De Witt County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1882 (part 7 of 8)

^12. The governor shall have power to remove any offic cise of incompetency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in offi< office vacant, and fill the same as is herein provided in other ca

^ 14. The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the State (except when they shall be called into the service of the United States) ; and may c .11 out the same to execute the laws, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion.

^ 16. Every bill passed by the general assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it, and thereupon it shall become a law; but if he do not approve, he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it shall have originated, which house shall enter the objections at large upon its journal, and proceed to reconsider the bill. If, then, two-thirds rtf the members elected agree to pass the same, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered; and if approved by two-thirds of the members elected to that house, it shall become a law, notwithstanding the objections of the governor. But in all such cases, the vote of each house shall be determined by yeas and nays, to be entered on the journal. Any bill which shall not be returned by the governor within ten days {Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, shall become a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the general as-^embly shall, by their adjournment, prevent its return; in which case it shall be filjd, with his objections, in the office of the secretary of state, within ten days after such adjournment, or become a law.

Lieutenant-Governor

§ 17. In case of death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation, absence from the State, or other disability of the governor, the powers, duties, the emoluments of the office for the residue of the term, or until the disability shall be removed, shall devolve upon the lieutenant-governor.

§ iS. The lieutenant-governor shall be president of the senate, and shall vote only when ihe senate is equally divided. The senate shall choose a president, //-t? tempore, to preside in case of the absence or impeachment of ihe lieutenant-governor, or when he shall hold the office of governor.

\ 19. If there be no lieutenant-governor, or if the lieutenant governor shall, for any of the causes specified in \ 17 of this article, become incapable of performing the duties of the office, the president of the senate shall act as governor until the vacancy is filled or the disability removed; and if the president of the senate, for any of the above named causes, shall become incapable of performing the duties of governor, the same shall devolve upon the speaker of the house of representatives.

Other State Ofhcers

\ 20. If the office of auditor of public accounts, treasurer, secretary of State, attorney general, or superintendent of public instruction shall be vacated by death, resignation or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the governor to fill the same by appointment, and the appointee shall hold his office until his successor shall be elected and qualified in such manner as may be provided by law. An account shall be kept by the officers of the executive department, and of all the public institutions of the State, of all moneys received or disbursed by them, severally, from all sources, and for every service performed, and a semiannual report thereof be made to the governor, under oath ; and any officer who makes a foLe report shall be guilty of perjury, and punished accordingly,

\ 21. The officers of the executive department, and of all the public institutions of the State, shall, at least ten days preceding each regular session of the general assembly, severally report to the governor, who shall transmit such reports to the general assembly, together wilh the reports of the judges of the supreme court of the defects in the constitution and liws; and the governor may at any time require information, in writing, under oath, from the officers of the executive department, and all officers and managers of state institutions, upon any subject relating to the condition, management and expenses of tlieir respective offices.

The Seal Of State

\ 22. There shall be a seal of the State, which shall be called the " Great seal of the State of Illinois," which shall be kept by the secretary of State, and used by him, officially, aa directed by law.

Fees And Salaries

\ 23. The officers named in this article shall receive for their services a salary, to be established by law, which shall not be increased or diminished during their official terms, and they shall not, after the expiration of the terms of those in office at the adoption of this constitution, receive to their own use any fees, costs, perquisites of office, or other compensation. And all fees that may hereafter be payable by law for any service performed by any officer provided for in this article of the constitution, shall be paid in advance into the State treasury.

Definition And Oath Of Office

\ 24. An office is a public position created by the constitution or law, continuing during the pleasure of the appointing power, or for a fixed time, with a successor elected or appointed. An employment is an agency, for a temporary purpose, which ceases when that purpose is accomplished.

§ 25. All civil officers, except members of the general assembly and such inferior officers as may be by law exempted, shall, before they enter on the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or

Article Vi

Tudic'al Powers of Courts. . Seven Supreme Judges - Four Dc , Qualifications of a Supreme Jud, . Icrms of the Supreme Court. . Three Grand Divisions - Seven D . Election of Supreme Judges.

Salaries of the Supreme Judges. . Appeals and Writs of Error. . Appointment of Reporl'-T. ,. ClcrJ-s of the Supreme Court . Appellate Courts Auth-rized. . jnrisdiciion of Circuit Courts.

Formation of Judicial Circuits. ''. Time of holding Circuit Courts. ;. Circuits containing Four Judges, -,. Salaries of the Circuit Judges, r. Qualification of Judges or Comn

Justices of the Peace and Constables. ;. State's Attorney in eath County. 1. Cook County Courts of Record. i. Chief Justice - Power of Judges. ;. Salaries of the Judges, i. Criminal Court of Cook County. r Clerks of Cook County Court.

Supreme Court

2 2. The supreme court shall co-sist of seve:* judges and shall have original jurisdiction in cases relatin<» to the revenue, in ma^</amu^, and Aal>eas carpus and appellate junsdTcUon in all other clises. One of said judges shall be chief justice ; four shall constitute a quorum, and the concurrence of four shall be necessary to every decision. ^3 No pet^on shall be eligible to the office of judge o the supreme court un ess he .hnll he at least ^o years of a^^e and a chizen of the United States, nor unle« he shall have r^tled in the"sSelv?year.° next preceding his election, and be a resident of the district in which he shall be elected. , , . , . i j- ,

2 4 Terms of the supreme court shall continue to he held m the present grand d.vis.ons at ihe several places now provided for holding the same; and until otherwise provided by ^aw one or mure terms of said court shall be held, for the northern division, in the cty of rhlrntrn eirh vear at such times as said court may appoint, whenever said city or the county of Cook shi^ 'pcWde appropriate rooms therefor,\nd^he use of a suitable "b-ry, without exp;nse to the State. The judicial divisions maybe altered, increased or diminished in number, and the limes and places of holding said court may be changed by law

.1 t The present crand divisions shall be preserved, and be denominated b^uthem, Cenil a'nd Nor'thern"'u'ntil otherwise provided 'by law. The State shall be divided into seven districts for ihe election of judges, and until otherwise provided by law, they shall be as

^"'^'^Brst Dhtrut.-T.. counties of St. Clair, Clinton \yashin?ton, Jjff«°". Wayne, Edwards Wabash, White, Hamilton, Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Monroe, J^^l^'On. ^^ '"'=""" son Saline Gallatin Hardin, Pope, Union, Johnson, Alexander, Pulaski and Massac.

i^;^ ip«/''w.-The countie? if Madisin, Bond Marion, Clay Richland Lawrence, Crawford, Jasper, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Macoupm, Shelby, Cumberland, Clark, Greene, Jersey. Calhoun and Christian. ,, t r^ p;.,tt nird Dhtrkt.-1\.<. counties of SangamonMacon, Logan De ^V"f '/if '- i??"^';'; Champaign, Vermilion, McLean, Livingston, Ford, Iroquois, Coles, Edgar, Moultne, and

Fiflk DUtrict -i'c.^ counties of Knox, Warren, Henderson, Mercer, Henry, Stark, Pe ria, Marshall, Putnam, Bureau, Lasalle, Grundy and Woodford

Six.h Du,ria.-T^^ counties of Whiteside, Carroll Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone McHenry, Kane, Kendall, De Kalb, Lee, Ogle and Rock I»lind

