.
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CO.MMONWEALTH PEN.N.S.YL:-:-
' • YA: S TIA,„ . • ,
AS AMENDED Hy' THE CONVESTION OF ONE THOUSAND
•
'AND
. .
- •
AMONDIIPNi'S PI italic, AND ittIIRACICETS,. THUS [ ]
.2Wlo,the - people. of the COmniont,vehlth .of
Pennsylvania, Oi'daimand establish 'this Cop=
'Stitution'for•its Government.
ARTICLE; I.
Section - :I:: - .The legislative - "power._ of this
Comtimuwealth-sball-.lheyested a 'General
'AsSernbly, Which .4h:lR-consist of akSenate .
tiouSe of Representatives: •
- Section 'rhe , representatives --shall be
.
chOsen
. ahnually• by the citizens,'of the .city of
Pitiladalphia and of each county respectively
the second .'l'uestlay of October;:, '
tieCtion Ht. No person's:hall...be .a•represen• -
jtative who Shall not', have. 'attained . the age°of
.twenty-years;-year's; and havelieen a citizen and
inhabitant. of the 'State three y.Ors.„acx.t,--pre•H
cedin--his-eltiction, and: the- last. year - thereof
an inl7abitfint Of the !listriet in and far which-le
-shall-be-chosen : , a ; --rep . egsentajive, unless heshall
have been absent.on the public'bUsiness_OPthe
United-States or of this State.. '• „. •
Section I NC - Within three years - . hfier . the.
-6rsttnteeting of the- erieral. Assembly, and
witlnitevdy subsequent-term of Sevett,"ears,
an minmetiation of the'taxahle inhabitants shall
..be made. in. such manner as shall be ilireFted
'bylatv.. The nim - ther of representatives shall
at the several periods of making - such mitt mer-•
.atiOn,- be -Axed b 3 the legiSl • atnre; and' appo•; .
Ltioneil ainongt.he.dity:of Philadelphia anti the
-
seVeral cOuntics,.aceoriltng to the number - of .
'taxable ,iuhahit:uits in each'i and -shall. -never .
be;less'than sixty nor. greater thart.adehun
dred. - County shall have at least One re
. presentative, but• no .county hereafter_ erected,
stial.l - We'entitfed
.. th-it separate repropntation
until r a s ilileieut number - of.taxable inhabitants:
shall be efintaineft within: it, toentitleAltent
• one Jciliresentative agreeably to the ratio Which
shall then )(s . established. ; • . , •
Scietiori.N.T..'l'h&senatorsshall he cho§en, for
three years-by 'the Citizens .
of the several -contitles-It the same time, in the
wilom
they .tote for represeittatives. - - ,
Sectihn. NT-J. The number of senators Sltalfi
-- at-the several :periods' Of Malting the entimera-.
UT - 006re mentiopel;•be . iixed by the. legt.srlit-:
titre ant hpportioned afrintig the distilcis:for=
mail as hereinafter ,ilirectetl, according to the
' number 61- -- faxable. - mhabitants in each; and
F}i:tll never be less than: oneilfaitrflt,Trio? - greitter
than one-thiril,6 - P-tbe-•miniber-4- - - - --repriAanth
tives
I' It, Ti
in districts, to' bd. fornied by the legislature;
[bid no district shall he sii formed as t 6 enti
tle it. teeleetrmite than Wit) 'sena fo unless
numilioroflaxable, inhabitants, n' any city
or county shall, lit Any time, be such as to en,
_title it to elect mote than two, but_no city or
county.shall.be entitled to elect mote than four
53114°1.8;] When-AA istrictrshall-be---Cornposed
of two . or more colmties;th.ey , shall be adjoin-J
• ing;_neither the city Of Philadelphia nor any
eou ity snail be di'Vided in fotmin, a district.
Section No'Personshall he a senator,
• who'Shall not have _atta-ined the age of twenty ,
....Z.ftveiyears_and. ha V been citizen_ a rid
itant of • the state 'four years nexthefore hiS
an .I the last year thereof an inhabitant
of the district for
. which he shall he chosen,
unleSs he shall .harebeen absent on the public
hn - siness.of the. United States or of this'Statet
[and no person elected as aforesaid, --shall
hold sail office after .he' shall have , removed
from such district,] .
• Section I.X. [The:Senators-who may he e
lected at the first general election after the a
doption of the amendments tothe Can - 8610 7 _
tion, shall he Al i vided by lot into three classes.
• The seats of-the-senators of the.first-class-shall.
be vacated at the expiration of the first yeat;
of 'the second class.at the expiration of the See,
ontryilar; - and - 6f - the - third - class - at the expira-,-
° tion of the third Year; so that thereafter ,
one
third of the whole number of senators may, be
:,The, senators elected be- A
fore the anieridtrierio to the constitution shall
be adopted; shall hold, their offices-airing-the
terms for which. they .shall respectively 'have
--heel-I-elected, • =
SectionX7lll -- e --- Ge — neFaTAWefiTlilTSliitl - iirea
on the et,m Tuesday , qf Jundary,, inevery_ year,
ffill - e -- s - clorier - 'zio d-hy-thet,Ctev.e.reo
• Se.ctioti, Xt., - Each house shall choose its
• .• Speaker and other officers; and the Senate shall
also chobSe a-Speaker pro fempore, When the
'Speaker shall exercise the 'office of Governor.
- Section Each house-shall jndge of the
- • qualifications of its members. dontested.elee
_ • tions shall he determined by a committee to be
' selected, formed and' regulated in such manner
hy . A.:majotity of
each house shall Constitute a quornnf td &Rid=
- --L-siness;_huta_smallennuM r_m j out,n4-Vom,
day to day, and May be authorized by 114 to
—Campol-the-attendance-aLahsent...inembers,4ll
- sueli manner and Wider - Such , penaltieS
,aspay
- - , e-previded,
Section XIII.: - EaCh houSe - inay deteentiind
the - rules of its prOceddiings, .punish
hers for 'disorderly hehaViour, and with' the
concurrence.-.of two-thirds,-; expel a member,
- .• but not a second,. time for the same cause;
• arid shall have all other powers necessary for
-, a branch of thp legislikture of, a . free State,
• Section- .[The - legislatereWshall not .
