THE DETROIT OBSERVATORY. This Observatory was built and equipped by donations from the citizens of Detroit, together with about $3,000 donated by the citizens of Ann Arbor. It was founded and equipped as a working observatory, and not for instruction except in the very highest work: the great object was the advancement of astronomical science, and it was the great object of the founder, Dr. Tappan; and his idea, as expressed in his inaugural address: that nothing would so much add to the renown of the University, as an observatory properly equipped, has become a prophecy fulfilled. Prof. Bruno, the first astronomer connected with the Observatory, commenced the work of the observation of stars, for standard star catalogues, which has been continued by the present astronomer, Prof. J. C. Watson,-also, the acurate observation of the position and magnitude of stars in the vicinity of the ecliptic. In the progress of these observations about 150,000 stars have been observed, catalogued, and projected upon charts, which charts are to be engraved by the Smithsonian Institute, for which the University will receive the credit; and during this work the Observatory at Ann Arbor, and the present astronomer, has become famous to the world by the discovery of 21 new planets. The direct object of these observations is to perfect the data from which the yearly tables are obtained in advance, by means of which are effected the navigation of the ocean and the surveys of the coast. From an examination which we have made of the English Nautical Almanac, printed by the British Admiralty, we find that the Observatory at Ann Arbor is one of five only out of 25 or 30 observatories in the United States recognized as a working observatory, contributing to exact astronomical research. Thus, it will be seen that the Observatory at Ann Arbor has not been idle, as the results of its work are published by the Prussian government and foreign periodicals, seems to us evidence enough that the work is thorough, and of the very highest order. There has been considerable fault found of late, through the press, with the director of the observatory, claiming that it was established for the use of the people, and not for one man to build up a reputation for himself. Your committee have investigated these charges and have come to the unanimous conclusion that it was not the intention of the founders of the observatory to establish this institution as a show for the people, but an institution for the advancement of correct astronomical research, the results of which should be not only for the benefit of the people of this State but for the whole world, and not only for the present but for all future time. We must confess that the astronomer has shown more patience than we should have done under like circumstances, when we take into consideration that there is no janitor furnished for the observatory, that all dirt and that filth from the use of tobacco has sometimes had to be wiped from the floor with wet cloths by the astronomer himself, to avoid injury to the instruments from dust which might result from sweeping. The astronomer, to avoid the trouble of the visiting public, has commenced the construction at his own expense, of an instrument with a twelve-inch silver-glass reflec-tor, which he proposes to mount outside of the main building on the observatory grounds for the visiting public and all students not in the course of higherastronomy. At present they need a portable transit and zenith telescope, and also a spectroscope, for field practice by the student in the regular course, to be located in a cheap building for this purpose on the University campus. Your committee believe that the appropriation of $1,500 for this purpose will be sufficient, and money well expended. THE TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS which we have recommended, after careful scrutiny as to the needs of the several departments, and after a most thorough examination, are as follows: School of mines, for the year 1877. School of mines, for the year 1878... $10,500 10,500 2,500 2,500 1,500 Physical laboratory, 1878. 500 Total, for the year 1877, $32,500.00; for the year 1878, $25,000. The salaries paid the professors has been a subject for our consideration, and we would state that there is no institution of similar standing in this country where they do not pay larger salaries than are paid to the professors of our University. At Brown, they pay their regular professors $3,000 per annum; Yale, $3,000; Princeton, $3,000; Harvard, $4,000; Columbia college, $7,500; Michigan University, $2,500. It seems to us that Michigan, in the salaries paid in the University in comparison with other institutions, still preserves the economical character she has always borne. With all of the dark spots that have existed in the University for the last few years there is yet, we believe, enough of the good, the true, and the gold to excite within the breast of any citizen who has the welfare of the State at heart, a just sense of pride in this truly great institution that has brought so much wealth and intelligence of other States and nations to our shores, so much honor to the State whose educational system is the crowning glory of those who conceived and brought into existence this grand old Michigan. Our system of government of the people requires that the intelligence and the ruling power which rests in the people should be of the highest order possible; and it seems to us that the best policy, the wisest statesmanship, is that which in every way encourages a thorough education of the masses and a broad system of culture throughout our University and other institutions of learning. The demands upon us are that we shall not fail to do for the generations of the present and future what has been done in the past for us. All of which is respectfully submitted. L. J. TAYLOR, Chairman. Majority of the Committee on the University. Report accepted and committee discharged. THIRD READING OF BILLS. House bill No. 49 (printed No. 18), entitled 66 A