Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-08-19
Eligibility and Qualification for
Office.

VlIiCt.
The article which follows, we find
in an exchange, without credit. 1t
will be found interest ng, as show ing
the progress of Governmen. Reform,
since the close of the last century,
and the increased belief of mans S
capability for selfgovernment. In
the changes as to the eligibility and
qualification for office, no doubt there
were many who thought the doing
away with property qualification, an
alarming innovation which if not
checked might lead to anarchy and
misrule. Experience has shown the
folly Of such fears,
By the constitution ofNeW Hamp-
shire, adopted in 1888, the Governor,
to be properly eligible, must be an
inhabitant of the State or Colony
for seven years; must be possessed
.of an estate of G5O0, half freehold,
and a professor of the Protestant
religion. To be eligible to the SEN
ate, they must be an inhabitant sew
en- years, having freeholds Of E200,
and to be of the Protestant religion.
To be eligible to the Lower House,
they must be residents of the State
two years, have property equal to
ESQ, and profess the same religion.
The constitution of Massachusetts,
in 1880, the Governor was required
to have seven years residence, and a
! freeholder of 9l00. A Senator
must have residence Of five years,
and freehold estate Of 9600. A
Representative must have a resi-
dence of one year, a reeholder of
e100, or 9200 taxable property
They must all make oath that they
were believers in Christianity.
The Constitution of New York, in
TIT, required th Governor to ave
three years residence; "a wise and
discreet freeholder::" and the Sena-
tors to be chosen from freeholders.
Nothing special as to the other
House.
The constitution of New Jersey, in
1777, required the Senate (then
called the Legislative CounciD Should
consist of persons Who had been one
year residents, "and worth at least
$1,000 proclamation money" Mem
bers of Assembly must have years
residence, and be worth $500.
The constitution Of Pennsylvania,
in 177S, provided that members of
Assembly should be residents of
their respective counties two years,
make oath that they believe in Gods
government and in the divine au-
thorities of the Holy Scripture. No
property qualifications, except that
of having paid taxes.
By the constitution of Delaware,
in 1779, the Senate and Assembly
were to consist Of freeholders; and
both they, the Governor, an d all per-
sons admitted 'to public trust, were
to subscribe aprofession of religion.
The constitution of Maryland, IN
1776, required "that a person of wis
dom, experience and virtue should
be chosen Governor" That he
should be twenty-five years of age,
resident FIVE years, and have within
the State real and personal property |
above the value of $4,000, whereof
at least $1,000 to be real estate.
Senators must be at least twenty-five
years of age, three years resident,
and real and persd nal property above
the value Of G1000. Delegates to
the other House must be 81 years of
age, and have property to the amount
$500 each. All these officers must
subscribe declaration Of Christian
ty.
In Virginia, in 1776, the Senate
we're required to be resident free
holders" J" of the district, twenty-five
years Of age; and members of the
Legislature must be freeholders Of
their respective counties.
The constitution of North Carroll
ma, in l777, required the Governor
to be thirty-fye years of age, five
years resident, and a freeholder OF
9100O value. A Senator must be
one year resident and possess 430o
freehola-the other House, a year S
residence, and G100 freehold.
The constitution of South Caroli-
ma, in 1878, required the Governor
to be a resident Of ten years, to have
a freehold of 100000 clear of debt,
and to be a Protestant Christian,-