• .
have power to enact laws annulling the cell
' tract of marriage in any case Where, by law,-
the - courts of commonwealth arc pr may
hereafter be, einpnWered to decree a diVoree.]
Section XV. Each house keel) a jour
nal of ifs proceedings, and_publish thein Week ,
. exCePt.such partS as irMy reqnire Secrecy:
and the-yea's arat.nays sof , the merhberS. on 'any
• ~'. . , q uestibti shall at the desire Of any•tweef them, '
'....be entered on-the Journals., "• -
• • SectiOnAVl. The doors.of 'each house and
• • orcommittees 'of-the whole shall beopen.,..
. •'less; ivlien the huSieress‘shall-he 'such as ouciht
to be lierd, secret, : , • -•
Section XV 11. 'Neithe - i. honselAba . l l ,
. - out--tho-consent-4-411°Other-adjOurnier_inore l '
thad.three_days i l, net
_4_ aoy.., 4'l6l7_ld:ice - than-
Ball bt - ! choAen
113120
. .
that in . ..which the. two. houses shall be sitting.
.
Section XV11.1.. Tie Senators and Tepresen7
tatives 'shall reeeiVe - a' compensation for. their
'services to be ascertained by law,—and paid : Ants
of-the treasury' oPlhe . Oommonwealth. , •They
shall •in all---eascs7.--except treason, fdiony and
breadh or surety of the 'peaee r be, privileged
from arrest (Wing their attendance.at the ses
sion of their respeetvO boucles, and in going
.to and retbrning frOittlsame.-- - . 4ndlor any.
speech or debate in.eithe douse, they shall
O i
be questioned in . .an,yot!he • place: . .
. • Section-Xf:X...No_Senator orrepresehtatLye
shall,' during the time - "for which he shall haire
beerreketed,_be appointed to_.any . eio Oflioe
nrder,t.hlS:CornmonWealth which' Shall have
been creatcd,'or . tha emoltithents orwhi eh tthall
:have been . increased Auring such time: tind no
member of Congress : o} otner persOmholding
airy office (ekeeßt of attorney at 110 w and w the
Maitre.) under. the Vnited'.States or this Cum=.
monwealtli; shall be a member•of either house
-during his continuance in COngress or in of
fice. . .
sectioh - XX: When Vaeancies happen•
he'r' honk. the .pea. - ket' shall issue iitrit§...of
ection - to fill such. vacancies. , - • •
Section XXI. All, bills for raisil?g revernte
shalt originate in the hop* Of representatives;
but the Senate ma • iro iose:amendmerits as in
o - therThillk• • ~
'See,tion t XXll. — No . Money shall be
. drawn
from the treasury lint•in consequence ofap
. ~.
propriations 'made-by :law.-
• .-Section:XX 7 111, Every bill which Shall have
*passed both houses shall he presented to :the
Governor.
..', If tie >approve be shall, sign -it, but
if he shall Mit approve' he shall return It with
bis'objections to the house in Which .400.11 have
originated-, who. shall enter. his objections
.at
large upontheirjournals aird..proceed„to
consider it: If,' after re-consideration, two-.
thirds of that House shall-agree ti* pass the bill,
it. shall
. he sent with the elections to the other
house by which" likewise' it shall be re-con'sid
., .
ered, and if approved.- by two-thirdiof that
house - it_shall - be a ilaW.: - J.ltit in .such cases the
votes of ,. both hottsca. shalt be' cleterrilined• by
-yefT . a s n-d -tiay s ~'iiii ii -the.nato6S-iic. the- persons
voting foaragainst the bill_ shad 'be - entered.
on the journals of. each house respectiVely; ' If
'any 'bill shalt not' 1)6 returned by - the' Gover
nor :within ten. r days--(-Sundayse-Septed).nfrer it r
shall.have been;presented to : hirn, it„shall be a
law in like manner as if . lie.fiadThigned -it, un
":ITiST-117.7G-eireitrASsc mt) rrbriliet r .471611 - lir 7-
m Qui:, preVentitS return, in which . case it shall
hp a law, unless sent back - --Within_thrce days
Latter their tie)ct. meeting. i ,. . ---- .•. .. • • -_,
. .. .
--,-Spetton-X-XLV-.-Every-order;:resointin'tir
vote to'Which the.co - neurrence of- both houses
may: be •necesaary (exeept on - aquestion of ad- :
ynirntient) r:stialtbe:presented to -the •G'aVer-
Itororhagforel t•-shall take-effect, Le-approved
-by him, or liet n g-d isapproveclystall.berepass
•ed _by. two-thirds pf_, both - hooses" -aexording 'to
tlia 7 rttres - aridl'iniitations - vrescri bed in.caso - .of
::i . bill. .- -'. . i ,
Section '01". INo eerporate, -, body shall
be_ hereafter" created, renewed or. extended,
with bahking or diSeoun ting priViicrres, with-
~.
th§ p ,
;mit six months - public notiee . tif the
intended.application for the same in such mane
as . shall he prescribed by law. • Nor shall any
. .charter for the ptnipose aforesaid, be grad',
Tor - a , longer period the n. twenty year; and
every 'Snell charter shall dontain- a clatiso• re.:-
serving, to tlfb. leg ialature the power to alter,'
revoke or annul the same. whenOvdr - in their.
Opinion it may be injurious to the citizens of
' - frie - alitiiiiiThTV - eiiittiTin suciimynnerlitiwover
thul_no injustice -shall be donplo- the corpora
tdrs. No law. hereafter en tted, shall create;
renew or extend the char rof Mere than i3ne
' corporation.] , .
,
-- • AR' I LE IL . - •
...
1 Section I, Tho Shpr • o Executive •Miwer •bc this
Commonwealth silsit o esteel in a' Governoo
. Seetion 11. Thepoverrior . shall be chosen on the sec
on -Tuesday of i etuber, by-the -Citiiens of ,the Cern--
i
mon wealth, at e places Where they shalliv'spoctiyely
Note fur_ rem ontativen._ The returns of iONdry i4e
tion-farda4rnni-affali till sealed dp mad transmitted to
the seat of` government, direbtato the Speaker of iiiM
:Sbnat,',AvliMshall open and publish. them in-the Bros:
- once - t[t - th - e mi
errrhes of -- itoth-ea-of-,the .-
-legiShiture
Thperson having the ilighek nMeahnr of ir . otes shall
,bit noierrioi. lint if lino St mote shall be 'eiltal - anil
highest in motes,, eniioc theikehall be chosen pover.:
rior by the joint irete.of the nieMit'Sis - erbOth - jious'os.
