and criminal jurisdiction, and provide for the election of local officers; to provide by law for the registry of bills and notes issued as money; provide for the organization of cities and villages, restrict their power of taxation, assessments, contracting debts, and borrowing money; may provide for filling up vacancies in office, or declaring offices to be vacant; and have such other and further powers as are necessary for the legislature of a free and enlightened people.

No bill can be passed unless by the assent of a majority of all the members elected to each branch of the legislature; and the question upon the final passage must be taken immediately upon its last reading, and the yeas and nays entered on the journal. No private or local bill, which may be passed by the legislature, can embrace more than one subject, and that must be expressed in the title.

The legislature has power to delegate to the board of supervisors of the several counties of the state, such further powers of local legislation and administration, as it shall from time to time prescribe. Every bill which passes the senate and assembly must, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor: if he approves, he must sign it; but if not, he must return it with his objections, to that house in which it originated, which must enter such objections at large on the journal, and proceed to re-consider it. If, after such re-consideration, twothirds of the members present shall pass the bill, it must be sent to the other house, by which it must be re-considered; and if approved by all the members present, it becomes a law, notwithstanding the objections of the governor. But in such cases, the vote of both houses must be determined by yeas and nays, and entered on their respective journals. If the bill is not returned by the governor within ten days, Sundays excepted, after it shall be presented to him, it becomes a law in the same

manner as if he had signed it, unless the legislature shall, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it does not become a law.

There is quite an anomaly in the provisions respecting the passage of those bills which the governor returns with his objections. No bill, it will be perceived, can be passed under one provision of the constitution, unless it receive the assent of a majority of all the members elected to each branch of the legislature; the total number of both branches is one hundred and sixty; therefore, eighty-one constitutes a majority that must vote for the bill originally. A majority of each house, by another provision, constitutes a quorum to do business; hence, sixty-five is a majority of the house, and seventeen a majority of the senate; making the total number to constitute a quorum for both houses eighty-two. In the event that all the residue of each branch should see fit to absent themselves from the house on a final passage of a bill vetoed by the governor, two-thirds of sixty-five may pass the bill in the house, and two-thirds of seventeen may pass it, under such circumstances, in the senate: that is, twelve may pass it in the senate, and thirty-three in the house; so that, in the event of a veto to a bill, it may, notwithstanding, become a law by the final vote of forty-five members of the legislature; whereas, if it had not been objected to by the governor, it must, in order to have become a law, have received the vote of at least eighty-one members of the legislature.

The clause relative to those bills returned with the dissent of the governor, is found in a section of the constitution posterior to the other provisions above referred to, in the same instrument.

§ 90. The constitution of Pennsylvania declares, that the legislative powers shall be vested in a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives.

It also contains the following provisions:

"The general assembly shall meet on the first Tuesday of December in every year, unless sooner convened by the governor.

"Each house shall choose its speaker and other officers; and the senate shall also choose a speaker pro tempore, when the speaker shall exercise the office of

governor.

"Each house shall judge of the qualifications of its members. Contested elections shall be determined by a committee, to be selected, formed, and regulated in such manner as shall be directed by law. A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized, by law, to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as may be provided.

"Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same cause; and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the legislature of a free state.

"Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish them weekly, except such parts as may require secrecy. And the yeas and nays of the members on any question shall, at the desire of any two of them, be entered on the journals.

"The doors of each house and of committees of the whole shall be open, unless when the business shall be such as ought to be kept secret.

"Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.

"All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the

house of representatives; but the senate may propose amendments, as in other bills.

"Every bill, which shall have passed both houses, shall be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if he shall not approve, he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large upon their journals, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other house, by which likewise it shall be reconsidered; and if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall be a law. But in such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for or against the bill shall be entered on the journals of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the governor within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, it shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the general assembly, by their adjournment, prevent its return: in which case it shall be a law, unless sent back within three days after their next meeting.

"Every order, resolution or vote, to which the 'concurrence of both houses may be necessary, (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the governor, and, before it shall take effect, be approved by him, or being disapproved, shall be repassed. by twothirds of both houses, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in case of a bill.

"The house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeaching.

"All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate: When sitting for that purpose, the senators shall be upon oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted

without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present."

It also contains the following declaration of rights:

"That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and unalterably established, WE DECLARE That,

"All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.

"All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness: For the advancement of these ends, they have at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish their government, in such manner as they may think proper.

"All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences: no man can, of right, be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent: no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience and no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or modes of worship.

"No person who acknowledges the being of a God, and a future state of rewards and punishments, shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this commonwealth.

"Elections shall be free and equal.

"Trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate.

"The printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the legis