rected to the president of the senate-The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for president, shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed: and if no person have such a majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the president. But in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March then next following, then the vice-president shall act as president, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the president. The person having the greatest number of votes as vice president, shall be the vice president, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the vice president-a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two thirds of the whole number of senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president, shall be eligible to that of vice president of the United States, IN CONVENTION, Monday, Sept. 17, 1787. PRESENT, the states of-New-Humpshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, A, Hamilton from New York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia. Resolved, That the preceding constitution be laid before the United States in congress assembled, and that it is the opinion of this convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a convention of delegates, chosen in each state by the people thereof, under the recommendation of its legislature, for their assent and ratification; and that each convention assenting to, and ratifying the same, should give notice thereof to the United States in congress assem bled. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention, that as soon as the conventions of nine states shall have ratified this constitution, the United States in congress assembled should fix a day on which electors should be appointed by the states which shall have ratified the same, and a day on which the electors should assemble to vote for the president, and the time and place for commencing proceedings under this constitution. That after such publication, the electors should be appointed, and the senators and representatives elected. That the electors should meet on the day fixed for the election of the president, and should transmit their votes, certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the constitution requires, to the sec retary of the United States in congress assembled. That the senators and representatives should convene at the time and place as signed, That the senators should appoint a president of the senate, for the sole purpose of receiving, opening and counting the votes for president; and that, after he shall be chosen, the congress, together with the president, should, without delay, proceed to execute this constitution. By the unanimous order of the convention, GEORGE WASHINGTON, President. WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. IN CONVENTION, September 17, 1787. SIR, We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in congress assembled, that constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable. The friends of our country have long seen and desired, that the power of making war, peace and treaties: that of levying money and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities, should be fully and effectually vested in the general government of the Union; But the impropriety of delegating such extensive trust to one body of men is evident.-Hence results the necessity of a different organization. It is obviously impracticable in the federal government of these states, to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all: Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest. The magnitude of the sacrifice must depend as well on situation and circumstance, as on the object to be attained. It is at all times difficult to draw with precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and those which may be reserved; and on the present occasion, this difficulty was increased by a difference among the several states as to their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests. In all our deliberations on this subject we kept steadily in our view, that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our union, in which is involved our prosperty, felicity, safety, perhaps our national existence. This important consideration, seriously and deeply impressed on our minds, led each state in the convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude, than might have been otherwise expected; and thus the constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation render indispensable, That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every state, is not perhaps, to be expected; but each will doubtless consider, that had her interest alone been consulted, the consequences might havebeen particularly disagreeable or injuri ous to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that Country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish. With great respect, we have the honor to be, Sir, Your excellency's most obedient and humble servants, By unanimous order of the convention. His Excellency the President of Congress, QUESTIONS ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE U. STATES. PREAMBLE. By whom was the constitution established? What six special objects had they in view? ARTICLE 1. SEC. 1. How is the legislative power disposed of? Of what does congress consist? SEC. 2. How often are the members of the house chosen? By whom are they chosen? How are the electors designated? What are the requisites for a representative? On what grounds are representation and taxation apportioned? How often is the enumeration to take place? How are vacancies in the house filled? What power does this sec. give to the house? SEC. 3. Of what is the senate composed? By whom and for what time chosen? What classification is made of the senators? What is the object of this arrangement? What, when the president of U. S. is SEC. 4. What is the regulation adopt ed for holding elections, for members of congress? What is the regulation for the meeting of congress? SEC. 5. Enumerate the powers of each house contained in the first clause of this sec. What are the powers granted by the second clause? What of the Journal of each house? What of the adjournment of either house? SEC. 6. What of the compensation of the members of congress? What of their privileges, and the liberty of debate? What of their appointment to civil trust while members, and of those who hold trusts under the U. S.? SEC. 7. What of bills for raising revenue? What of bills that have passed both houses? What of bills returned by the president? What vote of both houses makes them law? 1 Under what regulation is such vote ta ken? What time has the president to