GOVERNMENT. The present Constitution was adopted by a vote of the people in November, 1901, The right of suffrage is restricted to those who have resided two years in the State, one year in the county, and three months in the precinct or ward, and have paid the required poll tax and registered. In order to register prior to December 20, 1902, the applicant must have en gaged in, or been a descendant of, one who has participated in one of the following events: the War of 1812, the Mexican War, any war with the Indians, the war between the States, the war with Spain. or served with the forces of the Con federate States or of the State of Alabama in the war between the States; and he must be an indi vidual of good character, and who understands the duties and obligations of citizenship under a republican form of government. After January 1, 1003, the qualifications for citizenship are to be modified, and from that date the ability to read and write any clause of the United States Constitution in English, and the pur suit of some lawful calling for the greater part of the twelve months preceding the time of registration, will he prerequisites for voting. These qualifications are not required of those who own, individually or through their wives, a certain amount of property free from tax ineumbranees. Any person guilty of a criminal offense, including the selling. buying, or offering to sell or buy, a vote, is debarred from voting. The constitution contains a detailed statement of the proper procedure in registration, of pen alties, etc. Each county is to have a board of registrars, consisting of three members, who issue life certificates to those who are entitled to them. An amendment to the constitution may be secured by a three-fifths vote of each house, ratified by a vote of the people. A constitutional convention may be called when voted by a major ity of each house, and ratified by the people, and the power of such convention in altering, revising, or amending the constitution is subject to no restrictions.
Lrgislatice.—The legislative body consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, the maximum limit of membership being 35 and 105 respectively. The number of senators must not
be more than one-third nor less than one-fourth that of representatives. Senatorial districts are composed of emitiguous undivided counties. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every fourth year. and the legislature meets on the second Tuesday in the following January, the session being lim ited to fifty days. Members are paid $4 per day and traveling expenses. Revenue bills originate in the House, and cannot be passed in the last five days of the session. The legislature must provide for the revision of the statutes every twelfth year. One of the numerous legislative prohibitions prevents the State from engaging in or aiding in internal improvements.
Rxecvtire.—A governor, lieutenant-governor, attorney-general, State auditor, secretary of State, State treasurer. superintendent of educa tion. and commissioner of agriculture and indus tries are elected every fourth year. at the time and place appointed for the election of members of the legislature. None of these officers is elig ible for reelection. and the governor is not elig ible to election or appointment to any office in the State. or to the Senate of the United States, during his term or within one year after the expiration thereof. The lieutenant-governor is ex-offieio president of the Senate. and succeeds to the office of governor in case that office becomes vacant. The atto•ney-general. Secretary of State, and State auditor constitute a board of pardons. to hear petitions for pardons, commutation, or parole in eases of felony, and advise the governor thereon; but the decision of the governor does not need to conform with that of the board. The governor may veto any bill, or any item of an appropriation bill; but a majority vote of each house may override the veto of the governor. A bill becomes law if the governor fails to pass upon it within one week after it has been sub mitted to him.