CONNECTICUT. The name of one of the original states of the United States of America.
2. It was not until the year 1865 that the whole territory now known as the state of Connecticut was under one colonial government. The charter was granted by Charles II. in April, 1662. Pre vious to that time there had been two colonies, with separate governments.
As this charter to the colony of Connecticut em braced the colony of New Haven, the latter resisted it until about January, 1605, when the two colo nies, by mutual agreement, became indissolubly united. In 1687, Sir Edward Andros attempted to lame and take away the charter; but it was secreted and preserved in the famous Charter Oak at Hart ford, and is now kept in the office of the secretary of state. 1 Hollister, Hist. Conn. 315. It re mained in 'force, with a. temporury suspension, as a fupdamental law of the state, until 1818, when the present constitution was adopted. Story, Coast. 386; Comp. Stat. Conn. 29.
3. The present constitution was adopted on the 15th of September, 1818.
Every white male citizen of the United States who has attained the age of twenty-one years, who has resided in the state for the term of one year next preceding, and in the town in which he may offer himself to be admitted to the privileges of an elector at least six months next preceding, the time he may offer himself, who sustains a good moral character, and ie able to read any article of the constitution or any section of the statutes of the state, may be odmitted to the privileges of an elector. , Comp. Stat. Conn. 49; Stat. 1854, p. 131.
The Legislative Power.
4. This is vested in two distinct houses or branches, the one styled the senate, the other the house of representatives, and both together, the General Assembly.
The Senate consists of twenty-one members, elected annually, one from each of the twenty-one senatorial districts into which, the state is divided.
The House of Representatives consists of two members from each town which was in existence when the constitution was adopted, unless the right to one of them has been voluntarily relinquished, and of one member from each of the towns which have been organized since the adoption of. the con
stitution. The representatives are elected annu 'ally, on the first Monday in April. The whole number in 1859 was two hundred and thirty-six.
The Executive Power.
This is vested in a governor and lieutenant-gov ernor.
5. The Governor is chosen annually, on the first Monday-in April, by the electors of the state. He is to hold his office for one year from the first Wed nesday in May next succeeding his election, and until his successor is duly qualified. Ho is cap of the militia of the state, except when called into the service of the United States, may require information in writing from the executive officers) may adjourn the general assembly, when the two houses disagree os to time of adjournment, not beyond the next session, must take core that the laws be faithfully executed, may grant re prieves after conviction, except in cares of impeach ment, till the end of the next session of the gene ral assembly, and no longer, may veto any bill, but must return it with his objections, and it may then be passed over his objections by a majority in both houses.
The is elected at the esme time, in the same way, for the same term, and must possess the same qualifications, as the, governor.
He is president of the senate by virtue of his office, and in case of the death, resignation, refusal to serve, or removal from office of the governor, or of his impeachment or absence from the state, the lieutenant-governor exercises all the powers and authority appertaining to the office of governor until another be chosen at the next periodical election for governor and be duly qualified, or until the governor, if impeached, dell be acquitted, or, if absent, shall return. Const. art. 4, 0 14.
The judicial Power.