very limited. There is perfect freedom as to religious opinions. No religious test. Suffrage is universal.

NEW JERSEY.

The constitution of this state was established the second of July, 1776 (two days before the declaration of independence.) It was formed on the supposition that the colony might again be taken under the protection of the British crown. It has continued to the present time, without any amendment, except that of changing the word colony for state.

Legislature. Vested in a council and general assembly. The council consists of one member from each county, worth at least £1000; and in the assembly, of three members from each county, worth, at least, £600. Power is given to the legislature to apportion the representatives in counties. Time of meeting, second Tuesday next af-. ter the second Tuesday of October annually.

Executive. The governor is chosen by the legislature annually. He presides in the council, is chancellor, military chief, and surrogate general. Vice president of council is successor in case of vacancy. The governor and council are a court of appeals. The pardoning power is vested in this body.

Judiciary. Judges of supreme court are chosen by the legislature for seven years; other judges by the same, for shorter term. Removable by impeachment.

Voters must be citizens resident one year, and worth £50. Religious freedom, and exemption from taxation for support of worship, established.

This constitution is remarkable for the mingling of different powers in one branch.

PENNSYLVANIA.

The present constitution was established in 1790, and has not since been amended.

Legislature. General assembly, composed of senate and house of representatives. Senate is not to be more than one third, nor less than one fourth of the house, chosen in districts apportioned on the number of taxable inhabitants therein. The house to be not less than sixty, nor more than one hundred, chosen in districts in the same ratio as senators. Qualifications are, age of twenty five years, citizenship and residence. Representatives chosen annually; senators for four years, one fourth renewed annually. Meeting, first Tuesday in December.

Executive. The governor is chosen by the people triennially, and can be chosen only thrice in twelve years. No lieutenant governor. No council. He has the uncontrolled power of appointment of all officers, with remarkably few exceptions. The only qualifications required are citizenship, and residence in the state seven years next before the election. Pardoning power, except in cases of impeachment.

Judiciary. Vested in supreme court, and inferior courts. Judges are appointed by the governor during good behavior. Removable on impeachment, or by address to the governor by two thirds of the legislature. No court of chancery. No court of errors.

Voters. Citizenship, two years' residence, payment of taxes; supposed to be, practically, universal suffrage. The most unqualified religious freedom has prevailed in this state from its earliest settlement.

DELAWARE.

This state acted under the colonial charter till 1792. It then adopted a constitution, which goes much into detail : and which has not been amended, except in one judicial article, adopted in the year 1802.

Legislature. General assembly, consisting of senate and house. The former never less than one third, nor

more than one half of the latter.

Members of each ap

portioned on counties, with power in two thirds of each branch, to increase the number in counties. Citizenship, residence and freehold estate required. Senators are

chosen for three years; representatives annually. Meeting, first Tuesday of January.

Executive. Governor, chosen by the people for three years; citizenship, and age of thirty six years; ineligible for more than three years in six. Has the uncontrolled appointment of all officers; and the pardoning power, except in impeachments. He is succeeded by the speaker of the senate, on vacancy.

Judiciary. The constitution provides minutely for the exercise of judicial power. The courts are numerous. Judges are appointed during good behavior. Removable on impeachment, or address of two thirds of both branches. No qualification by age.

Voters. White citizens: residence aud payment of taxes; amounting, probably, to universal suffrage.

Religious freedom. The governor may be removed for inability, by two thirds of both branches.

MARYLAND.

The constitution of this state was adopted in 1776. It vests in the legislature the power of making amendments by proposed acts, which shall be published three months before the meeting of the next legislature, and if confirmed, amendments are thereby effected. This power has been frequently exercised, and the constitution has been amended, and may be further amended in like manner.

Legislature. Senate and house of delegates. Senators are chosen for five years, by electors, who are chosen in counties. Citizenship, age of twenty five years, and three years' residence. Delegates, citizenship, and one years' residence. Chosen by the people annually. Meeting, first Monday in December.

Executive. Governor, chosen by joint ballot of legislative branches for one year; may be chosen three years successively, and is then ineligible for four years; must be twenty five years of age, and a resident citizen five years. Succeeded by a member of council in case of vacancy. There is an executive council of five, chosen by the people. Power of pardoning in all cases, except where the laws shall otherwise direct.

Judiciary. Judges are appointed by governor and council, and removable by address of two thirds of legislature, and by conviction on indictment in a court of justice, and not by impeachment.

Voters. Universal suffrage.

No declaration of religious belief is required, and religious freeedom is established.

VIRGINIA.

This constitution was amended in 1830.

Legislature is called the general assembly, composed of a house of delegates, of one hundred and thirty four members, apportioned in four great districts; and of a senate of thirty two, apportioned in two greater districts. Members of the house are chosen annually by the people; of the senate, one fourth are annually renewed by popular election. Members of both branches must be freeholders. Meeting, annual; constitution does not appoint the day.

Executive. The governor is chosen for three years, by the two branches of the legislature, and is eligible but once in six years. Citizenship, and residence, and age of thirty. A council of three, chosen as the governor is, the senior of whom is lieutenant governor. The council are chosen for three years, but one of their number is annually renewed. The power of pardoning.

Judiciary. Judges and attorney general are chosen by the joint vote of the two branches, during good behavior, and are removable on address, or impeachment.

Voters. White male citizens. The qualifications are specially set forth, and all persons not so qualified are excluded. These qualifications are such that the right of voting comes very near to universal suffrage. elections are viva voce, and not by ballot.

The clergy are ineligible as legislators.

All

No legislative provision can be made for religious worship: every one is free to believe, and worship, as he pleases.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

Constitution adopted in 1790. It contains a provision, similar to that of Maryland, for amendments. It has been twice amended, once in 1808, and again in 1816.

Legislature is composed of general assembly, consisting of senate and house. One hundred and twenty four representatives are apportioned in districts, in such manner, that each representative shall represent one sixty second part of the whole number of white inhabitants, and one sixty second part of the whole amount of taxes raised by the state. The senate, of forty five, are chosen in election districts, which are established for the choice of representatives. Members of house of representatives chosen for two years; senators for four years, half of them renewed biennially. The former must be resident citizen three years; the latter for five years, and must be thirty years of age, and a freeholder. First Monday in November.

Executive.

The governor, chosen by the legislature for two years; re-eligible after four years; must be thirty years of age, a citizen resident ten years and a freeholdHe has no council. Has the power of pardoning. A lieutenant governor, of like qualifications, is chosen,

er.