Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-08
CONSTITUTION OF KANSAS


vember contains ihe Constitution of Kansas
framed by tn. recent Convention Ii occupies nine
columns Of that paper, and IL too lengthy, therefore
TO transfer To columns complete; but We give
readers a synopsis of the same, embracing all the
principal sections of interest.
Ii is ordained by the Convention thnt the right To
tax lands in the State belonging TO the United States,
be forever relnquished certain conditions, viz:
that certain lands lying within the borders Of the
State shall be granted to the State, to be ap-
piled exclusively 10 the support of common schools:
that all sat.springs, and gold, silver, copper,
lead or other valuable mines shall be granted To said
State; that five per cenCn ot the proceeds OF the
sales of public lands shall be paid to hs State after
deductimg all expenses incident To the same: that
entire township shall be Designated by the President
of the United States for the use of seminary OF
learning; and that each alternate section of land, for
twelve miles each side of a railroad, TO be estab
shed or located from some point on the northern
boundary of the State leading souhwsrdly through
said State and each side Of railroad running from
east to wes shal be reserved and conveyed to Kan.
sas for the purpose of aiding and constructing sad
railroad.
The Governor is to hold his Office for two years
and must he at least thirty years of age, and have
been citizen for twenty years, and have resided in
the State at least five years preceding the day OF his
election, or from the time of forming this Constu
tiOn.
A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the
time with the Governor, and his qualifications and
the manner of his election sha be the same in all
respects.
No person holding office under the authority of the
United States, except postmasters, shall be eligible to
or have a seat in ibs Legislature.
The members Of the House of Representatives. are
to be elected for two years and the Senator'S for four
years.
The number of Senators shall not be less than thr
teen nor more than thirty three, and the Representa-
tives shall not be less than thirty more ha
one hundred.
The Legislature is to meet every two years, at the
seat Of government
The Legislature sha have no power to grant d..
vorcea to change the of individuals, direct
the GALES of estates belonging to infants other per
sons laboring under legal disabilities, by special le
gisation but by general laws shall confer said pow
ers on the courts of justice.
Ii shall be the duty of all civil officers of the State
to use due diligence in securing the rendition of per
Sous held service labor in tho State, either in
States or Territories of the United Ststes; and the
Legislature shall enact such laws may be necessa
ry for the honest and aihful carrying out Of this pro-
vision. The judiciary powers OF the State ahall be in
supreme court, circuit courts, chsncery courts
courts of probate and justices Of the peace and such
other inferior courts Us the Legislature may from time
tu time Ordain and establish.
Two sessions OF the supreme court are to be held
annually. The chief justice and associate justices oi
the supreme court shall be elected by the qualified
OF the whole State and the judges OF the CIR
cult courts by the qualified voters OF their circuits
and the judges of the chancery courts by the quail
fled voters of their respective chancery divisions.
Vacancies in the courts shall be filled for the time
being by the Governor; but Oh the receipt OF lnor
nation OF vacancy, the Governor is 10 order an
election to fill such vacancy, by giving sixty days
notice OF Ill election.
The chief justice il to bold his office for ak year.
and the judges OF the circuit, chancery and probate
courts for four years.
The attorney general is 10 be elected by the quail
fed voters of the State who shall hold bis Office fol-
four years.
The right of property is before and higher than any
constitutional sanction and The right OF the owner oi
slave 10 such slave and it's increase ia the same and
AS nyio!abe the right Of the owner Of any pro.
perty whatever.
The Legislature shall have no power to pass law
for the emancipation o! slaves without the consent o'
the owners, without paying the owners, previou-
to their emancipation. full equivalent in money tor
the slaves SO emancipated. They shall have no powe
to prevent immigrants the State from bringing with
.neIn such persons as are deemed slaves by the
laws of any Of the United States or Territories 30
| long any person of the same age or description
shall be continued in slavery by the laws OF th's
State Proo,ded, That such person or save % tne
bona fde property of such immigrants ana Proo''
ded, also, That lave may be passed 10 proho Tue i
PRODUCTION into this State OF slaves VINO nave con'
ted high crimes in other States or Territories lh1y
shall bay. mower 10 pass laws TO permit the owners 81
slaves to e1naueipae tbem saving the rights OF creh
| itors, aud preventing them from becoming puof
charge. They shall have power to o6!Ige the OWNERS
nf slsves to treat them with humanity, TO provId-
e., tb. necessary food and clothing, to abstain from
ali iniuries TO them extending to life or limb and
case of their neglect or refusal to comply with the
direction Of such laws TO have auch slave o! slsvr
| sod for the benefit OF the owner or owners.
| Every male citizen Of the United States, above the
age of twenty years, having resided in the ST ST.
one year, and in the county, city, or town. 10 whlc
n. may offer his vote, three months preceding sGy
election shall have the qualifications of an elector.
All voting Of the people shall be by ballot Elector
are not TO be arrested in going to and returning from
tbs pos eIceDt for treason, felony, or breach Of tb
peace.