A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, are elected for two years in joint assembly; an attorney general is elected for four years by the people at every election for governor.
Judiciary. The state is divided into twenty-one judicial circuits, ten districts, and five sections, in each of which division, one judge is elected by the people; the circuit judges for eight years, the judges of the supreme court of appeals for twelve years. A circuit judge holds circuit courts in the several counties composing his district. The judges of the circuits constituting a section, and the judge of the supreme court of appeals for that section, hold district courts in such section. The supreme court of appeals consists of the five judges elected in the sections, and three of whom may hold a court. Judges may be removed by the legislature.
A county court is held monthly in each county, by not less than three, nor more than five justices of the peace, except when the law requires a greater number. Each county is divided into districts, in each of which four justices are elected for four years. The justices so elected choose one of their own body as presiding justice of the county court.
In each county are elected, a clerk of the county court and a surveyor, for six years; an attorney for four years; a sheriff for two years: and constables and overseers of the poor as may be prescribed by law.
Amendments. The constitution does not provide for its amendment. The last two constitutions were framed by conventions authorized by acts of the legislature, and ratified by the electors.
North Carolina.
This state adopted a constitution in 1776, which was amended in 1835.
Legislature. A senate and a house of commons, called the general assembly. The senate consists of fifty members, chosen biennially, in single districts, which are laid off in proportion to the average amount of taxes paid by the citizens during the five years preceding. Senators must have resided within their respective districts a year, and possess not less than three hundred acres of land. The house of commons is composed of one hundred and twenty members, chosen biennially, and apportioned among the counties, according to population, three-fifths of the slaves being added to the number of free persons. They must have resided a year in the counties they represent, and possess one hundred and twenty acres of land.
Bills passed by both houses become laws without being presented to the governor.
Executive. A governor is elected every two years, and is eligible only four years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age; must have been a resident of the state five years, and must have in the state a freehold of the value of £1,000. No lieutenant-governor.