INVOLUNTARY. An involuntary act is that which is performed with constraint (q.v.), or with repugnance, or without the will to do it. An action is involuntary, then, which is performed under duress. Wolffius, Inst. 5.
IOWA (an Indian word, denoting "the place, or final resting-place"). The name of one of the new western states of the United States.
2. This state was admitted into the Union by an act of congress approved December 28, 1846.
The right of suffrage is extended only to white male citizens of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years, having a residence of six months in the state next preceding the election, and of sixty days in the oounty where they claim to vote, Art. 2, sec. 1.
No person in the military, naval, or marine ser vice of the United States is to be considered a resident of the state by being stationed in any garrison, barrack, military or naval place or sta tion within the state. And no idiot or insane per son, or person convicted of any infamous crime is entitled to the privilege of an elector. Coast. art. 3.
The Legielative Power.
3. This is vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, together constituting the General Assembly.
The Senate is composed of not less than one third nor more than one-half as many members as the House, elected quadrennially, for the term of four years, on the first Monday in August. Sena, tore must be at least twenty-five years of age, must have resided in the state ono year next preceding their election, and possess the qualifications of electors. They are so classified that one-half the senate is elected every two years. Coast. art. 4, see. 3-6.
The House of Representatives is composed of members elected for two years, who must be at least twenty-ooe years of age, and otherwise possess the same qualifications as senators. The number is not limited by the constitution. Each house of the general assembly has power to choose its own officers and judge of the qualification of its members, sit upon its adjournments, keep a journal of its proceedings and publish the same, punish members for disorderly behavior, and, with the consent of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same offence, and has all other powers necessary for a branch of the general assembly of a free and independent state.
4. The general assembly is possessed of the powers usually incident to such bodies. Amongst other provisions are the following: that no act shall embrace more than one subject, and matters germane thereto, which shall be expressed in the title; that no bill shall he passed unless by the assent of a majority of all the members elected to each branch of the general assembly, and the ques tion of the final passage thereof to be taken by yeas and nays, which are to be entered upon the journal; that no divorces or lotteries shall be granted or authorized by the general assembly ; local and special laws cannot be passed for laying out, opening, and working roads and highways, for the assessment and collection of taxes for state, county, or road purposes, for changing the names of persons, for the incorporation of cities and towns, for vacating roads, town plats, streets, alleys, or public squares, for locating county seats. Upon these subjects all laws are to be general and of uniform operation throughout the state. Coast. art. 3, see. 17, 27, 28, 29, 30.
The Executive Power.
5. The Governor is elected for the term of four years from his installation, and till a successor is dnly qualified. He must be a citizen of the United States, thirty years old at least, and a resident of the state for two years next preceding his election. The governor is commander-in-chief of the militia, army, and navy of the state; transacts executive business with the officers of the govern ment; is to see that the laws are faithfully ex ecuted; may fill vacancies by granting temporary commissions; on extraordinary occasions, convenes the general assembly by proclamation; communi cates with the general assembly at every session ; adjourns the two houses when they cannot agree upon the time of an adjournment; grants reprieves and pardons, and commutes punishment after con viction, except in cases of impeachment; shall be keeper of the great seal, and sign all commissions; and is invested with the veto power.