The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-08-13
CONNECTICUTs CONSTITUTION.
The Religious Article Has Survived Political
Changes Of Eighty Years.

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Connecticut, one Of the thirteen original
States. was without a State Constitution until
1873. In which year one was submitted 10 the
voters Of this conservative commonwealth
for ratifcati ton or rejection. Then 1898 Con-
n~ecticut electors supported II and 1884 voted
against 1t. The majority for the new Consu-
tuition was not large. but the document was
adopted. nevertheless. and II has been In force
ever since. Sundry amendments have been
made TO II. but II retains many OF the quaint
features OF constitutional provision OF a CEN
fury ago.
With an electorate OF less than 10000 In 1918.
Connecticut has now $4,000 voiors. 1t has
to-day a large foreign population. wholly dis
similar from the old-line Connecticut farmers
Of tho period when tho present Constitution
was adopted Peculiar In many things. the
Connecticut Constitution contains, unaltered.
a religious article. the apparent purpose on
which. when adopted. was 70 do away with
any chance OF controversy or contention and
to defne strictly tho obligations OF Connecti-
cut citizens to the religious bodies with which
they were allied. This religious article. which
is unique in form. Is at the present time a prac-
teal dead letter. for men Of all religious faiths
and men Of no religious faith dwell together
in harmony In the Nutmeg State. The New
England propensity TO adhere TO what was
. land Of steady habits, has been an obstacle
W tho repeal Of the religious article. AZ IL Is
called IN Connecticut. Il Is Article 7 OF tho
1T being the duty Of ali mel to worship
server Of the Universe, and their right 70 rem.
VI, 'n sSs SSiS st.,ss y y The 'hs.I m SSn.G %Ss, son no p.rt
son shall by law DO compelled to join or support
nor be classed with. or associated to. any CON
Eregaiion. church, or religious association.
But ey cry person now belonging to such con-
gregation. church or religious association shall
remain a member thereof until he shall have
separated himself, ,thcrefrom in the manner
society or denomination Of Christians In this
state shall have and enjoy the same and equal
powers, rights and privileges and shall have
the ministers or teacher, Of their respective
denominations, and to build and repair houses
for public worship by, a tax on the members
OF any such society only. to be laid by a major
vote OF the legal voters assembled at any
society meeting, warned and held according
TO law or in any other manner. II any person
shall choose to separate himself from the so
ciety or denomination 81 Christians to which
he may belong, and shall leave a written notice
thereof with the clerk ol such society, he shall
thereupon be no longer liable for any future es-
penses which may be Incurred by such society"
Such Is the adherence of Connecticut citizens
10 traditional political ideas that all efforts 10
repeal this article have been unsuccessful,
though other clauses Of the Constitution have
been altered in tome radical particulars. Thus,
the Connecticut Constitution declares that the
lower house of the Legislature. or General
Assembly, Ms II Is called. should be made up
OF one representative from each town in the
state, as these towns existed in 1915, and when
now towns we're established they should have
one representative each. the former town re-
tanning its representation rs before. As tho
cities Of the State grew In population this un-
fulr NM inann rttn HrnyiCinn tanlpd tn IAN
political rover in the hands Of the minor or
~bHckwoods towns. and it was not until 1879
that, Ms n concession 10 the agitation for a
new aprortionment. IL was provided in the
Constitution that no new own should be en-
titled TO "a representative unless II had $500
Inhabitants, This makes no provision for
those Connecticut towns, the number of which
Is large, IA which the population has fallen of
considerably In recent years. In the view Of
the Connecticut Constitution. once a town
always II own, and any change of n radical
character on the basis of representation has,
therefore. been successfully opposed.