CHOCTAW NATION, THE. By treaty with the United States, a portion of ter ritory is set apart, over which the Choctaw Indians have exclusive jurisdiction.
They have a printed constitution, prefaced by a bill of rights. The bill of rights declares, among other things, that political power is inherent in the people ; that there shall be religious freedom; that there shall be freedom of speech and of the press; that the person and property shall he secure from unreasonable searches ; that there shall be trial by jury; that no person shall be arrested ex cept fur offences defined by the laws ; that excess ive bail shall not be required in any case.
By the constitution, every free male citizen twenty-one years old, and who has been a citizen of the nation six months and who has lived in the county one month, is entitled to vote.
The Legislative Power.
The Senate is composed of not less than one-third nor more than one-half the number of representa tives, elected by the people for the term of four years. They are so classified that one-half the number go out of office every two years. A senator must he thirty.yeara old, and have been a resident of the district for which he is chosen at least one year and of the nation two years preceding his election.
The House of Representatives is composed of not less than seventeen nor more than thirty-five mem bers, apportioned among the counties, and elected by the people for the term of two years.
There are the provisions customary in the con stitutions of the various states of the United States for organizing the two houses ; making each the judge of the qualification of its members; making each regulate the conduct of its members; pro viding for the continuance of sessions, for open sessions, for keeping a journal of proceedings, etc. Members are privileged from arrest, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace, during the session, and going to and returning from the same, allowing one day for each twenty miles the mem ber has to travel.
The Executive Power.
The Governor is elected by the people for the term of two years. He must be thirty years old, and a free and acknowledged citizen of the Choc taw nation, and must have lived in the nation five years. He is eligible for four years only out of any term of six years. He possesses powers sub stantially the same as those of the governors of the various states.
The Judicial Power.
The Ewprenic Court consists of three circuit court • does ' It holds two sessions each year, at the judges.' o • capital: It sits as a court of errors and appeals only.
The Circuit Court is composed of three judges, elected by the people, ohs from each of the dis tricts into which the nation is. divided for the pur poses of this court. It has original jurisdiction in all criminal cases, and in all civil cases where the amount involved exceeds fifty' dollars, except these cases of minor offences where a justice of the peace has exclusive jurisdiction. Two terms a year, at least, must be held in each county.
The Probate Court is held by a judge elected in each county by the people for the term of two years. It has the regulation of the settlement of estates of decedents, the appointment and control of guardians of minors, lunatics, etc., and the pro bate of wills. ' Justices of the Peace are chosen by the electors of each county for the term of two years. They have a civil jurisdiction in all cases where the amount involved is less than fifty dollars. They constitute a board of police for the county, and have charge of the highways, bridges, etc.