Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-19
THE CONSTITUTION OF KANSAS.

in session in Kansas:
Section |. That no inconvenience may arise
by reason Of a change from Territorial to
permanent State government. 1T IS declared
that all rights, actions, prosecutions, Judg-
ments, claims and contracts, as well of individ-
uals as Of bodies corporate, except the bill in
cooperating banks, by the last Territorial Legis-
lature, shall continue as if no such change had
taken place, and all processes which may have
issued under the authority of the Territory of
Kansas shall be as valid as if issued in the
name of the State of Kansas
Sec. 2. All laws now of force In the Territory
Of Kansas, which are not repugnant to this con-
stitution, shall continue and be of force until
altered, amended or repealed, by Legislature
assembled by the provisions Of this constitution.
Sec. g. All fines, penalties and forfeitures ac-
cTuing to the Territory Of Kansas, shall inure
20 the use ST the State of Kansas.
Sec. 4. All recognizaneeS heretofore taken
shall pass to, and be prosecuted in the name of
the State of Kansas; and all bonds executed to
the Governor of the Territory, or to any other
officer or court, in his or their official capacity
shall pass TO the Governor and corresponding
officers Of the State authority, and their success
sors in office, and for the use therein expressed
and may be sued for and recovered according
ly; and all the estates or property, real, per-
s5na or mixed, and all judgments, bonds, spe-
cialties, case, in action, and claims or debts of
whatsoever description, of the Territory Of Kan
sas, and be sued for and recovered In The same
manner and to the same extent that the Same
eOuld have been by the Territory of Kansas.
Sec. ). All criminal prosecutions and penal
actions which may have arisen before the
change from Territorial to State govern
ment, and which shall then bo pending shall
be prosecuted to Judgment in the name Of the
State of Kansas; all actions at law and suits in
equity which may be pending in the courts of
the Territory of Kansas at the time Of the
change from a Territorial to State government
may be continued and transferred to any court
of the State which shall have jurisdiction Of the
subject matter thereof.
Sec. 6. All officers, civil and military, hold
ing their offices under the authority of the Ter
ritOry Of Kansas, shall continue to hold and
exercise their respective offices until they shall
be superseded by the authority of the State.
Sec. Z. This constitution shall be submitted
to the Congress of the United States as its next
ensuing session; and soon official infor-
nation has been received that it is approved
by the same, by the admission of the State of
Kansas "a one of the sovereign States of the
United States, the president Of this convention
shall issue his proclamation to convene the
btate Legislature at the seat of government
within thirty one days after publication
Should any vacancy occur by death, resigna-
ton, or otherwise, in the Legislature or other
OSee, he shall order an election to fill such va
sancy PrOrided, hOWcUer, in case of refusal
absence, or disability Of the president Of this
convention to discharge the duties herein i'm
posed on him, the president pro tempore of this
convention shall perform said duties and in
ease OF absence, refusal, or disability of the
president pro tCMpOrC a committee consisting
of seven, or majority Of them, shall discharge
the duties required Of the president Of this
convention.
Sec. s. Tho governor and all other officers
shall enter upon the discharge Of their respec-
tive duties as soon after the admission of the
State of Kansas one of the independent and
sovereign States Of the Union as may be con-
Venient
Sec g. Oaths Of Office may be administered
BY any judge, justice OF the peace. or any
Judge Of any court of record Of the Territory
or state OF Kansas, until the Legislature Of
the State NAV otherwise direct
Sec. 10. After the year one thousand eight
hundr q and sixty-four, whenever the Legisla-
tature shall think ii necessary to amend alter
ard change this constitution, they shall recon-
ment 70 the electors at the next general elec-
ton, t.vo-thirds Of the members Of each house
concurriI'g, to vote for against the calling of
aconventOn; and, If it appear that majority
Of all the citI gens Of the State have voted for
convention. the Legislature shall, at it's next
regular session, Nll a convention, to consist of
as many members = there may be in the house
Of representatives at the time, to be chosen in
the same manner, at The same places, and by
the same electors, that chose the representa-
uyes; said delegates chosen shall meet
within three months after sa!d election, for the
purpose Of amending, revising, or changing
the constitution.
Sec. IL. Before this constitution shall be sont
TO Congress for admission into the Union as a
State, II shall be submitted to all the white
male inhabitants of this Territory for approval
or dsapprOval, as follows: The president of
this convention shall. by proclamation declare
hs AZ naV Of nhar ~.
different election precincts now established by
law, or which may DO established by law or
which may be established IS herein provided
in thu Territory Of Kansas, an election shall be
held, over which shall preside three judges or
majority of three, TO be api Ointed as follows:
The president of this convention shall appoint
three commissioners in each county in the Ter
ritory, whose duty it shall be To appoint three
judges Of election in the several precincts Of
their respective counties at which election the
constitution framed by this convention shall be
submitted 10 all the white male inhabitants Of
the Territory Of Kansas in the said Territory
CpOn that day, and over the age of twenty-one
years, for ratification or rejection in the fol-
lowing manner and form The voting shall be
by ballot. The judges Of said election shall
cause 70 be kept two poll books by two clerks,
by them appointed. The ballots cast at said
election shall be endorsed {" constitution with
slavery and = constitution with no slavery
eight days 10 the president of this convention
and the other shall be retained by the Judges
of election and kept open for inspection The
president with two more members Of this
convention, shall examine said poll books and
If II shall appear upon said examination that a
majority of the legal votes cast at said election
he IN favor Of the constitution with slavery, he
shall Immediately have the same transmitted to
the Congress Of the United States, as hereinbe-
fore provided. But if, upon such examination
Of said poll books, II shall appear that ma
jOrity Of the legal votes cast at said election be
in favor Of the = constitution with no slavery"
then the article providing for slavery shall be
stricken from the constitution by the president
Of this convention, and no slavery shall exist
an the State Of Kansas, except that the right of
property IN slaves now in this Territory shall
in no manner be interfered with, and shall have
transmitted the constitution ratified TO the
Congress OF the United States, as hereinbefore
provided. In ease Of the failure Of the presi-
dent of this convention to perform the duties,
hv of Hao nfbo