The boundaries of the districts may be changed at the session of the general assembly next preceding the election for judges herein, and at no other time ; but whenever such lilterat'Jons shaU be made, the same shall be upon the rule of equably of popubtion.as nearly as county boundaries will allow, and the districts will be composed of contiguous counties, t^ as near^ compact form as circumstances will permit. The alteration of the districts shall not affect the tenure of office of any judge. .^nnr^me g 6. At the time of vo.ing on the adoption of this constitution, one judge ot he supreme coSrt shall be elected by the electors thereof, in each of said districts numbered two three Tx and seven who shall hold his office for the term of nine years from the fir.t Monday of Tune' in the :^ear of our Lord 1870. The term of office of judges of the supreme court, ilected after the adoption of this constitution, shall be nine years; and on the hrst Monday of June of the year m which the term of any of the judges m oftice at the adoption of his constitution, or-of the judges then elected, shall expire, and every nine r^-;; '^erea '^^^^^ there shall be an election for the successor or successors of such judges, in the respective distiict- wherein the term of such judges shall expire. The chief justice ^l^U continue to act oL such until the expiration of the term for which he was elected,.afterwhich the judges

^'f7'V°romTnVlfter%'he"Tdo;ti:n:Vthif Constitution, the judges of the supreme court shall each receive a salary of 84,000 per annum, payable quarterly, until otherwise provided bv law An.l a*--' saii salaries shall be fixed by law, the salaries of the judge- » shall not be increased or diminished during the terms for which said judges

'"'T'l'^Aooeals and writs of error may be taken to the supreme court, held in the grand division iA which the case is decided, or, by consent of the parties, to any other grand

''' 5' 9°"The supreme court shall appoint one reporter of its decisions, who shall hold his office for six years, subject tu removal by the court.

2 10 At the t me of the election for representatives in th: general assembly, happening next preceding the expiration of the terms of office of the present clerks of said cou t, one clerk of said ?ourt for each division shall be elected, whose term of office shall be six years from said election but who shall not enter upon the duties of his office until the expiration of the term of his predecessor, and every six years thereafter, one clerk of said court for each division shall be elected.

Appellate Courts

and 'ilirisdicUon, miy be created in districts formed for that purpose, to which such appeals and writs of error as the general assembly may provide, may be prosecuted from circuit and

Circuit Courts

J 12. The circuit courts shall have original jurisdiction of all causes in law and equity, and such appellate jurisdiction as is or may be provided by law, and shall hold two or more terms each year in every county. The terms of office of judges of circuit courts shall be

? 13. The State, exclusive of the county of Cook and other counties having a population of 100,000, shall be divided into judicial circuits, prior to the expiration of the terms of office of the present judges of the circuit courts. Such circuits shall be formed of contiouous counties, in as nearly compact form and as nearly equal as circumstances will permit, having due regard to business, territory and population, and shall not exceed in number one circuit for every 100.000 of population in the State. One judge shall be elected for each of said circuits by the electors thereof. New circuits may be formed and the boundaries of circuits changed by the general assembly, at its session next preceding the election for circuit jud-res but al no other time : FromWed, that the circuits may be equalized or changed at the first'session of the general assembly, after the adoption of this constitution. The creation, alteration or chance of any circuit shall not affect the tenure of office of any judge. Whenever the business^of the circuit court of any one, or of two or more contiguous counties, containincT a population exceeding 50,000, shall occupy nine months of the year, the general assembly may make of such county, or counties, a separate circuit. Whenever additional circuits are created, the foregoing limitations shall be observed.

14 The general assembly shall provide for the times of holding courts m each county ; which 'shall not be changed, except by the general assembly next preceding the general election for judges of said courts; but additional terms may be provided for in any county. The election for judges of the circuit courts shall be held on the first Monday of June, in the year of our Lord lS°73, and every six years thereafter. .,..,. . ,

? 15 The general assembly may divide the State into judicial circuits of greater population 'and territory, in lieu of the circuits provided for in section 13 of this article and provide for the election therein, severally, by the electors thereof, by general ticket, of not exceeding four judges, who shall hold the circuit courts in the circuit for which they shall be elected, in such manner as may be provided by law. ,, . . i 16 From and after the adoption of this constitution, judges of the circuit courts shall receive a salary of 'sj 000 per annum, payable quarterly, until otherwise provided by law. And after their salaries shall be fixed by law, they shall not be increased or diminished during the terms for which said judges shall be, respectively, electea; and from aud after the adoption of this constitution, no judge of the supreme or circuit court shall receive any other compensation, perquisite or benefit, in any form whatsoever, nor perform any othei than judicial duties to which may belong any emoluments. ^

? 17 No person shall be eligible to the office of judge of the circuit or any infenor court or to membership in the "board of county commissioners." unless he shall be at le.st d a citizen of the United States, nor unless he shall have resided in this d be a resident of the circuit, county, city, other courts, and from which appeals and writs of errjr shall he to the supreme all crim°nal cases, and cases in which a franchise, or freehold, or the validity of a statute is iavolved and in such other cises as may be provided by law. Such appellate courts shall be held hy such number of judges of the circuit courts, and at such times and p.aces, and in such manner, as may be provided by law; but no judge shall sit 11 review upon case, dcoded by him; nor shall said judges receive any additional compensation ...r such services.

i iS There shall be elected in and for each countv, one county judge and one clerk of the county court, whose terms of office shall be four years. But the general assembly may create districts of two or more contiguous counties, in each of which shall be elecleJ one iud-e,who shall take the place of, and exercise the powers and jurisdiction of county judges in s°uch districts. County courts shall be courts o( record, and shall have original jurisdiction in all matters of probate ; settlement of estates of deceased persons ; appointment of Quardians and conservators, and settlements of their accounts ; in all matters relating to apprentices ; and in proceedings for the collection of taxes and assessments, and such other jurisdiction 'as may be provided for by general law. . , , . .

Probate Courts

3 20 The general assembly may provide for the establishment of a probate court in each cojntv'havin.T a population of over 50,000, and for the election of a judge thereof, whose term of office°shall be the same as that of the county judge, and who shall be elected at the same time and in the same manner. Said courts, when established, shall have original jurisdiction of all probate matters, the settlement of estates of deceased persons, the appointment of "uardians and conservators, and settlement of their accounts ; m all matters relating to apprentices, and in coses of the sales of real estate of deceased persons for tae payment of debts.

Justices Of The Peace And Constables

jj -I Justices of the peace, police magistrates, and constables shall be elected in and for such districts as are, or may be, provided by law, and the jurisdiction of such justices of the peace and police magistrates shall be uniform.

State'S Attorneys

i -'2 At the election for members of the general assembly in the year of our Lord 1S72. and "every four years thereafter, there shall be elected a State's attorney in and for each county, in lieu of the State's attorneys now provided by law, whose term of office shaU be four years.

a 211 The county of Cook shall be one judicial circuit. The circuit court of Cook countyshall consist of five judges, until their number shall be increased as herein provided The present judge of the recorder's court of the city of Chicago and the present judge of the cFrcuit court of Cook county, shall be two of said judges and shall remain in office for the terms for which th=v were respectivelv elected, and until their successors shall be elected and The superior court of Chicago shall be continued, and called the superior cour?of Cook county. The general assembly may increase the number of said judges by adding one to either of said courts for every additional 50,000 inhab.tans in said coumy, ovejand above a papulation of 400,000. The terms of office of the judges of said courts

''"it" TheKhaWnt'trel'ortest unexpired term shall be chief justice of the court of which he is ju fge. In'Jase there are two or more whose terms expire at the same tun. ^ k may be determiSed by lot which shall b. chief justice. Any judge of either of said co"r?f shall have all the powers of a circuit judge, and may hold the court of which he is a member Each of them may hold a different branch thereof at thejame time.

