Year: 1874

main channel OF the Mississippi river, on
the parallel of the thirty sixth degree of
north latitude; running thence west with
said parallel of latitude to the middle of
the main channel Of the st. Francis river !;
thence up the main channel OF said last
named river to the thirty six degree thir
ty minutes of north latitude; thence
west with the southern boundary line of
the state of Missouri to the southwest
corner of said last named state; thence
to be bounded on the west to the north
bank of Red river, as by acts OF congress
and treaties heretofore defining, in so
far, the western limits of the territory Of
Arkansas, and to be bounded across and
south of Red river bo the boundary line
northwest corner of the state of Louisia-
ma; thence easterly with the northern
boundary line of said last named state to
the middle of the main channel of the
Mississippi river; thence up the middle
OF the main channel of said last named
river, including an island in said river
known as " Belle Point island, to the
thirty sixth degree of north latitude
the place of begsnning.


SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.


The seat of government of the state
of Arkansas shall he and remain at Little
Rock, where it is now established.


DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS.


The powers of the government OF the
state of Arkansas are and shall forever
be divided into three departments--the
legislative, the executive and the judicial
and no person belonging to one OF
these depai tments shall exercise the
powers properly belonging TO another,
excepting IN the cases expressly and spe-
officially provided In this constitution.


DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.


Section l All political power is in
herent IN the people. Government is in
stituted for the protection, security and
benefit Of the people, and they have the
right to alter or reform the same when
ever the public good may require it.


Sec 2. All men are created equally
free and independent, and have certain
inalenable and Inherent rights; among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness To secure these rights, gov
ernments are instituted among men, de-
riving therjust powers from the consent
of the governed.


Sec 3. The equality of all persons be
fore the law is recognized, and shall ever
remain inviolate; nor shall any citizen
ever be deprived of any right, privilege
or immunity, nor exempted from any
burden or duty on account Of race, color
or previous condition.


Sec 4 The right of the people peace
ably t. assemble to consult for the com
mon good, and to petition. by address
or remonstrance, the government, or any
department thereof, shall never be
abridged.


Sec 5. The citizens Of this state shall
have the right to keep and bear arms for
their common defense.


See 6. The liberty Of the press shall
forever remain inviolate. The free com
munication of thoughts and opinions is
one of the inalienable rights of man, and
all persons may freely write and publish
their sentiments on all subjects, being
responsible for the abuse of such right
In all criminal prosecutions for libel, the
truth may be given in evidence to the ju'
ry, and if it shall appear to the jury that
the matter charged as iibelousi is true, and
was published with good motives, and
for iustfablc ends, the party charged
shall be acquitted.


Sec. 7. The rights Of tria. byjury shall
remain inviolate, and shall extend to all
cases at law without Iegaro 10 the
amount in controversy but a jury trial
may be waived by the parties in all cases,
In the manner prescribed by law.


Sec. s No person shall be held TO an
swer criminal charge oliense unless
on the presentment or Indictment OF
grand jury, except in cases of impeach-
ment or cases such as the general assem-.
bly, shall make cognizable by justices of
the peace and courts Of similar jurisdic.
ton or cases arising in the army or ma.
Wy of the United States, or in the militia
when in actual service in time of war or
public danger; and no person, for the
same oifensc, shall be twice put in jeopar.
dy of life or liberty but if, in any crimi
nal prosecution, the jury be divided in
opinion, the court before which the trial
shall be had may, in its discretion, dis.
charge the jury and commit or bail the
accused for trial at the same or the next
term of said court; nor shall any person
be compelled, in any criminal case to be
a witness against himself; nor be depriv
ed of life, liberty or property without
due process of law. All persons shall,
before conviction, he balable by sufficient
sureties, except for capital offenses-
murder and treason-when the proof is
evident, or the presumption great.


Sec Excessive bail shall not he re-
quired, nor shall excessive fines be i'm
posed, nor shall cruel or unusual punish
ment be inflicted nor witnesses be unrea-
sonably detained.


Sec TO- In all criminal prosecutions
the accused shall enjoy the right to
speedy and public trial by an impartial
jury in the county in which the crime
shall have been committed; provided,
that the venue may be changed to any
other county of the judicial district in
which the indictment is found, upon the
application of the accused, in such man
ner as may be prescribed by law; ana to
be Informed of the nature and course OF
tho orcusn,ion aUninst him and To have