Mr. Hoar asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Bot tomley for the day. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS. By Mr. Brunson: Petition of J. W. Taft, John Gilbert, B. M. Shepard, and 214 others, for the amendment of the charter of the village of Ovid; Referred to the committee on municipal corporations. By Mr. Shaw: Petition of the supervisors of Eaton county relative to the township drain law; Referred to the committee on drainage. By. Mr. C. W. Watkins: Petition of A. J. Woodard and 85 others, citizens of Plainwell, Allegan county, for a law that shall give adequate protection for losses occasioned by railroad fires in this State; Referred to the committee on railroads. By Mr. E. R. Miller: Petition of John Davis, S. Bogue, J. N Beeson, and 300 others, relative to fish interests. The petition was read and ordered printed in the journal, and is as follows: To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of Michigan: The undersigned, inhabitants of the State of Michigan, beg leave humbly and respectfully to represent to your honorable body: First, That the fish in the various lakes and streams of this State are rapidly decreasing in number and value, because of their destruction, in many instances wanton and useless, consequent upon the lack of suitable provision for their protection and increase. Second, That a like state of things in several other States has led their Legislatures to pass laws prohibiting the destruction of valuable varieties of fish during the spawning season, and by improper means at any time; and to appropriate money for the purpose of stocking their waters with desirable kinds, under the direction of suitable commissioners-and that the Congress of the United States has made a similar appropria tion, no part of which has been expended in this State, owing to the lack of co-operating legislation. Third, That the results of this action have been eminently satisfactory, so much so that their operations are extended from year to year; that the practicability and wisdom of such legislation have been completely demonstrated, by the large increase in the product of their fisheries, and the successful introduction of new and valuable varieties; while it is plain that the benefits resulting from such action are only just beginning to be realized. Fourth, That the public waters of this State are capable, under proper regulations, of furnishing a very large supply of many of the finest and most valuable species of fish; and that this supply can be maintained at an expense so trifling as to bear no comparison with the result, by introducing young fry which have been protected by artificial means, during the most critical period of their existence. Fifth, That from the nature of the case, private enterprise cannot undertake this work, for the reason that there are no means of securing to any who might engage in it the fruits of their labor, which would necessarily enure to the general benefit. For these and many other reasons, we most earnestly and respectfully pray your honorable body to pass such a law as will protect the most valuable varieties of fish during the spawning season, and prevent their wanton destruction; and also to appropriate such a sum as you may deem advisable, to be expended in stocking the public waters of the State with such valuable species of fish as may be suited to thrive therein, under the direction of a suitable commission, to be composed of men who are acquainted with the subject and competent to undertake the work. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc. Referred to the committee on fisheries. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. By the committee on federal relations: The committee on federal relations to whom was referred Joint resolution requesting our Senators and Representatives in Congress to use their best endeavors to procure an amendment to the pension law granting pensions to the surviving soldiers of the war of 1812, so as to entitle all of said soldiers to a pension irrespective of the time of service, Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, and being of the opinion that the subject matter of said resolution having no particular application to the State of Michigan, this House ought not to interfere with the action of the body having exclusive power to legislate upon the subject matter thereof, have directed me to report the same back to the House without recommendation, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject. THOMAS C. RIPLEY, Chairman. Report accepted and committee discharged. On motion of Mr. Priest, The joint resolution was laid on the table. By the committee on federal relations: The committee on federal relations to whom was referred Joint resolution asking Congress for an appropriation for the survey of the Michigan ship canal, Respectfully report that they have had the same under consideration, 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 joint resolution, when so amended do pass, and ask to be discharged. from the further consideration of the subject. THOMAS C. RIPLEY, Chairman. Report accepted and committee discharged. On motion of Mr. Kellogg, The House concurred in the amendments made to the joint resolution, by the committee. The bill was then ordered printed, referred to the committee of the whole, and placed on the general order. NOTICES. Mr. Pierce gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to create a board of review in order to examine and correct assessment rolls of supervisors. Mr. Caplis gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill supplementary to the act entitled, "An act to revise the charter of the city of Detroit, approved February 5, 1857," and to abolish citizens' meetings in said city. Mr. Withington gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to authorize telegraph companies to amend their articles of association. Mr. Kellogg gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to detach certain territory from the township of Berlin, and attach the same to the township of Easton, in Ionia county. Mr. Shaw gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to amend section 2 of chapter 201 of the compiled laws entitled," Proceedings against debtors by attachment.” Mr. Welch gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to repeal the second proviso of section one of chapter twenty-six of compiled laws of 1871 (page 439), relative to the laying out of highways through orchards. Mr. L. Walker gave notice that some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to legalize the assessment rolls of the second and third wards of the city of Flint, in the county of Genesee, State of Michigan, for the year 1870, and to extend the time for the collection of unpaid taxes levied therein. Mr. Edwards gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to prevent persons from promoting or conducting fights between animals or fowls, and for raising, training, or fitting them for that purpose. Mr. Fancher gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill requiring all actions hereafter brought in the courts of this State to be brought in the name of the real party in interest. Mr. Hoar gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to amend section 11 of chapter 58 of the revised statutes of 1846, being section 3592 in chapter 136 of the compiled laws, relating to primary schools. Mr. Scott gave notice that on some future day he would ask leave to introduce A bill to repeal the law relative to the office of county drain commissioner for Wayne county. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS. Mr. Remer, previous notice having been given, and leave being granted, introduced A bill to prevent and punish the adulteration of milk and the products made therefrom, and to repeal an act entitled "An act to prevent the adulteration of milk and to prevent the traffic in impure and unwholesome milk," approved March 31, 1871. The bill was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the committee on State affairs. Mr. Walton, previous notice having been given, and leave being granted, introduced A bill to amend section 1027 of chapter 21 of the compiled laws of 1871, being section 61 of an act to provide for a |