Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-10

abandoned aftpr a iflal OF Twelve year -
and the blouse Of Assembly was divided
into two bodies, called Senate and
House Of Representatives. The members
OF the Senate were elected one from each
county for a term o. three years. The
members of the House of Representatives
were elected from each county annually.
The constitution Of 1880 did not change
the organization OF the LEGISLATURE as
composed of TWO bOdies-a Senate and "A
House. 1t continued the division OF the
General Assembly, and required annual
elections of Senators and Representatives,
and annual sessions Of the Legislature.
The organization, composition, election,
and sessions of the General Assembly,
provided by the constitution OF 1875, were
adopted by the convention Of 1898, and re-
NAMED of force until changed by a special
amendment Of that constitution In 1870,
when the sessions Of the Legislature be-
came biennial.
In 1913 Senatorial districts were created
by constitutional amendment, each dis-
trict consisting of two counties, from
which Senators were elected biennially.
Eight years afterward, in 1891, these
Senatorial districts were abolished by
constitutional amendment, which re-
stored 10 each county the election Of
Senator biennI8lly. ia 1851 sessions Of
the Legislature by another change Of the
constitution, were made annual.
The convention OF 1861 retained the
feature Of annual sessions and Of repre-
sentatives elected from each county
yearly, and renewed the Senatorial dis
tTict system, making each district 10 CON
sist of three counties. This convention
placed some important restrictions upon
the General Assembly, which deserve TO
be noticed in this connection. Tho con-
stituton Of 1861 contained the provision
that no law or ordinance shall be enacted
which refers TO more than one subject
matter-an addition TO tho provision Of the
constitution Of l79S, requiring the title 10
express what is contained in the body OF
the act; that no law shall be passed
by which a citizen shall be compelled
TO become a stOckhOldeT in or contrib
utOr to a railroad corporation or other
work of internal Improvement, except the
citizens OF corporate towns and cities.
Under the shOrt-liYed constitution Of 1863,
while no changes were made IN the cleo
ton OF Senators from districts composed
Of three counties and of Representatives
from each county, elections and sessions
of the Legislature were again made bien-
NAL. In this constitution is found the re-
markable provision for removing cases
directly from City Courts TO the supreme
Court. provision capable of indefinite
and unwise extension, IA is seen by the
action OF the present Legislature, which
has made the town Of CarrOllt0n a city
and given it City Court, from which an
appeal may be made directly to the
supreme Court, already burdened with
trivial cases. In this constitution are
found the provisions which did SO much
towards establishing the fifteenth amend
ment to the United States constitution. /
allUde TO the provisions IN 1t requiring the
Legislature to enact separate code for
the government Of free persons of color !;
to regulate in what cases their testimony
shall be admitted, and the mode in which
they shall deal with Themselves and other
citizens; to regulate also the terms Of
their entrance into this State from other
States, and TO provide special courts for
their trial.
Passing to the constitution of 1868, we
find changes again IN the organization of
the legislative department by it Sena-
tors were elected for a term of four years
and the sessions of the General Assembly
were made annual. This constitution. so
admirable in many respects, contained
the dangerous provisions for aid to rail
road companies by AN Endorsement OF
their bonds, and the unlimited power OF
issuing bonds by the General Assembly
for educational purposes.
The constitution Of 1877 restores nOmi-
nally biennial sessions of the Legislature
and provides new and important re-
straints on this department. II requires
the consent of a majority Of all the mem
hers elected in each branch OF the same TO
the enactment of laws; forbIds the release
Of bail in criminal cases unless the prin-
cipal is delivered; prohibits the Legisla-
ture from a release in any case of the
power OF taxation; prohibits the applica-
tion OF money borrowed by the State 30
ary Mt rlea tbau tbnf for winch 2 "a a
borrowed; denies the use of State credit
for the benefit of any individual, company,
corporation or association whatever, as
also to make the State a Joint owner or
stOckhOlder in any company, corporation
or association whatever, and limits the
power of the Legislature in giving mu-
nicipal corporations the right 10 make
debts.
From this IL will be seen we have had
within the space of a century annual and
biennial sessions, senatorial districts OF
one, two and three counties, members OF
the House elected yearly and biennially,
Senators elecJed for "a term Of one, two,
three and four years.
The executive department under the
first constitution Of the State consisted
Of Governor and Council. both elected
annually by the House of Assembly. The
Council was selected from the mem bers
hl the IlOust VI Assembly, ] lie power
of the Governor was very limited: he
could not pardon any offence, could
simply grant reprieves; he could not veto
any bill passed by the House. The next
constitution, that OF 1889, provided for
the election of Governor biennially in the
following manner; The members Of the
House selected three persons from whom
the Senate elected the Governor. His
powers under this constitution were
greatly enlarged; he could re
spite in cases except cases
of impeachment; he could
grant pardon In all cases after conviction
except those of treason and murder: he
could veto legislation, his veto be conclu
sive unless overcome by a Legislative ma,
iority Of two-thirds. Another change in
the mode Of electing the Governor was
made in 1895. This WINS to an election by
the General Assembly, the two bodies
meeting together. His powers, as Fl Ned
by the constitution Of 1879, were not
changed by the constitution Of 1875. The
constitution Of 1898 continued the cleo
tion Of Governor as provided by the con
stitution of 1903, and made no change in
his powers.
Tpe Executive Department was en-.
larged IN t70S by the creation Of two new
Offices, those OF Treasurer and Surveyor
General. Ia 1923, by an amendment "a
tue constitution, the election of Governor
was taken from the General Assembly
and vested In the people. The cOnsti.
tutional convention Of 1861 made no
change in the mode Of ClectiuE the GOV.