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CONSTITUTION of UTAH
PREAMBLE
Grateful
to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah, in order
to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government, do ordain
and establish this CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE
I
DECLARATION
OF RIGHTS
Section
1. [Inherent and inalienable rights.] All men have the inherent and
inalienable right to enjoy and defend their lives and liberties; to
acquire, possess and protect property; to worship according to the dictates
of their consciences; to assemble peaceably, protest against wrongs,
and petition for redress of grievances; to communicate freely their
thoughts and opinions, being responsible for the abuse of that right.
Sec.
2. [All political power inherent in the people.] All political power
is inherent in the people; and all free governments are founded on their
authority for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the
right to alter or reform their government as the public welfare may
require.
Sec.
3. [Utah inseparable from the Union.] The State of Utah is an inseparable
part of the Federal Union and the Constitution of the United States
is the supreme law of the land.
Sec.
4. [Religious liberty.] The rights of conscience shall never be infringed.
The State shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; no religious test shall be
required as a qualification for any office of public trust or for any
vote at any election; nor shall any person be incompetent as a witness
or juror on account of religious belief or the absence thereof. There
shall be no union of Church and State, nor shall any church dominate
the State or interfere with its functions. No public money or property
shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise
or instruction, or for the support of any ecclesiastical establishment.
No property qualification shall be required of any person to vote, or
hold office, except as provided in this Constitution.
Sec.
5. [Habeas corpus.] The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall
not be suspended, unless, in case of rebellion or invasion, the public
safety requires it.
Sec.
6. [Right to bear arms.] The people have the right to bear arms for
their security and defense, but the Legislature may regulate the exercise
of this right by law.
Sec.
7. [Due process of law.] No person shall be deprived of life, liberty
or property, without due process of law.
Sec.
8. [Offenses bailable.] All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient
sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the
presumption strong.
Sec.
9. [Excessive bail and fines. Cruel punishments.] Excessive bail shall
not be required; excessive fines shall not be imposed; nor shall cruel
and unusual punishments be inflicted. Persons arrested or imprisoned
shall not be treated with unnecessary rigor.
Sec.
10. [Trial by jury.] In capital cases the right of trial by jury shall
remain inviolate. In courts of general jurisdiction, except in capital
cases, a jury shall consist of eight jurors. In courts of inferior jurisdiction
a jury shall consist of four jurors. In criminal cases the verdict shall
be unanimous. In civil cases three-fourths of the jurors may find a
verdict. A jury in civil cases shall be waived unless demanded.
Sec.
11. [Courts open. Redress of injuries.] All courts shall be open, and
every person, for an injury done to him in his person, property or reputation,
shall have remedy by due course of law, which shall be administered
without denial or unnecessary delay; and no person shall be barred from
prosecuting or defending before any tribunal in this State, by himself
or counsel, any civil cause to which he is a party.
Sec.
12. [Rights of accused persons.] In criminal prosecutions the accused
shall have the right to appear and defend in person and by counsel,
to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have
a copy thereof, to testify in his own behalf, to be confronted by the
witnesses against him, to have compulsory process to compel the attendance
of witnesses in his own behalf, to have a speedy public trial by an
impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged
to have been committed, and the right to appeal in all cases. In no
instance shall any accused person, before final judgment, be compelled
to advance money or fees to secure the rights herein guaranteed. The
accused shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself; a wife
shall not be compelled to testify against her husband, nor a husband
against his wife, nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy for
the same offense.
Sec.
13. [Prosecution by information or indictment. Grand jury.] Offenses
heretofore required to be prosecuted by indictment, shall be prosecuted
by information after examination and commitment by a magistrate, unless
the examination be waived by the accused with the consent of the State,
or by indictment, with or without such examination and commitment. The
grand jury shall consist of seven persons, five of whom must concur
to find an indictment; but no grand jury shall be drawn or summoned
unless in the opinion of the judge of the district, public interest
demands it.
Sec.
14. [Unreasonable searches forbidden. Issuance of warrant.] 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 warrant shall issue but upon probable cause supported by oath or
affirmation, particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
person or thing to be seized.
Sec.
15. [Freedom of speech and of the press. Libel.] No law shall be passed
to abridge or restrain the freedom of speech or of the press. In all
criminal prosecutions for libel the truth may be given in evidence to
the jury; and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged
as libelous is true, and was published with good motives, and for justifiable
ends, the party shall be acquitted; and the jury shall have the right
to determine the law and the fact.
Sec.
