The Government Class Book by Andrew W. Young

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A treasurer, a controller of public accounts, and an attorney-general
are elected by the people for two years. A secretary of state is
appointed by the governor and senate, to hold during the official term
of the governor.

_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds majorities of the legislature,
approved by the electors, and ratified by majorities of two-thirds of
the next legislature.

Arkansas.

In 1836, this state was admitted into the union with its present
constitution, which was slightly amended in 1845.

_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state six months, and
actual residents of the county.

_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives, not more than
one hundred, nor less than fifty-four, are apportioned among the
counties according to the number of free white male inhabitants, and are
elected for two years. Age, twenty-five years; residents of the counties
they represent. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years,
one-half every two years; the number to be not less than seventeen, nor
more than thirty-three. Age, thirty years, inhabitants of the state one
year, and actual residents of the district they represent.

General elections are _viva voce_, until otherwise directed by law.
Bills are passed against the veto by majorities of all the members.
Bills not returned within three days become laws, unless their return is
prevented by adjournment.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligble
more than eight in twelve years. Age, thirty years; residence in the
state four years. No lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state for four years, and an auditor and a treasurer for
two years, are elected by a joint vote of both houses.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, county courts, and
justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed of three judges,
elected by the legislature for eight years; one every four years, one
every six, and one every eight years. In each circuit a judge is elected
by the legislature for four years. There is in each county a county
court held by justices of the peace. Justices are elected in the
townships for two years.

An attorney of state is elected in each judicial district for two years.

A sheriff, a coroner, a treasurer and a county-surveyor, are elected in
each county for two years.

_Amendments_ may be made by two successive legislatures, by two-thirds
majorities.

Missouri.

This state was admitted into the union in 1821. The present constitution
was adopted in 1820, and has been several times amended.

_Legislature_--styled the _general assembly_. Representatives are
apportioned among the counties on the basis of the white population, and
are elected for two years. Age, twenty-four years; state residence, two
years; county or district one year; payment of state or county tax.
Senators, not to be less than twenty-five, nor more than thirty-three,
are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half every two
years. Age, thirty years; residence in the state, four years; in the
district, one year; payment of a state or county tax.

Sessions of the legislature are limited to sixty days. Bills vetoed by
the governor must be passed by majorities of all the members to become
laws. Bills not returned by the governor within four days become laws,
unless their return is prevented by adjournment.

_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state one year,
in the county or district three months.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible
the next four; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen of the
United States ten years, and of the state five years. A
lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, a treasurer, an
attorney-general, and a register of lands, are elected by the people for
four years.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, justices of the peace, and
such other tribunals as the general assembly shall establish. The three
judges of the supreme court are elected by the electors of the state for
six years. A judge in each of the circuits is elected by the electors
thereof for six years. Justices of the peace are elected in the
townships.

_Amendments_ may be proposed every fourth year by a majority of the
whole of each house; and they take effect when ratified by the electors
of the state.

Tennessee.

This state was admitted into the union with its first constitution in
1796. The present one was formed in 1835.

_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are
apportioned among the counties or districts according to the number of
qualified voters in each, and are not to exceed seventy-five until the
population of the state shall be 1,500,000, and may never exceed
ninety-nine. They must be citizens of the state three years, and
residents of the county they represent one year. Senators are
apportioned as representatives; the number not to exceed one-third of
the number of representatives; must be thirty years of age; in other
respects qualified as representatives. Both are elected biennially.

Bills passed by both houses are laws without having been presented to
the governor. _Quorum_, two-thirds of each house.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; and may not hold the
office more than six in any term of eight years. He must be thirty years
of age, and have been a citizen of the state seven years. No
lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state for four years, and a treasurer for two years, are
chosen by joint vote of the general assembly.

_Electors._ White males having been citizens of the county six months;
also male persons of color, twenty-one years of age, who are competent
witnesses in a court of justice against a white man.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, such inferior courts as the legislature
may establish, and justices' courts. The supreme court consists of three
judges, one in each of the grand divisions of the state, elected for
twelve years. Judges of inferior courts are elected for eight years. For
the election of justices of the peace, each county is divided into
districts of convenient size, in each of which are elected two justices
and one constable. A district containing a county town, may elect three
justices and two constables.

Attorneys for the state are elected by joint assembly for six years.

In each county are elected one sheriff, and one trustee for two years;
and one register for four years. The justices of the peace of each
county elect one coroner and one ranger for two years.

_Amendments_ are proposed by majorities of all the members elected,
approved by two-thirds of all the members of the next legislature, and
ratified by the people.

Kentucky.

The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1790; and the state
was admitted with the same in 1792. Another was adopted in 1799; and the
present in 1850.

_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The house of representatives
consists of one hundred members, elected for two years; apportioned
among the counties in proportion to the qualified voters. Age,
twenty-four years; state residence, two years; county, one year. When a
city or town has a sufficient number of voters, it may elect one or more
representatives. Senate, thirty-eight members, one elected in each
district for four years; one-half every two years. Age, thirty years;
residence in the state six years, in the district, one year.

Bills vetoed by the governor, if again passed by majorities of all the
members elected, are laws; also if not returned by him within ten days,
unless the return is prevented by adjournment; in which case they become
laws, unless sent back within three days after the commencement of the
next session.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible
the next four. Age, thirty-five years; residence in the state six years.
A lieutenant-governor.

A treasurer for two years; and an auditor of public accounts, a register
of the land-office, and an attorney-general for four years, are chosen
by the electors.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, styled court of appeals, consisting of
four judges, one to be elected in each district for eight years, in such
rotation that one may be elected every two years. Should the number be
changed, the principle of electing one every two years is to be
preserved. A circuit court to be held in each county by a district
judge, one to be elected in each of the twelve judicial districts, for
six years. The number of districts may be increased, but may not exceed
sixteen until the population shall exceed 1,500,000. A county court in
each county, consisting of a presiding judge and two associates, elected
for four years. Other inferior courts may be established by law.

Justices of the peace in each county are elected in districts, two in
each district for four years, and a constable for four years. A state's
attorney for each judicial district; a sheriff in each county, for two
years, and several other county officers.

_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state two years;
in the county, town, or city, one year; and in the precinct in which
they offer to vote, sixty days.

_Amendments_ by conventions only are provided for. No convention may be
called by the legislature, until a majority of all the voters of the
state shall have voted at two successive elections in favor of calling a
convention.

Ohio.

The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1802, preparatory to
her admission into the union; the present one, in 1851.

_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Senators and representatives
are elected biennially in their respective counties or districts, in
which they must have resided a year. The ratio of representation in the
house is ascertained by dividing the whole population of the state by
the number one hundred; the quotient being the ratio for the next ten
years. The ratio for a senator is ascertained by dividing the whole
population by thirty-five. Senators are elected in districts. The
representation of fractions of population is provided for.

Bills are not submitted to the governor. Quorum, not less than a
majority.

_Executive._ A governor, a lieutenant-governor, a secretary of state, a
treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected for two years; and an
auditor for four years.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court consisting of five judges chosen by the
electors of the state at large for five years, one, every year. The
number may be altered by law. A district court in each of the nine
common pleas districts, composed of a supreme court judge and the judges
of the court of common pleas of the respective districts, and held in
each county within a district, or in at least three places in each
district. One or more of these judges hold a court of common pleas in
every county in the district. A county probate judge is elected for
three years.

Justices of the peace, a competent number, are elected in each township
for three years.

A sheriff is elected in each county for two years, but may hold only
four years in any period of six years.

_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state one year,
and in the county, township, or ward, such time as the law shall
prescribe.

_Amendments_ are proposed by three-fifths of all the members elected to
each house, and ratified by a majority of the voters who vote thereon at
an election. Or a majority of two-thirds of all the members of each
house may submit to the electors the question of calling a convention;
and if a majority of the electors vote for a convention, the legislature
shall provide for calling the same. Every twentieth year, the question
of calling a convention is to be submitted to the electors.

Indiana.

This state formed a constitution and was admitted into the union, in
1816. The present constitution was adopted in 1851.

_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state six months.
Also foreigners who have resided in the United States one year, in the
state six months, and have declared their intention to become citizens.

_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The number of senators may not
exceed fifty; the number of representatives may not exceed one hundred;
both to be chosen in their respective counties or districts, senators
for four years, one-half every two years; representatives for two years.
Both are apportioned according to the number of white male inhabitants
twenty-one years of age, every six years. They must have been citizens
of the state two years; of the county or district, one year. Senators
must be twenty-five years of age.

Quorum, two-thirds. Bills must be finally passed by majorities of all
the members elected. The same majorities enact a bill disapproved by the
governor. If he does not return a bill within three days, it is a law,
unless its return is prevented by adjournment; in which case it will be
a law, unless he shall, within five days after the adjournment, file the
bill, with his objections, in the office of the secretary of state, who
shall lay the same before the general assembly at the next session, as
if it had been returned by the governor. Bids may not be presented to
the governor within two days previous to the adjournment.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; and is eligible
only four years in eight. Age, thirty years; citizenship, five years;
state residence, five years. A lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state, an auditor, and a treasurer, are elected for two
years, and are eligible four years in six.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, and such inferior courts
as the general assembly may establish. Judges of the supreme court, not
less than three nor more than five, one in each district, are elected by
the electors of the state at large, for six years. Circuit courts
consist of a judge for each judicial circuit, chosen by the electors
thereof, for six years; and a prosecuting attorney for the circuit, for
two years. Justices of the peace are elected for four years in the
townships.

There are elected in each county, a clerk of the circuit court, an
auditor, a recorder, a treasurer, a sheriff, a coroner, and a surveyor;
the first three for four years; the others for two years. The sheriff
and treasurer are eligible only four years in eight; the first three
eight years in twelve.

_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a
majority of all the members of each house concurring, and ratified by
the electors of the state.

Illinois.

Illinois was admitted into the union in 1818. The present constitution
is dated August 31, 1847.

_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are elected
for two years; must be twenty-five years of age; inhabitants of the
state three years, and of the county or district, one year; and have
paid a state or county tax. The number is never to exceed one hundred.
The districts are not limited to a single representative. The senate
consists of twenty-five members, elected in single districts, for four
years, one-half every two years; must be thirty years of age; citizens
of the United States; inhabitants of the state five years, of the county
or district, one year; and have paid a county or state tax.
Apportionments of senators and representatives are made after each
census, taken in 1855, and every ten years thereafter.

Quorum, two-thirds. Bills passed against the veto by a majority of all
the members elected to each house. If not returned within ten days, they
are laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment; in which case
they must be returned on the first day of the next legislative session,
or they will be laws.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is eligible
four years in eight. Age, thirty-five years; citizenship, fourteen
years; state residence, ten years. A lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state and an auditor of public accounts are elected for
four years, and a treasurer for two years.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court of three judges, one to be chosen in each
of the three grand divisions, for nine years, one every three years; the
one oldest in commission to be chief-justice. The legislature may
provide for their election by the whole state. Circuit judges are
elected for six years, one in each of the nine judicial districts, the
number of which may be increased, if necessary. A circuit court is to be
held two or more terms annually in each county. A judge of the county
court is elected in each county for four years, and has also probate
jurisdiction.

Justices of the peace are elected in each county by districts for four
years. Inferior local courts may be established in the cities by the
legislature.

A state's attorney is elected in each judicial circuit, for four years;
or in each county, if the legislature shall so direct. In each county a
clerk of the circuit court is elected for four years and a sheriff for
two years, who is eligible only once in four years; a supreme court
clerk by the electors of each grand division.

_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the state one year. A
poll or capitation-tax of not less than fifty cents, nor more than a
dollar, may, in case of necessity, be laid upon every voter under sixty
years of age.

_Amendments_ must be proposed by two-thirds majorities of all the
members of one legislature, approved by majorities of all the members of
the next legislature, and ratified by the electors at the next general
election. Or, the legislature, by two-thirds majorities of all the
members, may submit to the people the question of calling a convention;
and if a majority of the electors voting for representatives shall vote
for a convention, an act for calling one shall be passed.

Michigan.

This state was admitted into the union in 1836. The present constitution
was adopted in 1850.

_Legislature._ The senate has thirty-two members, elected in single
districts, for two years. Representatives, not less than sixty-four, nor
more than one hundred, are elected also in single districts, for two
years. An apportionment of members is made every ten years. Any
qualified elector holding no other office, is eligible to either house.