2 25 The jud -es of the superior and circuit courts, and the Stata's atlorney, in said tv sh ill receive the -am- salaries, payable out of the State treasury, as is or may be p°U fmm said treasury to the circuit judges and State's attorneys of the State, and such Further compensation, to be paid by the county of Coo'.<, as is or may be provided bv law ; such compensation shall not be changed during their continuance m om;e.

3 26 The recorder's court of the city of Chicago shall be continued, and shall be called the court of Coo'c county," It shall have the jurisdiction of a circuit court, in 111 cases of criminal and ,«../ criminal nature, arising in the county of Cook, or that may be broTight before said court pursuant to law; and all recognizances and appeals t^ken in ^aid county in criminal and quasi criminal cases shall be returnable and taken to said court. It shall ha've no jurisdiction in civil cases, except in those on behalf of the people, and incident to such criminal or quasi criminal matters, and to dispose of unfinished business. The terms of said criminal court of Cook county shall be held by one or more of the judges of the circuit or superior court of Cook county, as nearly as may be in alternaiion, as may be determined by said judges, or provided by law. Said judges shall be ex-offioio judges of

3 27. The present clerk of the recorder's court of the city of Chicago, shall be the clerk of the crimmal court of Cook count)', during the term for which he was elected. The present clerks of the superior court of Chicago, and the present clerk of the circuit court of Cook county, shall continue in oftice during the terms for which they were respectively elected- and thereafter there shall be but one clerk of the superior court, to be elected by the qualified electors of said county, who shall hold his office for the terra of four years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. j ^ ^ a 28 All justices of the peace in the city of Chicago shall be appointed by the governor, by and with "the advice and consent of the senate, (but only upon the recommendation of a majority of the judges of the circuit, superior and county courU,) and for such districts as are now or shall hereafter be provided by law. They shall hold their offices for four years, and until their successors have been commissioned and qualified, but they may be removed by summary proceedings in the circuit or superior court, for extortion or other malfeasance. Existing justices of the peace and police magistrates may hold their offices until the expiration of their respective terms.

General Provisions

3 29. All judicial officers shall be commissioned by the governor. All laws relating to cour s shall be general, and of uniform operation ; and the organization, jurisdiction, powers,

I 30. The general assembly may, for cause entered on the journals, upon due notice and opportunity of defense, remove frum office any judge, upon concurrence of three-fourths of all the members elected, of each house. All other officers in this article mentioned, shall be removed from office on prosecution and final conviction, fur misdemeanor in office.

\ 31. All judges of courts of record, inferior to the supreme court, shall, on or before the first day ol June, of each year, report in writing to the judges of the supreme court, such defects and omissions in the laws as their experience may suggest; and the judges of the .supreme court shall, on or before the first dav of January of each year, report in writmg to the governor such defects and omissions in the constitution and laws as they may hnd to exist, together with appropriate forms of bills to cure such defects and omir-" - '" *^~ laws. And the judges of the several circuit courts shall report to the next gene the number of days they have held court in the several counties composing tht circuits the preceding two years,

\ 32. All officers provided for in this article shall hold their offices until the shall be qualified, and they shall, respectively, reside in the division, circuit, county or district for which they may be elected or appointed. The terms of office of all such officers, where not otherwise prescribed in this article, shall be four years. All officers, where not otherwise provided for in this article, shall perform such duties and receive such compensation as is or may be provided by law. Vacancies in such elective offices shall be filled by election. - but where the unexpired term does not exceed one year, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment, as follows: Of judges, by the governor; of clerks of courts, by the court to which the office appertains, or by the judge or judges thereof; and of all such other officers, by the board of supervisors or board of county commissioners in the county where the vacancy occurs.

\ 33. All process shall run : Jn the name of the People of the State of Illinois : and all pro-ecutions shall be carried on : In the name and by the authority of the People of the State of Illinois; and conclude: Against the peace and dignity of the same. " Population," wherever used in this article, shall be determined by the next preceding census of this State, or of the Umted States.

Article Vii

\ I. Every person having resided in this State one year, in the county 90 days, and in the election district 30 days next preceding any election therein, who was an elector in this State on the first day of April, in the year of our Lord 1848, or obtained a certificate of naturalization before any court of record in this State prior to the first day of January, in the year of our Lord 1S70, or who shall be a male citizen of the United States, above the age of 21 years, shall be eniiiled to vote at such election.

§ 3. Electors shall, in all cases except treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at elections, and in going to and returning from the same. And no elector shall be obliged to do military duty on the days of election, except in time of war or public danger.

§ 4. No elector shall be deemed to have lost his residence in this State by reason of his absence on business of the United States, or of this State, or in the military or naval ser\'ice of the United States.

\ 5. No soldier, seaman or marine in the army or navy of the United States shall be deemed a resident of thi-. State in consequence of being stationed therein.

\ 6. No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this S:ate who is not a citizen of the United Stales, and who shall not have resided year next preceding the election or appointment.

Article Viii Education

^ I. The general a'^sembly shall provide a thorough and efficient system of free schools, whereby all children of this State may receive a good common school education.

g 2. All lands, moneys, or other properties, donated, granted or received for school, college, seminary or university purposes, and the proceeds thertof, shall be faithfully applied Ij the objects for which such gifts or grants were made.

§ 3. Neither the general assembly nnr any county, city, town, township, school district, or other public corporation, shall ever make any appropriation or pay from any public fund whatever, anything in aid of any church or sectarian purpose, or to help support or sustain any school, academy, seminary, college, university, or other literary or scientific institution.

c.mtrolled by any church or sectarian denomination whatever; nor shall any grant or donation of land, money, or other personal property ever be made by the State or any such public corporation, to any church, or for any sectarian purpose.

§ 4. No teacher, State, county, township, or district school officer shall be interested in the sale, proceeds or pr- .fits of any book, apparatus or furniture, used or to be used, iu any school in this State, with which such officer or teacher may be connected, under such penalties as may be provided by the general assembly.

§ 5. There may be a county superintendent of schools in each county, whose qualifications, powers, duties, compensation and time and manner of election, and term of of '^*Uce shall be prescribed by law.

Article Ix

§ I. The general assembly shall provide such revenue as may be needful by levying a tax, by valuation, so that every person and corporation shall pay a tax in proportion to the value of his, her or its property - such value to be ascertained by some person or persons, to be elected or appointed in such manner as the general assembly shall direct, and not otherwise ; but the general assembly shall have power to tax peddlers, auctioneers, brokers, hawkers, merchants, commission merchants, showmen, jugglers, inn-keepers, grocery keepers, liquor dealers, toll bridges, ferries, insurance, telegraph and express interests or business, venders of patents, and persons or corporations owning or using franchises and privileges, in such manner as it shall Irom time to time direct by gener.il law, uniform as to the class upon which it operates.

I 2. The specification of the objects and subjects of taxation shall not deprive the general .assembly of the power to require other subjects or objects to be taxed in such a manner as may be consistent wi'h the principles of taxation fixed in this constitution.

§ 3. The properties of the State, counties and other municipal corporations, both real and personal, and such other property as may be used exclusively for agricultural and horticultural societies, for school, religious, cemetery and charitable purposes, may be exempted from taxation ; but such exemption shall be only by general law. In the assessment of real estate encumbered by public easement, any depreciation occasioned by such easement may be deducted in the valuation of such property.

