CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
October 25, 1780
PART THE SECOND
The Frame of Government.
The people, inhabiting the territory formerly called the Province of Massachusetts Bay,
do hereby solemnly and mutually agree with each other, to form themselves into a free,
sovereign, and independent body politic, or state by the name of "THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS"
Chapter I.
THE LEGISLATIVE POWER.
SECTION 1.
The General Court.
Article I. The department of legislation shall be formed by
two branches, a Senate and House of Representatives: each of which shall have a negative
on the other.
The legislative body shall assemble every year [on the last Wednesday in May, and at
such other times as they shall judge necessary; and shall dissolve and be dissolved on the
day next preceding the said last Wednesday in May;] and shall be stiled, The General
Court of Massachusetts. [See Amendments, Arts. X, LXXII, and LXXV.]
Article II. No bill or resolve of the senate or house of representatives shall become a
law, and have force as such, until it shall have been laid before the governor for his
revisal; and if he, upon such revision, approve thereof, he shall signify his approbation
by signing the same. But if he have any objection to the passing of such bill or resolve,
he shall return the same, together with his objections thereto, in writing, to the senate
or house of representatives, in whichsoever the same shall have originated; who shall
enter the objections sent down by the governor, at large, on their records, and proceed to
reconsider the said bill or resolve. But if after such reconsideration, two thirds of the
said senate or house of representatives, shall, notwithstanding the said objections, agree
to pass the same, it shall, together with the objections, be sent to the other branch of
the legislature, where it shall also be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of the
members present, shall have the force of a law: but in all such cases, the votes of both
houses shall be determined by yeas and nays; and the names of the persons voting for, or
against, the said bill or resolve, shall be entered upon the public records of the
commonwealth.
[And in order to prevent unnecessary delays, if any bill or resolve shall not be
returned by the governor within five days after it shall have been presented, the same
shall have the force of a law.] [See Amendments, Arts. I, XLVIII, LIV, LXIII, sec. 5, and
XC, sec. 1.]
Article III. The general court shall forever have full power and authority to erect and
constitute judicatories and courts of record, or other courts, to be held in the name of
the commonwealth, for the hearing, trying, and determining of all manner of crimes,
offences, pleas, processes, plaints, actions, matters, causes and things, whatsoever,
arising or happening within the commonwealth, or between or concerning persons inhabiting,
or residing, or brought within the same, whether the same be criminal or civil, or whether
the said crimes be capital or not capital, and whether the said pleas be real, personal,
or mixed; and for the awarding and making out of execution thereupon. To which courts and
judicatories are hereby given and granted full power and authority, from time to time, to
administer oaths or affirmations, for the better discovery of truth in any matter in
controversy or depending before them. [See Amendments, Art. XLVIII, The Initiative, II,
sec. 2, and The Referendum, III, sec. 2.]
Article IV. And further, full power and authority are hereby given and granted to the
said general court, from time to time, to make, ordain, and establish, all manner of
wholesome and reasonable orders, laws, statutes, and ordinances, directions and
instructions, either with penalties or without; so as the same be not repugnant or
contrary to this constitution, as they shall judge to be for the good and welfare of this
commonwealth, and for the government and ordering thereof, and of the subjects of the
same, and for the necessary support and defence of the government thereof; and to name and
settle annually, or provide by fixed laws, for the naming and settling all civil officers
within the said commonwealth; the election and constitution of whom are not hereafter in
this form of government otherwise provided for; and to set forth the several duties,
powers, and limits, of the several civil and military officers of this commonwealth, and
the forms of such oaths or affirmations as shall be respectively administered unto them
for the execution of their several offices and places, so as the same be not repugnant or
contrary to this constitution; and to impose and levy proportional and reasonable
assessments, rates, and taxes, upon all the inhabitants of, and persons resident, and
estates lying, within the said commonwealth; and also to impose and levy, reasonable
duties and excises, upon any produce, goods, wares, merchandise, and commodities,
whatsoever, brought into, produced, manufactured, or being within the same; to be issued
and disposed of by warrant, under the hand of the governor of this commonwealth for the
time being, with the advice and consent of the council, for the public service, in the
necessary defence and support of the government of the said commonwealth, and the
protection and preservation of the subjects thereof, according to such acts as are or
shall be in force within the same.
And while the public charges of government, or any part thereof, shall be assessed on
polls and estates, in the manner that has hitherto been practiced, in order that such
assessments may be made with equality, there shall be a valuation of estates within the
commonwealth taken anew once in every ten years at least, and as much oftener as the
general court shall order. [See Amendments, Arts. XLI, XLIV, XCIX and CXII.]
[For the authority of the general court to charter cities and establish limited town
meeting form of government, see Amendments, Arts. II and LXX.
For power of the general court to establish voting precincts in towns, see Amendments.
Art. XXIX.
For additional taxing power given to the general court, see Amendments, Arts. XLI and
XLIV.
For the authority of the general court to take land, etc., for relieving congestion of
population and providing homes for citizens, see Amendments, Art. XLIII.
For the power given the general court to provide by law for absentee and compulsory
voting, see Amendments, Art. XLV, Amendments, Art. LXI and Amendments, Art. LXXVI.
For the power of the general court to determine the manner of providing and
distributing the necessaries of life, etc., during time of war, public distress, etc., by
the Commonwealth and the cities and towns, therein, see Amendments, Art. LXVII.
For provisions relative to taking the vote on emergency measures, see Amendments, Arts.
XLVIII, The Referendum, II, and LXVII.
For new provisions authorizing the general court to provide for the taking of lands for
certain public uses, see Amendments, Art. XLIX.
For provisions authorizing the general court to take a recess or recesses amounting to
not more than thirty days, see Amendments, Art. LII.
For new provision authorizing the governor to return a bill with a recommendation of
amendment, see Amendments, Art. LVI.
For the power of the general court to limit the use of construction of buildings, see
Amendments, Art. LX.
For new provisions relative to the biennial election of senators and representatives
and their terms of office, see Amendments, Art. LXIV.
