nays, ratify such proposed amendments, they shall be valid to all intents and purposes as parts of this Constitution: Provided, That such proposed amendments shall be read on three several days in each House, as well when the same are proposed as when they are finally ratified. Ark., 88.

-The General Assembly, whenever two-thirds of each House shall deem it necessary, may, with the approbation of the Governor, propose amendments to this Constitution, and at least three, and not more than six, months before the next general election of Representatives, duly publish them in print for the consideration of the people; and if three-fourths of each branch of the Legislature shall, after such an election and before another, ratify the said amendments, they shall be valid to all intents and purposes as parts of this Constitution. No Convention shall be called but by the authority of the people; and an unexceptionable mode of making their sense known will be for them at a special election on the third Tuesday of May in any year, to vote by ballot for or against a Convention, as they shall severally choose to do; and if thereupon it shall appear that a majority of all the citizens in the State, having right to vote for Representatives, have voted for a Convention, the General Assembly shall accordingly at their next session call a Convention, to consist of at least as many members as there are in both Houses of the Legislature, to be chosen in the same manner, at the same places and at the same time that Representatives, are by the citizens entitled to vote for Representives, on due notice given for one month, and to meet within three months after they shall be elected. The majority of all the citizens in the State having right to vote for Representatives shall be ascertained by reference to the highest number of votes cast in the State at any one of the three general elections, next preceding the day of voting for a Convention, except when they may be less than the whole number of votes voted both for and against a Convention, in which case the said majority shall be ascertained by reference to the number of votes given on the day of voting for or against a Convention; and whenever the General Assembly shall deem a Convention necessary, they shall provide by law for the holding of a special election for the purpose of ascertaining the sense of the majority of the citizens of the State entitled to vote for Representatives. Del., 126. -And if at any time two-thirds of the Senate and Assembly shall think it necessary to revise and change this entire Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors, at the next election for members of the Legislature, to vote for or against the Convention; and if it shall appear that a majority of the electors voting at such election have voted in favor of calling a Convention, the Legislature shall at its next session provide by law for calling a Convention, to be holden within six months after the passage of such law; and such Convention shall consist of a number of members not less than that of both branches of the Legislature. Cal., 103.

-Whenever a majority of the House of Representatives shall deem it necessary to alter or amend this Constitution, they may propose such alterations and amendments; which proposed amendments shall be continued to the next General Assembly, and be published with the laws which may have been passed at the same session; and if two-thirds of each House, at the next session of said Assembly, shall approve the amendment proposed, by yeas and nays, said amendment shall by the Secretary be transmitted to the Town Clerk in each town in the State, whose duty it shall be to present the same to the inhabitants thereof for their consideration, at a town meeting legally warned and held for that purpose; and if it shall appear, in manner to be provided by law, that a majority of the electors present at such meetings shall have approved such amendments, the same shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of this Constitution. Ct., 113.

-No part of this Constitution shall be altered except by a Convention duly elected. Fl., 139.

-Whenever a Convention shall be called, proclamation of an election for Delegates shall be made by the Governor at least thirty days before the day of election. Every county and Senatorial District shall be entitled to as many Delegates as it has Representatives in the General Assembly. The same qualifications shall be required in Delegates, and in Electors, that are required in members of the General Assembly, and voters for the same respectively, and the elections for Delegates to a Convention, and the returns of such election, shall be held and made in the manner prescribed by law for regulating elections for members of the General Assembly, but the Convention shall judge of the qualifications of its members. Fl., 139.

-No Convention of the people shall be called unless by the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members of each House of the General Assembly, made known by the passing of a bill, which shall be read three times on three several days in each House. Fl., 139. -This Constitution shall be altered or amended only by a Convention of the people, called for that purpose by act of the General Assembly. Ga., 150.

-

Whenever two-thirds of all the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly shall think it necessary to alter or amend this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors at the next election of members of the General Assembly, to vote for or against a Convention; and if it shall appear that a majority of all the electors of the State voting for Representatives have voted for a Convention, the General Assembly shall, at their next session, call a Convention to consist of as many members as the House of Representatives at the time of making said call, to be chosen in the same manner, at the same place, and by the same electors, in the same districts that chose the members of the House of Representatives; and which Convention shall meet within three months after the said election, for the purpose of revising, altering, or amending this Constitution. Ill., 165; (nearly similar), Min., 329; Ohio, 444.

Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the General Assembly; and if the same shall be agreed to by twothirds of all the members elect in each of the two Houses, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be referred to the next regular session of the General Assembly, and shall be published at least three months previous to the time of holding the next election for members of the House of Representatives; and if, at the next regular session of the General Assembly after said election, a majority of all the members elect in each branch of the General Assembly shall agree to said amendment or amendments, then it shall be their duty to submit the same to the people at the next general election for their adoption or rejection, in such manner as may be prescribed by law; and if a majority of all the electors voting at such election for members of the House of Representatives shall vote for such amendment or amendments, the same shall become a part of the Constitution. But the General Assembly shall not have power to propose an amendment or amendments to more than one article of the Constitution at the same session. Ill., 165.

-Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the General Assembly, and if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each of the two Houses, such proposed amendment or amendments shall, with the yeas and nays thereon, be entered on their journals, and referred to the General Assembly to be chosen at the next general election; and if, in the General Assembly so next chosen, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to each House, then it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to submit such amendment or amendments to the electors of the State; and if a majority of said electors shall ratify the same, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of this Constitution. Ind., 181; (nearly similar), Iowa, 193; Nev., 392; Pa., 468.

-If two or more amendments shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for or against each of such amendments separately; and while an amendment or amendments which shall have been agreed upon by one General Assembly shall be awaiting the action of a succeeding General Assembly, or of the electors, no additional amendment or amendments shall be proposed. Ind., 181; Or., 459.

-At the general election to be held in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and in each tenth year thereafter, and also at such time as the General Assembly may, by law, provide, the question, "Shall there be a Convention to revise the Constitution, and amend the same?" shall be decided by the electors qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly; and in case a majority of the electors so qualified, voting at such election for and against such proposition, shall decide in favor of a Convention for such purpose, the General Assembly, at its next session shall provide by law for the election of delegates to such convention. Iowa, 193.

-If two or more amendments shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for or against each of such amendments separately. Iowa, 193. -Propositions for the amendment of this Constitution may be made by either branch of the Legislature; and if two-thirds of all the members elected to each House shall concur therein, such proposed amendments, together with the yeas and nays, shall be entered on the journal; and the Secretary of State shall cause the same to be published, in at least one newspaper in each county of the State where a newspaper is published, for three months preceding the next election for Representatives, at which time the same shall be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection; and if a majority of the electors voting on said amendments, at said election, shall adopt the amendments, the same shall become a part of the Constitution. When more than one amendment shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be so submitted as to enable the electors to vote on each amendment separately; and not more than three propositions to amend shall be submitted at the same election. Kan., 205.

-Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the Legislature shall think it necessary to call a Convention to revise, amend or change this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote at the next election of members to the Legislature, for or against a Convention; and if a majority of all the electors voting at such election shall have voted for a Convention, the Legislature shall, at the next session, provide for calling the same. Kan., 206.

-When experience shall point out the necessity of amending this Constitution, and when a majority of all the members elected to each House of the General Assembly shall, within the first twenty days of any regular session, concur in passing a law for taking the sense of the good people of this Commonwealth, as to the necessity and expediency of calling a convention, it shall be the duty of the several Sheriff's, and other officers of elections, at the next general election which shall be held for Representatives to the General Assembly, after the passage of such law, to open a poll for, and make return to the Secretary of State, for the time being, of the names of all those entitled to vote for Representatives, who have voted for calling a Convention; and if, thereupon, it shall appear that a majority of all the citizens of this State, entitled to vote for Representatives, have voted for calling a Convention, the General Assembly shall, at their next regular session, direct that a similar poll shall be opened, and return made for the next election for Representatives; and if, thereupon, it shall appear that a majority of all the citizens of this State, entitled to vote for Representatives, have voted for calling a Convention, the General Assembly shall, at their next session, pass a law calling a Convention, to consist of as many members

as there shall be in the House of Representatives, and no more; to be chosen on the first Monday in August thereafter, in the same manner and proportion, and at the same places, and possessed of the same qualifications of a qualified elector, by citizens entitled to vote for Representatives; and to meet within three months after their election, for the purpose of re-adopting, amending, or changing this Constitution; but if it shall appear by the vote of either year, as aforesaid, that a majority of all the citizens entitled to vote for Representatives did not vote for calling a Convention, a Convention shall not then be called. And for the purpose of ascertaining whether a majority of the citizens, entitled to vote for Representatives, did or did not vote for calling a Convention, as above, the General Assembly passing the law authorizing such vote, shall provide for ascertaining the number of citizens entitled to vote for Representatives within the State. Ky., 222.

