Regard to fundamental principles and virtues. Con. 1777, Ch. 1, Art. 16. Con. 1786, Ch. I, Art. 20. officers and damental principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free; the people ought, therefore, to pay particular attentention to these points, in the choice of representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, in making and executing such laws, as are necessary for the good government of the State. ARTICLE 19th. That all people haye a natural and inherent right to emigrate Right to emi grate. Con. 1777, from one state to another that will receive 1, Art. 17. them. Ch. Con. 1786, Ch. Right to assem- ARTICLE 20th. That the people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good-to instruct their Representatives-and to apply to the Leg-1, islature for redress of grievances, by address, petition or remonstrance. ARTICLE 21st. That no person shall be liable to be transported out of this state for trial for any offense committed within the same. CHAPTER II. No transporta- Con. 1777, Ch. PLAN OR FRAME OF GOVERNMENT. and 8. Con 1777,Ch. 2, Sec. 1. Con. 1786, Ch. Sec. I. Arts. Amend., SECTION 1st. The Commonwealth, or Superseded See State of Vermont, shall be governed hereafter by a Governor (or Lieutenant Governor) Council, and an Assembly of the Representatives of the freemen of the same, in manner and form following: 2, SECTION 2nd. The Supreme Legislative power Con. 1777, h. tives of the freemen of the Common- 2 Sec 2. 2, Sec 2. SECTION 3rd. The Supreme Executive power shall 1777, 2, Sec. 3. Con. 1786, Ch. 2, Sec. 3. Con. 1777, Ch. 23. 2, Sec. 4. SECTION 4th. Courts of Justice shall be maintainLaw courts and ed in every county in this State, and also judges. in new counties, when formed; which courts shall be open for the trial of all causes proper for their cognizance; and Con. 1786, Ch. justice shall be therein impartially administered without corruption, or unnec41 Vt. 504. essary delay. The judges of the Supreme Court shall be Justices of the peace throughout the State; and the several Judges of the County Courts, in their respective counties, by virtue of their office, except in the trial of such causes as may be appealed to the County Court. I Vt. 32. cery Con 1786,Ch 2, Sec. 5. SECTION 5th. A future Legislature may, when Court of Chan- they shall conceive the same to be expedient and necessary, erect a Court of Chancery, with such powers as are usually exercised by that Court, or as shall appear for the interest of the Commonwealth.-Provided they do not constitute themselves the Judges of the said court. SECTION 6th. The Legislative, Executive, and JuDepartments to diciary departments, shall be separate be distinct Con. 1786, Ch. and distinct, so that neither exercise the D. Chip. 287 1 D. Chip. 77. SECTION 7th. In order that the freemen of this election Town represen within tation. Con. 1777, Ch. consist 2, Sec. 16. 2, State might enjoy the benefit of as equally as may be, each town this State, that consists, or may of eighty taxable inhabitants within one septenary or seven years next after the establishing this Constitution, may hold elections therein, and choose each two Representatives; and each other inhabited town in this State, may, in like manner, choose each one Representative to represent them in General Assembly, during the said septenary, or seven years, and after that, each inhabited town may in like manner hold such elections and choose each one Representative forever thereafter. SECTION 8th. The House of Representatives of the Freemen of this State, shall consist of Election of reppersons most noted for wisdom ond vir- resentatives. See tue, to be choosen by ballot, by the free. Art. Amend., 24. Con 1777, Ch. men of every town in this State, respect2, Secs 7 and 8. ively, on the first Tuesday of September Con. 1786, Ch. annually, forever. 2, Sec 8. chosen Legislative powers, See Arts, Amend, 2, 3, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 24, 26. Con. 1777, Ch. 2, Secs. 8, 9, 27, 42. Con. 1786, Ch. SECTION 9th. The representatives so majority of whom shall constitute a quorum for transacting any other business than raising a State tax, for which twothirds of the members elected shall be present) shall meet on the second Thursday of the succeeding October, and shall be styled The General Assembly of the State of Vermont; that shall have power to choose their speaker, Secretary of State, their Clerk, and other necessary officers of the House-sit on their own adjournments-prepare bills and enact them into laws-judge of the elections Aik. 264. 2, Sec 9. ID Chip. 237 2 D. Chip. 77. 1 Aik. 121. 1 Aik. 314. 2 Aik. 284. 2 Aik. 293. 2 Vt. 174. 2 Vt. 234. 2 Vt. 517. 3 Vt. 360 3 Vt. 507. 4 Vt. 278. 8 Vt. 74. 13 Vt. 402. 21 Vt. 456. 26 Vt. 82. 26 Vt. 357. 27 Yt. 140. 47 Vt. 300. 48 Vt. 628. 50 Vt. 178. and qualifications of their own members: they may expel members, but not for causes known to their constituents antecedent to their election: they may administer oaths and affirmations in matters depending before them-redress grievances -impeach state criminals-grant charters of incorporation-constitute towns, boroughs, cities and counties: they may annually on their first session after their election, in conjunction with the Council (or oftener if need be) elect judges of the Supreme and several county and probate Courts, Sheriffs and Justices of the peace; and also, with the Council, may elect Major Generals and Brigadier Generals, from time to time, as often as there shall be occasion: and they shall have all other powers necessary for the Legislature of a free and sovereign State: but they shall 50 Vt. 257. 52 Vt. 57. 52 Vt. 463. have no power to add to, alter, abolish, or infringe any part of this constitution. ernor, treasurer SECTION 10th. The Supreme Executive Council of Election of gov- this State, shall consist of a Governor, lienten- Lieutenant-Governor, and twelve persons ant governor, chosen in the following manner, viz.: and The freemen of each town shall, on the councillors. See day of election for choosing RepresenArts. Amend., tatives to attend the General Assembly, bring in their votes for Governor, with his name fairly written, to the Constable, who shall seal them up, and write on them, VOTES FOR THE GOVERNOR, and deliver them to the Representative chosen to attend the General Assembly; and at the 9, 24. Con. 1777, Ch. 2, Sec. 17. Con 1786, Ch. 2, Sec 10. 4 Vt. 535. 37 Vt. 665. opening of the General Assembly, there shall be a committee appointed out of the Council and Assembly, who, after being duly sworn to the faithful discharge of their trust, shall proceed to receive, sort, and count the votes for the Governor, and declare the person who has the major part of the votes, to be Governor for the year ensuing. And if there be no choice made, then the Council and General Assembly, by their joint ballot, shall make choice of a Governor. The Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer shall be chosen in the manner above directed. And each freeman shall give in twelve votes for twelve Counsellors, in the same manner, and the twelve highest in nomination shall serve for the ensuing year as Counsellors. executive power See Arts. Am'd 6, 7, 8, 21. Con. 1777, Ch. 2, Secs. 17, 18. Con. 1786, Ch. 2, Sec. 11. 12 Vt. 631. SECTION 11th. The Governor, and in his absence, the Lieutenant Governor, with the Coun- Governor and cil, (a major part of whom, including the Governor, or Lieutenant Governor, shall be a quorum to transact business) shall have power to commission all officersand also to appoint officers, except where provision is, or shall be otherwise made, by law or this frame of government-and shall supply every vacancy in any office, occasioned by death or otherwise, until the office can be filled in the manner directed by law or this constitution. They are to correspond with other States-transact business with officers of government civil and military—and to prepare such business as may appear to them necessary, to lay before the General Assembly. They shall sit as Judges to hear and determine on impeachments, taking to their assistance, for advice only the Judges of the Supreme Court. And shall have power to grant pardons and remit fines, in all cases whatso |