For new provisions that no person elected to the general court shall be appointed to
any office which was created or the emoluments of which were increased during the term for
which he was elected, nor received additional salary or compensation for service upon
recess committees or commissions, see Amendments, Art. LXV.
For the power of the general court to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which a
pardon may be granted in the case of a felony, see Amendments, Art. LXXIII.]
Chapter I, Section II.
The Senate.
Article I. [There shall be annually elected, by the freeholders and other inhabitants
of this commonwealth, qualified as in this constitution is provided, forty persons to be
councillors and senators for the year ensuing their election; to be chosen by the
inhabitants of the districts, into which the commonwealth may from time to time be divided
by the general court for that purpose: and the general court in assigning the numbers to
be elected by the respective districts, shall govern themselves by the proportion of the
public taxes paid by the said districts; and timely make known to the inhabitants of the
commonwealth, the limits of each district, and the number of councillors and senators to
be chosen therein; provided that the number of such districts shall never be less than
thirteen; and that no district be so large as to entitle the same to choose more than six
senators. [See Amendments, Arts. XIII, XVI, XXII, LXIV, LXXI, CXII, CI and CIX.]
And the several counties in this commonwealth shall, until the general court shall
determine it necessary to alter the said districts, be districts for the choice of
councillors and senators, (except that the counties of Dukes County and Nantucket shall
form one district for that purpose) and shall elect the following number for councillors
and senators, viz.: -- Suffolk, Six; Essex, six; Middlesex, five; Hampshire, four;
Plymouth, three; Barnstable, one; Bristol, three; York, two; Dukes County and Nantucket,
one; Worcester, five; Cumberland, one; Lincoln, one; Berkshire, two.]
Article II. The senate shall be the first branch of the legislature; and the senators
shall be chosen in the following manner, viz. there shall be a meeting on the [first
Monday in April], [annually], forever, of the inhabitants of each town in the several
counties of this commonwealth; to be called by the selectmen, and warned in due course of
law, at least seven days before the [first Monday in April], for the purpose of electing
persons to be senators and councillors; [and at such meetings every male inhabitant of
twenty-one years of age and upwards, having a freehold estate within the commonwealth, of
the annual income of three pounds, or any estate of the value of sixty pounds, shall have
a right to give in his vote for the senators for the district of which he is an
inhabitant.] And to remove all doubts concerning the meaning of the word
"inhabitant" in this constitution, every person shall be considered as an
inhabitant, for the purpose of electing and being elected into any office, or place within
this state, in that town, district or plantation where he dwelleth, or hath his home. [See
Amendments, Arts. II, III, X, XV, XX, XXII, XXIII, XXVI, XXVIII, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XLV,
LXIV, LXXI, LXXVI, LXXX, XCII, XCIII, XCIV, XCV, C,, CI and CIX.]
The selectmen of the several towns shall preside at such meetings impartially; and
shall receive the votes of all the inhabitants of such towns present and qualified to vote
for senators, and shall sort and count them in open town meeting, and in presence of the
town clerk, who shall make a fair record, in presence of the selectmen, and in open town
meeting, of the name of every person voted for, and of the number of votes against his
name: and a fair copy of this record shall be attested by the selectmen and the town
clerk, and shall be sealed up, directed to the secretary of the commonwealth for the time
being, with a superscription, expressing the purport of the contents thereof, and
delivered by the town clerk of such towns, to the sheriff of the county in which such town
lies, thirty days at least before [the last Wednesday in May] [annually]; or it shall be
delivered into the secretary's office seventeen days at least before the said [last
Wednesday in May]: and the sheriff of each county shall deliver all such certificates by
him received, into the secretary's office, seventeen days before the said [last Wednesday
in May]. [See Amendments, Arts. II, and X.]
And the inhabitants of plantations unincorporated, qualified as this constitution
provides, who are or shall be empowered and required to assess taxes upon themselves
toward the support of government, shall have the same privilege of voting for councillors
and senators in the plantations where they reside, as town inhabitants have in their
respective towns; [and the plantation meetings for that purpose shall be held annually on
the same first Monday in April], at such place in the plantations respectively, as the
assessors thereof shall direct; which assessors shall have like authority for notifying
the electors, collecting and returning the votes, as the selectmen and town clerks have in
their several towns, by this constitution. And all other persons living in places
unincorporated (qualified as aforesaid) who shall be assessed to the support of government
by the assessors of an adjacent town, shall have the privilege of giving in their votes
for councillors and senators in the town where they shall be assessed, and be notified of
the place of meeting by the selectmen of the town where they shall be assessed, for that
purpose accordingly. [See Amendments, Arts. XV and LXIV.]
Article III. And that there may be a due convention of senators on the [last Wednesday
in May] [annually,] the governor with five of the council, for the time being, shall, as
soon as may be, examine the returned copies of such records; and fourteen days before the
said day he shall issue his summons to such persons as shall appear to be chosen by [a
majority of] voters, to attend on that day, and take their seats accordingly: provided
nevertheless, that for the first year the said returned copies shall be examined by the
president and five of the council of the former constitution of government; and the said
president shall, in like manner, issue his summons to the persons so elected, that they
may take their seats as aforesaid. [See Amendments, Arts. X, XIV, LXIV, LXXII and LXXV.]
Article IV. The senate shall be the final judge of the elections, returns and
qualifications of their own members, as pointed out in the constitution; and shall, [on
the said last Wednesday in May] [annually,] determine and declare who are elected by each
district, to be senators [by a majority of votes; and in case there shall not appear to be
the full number of senators returned elected by a majority of votes for any district, the
deficiency shall be supplied in the following manner, viz.: The members of the house of
representatives, and such senators as shall be declared elected, shall take the names of
such persons as shall be found to have the highest number of votes in such district, and
not elected, amounting to twice the number of senators wanting, if there be so many voted
for; and out of these shall elect by ballot a number of senators sufficient to fill up the
vacancies in such district; and in this manner all such vacancies shall be filled up in
every district of the commonwealth; and in like manner all vacancies in the senate,
arising by death, removal out of the state, or otherwise, shall be supplied as soon as may
be, after such vacancies shall happen.] [See Amendments, Arts. X, XIV and XXIV.]