§ 4. The general assembly shall provide, in all cases where it may be necessary to sell real estate for the non-payment of taxes or special assessments for State, county, municipal or other purposes, that a return of such unpaid taxes or assessments shall be to some general officer of the county having authority to receive State and county taxes; and there shall be no sale of said property for any of said taxes or assessments but by said officer, upon the order or judgment of some court of record.

§ 5. The right of redemption from all sales of real estate for the non-payment of taxes or special assessments of any character whatever, shall exist in favor of owners and persons interested in such real estate, for a period of not less than two years from such sales thereof. And the general assembly shall provide by law for reasonable notice to be given to the owners or parties interested, by publication or otherwise, of the fact of the sale of the property for such taxes or assessments, and when the t'meof redemption shall expire: Provided^ that occupants shall in all cases be served with personal notice before the lime of redemption expires.

^ 6. The general assembly shall have no power to release or discharge any county, city, township, town or district whatever, or the inhabitants thereof or the property therein, from their or its proportionate share of taxes to be levied for State purposes, nor shall commutation for such taxes he authorized in any form whatsoever.

^ S. County authorities shall never assess taxes the aggregate of which shall exceed 75 cents per $100 valuation, except for the payment of indebtedness existing at the adoption of this constitution, unless authorized by a vote of the people of the county,

^ 9. The general assembly may vest the corporate auihorities of cities, towns, village:^, with power to make local improvements by special assessment or by special taxation of contiguous property or otherwise. For all other corporate purposes, all municipal corporations may be vested with authority to assess and collect taxes ; but such taxes shall be uniform in respect to persons and property, with the jurisdiction of the body iinposing the same.

^ 10. The general assemljly shall not impose taxes upon municipal corporations, or the inhabitants or property thereof, for corporate purposes, but shall require that all the taxable property within the limits of municipal corporations shall be taxed for the payment of debts contracted under authority of law, such taxes to be uniform in respect to persons and property, within the jurisdiction of the body imposing the same. Private property shall not be liable to be tiken or sold for the payment of the corporate debts of a municipal corporation.

^ II. No person who is in default, as a collector or custodian of money or property belonging to a municipal corporation, shall be eligible to any office in or under such corporation. The fees, salary or compensation of no municipal officer who is elected or appointed for a definite term of office, shall be increased or diminished during such term.

§ 12. No county, ciiy, township, school district, or other municipal corporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in any manner or for any purpose, to an amoun', including exialing indebtedness, in the aggregate exceeding five per centum on the value of the taxable property therein, to be ascertained by the la-t assessment for State and county taxes, previous to the incurring of such indebtedness. Any county, city, school district, or other municipal corporation, incurring any indebtedness as aforesaid, shalL before, or at the time of doing so, provide for the collection of a. direct annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge the principal thereof within twenty years from the time of contracting the same. This section shall not be construed to prevent any county, city, township, school district, or other municipal corporation from issuing theii bonds' in compliance with any vote of the people which may have been had prior to ihv adoption of this constitution in pursuance of any la.v providing therefor.

County Officers - Terms of Office. Salaries and Fees in Cook County. Salaries fixed by County Board Township Officers - Special Laws. All Future Fees Uniform. Sworn Reports of all Fees.

§ 1. No new county shall be formed or established by the general assembly, which will reduce the county or counties, or eiiher of them, from which it shall be taken, to less contents than 400 square miles; nor shall any county be formed of less contents ; nor shall any line thereof pass within less than ten miles of any county seat of the county, or counties proposed to be divided.

, ? 2, No county sh.ill be divided, or have any part stricken therefrom, without suhmmmg the question to a vote of the people of the county, nor unless a majority of all the legal voters of the county, voting on the question, shall vote for the same.

County Seats

i 4 No county seat shall be removed until the point to which it is proposed to be removed shall he fixed in pursuance .f law, and three-fifths of the voters of the county, to be ascer- Uined in such manner as shall be provided by general law, shall have voted in favor of us removal to such point ; and no person shall vote on such question who has not resided in the countv six months and in the election precinct ninety days next preceding such election. The question of the removal of a county seat shall not be oftener submitted than once in ten years, to a vote of the people. But when an attempt is made to remove the county seat to a point nearer to the centre of a county, then a majority vote only shall be necessary.

County Government

2 c The general assembly shall provide, by general law, for township organization, under which any county may organize whenever a majority ol the legal voters of such counly, votino at any general election, shall so determine, and whenever any county shall adopt townsdiip organization, so much of this constitution as provides for the management of the fiscal concert of the said counly by the board of counly commissioners, may be dispensed with and the affairs of said county miybe transacted in such manner as the general assembly may provide. And in any counly that shall have adopted a township organization, the question of continuing the same may be submitted to a vote of the electors of such counly, at a general election, in the manner that now is or may be provided by law ; and if a maioritv of all the votes cast upon that question shall be against township organization, then

' iuc/organization shall cease in said county ; and all laws in force in relation to countjes not havino township organization, shall immediUely take effect and be in force in such county. No two townships shall have the same name, and the day of holding the annual township meeting shall be uniform throughont the Stale. v ii u .i

3 6 At the first election of county judges under this constitution, there shall be elected in each of the counties in this Slate, not under township organization, three officers, who shall be styled The board of counly commissioners," who shall hold sessions for the transaction of countv business as shall be provided by law. One of said commissioners shall hold his office for one year, one for iwo years, and one for three years to be determined by

County Officers And Their Compensation

8 8 In each county there shall be elected the following counly officers : County judge, sheriff counly clerk, clerk of the circuit court, (who may be ex-cficio recorder of deeds, excent in counties having 6o,ooo and more inhabitants, in which counties a recorder of deeds , shall be elected at the general election in the year of our Lord 1872,) treasurer, surveyor and coroner each of whom shall enter upon the duties of his office, respectively, on the fir>t ' Mondavof December after their election; and they shall hold their respecnve offices for : the term of four years, except the treasurer, sheriff and coroner, who shall hold their office for two years, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

i Q The clerks 01 all the courts of record, the treasurer, sheriff, coroner and recorder of deeds' of Cook county, shall receive as their only compensation for their services, salaries to be fixed by law, which shall in no case be as much as the lawful compensaUon of ajudge of the circuit court of said county, and shall he paid, respectively, only out of the fees of the office actually collected. All fees, perquisites and emoluments (above the amount of said salaries) shall be paid into the county treasury. The number of the deputies and assistants of such officers shall be determined by rule of the circuit court, to be entered of record, and their compensation shall be determined by the counly board. , ,, - , h 10 The county board, except as provided in ^ 9 of this article, shall fix the compensation of aU county officers, with the amount of their necessary clerk hire, stationery fuel and other expenses, and in all cases where fees are provided for, said compensation sh.all be paid only out of and shall in no instance exceed, the fees actually collected ; they shall not allow either of them more per annum than 81,500, in counties not exceeding 20,000 inhabitants ; «2 000 in counties containing 20,000 and not exceeding 30,000 inhabitants ; $2,500 m counties containing 30 000 and not exceeding 50,000 inhabitants; $3,000 in counties containing 50 000 and not exceeding 70,000 inhabitants , 53 .500 in counties contaimng 70,000 and not exceeding 100.000 inhabitants ; and S4 000 in counties containing over 100,000 and not exceeding 250,000 inhabitants ; and not more than $1,000 additional compensation for each additional 100 000 inhabitants : Provided, that the compensation of no officer shall be mcreased or diminished during his term of office. All fees or allowances by them received, in excess of their said compensation, shall be paid into the county treasury.

? II The fees of township officers, and of each class of county officers, shall be umform in the 'class of counties to which they respectively belong. The compensation herem provided for shall apply only to officers hereafter elected, but all fees established by special laws shall cease at the adoption of this constitution, and such officers shall receive only such fees as are provided by general law. , . «- , . . -.i.

J !-» All laws fixing the fees of State, county and township officers, shall terminate with the teVms, respectively, of those who may be in office at the meeting of the first genera assembly after the adoption of this constitution ; and the general assembly shall, by general law uniform in its operation, provide for and regulate the fees of said officers and their successors so as to reduce the same to a reasonable compensation for services actually rendered. But the general assembly may, by general law, classify the counties by population into not more than three classes, and regulate the fees according to class. This article shall not be construed as depriving the general assembly of the power to reduce the fees ot existing

° i"l' Every person who is elected or appointed to any office in this State, who shall be paid in whole or in part by fees, shall be required by law to make a semi-annual report, under oath to some officer to be designated by law, of all his fees and emoluments.

Article Xi

' J I. No corporation shall be created by special laws, or its charter extended, changed or .amended, except lho»e for charitable, educational, penal or reformatory purposes, which are to be and remiin under the patronage and control of the State, but the general assembly shall provide, by general law, for the organization of all corporations hereafter to be created. ^ 2. All existing charters or grants of special or exclusive privileges, under which organization shall not have taken place, or which shall not have been in operation within ten days from the time this constilution takes effect, shall thereafter have no validity or effect whit-

>/, '3. The general assembly shall provide, by law, that in all elections for directors or ma'na.jers of incorporated companies, every stockholder shall have the right to vote, in person or by proxy, for the number of shares of stock owned by him, for as many persons as there are directors or managers to be elected, or to cumulate said shares, and give one candidate as many votes as the number of directors multiplied by the number of his shares of stock, shall equal, or to distribute them on the same principle among as many candidates as he shall think fit; and such directors or managers shall not be elected in any other manner.

J 4 No laws shall be passed by the generol assembly, granting the right to construct and operate a street railroad within any city, town, or incorporated village, without requiring the consent of the local authorities having the control of the street or highway proposed to be occupied by such street railroad.

§ 5. No State bank shall hereafter be created, nor shall the Slate own or be liable for any stock in any corporation or joint stock company or association for banking purposes, i.ow created or to be hereafter created. No act of the general assembly authorizing or creating corporations or asssociations, with banking powers, whether of issue, deposit or discount, nor amendments thereto, shall go into effect or in any manner be in force unless the same shall be submitted to a vote of the people at the general election next succeeding the passage of the same, and be approved by a majority of all the votes cast at such election for or against such law. , ... , , . J. -J 1, i 6 Every stockholder in a banking corporation or institution shall be individually responsible and liable to its creditors over and above the amount of stock by him or her held, to an amount equal to his or her respective shares so hela, for all its liabilities accruing while he or she remains such a stockholder. . , .

3 7. The suspension of specie paym,..'ts by banking institutions, or their circulation, created by the laws of this State, shall never be permitted or sanctioned. Every banking association now, or which may hereafter be, organized under the the laws of this State, shall make and publish a full and accurate quarterly statement of its affairs, (which shall be certified to, under oath, by one or more of its officer;,) as may be provided by Uw.

3 8 If a general banking law shall be enacted, it shall provide for the registry and countersigning by an officer of state, of all bills or paper credit, designed to circulate as money, and require security, to the full amount thereof, to be deposited with the State treasurer, m United States or Illinois State stocks, to be rated at ten per cent, below their par value; and in case of a depreciation of said stocks to the amount of ten per cent, below par, the bank or banks owning said stocks shall be required to make up said deficiency, by depositin<T additional stocks. And said law shall also provide for the recording of the names of alf stockholders in such corporations, the amount of stock held by each, the time of any transfer thereof, and to whom such transfer is made.

Jo Every railroad corporation organized or doing business in this State, under the laws or authority thereof, shall have and maintain a public office or place in this State for the transaction of its business, where transfers of stock shall be made, and in which shall be' kept for public inspection, books, in which shall be recorded the amount of capital stock subscribed and by whom ; the names of the owners of stock and amount by them respectively, the amount of stock paid in and by whom, the transfers of said stock ; the amount of its assets and liabilities and the names and place of residence of its officers. The directors of every railroad corporation shall, annually, make a report, under oath, to the auditor of public accounts or some officer to be designated by law, of all their ads and doings, which report shall include such matters relating to railroads as may be prescribed by law. And the general .ssembly shall pass laws enforcing by suitable penalties the provisions of this section.

? 10 The rolling stock, and all other movable property belonging to any railroad company or corporation in this State, shall be considered personal property, and shall be liable to execution and sale in the same manner as the personal property of individuals, and the general assembly shall pass no law exempting any such property from execmion and sale.

3 II No railroad corporation shall consolidate its stock, property or franchises with any other railroad corporation owning a parallel or competing line; and m no case shall any consolidation take place except upon public notice given, of at least sixty days, to all stockholders, in such manner as may be provided by law. A majority of the directors ot any railroad corporation, now incorporated or hereafter to be incorporated by the laws of the State, shall be citizens and residents of this State. . . j - .t,- c, .

3 12 Railways heretofore CLnstnicted, or that may hereafter be constnicted m this State, are hereby declared public highways and shall be free to all persons lor the transportation of their persons and property thereon, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law. And the general assembly shall, from time to time, pass laws establishing reasonable maximum rates of charges for the transportation of passengers and freight on the different railroads in this Slate. , , j, . r i u

? 13 No railroad corporation shall issue any stock or bonds, except for money, labor or property, actually received, and applied to the purposes for which such corporation was created ; and all stock dividends, and other fictitious increase of the capital stock or indebtedness of any such corporation, shall be void. The capital stock of no railroad corporation shall be increased for any purpose, except upon giving sixty days' pubhc notice, in such manner as may be provided by law. , , . , u i 14 The exercise of the power, and the nght of eminent domain shall never be so construed or abridged as to prevent Ihe taking, by the general assembly, of the properly and franchises of incorporated companies already organized, and subjecting them to the public necessity the same as of individuals. The right of trial by jur>' shall be held inviolate in all trials of claims for compensation, when, in the exercise of ihe said right of eminent domain, any incorporated company shall be interested either for or against the exercise ot said

"% \ 5 The general assembly shall pass laws to correct abuses and prevent unjust discri^minatiln and extortion in the rales of freight and passenger tariffs on different railroads in this State, and enforce such laws, by adequate penalties, to the extent, if necessary lor that purpose, of forfeiture of their property and franchises.

Article Xii

^ 2. The general a=;'^embly, in providing for the organ ie militia, shall conform as nearly as practicable to th le armies of the United States.

^ 4. The militia shall, in all cases, except treason, felony or breach of the peace, be priv ?ged from arrest during their attendance at musters and elections, and in going to and re arning from the same.

5. The military records, banners and relics of the State, shall be preserved as an endui il; memorial of the patriotism and valor of Illinois, and it shall be the duty of the gencr: 5s,embly to provide by law for the safe keeping of the same.

