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

Legislature. A senate and an assembly. Members of the assembly are elected annually; the number not to be less than fifty-four, nor greater than one hundred. The number of senators may not be less than one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the number of members of assembly. Senators are chosen for two years, half every year. Members of both houses are elected in single districts, apportioned every five years; and must have resided in the state a year, and be qualified electors of the districts.

Bills are passed over the veto by majorities of two-thirds. Quorum, a majority.

Executive. The governor is elected for two years. Any citizen of the United States and qualified elector of the state, is eligible to the office of governor or lieutenant-governor.

A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected for two years.

Sheriffs, coroners, registers of deeds, and district-attorneys, are elected in counties, for two years. Sheriffs are ineligible for the next two years.

Judiciary. A supreme court, circuit courts, courts of probate, and justices of the peace. Inferior courts, with limited civil jurisdiction, may be established by law in the several counties. By the constitution, the judges of the circuit courts were to be judges of the supreme court for five years, and until the legislature should otherwise provide. A separate supreme court may be organized, to consist of a chief-justice and two associate justices elected by the electors of the state for six years; one only to be elected at a time. The circuit judges also, one in each judicial circuit, are elected for six years. The supreme court shall hold at least one term annually at the seat of government, and at such other places as the legislature may provide. A circuit court is to be held at least twice a year in each county.

A judge of probate is chosen in each county for two years; but the office may be abolished, and probate powers conferred on inferior county courts. Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns, cities, and villages, for two years.

Amendments are to be approved by a majority of the whole of each house of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. Also the legislature may submit to the people the question of calling a convention to revise or change the constitution.

Iowa.

The state of Iowa was admitted into the union by an act of congress approved December 28, 1846.