The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-22
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE
 -So sF6E OF ALABAMA

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE @@6 1FaE or ALABAMA
 .wep Hh. sreopIe of the state OF Ala hama. in order to establish 3ustice, insurr domestic tranquility and secure the blessings of liberty to ourseives and our posterity, invoking the laVos ordair and establish the following Con- stitution and form of government for the State of Alabama:
 ARTICLE l..
 Declaration of Rights.
 That the great, general and essential princirles of liberty and free govern ment may be recognized and estabusn- ed. we declare:
 T. That all men are equally free and ifdependent ;that they are endowed by their Creator. with certain inalienaoie rights; that among these are life, hb- erty and the pursuit of happiness. g., That -cll political power Is inner ent in the people. and all free govern Inents are founded on their authority and instituted for their benefit; ana that. therefore. they have at all times an inaIienable and indefeasible right to change their form of government ID such manner as they may deem expedi'7 ent.
 8 That no religion shall be establish ed by law; that no preference snail pc given by law to any religious sect or society. denomination or mode of wor- shin: that no one shall be compelled Dy law to attend any place of worship; nor to pay tithes. taxes or other rates for building or repairing any place or worship or for maintaining any min ister or ministry ;that no religious test sf,lll be required as qualincation to' any office or public trust under this State; and that the civil rights. privi, ieres and capacities Of any citizen snalI moi be. in any manner. affected by his religious principles.
 {. That no law shall ever be passed to curtaif or restrain the liberty Of speech or of the press; and any person may speak, write and publish his senti- ments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.
 E. That the people shall be secure Tn their persons, houses. papers and pos sessions from unreasonable seizures or searches;y and that no warrant shall issue to search any place or to seize any person or thing without prooaple cause: supported by oath or af1rmation.
 6. That in all criminal prosecutions the accused has the right to be heard by himself and counsel, or either; to oe- mand the nature and cause of the :ac- cusation and to have a copy thereof; to he confronted by the witnesses against him: to have compulsory process TOT obtaining witnesses in his faVori 10 tes- tify in all cases in his own behalf. 1T he elects so to do; and in all prosecu- tions by indictment. speedy puoilc trial by an impartial jury or tne county or district in which the ohense was committed; and he shall not pc compelled to give evidence agalhss himself. nor be deprived of life. liberty ar property, except by due process ot law: but the Legislature may. oy general law, provide for a cnanss ot venue at the instance of the defeno2nt in all prosecutions by indictment, ana such change of venue. on application or e4he Attendant may be heard and de- .termined without the personal presence of the defendant so applying therefor; provided, that at the time or the apph- cation for the change of venue tne oe- Tendant Is imprisoned Tn Jall or so"" other legal place of confinement.
 2. That no person shall be accused, or arrested, or detained, except In cases ascertained by law, and accordln& tp the forms which the same has prescrlo. ed, and no person shall be punished but by virtue of law established ana promulgated prior to the ouense anu legally applied. able offense be proceeded against cri- rninally hy information, except m cases arising in the militia and volunteeer forces when in actuaI service or when assembled under arms as military organization, or by leave or the court tion and oppression in office; otherwise than ts provided in tbfs Constitution: nrovided' that in cases of misdemeanor. 4he IIoaislature may by law Ldlspense with d Grand Jury and authorize such 4prosecutions and proceedings oeioTe Justices oe the peace or sucn other lh- ferior courts as may be py Ia" esta"- lished. -- That no person shall. for the same offense. be twice put in jeopardy Of his fife or limb; but courts may. TOT reas- ons fixed by law, discharge Juries from inc consideration of any case, and no person shall gain any advantage oV reason of such discharge Of the Jury. : 10. That no person shall p5 barred from nrosecutinz or defending before any tribunal in this State, by hlmsen or counsel. any civil cause to which ne is a party. ,., L.. ,,,r,, shall remain inviolate.
 12. That in all prosecutions for loel or for the publication or papers tnHes- firating the official conduct or omcers or men in public capacity, or when the matter published is proper for public infornation. the truth thereof may De viven in evidence; and that in all ln- Sictnoents for libel the jury shall nave inc right to determine the law and the facts under the direction of the court,
 l3. That all courts shall be open' anu that every person, for any injury uone him, in his lands. goods, person or rep utation. shall have a remedy py que process of law; and right and justice shall be administered without sale' oe- nial or delay.
 14. That the State of Alabama shall never be made defendant in any court of law or equity. >.. ..S
 l5 That excessive fines shall nov oe imposed. nor cruel or unusual punish ments inflicted
 16 That all persons shall, before con- viction. be bailahle by sufficient sure ties. except for capital oftenses. when the proof is evident or the presumption great. and that excessive bail shall not in any case be required.
 r. That the privilege of the writ or habeaa corpus shall not be suspended by the authorities of this State.
 1S That treason against the State shall consist only in levying war against 1t or adhering to it's enemies. giving them aid and comfort; and that no person shall be convicted of treason. exeept on the testimony of two wit nesses to the overt act, or his own con fession in open court
 19. That no person shall be attained oF treason by the Legislature; and no