bill to amend sections 23 and 42 of an act to incorporate the village of Hancock, the same being act No. 274 of the session laws of 1875, entitled An act to incorporate the village of Hancock," approved March 19th, 1875, Was read a third time and passed, a majority of all the Senators elect voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows: By a vote of two-thirds of all the Senators elect, the bill was ordered to take immediate effect. Senate joint resolution No. 8, entitled Joint resolution to amend section 15 of Article XVII. of the constitution of the State of Michigan, relative to a general revision of the laws, Was read a third time, and pending the taking of the vote thereon, Mr. Perrin moved that the same be laid on the table; The Senate went into committee of the whole on the general order, After some time spent therein, the committee rose, and, through their chairman, made the following report: The committee of the whole have had under consideration the following bills: 1. Senate bill No. 64, entitled A bill to amend section 7980 of the compiled laws of 1871, relative to inquests, being section 11 of chapter 167, of the revised statutes of 1846; 2. Senate bill No. 76, entitled A bill establishing the time for fixing the salaries of county officers; Have made no amendments thereto, and have directed their chairman to report the same back to the Senate, and recommend their passage. The committee of the whole have also had under consideration the following: 3. Senate bill No. 74, entitled A bill to provide the forms for deeds and mortgages; 4. Senate bill No. 66, entitled A bill to amend section 470 of the compiled laws of 1871, relative to the powers and duties of the boards of supervisors of the several counties, and to confer upon them certain local administrative and legislative powers; Have made sundry amendments thereto, and directed their chairman to re port the same back to the Senate, asking concurrence therein, and recommend their passage. The committee of the whole have also had under consideration the following: 5. Senate bill No. 71, entitled A bill to amend section 4738, 4739, and 4740, of the compiled laws of 1871, relative to divorce; Have stricken out all after the enacting clause thereof, and ask the concurrence of the Senate in their action. The committee of the whole have also had under consideration the following: 6. Senate bill No. 77, entitled A bill to prevent betting upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election; Have directed their chairman to report the same back to the Senate, with the recommendation that the bill be referred to the committee on the judiciary. L. J. TAYLOR, Chairman. Report accepted and committee discharged. The first and second named bills were placed on the order of third reading. On motion of Mr. Baxter, The Senate concurred in the amendment made by the committee to the third and fourth named bills, and the same were placed on the order of third reading. On motion of Mr. Waterbury, The Senate concurred in the action of the committee in striking out all after the enacting clause in the fifth named bill. On motion of Mr. Perrin, The bill was referred to the committee on State affairs. On motion of Mr. Baxter, The Senate concurred in the recommendation of the committee in regard to the sixth named bill, and the same was referred to the cominittee on the judiciary. On motion of Mr. Waterbury, The Senate adjourned. Lansing, Tuesday, March 13, 1877. The Senate was called to order by the President at 10 o'clock A. M. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Duffield. Roll called a quorum present. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS. By Mr. Read: Petition of Ezra Cook and 12 others, praying that the privileges of the Agricultural College may be extended to both sexes; Also, Petition of J. T. Hay and 9 others, for the same object; Also, Petition of C. H. Goldsmith and 14 others, for the same object; Also, Petition of David Atkins and 8 others, for the same object; The petitions were referred to the committee on Agricultural College. By the same: Remonstrance of Adam Feick and 9 others, against the re-es-tablishment of the county school superintendency system; Also, Remonstrance of R. A. Thorne and 17 others, to the same effect; Also, Remonstrance of J. T. Hay and 11 others, to the same effect; Also, Remonstrance of B. F. Needham and 15 others, to the same effect; Remonstrance of Wm. Yates and 18 others, to the same effect; The remonstrances were referred to the committee on education and public schools. By the same: Petition of E. W. Saunders and 25 others, for the passage of a law defining the weight of a bushel of apples to be 47 pounds; Also, Petition of Henry Marhoff and 23 others, for the same object; Petition of J. T. Hay and 11 others, for the same object; Petition of G. W. Debon and 12 others, for the same object; Petition of Wm. Yates and 18 others, for the same object; The petitions were referred to the committee on State affairs. By the same: Petition of Wm. R. Whitney and 12 others, asking for thepassage of a law restricting the rate of interest to 7 per cent; Also, Petition of Dan. Holmes and 30 others for the same object; Petition of Wm. Yates and 18 other citizens of Montcalm county, for the same object; Also, Petition of Henry Marhoff and 17 others, for the same object; Also, Petition of Robert Butler and 10 others, for the same object; Petition of A. Kingsley and 9 others, for the same object; The petitions were referred to the committee on State affairs. By the same: Petition of J. H. Rhoades and 11 others, praying that the general railroad laws be so amended as to require all railroads to establish and maintain uniform rates of freight; Also, Petition of John Gogle and 25 others, for the same object; Also, Petition of J. F. Hay and 10 others, for the same object; Also, Petition of James Gardiner and 11 others, for the same purpose; The petitions were referred to the committee on railroads. By Mr. Burleigh: Petition praying that the Legislature may take such steps |