Part 31 (1/2)

A secretary of state and an auditor of public accounts are elected for four years, and a treasurer for two years.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court of three judges, one to be chosen in each of the three grand divisions, for nine years, one every three years; the one oldest in commission to be chief-justice. The legislature may provide for their election by the whole state. Circuit judges are elected for six years, one in each of the nine judicial districts, the number of which may be increased, if necessary. A circuit court is to be held two or more terms annually in each county. A judge of the county court is elected in each county for four years, and has also probate jurisdiction.

Justices of the peace are elected in each county by districts for four years. Inferior local courts may be established in the cities by the legislature.

A state's attorney is elected in each judicial circuit, for four years; or in each county, if the legislature shall so direct. In each county a clerk of the circuit court is elected for four years and a sheriff for two years, who is eligible only once in four years; a supreme court clerk by the electors of each grand division.

_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the state one year. A poll or capitation-tax of not less than fifty cents, nor more than a dollar, may, in case of necessity, be laid upon every voter under sixty years of age.

_Amendments_ must be proposed by two-thirds majorities of all the members of one legislature, approved by majorities of all the members of the next legislature, and ratified by the electors at the next general election. Or, the legislature, by two-thirds majorities of all the members, may submit to the people the question of calling a convention; and if a majority of the electors voting for representatives shall vote for a convention, an act for calling one shall be pa.s.sed.

Michigan.

This state was admitted into the union in 1836. The present const.i.tution was adopted in 1850.

_Legislature._ The senate has thirty-two members, elected in single districts, for two years. Representatives, not less than sixty-four, nor more than one hundred, are elected also in single districts, for two years. An apportionment of members is made every ten years. Any qualified elector holding no other office, is eligible to either house.

The final pa.s.sage of bills requires a majority of all the members elected to each house. Majorities of two-thirds of all the members pa.s.s bills against the veto. Bills not returned within ten days, are laws unless their return is prevented by adjournment. Bills pa.s.sed within the last five days of a session, may be signed by the governor and filed by him in the office of the secretary of state within five days after the adjournment; and the same become laws.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen of the United States five years, and a resident of the state two years. A lieutenant-governor.

_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, a probate court, and justices of the peace. For six years, and until the legislature shall otherwise provide, the circuit judges are to be judges of the supreme court. After six years, a supreme court may be organized, consisting of a chief-justice and three a.s.sociate justices, chosen by the electors for eight years, and so cla.s.sed that only one of them shall go out of office at a time. A circuit judge is elected in each of the eight judicial circuits for six years. The number of circuits may be increased. The probate judge of each county is elected for four years.

Justices of the peace, not exceeding four, are elected in each towns.h.i.+p, for four years.

_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state three months, and in the towns.h.i.+p or ward ten days; also foreigners after a residence of two and a half years in the state, and a declaration of their intention to become citizens; and civilized males of Indian descent.

A secretary of state, a superintendent of public instruction, a treasurer, a commissioner of the land-office, an auditor-general, and attorney-general, are elected for two years.

In each county are elected a sheriff, a county clerk, a county treasurer, a register of deeds, and a prosecuting attorney, all for two years. The sheriff can hold only four years in six. The board of supervisors may unite the offices of clerk and register in one office.

_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each branch, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. Every sixteenth year the question of a general revision of the const.i.tution by a convention shall be submitted to the electors of the state.

Wisconsin.

This state was admitted into the union by an act of congress, May 29, 1848.

_Electors._ White male citizens, or foreigners who have declared their intention to become citizens, having resided in the state one year; also civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe.

_Legislature._ A senate and an a.s.sembly. Members of the a.s.sembly are elected annually; the number not to be less than fifty-four, nor greater than one hundred. The number of senators may not be less than one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the number of members of a.s.sembly. Senators are chosen for two years, half every year. Members of both houses are elected in single districts, apportioned every five years; and must have resided in the state a year, and be qualified electors of the districts.

Bills are pa.s.sed over the veto by majorities of two-thirds. Quorum, a majority.

_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years. Any citizen of the United States and qualified elector of the state, is eligible to the office of governor or lieutenant-governor.