opinion. If a majority answer, Guilty, on any article, the Senate, by their president, pronounce sentence, which may be suspension from office for a time or for life, or removal from office, and disqualification for life to hold any office. This is the extent of sentence which this court can pronounce. Besides being removed, the accused may be tried for the same offence on indictment, and punished, in a court of justice, if the case be one which demands a punishment beyond that which the Senate can impose. There have been six impeachments since the adoption of the constitution. The results were, 1. removal from office; 2. suspension one year; 3. removal and disqualification* for life; 4. removal from office; 5. not guilty; 6. not guilty.

CHAPTER XIII.

The State Governments.

138. ALL the state governments are representative republics. All of them are conducted in conformity to written constitutions, adopted by the people, in each state, excepting in Rhode Island, where the ancient colonial charter is yet in force. The like effects are obtained in each state, by the exercise of political power. Each one has a legislative, executive and judicial branch, and its own modes of exercising power in these several departments. The distinctions existing among the state governments are found in the qualifications of the electors, and of the elected; in the origin and duration of office; in the limitation of the powers which may be exercised; and in peculiar constitutional provisions; and, especially, in the character of legislation in each state. It is intended to show, in this chapter, the prominent features of each constitution, and the striking peculiarities in each. It would not be expedient, if it could be done, to set forth the interior policy of each state, because this depends on laws which are subject to be amended or repealed. The manner in which republican government is administered in this country, appears from the examination of the Massachusetts constitution, and of the powers exercised under it; and will fur

* This disqualification was afterwards removed by the governor, who has this power in cases of impeachment, as well as in all others. In some states, this power (in impeachments) is reserved to the legislature,

ther appear by examining the national constitution. It is supposed that instructers can easily make known to their pupils the manner in which political power is exercised in their respective states. After having noticed, in the mode now proposed, the several constitutions, a short comparative view of them will be added. In the extensive territories of the West, new constitutions will be formed, and existing ones will sometimes need amendments; and whatever may have been done, in any state, on the important subject of framing a political system, must be interesting to those who are about to undertake any similar measures. To this consideration may be added, that the people, in each state, are interested to know in what manner those of other states are governed, since the people of all the states are united together for their common security and welfare.

139. State of MAINE. The constitution dated in 1819. Legislature. House of Representatives chosen in towns, in proportion to number of inhabitants. Citizens, who have been such five years, and resident in the state one year, are eligible. Senate of twelve, of like qualifications, and twentyfive years of age; chosen in districts, in proportion to the number of inhabitants therein. Annual election. Meeting, first Wednesday of January.

Executive. A governor, chosen annually by the people. Same qualifications as senators, except thirty years of age. A council of seven, chosen in convention of House and Senate. The executive has the power of appointment and pardon, and a qualified negative on legislative acts, as in Massachusetts. Removable by impeachment. President of the Senate acts as governor in case of vacancy.

Judiciary. Supreme Judicial Court, and county courts. Judges appointed and removable as in Massachusetts disqualified at the age of seventy.

Voters. The qualifications are so inconsiderable, that suffrage may be said to be universal.

Maine is supposed to have derived its name from a province in France. Originally a settlement by itself. United to Massachusetts in 1652; included in Massachusetts colonial charter of 1691. Separated from Massachusetts in 1820, by a law of the state, and a law of Congress. The constitution has a declaration of rights. Religious freedom is provided for; there is no religious test in oaths of office.

[Square miles, 32,000.]

140. State of NEW HAMPSHIRE. Constitution adopted in 1792. It has a declaration of rights.

Legislature. Vested in a General Court of two branches, House of Representatives and Senate. Representatives are chosen in towns, in proportion to ratable polls; must have been inhabitants two years; must have estate of £100, half of which is freehold. Senate of twelve. Senators must have been residents in the state seven years; must have freehold of £200; must be thirty years of age. They are chosen in districts, in proportion to amount of taxes paid therein. All elections for one year. Meeting, first Wednesday in June.

Executive. A governor. He must have an estate of £500, half of it freehold; like residence as senators. A council of five, chosen by the people. Executive powers and duties the same as in Maine. Removable by impeachment. President of the Senate acts as governor in case of vacancy.

Judiciary. The same as in Maine.

Electors. Residence and payment of taxes; but, practically, universal suffrage.

Legislature empowered to provide by law for maintenance of religious worship. No religious test.