6. No person having conscientious scruples against bearing arms, shall be compelled t o militia duty in time of peace : Provided, such person shall pay an equivalent for such e>

Article Xiii

§ I. All elevators or storehouses where grain or other property is stored for a compensatit whether the property stored be kept separate or not, are declared to be public warehouse:

\ 2. The owner, le'^see c town or city of not less than before some officer to be de place in the office of such sMch place as shall be desijji ir manager of each and every public warehouse situated in any 100,000 inhabitants, shall make weekly statements under oath, signaled by law, and keep the same posted in some conspicuous warehouse, and shall also file a copy for public examination in nted by law, which statement shall correctly set forth the amount and grade of each and every kind of grain in such warehouse, together with such other property as may be stored therein, and what warehouse receipts have been issued, and are at the time of making such statement, outstanding therefor ; and shall, on the copy posted in the warehouse, note daily such changes as may be made in the quantity and grade of grain in such warehouse; and the different grades of grain shipped in separate lots, shall not be mixed with inferior or superior grades, without the consent of the owner orconsitmee thereof.

§ 3. The owners of property stored in any warehouse, or holder of a receipt for the same, shall always be at liberty to examine such property stored, and all the books and records of the warehouse in regard to such property.

§ 4. All railroad companies and other common carriers on railroads shall weigh or measure grain at points where it is shipped, and receipt for the full amount, and shall be responsible lor the delivery of such amount to the owner or consignee thereof, at the place of destina-

§ 5. All railroad companies receiving and transporting grain in bulk or otherwise, shall deliver the same to any consignee thereof, or any elevator or public warehouse to which it may be consigned, provided such consignee, or the elevator or public warehouse can be reached by any track owned, based or used, or which can be used, by such railroad companies ; and all railroad companies shall permit connections to be made with their track, so that any such consignee; and any public warehouse, coal bank or coal yard, may be reached by the cars on said radroad.

§ 6. It shall be the duty of the general assembly to pass all necessary laws to prevent the issue of false and fraudulent warehouse receipts, and to give full effect to this article of the constitution, which shall be liberally construed so as to protect producers and shippers. And the enumeration of the remedies herein named shall not be construed to deny to the general assenibly the power to prescribe by law such other and further remedies as may be found expedient, or to deprive any person of existing common law remedies,

? 7. The general assembly shall pass laws for the inspection of grain, for the protection of producers, shippers and receivers of grain and produce.

Article Xiv Amendments To The Constitution

Whenever two-thirds of the members of each house of the general assembly shall, by entered upon the journals thereof, concur that a convention is necessary to revise, amend the constitution, the question shall be submitted to the electors at the next election. If a majority voting at the election vote for a convention, the general bly shall, at the next session, provide for a convention, to consist of double the numat the same pi; berof the members of ine senate, to be elected in thi in the same districts. The general assembly shall, in the act ca nate the day, hour and place of its meeting, fix the pay of its provide for the payment of the same, together with expenses nect vention in the performance of its duties. Before proceeding, the to support the constitution of the United States, and of the State of Illinois, and to faithfully discharge their duties as members of the convention. The qualification of members shall be the same as that of members of the senate, and vacancies occurring shall be filled in the manner provided for filling vacancies in the general assembly. Said convention shall meet within three months after such election, and prepare such revisions, alterations or amendments of the constitution as shall be deemed necessary, which shall be submitted to the electors for their ratification or rejection, at an election appointed by the convention for that purpose, not less than or more than six months after the adjournment thereof; and unless so submitted and approved by a maiority of the electors voting at the election, no such revisions, alterations or amendments shall take effect.

2. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed in either house of the general assembly, and if the same shall be voted for by two-thirds of all the members elected lo each of the two houses, such proposed amendments, together with the yi house thereon, shall be entered in full on their respective journals, shall be submitted to the electors of this State for adoption or rejectioi of members of the general assembly, in such manner as may be pre: proposed amendments shall be published in full at least three months preceeding the election and if a m.ajorily of electors voting at said election shall vote for the proposed amendments, ihey shall become a part of this constitution. But the general assembly shall have no power to propose amendments to more than one article of this constitution at the same session, nor to ',hr same article oftner than once in four years.

Separate Sections

No contract, obligation or liability whatever, of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, to pay any money into the State treasury, nor any lien of the State upon, or right to tax properly of said company, in accordance wkh the provisions of the charter of said company, approved Feb. 10, in the year of our Lord 1S51, shall ever be released, suspended, modified, altered, remitted, or in any manner diminished or impaired by legislative or other authority ; and all moneys derived from said company, after the payment of the State debt, shall be appropriated and set apart for the payment of the ordinary expenses of the State government, and for no other purposes whatever.

MUNICIPAL SUBSCRIPTIONS TO RAILROADS OR PRIVATE CORPORATIONS. No county, city, town, township or other municipality, shall ever become subscriber to the capital stock of any railroad or private corporation, or make donation to, or loan its credit in aid of such corporation : Prmnded, however, that the adoption of this article shall not be construed as affecting the right of any such municipality to make such subscriptions where the same have been authorized, under existing laws, by a vote of the people of such municipalities prior to such adoption.

Canal

The Illinois and Michigan Canal shall never be sold or leased until the specific proposition for the sale or lease thereof shall have first been submitted to a vote of the pe^.ple of the State, at a general election, and have been approved by a majority of all the votes polled at such election. The general assembly shall never loan the credit of the State, or make appropriations from the treasury thereot, in aid of railroads or canals : Froz'ided^ that any surplus earnings of any canal may be appropriated for its enlargement or extension.

Schedule

g 3. Recognizances, bonds, obligation before the adoption of this constitution or county officer or public body, shall upon the same shall continue, and all

^ I. That all laws in force at the adoption of this constitution, not inconsistent therewith, and all rights, actions, prosecutions, claims, and contracts of Ih-s State, individuals, or bodies corporate, shall continue to be as valid as if this constitution had not been adopted.

I 2. That all fines, taxes, penahies and forfeitures, due and owing to the State of Illinois under the present constitution and laws, shall insure to the use of the people of the State of Illinois, under this constitution.

§ 4. County courts for the transa:tion of county business in counties not having adopted township organization, shall continue in existence and exercise their present jurisdiciion until the board of county commissioners provided in this constitution is organized in pursuance of an act of the general assembly ; and the county courts in all other counties shall have the same power and jurisdiction they now possess until otherwise provided by general law.

^ 5. All existing courts which are not in this constitution specially enumerated, shall continue in existence and exercise their present jurisdiction until otherwise provided by law.

§ 6. All persons now filling any office or appointment shall continue in the exercise of the duties thereof according to their respective commissions or appointments, unless by this constitution it is otherwise directed.

^ 18. All laws of the State of Illinois, and all official writings, and the executive, legislative and judicial proceedings, shall be conducted, preserved and published in no other than the English language.

^ 20. The circuit clerks of the different counties having a population over sixty thousand, shall continue to be recorders (ex-officio) for their respective counties, under this constitution, until the expiration of their respective terms.

§ 21. The judges of all courts of record in Cook County shall, in lieu of any salary provided for in this constitution, receive the compensation now provided by law until the adjournment of the first session of general assembly after the adoption of this constitution.

^ 22. The present judge of the circuit court of Cook county shall continue to hold the circuit court of Lake county until otherwise provided by law.

