by law to any sect or mode of worship; and that no religious corporation can ever be established in this

state.

"That all elections shall be free and equal.

"That courts of justice ought to be open to every person, and certain remedy afforded for every injury to person, property, or character; and that right and justice ought to be administered without sale, denial, or delay; and that no private property ought to be taken or applied to public use without just compensation.

"That the right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. "That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused has the right to be heard by himself and his counsel; to demand the nature and cause of accusations; to have compulsory process for witnesses in his favor; to meet the witnesses against him face to face; and, in prosecutions on presentment or indictment, to a speedy trial, by an impartial jury of the vicinage; that the accused cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land.

"That no person, after having been once acquitted by a jury, can, for the same offence be again put in jeopardy of life or limb; but if in any criminal prosecution the jury be divided in opinion at the end of the term, the court before which the trial shall be had, may, in its discretion, discharge the jury, and commit or bail the accused for trial at the next term of such court.

"That all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offences when the proof is evident or the presumption great. And the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus cannot be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

"That excessive bail shall not be required, nor ex

cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

"That the people ought to be secure in their persons, papers, houses, and effects, from unreasonable searches and seizures; and no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or thing, can issue without describing the place to be searched, or the person or thing to be seized, as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.

"That no person can, for an indictable offence, be proceeded against criminally, by information, 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, or by leave of the court, for oppression or misdemeanor in office.

"That treason against the state can consist only in levying war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort: that no person can be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on his own confession in open court; that no person can be attainted of treason or felony by the general assembly; that no conviction can work corruption of blood, or forfeiture of estate; that the estates of such persons as may destroy their own lives shall descend or vest as in cases of natural death; and when any person shall be killed by casualty, there ought to be no forfeiture by reason thereof.

"That the free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and that every person may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty; that in all prosecutions for libels, the truth thereof may be given in evidence, and the jury may determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court.

"That no ex post facto law, nor law impairing the obligation of contracts, or retrospective in its operations,

can be passed; nor can the person of a debtor be imprisoned for debt after he shall have surrendered his property for the benefit of his creditors in such manner as may be prescribed by law.

"That no person who is religiously scrupulous of bearing arms can be compelled to do so, but may be compelled to pay an equivalent for military service, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law; and that no priest, preacher of the gospel, or teacher of any religious persuasion or sect, regularly ordained as such, be subject to militia duty, or compelled to bear arms.

"That all property, subject to taxation in this state, shall be taxed in proportion to its value.

"That no title of nobility, hereditary emolument, privilege, or distinction, shall be granted; nor any office created, the duration of which shall be longer than the good behavior of the officer appointed to fill the same. "That emigration from this state cannot be prohibited.

"That the military is, and in all cases, and at all times, shall be in strict subordination to the civil power; that no soldier can, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in such manner as may be prescribed by law; nor can any appropriation for the support of any army be made for a longer period than two years."

§ 114. The legislative power of this state is vested in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and house of representatives. A majority of each house constitutes a quorum to do business; and have power to determine rules of proceedings, punish members, &c. Bills may originate in either house and may be altered, amended, or rejected by the other. Every bill must be read on three different days in each house, unless two-thirds of the house in which it shall be pending shall dispense

with this rule. Every bill which passes both houses must be signed by the speaker of the house of representatives and by the president of the senate, and before it becomes a law must be presented to the governor for approval. If he disapproves of it he must return it with objections, and, in that event, notwithstanding such objections, it may, upon reconsideration, be passed by a majority of all the members elected to each house. If not returned with objections within ten days, Sundays excepted, it becomes a law, unless its return is prevented by an adjournment of the general assembly, in which event it does not become a law. The same rule obtains in reference to every resolution to which the concurrence of both houses is necessary; except on questions of adjournment.

The constitution also contains the following restrictions upon legislative power: The general assembly shall not have power to pass laws for the emancipation of slaves, without the consent of their owners, or without paying them, before such emancipation, a full equivalent for such slaves, so emancipated; and, to prevent bona fide emigrants to this state, or actual settlers therein, from bringing from any of the United States, or from any of their territories, such persons as may there be deemed to be slaves, so long as any persons of the same description are allowed to be held as slaves by the laws of this state. (a)

The general assembly of this state shall never interfere with the primary disposal of the soil of the United States, nor with any regulation congress may find necessary for securing the title in such soil to the bona fide purchasers. No tax shall be imposed on lands the property of the United States, nor shall lands belonging to persons residing out of the limits of this state ever be

(a) Art. 3, sec. 26.

taxed higher than the lands belonging to persons residing within this state.(a)

$ 115. The constitution of the state of Michigan contains the following declaration of rights:

"All political power is inherent in the people.

"Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people; and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, and to abolish one form of government and establish another, whenever the public good requires it.

"No man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or separate privileges.

"Every person has a right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of his own conscience; and no person can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support, against his will, any place of religious worship, or pay any tithes, taxes, or other rates for the support of any minister of the gospel or teacher of religion.

"No money shall be drawn from the treasury for the benefit of religious societies, or theological or religious seminaries.

"The civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no individual shall be diminished or enlarged on account of his opinions or belief concerning matters of religion.

"Every person may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and no laws shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all prosecutions or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury; and if it shall appear to the jury, that the matter charged as libellous is true, and was published with good motives and for justi

(a) Art. 10, sec. 1.