CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED

STATES, an instrument embodying the principles upon which the government of the American republic is conducted. It was adopted in 1787 and displaced the Articles of Confederation, which had formed the fundamental law. Under the Articles the new republic was a loose confederation of states, in which the central government had little power. The latter could not enforce any authority over individual states and had only one legislative chamber, which could not act in the exercise of its more important powers without a prior affirmative vote of at least nine of the thirteen states. The central government in general had control over foreign relations and could declare and wage war, yet could not enforce the states to accept treaty obligations with other countries. Neither could it effectively control foreign commerce nor levy taxes. The constitution was framed to remedy the defects of government, due to the operation of the Articles. It was the outcome of a convention of the States held in Philadelphia in 1787, lasting almost four months, from May 29 to Sept. 17, and represented compromises— between a national party and a state sovereignty party and also between factional state parties. It created a federal executive and judiciary that had not existed before. It adjusted i ues between states on the subject of representation in the national body, the larger state party demanding legislative representation based on population, while the smaller state party wanted all states to have equal representation, by a lower house in which represent aéion was based on population, and an upper house representing the States as States; as, in fact, the House and Senate do today. The constitution’s framing also involved the adjustment of i ues between slave states and free states. The new instrument of government was approved by Congre , and received the ratification of all the thirteen states by 1790, though few of them were really satisfied with it. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Gouverneur Morris were among the leading figures concerned in its framing. The document contained seven articles, but since its adoption nineteen other articles, or amendments, have been added to it. The first article created a Congre composed of a Senate and House of Representatives, named the conditions and the method of election of their members, and determined their powers and procedure as the legislative branch of the government. It conferred on Congre , among other powers, the authority to raise taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, control naturalization, establish post-offices, declare war and maintain an army and navy, and also specified what the states may not do except with the consent of Congre . The second article dealt with the executive power, the conditions and methods of electing a President and Vice President, and the scope of the President’s authority and duties. It gave the Chief Executive power to reprieve or pardon, except in impeachment cases; to make treaties and fill diplomatic and judicial posts with the consent of the Senate; to veto bills pa ed by Congre ; and made him commander-in-chief of the army and navy. The third article established the federal judiciary, represented by the Supreme Court and inferior tribunals as established by Congre . It defined their. power as embracing all cases arising under the Constitution and United States laws, including treaties; cases affecting amba adors and. public ministers; maritime jurisdiction; litigation in which tne United States is a party; i ues between states, or between a state and citizens of another state, or between citizens of different states; or cases in which foreign governments or their nationals are concerned with Americans. The article also defined treason. Interstate and territorial relations were covered by the fourth article, which provided for extradition from one state to another; the admi ion of new states into the Union; the combining or division of States; the control of territories by Congre ; federal control of the constitutional provisions of would-be States to ensure a republican form of government; and federal protection of States when their peace is menaced. The sixth article specified the powers of the Constitution itself and the laws and treaties made under it as the Supreme law of the land, binding on judicial officers, and the seventh article set forth the conditions of its ratification by the States. Amendments to the Constitution safeguarding individual liberty, so that the rights of citizens may not be encroached upon by the Federal Power were added in 1791. These new articles were ten in number. They provided for religious liberty, freedom of speech and the published word, the right to bear arms, protection of persons and property from search and seizure without warrant, jury trials for serious crimes and other matters relating to the dispensing of justice; and reserved to the States respec-. tively, or to the people all powers not delegated by the Constitution to the United States or powers whose exercise by the States are not prohibited. The twelfth amendment to the new series of articles was ratified in 1803 and provided for the existing formality of electing the President and Vice-President by ballot of the electors after the presidential vote by the people at large has been determined. ‘There were no further additions till after the Civil War, when the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments were ratified between 1865 and 1870. ‘They related 0 the bestowal of citizenship on liber who ted slaves. The twelfth forbade of lavery; the thirteenth denied to the years tates the power to abridge the priviand sces and freedom of citizens of the inhabitant Inited States; the fifteenth placed a shall imilar veto on the power of States to 3. estrict the right of citizens to vote shall ecause of race or color. States The next series of arnendments began this 1 1913, when provisions were made for numbers, svying an income tax (Sixteenth Amend adding nent) and the election of Senators by persons, opular vote (Seventeenth) instead of ice for yy the State legislatures, as heretofore. Indians ‘he eighteenth amendment, finally other atified in January, 1919, provided for shall ational prohibition of the use of the ntoxicating liquors; the nineteenth, United atified in August, 1920, gave women quent he right to vote. as they In 1923 a further amendment was of ending in Congre , having pa ed tne for lenate, changing the date for the meet State ng of Congre to the first Monday in tive; anuary and the inauguration of the be resident two weeks after, instead of shall nm March 4. chusetts, The American Constitution is fund anent ally democratic, endowing sovereign York, ower on the people, who delegate its 8, xercise to representative chambers and 10; lective officials. 5, and Following is the text of the Const i tui on and the Amendments: 4, PREAMBLE We, the people of the United States, Executive n order to form a more perfect Union, writs stablish justice, insure domestic tran5. uility, provide for the common defense, choose romote the general welfare, and secure and he ble ings of liberty to ourselves and ment. ur posterity, do ordain and establish his Constitution for the United States whom £ America, State; ARTICLE I. Section 1—(Legislative power; in etc. whom vested.) All legislative powers herein granted, vote. hall be vested in a Congre of the other Jnited States, which shall consist of a fenate and House of Representatives. ments. Section 2—(House of Represent a Chief tives, how and by whom chosen. 