Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XI.djvu/519

MICHIGAN 501 TJie only canals used for transportation are the St. Mary's ship canal and the Portage and Lake Superior ship canal. The former, about a mile long, around the falls of the St. Mary's at Sault Ste. Marie, was opened in 1855, and has been of great importance in facilitating commerce between Lakes Huron and Superior. The latter is about two miles long, and con- nects Portage lake with Lake Superior on the W. side of Keweenaw point. By opening a navigable channel through the base of the pen- insula, it enables vessels to avoid the circuit around the point. It was completed in 1873. In 1873 there were 77 national banks in the state, with a capital of $9,802,200, and an out- standing circulation of $7,139,217; 13 state banks, with a capital of $1,184,897 80 ; and 10 savings banks, with a capital of $631,300, and deposits amounting to $4,000,000. There were 31 mutual fire insurance companies and 3 stock (1 fire and marine) of the state in opera- tion, besides 88 companies of other states and 11 foreign companies authorized to do business in Michigan ; also 37 life insurance companies, of which one, with a capital of $100,000, was a Michigan company. The executive power of the state is vested in a governor (salary $1,000), lieutenant governor, secretary of state ($800), superintendent of public instruction ($1,000), state treasurer ($ 1 , 000), auditor general ($1,000), commissioner of the state land office ($800), and attorney general ($800), elected by the people for two years. The lieutenant gov- ernor is ex officio president of the senate, and upon the death, resignation, or disability of the governor exercises the functions of that office. The secretary, treasurer, and commis- sioner of the land office constitute a board of state auditors, to examine and adjust claims against the state, and also a board of state canvassers, to determine the result of elections for state officers. The secretary, treasurer, and auditor are a board of internal improve- ments, and the lieutenant governor, auditor, secretary, treasurer, and commissioner of the land office form the state board of equaliza- tion. A commissioner of insurance, railroad commissioner, commissioner of immigration, and salt inspector are appointed by the govern- or with the consent of the senate, the last for six and the others for two years. The state board of health consists of seven members, including the secretary, and the state board of agriculture of the governor and president of the agricultural college ex officio, with six other members. The legislative power is vest- ed in a senate and house of representatives, elected every second year. There are 32 sen- ate districts, each of which elects one senator. The representatives, not fewer than 64 nor more than 100 in number (at present 100), are apportioned among the counties and represen- tative districts according to population. After each United States census, and also after each decennial state census (beginning in 1854), a reapportionment is made. Members of the legislature and the lieutenant governor receive $3 a day while in actual attendance, and 10 cents a mile in going to and from the seat of gov- ernment. The regular sessions are held bien- nially in odd years. No one holding a United States, state, or county office, with minor ex- ceptions, is eligible to a seat in the legislature. Appropriations for any religious sect or soci- ety, or theological or religious seminary, are prohibited ; and no act can be passed author- izing the granting of licenses for the sale of ardent spirits or other intoxicating liquors. The constitution forbids the granting of the credit of the state to or in aid of any person, association, or corporation, and declares that the state shall not subscribe to nor be interest- ed in the stock of any company, association, or corporation, nor engage in any work of inter- nal improvement. The governor's veto can be set aside by a two-thirds vote of both houses. The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, circuit courts, probate courts, and jus- tices of the peace, with such municipal courts as may be established by the legislature in cities. The supreme court consists of a chief justice and three associate justices (salary $4,000), elected by the people for eight years (one reti- ring every two years), and has appellate juris- diction. Four terms are held annually at Lansing. The state is divided into 20 judicial circuits, in each of which a circuit judge (sal- ary $1,500) is elected for six years. Circuit courts are held in each organized county, and have general original jurisdiction, civil and criminal, and appellate jurisdiction of judg- ments of inferior courts. A probate judge is elected in each county for four years, who holds a probate court with the usual powers. Four justices of the peace are elected in each township for a term of four years, with juris- diction in civil cases involving not more than $300, and such criminal jurisdiction as may be prescribed by law. The right of suffrage is conferred on all male citizens of the United States (including civilized Indians not mem- bers of any tribe) 21 years old and upward, who have resided in the state three months and in the township or ward where they offer to vote 10 days. General elections occur on the Tuesday after the first Monday of Novem- ber in even years. Any inhabitant engaging in a duel is disqualified from voting and from holding office. Amendments to the consti- tution must be proposed by two thirds of each house of the legislature, and ratified by the people. Once in 16 years, beginning with 1866, the question of calling a convention to revise the constitution is to be submitted to . the people. Treason is punishable with death ; murder in the first degree with solitary con- finement in the state prison at hard labor for life ; other crimes with fines and various terms of imprisonment. A married woman may carry on business in her own name ; her prop- erty is not liable for the debts of her husband, and she may deal with it and sue and be sued'