The Palatka news and advertiser., 1917-07-27
EXTRACTS FROM THE
CONSTITUTION OF
FLORIDA
PREAMBLE.


this Constitution.
Declaration of Rights.
Section 1. All men are equal before the
law, and have certain inalienable rights, among
which are those of enjoying and defending life
and liberty, acquiring possessing and protect.
ing property, and pursuing happiness and
obtaining safety
Section :. All political power is inherent in
the people. Government is instituted for the
protection, security and benefit of the citizens,
and they have the right to alter amend the
same whenever the public good may require
it: but the paramount allegiance of every cit
izen is due to the Federal Government and the
people of this State have no power to dis
solve its connection Herewith.
Section 3. The right of trial by jury shall
be secured to all and remain inviolate forever.
Section 4; T.; All courts in this State shall be
done him in his lands, goods, person or repu.
tation shall have remedy by due course of
law, and right and Justice shall be administered
without sale, denial delay.
Section 5. The free exercise and enjoyment
of religious profession and worship shall for
he allowed in this State and no person
shall be rendered incompetent a witness on
account of his religious opinions; but the lib
ertv of conscience hereby secured shall not be
So construed as to Justify licentiousness or
practices subversve of, inconsistent with
the peace moral safety OF the State or So
ciety.
Section 6. No preference shall be given
and no money shall ever be taken from the
public treasury directly or indirectly in aid
of any church sect or religious denomination,
in aid of any sectaran institution
Section :. The writ Of habeas corpus shall
be grantabe speedily and Of right, freely and
without cost, and shall never be suspended uri.
less, in case of rebellion or invasion, the public
safety may require its suspension.
Section g. Excessive bail shall not be re-
quired. nor excessive fines be imposed. nor
cruel or unusual punishment indefinite i'm
.rrsonment be allowed, nor shall witnesses be
unreasonaby detained.
Section o. All persons shall be bai'able by
sufficient sureties. excent for capital Offences
where the proof is evident the presumption
great
Section 10. No person shall be tried for
a capital crime other felony, unless on
presentment or indictment bv grand Jury, ex-
cent as is otherwise provided in this Consti::
tuition. and except in cases of impeachment, and
in cases in the militia when in active service in
time of war, or which the State. with the con-
sent of Congress, may keen, in time of peace.
Section II. In all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall have the right to speedy and
public trial, by an impartial jury. in the
county where the crime was committed, and
shall be heard by himself. or counsel, or both,
to demand the nature and cause of the ac-
cusation against him. to meet the witnesses
against him face to face, and have compul.
sorry process for the attendance of witnesses in
his favor, and shall be furnished with copy
Section I2. No person shall be subject to
be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense,
nor compelled in anv criminal case to be
witness against himself, nor be deprived of life:
liberty or property without due process of
law: nor shall private property be taken with
out iust compensation.
Section -. Every person may fully speak
and write his sentiments on all subjects. being
RESPONSIBLE for the abuse of that right, and
no avs shall he passed to restrain or abridge
the liberty of speech or of the press. In all
criminal prosecutions and civil actions for libel
the truth may he given in evidence to the jury:
and if it shall appear that the matter charged
as 'be1ous is true. and was published for good
motives. the party shall be acquitted or ex-
onOratcd.
Section Il. No person shall he compelled to
nav costs except after conviction, on final
triq'.
Section IS. The people shall have the right
to assemble together to consult for the common
good to instruct their representatives. and to
petition the legislature for redress of griev-
anceS
Section r6. No person shall he imprisoned
for debt except in cases Of fraud.
Section y. No bill of attainder, ex post facto
law nor any law imrairing the obligation of
contracts, shall he passed.
Section 1S. Foreigners shall have the same
rights as to the ownership, inheritance and
disrostior Of property in this State as citi-
7ers of the State,
Section TO- Neither slavery nor involuntary
whereof the party has been duly convicted,
shall ever he allowed in this State.
Section 90 The right of the people to bear
arms in defense Of themselves and the lawful
but the legislature may prescribe the manner in
which they may be borne.
Section FL. The military shall in all cases
and at all times be in strict subordination to
the civil power
Section e. The right of the people to be
secure in their persons. houses, papers and ef-
fects against unreasonable seizures and search.
es. shall not he violated, and no warrant issued
but rpon probable. cause. supported by oath
or affirmation, particularly describing the place
or places to he searched, and the person or
persons. and thing or things to be seized.
Section 20. Treason against the State shall
consist only in levying war against it, adhering
to its enemies, or giving them aid and com.
fort: and no person shall be convicted of trea.
son except on the testimony of two witnesses
to the same overt act confession in open
court. and no conviction for treason shall work
of blood or forfeiture of estate.
Section "a. This enuncaton Of rights shall
not be construed to impair or deny others re-
tanned by the people
ARTICLE l.
Boundaries.
The boundaries Of the State of Florida shall
Ne as follows: Commencing at the mouth of
the river Perdido; from thence up the middle
If said river to where il intersects the south
boundary line of the State of Alabama, and the
hrty-frst degree of north latitude: thence
iue east to the Chattahoochee river: thence
lown the middle of said river to its confluence
With the Flint river: thence straight to the
read of the ST. Marys river: thence down the
middle of said river to the Atlantic ocean;
hence southwestwardlv along the edge of the
Iuf Stream and Florida Reefs to and incud-
ng the Tortugas Islands: thence northeastward-
v to point three leagues from the mainland
hence northwestwardly three leagues from the
and, to a point west of the mouth of the Per-
lido river: thence to the place of beginning.
ARTICLE II.
Distribution of Powers
The powers of the government of the State
If Florida shall he divided into three depart.
executive and judicial: and
10 person properly belonging to one of the de.
shall exercise any powers apper-
aiming to either of the others. except in cases
expressly provided for by this Constitution.
ARTICLE III.
Legislative Department
Section I. The legislative authority OF this
State shall be vested in senate and a house
f representatives, which shall be designated.
The Legislature Of the State of Florida"
nd the sessions thereof shall be held at the
eat of government of the State.
Section ?. The regular sessions of the leg
stature shall be held hiennially, commencing
n the first Tuesday after the first Monday
n April. \. y. 1887. and on the corresponding
av of every second year thereafter: but the
Overnor may convene the same in extra
ion by his proclamation, Regular sessions Of
he legislature may extend TO sixtv ~days, but
10 special session convened by the governor