Squatter sovereign., 1857-12-05

fide property Of such emigrant, and pro-
yided also, that laws may be passed TO
prohibit the insroduciion into this State, of
slaves who have committed high crimes In
other States or Territories. They shall
have power to pass laws 10 permit the
owner of slaves 70 esnancipate them, saw
ing the rights OF creditors, and preven.in g
them from becoming public charge
They shall have power 10 obiige the own
ers Of slaves to treat them with humanity,
90 provide for them the necessary food and
clothing. to abstain from all injuries 10
them, extending to life, or limb, and in
case Of their neglect, or refusal to comply
with the objections of such laws, to have
such slave or slaves sold for the benefit of
the owner or owners.
Sec.J. In the prosecution of slaves Tor
crimrs of higher grade than petit-larce-
ny. the Legislature shall have no power
to deprive themof an impartial trial by a
petit-jury.
Sec. 4. Any person who shall malici-
ously disnnember, or deprive slave OF
life, shall suffer such punishment az would
be inflicted In the case the hike ofenre
had been committed on free white per-
son, and on the like proof, except in case
of irlsurrection of such slave.
ARTICLE yIII.-ELEcTIoSs AND; RIcHTs
OF SUFFRAGE.
Sec. /. Every male citizen OF the Uni.
ted States above the age OF twenty-one
wears, having resided in this State one.
wear and in the county. city or town in
which he may offer to vote three months
next proceeding any election, shall have
oF ol.s nd bf,
titled to vote at all elections; and every
male citizen Of the United States above
the age aforesaid who may be a resident
of the State at the time this Constitution
shall be adopted. shall have the right Of
voting as aforesaid. but no such citizen or
inhabilant, shall be entitled 10 vote except
in the county in which he shall actually
reside at the time Of the election.
See. 2. All voting by the people shall
be by ballot. n.s- ...a,..
Sec. 8. Electors during their attend
ance at elections and going to or return
ing therefrom, shall be privileged from ar
rest in all cases except treason, felony and
breach Of the peace. 1ss4...-..-
Sec. 4. No elector, shall be obliged to
do militia duty on the days OF election,
except in time of war or public danger.
Sec. 5. No elector shall be deemed to
have lost residence in this State by reason
of his absence on business of his own, or
of the United States or of this State.
Sec. g.. No person employed in the mil
itafy. naval ormarine service of the Uni
ted States, stationed in this State, shall by
reason of his service therein, be deemed a
resident Of this State.
Sec. z. No person shall be elected or
appointed to any Office in this state civil or
military, who shall not be possessed Of the
qualification herein before prescribed for
an elector.
Sec. 8. The Legislature shall have the
power TO exclude from the privilege of vo-
ting or being eligible to office any person
convicted of bribery, perjury, or other In
famous crime.
Sec. 9. The next general election in
this State shall be held on the day and
year provided by this Constitution, and all
general elections thereafter, on the day
and year as provided by subsequent legis-
iative enactment.
,tfs ARTICLE jIx.- FINANCE 4a
Sec. |. The rule of taxation shah be
uniform, and taxes. shall be levied upon
such property as the Legislature shall from
time to time prescribe .,.;a asT -
Sec. 2. The Legislature shall provid.
tor an annual tax sufficient to defray ths
estimated expenses Of the government TO
each year, and whenever the expenses o
any year, shall exceed the income, the lie
gisla,ure shall provide for levying Ia:
for, the ensuing year. sufficient with othe
sources of income, to pay the detlcienc'
as well as the estimated expenses OF suc
ensuing year. =.
Sec. g. For the purpose of defrayin!
extraordinary expenditures. the State ma
contract public debts, but such debts shal
never, in the aggregate exceed five hun
dred thousand dollars. Every such del
shall be authorized by law, for some pur
pose or purposes, to be distinctly specific
therein; and vote of a majority of a
the members elected TO both houses sha
be necessary to the passage of such law
and every such law shall provide for a
annual tax to be levied, sufficient to pa
the interest of such debt created, an
such appropriation shall not be repeale'
nor the taxes postponed until the principa
and interest of such debt shalt have beel
wholly paid. ssa.es a,y.5 !
Sec. 4. The Legislature may also Dor
row money for the purpose of repellins
invasion, suppressing insurrection, and de
fending the state in time of, war, bu. tn,
mooney thus raised shall be applied exclu
sively TO the purposes for which it wa
raised. 50 fa~e s, er
Sec. S. No scrip. certificate or othe
evidence of state debt shall be issued ex
cept for snch debts as are authorized b
the third or fourth sections of this article
Sec. 6. The property of the state an
counties, both real and personal, and sue
other property as the Legislature ma
deem necessary for school, religious. c
charitable purposes. may he exempte
from taxation.
Sec. z. No money shall at any time b
paid out of the Treasury. except in pul
suance of an appropriation by law.
Sec. s. An accurate statement of th
nnbiic money. shall be published with th