Article V. Provided nevertheless, that no person shall be capable of being elected as a
senator, [who is not seised in his own right of a freehold within this commonwealth, of
the value of three hundred pounds at least, or possessed of personal estate to the value
of six hundred pounds at least, or of both to the amount of the same sum, and] who has not
been an inhabitant of this commonwealth for the space of five years immediately preceding
his election, and at the time of his election, he shall be an inhabitant in the district
for which he shall be chosen. [See Amendments, Arts. XIII, XXII, LXXI, XCII, CI and CIX.]
Article VI. The senate shall have power to adjourn themselves, provided such
adjournments do not exceed two days at a time. [See Amendments, Arts. LII and CII.]
Article VII. The senate shall choose its own president, appoint its own officers, and
determine its own rules of proceedings.
Article VIII. The senate shall be a court with full authority to hear and determine all
impeachments made by the house of representatives, against any officer or officers of the
commonwealth, for misconduct and mal-administration in their offices. But previous to the
trial of every impeachment the members of the senate shall respectively be sworn, truly
and impartially to try and determine the charge in question, according to evidence. Their
judgment, however shall not extend further than to removal from office and
disqualification to hold or enjoy any place of honor, trust, or profit, under this
commonwealth: but the party so convicted, shall be, nevertheless, liable to indictment,
trial, judgment, and punishment, according to the laws of the land.
Article IX. [Not less than sixteen members of the senate shall constitute a quorum for
doing business.] [See Amendments, Arts. XXII andXXXIII.]
Chapter I, Section III.
House of Representatives.
Article I. There shall be, in the legislature of this commonwealth, a representation of
the people, [annually] elected, and founded upon the principle of equality. [See
Amendments, Art. LXIV.]
Article II. [And in order to provide for a representation of the citizens of this
commonwealth, founded upon the principle of equality, every corporate town containing one
hundred and fifty ratable polls, may elect one representative: every corporate town,
containing three hundred and seventy-five ratable polls may elect two representatives:
every corporate town containing six hundred ratable polls, may elect three
representatives: and proceeding in that manner, making two hundred and twenty-five ratable
polls, the mean increasing number for every additional representative. [See Amendments,
Arts. XII, XIII, XXI, LXXI, XCII, CI and CIX.]
Provided nevertheless, that each town now incorporated, not having one hundred and
fifty ratable polls, may elect one representative: but no place shall hereafter be
incorporated with the privilege of electing a representative, unless there are within the
same one hundred and fifty ratable polls.]
And the house of representatives shall have power from time to time to impose fines
upon such towns as shall neglect to choose and return members to the same, agreeably to
this constitution.
[The expenses of travelling to the general assembly, and returning home, once in every
session, and no more, shall be paid by the government, out of the public treasury, to
every member who shall attend as seasonably as he can, in the judgment of the house, and
does not depart without leave.] [See Amendments, Art. XXXV.]
Article III. Every member of the house of representatives shall be chosen by written
votes; [and for one year at least next preceding his election, shall have been an
inhabitant of, and have been seised in his own right of a freehold of the value of one
hundred pounds within the town he shall be chosen to represent, or any ratable estate to
the value of two hundred pounds; and he shall cease to represent the said town immediately
on his ceasing to be qualified as aforesaid.] [See Amendments, Arts. XIII, XXI, LXXI,
XCII, CI and CIX.]
Article IV. [Every male person, being twenty-one years of age, and resident in any
particular town in this commonwealth for the space of one year next preceding, having a
freehold estate within the same town, of the annual income of three pounds, or any estate
of the value of sixty pounds, shall have a right to vote in the choice of a
representative, or representatives for the said town.] [See Amendments, Arts. III, XX,
XXIII, XXVI, XXVIII, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XLV, LXXVI, XCIII, XCIV, XCV, and C.]
Article V. [The members of the house of representatives shall be chosen annually in the
month of May, ten days at least before the last Wednesday of that month.] [See Amendments,
Arts. X, XV and LXIV.]
Article VI. The house of representatives shall be the grand inquest of this
commonwealth; and all impeachments made by them, shall be heard and tried by the senate.
Article VII. All money bills shall originate in the house of representatives; but the
senate may propose or concur with amendments, as on other bills.
Article VIII. The house of representatives shall have power to adjourn themselves;
provided such adjournment shall not exceed two days at a time. [See Amendments, Arts. LII
and CII.]
Article IX. [Not less than sixty members of the house of representatives, shall
constitute a quorum for doing business.] [See Amendments, Arts.XXI and XXXIII.]
Article X. The house of representatives shall be the judge of the returns, elections,
and qualifications of its own members, as pointed out in the constitution; shall choose
their own speaker; appoint their own officers, and settle the rules and orders of
proceeding in their own house: They shall have authority to punish by imprisonment, every
person, not a member, who shall be guilty of disrespect to the house, by any disorderly,
or contemptuous behavior, in its presence; or who, in the town where the general court is
sitting, and during the time of its sitting, shall threaten harm to the body or estate of
any of its members, for any thing said or done in the house; or who shall assault any of
them therefor; or who shall assault, or arrest, any witness, or other person, ordered to
attend the house, in his way in going or returning; or who shall rescue any person
arrested by the order of the house.
And no member of the house of representatives shall be arrested, or held to bail on
mesne process, during his going unto, returning from, or his attending the general
assembly.
Article XI. The senate shall have the same powers in the like cases; and the governor
and council shall have the same authority to punish in like cases. Provided that no
imprisonment on the warrant or order of the governor, council, senate, or house of
representatives, for either of the above described offences, be for a term exceeding
thirty days.
And the senate and house of representatives may try, and determine, all cases where
their rights and privileges are concerned, and which, by the constitution, they have
authority to try and determine, by committees of their own members, or in such other way
as they may respectively think best.
