cannot repeal statutes creating private corporations, or dispose of the property of the corporators. A charter from the British crown to the trustees of Dartmouth college before the revolution, has been declared to be a contract within the the meaning of the constitution. The supreme court held that the college was a private corporation; and that the act of the legislature of New Hampshire, materially altering the charter without the consent of the corporation, was a law impairing the obligation of a contract, and was unconstitutional and void.

428. No state may, without the consent of congress, lay any impost duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws; and the nett produce of all duties and imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, must be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws are subject to the revision and control of congress.

429. No state may, without the consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.

provision affect public corporations? 423. What restriction is imposed upon the states concerning the laying of impost dutie 449. Waat other restrictions are here mentioned?

PART FOURTH.

OF THE STATE GOVERNMENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Maine-New Hampshire--Massachusetts-Vermont--

Connecticut-Rhode Island.

430. ALL the state governments are representative republics. All of them are conducted in conformity to written constitutions, adopted by the people, in each state, excepting in Rhode Island, where the ancient colonial charter is yet in force. Each one has a legislative, executive and judicial branch, and its own modes of exercising power in these several departments. The distinctions existing among the state governments are found in the qualifications of the electors, and of the elected; in the origin and duration of office; in the limitations of the powers which may be exercised; and in peculiar constitutional provisions; and, especially, in the character of legislation in each state. The principal constitutional provisions in the government of each state, are here given as concisely as possible.

431. State of Maine. The constitution is dated in 1819. The legislature is composed of a senate and house of representatives. Members of the house are chosen in

430. What is the character of the state governments? In what respect are they alike? In what consists the principal difference? 431. What

towns, in proportion to the number of inhabitants. To be eligible, they must have been citizens of the United States, five years, and resident in the state, one year. The senate is composed of twelve members, chosen in districts. Their qualifications are the same as representatives, and must be twenty-five years of age. The legislature is elected annually, and meets the first Wednesday in Jan

uary.

The executive consists of a governor, chosen annually by the people, and a council of seven, chosen in convention of the house and senate. The qualifications of the governor are the same as those of senators, except that he must be thirty years of age. He has the power of appointment and pardon, and a qualified negative on legislative acts. To negative an act, means the refusal of an executive to sign a bill to which his assent is neces sary in order to its becoming a law. When, under any circumstances, the executive assent is required, he is said to possess an absolute negative. But if a bill that has been negatived, may notwithstanding become a law, by being re-passed by a constitutional majority of the legislature, the negative is said to be qualified. This power to negative bills, is usually called the veto power. The governor may be removed by impeachment. The president of the senate acts as governor in case of vacancy.

courts.

The judiciary consists of a supreme court, and county The judges of the supreme court are appointed by the governor and council. They hold their offices during good behavior. There are two modes of removal provided by the constitution. First, by the governor and council, on address of the legislature, in which a majority of both branches concur in the opinion that a judge.ought to be removed. The other mode is by impeachment by the house of representatives, and trial before the senate,

is the date of the constitution of Maine? How is the legislature constituted? How chosen? Qualfications? Time of meeting? Of what does the execuive consist? How chosen? Qualifications? Powers? What is a qualified negative? Of what does the judiciary

as in case of a judicial officer of the United States. Judges are disqualified at the age of seventy years.

The qualifications of voters are so inconsiderable, that suffrage may said to be universal.

Religious freedom is provided for; there is no religious test in oaths of office.

432. State of New Hampshire. The constitution was adopted in 1792.

The legislature is vested in a general court of two branches, a house of representatives and a senate. Representatives are chosen in towns, in proportion to the ratable polls; they must have an estate of £100, half of which is freehold. The senate consists of twelve members. Senators must have been residents in the state seven years; must have a freehold of £200; and must be thirty years of age. They are chosen in districts, in proportion to the amount of taxes paid therein. All elections are for one year. The legislature meets on the first.. Wednesday in June.

The executive consists of a governor, and council of five, chosen by the people. The governor must have an estate of £500, of which one half must be freehold; and he must have been a resident in the state seven years. The executive is renovable by impeachment. The president of the senate acts as governor in case of vacancy. The judiciary is the same as in Maine.

The qualifications of electors are residence, and payment of taxes.

The legislature may provide by law for maintaining religious worship. There is no religious test.

433. State of Massachusetts. The constitution was made in 1780; and received some amendments in 1820.

consist? How appointed? How removed? What are the qualifications of voters? 432. New Hampshire. When was the constitution adopted? How is the legislature constituted? Qualifications? Of what does the executive consist? Qualifications? How removed? How is the judiciary constituted? Qualifications of electors? 433. Massachusells. Date of constitution? Of what is the legisla

The legislative power is vested in the general court, consisting of a senate of forty members, chosen in districts composed of several towns, and a house of representatives chosen to represent the towns in which they reside. Representatives must have been residents for one year in the towns in which they are chosen; and must have a freehold of £100, or a taxable estate of £200. Benators must have been residents in the districts in which they are chosen, and must have a freehold of £300, or a taxable estate of £600. The legislature meets on the first Wednesday in January.

The executive power is vested in a governor. There is also a lieutenant governor, who acts as governor in case of vacancy. They must have been residents in the state for seven years, and must have a freehold estate of £1000, and believe in the Christian religion. There is no religious test in oaths of office. Nine councillors are

chosen by the legislature. The power of appointment is with the governor and council; that is, the governor nominates, or names to the council, persons whom he thinks proper to fill offices, and the councillors approve or disapprove the nomination. The power to pardon and reprieve criminals, also, is with the governor and council. The governor has a qualified negative on legislative

acts.

The judiciary consists of a supreme court, and county courts, or courts of common pleas. There are also in this state, as in others, justices' courts in each town.

The qualifications of voters are, residence and pay. ment of taxes; which is, practically, universal suffrage.

434. State of Vermont. The constitution was adopted in 1793. The legislative power is vested in a house of representatives, styled the general assembly. Members are qualified by two years' residence in the state, and one in

ture composed? Qualifications? What constitutes the executive? Qualifications? Powers? What courts are in the state? Qualifications of voters? 434. Vermont. Date of constitution? Wherein is the legislative power vested? Qualifications of members? How is