Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

REPORTS OF PIONEER HISTORICAL MEETINGS

41

Ingham. Eaton.
Whitney Jones, Whig..............449 434
Minos McRobert, Democrat....... 450 371
Johnson Montgomery, Abolition.... 50 48
County officers-Representative, Whitney Jones; Sheriff, Joseph Hunt; Clerk, John Coatsworth; Register, Win... Horton;
Treasurer, Geo. Mathews; Surveyor, Anson Jackson.
The salary of the treasurer, including expenses to Detroit, was
$400; clerk salary, $175.
Location of the State Capital at Lansing.
One of the most important events in the public history of the
county was the locating within its limits of the Capital of the State.
This event occurred in the year 1847.
Previous to this time the seat of government of the Territory
and State of Michigan had been in Detroit. The constitution of
1836 contained a provision making it the duty of the Legislature
to permanently locate the Capital in the year 1847. The people
expected such location to be made and from all parts prO)OsitiOns
were made to induce the law-making department to make location
desired by petitioners.
James Seymour, acting for himself, his brother Horatio Seymour, and others interested at Lansing, submitted a proposition
in favor of the present location. Early in the session, IIon.
George B. Throop, a representative from Wayne county, introduced a bill into the House, entitled, "A bill to locate the Capital
pursuant to section nine of article twelve, of the Constitution of
this State."
Of course the introducer of the bill hoped, and doubtless expected, that it would pass in a form fixing permanently the location at Detroit. It was not destined to so pass. Before its final
passage it underwent many changes, and had a verying and exciting career. At first it was referred to a committee of the
whole, but subsequently committed to a select committee, consisting of Mr. Throop, the introducer, Messrs, Chubb of Washtenaw, Arzeno of Monroe, Marantette of St. Joseph, J. D. Pierce of
Calhoun, Goodrich of Genesee, and Bell of Ionia.
On February 4 the bill was reported back without amendment.
On the 10th of February the Representative from Ingham county,