1. Qualifications of a Representative. shall Representatives and direct taxes, each how apportioned. Enumeration. thereof, Vacancies to be filled. Power of shall choosing officers, and of impeach2. ment.) a embled 1. The House of Representatives shall election, 96 composed of members chosen every as may econd year by the people of the several the Jtates, and the electors in each State vacated hall have the qualifications requisite year, ‘or electors of the most numerous branch tion yf the State of Legislature. cla 2. No person shall be a Representative so that shall not have attained to the age twenty-five years and been seven a citizen of the United States, who shall not, when elected, be an of that State in which he be chosen. Representatives and direct taxes be apportioned among the several which may be included within Union according to their respective which shall be determined by to the whole number of free including those bound to serv~ a term of years, and excluding not taxed, three-fifths of all persons. The actual enumeration be made within three years after first meeting of the Congre of the States, and within every subseterm of ten years, in such manner shall by law direct. The number Representatives shall not exceed one every thirty you sand, but each shall have at least one Represent a and until such enumeration shall made, the State of New Hampshire be entitled to choose 3; Ma a8; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1; Connecticut, 5; New 6; New Jersey, 4; Pennsylvania, Delaware, 1; Maryland, 6; Virginia, North Carolina, 5; South Carolina, Georgia, 3.* (*See Article XIV., Amendments.) When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the Authority thereof shall i ue of election to fill such vacancies. The House of Representatives shall their Speaker and other officers, shall have the sole power of impeach Section 3—(Senators, how and by chosen. How cla ified. Executive, when to make temporary appointments, in case, Qualifications of a Senator. President of the Senate, his right to President pro tem., and officers of the Senate, how chosen. Power to try impeach When President is tried, Justice to preside. Sentence.) The Senate of the United States be composed of two Senators from State, chosen by the Legislature for six years; and each Senator have one vote. Immediately after they shall be in consequence of the first they shall be divided as equally be into three cla es. The seats of Senators of the first cla shall be at the expiration of the second. of the second cla at the expiraof the fourth year, and of the third at the expiration of the sixth year, one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies by resignation, or otherwise, the rece of the Legislature of State, the Executive thereof may temporary appointment until the meeting of the Legislature, which then fill such vacancies. 3. No person shall be a Senator shall not have attained to the thirty years, and been nine years citizen of the United States, and shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be 4, The Vice-President of the States shall be President of the but shall have no vote unle they equally divided. 5. The Senate shall choose their officers, and also a President tempore, in the absence of the President, or when he shall exercise office of President of the United 6. The Senate shall have the power to try all impeachments. sitting for that purpose, they shall oath or affirmation. When the of the United States is tried, the Justice shall preside; and no shall be convicted without the rence of two-thirds of the present. 7. Judgment of cases of ment shall not extend further than removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of trust, or profit under the United but the party convicted shall neverthele be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, cording to law. Section 4—(Times, etc., of holding elections, how prescribed Se ion in each year.) 1. The times, places, and manner holding elections for Senators Representatives shall be prescribed each State by the Legislature but the Congre may at any time law make or alter such regulations, except as to places of choosing Senators. 2. The Congre shall a emble least once in every year, and meeting shall be on the first Monday December, unle they shall by appoint a different day. Section 5—(Membership,Quorum. punish or expel. Journal. Time adjournments, how limited, etc.) 1. Each House shall be the judge the elections, returns, and of qualifications of its own members, and a of each shall constitute a quorum busine ; but a smaller number adjourn from day to day, and may authorized to compel the attendance absent members in such manner under such penalties as each happen may provide. during 2. Each House may determine the any rules of its proceedings, punish its make members for disorderly behavior, and next with the concurrence of two-thirds expel shall a member. 3. Each House shall keep a journal who of its proceedings, and from time to age of time publish the same, excepting such a parts as may in their judgment require who secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any queschosen. tion shall, at the desire of one-fifth of United those present, be entered on the journal. Senate, 4. Neither House, during the se ion be of Congre , shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three other days, nor to any other place than that pro in which the two Houses shall be sitting. the leges. Disqualification in certain States. cases.) sole 1. The Senators and Representatives When shall receive a compensation for their be on services, to be ascertained by law, and President paid out of the Treasury of the United Chief States. They shall in all cases, except person treason, felony, and breach of the peace, concur be privileged from arrest during their members attendance at the se ion of their respective Houses, and in going to and impeach returning from the same; and for any to speech or debate in either House they meu not be questioned in any other honor, place. j States; 2. No Senator or Representative shall,. during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the acauthority of the United States which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased One during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States shail of be a member of either House during his and continuation in office, in Section 7?