White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-12-03
PREAMBLE.

our representatives in Convention assembled at
Lecompton in said Territory, on Monday, the 4th
day ofSeptember, 1857, and ofthe Independence
of the United States the eighty second year,
having the right of admission into the Union as
one of the United States of America, consistent
with the Federal Constitution; and BY virtue of
the treaty of cession by France to the United
States of the province Of Louisiana, made and
entered into on the thirtieth day of April, 1903;
and by virtue Of and in accordance with the act
of Congress passed March the Both, 1854, en-
titled "An Act to organize the Territories of
Nebraska and Kansas" In order to secure to
ourselves and our postcrity the enjoyment of all
the rights of lire liberty, and prosperity, and free
pursuit of happiness, do mutually agree with
each other to form ourselves into free, indie
pendent, and sovereign State, by the name and
style of the State of Kansas, and do ordain and
establish the following constitution for the gov
eminent thereof
ARTICLE I.-BoUNDAKEs.
We do declare and establish, ratify and con-
firm the following as the permanent boundaries
Oh the Dltlc Vi huuSdsg Ludb 10 W DC-
ginning at point on the western boundary of
the State of Missouri, where the thirty seventh
parallel of north latitude crosses the same;
thence west on said parallel to the eastern boun-
dairy of New Mexico; thence north ofsaid boun-
dairy westward to the east Boundary of the Ter
ritory of Utah, on the summit eff the Rocky
Mountains; thence northward on said summit TO
the fortieth parallel Oflatitude; thence east on
said parallel to the western boundary of the
State of Missouri; thence south with the western
boundary of said State to the place ofbeginning.
ARTICLE l-CoUxTY BOUNDARIES.
No county. now established, which borders
upon the Missouri River, or upon either bank of
the Kansas River, shall ever be reduced by the
formation of new counties to less than twenty
miles square; nor shall any other county now
organized, or hertafter te be organized. be re-
duced to less than five hundred square miles.
ARTICLE III.-DIsTNBuTIoS or Power.
The powers of the Government of the State
of Kansas shall be divided into three separate
departments-the Legislative, the Executive,
and the Judicial and no person charged with
the exercise of powers properly belonging to one
ofthese departments, shall exercise any functions
appertaining to either of the Others. except in
the cases hereinafter expressly directed or per-
mitted.
ARTICLE Iv.-ExEcurIvE DEPARTMENT.
SECTION lsr. The chief Executive power of
this State shall be vested in Governor. who
shall hold his Office for two years from the time
of his installation.
Src.2. The Governor shall be elected BY the
qualified electors Of the State. The returns Of
every election for Governor shall be sealed up
and transmitted to the seat of Government, d.
rected to the Secretary ofState, who shall deliv-
er them to the Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatires at the next ensuing session Of the
Legislature, during the first week ofwhich ses-
sion the Speaker shall open and publish them in
the presence of both Houses Of the Legislature.
The person having the highest number Of votes
shall be Governor, but if two or more shall be
equal and highest in votes, then one ofthem shall
be chosen Governor by the joint ballot Of both
Houses ofthe LEGISLATURE. Contested elections
for Governor shall be determined BY both Hous-
es of the Legislature in such manner as may be
prescribed by law.
SEC. 3. The Governor shall be at least thirty
wears of age, shall have been citizen of the
United States for twenty years, shall have re-
sided in this State at least Eve years next pre-
ceding the day ofhis election, or from the time
of the formation of this Constitution; and shall
not be capable Of holding the Office more than
four years in any term ofsix years.
SEC. 4. He shall at stated times receive for
his services compensation which shall be fixed
bY law, and shall not be increased or diminished
during the term for which he shall be elected.
SEC. 5. He shall be COMMUNICATIVE the
army and navy of this State, and Of the militia,
except when they shallbe called into the service
of the United States.
SEC 6. He may require information in writing
from officers in the Executive Department, on
any subject relating to the duties oftheir respce-
tive Offices
SEC. !. He may in case of emergency, con-
vene the Legislature, at the seat of Government
or at different place, if that shall have become,
since their last adjournment, dangerous from
an enemy or disease; and in case Of disagree
nent between the two Houses, with respect to
the time of adjournment, adjourn to snch time
as he may think proper, not beyond the next
stated meeting of the Legislature.
SIC 8. He shall from time to time give to
the Legislature information Of the state Of the
Government, and recommend TO their con-
sideration such measures as he may deem neces-
sary and expedieut.
SEC. 9. He shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed.
SIC. 10. In all criminal and penal cases, except
in those OF treason and impeachment, he shall
have power to grant reprieVcs and pardons, and
remit fines; and in cases of forfeitures, to stay
the collection until - end OF the next session
of the Legislature, and to remit forfeitures, BY
and with the advice and consent Of the Senate.
In case of treason, he shall have power to grant
reurieves, by and with the advice and consent
Of the senate. hut may respite the sentence uutil
the end of the next session ofthe Legislature.
SIC. II. All commissions shall be in the
name and by the authority Of the State OF Kan
sas; be sealed with the great seal, and signed by
the Governor, and be attested BY the Secretary
of State.
SEC. 10 There shall be seal Of this State
which shall be kept by the Governor. and used