairman.

Report accepted and committee discharged.

On motion of Mr. Woodman,

The House concurred in the amendments made by the committee.

The bill was referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order.

By the committee on banks and incorporations:

The committee on banks and incorporations to whom was referred

A bill authorizing the township of Atlas, Genesee county, to raise money by tax to refund bounties voluntarily paid, advanced or pledged by the inhabitants of said township for volunteers,

Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same back to the House, without amendment, and recommend that it do pass, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

JAS. A. SWEEZEY, Chairman. Repórt accepted and committee discharged.