The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-08-11
Comparative View Of The State
.aaTq J Constitutions,

AA u OUiStttuttUuS,
In the six New England states, the ex
ecutive and Legislative branches of the gov
ernment, are all elected annually. Th'
representation in the lower branch of thu
legislature is more numerous in thost
States. than in the other States of the Un
ion; the representatives in the New Eng
land States being elected by to,cns to thu
house of representatives, while in othc
parts of the Union the representatives il
hatbranch of the legislature by counties
districts in South Carolina, and parishe
inSLouisiana, being local divisions syno
nymous with counties. r
IAN executive council, elected by the
people,i peculiar to the State of New
Hampshire. There are, however, execu
tive councils, elected by the legislature, in
Maine, Massachusetts,, Virginia, and
North Carolina.
q The governor possesses the veto power.
or rqualified negative, on bills and resolu-
tions which have been passed by the legis-
lature, in the following ten States, viz:
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,,
New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Mis-
sissippi, Louisiana, Michigan, and Texas;
in these States the executive veto can on
lysbe oyerruled by two-third vote of both
branches of the legislature.
In the following States the governor may
return bills or resolutions passed by the
Legislature, but his veto may be overruled
by a majority of the members elected to
both houses, viz: Vermont, Connecticut,
New Jersey, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas,
Kentucky, Indiana, and Missouri. In
Illinois, the governor and the judges ofthe
supreme court form council to revise all
bills which have passed the general assem-
bly,, and majority of the council may re-
turn bills with their objections, to the house
where the same originated; after which, if
approved by majority of all the members
elected to both houses, the bills may be-
come law.
In the following eight States, the appro-
val Of the governor is not required to bills
or resolutions passed by the Legislature,
but the same may become laws, after re-
ceiving the signature of the speaker or
presiding officer of each branch of the leg.
islature, viz: Rhode Island, Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio.
y, In all the States, except Virginia and
South Carolina, the governor is elected by
the people; in those two States he is chos-
en- by the legislature. Lieutenant govern
ors are chosen by the people in Massachu-
sets, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois,
Missouri, Michigan, and Texas; in Vir-
ginia and South Carolina by the legisla-
ture. In the other States, the office of
lieutenant. governor does not exist
.a In the New England States, majority
of all the votes given is required to consti-
tute choice, in elections generally, by the
people; there are exceptions in Vermont,
as to senator's, also in Connecticut, in cleo
tons for State senators, members of Con-
gress, and on second trials, at adjourned
meetings for the choice Of representatives
to the general assembly, in which cases,
purality of votes only is required for
choice. In all the States except those of
New England, a purality ofvotes given
effect choice in elections by the eople.
In all Of the States, at popular elections,
the manner of voting is by ballot except in
Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkan-
sas, in which States, in all elections to any
office oftrust, honor, Or profit, with excep-
tons as to electors of president and vice
president, the votes are given openly, or
rira race, and not by ballot.
North Carolina is now the only State
which requires freehold qualification for
electors for either branch of the legislature.
members of the senate in that State being
chosen by freemon possessel of "a freehold
within the district where they reside and
vote, Of fifty acres Of land In Virginia,
freeholders may vote for members of the
house of delegates, in any county where
they own freehold of the value named in
the constitution; housekeepcrs and heads
Of families who shall have been assessed
with part of the revenue of the common
wealth, within the preceding year when
they vote, are also entitled to vote at elec-
tions.
Persons of color are entitled to vote at !
elections in the States of Maine, New
Vermont, Massachusetts, and t
Rhode Island. In the State of New York {
they are also qualified to vote, if possess. n
ed Of freehold estate of the value of two !
hundred and fifty dollars, without any in
cumbrance. In all other States of the S
Union. persons of color, or those of Afri- {
can descent, are excluded from the right
of voting at elections. .... +
Ministers of the gospel are not eligible h
as Legislators in Maryland, Virginia, North !
Tennessee, and Texas. In South
Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississip. i
pi, and Missouri, they are eligible neither t
asgovernors nor Legislators. In New York t
and Delaware they are not eligible to any |
Office whatever. {
New Hampshire and Massachusetts are I
the only States whose constitutions make
nrn1iSinn for rnliriaIls, L. :,