16. [No imprisonment for debt. Exception.] There shall be no imprisonment
for debt except in cases of absconding debtors.
Sec.
17. [Elections to be free. Soldiers voting.] All elections shall be
free, and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to
prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage. Soldiers, in time
of war, may vote at their post of duty, in or out of the State, under
regulations to be prescribed by law.
Sec.
18. [Attainder. Ex post facto laws. Impairing contracts.] No bill of
attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts
shall be passed.
Sec.
19. [Treason defined. Proof.] Treason against the State shall consist
only in levying war against it, or in adhering to its enemies or in
giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason
unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act.
Sec.
20. [Military subordinate to the civil power.] The military shall be
in strict subordination to the civil power, and no soldier in time of
peace, shall be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner;
nor in time of war except in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Sec.
21. [Slavery forbidden.] Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude,
except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted, shall exist within this State.
Sec.
22. [Private property for public use.] Private property shall not be
taken or damaged for public use without just compensation.
Sec.
23. [Irrevocable franchises forbidden.] No law shall be passed granting
irrevocably any franchise, privilege or immunity.
Sec.
24. [Uniform operation of laws.] All laws of a general nature shall
have uniform operation.
Sec.
25. [Rights retained by people.] This enumeration of rights shall not
be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people.
Sec.
26. [Provisions mandatory and prohibitory.] The provisions of this Constitution
are mandatory and prohibitory, unless by express words they are declared
to be otherwise.
Sec.
27. [Fundamental rights.] Frequent recurrence to fundamental principles
is essential to the security of individual rights and the perpetuity
of free government.
ARTICLE
II
STATE
BOUNDARIES
Section
1. [State boundaries.] The boundaries of the State of Utah shall be
as follows: Beginning at a point formed by the intersection of the thirty-second
degree of longitude west from Washington, with the thirty-seventh degree
of north latitude; thence due west along said thirty-seventh degree
of north latitude to the intersection of the same with the thirty-seventh
degree of longitude west from Washington; thence due north along said
thirty-seventh degree of east longitude to the intersection of the same
with the forty-second degree of north latitude; thence due east along
said forty-second degree of north latitude to the intersection of the
same with the thirty-fourth degree of longitude west from Washington;
thence due south along said thirty-fourth degree of west longitude to
the intersection of the same with the forty-first degree of north latitude;
thence due east along said forty-first degree of north latitude to the
intersection of the same with the thirty-second degree of longitude
west from Washington; thence due south along said thirty-second degree
of west longitude to the place of beginning.
ARTICLE
III
ORDINANCE
The
following ordinance shall be irrevocable without the consent of the
United States and the people of this State:
[Religious
toleration. Polygamy forbidden.] First:--Perfect toleration of religious
sentiment is guaranteed. No inhabitant of this State shall ever be molested
in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship;
but polygamous or plural marriages are forever prohibited.
[Right
to public domain disclaimed. Taxation of lands. Exemptions.] Second:--The
people inhabiting this State do affirm and declare that they forever
disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying
within the boundaries hereof, and to all lands lying within said limits
owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes, and that until the title
thereto shall have been extinguished by the United States, the same
shall be and remain subject to the disposition of the United States,
and said Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and
control of the Congress of the United States. The lands belonging to
citizens of the United States, residing without this State shall never
be taxed at a higher rate than the lands belonging to residents of this
State; nor shall taxes be imposed by this State on lands or property
herein, belonging to or which may hereafter be purchased by the United
States or reserved for its use; but nothing in this ordinance shall
preclude this state from taxing, as other lands are taxed, any lands
owned or held by any Indian who has severed his tribal relations, and
has obtained from the United States or from any person, by patent or
other grant, a title thereto, save and except such lands as have been
or may be granted to any Indian or Indians under any act of Congress,
containing a provision exempting the lands thus granted from taxation,
which last mentioned lands shall be exempt from taxation so long, and
to such extent, as is or may be provided in the act of Congress granting
the same.
[Territorial
debts assumed.] Third:--All debts and liabilities of the Territory of
Utah, incurred by authority of the Legislative Assembly thereof, are
hereby assumed and shall be paid by this State.
[Free,
nonsectarian schools.] Fourth:--The Legislature shall make laws for
the establishment and maintenance of a system of public schools, which
shall be open to all the children of the State and be free from sectarian
control.
ARTICLE
IV
ELECTIONS
AND RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
Section
1. [Equal political rights.] The rights of citizens of the State of
Utah to vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account
of sex. Both male and female citizens of this State shall enjoy equally
all civil, political and religious rights and privileges.
Sec.
2. [Qualifications to vote.] Every citizen of the United States, of
the age of twenty-one years and upwards, who shall have been a citizen
for ninety days, and shall have resided in the State or Territory one
year, in the county four months, and in the precinct sixty days next
preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote at such election except
as herein otherwise provided.
Sec.
3. [Electors: immunity from arrest.] In all cases except those of treason,
felony or breach of the peace, electors shall be privileged from arrest
on the days of election, during their attendance at elections, and going
to and returning therefrom.
Sec.
4. [Id. From militia duty.] No elector shall be obliged to perform militia
duty on the day of election except in time of war or public danger.
Sec.
5. [Electors to be citizens of U.S.] No person shall be deemed a qualified
elector of this State unless such person be a citizen of the United
States.
Sec.
6. [Certain criminals, etc., ineligible to vote.] No idiot, insane person
or person convicted of treason, or crime against the elective franchise,
unless restored to civil rights, shall be permitted to vote at any election,
or be eligible to hold office in this State.
Sec.
7. [Property qualification forbidden, when.] Except in elections levying
a special tax or creating indebtedness, no property qualification shall
be required for any person to vote or hold office.
Sec.
8. [Ballot to be secret.] All elections shall be by secret ballot. Nothing
in this section shall be construed to prevent the use of any machine
or mechanical contrivance for the purpose of receiving and registering
the votes cast at any election: Provided, That secrecy in voting be
preserved.
Sec.
9. [Elections, when held. Terms begin, when.] All general elections,
except for municipal and school officers, shall be held on the Tuesday
next following the first Monday in November of the year in which the
election is held. Special elections may be held as provided by law.
The terms of all officers elected at any general election, shall commence
on the first Monday in January next following the date of their election.
Municipal and School officers shall be elected at such time as may be
provided by law.
Sec.
10. [Oath of office.] All officers made elective or appointive by this
Constitution or by the laws made in pursuance thereof, before entering
upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take and subscribe
the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm)
that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United
States and the Constitution of this State, and that I will discharge
the duties of my office with fidelity."
ARTICLE
V
DISTRIBUTION
OF POWERS
Section
1. [Three departments of government.] The powers of the government of
the State of Utah shall be divided into three distinct departments,
the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial; and no person charged
with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments,
shall exercise any functions appertaining to either of the others, except
in the cases herein expressly directed or permitted.
ARTICLE
VI
LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT
Section
1. [Power vested in senate and house.] The Legislative power of the
State shall be vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, which
shall be designated The Legislature of the State of Utah.
Sec.
2. [Time of regular sessions.] Regular Sessions of the Legislature shall
be held bi-ennially at the seat of government; and, except the first
session thereof shall begin on the second Monday in January next after
the election of members of the House of Representatives.
Sec.
3. [Members, how and when chosen.] The members of the House of Representatives,
after the first election, shall be chosen by the qualified electors
of the respective representative districts, on the first Tuesday after
the first Monday in November, 1896, and biennially thereafter. Their
term of office shall be two years, from the first day of January next
after their election.
Sec.
4. [Senators, how and when chosen.] The senators shall be chosen by
the qualified electors of the respective senatorial districts, at the
same times and places as members of the House of Representatives, and
their term of office shall be four years from the first day of January
next after their election: Provided, That the senators elected in 1896
shall be divided by lot into two classes as nearly equal as may be;
seats of senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration
of two years, and those of the second class at the expiration of four
years; so that one-half, as nearly as possible, shall be chosen biennially
thereafter. In case of increase in the number of senators, they shall
be annexed by lot to one or the other of the two classes, so as to keep
them nearly equal as practicable.
Sec.
5. [Who eligible as legislator.] No person shall be eligible to the
office of senator or representative, who is not a citizen of the United
States, twenty-five years of age, a qualified voter in the district
from which he is chosen, a resident for three years of the State, and
for one year of the district from which he is elected.
Sec.
6. [Who ineligible.] No person holding any public office of profit or
trust under authority of the United States, or of this State, shall
be a member of the Legislature: Provided, That appointments in the State
Militia, and the offices of notary public, justice of the peace, United
States commissioner, and postmaster of the fourth class, shall not,
within the meaning of this section, be considered offices of profit
or trust.
Sec.
7. [Ineligibility of member to office created, etc.] No member of the
Legislature, during the term for which he was elected, shall be appointed
or elected to any civil office of profit under this State, which shall
have been created, or the emoluments of which shall have been increased,
during the term for which he was elected.