—(House to originate thereof; all revenue bills. Veto. Bill may be by pa ed by two-thirds of each House, notwithstanding, etc. | Bill, not returned in ten) days, to| become a at law. Provisions as to orders, consuch current resolutions, etc.) in 1. All bills for raising revenue shall law originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or re with amendments, as on other to US. of 2. Every bill which shall have pa ed the House of Representatives and the of Senate shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the majority United States,; if he approve, he shall to do sign it, but if not, he shall return it, may with his objections, to that House in be which it shall have originated, who shall of enter the objections at large on their and journal, and proceed to reconsider it. House If after such reconsideration two-thirds of that House shall agree to pa the pill, it shall be sent, together with tne objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered; and if approved by two-thirds of that House it shall become 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 and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. ff any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sun days excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unle the Congre by their adjournment prevent its return; in which case it shall not be a law. 3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be nece ary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repa ed by two-thirds of the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill. Section 8—(Powers of Congre .) 1. The Congre shall have power: To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. 2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States. 3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, _and with the Indian tribes. 4. To establish a uniform rule of ‘naturalization and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States. 5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures, 6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States. 7. To establish post-offices and post roads. 8. To promote the progre of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive rights to their respective writings and discoveries. 9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court. ‘10. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations. 11. To declare war, grant letters of maraue and reprisal. and make rules concerning captures on land and water. 12. To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years. 13. To provide and maintain a navy. 14, To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces. 15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppre insurrections, and repel invasions. 16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congre . 17. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may be, by ce ion of particular States and the acceptance of Congre , become the seat of Government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the Legislature of the State in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dry-docks, and other needful buildings. 18. To make all laws which shall be nece ary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof. Section 9—(Provision as to migration or importation of certain persons. Habeas Corpus. Bills of attainder, etc. Taxes, how apportioned. No export duty. No commercial preference. Money, how drawn from treasury, etc. No titular nobility. Officers not to receive presents, etc.) 1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit shall not be prohibited by the Congre prior to the year one you sand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person. 2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unle when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. 3. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be pa ed. 4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unle in proportion to the directed to be taken. 5, No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. 6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another, nor shall ve els bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another. 7. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be publishea from time to time, 8. No title of nobility shall be granted py the United States. And no person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the consent of the Congre , accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whacever from any king, prince, or foreign state, Section 10—(States prohibited from the exercise of certain powers.) 1. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation, grant letters of marque and reprisal, coin money, emit bills of credit, make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts, pa any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 2. No State shall, without the consent of the Congre , lay any impost or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely nece ary for executing its inspection laws, and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any State on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congre . 3. No State shall, without the consent of Congre , lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of perce, enter into agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unle actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay. ARTICLE I. Section 1—(President, his term of office. Electors of President; number and how appointed. Electors to vote on same day. Qualifica-— tion of President. On whom his duties devolve in case of his removal, death, etc. President’s compensation. His oath of office.) 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America, He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice-President, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows: 2. Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congre ; but no Senator or Representative or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States shall be appointed an elector. $ 3. The electors shall meet in their respective States and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign and certify and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senators and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if there be more than one who have such a majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President; and, if no person have a majority, then from the five high- - est on the list of the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one yote. A quorum, for this purpose, shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be nece ary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal vote, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-President.* (*This clause is superseded by Article XII., Amendments.) 4. The Congre may determine the time of choosing the electors and the day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall the same throughout the United States. 5. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. 6. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-President, and the Congre may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly until the disability be removed or a President shall be elected. 7. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shail have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them. 8. Before he enters on the execution of his office he shall take the following oath or affirmation: “T do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.’ Section 2—(President to be Commander-in-Chief. He may require opinions of Cabinet Officers, etc., may pardon. Treaty-making power. Nomination of certain officers. When President may fill vacancies.) 