Chapter II.
EXECUTIVE POWER.
SECTION I.
The Governor.
Article I. There shall be a supreme executive magistrate, who shall be styled, The
Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and whose title shall be -- His
Excellency.
Article II. The governor shall be chosen [annually]; and no person shall be eligible to
this office, unless at the time of his election, he shall have been an inhabitant of this
commonwealth for seven years next preceding; [and unless he shall at the same time, be
seised in his own right, of a freehold within the commonwealth of the value of one
thousand pounds; and unless he shall declare himself to be of the Christian
religion.] [See Amendments, Arts. VII, XXXIV, LXIV and LXXX.]
Article III. Those persons who shall be qualified to vote for senators and
representatives within the several towns of this commonwealth, shall, at a meeting to be
called for that purpose, on the [first Monday of April annually], give in their votes for
a governor, to the selectmen, who shall preside at such meetings; and the town clerk, in
the presence and with the assistance of the selectmen, shall, in open town meeting, sort
and count the votes, and form a list of the persons voted for, with the number of votes
for each person against his name; and shall make a fair record of the same in the town
books, and a public declaration thereof in the said meeting; and shall, in the presence of
the inhabitants, seal up copies of the said list, attested by him and the selectmen, and
transmit the same to the sheriff of the county thirty days at least before the [last
Wednesday in May]; and the sheriff shall transmit the same to the secretary's office,
seventeen days at least before the said [last Wednesday in May]; or the selectmen may
cause returns of the same to be made to the office of the secretary of the commonwealth,
seventeen days at least before the said day; and the secretary shall lay the same before
the senate and the house of representatives, on the [last Wednesday in May], to be by them
examined: and in case of an election by a [majority] of all the votes returned, the choice
shall be by them declared and published. But if no person shall have a [majority] of
votes, the house of representatives shall, by ballot, elect two out of four persons who
had the highest number of votes, if so many shall have been voted for, but, if otherwise,
out of the number voted for; and make return to the senate of the two persons so elected;
on which the senate shall proceed, by ballot, to elect one, who shall be declared
governor. [See Amendments, Arts. II, X, XIV, XV, XLV, LXIV, LXXVI and LXXX.]
Article IV. The governor shall have authority from time to time, at his discretion, to
assemble and call together the councillors of this commonwealth for the time being; and
the governor with the said councillors, or five of them at least, shall, and may, from
time to time, hold and keep a council, for the ordering and directing the affairs of the
commonwealth, agreeably to the constitution and the laws of the land.
Article V. The governor, with advice of council, shall have full power and authority,
during the session of the general court to adjourn or prorogue the same to any time the
two houses shall desire; [and to dissolve the same on the day next preceding the last
Wednesday in May;] and, in the recess of the said court, to prorogue the same from time to
time, not exceeding ninety days in any one recess; and to call it together sooner than the
time to which it may be adjourned or prorogued, if the welfare of the commonwealth shall
require the same: and in case of any infectious distemper prevailing in the place where
the said court is next at any time to convene, or any other cause happening whereby danger
may arise to the health or lives of the members from their attendance, he may direct the
session to be held at some other, the most convenient place within the state.
[And the governor shall dissolve the said general court on the day next preceding the
last Wednesday in May.] [See Amendments, Arts. X, LXXII and LXXV.]
Article VI. In cases of disagreement between the two houses, with regard to the
necessity, expediency or time of adjournment, or prorogation, the governor, with the
advice of the council, shall have a right to adjourn or prorogue the general court, not
exceeding ninety days, as he shall determine the public good shall require.
Article VII. [The governor of this commonwealth for the time being, shall be the
commander in chief of the army and navy, and of all the military forces of the state, by
sea and land, and shall have full power by himself, or by any commander, or other officer
or officers, from time to time, to train, instruct, exercise and govern the militia and
navy; and, for the special defence and safety of the commonwealth, to assemble in martial
array, and put in warlike posture, the inhabitants thereof, and to lead and conduct them,
and with them to encounter, repel, resist, expel and pursue, by force of arms, as well by
sea as by land, within or without the limits of this commonwealth, and also to kill, slay
and destroy, if necessary, and conquer, by all fitting ways, enterprises, and means
whatsoever, all and every such person and persons as shall, at any time hereafter, in a
hostile manner, attempt or enterprise the destruction, invasion, detriment, or annoyance
of this commonwealth; and to use and exercise, over the army and navy, and over the
militia in actual service, the law martial, in time of war or invasion, and also in time
of rebellion, declared by the legislature to exist, as occasion shall necessarily require;
and to take and surprise by all ways and means whatsoever, all and every such person or
persons, with their ships, arms, ammunition and other goods, as shall, in a hostile
manner, invade, or attempt the invading, conquering, or annoying this commonwealth; and
that the governor be intrusted with all these and other powers, incident to the offices of
captain-general and commander in chief, and admiral, to be exercised agreeably to the
rules and regulations of the constitution, and the laws of the land, and not otherwise.
Provided, that the said governor shall not, at any time hereafter, by virtue of any
power by this constitution granted, or hereafter to be granted to him by the legislature,
transport any of the inhabitants of this commonwealth, or oblige them to march out of the
limits of the same, without their free and voluntary consent, or the consent of the
general court; except so far as may be necessary to march or transport them by land or
water, for the defence of such part of the state, to which they cannot otherwise
conveniently have access.] [Annulled and superseded by See Amendments, Art. LIV.]
Article VIII. [The power of pardoning offences, except such as persons may be convicted
of before the senate by an impeachment of the house, shall be in the governor, by and with
the advice of council: but no charter of pardon, granted by the governor, with advice of
the council before conviction, shall avail the party pleading the same, notwithstanding
any general or particular expressions contained therein, descriptive of the offence or
offences intended to be pardoned.] [Annulled and superseded by Amendments, Art. LXXIII.]