The final passage of bills requires a majority of all the members
elected to each house. Majorities of two-thirds of all the members pass
bills against the veto. Bills not returned within ten days, are laws
unless their return is prevented by adjournment. Bills passed within
the last five days of a session, may be signed by the governor and filed
by him in the office of the secretary of state within five days after
the adjournment; and the same become laws.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years
of age; have been a citizen of the United States five years, and a
resident of the state two years. A lieutenant-governor.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, a probate court, and
justices of the peace. For six years, and until the legislature shall
otherwise provide, the circuit judges are to be judges of the supreme
court. After six years, a supreme court may be organized, consisting of
a chief-justice and three associate justices, chosen by the electors for
eight years, and so classed that only one of them shall go out of office
at a time. A circuit judge is elected in each of the eight judicial
circuits for six years. The number of circuits may be increased. The
probate judge of each county is elected for four years.

Justices of the peace, not exceeding four, are elected in each township,
for four years.

_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state three
months, and in the township or ward ten days; also foreigners after a
residence of two and a half years in the state, and a declaration of
their intention to become citizens; and civilized males of Indian
descent.

A secretary of state, a superintendent of public instruction, a
treasurer, a commissioner of the land-office, an auditor-general, and
attorney-general, are elected for two years.

In each county are elected a sheriff, a county clerk, a county
treasurer, a register of deeds, and a prosecuting attorney, all for two
years. The sheriff can hold only four years in six. The board of
supervisors may unite the offices of clerk and register in one office.

_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each
branch, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the
next general election. Every sixteenth year the question of a general
revision of the constitution by a convention shall be submitted to the
electors of the state.

Wisconsin.

This state was admitted into the union by an act of congress, May 29,
1848.

_Electors._ White male citizens, or foreigners who have declared their
intention to become citizens, having resided in the state one year; also
civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe.

_Legislature._ A senate and an assembly. Members of the assembly are
elected annually; the number not to be less than fifty-four, nor greater
than one hundred. The number of senators may not be less than
one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the number of members of
assembly. Senators are chosen for two years, half every year. Members of
both houses are elected in single districts, apportioned every five
years; and must have resided in the state a year, and be qualified
electors of the districts.

Bills are passed over the veto by majorities of two-thirds. Quorum, a
majority.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years. Any citizen of the
United States and qualified elector of the state, is eligible to the
office of governor or lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected
for two years.

Sheriffs, coroners, registers of deeds, and district-attorneys, are
elected in counties, for two years. Sheriffs are ineligible for the next
two years.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, courts of probate, and
justices of the peace. Inferior courts, with limited civil jurisdiction,
may be established by law in the several counties. By the constitution,
the judges of the circuit courts were to be judges of the supreme court
for five years, and until the legislature should otherwise provide. A
separate supreme court may be organized, to consist of a chief-justice
and two associate justices elected by the electors of the state for six
years; one only to be elected at a time. The circuit judges also, one in
each judicial circuit, are elected for six years. The supreme court
shall hold at least one term annually at the seat of government, and at
such other places as the legislature may provide. A circuit court is to
be held at least twice a year in each county.

A judge of probate is chosen in each county for two years; but the
office may be abolished, and probate powers conferred on inferior county
courts. Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns, cities,
and villages, for two years.

_Amendments_ are to be approved by a majority of the whole of each house
of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. Also the
legislature may submit to the people the question of calling a
convention to revise or change the constitution.

Iowa.

The state of Iowa was admitted into the union by an act of congress
approved December 28, 1846.

_Electors._ White male citizens, resident in the state six months, and
in the county twenty days.

_Legislature._ The two houses are called the _general assembly_.
Representatives are elected in their respective districts for two years;
their number to be not less than thirty-nine, nor exceed seventy-two.
They must be inhabitants of the state one year, and residents of the
county or district thirty days. Senators, in number not less than
one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives, are
elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-four
years; otherwise qualified as representatives.

Two-thirds majorities of the members present, pass bills vetoed by the
governor. Bills not returned within three days also become laws, unless
their return is prevented by adjournment.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; must have been a
citizen of the United States and a resident of the state, two years; and
must be thirty years of age. No lieutenant-governor. In case of vacancy
in the office of governor, the office devolves upon the secretary of
state until the vacancy is filled.

A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, and a treasurer,
are elected for two years.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts
as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a
chief-justice and two associates, elected by joint vote of the two
branches, for six years. It has appellate jurisdiction only in all cases
of chancery, and constitutes a court for the correction of errors at
law. Each district court consists of a judge elected by the voters of
the district, for five years, at the township elections. A prosecuting
attorney and a clerk of the district court, are elected in each county
at the general election, for two years.

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