The constitution was formed in 1786, and the present amended one in 1835. Every free white man, twenty-one years old, an inhabitant of his district twelve months preceding the election, and owner of a freehold within the same, for six months, may vote for a member of the senate, and for a member of the other house without the freehold, if he has paid taxes. But no descendant of a negro, to the fourth generation, though one ancestor in each generation be white, is to be accounted a white man. Members of the House of Commons (one hundred and twenty in number) shall have resided in their county for one year, and have owned, for six months next before the election, one hundred acres as freehold, and shall be chosen biennially, not less than one to every county. Senators (fifty in number) shall be chosen biennially in districts set off on the basis of taxation; shall have resided one year next before the election, in their district; and possessed, for the same time, three hundred acres therein, in fee. An apportionment of both houses shall be made in 1851, and every twenty years thereafter. The General Assembly shall not pass any special law to alter the name of any person, to legitimate bastards, or to restore to citizenship persons convicted of infamous crimes, but may pass general laws therefor. The governor shall be chosen by persons qualified to elect members of the house, for two years (but not more than four years in every six), by a plurality of votes, or, in case of an even vote, by the two houses, on joint vote. A council of seven shall be chosen at every regular session, who shall keep a journal open to the General Assembly. The governor may lay an embargo for thirty days, with the consent of the council. If the office of governor be vacant, it shall be filled by the speaker of the senate, and after him by the speaker of the house. No clergyman, while in the exercise of his duties, shall be a member of either house or of the council. Every foreigner, who comes to settle, may take the oath of allegiance, and hold real estate. Judges of the supreme and superior courts are appointed by joint ballot of both houses, and may be removed for mental or physical inability, upon a resolution of two-thirds of both houses. Their salaries shall not be diminished during their term. "No person who shall deny the being of a God, or the truth of the Christian religion, or the divine authority of the Old or New Testament, or who shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom or safety of the state," shall hold any civil office. A convention of the people may be called by a vote of two-thirds of the members of both houses. Amendments, if agreed to by three-fifths of the members of each house, shall be published six months before the next election, and, if approved by two-thirds of both houses, shall be submitted to the people, and, if approved by a majority of votes of the voters qualified to elect members of the house, shall be adopted. Government for the Year 1848. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM, of Hillsborough, Governor (term of Salary. office, from Jan. 1, 1847, to Jan. 1, 1849), A furnished house and $2,000 Council of State.-John A. Anderson, of Hartford Co.; David W. Saunders, of Onslow Co.; John McLeod, of Johnston Co.; Nathaniel M. Roan, of Caswell Co.; James Lowry, of Buncombe Co.; Absalom Myers, of Anson Co.; and Josiah Cowles, of Surry Co. Pay, $3 per diem while in service, and $3 for every 30 miles' travelling. The Supreme Court holds three sessions in each year, two in the city of Raleigh:-to wit, on the second Monday in June and the list Monday in December; and one at Morgantown, on the first Monday of August, for the western part of the state. Superior or Circuit Courts. Judges. Solicitors. Thomas Settle, of Rockingham. David Outlaw, of Bertie Co. Edward Stanly, of Beaufort Co., Attorney-General. The Superior Courts of Law, and the Courts of Equity, are held twice each year in every county of the state. Debt of the State. This is contingent, and arises from endorsements by the state of bonds of railroad companies, to the amount of $1,100,000. From this deduct $13,000 for bonds not used, and $110,000 for bonds paid; which reduces the amount for which the state may be liable, to $977,000. XIV. SOUTH CAROLINA. In 1663, the territory which now comprises the states of North and South Carolina and the greater part of Georgia, was granted by Charles II. to the Earl of Clarendon and seven others, who were constituted proprietors. The colony was named Carolina, and the government was vested in the hands of the proprietors. The proprietary government lasted about fifty years, when it was abolished by the people; and the government was afterwards directed by governors appointed by the king. ABSTRACT OF THE CONSTITUTION. The first constitution of this state was formed in 1775; the present con stitution was adopted in 1790. *Gov. Noble died April 7th, 1840. Every free white citizen of the state, twenty-one years old, resident in the state for two years, and owning a freehold of fifty acres, or a town lot, six months before the election, or resident in his election district for the latter term, may vote wherever he so resides, or holds such property. Representatives (one hundred and twenty-four in number) are chosen, for two years, on a mixed basis of population and taxation; and must be free white men, twenty-one years old, citizens and residents of the state, for three years; and if resident in their election district, seized of a freehold estate of five hundred acres and ten negroes, or of unincumbered real estate worth £150; and if non-residents, of an unincumbered freehold worth £500. Senators shall be free white men, thirty years old, citizens and residents of the state for five years next before the election; if residents of their districts, shall own a freehold of the clear value of £300; if non-residents, of the clear value of £1,000, and shall be chosen for four years, one-half every two years. The governor and lieutenant-governor shall be thirty years old, residents and citizens of the state for ten years, and owners of a settled estate" within the state, of the clear value of £1,500 each; and shall be chosen by joint ballot of both houses, for two years, and shall be ineligible during the succeeding four years. If the office of governor be vacant, it shall be filled by the lieutenant-governor, and, after him, by the president of the senate, until it is filled by the General Assembly. The governor may lay an embargo, of not more than thirty days, upon provisions. The judges of the superior courts shall be chosen by joint ballot of the General Assembly; shall hold office during good behavior; and shall receive fixed salaries. Sheriffs hold office for four years, and are ineligible for the succeeding four. No convention of the people shall be called, unless by a vote of two-thirds of both houses. Amendments, if proposed by two-thirds of the members of each house, must be published three months before the next election of representatives, and, if agreed to by a vote of two-thirds of the members at the next session, shall be adopted. DAVID JOHNSON, Government for the year 1848. Salary. of Columbia, Governor (term ex. Dec. '48), $3,500 of Pineville, Lieutenant-Governor. of Abbeville, Secretary of State, Fees. of Columbia, Comptroller-General, 2,000 Thomas Frean, Henry Bailey, T. D. Earle, W. E. Martin, Thomas W. Glover, of Charleston, Attorney-General, $1,100 and Fees. of Greenville, Supt. of Public Works, 1,500 of Charleston, Pres. Bank of the State of S. C., 3,000 of Grahamv'le, Clerk of the Senate. of Orangeb'g, Clerk of the House, 1,000 |