Article IX. All judicial officers, [the attorney-general,] the solicitor-general, [all
sheriffs,] coroners, [and registers of probate,] shall be nominated and appointed by the
governor, by and with the advice and consent of the council; and every such nomination
shall be made by the governor, and made at least seven days prior to such appointment.
[See Amendments, Arts. XVII, [See Amendments, Art. XLVIII, The Initiative, II, sec. 2.],
The Referendum, III, sec. 2, and LXIV.] [For provision as to election of sheriffs,
registers of probate, etc., see Amendments, Art. XIX.] [For provision as to the
appointment of notaries public, see Amendments, Arts. IV, LVII and LXIX, sec. 2.]
Article X. [The captains and subalterns of the militia, shall be elected by the written
votes of the train band and alarm list of their respective companies, of twenty-one years
of age and upwards: the field officers of regiments shall be elected by the written votes
of the captains and subalterns of their respective regiments: the brigadiers shall be
elected in like manner, by the field officers of their respective brigades: and such
officers, so elected, shall be commissioned by the governor, who shall determine their
rank. [See Amendments, Art. V.]
The legislature shall, by standing laws, direct the time and manner of convening the
electors, and of collecting votes, and of certifying to the governor, the officers
elected.
The major-generals shall be appointed by the senate and house of representatives, each
having a negative upon the other; and be commissioned by the governor. [See Amendments,
Art. IV.]
And if the electors of brigadiers, field officers, captains or subalterns, shall
neglect or refuse to make such elections, after being duly notified, according to the laws
for the time being, then the governor, with advice of council, shall appoint suitable
persons to fill such offices.
And no officer, duly commissioned to command in the militia, shall be removed from his
office, but by the address of both houses to the governor, or by fair trial in
court-martial pursuant to the laws of the commonwealth for the time being. [See
Amendments, Art. IV.]
The commanding officers of regiments shall appoint their adjutants and quartermasters;
the brigadiers their brigade-majors; and the major-generals their aids; and the governor
shall appoint the adjutant-general.
The governor, with advice of council, shall appoint all officers of the continental
army, whom by the confederation of the United States it is provided that this commonwealth
shall appoint, as also all officers of forts and garrisons.
The divisions of the militia into brigades, regiments and companies, made in pursuance
of the militia laws now in force, shall be considered as the proper divisions of the
militia of this commonwealth, until the same shall be altered in pursuance of some future
law.] [Annulled and superseded by Amendments, Art. LIII.]
Article XI. No moneys shall be issued out of the treasury of this commonwealth, and
disposed of (except such sums as may be appropriated for the redemption of bills of credit
or treasurer's notes, or for the payment of interest arising thereon) but by warrant under
the hand of the governor for the time being, with the advice and consent of the council,
for the necessary defence and support of the commonwealth; and for the protection and
preservation of the inhabitants thereof, agreeably to the acts and resolves of the general
court. [See Amendments, Art. XLVIII, The Initiative, II, sec. 2, and The Referendum, III,
sec. 2.]
Article XII. All public boards, [the commissary-general,] all superintending officers
of public magazines and stores, belonging to this commonwealth, and all commanding
officers of forts and garrisons within the same, shall once in every three months,
officially, and without requisition, and at other times, when required by the governor,
deliver to him an account of all goods, stores, provisions, ammunition, cannon with their
appendages, and small arms with their accoutrements, and of all other public property
whatever under their care respectively; distinguishing the quantity, number, quality and
kind of each, as particularly as may be; together with the condition of such forts and
garrisons and the said commanding officer shall exhibit to the governor, when required by
him, true and exact plans of such forts, and of the land and sea or harbor or harbors
adjacent.
And the said boards, and all public officers, shall communicate to the governor, as
soon as may be after receiving the same, all letters, despatches, and intelligences of a
public nature, which shall be directed to them respectively. [See Amendments, Art. LIII.]
Article XIII. As the public good requires that the governor should not be under the
undue influence of any of the members of the general court by a dependence on them for his
support, that he should in all cases, act with freedom for the benefit of the public, that
he should not have his attention necessarily diverted from that object to his private
concerns -- and that he should maintain the dignity of the commonwealth in the character
of its chief magistrate, it is necessary that he should have an honorable stated salary,
of a fixed and permanent value, amply sufficient for those purposes, and established by
standing laws: and it shall be among the first acts of the general court, after the
commencement of this constitution, to establish such salary by law accordingly.
Permanent and honorable salaries shall also be established by law for the justices of
the supreme judicial court.
And if it shall be found that any of the salaries aforesaid, so established, are
insufficient, they shall, from time to time be enlarged as the general court shall judge
proper. [See Amendments, Art. XLVIII, The Initiative, II, sec. 2, and The Referendum, III,
sec. 2.]
Chapter II, Section II.
Lieutenant-Governor.
Article I. There shall be [annually] elected a lieutenant governor of the commonwealth
of Massachusetts, whose title shall be, His Honor and who shall be qualified,
in point of [religion, property,] and residence in the commonwealth, in the same
manner with the governor: and the day and manner of his election, and the qualifications
of the electors, shall be the same as are required in the election of a governor. The
return of the votes for this officer, and the declaration of his election, shall be in the
same manner: and if no one person shall be found to have [a majority] of all the votes
returned, the vacancy shall be filled by the senate and house of representatives, in the
same manner as the governor is to be elected, in case no one person shall have [a
majority] of the votes of the people to be governor. [See Amendments, Arts. VII, XIV,
XXXIV, LXIV and LXXX.]
Article II. The governor, and in his absence the lieutenant governor, shall be
president of the council, but shall have no vote in council: and the lieutenant governor
shall always be a member of the council except when the chair of the governor shall be
vacant.
Article III. Whenever the chair of the governor shall be vacant, by reason of his
death, or absence from the commonwealth, or otherwise, the lieutenant governor, for the
time being, shall, during such vacancy, perform all the duties incumbent upon the
governor, and shall have and exercise all the powers and authorities, which by this
constitution the governor is vested with, when personally present. [See Amendments, Arts.