1. The President shall be Commander in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against ‘the United States except in cases of impeachment. i 2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate shall appoint amba adors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not herein otherwise Copa for, and which shall be established by law, but the Congre may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 3. The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the rece of the Senate by granting commi ions, which shall expire at the end of their next se ion. Section 8—(President shall communicate to Congre . He may convene and adjourn Congre , in case of disagreement, etc. Shall receive amba adors, execute laws, and commi ion officers.) He shall from time to time give to the Congre information of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge nece ary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive amba adors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commi ion all the officers of the United States. Section 4—(All civil offices forfeited for certain crimes.) The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. ARTICLE Ii. Section 1—( Judicial powers. Tenure. Compensation.) The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congre may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall at stated times receive for their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. Section 2—(Judicial power; to what cases it extends. Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court. Appellate. Trial by jury, etc. Trial, where.) 1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under this Constitution, the lews of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting amba adors, other public ministers and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which #he United States shall be a party: to controversies between two or more States, between a State and citizens of another State, between citizens of diffe.ent States, between citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects. 2. In all cases affecting amba adors, other public ministers, and consuls, and those in which a State shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction both as to law and fact, with such exceptions and under such regulations as the Congre shall make. 3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury, and such trial shall be held in the State where the’said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any. State the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congre may by law have directed. Section | 3—(Treason defined. Proof of. Punishment of.) 1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unle on the testimony of two witne es to the same overt act, or on confe ion in open court. 2. The Congre shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture except during the life of the person attained. ARTICLE IV. Section 1—(Each State to give credit to the public acts, etc., of every other State.) Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the Congre may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. Section 2—(Privileges of citizens of each State. Fugitives from justice to be delivered up. Persons held to service having escaped, to be delivered up.) 1. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States. 2. A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crimes, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on demand of the Executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 3. No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. Section $—(Admi ion of new States. Power of Congre over territory and other property.) 1. New States may be admitted by the Congre into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State, nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of the Congre . 2. The Congre shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular State. Section 4—(Republican form of government guaranteed. Each State to be protected.): The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and, on application of the Legislature, or of the | Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. ARTICLE V. (Constitution: how amended. Proviso.) The Congre , whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it nece ary, shali propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congre ; provided that no amendments which may be made prior to the year one you sand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect/the first'and fourth clauses in the Ninth Section of the First Article; and that no State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. ARTICLE VI. (Certain debts, ete., declared valid. Supremacy of Constitution, treaties, and laws of the United States. Oath to support Constitution, by whom taken. No religious test.) 1. All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adoption of this Constitution shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution as under the Confederation. 2. This Constitution and the laws of the United States which shall be made fn pursuance thereof and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. ARTICLE V1. (What ratification shall establish Constitution.) The ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THH UNITED STATES The following amendments to the Constitution, Articles I. to X., inclusive, were proposed at the First Se ion of the First Congre , begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday March 4, 1789, and were adopted by the nece ary number of States. The origin a i proposal of the ten amendments was preceded by this preamble and resolution: ‘The conventions of a number of the States, having, at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expre ed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should ‘be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution: ‘Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in congre a embled, twotairds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution, namely:’ Tun Ten OrtcinAL AMENDMENTS (They were declared in force December 15, 1791.) ARTICLE I. Religious Establishment Prohibited. Freedom of Speech, of the Pre , and Right to Petition. Congre shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the pre ; or the right of the people peaceably to a emble and to petition the Government for a redre of grievances. ARTICLE I. Right to Keep and Bear Arms. A well-regulated militia being nece ary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shail not be infringed. ARTICLE I. No Soldier to be Quartered in Any House, Unle , Ete. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed hy_law. Right of Search and Seizure Regulated. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall i ue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Trial and Punishment.—Private Property Not to Be Taken for Public Use, Without Compensation. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime unle on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witne against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due proce of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. Right to Speedy Trial, Witne es, Ete. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which districts shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witne es against him; to have compulsory proce for obtaining witne es in his favor, and to have the a istance of counsel for his defense. ARTICLE VO. Right of Trial by Jury. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law. ARTICLE VIZ. Exce ive Bail or Fines and Cruel Punishments Prohibited Exce ive. bail shall not be required, nor exce ive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. ARTICLE IX. Rules of Construction of Constitution The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the 2 people. ARTICLE X. Rights of States Under Constitution. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. The following amendment was proposed to the Legislatures of the several States by the Third Congre on the 5th of March, 1794, and was declared to have been ratified in a me age from the President to Congre , dated Jan. 8, 1798. ARTICLE XI. Judicial Powers Construed. The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States, by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. The following amendment was proposed to the Legislatures of the several States by the Highth Congre on the 12th of December, 1803, and was declared to have been ratified in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated September 25, 1804. It was ratified by all the States except Con nec New Hampshire. ARTICLE XI. Manner of Choosing President and Vice-President. The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; _they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; the person having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest number, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be nece ary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice-President if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list the Senate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be nece ary to a choice. But no person constitution-, ally ineligible to the’ office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. The following amendment was proposed to the Legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-eighth Congre on the ist of February, 1865, and was declared to have been ratified in a proclamation by the Secretary of State dated December 18, 1865. It was rejected by Delaware and Kentucky; was constitutionally ratified by Alabama and Mi i ippi; and Texas took no action. ARTICLE XI. "a 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party snall have been duly convicted, shall exist within tne United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 2. Congre shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. The following, popularly known as the Reconstruction Amendment, was proposed to the Legislatures of the several States by the Thirty-ni nth Congre on tne 16th of June, 1866, and was declared to have been ratified in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated July 28, 1868. ‘The amendment got the support of 23 Northern States; it was rejected by Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and 10 Southern States. California took no action. Subsequently it was ratified by the 10 Southern States. ARTICLE XIV. " Citizenship Rights Not to be Abridged. 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due proce of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Apportionment of Representatives in Congre . 2. Representatives shall be’ apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of Electors for ' President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congre , the executive and judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male members of such State, being of twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the basis of Tepresentation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty one years of age in such State. Power of Congre to Remove Disabilities of United States Officials for Rebellion. 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congre , or Elector of President and Vice-President or holding any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, asa member of Congre , or as. an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature or as an executive or judicial oiticer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congre may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. What Public Debits Are Valid. 4, The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppre ing insurrection and rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall a ume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the lo or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void. 5. The Congre shall have power to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this article. The following amendment was proposed to the Legislatures of the several States by the Fortieth Congre on the 27th of February, 1869, and was declared to have been ratified in a proclamation by the Secretary of State. dated March 30, 1870. It was not acted on by Tenne ee; it was rejected by California, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Oregon; ratified by ‘the remaining 30 States. New York rescinded its ratification January 5, 1870. New Jersey aed it in 1870, but ratified 1t in Equat Rights for White an@ Colore@ Citizens. 1. The richt of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 2. The Congre shall have power to enforce the provisions of this article by appropriate legislation. The following amendment was proposed to the Legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-first Congre on the 12th day of July, 1909, and was declared to have been ratified in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated February 25, 1913. ‘The income tax amendment was ratified by_all the States, except Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and ' V: D> le ARTICLE XVI. Income Tax Authorized. The Congre shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever sources derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. The following amendment was proposed to the Legislatures of the several States by the Sixty-second Congre on the 16th day of May, 1912, and was declared to have been ratified in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated May 31, 1913. It got the vote of all the States except Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louis Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. ARTICLE XVII. United States Senators to Be Elected by Direct Popular Vote. 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislatures. Vacancies in Senatorships, When Governor May Fill by Appointment. 2. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall i ue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the Legislature of any State may empower the Executive thereof to make temporary appointment until the people fill the vacancies by election as the Legislature may direct. 3. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. ARTICLE XVIII. 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. 2. The Congre and the several States shall have concurrent power to aN this article by appropriate leg is at i on. 3. This article shall be inoperative unle it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the _ Legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submi ion hereof to the States by the Congre . i ARTICLE XIX. Giving Nation-Wide Suffrage to Women. 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. 2. Congre shall have power, by appropriate legislation, to enforce the provisions of this article.