ALABAMA

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ALABAMA


ALABAMA. The name of one of the new states of the United States of America. This state was admitted into the Union by the resolution of congress,approved December 14th, 1819, 3 Sto. L. U. S. 1804, by which it is resolvedthat the state of Alabama shall be one, and is hereby declared to be one ofthe United States of America, and admitted into the Union on an equalfooting with the original states, in all respects whatever. The conventionwhich framed the constitution in this state, assembled at the town ofHuntsville on Monday the fifth day of July, 1819, and continued in sessionby adjournment, until the second day of August, 1819, when the constitutionwas adopted. 2. The powers of the government are divided by the constitution intothree distinct, departments; and each of them confided to a separate body ofmagistracy, to wit: those which are legislative, to one; those which areexecutive, to another; and those which are judicial, to a third. Art. 2, 3.-1. The legislative power of the state is vested in two distinctbranches; the one styled the senate, the other the house of representatives,and both together, the general assembly of the state of Alabama. 1. Thesenate is never to be less than one-fourth nor more than one-third of thewhole number of representatives. Senators are chosen by the qualifiedelectors for the term of three years, at the same time, in the same manner,and at the same place, where they vote for members of the house ofrepresentatives; one-third of the whole number of senators are elected everyyear. Art. 3, s. 12. 2. The house of representatives is to consist of notless than forty-four, nor more than sixty members, until the number of whiteinhabitant's shall be one hundred thousand; and after that event, the wholenumber of representatives shall never be less than sixty, nor more than onehundred. Art. 3, B. 9. The members of the house of representatives arechosen by the qualified electors for the term of one year, from thecommencement of the general election, and no longer. 4.-2. The supreme executive power is vested in a chief magistrate,styled the governor of the state of Alabama. He is elected by the qualifiedelectors, at the time and places when they respectively vote forrepresentatives; he holds his office for the term of two years from the timeof his installation, and until a successor is duly qualified; and is noteligible more than four years in any term of six years. t. 4. He isinvested, among other things, with the veto power. Ib. s. 16. In cases ofvacancies, the president of the senate acts as governor. Art. 4, s. 18. 5.-3. The judicial power is vested in one supreme court, circuitcourts to be held in each county in the state, and such inferior courts oflaw and, equity, to consist of not more than five members, as the generalassembly may, from time to time direct, ordain, and establish. Art. 6, S. 1.

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