LV.]
Chapter II, Section III.
Council, and the Manner of settling Elections by the Legislature.
Article I. There shall be a council for advising the governor in the executive part of
government, to consist of [nine] persons besides the lieutenant governor, whom the
governor, for the time being, shall have full power and authority, from time to time, at
his discretion, to assemble and call together. And the governor, with the said
councillors, or five of them at least, shall and may, from time to time, hold and keep a
council, for the ordering and directing the affairs of the commonwealth, according to the
laws of the land. [See Amendments, Art. XVI.]
Article II. [Nine councillors shall be annually chosen from among the persons returned
for councillors and senators, on the last Wednesday in May, by the joint ballot of the
senators and representatives assembled in one room: and in case there shall not be found
upon the first choice, the whole number of nine persons who will accept a seat in the
council, the deficiency shall be made up by the electors aforesaid from among the people
at large; and the number of senators left shall constitute the senate for the year. The
seats of the persons thus elected from the senate, and accepting the trust, shall be
vacated in the senate.] [See Amendments, Arts. X, XIII, XXV, LXIV.] [Superseded by
Amendments, Art. XVI.]
Article III. The councillors, in the civil arrangements of the commonwealth, shall have
rank next after the lieutenant governor.
Article IV. [Not more than two councillors shall be chosen out of any one district of
this commonwealth.] [Superseded by Amendments, Art. XVI.]
Article V. The resolutions and advice of the council shall be recorded in a register,
and signed by the members present; and this record may be called for at any time by either
house of the legislature; and any member of the council may insert his opinion, contrary
to the resolution of the majority.
Article VI. [Whenever the office of the governor and lieutenant governor shall be
vacant, by reason of death, absence, or otherwise, then the council, or the major part of
them, shall during such vacancy have full power and authority to do, and execute, all and
every such acts, matters and things, as the governor or the lieutenant governor might or
could, by virtue of this constitution, do or execute, if they or either of them, were
personally present.] [Annulled and superseded by Amendments, Art. LV.]
Article VII. [And whereas the elections appointed to be made by this constitution, on
the last Wednesday in May annually, by the two houses of the legislature, may not be
completed on that day, the said elections may be adjourned from day to day until the same
shall be completed. And the order of elections shall be as follows: the vacancies in the
senate, if any, shall first be filled up; the governor and lieutenant governor shall then
be elected, provided there should be no choice of them by the people: and afterwards the
two houses shall proceed to the election of the council.] [See Amendments, Art. XIV.]
[Superseded by Amendments, Arts. XVI and XXV.]
Chapter II, Section IV.
Secretary, Treasurer, Commissary, etc.
Article I. [The secretary, treasurer and receiver-general, and the commissary-general,
notaries public, and naval officers, shall be chosen annually, by joint ballot of the
senators and representatives in one room. And that the citizens of this commonwealth may
be assured, from time to time, that the moneys remaining in the public treasury, upon the
settlement and liquidation of the public accounts, are their property, no man shall be
eligible as treasurer and receiver-general more than five years successively.] [See
Amendments, Arts. XVII, LXIV, LXXIX, LXXX and LXXXII.] [For provision as to appointment of
notaries public and the commisary-general, see Amendments, Arts. IV, LIII and LVII; see
also Amendments, Art. LXIX.]
Article II. The records of the commonwealth shall be kept in the office of the
secretary, who may appoint his deputies, for whose conduct he shall be accountable, and he
shall attend the governor and council, the senate and house of representatives, in person,
or by his deputies, as they shall respectively require.
Chapter III.
JUDICIARY POWER.
Article I. The tenure, that all commission officers shall by law have in their offices,
shall be expressed in their respective commissions. All judicial officers, duly appointed,
commissioned and sworn, shall hold their offices during good behavior, excepting such
concerning whom there is different provision made in this constitution: provided
nevertheless, the governor, with consent of the council, may remove them upon the address
of both houses of the legislature. [For tenure, etc., of judges, see Amendments, Art.
XLVIII, The Initiative, II, sec. 2 and The Referendum, III, sec. 2.] [For retirement of
judicial officers, see Amendments, Art. LVIII.] [For removal of justices of the peace and
notaries public, see Amendments, Art. XXXVII.] [Annulled by Amendments, Art. XCVIII.]
Article II. [Each branch of the legislature, as well as the governor and council, shall
have authority to require the opinions of the justices of the supreme judicial court, upon
important questions of law, and upon solemn occasions.] [Amended and superseded by
Amendments, Art. LXXXV.]
Article III. In order that the people may not suffer from the long continuance in place
of any justice of the peace, who shall fail of discharging the important duties of his
office with ability or fidelity, all commissions of justices of the peace shall expire and
become void, in the term of seven years from their respective dates; and upon the
expiration of any commission, the same may, if necessary, be renewed, or another person
appointed, as shall most conduce to the well-being of the commonwealth. [See Amendments,
Art. XXXVII.]
Article IV. The judges of probate of wills, and for granting letters of administration,
shall hold their courts at such place or places, on fixed days, as the convenience of the
people shall require; and the legislature shall, from time to time, hereafter appoint such
times and places; until which appointments, the said courts shall be holden at the times
and places which the respective judges shall direct.
Article V. All causes of marriage, divorce, and alimony, and all appeals from the
judges of probate shall be heard and determined by the governor and council, until the
legislature shall, by law, make other provision.
Chapter IV.
DELEGATES TO CONGRESS.
[The delegates of this commonwealth to the congress of the United States, shall, some
time in the month of June annually, be elected by the joint ballot of the senate and house
of representatives, assembled together in one room; to serve in congress for one year, to
commence on the first Monday in November then next ensuing. They shall have commissions
under the hand of the governor, and the great seal of the commonwealth; but may be
recalled at any time within the year, and others chosen and commissioned, in the same
manner, in their stead.] [Annulled by the adoption of the Constitution of the United
States, July 26, 1788.]
Chapter V.
THE UNIVERSITY AT CAMBRIDGE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF LITERATURE, ETC.