[Square miles, 9,280.]

141. State of MASSACHUSETTS. In this notice of states, some things are added which were omitted in the chapters on this state.

Legislature. Representatives are required to have been resident one year in the town in which they are chosen ; and to have a freehold of £100, or a taxable estate of £200. Senators are required to have been resident five years in the district in which they are chosen; and to have a freehold of £300, or taxable estate of £600.

Executive. The governor and lieutenant governor are required to have been seven years resident in the state, and to have a freehold estate of £1000, and to be of the Christian religion, though there is no religious test in oaths of office. Electors. Residence and payment of taxes; but this is, practically, universal suffrage.

[Square miles, 7,800.]

142. State of VERMONT. Constitution adopted in 1793. It has a declaration of rights.

Legislature. Vested in a House of Representatives, styled the General Assembly. Members are qualified by two years'

residence in the state, and one in the town represented. Annual elections. Meeting, second Tuesday of October. No Senate. Legislative acts are subject to the revision of the executive branch, which can propose amendments, and suspend a proposed law till the next legislature.

and

In

Executive is vested in a governor, lieutenant governor council of twelve, all chosen by the people for one year. council, the governor is only presiding officer, with a casting

vote.

Judiciary. Judges of the Supreme and county courts may be elected annually by the House of Representatives, in conjunction with the executive branch.

Electors. Their qualifications amount to universal suffrage.

Vermont has its name from two words in another language, meaning green and mountain. Its bill of rights provides that neither of the branches shall exercise the powers of the other; yet the executive is a concurrent part of the legislature, and the court for the trial of impeachments. Once in seven years, thirteen censors are chosen, who examine, during one year, all departments of the government: they have power to order impeachments, and to call a convention of the people. Religious freedom is provided for.

[Square miles, 10,212.]

143. State of CONNECTICUT. Constitution adopted in 1818; till which time it was governed under the colonial charter; has a declaration of rights.

Legislature. General Assembly, composed of House of Representatives and Senate of twelve. Representatives chosen in towns, according to numbers; senators by general ticket. The citizens are styled in the constitution electors; and all white male citizens are such, who are resident citizens for six months, and have a freehold of seven dollars yearly value; or who have done militia duty a year, or paid a tax. Electors are entitled to vote for all officers, and are eligible themselves to any office. All elections annual. Meeting, first Wednesday of May.

Executive. A governor, chosen by the people for one year. No council. Some appointments are made by nomination of governor to the Senate. Governor has negative, as in Massachusetts. Can reprieve, but cannot pardon, that power residing in the legislature. Removable on impeachment. Lieutenant governor is president of the Senate.

Judiciary. Judges chosen by the legislature. Removable as in Massachusetts. Disqualified at seventy.

In this state, entire freedom of religion is secured. There is no religious test in office. The constitution recognizes the existence of a large school fund, and provides for its perpetuity. [Square miles, 4,674.]

144. State of RHODE ISLAND. The government of this state has been continued, hitherto, under the charter granted by Charles II. in 1663. The grant was to a company, comprising a governor, deputy governor and council. To this branch has been added a House of Representatives, chosen by the people, in towns; and a judiciary department, the judges of which are chosen annually by the people. The administration of the government is carried on by the legislative and executive departments, according to the construction given to the charter by usage. The powers of the governor are very limited. There is perfect freedom as to religious opinions. No religious test. Suffrage is universal.

[Square miles, 1,360.]

145. State of NEW YORK. This state adopted a constitution in 1777, and amended it in 1801. A new constitution was adopted in 1821. The seventh article enumerates rights, and defines powers. This state is divided into counties, and the counties into towns, as in New England.

Legislature. Vested in a House of Representatives, called the Assembly, and in a Senate. The House is limited to the number of one hundred and twenty-eight members. The state is divided into districts, by law, among which these one hundred and twenty-eight are apportioned. The Senate is composed of one fourth of that number (or thirty-two), who are chosen in eight districts, four senators in each. Representatives, and one fourth of senators, chosen annually. The representatives must be citizens resident for a certain term, and the senators also, and the latter must be freeholders. Meeting, first Tuesday in January.

He

Executive. Vested in a governor, chosen biennially must be a native citizen, must be thirty years of age, a freeholder, and resident in the state five years. No council. Governor nominates judicial and executive officers to the Senate; has a qualified negative, and power of pardoning, except in treason. The governor and lieutenant governor