Centested'elvetions shall be determiprd - by ti Comenit- -
tee to he selected frem.both . hOuses of taro legielature,
- anc}:forMed - antl - re - scilired - Aff - Stietrib an rl er as shilllie.
_ • .
Sectiou_llL T _The
Pang three years from .the third- 'ftiesday of January
next•ensuing.his election,
,and Ehall not be capable of, ,
holding it longer than al,t in any term of nine years:
Section IV. lie shalibe - at least . thirty. y - rs of age,
end have been a citiaei.an d an inhatritan this Slate
seven years next - before his electiOnv - nlesshe shall
have bsen'abgent on ttie•ptiblie' busi se of thq•Unit'eci
Stateri oiof this State. • . • . •
Section. V. No member of C ,gress or person 'held=
ing any office undue-the United tatteCer this State shall
exercise theoffice of.tovtor
t,riltalLatstaied tines
delve for his services, a- ompensaiien, which shall be
: nelthet-InereaEied-rior-'.2 ti ri petted - fa --
which he shall hay ern elected.
Secticin _V I .shall_be _command ef_the
army and navy. f this qountohwealib, and of the mi..
titia,.except ‘' en they shall be Ctilldd into the newel
s ervice of . e United •
.
Seed() VIII. Ile shall appoint Secretary of the Coin:
tniniivc i ditle during. pleasure, 'and he shall ',wadi:ate and
by melt with the advice andconient of the 'Senate appoint
nll judicial quico'sty: courts of record, unless.‘otherwfse
propided for ifithis Constitution.' Ile shall have power
fu fll vacancies that may happen such judicial el.:
- ees during. the rei'lss of the Senate,by:glMpling iornMis
'sions'whkh shall expire al the. end of their next session:
Provided,. that in acting on' executive noininations the
Scriate_shall sit withlopen doors, and in confirming or re
jecting the nominations of the Governor, the vidc shall be
I taken JA . as an seat's.. . .• . •
"SectfOOTC: Ile shall kayo power. to remit fines and
forfeitures,and grant rePrievesi and pardons except in.
cases of -impeachment, •
may:renttlre, .infermation in writipg,
,from the offitere Ax_eeutivoldppaiiinent'npon ;any
suhject relating to The duties 'of their-respective offices.
' Seetien t AX . l. from orris to time, give_to the
floneral Assembly inferination,of ;the state ef• iheCom
11110111Vealfh, and' rocernmemt ffi , ffieiriciMairlerarionsUCl
measures as -lje . shall fudge e,xife,flol(,..,
Section XII„He,, may on extaordinary occasions;
convene the General , Assetiably; and im case of dim=
greenient between, the two houses, with reepect to the
time of. ddjiiarnment, adjourn them at such time a s
he shall think piaper,:not exceeding_four_montbs._._ v _
Section X1II:1-le aliall take care that the laws be
faithfUlly executed. • fi
S . o4ion_?Z'.lV. -In case of the death or resignation. of
the Goveinoror his remoiral 'from office, the Speaker
of the Satiate shall exercise che office of Governor; inf= .
til andther Governor shall be duly qualified;.Put h
. inauc
case another Governor shall be chosen at the, next, asinual
election of representatives, u'nless such death, reSignatiort
al; removal,. shall occur within three•calendar months sm?
7nediately prececiing,,suCh next annual election,. in whieh'
smile a Governor. vhall'be-chosen at 11te_seconci succeeding
annual election 'orrepresentalivfs: And, if the ,trial of
torilested election shall continue longer tho until the
third Monday . of January next Aiming the - hiebtiiih of
Go4errior, the Governor of. the last year or the Speaker
ot the Senate ..wittrmay be in the exercise of the ex
ecutive authority; shall ti'etitiritte _therein - HUM the 'de-.
terininatioriif such e'diltestod election; nd until a Oev
airier shall,,hb ditty qualified : aU aforesaid: • •
• Sebtioti kv - .. The Sfeictary rf the.;.Conif.riiiirw
shall keep a fair register of all the official acissand pro
ebedinge.of th'it dovertior, and shall when required, lay
the same anti all papera, minutes and vouchers'refative
thereto, befoie 'either tiianch of the legislature, and
01411,T:error:a Stith othei dutiee shall Ire_ enjoined
him by le*.
• Section T. 14;eledions by the citizens eiiery ivUlefrei
many the age of twenty-ond -years, having re.i:cled in
this Statenne year, and in the' election district Witere hey- ,
fen!! to'vatelen days immediatelypreceding, Sych - election;
and tvilltinimo : yeari paid a Stale or 'county lax, which
shall have been assessed -at'leastlen days before the electiori,
'shall enjoy the • rights of an elector. But a citizen. nflhe
linited7State; - who had 'previously been a qualified :voter,
thi.....State and: :rcnared Merifrom -did returned,_ and
why shall_ .hari_resitled in the election district, and paid
taxes as aforesaid shall be entitled to vole after residing
in the.• State six months; ,Provided,- that whilefreemen
cilizeasie the United - States, bettheen the ages- of twenty,.
one and !went y-two years; and having resided in the Slate.
one yeare and in the election district kn days as,aforc,said4
Shall .e 'entitled - IQ:vote, althbagh• they shall not-have paid
• • • - . - • , .
taxes. .
. Secridii IL MI ele'etio lrtill by Lbllot, except
•
those'by persons t ivrepresentativgc4acitiesovho
shall vote . i.iv, voce. .
son, felony, arid breach 'qr eurety"of the peace, be priv,-
from arresti'lloring their attendance on elections,
fOTiFdi
Section I.—The I:louse of Pepreseutntivcaphall have
the soje.power ef,inuceaclting...
11'1
:--Section 11. _Alt Impea - Chments sI ta • 2, fliedtt -
Senate; when sitting for that purpose, the Senators shall
beitpori oath Or:allirtnation.--- -No person shall be- cep: -
victed Withupt the concurrence: of two thirds of the
nternliers present.
