Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-10-13
NEW CONSTITUTION OF c, ,
NECTICUT.

NEW CONSTITUTION OF G,
NECTICUT.
The following abstract of the Consti
tion adopted by the late Convention
Hartford, is copied from the VT /
telligencer.
1t commences with Declaration 1
Rights, declaring that all men, WIKI
they form a social compact, are equal.
rights. That all political power is inb.
rent in the people, and all free COVER.
ments are founded on their authority, an
instituted for their benefit, and that they
have right to alter their form OF govern.
ment in such manner as they may thin
expedient.-The exercise and enjoymea
Of religious profession aud worship shal
be free to all persons. No preference shall
be given by law to any Christian sect o.
mode of worship Every citizen ma
freely speak, write, or publish his sent
ments on all subjects, being responsib.
for the abuse Of that liberiy--No law sha
ever be passed to c,lrtail or restrain th
liberty ofspeech or the press--In all prOs
ecutions the truth may be given in eyt
dence, and the jury determine the law
well as the facts, under the direction oftlo
cotrt-Tiie people to be secure from ue=
warrantable searches and seizures, anl
warrants for searches or seizures not d
be issued unless supported by oath o.
affirmation. Ia all criminal prosecution
the accused shall have right to be hear
by himself and by counsel, with such OH
er provisions for the benefit of the accuse
as are usually granted by the laws or COL
stitutions of the New-England States
No person shall be liable TO be ARRESTED
&c. except in cases clearly WARRANTED
by law-The property Of no person shall
be taken for public use, without a jus
compensation therefor. All courts shall
be open TO all persons injured, and righ.
and Justice administered without sale, de-
NAL or delay-Excessiye bail shall notblE
required, nor excessive fines imposed
All prisoners shall, before conviction, be-
baiiabie, except for capital offences, wher
the proof is evident or the presumptiOlI
great; and the privilege of habe0s corpus
shall not be suspended unless in certain
cases and by the legislature only. No
person shall be attained of treason or felony
by the legislature. The citizens shall
have right to bear arms in defence Of
himself and the state--The military shal
in all cases, and at all times be in strict
snbordination to the civil power-NOI
soldier shall in time of peace, be quarter
ed 10 any house without the consent ofthe'
owner; nor in time of war, but in man
ner to be prescribed by law-No heredi.
tary emoluments, privileges or honoun
shall be granted or conferred and the righ.
of trial by jury shall remain inviolate.
The second article provides for the dis
tribution Of the powers of the governmvaI
into distinct departments, legislative, exS
utive and Judicial. The third artif
vests the legislative power in two distia'
houses, the Senate and house Of Represa,
tatives, to be- holden annually at HartfOr
and New-Hayen, on the first "Wednesday
Of May. The number Of Representative
from each town to be the same as at pres
ent. The Senate to consist of twelve
members to be chosen annually in April
The Senators and Representative TO b5
privileged from arrest on civil process
during the session of the General Assem-.
bly,, and for four days before the CON
mencement and after the termination d
any session. M
The fourth article vests the supremt
executive power 10 Governor, to be che
sen by the people annually in April. The
Lit Governor to be chosen at the same
time and in the same manner. The Gov
ernor shall be Captain General Of the mill
tia Of the state, except when called into tht
service of the United States. A Treas
urer, Controller and Secretary are also to
be chosen in the same manner, at the sam
time, and for the same term of time. !
Sheriff shall be appointed in each count
by the General Assembly, who shall hot
his office three years, removable by SAL
assembly.
The fifth article vests the Judicial pOWe
of the State in Supreme Court OF Errors
Superior Court, and such Interior Court
as the assembly shall from time to tin'
prescribe. A sufficient number ofJusti
ces of the Peace are TO be appointed %
each county by the assembly. The Jud
ges of the Supreme Court, and Of the Ill
perior Court shall hold their offices Dur
ing good behaviour, liable to be removed
by impeachment; and the Governor shall
also remove them Oh the address of two