return a bill? What of orders and resolutions sent to the president? Sec. 8. What power has congress with What of naturalization and bankruptcy? What of coining money? and counterfeiters? What of post offices aud roads? What of land and naval forces? What of arming them, &c.? What of legislation over particular places? How are these powers secured? SEC. 9 What are the limits of the powers of congress relative to the migration and importation of persons into the states? What of the writ of habeas corpus? What of attainder or expost facto laws? What of capitations, or taxes? What of exports from one state to another? What of the commerce between the states? What of vessels going from one state to another? What of drawing money from the treasury? What of titles of nobility, and presentsto officers from foreign parts? SEC. 9 Relate the limitations of the powers of the states enumerated in the first clause of this section. Relate those in the second clause. Relate those in the third clause. ARTICLE 2. SEC. 1. Who holds the executive power? For what term are the president and vice president chosen? By whom are they chosen? How are the electors appointed? Where do the electors meet to choose a president? (see amendment, art. 14.} How do they prepare their ballots? What further duties are they to do? do not appoint? How are the votes taken in the house? What makes a quorum in the senate for What the vice president? When the president is removed, who holds the office? What is done when both the president and vice president are removed? What of the president's salary? What of his oath of office? SEC. 2. What are the powers of the president, enumerated in the first paragraph of this section? What of his powers in the second paragraph? What powers have congress in the appointment of inferior officers? What are the president's powers in regard to vacancies? SEC. 3. What are his duties and pow ers set forth in this section? SEC. 4. How may the president and all civil officers be removed from their trust? ARTICLE S. SEC. 1. Where is the judicial power vested? How long do the judges hold their of fice? What of their compensation? SEC. 2. To what subjects does the judicial power extend? In what cases have they an original jurisdiction? What an appellate jurisdiction? Sec. 3. Of what does treason consist? SEC. 1. What of the credit given to public acts? What power regulates the manner? SEC. 2. What of citizenship? Persons fleeing from crime into a foreign state, how are theybrought back? What of persons held to labour, fleeing into another state? SEC. S. What power may admit new states into the anion, and under what restrictions? What power has con gress over the property of the U. S. and under what restrictions. SEC. 4. What is the guarantee of the U. S. to all the states, and by what means? ARTICLE 5. Upon what conditions may congress What is the proviso on this subject? What is the regulation in regard to debts made before the adoption of this constitution? What, with this constitution, forms the supreme law of the land? What of the oath binding the officers of government to observe this constitution? What of religious tests, &c. ARTICLE 7. What of the ratification of this consti tution? What year of the Christianera? What of the independence of the U. S. Who was president of the house of deputies? How many and what states were represented? AMENDMENTS. ART. 1. To what does the first amendment refer, and what are its provisions. ART. 2. To what does the second amendment refer, and what are its provisions? ART. 3. To what does the third amendment refer, and what are its provisions? ART. 4. What of the right to bear arms? ART. 5. What of quartering of soldiers? ART. 6. What of search and warrants? ART. 7. To what does this article re fer, and what are its enactments? ART. 8. To what does the eighth amendment refer, and what are its provisions? ART. 9. To what does the ninth amendment refer, and what are its provisions? ART. 10. To what does the tenth amendment refer, and what are its provisions? ART. 11. To what does the eleventh amendment refer, and what are its provisions? ART. 12. To what does this article refer, and what are its provisions? ART. 13. What limitation of the judi cial power does this article provide? ART. 14. To what does the last amendment refer, and where have its provisions been considered? CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. WE, the PEOPLE of the State of New York, acknowledging with gratitude the grace and beneficence of God, in permitting us to make choice of our form of Government, do establish the Constitution. ARTICLE FIRST. SEC. 1. The legislative power of this state, shall be vested in a Senate and an Assembly. SEC. 2. The senate shall consist of thirty-two members. The senators shall be chosen for four years, and shall be freeholders. The assembly shall consist of one hundred and twenty-eight members, who shall be annually elected. SEC. 3. A majority of each house, shall constitute a quorum to do business. Each house shall determine the rules of its own proceedings, and be the judge of the qualifications of its own members. Each house shall choose its own officers; and the senate shall choose a temporary president, when the lieutenant governor shall not attend as president, or shall act as governor. SEC. 4. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same, except such parts as may require secrecy. The doors of each house shall be kept open, except when the public welfare shall require secrecy. Neither house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than two days. Senatorial Districts. SEC. 5. The State shall be divided into eight districts, to be called Senate Districts, each of which shall choose four senators. The first districts shall consist of the counties of Suffolk, Queens, Kings, Richmond, and New-York. The second district shall consist of the counties of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan. The third district shall consist of the counties of Greene, Columbia, Albany, Rensselaer, Schoharie, and Schenectady. The fourth district shall consist of the counties of Saratoga, Montgomery, Hamilton, Washington, Warren, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence. The fifth district shall consist of the counties of Herkimer, Oneida, Madison, Oswego, Lewis, and Jefferson. The sixth district shall consist of the counties of Delaware, Otsego, Chenango, Broome, Cortland, Tompkins, and Tioga. The seventh district shall consist of the counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Ontario. The eight district shall consist of the counties of Steuben, Livingston, Monroe, Genesee, Niagara, Erie, Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauque. |