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

Executive. The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen of the United States five years, and a resident of the state two years. A lieutenant-governor.

Judiciary. A supreme court, circuit courts, a probate court, and justices of the peace. For six years, and until the legislature shall otherwise provide, the circuit judges are to be judges of the supreme court. After six years, a supreme court may be organized, consisting of a chief-justice and three associate justices, chosen by the electors for eight years, and so classed that only one of them shall go out of office at a time. A circuit judge is elected in each of the eight judicial circuits for six years. The number of circuits may be increased. The probate judge of each county is elected for four years.

Justices of the peace, not exceeding four, are elected in each township, for four years.

Electors. White male citizens who have resided in the state three months, and in the township or ward ten days; also foreigners after a residence of two and a half years in the state, and a declaration of their intention to become citizens; and civilized males of Indian descent.

A secretary of state, a superintendent of public instruction, a treasurer, a commissioner of the land-office, an auditor-general, and attorney-general, are elected for two years.

In each county are elected a sheriff, a county clerk, a county treasurer, a register of deeds, and a prosecuting attorney, all for two years. The sheriff can hold only four years in six. The board of supervisors may unite the offices of clerk and register in one office.

Amendments are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each branch, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. Every sixteenth year the question of a general revision of the constitution by a convention shall be submitted to the electors of the state.

Wisconsin.

This state was admitted into the union by an act of congress, May 29, 1848.

Electors. White male citizens, or foreigners who have declared their intention to become citizens, having resided in the state one year; also civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe.