Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-10-09
CONSTITUTION OF TEXAS.

tHFsN
We take the following synopsis OF
the leading provisions ofthe admirable
constitution arranged for Texas, by
the late convention at nstin, from the
New Orleans Picayune:
! The CONSTITUTION OF Texas
We have neither time nor room 10 make
an analysis Of the new constitution, but
will briefly aivertto some gifts speculiar
provisions, at the risk ofrepeating cur
selves. We need not say that the in
strument is modelled upon the theory
of most of our own State constitutions.
Every free male person, twenty-one
years of age, who shall be citizen of
the United States, or who is, at the
time of the adoption OF the Texian con-
s,itution by the Congress ofthe United
States, citizen ofthe republic Of Tex
as, and shall have resided in the State
one year next preceding an election,
and the last six months within the dis
trict. county, city, OF town in which ne
offers to vote, Indians not taxed, AT
ricans ard descendants Of Africans ex-
cepted, is to be deemed a qualified e.
lector.
The term of Office Of members Of the
House is two years, and the sessions
of the Legislature are biennial. To be
eligible 10 the House, one must be a
citizen of the United States, or, at the
time ofthe adoption oftbe constitution,
citizen of the republic of Texas, and
an inhabitant Of the State for two years
next preceding his election, and the
last year thereof a citizen Of the county,
city, or town for which he shall be cho-
sen, and have attained the age oftwen-
ty-one years at the time of his election.
The FERN Of the senators is four
years; and they reto be divided into
two classes, SO that one-half may be
chosen biennially. The additional
qualification for senators is, to have
been an inhabitant for three years, and
to be thirty years Of age.
No minister. ofthe Gospel, Or priest,
is eligible to the legislature.
The Executive is to nominate the
! judges Of the supreme and district
courts, and, with the advice of two
thirds of the Senate, commission them
| for six years.
The attorney general is appointed
in the same manner, and holds his COM
mission for two years.
The governor is to hold his office for
two years, and shall not be eligible for
more than four years in any term of
six years. His other qualification are
like a senator's. The salary of the
first governor is to be $4,000, and no
more. He can hold no other office
or commission, civil OF military.
No minister ofthe Gospel is requir-
ed to perform military duty, work on
roads, or serve oniuries.
The oath of office is so formed, that
in addition to the usual provisions, one
must swear that, since the adoption Of
the constitution, he has not fought a
duel within or without the Statej nor
sent or accepted challenge, NOR in any
way aided or assisted any person thus
offending.
And who shall offend, (by fighting a
duel, accepting challenge, &C., after
the adoption of the constitution, shall
be deprived Of holding any Office Of
trust or profit.
In all elections by the people, the
vote is TO be by ballot, till the legisIa-
ture otherwise direct; in elections by
the Senate or House, Except Of their
own officers, the vote shall be viva
roce.
No member Of Congress, nor person
holding Office under the United States,
or either Of them, or foreign power, is
eligible t, the Legislature, or can hold
office under the State.
| The laws are to be revised five years
after the adoption Of the constitution,
and published; and the same repeated
every ten years thereafter.
No lottery can be authorized by the
State, and the buying and selling Of
all tickets is prohibited.
No divorce can be granted by the
Legislature. All property, both real
and personal, of the wife, owned or
claimed by her before marriage, and
that acquired afterwards by gift, devise
or descent, shall be her separate prop
erty; and laws shall be passed more
clearly defining the rights ofthe wife,
in relation as well to her separate prop
|lerty as that held in common with her
husband. Laws shall also be passed
providing for the registration Of the
Iwife's separate property.
Alfclaims, locations, surveys, grants,