*Tr
seition'lll.• The Governor, and all `other civil officers
under this Commonwealth She'll be liable to peach,
merit for any-misdemeanor in - office:- But-judgnient, in
sfch cases; shall not extend- further thin to removal •
from of fi ce, and disqualification to hold any office of
honpur, _trust •or profit, - under. this Commonwealth:
T)te party,wheilier co_nvicted - oraeljuitted, shall never
theless be liable to indictment, trial, judgment; and pun
ailment according to ldwe
.
' . :-ARTICLI3- . •
Section I. The judicial power - of thii 'Common
wealth; shall he vested in 4 Supreme Court, in Courts
of-Oyer and Terminer and General , Jail Deliirery, in a
Court of Cornmon .PleaS,•,arphans' Court, Register's
Court, and a.Court of Quarter Sessione'of the : Peace,
re -reach-Icon nin-Justices-of -the-•Peaco,•-and., i
other Courts as tho legislature may from,., time to
time establish: . • • ~
Section 11. . The judges of the .s'upieme Court, !f
. the
several Coiirts of CoMnitin Pleas; and . of ouch other Courts
rf Record as are or . shallbe,established by law, shall be
nominated ilithe Cbre?nor, and by and . with the consent
( .. yr the Svelte appointed and commissioned by him: The
judges rf the Supreine Cotirt Shall ogices for the
terin . rfpfteen yeari if they shall'solong‘kehavethemstives
iuelT .The presidek judge? If the several - Courts if Om
m7n eind..or such other fourts of flecOi.d as are in
shall be establishedbypw, and all other fudges required
1 -
,to be learned in the law, OM. hold their offices for the
.
term of ten years if they shall so long behave ilteMselpee
well. - Tli .i2spciate judges of the emits-of qnnirion
Tlecherll - holti their offices for the-term if five -year.s..ff
they shall so long behave - thethielVes well. - But for -any
reasonable cause which shall niit be sufficient ground of
impeachment, the Governor may remove any of lliem on
the address oftwo-thirds of each bi-iineh - Of lhe' le . gigature.
-The jn.lgis of the Supreme Court cuiii - the presidents of the
seUeral C4urts :of Ciniimon Pleas ..shall at stated times.
.
.rceeloe_for..:their..servikes.an_ l odegtiale_s_ompensalionito_bi.
t.ved by law, whieh shall not be diminished during theiv
conlipuance in office,: but 'they shall -receive no feel . ..
.or
. 11\
perquisites ("office, nor hcild aq ether ailice of rofit un
der this Commonwealth.. . , .
.-
.Seetiort 111. Until othe;voise directed by la , the
Cour6 of, edinmon,Pteas she continue
. s at prese 'es
tablished: Not more than fivecounties shall at anyiinie
be includedin Aie Vuditial_dislrfct_ organized for_ said
Section IV. The jurisdicticM of : the Supreticre . Court
shall extend over the State; .and the judges thereof,
shall 'by virtue of their offices, be justices of Oyer and
l'erminer add General Jail belivelyrio--the—severitl
potintieS;
Pleas, in each county, shall by, vrtue of their offices,
be justices of Oyer and Terminer shd cierieral jail de
liirer,t, for the-trial-01-capital: agd other - .offenders there
in; any two of the sairljudges; the president being one,
shall be a qurum ; but they shah not hold a court of
dyer and terminer; or jail, delivery, In any county, whorl
the ju'dges of the Suprerrie court, or any of - Theß, shall .
be_sitting in the sanie county. The partyl demised, as
well'es the Coretrienwealth, may, under.such
tions as shall be prescribed ,by,laW,,„rernove.the indiet
merit sod proceedings ' or a "tianseript ''thereof, into lho
Supreme Court;
Section• VI. Tho Stipiemd Coutt, and , file several
courts of coranaron pleas; . shall, beside th e powers hereto
lore.usualty oxerCise d try them; have the power of a
court of Chancery, so fat as relates t o the perpetuat
ing of testimony., • the ohlaining of eiitlecee,lromplaitee
not within.the State, artd the care 6( the
, perionit acid
estates of, those who ate don o'nipOtee. triertthi And,l
the lOgislature shallvest COurissucii''othei
potiereto gradi relief itteqUitY,lW shall bo foetid no
ces,asy x : antkmay,"froin . time to time; enlarge or, dimin:
fah, ihooo, poWere or vest them iitiph`othiir courts • as .
they shall judge proper for the, :dee admilli'stration of
justice—
St4on '(' lto judges o fthe court of otiminon,
pleas of each county, any two of Whom shall Mc' n
ifttaruni; slialLooeupOsetliu. court. *(_(lfilitter _8064009
Eli
ARTICLE
ARTICLE IV.
of the peace, and.orpabs'CouTt thereof;. and the 3eg►eter.
of willa together -,with the •said`-judges, or any two of
them, shall coinpose the register's court , of each coon-,
'teetiou VIII. Theptlges_of_the_nourtit_of common
pleas shall,, within their respectitd Counties have the
like pewers with the judges of the- SePreme Court, to
issue writs of certiorari'to the jiistides tof 'the.peace, and
to 'Cense their proceedings to
.tie iiionght before them,
and the:like - right and justicelsi be dtibe.
• SebtiotglS,/The president of tub bettit in each cir
cuit within-such circuit, and th j
e tidge — i of the court of
corn - mon pleas within
.their, respeciiire counties,, shall
.be ju•stices 9f the peace, solar as rblates to .criminal
platters.
Section X. A register's office, for tln L probate of will 3
and granting letters of administration, and an office for
the recOttling of deeds,•shall be•kept in each:counly.
- Seetlon'Xl: The style 0f...A1l protess siMl be “The
- Oorninbritirealtii. of Pennitylliania;'' All 'proSedutions:
shalt be•cariied on in tbe.name•-aritl by the authority of
,the COMmonvirealth of Pennsylvania, and concluded;
"againet the talle - and.dignity of the same.'"
ARTICLE , VI; . •
erection I• add coimpfs shall;,at the times
,and pieces of election of representatives, tie chosen by
the citizens of . each county. . One person shall be chosen
for each office; who shall be. commissioner/ by the . Gin
ernor. They shall hold Offices for_ three years, if
they shall se long belmve themselves well, and.until
successor be defy -qualified . ; but no person shall be
twice chosen.or. apPointed eheriffOn . any term of six
year& Vacancies in eithermf - the said offices
,shall be
filiedli 4 f — ail appointment, to be made bk-the Governor',
to continue until - the next i ge s netal election, and until a
dbecessoishall.he - bhosen and qualified as aforesaid.:
..:,,Section•lt. The freemen of this conimenivealth,shall
'be armed, organized -aid' disciplined for its defence;
'When and in -surfs • manner as . maybe • directed by law.
in_ -surfs .
'Those who.ctmscientiously Nrople tQbear arms, shall
riot be compelled To . do Op,'hat.shall pay . an
!for pettaat . service. - .._.,,,• — •
'Section-III: ProtlionoTaries of the Supreme Court shall.
be appointed by' the said' Court fir the term ophree years
if they behave. themselves Well.-I . PiOthoiiotaries .
' arul'clerhsof-the several other-courts, Recorders of - deeds,.
v:Mkneg . iela s of wills ; shall al' the . tiMes and places. V
election of representalives, be fleeted -by the qualified elec- . .
tors of each, - connly,ariheVistrietsoner:which thejurisdic
tion.of said - coirrts extends, and AO be conimfebioned by
the.' CoverrWr. - They shall hold - theinalici 4 for 41:reel/ears
if they shall so' long behave themselves well, and — untittheir
:suceessors-shall_be_duly.q.dalided.—i_the—legthdataxvshall
provide by laty,the number if persons. in each county who .
shall hold, said ifficei, and how, many and whier, 4 l
_said
races shall Le tipt:—lierso r r
th e actin-ggees shay be filledti appriintmentB , to Ge.. made
by the Governor, to continue until the nexrt general election
and untiliuccEssors fl hall be elected and qualified as afore,
t PratlionotarieF!, Oiorks of Ate
ERIE
Orphans: . courts, recorders of deeds, registers of wills,
and -she - riffki,•shall . keep t heitroffifee, in the county town
of the
_county- in-.which. they, , respectively, shall-be
officers,,uhlees • w hen the Governor:shall, for' - spicial
reasons,, dispensbitherewith, for any term not exceeding,.
five years slier the.cotnay shall have-been erected, •
SeetioriV. Alteommissions Ethan be in the _name
and by the authority of the Coramonwealtli of Ponnsil
vania, and be pealed with, the
,Stato seal; and -signed
by the t-oy . ernor. - ' - • _
Section VI/V - State treastiter 'shall fie' dedeti
nually, by joint vote :,f•botle branches of Me legislature.
Section VII.. [Justices, of the peace or aldermen
shall be elected in the several wards - , borotighs, and
town Ships at the time of the election of constables by
ihe qualified voters ihereof,•in such number as shall
he directetrby law, arid shall be ceinmissioned by the
Governor for aterru of five yearn . but no township,
ward or horougii shall, elect more than tivo justices of
- the - peace - or-aid ermerr-Wit hoot-the-consenter-a majetily
of the qualified electors .wlthin such township, ward or
borough:) • ~. , „:,- ,
• Section VIII. [All "oilicrrs whose election or appoint
mentia not provided for in this constitution, shall be
elected . or appointed as shall•be directed by law . . ~Isfo
person shalLbe -appointed to any' office- within any
county who shall not live been a citizen and an ,
in
habitant_ therein one yea?next before his appointment,
if the county shall have been:so long, erected; but if it
shall not have been se long erected,-thett - Aifi thin Ilie
limits of. the county or• counties out of which it shall
_have_been_talten_.____ . No niember - d c i onnois tieni this
state, or any persori . lioldihz or exercising ittY office or
appOintment of trust or Profit uader the United
. States,,
shall at the. sametime hold or
. ekeiciio any ofifcei
i,t
this state, to which a salary,is, oi_feee or perquieltes
are hrlaw, ar.nexed ; - and thelegitdaturemay bs' latv
declare what Stateofficee are incompatible.
.N 9 mem.
ber of the'Senate• or of the house of representatives
Shall - lid sprinted by the Governor to any office during'
09 term fey which he shall have been elected:l
. ectlen IX. [All qficers-for a feint of yeititi•Sliall
-held-their-offices, for- -tliti4erms_respecti vely _ specified,.
only on the oonditioti that thy so long behave them
selves-„well;
„and shall be removed on conviction -,of
misbehaviodrin_office_or ofany inlet - bens crime.)
~ .
Section X. [Any person who shall, after the adori.
lion of the amendments propoieit by 'this Convention
to the COnstlintic4i;ltghti a duel or send a-.challenge for
, -.
that purporitii . bi be aider eribettor In - fighting A . Auel,"
shall be deprived of the.right of holding any2office_of_
lionor or' profit in this State,.'and shall, be punished
otherwise in'auch manor.as is, or \ may he: prescribed
by law; but the executtrepriay4efnit . paid o ff ence
tit
and all its disqualifications.]
-- MITI Obli*- -- 19 I -.--'-q:4------•
ge .. - a
„ion shall, as soon as
;leniently may be, provide by law, fot the istablibh-
Men't of ticheols.throughout the State, irt . lifeh riiannet
t)lat the poor may_ bb taught gratis .
._
Section H. The:arts and ecionbes shall:be-Prettioted
one or more seminariesa.i learning.
.
SeetiOn The tinieri privileges, ltriMunltiernd
. ........
eetetes at religilits tiolcietiea and ,Corporate bodies',
remain as constitution of thia'State had not
beenaliered or airiendc.fl:.., ' , ' • •
Seeder) IV. (Tim legislitnre . 8411 not invest : any
corporate .bodY . .,or individuals with the .privilege of
taking privateVroPartY Poi without .requir
int; such corporation or individual• 6 make compensa
tion to the 6..vtiork o a f said•piaperly; adequate
tiedniity'dersfar i liefore such Propi3rty shall betaken.)
ARTICI., VIII:
.. hieittbarg of thtiGeseral Asseiblily; and , all officers,
executive and judiCiai, shall b'e bound t‘i, oath otaf
firmailinto to support tlieCoMAintion pi' Air; PommoM:
wreath, and 'tq Fieifortil rho. duties al' their, !eel:math%
offices . tAlli Odelit,y: '••._ - '. ' ~ , . • ,
'fluitothe. pi ral, gMal,.rind. essential
~ :;iiiiieiples of
ttc t
libeity and fre government.. may by recognised and'
Unalterably esta fis hed , .WE PP:CLARE, THAT
Section . It.fill . on am born entail)! No anAl;•iride-1
;patient, .at shavio certain . Inherent, and flefkisiftle
* • :hts, among 'which 'are those of enicy ink 'and . de
•feitiniol4:l_ and liberty,_ of. ac . nuiring,poseesatco and;
*teeing' property. and reputation, and o
their•own happiness. . : '
Section 11. All power isinberent hi - the/people, and
all free gotiernments aro founded, on authority,
and instituted_for_theiripeace;:natetkAnd_hrippinees.
For the advancement-of 'than hAvO, at all
times, an unalienable rind indefeahible tight to alter, re-'
form or abolish their goieiliment, in. such manner as
they may think 044. • • .
. Section e
111. Ail m,n,haVO a natural and indefeasible
right to worship Almighty God., .according to the dic
tates. of, tbeii own, conscieneeillnitilan cats, "of right, be
compelled to attend;-'erect,r-etijiport any place.of
worship, or-to,maintain any ministry against his • cop
.sentyno human authority can, In any case Whateier,
control or interfere with the riglits of conscience; and
no preference shall ever be .giyen, by law,-to tipy' re.
ligious eatoblisktneitts or modes of worship,
Section IV. , No person whe aeknowledgea.tlie bßing
of.a God and a future , state of - - iewaribi and. punish'
nients,-shall on accotirli of, his ie.:lig - Wild 'sentiments be
disqualified to hold.,6itY (Albeni plate oftrusit or profit
under this CominOliiie2dtli;
Section V. Electiohs shall ho.free atid'egnal. '
• •
Section •V!. Trial 'by jury %hall be etkberetefOre, anti
the right thereof rethoin inviolate. t •
Sectionirll. The printing prelses shall be free.io
every-person *he undertakes to examine the proceed
ings of the legislature, or any branch of`-government:
Andno Jaw shall ever be malle th restrain the tight there.
of. The free ponidienieatitin l of thenglitti andePinione
is_oneet the invaluableiiiiiinef man and eveiY
•zen may freely. speak, Write and printon any' subject,
being responsible , for the abuse of t that:liberty. ; In
prosecutions for the publication of Papers investigating
the . official conduct of , Offibern; or Men in . piddle capac
ity, or Where the Matter plibliehed proper'for.public
information, the 4 . ,p3h thbieof may be given in eiridence:
Arid' in all indictments for libels the lurk shall have a
right to &Within° the law and the facts; under the di
rectinn 01 the,fintirt, as hi other Cases. • 2 -
Section VIII: The
persoris r honses,.-papenrandginisieasicus,:_frani — unrea ,
Sclable* searches and seizures, And - no warrant to
search' any plsee, or to‘seizeapy person or things;shall
Asue ? 'without describing them ast nearly 'as may be,
nor without probable triune supported, by oath or affirrna
..
'• • t
e asst Section IN. In . alt. criminal proseentions . ;k e
ed hath aright to be heaid.by , himself . amilta.
to demand the nature and
,canseof.....tyg,„ObetniatiOn
. e.--
(rainst him; to ,meet the-WitnessO'kee to. faee,,toJitive
compulsOryprodose•fdreibtapiinfrlvitnesses4n-'fa
-ironfi-endrinTpro:sectiflOns•byindieilineptor-informationc
a Speeily. jiiPlilic .trial;-by - an impartial — jury of the .vi
.ciritir,c;:irn'scaniii4e.., ,e,ompelled.imgismoyidenceligainal
Tinitielf;ftiOi.calf.hifi:Wde - prived or:fiti — liTC - 41iberty, or
proPeity, 'unless by. the:judgment of his-peers-lir—the
law of the land.- •
."' Section X. No person sball, for_any- itidicfable.of
-feticerbe ploCeeded against criininally by information,
.
except in cases arising in the land
. or naval forces, or
in the 'militia when in seine' kyle° • in -time of
_war
or pUbliedartgei . , • leave of the Co'nrf. to'r'opPrei
sfon and misdernea.neer a office: — No Pe'ison - shall, fe'r
•timsaino ollence,—be-tiwco-Put in-jehpardy of filo . or
limb.; nor shall any man's property he taken or applied
to public use, without :the consent of fiis repreienta 7
lives, and without just•competisation bensi ma-de.
Sedtion Ail .courts shall he open, and every
man for an injury dope hlin in his lands, goods, per
i3 on or renntation 6hll haVe'remedY by the due course
Il
:ot law, and right. ad'iainistei'eth without
sale, deniaL , Or de,laY 7 Sifts May be brought- against
the cointneUtstealth..in..;ecli #abeei;• in.
.such' courts,
and in sticb:caiek an the.legolattire man y latli direct.
__-Section tli. No, power of sUslendink.
be exercised', unless by the legislature; or its author 4.
Section XIII.. Ese6ssive bail shall not be regnired,
nor elZneseivelines imposed, nor cruel pUnishinents in
flicted;
['relent sureties, unless for capital ofiencei, when the
proof is . evident-or preeuinpticin great; Ond the privilege
of the writ of habeas corpus shall not he °depended,
unless-When; in cases df rebellion or invasion, the pub
lie safety May require
Secilc,,h XV. No commiseicn of over and•lerrifinef
or gaol delivery shall be issued: , •
S'ectibn XVI. The person of a debtor, *here there is
nOt-stiong-presutimtieniof fraud, shall hot ,he continu;
ed in prison, after 'delivering ttp his estate for,the hen:
efit of pia creditors, in such manlier as shall be pre:
scribed by.lew. - •
Section XVII. No ex pose facto law; nor any law
imparting' contracts; shall be map. •
:Section XVIII r No, person shall he ittaliiied
treason 'or felony by the legislature. - ,
Section XIX.' No attainder shall legislature."._
corruption of
blood, nor except: dhring the life of the offender, tn.:
'feature of estate -the
. comnfohwealth tho eatatij of:
such persons , ai.etiall,:destroy iber own lives, Shall de:
scend or vast ao le case Of natural death; and, if any
. , .l
be killed
pereorvehal bY casualty, there shall ba iio
Tot rei ttire - hy - Tamen . ttifire o
•• Sebtion XX. The citizens have a right, in-it pea
ceable mariner,. to assemble together, for their 'coin.
Mon good, and to apply to those7insesied with the
powers of government . for redress , of' grievaneee, or
other,proper Purposes, by petition, address or •ieinon=
strange... •
• Section XXI. the rigid • of citizen° to beet.ar"ine,
ip "defence of titimeelveri e State; eiiall ties fie
questioned. ,
,* .
Sectiod XXII.' NO standing army fiball, in tine of
peace, be kept tip without the cOnsent of the: legisla
\
turekand the Military shall, in all cases; and . at all
herd v i I - - poem
No soldier shall;itiiiMii - Orp - e - We.
be glartered\in any honser*lttiont - tbe - toneent-Inf-the.l
owner, nor in lime of war, hut ilia manner to be pre-
scrifitof
---.Sectioit XXIV. The legislature shall not giant any
title of nobility or hereditary distinction, nor create
`lfni : 4lllde the ShpOiritmentio
termth6ridering.good hehavtour: • -• .
Section XXV. tattigration front the State. shall.
not be prohiltited..-
. .
SeetiorrXX.Vl. • To . .guard ag,ilest tisnagfeseione of
the high Potivere which we have delegated,,
every thitig in this article is,except , :d
out of the general
. powers of governineni, and Shall
for eve( retain
tAnir r;iniiidnient Or •itnifildminfitti in ibis in'tinsiitqlon : I
may be proposed inthe Senate or House df 12cIiirioten.
iatiiies, and if ifiii iia'in'e ahalf berliii;/' ed tiakrtiligai . l 7-
, ~,. , , .
iy of ilie : rilembeisilicte4 ,to eielt ouse,.e . ue . lt propo,.. 1
sod ationdMent,oiameitiliiielitelshaq tii . ii entered on their
journals,-with witb theyeas . and.tutys taken tbereon„ . and the
Seeretaii, of . the COmnenwealth shall canna , the same
ttibe..publisftedibree months before' he next el ee ii m: ";
inat .. t . l . east ono rietripAiper• in ,fivcr3 • count 7 in . i which; ti,
n t wspaolr shall.bnptibdished ; . and if , in the legislature:.
next afterwards . c ho s en such proposed • amendment . or.
ernend:nents 'shall - ho' agreed to by -a -tit'sjenliy - •(if 'the'
mertieik:S - ele - Ct.id'io each - housei - the'Seetetarir ctibe'
MMMI
. . c au se
COMmonweeltiteliell the seine:l4min tole pub. -
lielied in*mgrieei'atoreanid, and s uc h proposed ritneinj.
emnt.or firifendment? 'shall be submitted to the people - •
'in such ihineerand at such time;tii least thiee months, '.
after -being-so agreed to by ° the tiro houses as the 'eight- -
Iltuie shall iiiesitribec and if the peoplit . shall approve •
,ii,a'ratifi ouch amendment or airientlfrients by a rnajnri- •
tir hi' the qualified voters of-this State Voting threoft,
such amendment or arriendinehis Ohll become a:part ' .
l of thecarrielitiitioni,but he dineedrnent or-atitendmeniti .•
;shall be Suiniitel - to the people otieher than once le.:
five ye ars; provided, (Ina if mere than one amend=-. '-
,meet be submitied,.they shall be subthitted in such Man= -,•. '
nor and*fortn, that the penple ma y vote f • or, against:
or
••1 • .
each ametithhentt eparatel y and, dlatinctly.) ,- - - , . •
1 , .
Thai UO itterigtiniencbMity al-isit 'horn the ititiiiati'enii, • .' .
and amendmonts in-the• Constithtion of this Cbinutian.: - -
wealth, and in order to* Carry the .soma into cOrriPlete- - ' •
eiicrtiiitirt, it is lierehj , declatediiiid orliained, That • '
Section,T. All laws of iii;6 Corimioii'l;realih -iii;fcirCe at '•- . _
the time when the. said itiltertionti. and • amendments hip. '
the said conatitution_ahall_take_effeet, ithillhoi iiicensio, ..,.
-tent i.tereWith, end . all rights. actions, prosecutions} - --
-claim' and.. contracts nit well *iif inthviduele as bodies col.;
porate, shall. contintie as 'if, (hi) said alteration's and a; ° .•
niehilmentahad nrit•been inittib: . ---- • _ ' 4 •
iSecticin 11.
,:, The alterationi - rind iiinen - dinente in the -
said cairistiiiitieli 's ' hall fake affect from -the iiist.di'y of •
January, eighteen hundre'd and - thiify.iiin'e. • •
.... - .•
Sectinii 111. The clnusiai, - -,Sections.and atlicles.. of
'he said constitution, which r '
e'main unaltered, sliallicon-*
time iti be construed and, he've effect as if :the, said con
~ .
stitutton: had not heen.amended,.
~
~• . - '
. Section IV.* Thetenifi'rr.l 21.iiiseriibly - ivliich- shall 'con; * -
v'ene in December, eighteen...hundred .end* tliiity...eiglii; .' -- •
shall eontinne its session; . afir heretofore; netwithsiehdine - -
the Pria;.(sititi - Th the eleventh sectioh of ihe.first article;
and shall tit fall times be regarded t ae the first bonerak. -
Assembly.under the amended constitution .. •,'' . - •
....geaftill ti. The Goverho'r who Shall be elected iii,
,
o,cieher biAlifeen hundred end thirty eight, Shall he hi: - •
auguLeted:On thb _third 'l'tibidtijr . k libittry; eighineri• '--
buildred..end .thirty 7 nine,to_thich_tirce rd l o V r ei ll i n t,_*eiii.. -.
...._. -
.cutiVe•teins,la hereb,y' eitended. - ... , ,
.
Seelion, V.I. ..T he eetrirphstotie:of,:the judges of that
:§ifprefrit3'b'bilit; t;lllo7nui - Siliftiiii _office,on the -first day et,..---
January_nezthiil,L•*'',e • ft . o4.t • Oh, *the - fillowini manner;: .
„The - -einurriiiisfiati,ivhi#ltiortetho earliest date shall expit
tiii . :llli9L:fi:T;o,ithipit: lgptiary, Anne Domini one thousand
rAidifitaiirbil -- iind.fiArCy-two'; the commission._bait dated.
L
it.
iiirall-ox ftidt day et,iiinUitry; Anini Domini,-
Ortb.ihousaiiinsight hundred - Ond fiirty:five*; the learnt-As:
sion !text dated ; atoll expire on Mat da y ni..danuary.. "'.
Anil° Dciridni, one tliciiiitand tight hnndied and fetty-eightt.
the Cotinnission next dated shell eipire'bb ilie first- deft
orianuarrAnno Did - niiii7one --- lhousartil bight - lirriTidiea
and fifty-one; and the corinnisMoti fait dated bhall expire*,
lon--iherfirst-day--4731,•iiiiirary;-Xrino--DOMitti.-Onb-theiteirni- 7 -- :
right linhdreil and and fiftyfour.
~ - • . .
.:
secuon .VII: - ,Tlie comninistons•Of the tiesideht fudgF
ca of the several judical districts and of ibb . .associate las!
s* of - .
Fudge the fi rst jodicaf dietiiri_shili ex pirc_as_follnini ; * '
'rho commissions of on'e;halref thoib whii shall ha - ve. . • .
told their *offices ton year's or.mo're :at ale adoption ..of ..:.
to amendrirents to tha,conatitution; ;than expire on the ..,..,
twentpseyenth da'y o r Fehrea,ey . oae.thousanA 'ei g ht huh-.
1)
r id_.and:thirty-nihe,:;_tt rnm
a:coiesioig_brihrtitit'eFirelk—
of these Yea'ra on •
'more at the adoption of the amendments to the eonatitil:.
iion; shall eipiro on the Ll:verity . ..seventh day of yebruery;
onti , t.litiusand...eight hundred and forty-two ; the first half
tkernbriice those whose corrimiSeions ithell'hear the old.;
pet .date.. The coniinfteione of all the reinainini judges
who "shall 'not have held theii.orfiees for tell years at the
adol)tionof the amendments to the constitution shall
piro on the twenty-seventh day of Pebruery next after
tho.end 'of ten Years froitr , tho dite of cbminiasioins.
Section VIII. The Recorders of the Mnyor'e•
Courts; and other ctiminil eciiirtsin'this CommenWealth; .
shall be appointed for the same - time, arid in the. same'
insnner, as the president judgeS et: the several judicat
alirtricts . ; of 'those now in office; the oldest
indiito shell expire on the twentY-seventh' Jay Of 'Feb:
ruary enc thousand eight h'uridred tOrtS•-one ; and the'
others:orery_triro yearsi_lhereafter ace_ ordiri4 to their
spettive dates. :I'hose' oldest in ,dole asp rin Gret: '
Section IX. The legislature-et - its-first-Session-under.—
the aniended constithtion, shall divide the. othe'r associate.
JUdges of the State Into four classes. The connviissionsi
of those of the first class shall 'expire on the iwenty;.
Sk.venth day of February, eighteen linedied and forty ; of
those of the:second ch.sa 'on _the tiventy-Se;ienth diY of
February'eighteen liendred and. forty-one; of th i cirie
the third class o n the . twenty-seventh ay,ruery
• • ofF
oightern - hUndruil. and fo_rty4wo; and of those or the our ill
class on the twenty-seventh'day — of Februery-,oightfeii
hundred and fortir-three. The said class'es , from ttim first ,•
to the tOuith shill be arringeti_aceoiding to. the sehleii:'
ty, of thi) commisiioni; of the several judge S
. X: ProthenotarieS, ci'prks of the Several 'Echirtjii
of the,Slipiefinrcourg ;recerderi of deeda, erid.
registers .of wills, shell first elected Uncer the
mended binstitittion, it the election of representatirOS iii
the year eihteen hniid . thirtyiiiine; in such 6at.
ted inTl
"net as may be prescribed by law. •• • • .
Section Xt.
.Thii appointing power Shall
iteietefore, e . 9.1,811 oiiicefs in the aftpidntmeiit , pf tire
ecutire departmait shill continue in-the e*ercise 4 the
duties' of their respective ofilrea unt3l the
shall pees such terra as may be reivired,bkthe eighth Sec
tion of the sixth article of the amended . constitutlen; and"
until appointments shall made ieders`rich laws; un
less their shall be superseded hi : fiery ap
peintinStioi, or shill sooner expire by their , o . wfi, limits
dens, or the Said shall become recent by Jeath.et
riisignallen; inil inch lirrs shall
• enacted by the first
legislature upder,the a mended n. Constiitiyinn.
*Se4tiori The_firet election for efd'iq'terrl and jut:
- Pleas . Br-the-peeee-ihall-be held..lp..the leer, siOteen,hun4
tired and fciity, at the time fixeil,for the elecitri,treicon•i'
stabled , The leqielature itti 4 tret SitSioti ;ender the
amended constitution shill. Privide for the ii4id electiert
end tot subsequent eireilOt elections 1 rho kililernieii and
justices of the peace new in commission, 0r,,w..c0 nity Ink
theinterim.ba_eppointed — ,66ll contnte
duties b f th&r respecti'va offices, until fifteen •thiys after
new cornmissions,lit the eitiratiori of *hid time; their
commissions shaft qipire,_ ;. ...„„ • •
testimony that the foregoing is tb
tpth cotiventiion,
° We• the officers and inerriblri the' Convention.
hive hereunto sigiied our narfiei at Philadelphia.
• the 'twenty-second Jai of regriitiry; Anne. Thiniini
one thoUsenil etght gutivtrad and thirty'..eight;
•
of the independence of the United States cif! A. - •
.tnerfaa iho stittpsecoml,
ISERGEAN-1; - _Prei,i'der4;_
. •
(Attarit,) S. Smear, Pectetary.,. _
• .; L. 'Nose;
• Assistant •-
‘l, tut.ism i '
. Z•
11;ittnisatutci, bes,:teja.
- 1 - Corti that . the, foregiiiitiOit: eaaot and liter.
copy of 64the': Constitution (of the comtriOri L ivealth
e??9 B YlYarija a 8 atififinded ;hy. thi. Conant . ;lton:of, t
ihouiSr2l eight hundred end thirty-seventitiityligh:
ttiiiiosi:ted, in this otTice,on: the 26th daft
,of Febrost,
068; pe.,4tneitePn'ents heing in italic, [and brailete,):
t to r kaineif , portioes of the present Coruititution4a
, •
7ijo's.,.}j..puitrtovirEs,
= 'O l 6 Cormoni!de .
• f •lta3ch, -
RI
1311
NM