The government class book / Designed for the instruction of youth in the principles of constitutional government and the rights and duties of citizens.

by Andrew W. Young

Mississippi.

In 1817, this state was admitted into the union with a constitution adopted the same year. The present constitution was formed in 1832.

Electors. White male citizens, residents of the state one year, of the county, four months. An elector who happens to be in any county, city, or town, other than that of his residence, or who may have removed to any such place within four months preceding an election, may vote for such officers as he could have voted for in the county of his residence, or from which he removed.

Legislature. Representatives, not less than thirty-six, nor more than one hundred, are elected for two years in the several counties, among which they are apportioned according to the number of white inhabitants. They must have been residents of the state two years, one of the county. Senators, not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third of the number of representatives, are elected by districts for four years. Age, thirty years; state residence, four years; district one year.

Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills must be returned within six days, or they become laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment.

Judiciary. A high court of errors and appeals, consisting of three judges, one in each district, elected for six years; a circuit court to be held in each county at least twice a year, the judges to be elected in their respective judicial districts for four years; a superior court of chancery, the chancellor to be elected by the electors of the whole state for six years; a court of probate in each county, the judge to be elected for two years; a competent number of justices of the peace and constables, chosen in each county for two years. Other inferior courts may be established by the legislature.

An attorney-general is chosen by the electors of the state, and a competent number of district-attorneys in their respective districts. A sheriff and one or more coroners are elected in each county for two years.

Executive. The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen twenty years, a resident of the state five years; and may not hold the office more than four years in six. No lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, are elected for two years.

Amendments are proposed by two-thirds of both branches of the legislature, and ratified by the people at the next election.

Louisiana.

This state was admitted into the union in 1812, with a constitution formed the same year. In 1845, a second, and in 1852 the present constitution was adopted.

Legislature--styled general assembly. Representatives are apportioned among the several parishes, (corresponding to counties in other states,) and are elected for two years; the number not to exceed one hundred, nor to be less than seventy. Senators, in number thirty-two, are apportioned among the districts according to population, and are elected for four years, one-half every two years. Every qualified elector is eligible to a seat in either house.

Vetoed bills are passed by majorities of two-thirds of all the members. They become laws if not returned within ten days, unless their return is prevented by adjournment; in which case they will become laws if not sent back within three days after the commencement of the next session.

Executive. The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible the next four. Age, twenty-eight years; citizenship, and residence in the state four years. A lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state and a treasurer are elected by the electors, the former for four years, the latter for two years.

Judiciary. A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature may establish, and justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed of a chief-justice and four associate justices; the former elected by the electors of the state at large, the latter in their respective districts. They are elected for ten years, one of the five every two years. Judges of the inferior courts are elected in their respective parishes or districts. Justices of the peace are elected for two years by the electors in each parish, district, or ward.

An attorney-general and a requisite number of district-attorneys, are elected for four years; the former by the electors of the whole state, the latter in their respective districts.

A sheriff and a coroner are elected in each parish for two years.

Electors. White males, having been citizens two years, residents of the state one year, and of the parish six months. An elector removing from one parish to another, may vote in the former until he shall have become a voter in the latter.

Amendments are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each house, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election.