The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-18
THE REVISED CONSTITUTION
OF THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROV
IDENCE PLANTATIONS.

IDENCE PLANTATIONS.
We, the, pxople of the. State of Rhode
ful To Almighty God for the civil and re-
lglous liberty which we have 80 long en-
joyed, and looking TO Him for a blessing
petuate Dn eu the % same. do o ordain and establish
this constitution OF government.
ARTICLE /.
Declaration of certain Constitutional
Rights and Principles.
The rights and principles declared in this
article shall be strictly maintained. and
phall be of paramount obligation in all leg
lslative, judicial and executive proceedings.
SECTION l. In the words OF the Father Of Of
our political systems is the right or the
people TO make and alter their constitu-
lions OF government; but that n, me oSnsu eonsu;
by an explicit and authentic act OF the
whole people. is sacredly obligatory upon
all"
Sec. 2. All free governments are insti-
tuted for the protection, safety and happi-
ness OF the people. All laws, therefore,
ana the bnTdens sV5 Of the Shall be fr
distributed among its citizens.
Sec. 3. Whereas. God has created the
ence It by civil punishments or incapacita-
tions tend TO habits OF hypocrisy and
meanness, and whereas, principal object
this state was TO hold forth a lively ex-
pertinent. that fiourishing civil state may
stand and be best maintained with fun
liberty in religious concernments; We there
fore declare that no man shall be com
pelled to attend, or, except I'm fulhlment
of his own contract; to support any reli-
hold any Office or otherwise suffer on ac-
count of his religious belief; and that
every man shall be free to worship God In
his own way, and TO profess and by argu-
ment maintain his opinion In religious mat
ters; but nothing in this section shall be
80 construed Iu ,br1 to excuse any violation OF
Sec T. Every person within this state
ought TO find certain remedy, by having
70 the laws sr. for all S or
son, property or character, He ought TO
obtain right and justice freely and with
out purchase. completely and without de-
nial, promptly and without delay; con-
formally to the laws.
Sec. S. The right of the people to be se-
sions. against unreasonable searches and
seizures shall not be violated: and no war
rant shall issue, but on complaint in writ
Ing, upon probable cause. supported by
oath or affirmation, and describing as
nearly as may be. the place to be searched.
and the persons or things TO be seized.
Sec g. No person shall be held TO an
swer for a crime which shall be punisha-
BILE by death or by imprisonment In the
state prison, unless on presentment or in
dictment by grand jury, except In cases
Of impeachment, or I'm cases arising In the
land or naval forces or in the militia when
In actual service In time OF war or public
danger No person shall be subject to be
twice put In Jeopardy for the same offense.
Sec 4 Excessive bail shall not be re-
auired. nor excessive fines imposed. nor
ishments shall be proportioned to the Of
fence.
Sec 8. All persons imprisoned ought to
be bailed by sufficient surety, unless for
offences punishable by death or by i'm
prisonment for life, when the proof Of
khe privileges Of IL the % WRIT Of haBeas corpus srfa
shall not be suspended. unless In case OF
rebellion or invasion the public safety shall
require IT. nor ever without the authority
Sec. 8. In all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall enjoy the right to speedy
bnd public trial by an impartial jury; TO be
Informed OF the nature and cause of the
accusation, TO be confronted with the wit
nesses against him, to have compulsory
process for obtaining them In his favor, to
have the assistance of counsel in his de-
fence. and ehal be at liberty to speak for
himself.
there Is strong presumption of fraud, shall
not be continued I'm prison after he shall
have delivered up HIS property for the bene-
be prescribed by law.
Sec IL. No ex post facto law. or law
impairlng the obligation of contracts, shall
Sec. l2. No person shall be compelled to
give evidence eliminating himself; or be
deprived of life. liberty or property, with
out due process of law.
Sec. 13. Every person shall be presumed
innocent until he Is pronounced guilty by
the law: and no act Of severity which is
not necessary to secure an accused person
shall be permitted.
Sec H. The right OF trial by jury shall
remain inviolate.
Sec Is Private property shall not be
taken for public use without just compen-
sation therefor. unless by the consent OF
the owner; nor, except for the use Of the
n ivll1 al tNfrN mi
corporation, or when taken under the law
relating TO water mills, until such compen-
sation has been made or has been secured
by a deposit OF money as prescribed by
law.
Sec. 1e. The pe,sle of this state shall
continue TO enjoy and freely exercise ali
the rights o: fishery. aud the privileges OF
the shore. TO which they have been here
tofore entitled under the charter and
intended 10 be granted. NOR any existing
right impaired. by this declaration.
Sec. Il. The military shall be held In
strict subordnatlon 10 the civil authority
And the law martial shall be used and ex-
ercised In such cases only as occasion shall
necessarily require.
any house. In time of peace, without the
consent OF the owner; nor. IN time OF war;
but in manner TO be prescribed by law.
Sec 10. Every person may freely speak
write and publish his sentiments on ali
subjects being responsible for the abuse
OF ihat liberty and IN all trials for libel o.
tlhlutTs hVtf' flNAA HWN fflHnlidi TIC lfuNU
unless published or uttered from malicious
motives. shall be sufficient defence to the
persons charged.
Sec. 20 The citizens shall have n right
In peaceablc manner to. assemble foi
their common good. and 90 npply to those
invested with tho rowgrs Of government
for redress Cf rricvo-rcs or for other pur
posss by pct.i.on. a1dr. 80. or rtinpnstranco.
Sec. 81 The rCht q the people 70 keep
and bear arms shall no' b. infrngsd.
Soc. q The cn,Tnefat!on OF the forego-
n0 -4ohts esav N. n. cr-rs-i. ~ IN fUf cir
W deny others retained by the people
ARTICLE IL