§ 23. When this constitution shall be adopted, and take effect as the supreme law of the State of Illinois, the two-mill tax provided to be annually assessed and collected upon each dollar's worth of taxable property, in addition to all other taxes, as set forth in article fifteen of the now existing constitution, shall cease to be assessed after the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy.

§ 24. Nothing contained in this constitution shall be so construed as to deprive the genera assembly of the power to authorize the city of Quincy to create any indebtedness for railroad or municipal purposes, for which the people of said city shall have voted, and to which they shall have given, by such vote, their assent, prior to the thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine : Provided, thaf no such indebtedness, so created, shall in any part thereof be paid by the State, or from any State revenue, tax or fund, but the same shall be paid, if at all, by the said city of Quincy alone, and by taxes to be levied upon the taxable property thereof: And provided, further, that the general assembly shall have no power in the premises that it could not exercise under the present constitution of this Slate.

§ 25. In case this constitution and the articles and sections submitted separately be adopted, the existing constitution shall cease in all its provisions; and in case this constitution be adopted, and any one or more of its articles or sections submitted separately be defeated , the provisions of the existing constitution (if any) on the same subject shall remain in force.

§ 26. The provisions of this constitution required to be executed prior to the adoption or rejection thereof shall take effect and be in force immediately.

Done in convention at the capital, in the city of Springfield, on the thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and of the independence of the United States of America the ninety-fourth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names :

Section 8, Amticle 10. - shall be elected the following county officers, at th** general elect a Tuesday after the first Monday in November, A. D. 1882: A cuumy udg^.c are elecied ar.d qualified: Proz-ided, that no person having once been elected to the office of shcntf. or treasurer, shall le eligible to re-election to said otiice for four years after the expiration ol the term for which he shall have been elecied.

Declakation Of Ixdependexce

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political'bands which have connected them with another, and to asiume amon.; the P^wei3 of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of n iture and of nature s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ; that amjn^th.-se are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ; that, whenever any form of covernment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and 10 institute a new givernment, laying its foundation on such principles, and such form, as to them shall seem most like'y to effect their safety r - nappiness rruaence, indeed, will di^ changed for light and transient causi mankind are more disposed to suffer, abolishing the forms to which they a usurpations, pursuing invariably the solute despotism, it is new guards for their i and such e object, evinces a design to reduce them under abright, it is their du-y to throw off such government, and to provide security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies, iity which constrains them to alter their former systems of govcirnment. The history of the present King of Great Brit lin is a history of repeated injuries an I usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over ttie,e States. To prove this let facts be submitted to a

He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obuined ; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to the.n. , . r , ,

He has refused to pass other laws fortheaccmmodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature ; a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only. , , , , ,.

He has called together legislative boilie. at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has refused for a Ijn^time after such dissolution, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative p iw?r,, incapable of annihilatic.i. have returned to the people at large for their excrc.se; the Stale remaining, in the meantime, exposed to all the danger of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States ; for that purpose, obstructmg the laws for naturalization of forei,.;ners ; refusing to pass others to hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He is at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries lo complete the work of death', desolation and tyranny, already begun, with -ircumstanres of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled m the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of

He has constrained our fe'Iow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear against their cou itry, to become the executioners of their f.iends and bretliren, or t^ themselves by their hands. .

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bnng o inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress, in the most hu terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A pr whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a ly ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British breth from time to time, of attempts made by their legislature to extc tion over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of

"'we,°therefore. the representatives of the UNITED ST.ATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, soleran'v publish and d;d ire. That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all political connection between them and the Siate of Great Britain, is, asd orgh[ to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES they hive full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract al.iances, establish commerce, and to do all Mher acts and things which IliDEPENDENT STATES miy of ri.»ht do And. for the support of this declaration, and a firm reliance on the protection of D°1VINE PROVIDENCE, we mutually pledge tj each other, our lives, our fortunes, and cur sacred honor. JOHN H.^NCOCK.

W'e, the people of ihe United State?, in order lo form n more perfect Union, estaHish justice, insure tlomestic tranquility, provide for ihe crmmon defense, promcte ihe gener:! welfnre, and ?ecure the llessings of liberty to ourselves rrd our pcsteriiy, do crdain and establish tnis Constitution for the United States of America.

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be ccmposed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several States, and the tleclors in each State sliall have the qualificalions requisite lor electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.

No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age tjf twenty-five years, and been seven ; ears a citizen of the United Stales, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within-this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United btates, and within every subsequent terni often years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative ; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hamphsire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Provid. nee Plantations one. Connecticut five. New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia, ten, North Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the Executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to till such vacancies.

Seltjon 3. The Senaie of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosep by the Legislature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. ^

Immeaiately after they shall be assembled in consequence of Ihe first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seals of the Senators of the fir t class shall be vacated ^t the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fuuith year, and of the third class at the expirr.tion of the sixth year, so that onethird may be chostn every second year ; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any Slate, the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the Legislatiu-e, which shall then fill such vacancies. No per on shall be a Senatt r who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and l->ecn nine years a citizen of the United Slates, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Senate shall choose their other officer;, and also a President pro tempore, in the .ib^ence of ihe Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of Prciidenl of the Uniied States.

sole power to try all impeachments. When silting for that e on oalh or affirmation. When the President of ihe United States is ice shall preside. And no person shall be convicted without the conis cf the men btrs pnsent.

! of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, to ho'd and enjoy any office of honor, tru-t or profit under ihe United States : l.ut ihe party convicted shall nevtrtheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.

Section 4. The times, places and manner of holding elec'ions for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any lime by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.

Section 5. Each house shall be the judge of the election, returns : ' y of each shall constiiute a quorum to di day to day, and may be authorized to ( intr, and under such penalties as each 1 e the rules of its proceedings, punish it; icurrente of two-thirds, expel a mtml ei journal of its proceedings, and from

'd by law, an.l paid out of the Treasuiy of the* United Stales. Uhey rs, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest ndance at the session of iheir respective 1 oues, ond in pomg to and returnle ; and for any speech or debate in either house they shall not be questioned

Section 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other tills.

Every hill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented lo the President of ihe United States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it with his objections to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter ihe objections at large nn their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two thirds of that Hou^e shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by tw^o-thirds of that Hou>e, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the voles of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill snail not be lelurned by the President wiihin ten days (Sundays excepted), after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.

Every order, resolution or vole lo which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Represenlativei; may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment), shall be presenttd to the President of the Uniied States ; and before the sair.e shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him. shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of RepresentJtives, according lo iJie rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to iheir respective writings and discoveries- To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;

To make rules for the government ^nd regulation of the land and naval forces ; To provide for calling forth the militia lo execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions ;

To provide lor organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United Stales, reserving lo the Stale--, respectively the appointment of the officers, and the auihority of training the mihta according to the discipline prescribed by Congress.

To exercise legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square), as may by the cession of particular States and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the Uniied States, and to exercise like auihority over all places jiurcha^ed by the consent of the Legislature of the Stale in which the same shall be, lor the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards and other needful buildings; - and

To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for c?rrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by ihis Constitution in the guvernment of the United State.';, or in any department or officer thereof.

Section 9, The migration or importation of such persons as any of the Slates now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congre<:s prior tu the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dillars for each persons.

The privileges of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or inva>ion the public safety may require it. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.

No preference shall be given by any regulation of t ommerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those 01" another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from one State, be obliged lo enter, clear, or pay duties in another.