-The Convention, when assembled, shall judge of the election of its members and decide contested elections, but the General Assembly shall, in calling a Convention, provide for taking testimony in such cases and for issuing a writ of election in case of a tie. Ky., 222.

-The Legislature, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, may propose amendments to this Constitution; and when any amendment shall be so agreed upon, a resolution shall be passed and sent to the selectmen of the several towns and the assessors of the several plantations, empowering and directing them to notify the inhabitants of their respective towns and plantations, in the manner prescribed by law, at their next annual meeting in the month of September, to give in their votes on the question whether such amendment shall be made; and if it shall appear that a majority of the inhabitants voting on the question are in favor of such amendment, it shall become a part of this Constitution. Me., 249.

-The General Assembly may propose any amendment or amendments to this Constitution, which shall be agreed to by three-fifths of all the members elected to both Houses. Such proposed amendment or amendments, with the yeas and nays thereon, shall be entered on the journal of each House; shall be printed with the laws passed at the same session, and shall be published, by order of the Governor, in all the newspapers printed in the different counties of this State, and in three newspapers printed in the city of Baltimore (one of which shall be printed in the German language) for at least three months preceding the next election for members of the General Assembly, at which election the said proposed amendment or amendments shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the State for their confirmation or rejection; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the Governor, from the returns of said election made to him by the proper authorities, that a majority of the qualified votes cast at said election on the proposed ainendment or amendments were in favor of the said proposed amendment or amendments, he shall, by proclamation, declare said amendment or amendments to be part of the Constitution of this State. When two or more amendments shall be submitted by the General Assembly to the qualified electors of the State at the same election, they shall be so submitted that the electors may vote for or against each amendment separately. Md., 276. --Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly shall think it necessary to call a Convention to revise, amend or change this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote at the next election for members of the General Assembly for or against a Convention; and if a majority of all the electors voting at said election shall have voted for a Convention, the General Assembly shall, at their next session, provide by law for calling the same. Md., 276.

--The Convention shall consist of as many members as both Houses of the General Assembly, who shall be chosen in the same manner, and shall meet within

three months after their election for the purpose aforesaid. Md. 276.

[A vote for or against a Convention, to be taken in 1882, and every twenty years after. Md., 276.]

[A vote to be taken in 1866, and every sixteenth year after. Mich., 315.]

--All the amendments shall take effect at the commencement of the political year after their adoption. Mich., 315.

-Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives. If the same shall be agreed to by two-thirds of the members elected to each House, such amendment or amendments shall be entered on their journals respectively, with the yeas and nays taken thereon; and the same shall be submitted to the electors at the next general election thereafter, and if a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the Legislature voting thereon shall ratify and approve such amendment or amendments, the same shall become part of the Constitution. Mich., 315.

--If, at any time hereafter, any specific and particular amendment or amendments to the Constitution be proposed in the General Court and agreed to by a majority of the Senators and two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives present and voting thereon, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be entered on the journals of the two houses, with the yeas and nays taken thereon, and referred to the General Court then next to be chosen, and shall be published; and if, in the General Court next chosen as aforesaid, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to by a majority of the Senators and two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives present and voting thereon, then it shall be the duty of the General Court to submit such proposed amendment or amendments to the people; and if they shall be approved and ratified by a majority of the qualified voters, voting thereon, at meetings legally warned and holden for that purpose, they shall become part of the Constitution of this Commonwealth. Mass., 295.

-Whenever a majority of both Houses of the Legislature shall deem it necessary to alter or amend this Constitution, they may propose such alterations or amendments, which proposed amendments shall be published with the laws which have been passed at the same session, and said amendments shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection; and if it shall appear, in a manner to be provided by law, that a majority of voters present and voting shall have ratified such alterations or amendments, the same shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as a part of this Constitution. If two or more alterations or amendments shall be submitted at the same time, it shall be so regulated that the voters shall vote for or against each separately. Minn., 329.

-Whenever two-thirds of each branch of the Legislature shall deem any change, alteration, or amendment necessary to this Constitution, such proposed change, alteration, or amendment shall be read and passed by a majority of two-thirds of each House respectively on each day, for three several days. Public notice thereof shall then be given by the Secretary of State, at least six months preceding the next general election, at which the qualified electors shall vote directly for or against such change, alteration, or amendment; and if it shall appear that a majority of the qualified electors voting for members of the Legislature, shall have voted for the proposed change, alteration, or amendment, then it shall be inserted by the next succeeding Legislature, as a part of this Constitution, and not otherwise. Miss., 344. -This Constitution may be amended and revised in pursuance of the provisions of this article. Mo., 362.

-The General Assembly, at any time, may propose such amendments to this Constitution as a majority of the members elected to each House shall deem expedient; and the vote thereon shall be taken by yeas and nays, and entered in full on the journals.

And the proposed amendments shall be published with the laws of that session, and also shall be published weekly in two newspapers, if such there be, within each congressional district in the State, for four months next preceding the general election then next ensuing. The proposed amendments shall be submitted to a vote of the people, each amendment separately, at the next general election thereafter, in such manner as the general Assembly may provide. And if a majority of the qualified voters of the State, voting for and against any one of said amendments shall vote for such amendment, the same shall be deemed and taken to have been ratified by the people, and shall be valid and binding, to all intents and purposes as a part of this Constitution. Mo., 362. -The General Assembly shall have power to repeal or modify all ordinances adopted by any previous Convention. Mo., 362.

-The General Assembly may, at any time, authorize by law, a vote of the people to be taken upon the question whether a Convention shall be held for the purpose of revising and amending the Constitution of this State; and if, at such election, a majority of the votes on the question be in favor of a Convention, the Governor shall issue writs to the Sheriff's of the different counties, ordering the election of delegates to such a Convention, on a day within three months after that on which the said question shall have been voted on. At such election, each senatorial district shall elect two Delegates for each Senator to which it may be then entitled in the General Assembly, and every such Delegate shall have the qualifications of a Senator. The election shall be conducted in conformity with the laws regulating the election of Senators. The Delegates so elected shall meet at such time and place as may be provided by law, and organize themselves into a Convention, and proceed to revise and amend the Constitution; and the Constitution, when so revised and amended, shall, on a day to be therein fixed, not less than sixty nor more than ninety days after that on which it shall have been adopted by the Convention, be submitted to a vote of the people for and against it, at an election to be held for that purpose only; and if a majority of all the votes given be in favor of such Constitution, it shall, at the end of thirty days after such election, become the Constitution of this State. The result of such election shall be made known by proclamation by the Governor. The General Assembly shall have no power, otherwise than as in this section specified, to authorize a Convention for revising and amending the Constitution. Mo., 369.

-If at any time a majority of the Senate and House of Representatives shall deem it necessary to call a Convention to revise or change this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote for or against a Convention at the next election for members of the Legislature; and if it shall appear that a majority of the electors voting thereon have voted for a Convention, the Legislature shall at its next session provide for calling such convention. Neb., 377; Nev., 392. -To be holden within six months after the passage of such law; and such convention shall consist of a number of members not less than both branches of the Legislature. In determining what is a majority of the electors voting at such election, reference shall be had to the highest number of votes cast at such election for the candidates for any office or on any question. Nev., 392.

To the end that there may be no failure of justice or danger to the State, by the alterations and amendments made in the Constitution, the General Court is hereby fully authorized and directed to fix the time when the alterations and amendments shall take effect, and make the necessary arrangements accordingly. N. H., 410.

-It shall be the duty of the Selectmen and Assessors of the several towns and places in this State, in waining the first annual meetings for the choice of Senators, after the expiration of seven years from the adoption of this Constitution as amended, to insert expressly in the warrant this purpose among others

for the meeting, to wit: to take the sense of the qualified voters on the subject of a revision of the Constitution; and the meeting being warned accordingly, and not otherwise, the moderator shall take the sense of the qualified voters present as to the necessity of a revision; and a return of the number of votes for and against such necessity shall be made by the clerk, sealed up and directed to the General Court at their then next session; and if it shall appear to the General Court by such return, that the sense of the people of the State has been taken, and that in the opinion of the majority of the qualified voters in the State, present and voting at the said meetings, there is a necesity for a revision of the Constitution, it shall be the duty of the General Court to call a Convention for that purpose; otherwise the General Court shall direct the sense of the people to be taken, and then proceed in the manner before mentioned; the delegates to be chosen in the same manner, and proportioned as the Representatives to the General Court: Provided, That no alterations shall be made in this Constitution before the same shall be laid before the towns and unincorporated places, and approved by two-thirds of the qualified voters present and voting on the subject. N. H., 410. -And the same method of taking the sense of the people as to the revision of the Constitution, and calling a Convention for that purpose, shall be observed afterward, at the expiration of every seven years. N. H., 411.

---No convention of the people shall be called by the General Assembly, unless by the concurrence of twothirds of all the members of each House of the General Assembly. N. C., 430; S. C., 488. --No part of the Constitution of this State shall be altered, unless a bill to alter the same shall have been read three times in each House of the General Assembly, and agreed to by three-fifths of the whole number of members of each House respectively; nor shall any alteration take place until the bill so agreed to shall have been published six months previous to a new election of members to the General Assembly. If, after such publication, the alteration proposed by the preceding General Assembly shall be agreed to in the first session thereafter, by two-thirds of the whole representation in each House of the General Assembly, after the same shall have been read three times on three several days, in each House, then the said General Assembly shall prescribe a mode by which the amendment or amendments may be submitted to the qualified voters of the House of Commons throughout the State; and if, upon comparing the votes given in the whole State, it shall appear that a majority of the voters have approved thereof, then and not otherwise, the same shall become a part of the Constitution. N. C., 430. -It shall be the duty of the Legislature to submit such proposed amendment or amendments, or such of them as may have been agreed to as aforesaid by the two Legislatures, to the people in such manner and at such time, at least four months after the adjournment of the Legislature, as the Legislature shall prescribe and if the people, at a special election to be held for that purpose only, shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, or any of them, by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the Legislature voting thereon, such amendment or amendments, so approved and ratified, shall become part of the Constitution; Provided, That if more than one amendment be submitted, they shall be submitted in such manner and form that the people may vote for or against each amendment separately and distinctly; but no amendment or amendments shall be submitted to the people by the Legislature oftener than once in five years. N. J., 420.

-No part of this Constitution shall be altered, unless a bill to alter the same shall have been read on three several days in the House of Representatives, and on three several days in the Senate, and agreed to, at the second and third reading, by two-thirds of the

whole representation in each House of the General Assembly; neither shall any alteration take effect, until the bill, so agreed to, shall be published for three months previous to a new election for members of the House of Representatives; and the alteration proposed by the preceding General Assembly shall be agreed to by the new General Assembly, in their first session, by the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole representation in each House, after the same shall have been read on three several days in each; then and not otherwise the same shall become a part of the Constitution. S. C, 488.

Either branch of the General Assembly may propose amendments to this Constitution; and, if the same shall be agreed to by three-fifths of the members elected to each House, such proposed amendments shall be entered on the journals, with the yeas and nays, and shall be published in at least one newspaper in each county of the State, where a newspaper is published, for six months preceding the next election for Senators and Representatives, at which time the same shall be submitted to the electors, for their approval or rejection; and if a majority of the electors voting at such election, shall adopt such amendments, the same shall become a part of the Constitution. When more than one amendment shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be so submitted, as to enable the electors to vote on each amendment separately. Ohio, 444.

[An election for or against a Constitution to be held in 1871 and each twentieth year after] Ohio, 444. --But no amendment or amendments shall be submitted to the people oftener than once in five years; Provided, That if more than one amendment be submitted, they shall be submitted in such manner and form, that the people may vote for or against each amendment separately and distinctly. Pa., 468. -In the words of the Father of his Country, we declare: "That the basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and alter their constitutions of government; but that the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all." R. I., 473.

-The General Assembly may propose amendments to this Constitution, by the votes of a majority of all the members elected to each House. Such propositions for amendments shall be published in the newspapers, and printed copies of them shall be sent by the Secretary of State, with the names of all the members who shall have voted thereon, with the yeas and nays, to all the Town and City Clerks in the State. The said propositions shall be, by said clerks, inserted in the warrants or notices by them issued, for warning the next annual town and ward ineetings in April; and the clerks shall read said propositions to the electors, when thus assembled, with the names of all the Representatives and Senators who shall have voted thereon, with the yeas and nays, before the election of Senators and Representatives shall be had. If a majority of all the members elected to each House, at said annual meeting, shall approve any proposition thus made, the same shall be published and submitted to the electors in the mode provided in the act of approval; and if then approved by threefifths of the electors of the State present and voting thereon, in town and ward meetings, it shall become a part of the Constitution of the State. R. I., 480. --Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives; and if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to each of the two Houses, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be entered on their journals, with the yeas and nays thereon, and referred to the General Assembly then next to be chosen; and shall be published for six months previous to the time of making such choice. And if, in the General Assembly next chosen as aforesaid, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to by two-thirds of all the members elected to each House, then it shall be the