Section 1.
The University.
Article I. Whereas our wise and pious ancestors, so early as the year one thousand six
hundred and thirty-six, laid the foundation of Harvard College, in which university many
persons of great eminence have, by the blessing of God, been initiated in those
arts and sciences, which qualified them for public employments, both in church and state:
and whereas the encouragement of arts and sciences, and all good literature, tends to the
honor of God, the advantage of the Christian religion, and the great benefit of
this and the other United States of America -- it is declared, that the President and
Fellows of Harvard College, in their corporate capacity, and their successors in that
capacity, their officers and servants, shall have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy, all the
powers, authorities, rights, liberties, privileges, immunities and franchises, which they
now have or are entitled to have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy: and the same are hereby
ratified and confirmed unto them, the said president and fellows of Harvard College, and
to their successors, and to their officers and servants, respectively, forever.
Article II. And whereas there have been at sundry times, by divers persons, gifts,
grants, devises of houses, lands, tenements, goods, chattels, legacies and conveyances,
heretofore made, either to Harvard College in Cambridge, in New England, or to the
president and fellows of Harvard College, or to the said college, by some other
description, under several charters successively: it is declared, that all the said gifts,
grants, devises, legacies and conveyances, are hereby forever confirmed unto the president
and fellows of Harvard College, and to their successors in the capacity aforesaid,
according to the true intent and meaning of the donor or donors, grantor or grantors,
devisor or devisors.
Article III. [And whereas, by an act of the general court of the colony of
Massachusetts Bay passed in the year one thousand six hundred and forty-two, the governor
and deputy-governor, for the time being, and all the magistrates of that jurisdiction,
were, with the president, and a number of the clergy in the said act described,
constituted the overseers of Harvard College: and it being necessary, in this new
constitution of government to ascertain who shall be deemed successors to the said
governor, deputy-governor and magistrates; it is declared, that the governor, lieutenant
governor, council and senate of this commonwealth, are and shall be deemed, their
successors, who with the president of Harvard College, for the time being, together
with the ministers of the congregational churches in the towns of Cambridge,
Watertown, Charlestown, Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester, mentioned in the said act, shall
be, and hereby are, vested with all the powers and authority belonging, or in any way
appertaining to the overseers of Harvard College; provided, that] nothing herein shall be
construed to prevent the legislature of this commonwealth from making such alterations in
the government of the said university, as shall be conducive to its advantage and the
interest of the republic of letters, in as full a manner as might have been done by the
legislature of the late Province of the Massachusetts Bay.
Chapter V, Section II.
The Encouragement of Literature, etc.
Wisdom, and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among the body of the
people, being necessary for the preservation of their rights and liberties; and as these
depend on spreading the opportunities and advantages of education in the various parts of
the country, and among the different orders of the people, it shall be the duty of
legislatures and magistrates, in all future periods of this commonwealth, to cherish the
interests of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries of them; especially the
university at Cambridge, public schools and grammar schools in the towns; to encourage
private societies and public institutions, rewards and immunities, for the promotion of
agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and a natural history of the
country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence,
public and private charity, industry and frugality, honesty and punctuality in their
dealings; sincerity, good humor, and all social affections, and generous sentiments among
the people. [See Amendments, Arts. XVIII, XLVI, XCVI and CIII.]
Chapter VI.
OATHS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS; INCOMPATIBILITY OF AND EXCLUSION FROM OFFICES; PECUNIARY
QUALIFICATIONS; COMMISSIONS; WRITS; CONFIRMATION OF LAWS; HABEAS CORPUS; THE ENACTING
STYLE; CONTINUANCE OF OFFICERS; PROVISION FOR A FUTURE REVISAL OF THE CONSTITUTION, ETC.
Article I. [Any person chosen governor, lieutenant governor, councillor, senator or
representative, and accepting the trust, shall before he proceed to execute the duties of
his place or office, make and subscribe the following declaration, viz.--
"I, A. B., do declare, that I believe the Christian religion, and
have a firm persuasion of its truth; and that I am seised and possessed, in my
own right, of the property required by the constitution as one qualification for the
office or place to which I am elected."
And the governor, lieutenant governor, and councillors shall make and subscribe the
said declaration, in the presence of the two houses of assembly; and the senators and
representatives first elected under this constitution, before the president and five of
the council of the former constitution, and forever afterwards before the governor and
council for the time being.]
And every person chosen to either of the places or offices aforesaid, as also any
person appointed or commissioned to any judicial, executive, military, or other office
under the government, shall, before he enters on the discharge of the business of his
place or office, take and subscribe the following declaration, and oaths or affirmations,
viz.--
["I, A. B., do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify and
declare, that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is, and of right ought to be, a free,
sovereign and independent state; and I do swear, that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the said commonwealth, and that I will defend the same against traitorous
conspiracies and all hostile attempts whatsoever: and that I do renounce and abjure all
allegiance, subjection and obedience to the king, queen, or government of Great Britain,
(as the case may be) and every other foreign power whatsoever: and that no foreign prince,
person, prelate, state or potentate, hath, or ought to have, any jurisdiction,
superiority, pre-eminence, authority, dispensing or other power, in any matter, civil,
ecclesiastical or spiritual, within this commonwealth, except the authority and power
which is or may be vested by their constituents in the congress of the United States: and
I do further testify and declare, that no man or body of men hath or can have any right to
absolve or discharge me from the obligation of this oath, declaration, or affirmation; and
that I do make this acknowledgment, profession, testimony, declaration, denial,
renunciation and abjuration, heartily and truly, according to the common meaning and
acceptation of the foregoing words, without any equivocation, mental evasion, or secret
reservation whatsoever -- So help me, God."]
"I, A. B., do solemnly swear and affirm, that I will faithfully and
impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as : according to the
best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably, to the rules and regulations of the
constitution, and the laws of this commonwealth -- So help me, God."
Provided always, that when any person chosen or appointed as aforesaid, shall be of the
denomination of the people called Quakers, and shall decline taking the said oath[s], he
shall make his affirmation in the foregoing form, and subscribe the same, omitting the
words ["I do swear," "and abjure," "oath or," "and
abjuration" in the first oath; and in the second oath, the words] "swear
and," and [in each of them] the words "So help me, God;"
subjoining instead thereof, "This I do under the pains and penalties of
perjury."] [See Amendments, Art. VI.]
And the said oaths or affirmations shall be taken and subscribed by the governor,
lieutenant governor, and councillors, before the president of the senate, in the presence
of the two houses of assembly; and by the senators and representatives first elected under
this constitution, before the president and five of the council of the former
constitution; and forever afterwards before the governor and council for the time being:
and by the residue of the officers aforesaid, before such persons and in such manner as
from time to time shall be prescribed by the legislature. [See Amendments, Arts. VI and
VII.]
Article II. No governor, lieutenant governor, or judge of the supreme judicial court,
shall hold any other office or place, under the authority of this commonwealth, except
such as by this constitution they are admitted to hold saving that the judges of the said
court may hold the offices of justices of the peace through the state; nor shall they hold
any other place or office, or receive any pension or salary from any other state or
government or power whatever.
No person shall be capable of holding or exercising at the same time, within this state
more than one of the following offices, viz. -- judge of probate -- sheriff -- register of
probate -- or register of deeds -- and never more than any two offices which are to be
held by appointment of the governor, or the governor and council, or the senate, or the
house of representatives, or by the election of the people of the state at large, or of
the people of any county, military offices and the offices of justices of the peace
excepted, shall be held by one person.
No person holding the office of judge of the supreme judicial court -- secretary --
attorney-general -- solicitor-general -- treasurer or receiver-general -- judge of probate
-- commissary-general -- [president, professor, or instructor of Harvard College] --
sheriff -- clerk of the house of representatives -- register of probate -- register of
deeds -- clerk of the supreme judicial court -- clerk of the inferior court of common
pleas -- or officer of the customs, including in this description naval officers -- shall
at the same time have a seat in the senate or house of representatives; but their being
chosen or appointed to, and accepting the same, shall operate as a resignation of their
seat in the senate or house of representatives; and the place so vacated shall be filled
up. [See Amendments, Arts. VIII and XXVII.]
And the same rule shall take place in case any judge of the said supreme judicial
court, or judge of probate, shall accept a seat in council; or any councillor shall accept
of either of those offices or places.
And no person shall ever be admitted to hold a seat in the legislature, or any office
of trust or importance under the government of this commonwealth, who shall, in the due
course of law, have been convicted of bribery or corruption in obtaining an election or
appointment. [See Amendments, Art. LXV.]
Article III. [In all cases where sums of money are mentioned in this constitution, the
value thereof shall be computed in silver at six shillings and eight pence per ounce: and
it shall be in the power of the legislature, from time to time, to increase such
qualifications, as to property, of the persons to be elected to offices, as the
circumstances of the commonwealth shall require.] [See Amendments, Arts. XIII and XXXIV.]
Article IV. All commissions shall be in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
signed by the governor and attested by the secretary or his deputy, and have the great
seal of the commonwealth affixed thereto.
Article V. All writs issuing out of the clerk's office in any of the courts of law,
shall be in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: they shall be under the seal of
the court from whence they issue: they shall bear test of the first justice of the court
to which they shall be returnable, who is not a party, and be signed by the clerk of such
court.
Article VI. All the laws which have heretofore been adopted, used and approved in the
Province, Colony or State of Massachusetts Bay, and usually practiced on in the courts of
law, shall still remain and be in full force, until altered or repealed by the
legislature; such parts only excepted as are repugnant to the rights and liberties
contained in this constitution.
Article VII. The privilege and benefit of the writ of habeas corpus shall be
enjoyed in this commonwealth in the most free, easy, cheap, expeditious and ample manner;
and shall not be suspended by the legislature, except upon the most urgent and pressing
occasions, and for a limited time not exceeding twelve months.
Article VIII. The enacting style, in making and passing all acts, statutes and laws,
shall be -- "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court assembled, and by the authority of the same."
Article IX. [To the end there may be no failure of justice, or danger arise to the
commonwealth from a change of the form of government -- all officers, civil and military,
holding commissions under the government and people of Massachusetts Bay in New England,
and all other officers of the said government and people, at the time this constitution
shall take effect, shall have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy, all the powers and authority
to them granted or committed, until other persons shall be appointed in their stead: and
all courts of law shall proceed in the execution of the business of their respective
departments; and all the executive and legislative officers, bodies and powers shall
continue in full force, in the enjoyment and exercise of all their trusts, employments and
authority; until the general court and the supreme and executive officers under this
constitution are designated and invested with their respective trusts powers and
authority.]
Article X. [In order the more effectually to adhere to the principles of the
constitution, and to correct those violations which by any means may be made therein, as
well as to form such alterations as from experience shall be found necessary -- the
general court which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
ninety-five, shall issue precepts to the selectmen of the several towns, and to the
assessors of the unincorporated plantations, directing them to convene the qualified
voters of their respective towns and plantations, for the purpose of collecting their
sentiments on the necessity or expediency of revising the constitution, in order to
amendments. [See Amendments, Art. IX.]
And if it shall appear by the returns made, that two thirds of the qualified voters
throughout the state, who shall assemble and vote in consequence of the said precepts, are
in favor of such revision or amendment, the general court shall issue precepts, or direct
them to be issued from the secretary's office to the several towns to elect delegates to
meet in convention for the purpose aforesaid.
The said delegates to be chosen in the same manner and proportion as their
representatives in the second branch of the legislature are by this constitution to be
chosen.] [Annulled by Amendments, Art. XLVIII.]
Article XI. This form of government shall be enrolled on parchment and deposited in the
secretary's office, and be a part of the laws of the land -- and printed copies thereof
shall be prefixed to the book containing the laws of this commonwealth, in all future
editions of the said laws.
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