No money shall be drawn from the Treasurj', but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to lime.

No title of nobility shall be granted ly the L'nited States; and no person holding any office of profit or tni>t under them, shall without the consent of the Cfugress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king prmce, or foreign Stale.

Secticw 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or corfederalion ; grant letters of marque or rci^risal ; coin money : emit bills of credit ; make anything but gold and silvtf coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder ,ex post facto law, or la pairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.

No Slate shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or dnl.e or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection l^w^.^nd the net nroduce of all duties and imposts laid by any State on imports or expor s shall be for the u^e of the Treasury of the United States- and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress.

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops r shies of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another btate I snips o',"-. r ^_ __,_^^ inv.iiled. or in such imminent

Article Ii

Section i. The Executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America" He shall hoM his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President chosen for the same term, be elected as follows :

^ Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature '»"-f ^^^ ''-[^^'i=',--^JJ of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the btate may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Reprcsent.at,ve, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.

r*The electors shall meet in their respective States and vote by ballot for two persons, of vhom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves And they shall make a list of all persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which lis hey s"aU sign and certily, and transmit, sealed to the seat of the government of the United States direcfed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the pSe'jce of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be more than one who have such majority, and h-^/r,^""' "fT''"^, PrS nf and House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President an no p-rson have a majority, then fr>,m the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all he States shall be necessary to a choice In every '^f =- ^f'" *;= .^^h"" °/ '''^^^^^^^^f ^'^'^^ person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the \ce President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal voles, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice President.] .

The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, they shall gTve their votes; which day shall be the same tjiroughout the^U^ted Slates.

No pesron except a natural born citizen, or a the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible person be eligible to that office who shall not habeen fourteen years a resident within the United States. . .

In case of the removal of the President from oftice, or of his death, resignation or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President and the Consrrss may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, rrTnabailVrbolh of the^Preside'nt a'nd Vi^e President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, unlil the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

Section 2 The President shall he commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States ; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer m each of the Executive departments, upon any sulject relating to the duties of their respective offices and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States except in cases of impeachment.

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to inake treaties provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur ; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, ohter public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all olher officers of^lhe United States whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided lor, and which sh.all be established by law ; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior oflicers as they think proper in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of depar ments.

The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies thai may happen during the recess of the Senate, by gran'mg commissions which shall expire at the end of their next sessions.

Section 3. He sh-dl from time to lime give to the Congress informa ion of the state of the Union, and recomm.:nd to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient- he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either ot them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the t me of adjournment, he may adjourn them to s.ich time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambas,adors and olher public ministers- he shad take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the oflicm of the United States. . ., f u TT -. J c. . 1,11

Sf.ction a The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or olher hi'^h crimes and misdemeanors.

gj^-PjQ^ , -pije judicial power of the United Stales shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in lucb inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time o-dain and establish. The iu'J-es both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their ofi.ces during good behavio'.r,°and shall, at stated times, receive fur their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. , .. -

Section 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Consilution the laws of the Uniied States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; - to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consul-!; - to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction tne United States shall be a parly ; - to controversies between U a State and citizens of another Stale ; - beH zens of the same State cb

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury shall be held in the State where the said crimes shall have been comr committed within any State, the trial shall be at such place or places by law have directed.

Section 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only ii them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort, convicted of treason unless oji the testimony of two witnesses to the confession in open court.

Section i. Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other Slate. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved and the effect thereof.

A person charged in any State with treason, felony or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another Slate, shall on demand of the Executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of

Section 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union ; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State : nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the Stales concerned, as well as of the Congress.

power to dispose of and make all needfnl rules and regulations 3ther property belonging to the United Stales ; and nothing in construed as to prejudice any claims of the Uniled Slates, or of

Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every Slate in this Union a Republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on Ihe application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several Stales, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress. Provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and' eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first arricle; and that 110 State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suflfrage in the Senate.

vs of the United States -which shall be made in pursuance r which shall be made, under the authority of the United of the land; and the judges in every State shall be bound r laws of any Stale to the contrary notwithstanding, before mentioned, and the memliers of the several State Legislatures, and ail Executive and judici.al officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. .

The ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same.

Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of the Slates present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United Stales of America, the twelfth. In Witness Whereof, We have hereunto subscribed our names.

ARTICLE I. Congress shall m.ke no law respecting an establishment of religion, or PJol^Wdng the free exercise thereof; or abridgin? the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the ri^nt or me "ople peaceably' to assembfe, and to petition the government for a redress of gr.evances.

ARTICLE III. sh.ill in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The ri»ht of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effec s, agains unreasonalle searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

ARTICLE V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous ci-ime, tjnless on a presentment or indictment by a Grand Jury, except in cases ar.smg in the land or naval forces Lr in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any per son be subject for the s.ame offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or hmb; i^or shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life iberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be Liken for public use, witJiout just compensation.

ARTICLE VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jur,' of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accus.ition ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for hb defense.

ARTICLE IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

ARTICLE X. The powers not delegated to the U.iited States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the peple.

Article Xl

ARTICLE XL The judicial power of the United Slates shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of anj*er Slate, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State. V^

Vice Presulent one of whom at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves- they shall name ia their ballots the person to be voted for as President, and i.i distinct ballots the pei^ons voted for as Vice Pres.d-tit, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as V ice 1 resident, and ol the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign and certi.'^y, and transmit sealed to the seat of eovemment of the United States, directed to the Proidwnt of the Senate. Ihe President of the .'Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, opel. all the certificates, and the votes sh.iU then be counted. 1 he person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such nurnber bea majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons havine the hi-hest number not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President the House of Representatives shall cho.se immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each State havi?e one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or menibers from two-th rds oi the States, and a majority of all the Stales shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right ol choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth d.ay of March next following, then the \.ce President shall act as President, as in the case of the deaih or other Consti ut.onal disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President, sha 1 be the Vice Pre^ident, if such number lie a majority of the whole number of electors appoint, d, and If no person hav^ a ma ority, then from the t>vo highest numbers on the list the Senate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for the purpose ^l-^" ""^f ,f ;»-°-*'^^f,' "^ '''^ whole number of Senators, and a majority of the '"'''ole number shall be necessary o a choice. But no person Constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eUgible to that of Vice President of the United Slates.

Section i. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a puuishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or anv place subject to their jurisdiclion. - i .-

ARTICLE XIV. Section i. All persons bom or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the Un, ed S:ates, and of the Siate «herem they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the pnvil.ges or immunities ol citizens of the United States ; nor shall any St.ate deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal

'" Section" 2. Representatives shall be appointed among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, exc.uding Indians not taxed ; bat when the ri^ht to vote at any election for the choice oi^\.<.^o^U>J President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in C ,n ;ress, the executive and judicial officers of a State or the members of the Legisla-ur= thereof, is deme Ho any of the male inhabitants of such Slate, being twenty-one years of age and cilizens of 'he United States, or in any way abridged except for participation in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportioa which the number of such male citizens shall bjar to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such

^'section 1 No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress or elector of PresiSm an^d Vice ^President, or hold any offi.e civil or mil.t-iry, under the United states or under any State who, having previously taken an oath as a M -mber of Congress, or as an office, of the United States, or'^s a member of any Slate LegisLtare, or =^ an execu ive or judicial officer of any Stale, to support the Con^timtion of the United States, shall ha^e cn-a" ed in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability.