Few states ever enjoyed such great advantages in form ing their constitution since the act, of which the charter of Penn formed the basis, was drawn up by Sir William Jones, one of the most distinguished scholars, lawyers and patriots of any age, and the criminal code was modelled according to the philosophical work of Beccaria on crimes and punishments.
By the constitution of this state, the supreme executive power of the commonwealth is vested in a governor ; the legislative, in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and a house of representatives. The governor is chosen for three years, but cannot hold his office more than nine years in twelve. A majority of votes makes a choice. The representatives arc elected for one year ; the senators for four. The latter arc divided into four classes. The time of one class expires in each year, and their seats are then filled by new elections. Each county chooses its repre sentatives separately. The senators are chosen in districts formed by the legislature. There is to be an enumeration of the inhabitants once in seven years. The number of senators and representatives is, after each enumeration, to be fixed by the legislature, and apportioned among the se veral counties and districts, according to the number of taxable inhabitants. There can never be fewer than sixty, nor more than one hundred representatives. The number of senators cannot be less than one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the representatives. The elections are made on the second Tuesday of October, of course; no writ is necessary. The general assembly meets on the first Tues day in December, in each year, unless sooner convened by the governor. A majority of each house makes a quorum to do business, and a less number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of members. Each house chooses its speaker and other officers, judges of the qualifications of its members, and establishes the rules of its proceedings. impeachments are made by the house of representatives, and tried by the senate. All bills for raising revenue originate in the representative house, but the senate may propose amendments. The senators and representatives are Iree from arrests, while attending the public business, except in cases of treason, felony, and breach of peace ; and are not liable to be questioned out of the house concerning any thing said in public de bate. They are compensated out of the public treasu
ry, from which no money can be drawn but in conse quence of appropriation by law. The journals of both houses must be weekly published, and their doors kept open, unless the business requires secrecy. All bills which have passed both houses, must be presented to the gover nor. If he approve, he must sign them, but if he does not approve, he must return them within ten days, with his ob jections, to the house in which they originated. No bill so returned shall become a law, unless it be re-passed by two thirds of both houses. The governor is commander in chief of the military forces ; may remit fines and forfeitures, and grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases of im peachment; may require information from all executive officers ; may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the ge neral assembly, and adjourn it, for any term not exceeding four months, in case the two branches cannot agree on the time themselves. lie is to inform the general assembly of the state of the commonwealth ; recommend such measures as lie shall judge expedient, and see that the laws are faitb fully executed. In case of vacancy in the office of gover nor, the speaker of the senate exercises that office till the next election. The judicial power is vested in a supreme and various inferior courts, the judges of which, and jus tices of the peace, are appointed by the governor, and com missioned during good behaviour ; but are removable on the address of two-thirds of both houses. The other officers of the state are appointed, generally, by the governor, the state treasurer by the general assembly. The qualifications for an elector are twenty-one rears of age. two years residence, and payment of taxes. they are privileged from arrest in civil actions while attending elec tions. Those for a representative are twenty-one years of age, and three years citizenship and inhabitancy. For z.