OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES AND EDITED, WITH BY JAMES FAIRBANKS COLBY. REVISION OF 1912. CONCORD, 1912. CONTENTS. Page. Constitution of New Hampshire established October 31, 1783, as sub- sequently amended and in force December 1, 1902... 9 Sketch of the constitutions of New Hampshire, including- Seventh Constitutional Convention, 1889.. Amendments proposed (7), 1889.. Constitution unchanged, 1889-1902.. The basis of representation in New Hampshire previous to the adoption of the constitution of 1783. By George Hill Evans. The basis of representation in the House of Representatives in New Joint resolution approved March 10, 1909, to provide for taking the sense of the qualified voters on calling a constitutional convention Vote of the state by counties on calling a constitutional convention, Act of the General Court approved April 15, 1911, providing for con- vention of delegates for the purpose of revising the constitution.... Joint resolution approved April 15, 1911, providing for the payment of the expenses of a convention to revise the constitution.. List of delegates returned to the Secretary of State as elected to the convention to revise the constitution March 12, 1912... Chapter 22 of Public Statutes of New Hampshire, Councilor districts.. Chapter 23 of Public Statutes of New Hampshire, Senatorial districts.. An Act relating to the election of Representatives to the General Court, Population (1910), valuation, and taxes (1911) of Senatorial districts.... Population by towns, 1790-1910, and number of Representatives returned 308 PREFACE. This manual has been prepared, pursuant to a vote of the Governor and Council, for the use of the constitutional convention. This fact has determined both its contents and its form. The text of the constitution of New Hampshire herewith printed as now in force, is based upon the earliest engrossed copy in existence, that of the constitution as amended in 1792. The sketch of the constitutions of the state is limited to a simple narrative of events, without any attempt to unfold their casual relations. No work of that character can be written properly until numerous manuscripts now in the British or American archives, and important records in possession of the state or its towns are made more accessible to historical students. The same general causes that have governed the constitutional development of the other New England states have been at work in New Hampshire, but its organic law is not without distinguishing marks. The temporary constitution of January 5, 1776, was the first frame of government adopted by any of the thirteen original states which, though not a grant of powers, was deemed by the people to be a fundamental law. The permanent constitution, established October 31, 1783, and drafted in all its important provisions by the statesman of the American Revolution, John Adams, was unchanged for sixty years, 1792-1852, a fact unparalleled among the other states except Rhode Island and New Jersey, and now has been in force one hundred and twenty years, a longer time than the organic law of any other American commonwealth except Massachusetts. The popular vote by which this enduring constitution was ratified, taken in different towns on different days during the three months preceding its establishment, is unrecorded. 5 |