Sec.
8. [Privilege from arrest.] Members of the Legislature, in all cases
except treason, felony or breach of the peace, shall be privileged from
arrest during each session of the Legislature, for fifteen days next
preceding each session, and in returning therefrom; and for words used
in any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned
in any other place.
Sec.
9. [Compensation of members.] The members of the Legislature shall receive
such per diem and mileage as the Legislature may provide, not exceeding
four dollars per day, and ten cents per mile for the distance necessarily
traveled going to and returning from the place of meeting on the most
usual route, and they shall receive no other pay or perquisite.
Sec.
10. [Each house to judge of election, etc., of its members. Expulsion.]
Each house shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of
its members, and may punish them for disorderly conduct, and with the
concurrence of two-thirds of all the members elected, expel a member
for cause.
Sec.
11. [Majority is quorum. Attendance compelled.] A majority of the members
of each house shall constitute a quorum to transact business, but a
smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance
of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house
may prescribe.
Sec.
12. [Rules. Choosing officers.] Each house shall determine the rules
of its proceedings and choose its own officers and employees.
Sec.
13. [Elections to fill vacancies.] The Governor shall issue writs of
election to fill vacancies that may occur in either house of the Legislature.
Sec.
14. [Journals. Yeas and nays.] Each house shall keep a journal of its
proceedings, which, except in case of executive sessions, shall be published,
and the yeas and nays on any question, at the request of five members
of such house, shall be entered upon the journal.
Sec.
15. [Sessions to be public. Adjournments.] All sessions of the Legislature,
except those of the Senate while sitting in executive session, shall
be public; and neither house, without the consent of the other, shall
adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in
which it may be holding session.
Sec.
16. [Duration of sessions.] No regular session of the Legislature (except
the first, which may sit ninety days) shall exceed sixty days, except
in cases of impeachment. No special session shall exceed thirty days,
and in such special session, or when a regular session of the Legislature
trying cases of impeachment exceeds sixty days, the members shall receive
for compensation only the usual per diem and mileage.
Sec.
17. [Impeachment by house.] The House of Representatives shall have
the sole power of impeachment, but in order to impeach, two-thirds of
all the members elected must vote therefor.
Sec.
18. [Id. Trial by Senate.] All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate,
and senators, when sitting for that purpose, shall take oath or make
affirmation to do justice according to the law and the evidence. When
the Governor is on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall
preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds
of the senators elected.
Sec.
19. [Id. Judgment. Prosecution by law.] The Governor and other State
and Judicial officers, except justices of the peace, shall be liable
to impeachment for high crimes, misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office;
but judgment in such cases shall extend only to removal from office
and disqualification to hold any office of honor, trust or profit in
the State. The party, whether convicted or acquitted, shall, nevertheless,
be liable to prosecution, trial and punishment according to law.
Sec.
20. [Id. Service of articles.] No person shall be tried on impeachment,
unless he shall have been served with a copy of the articles thereof,
at least ten days before the trial, and after such service he shall
not exercise the duties of his office until he shall have been acquitted.
Sec.
21. [Removal of officers.] All officers not liable to impeachment shall
be removed for any of the offenses specified in this article, in such
manner as may be provided by law.
Sec.
22. [Enacting clause. Passage and amendments of law.] The enacting clause
of every law shall be: "Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State
of Utah," and no bill or joint resolution shall be passed, except with
the assent of the majority of all the members elected to each house
of the Legislature and after it has been read three times. The vote
upon the final passage of all bills shall be by yeas and nays; and no
law shall be revised or amended by reference to its title only; but
the act as revised, or section amended, shall be re-enacted and published
at length.
Sec.
23. [Bill to contain only one subject.] Except general appropriation
bills, and bills for the codification and general revision of laws,
no bill shall be passed containing more than one subject, which shall
be clearly expressed in its title.
Sec.
24. [Presiding officers to sign bills.] The presiding officer of each
house, in the presence of the house over which he presides, shall sign
all bills and joint resolutions passed by the Legislature, after their
titles have been publicly read immediately before signing, and the fact
of such signing shall be entered upon the journal.
Sec.
25. [When acts take effect.] All acts shall be officially published,
and no act shall take effect until so published; nor until sixty days
after the adjournment of the session at which it passed, unless the
Legislature by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
house, shall otherwise direct.
Sec.
26. [Enumeration of private laws forbidden.] The Legislature is prohibited
from enacting any private or special laws in the following cases:
1.
Granting divorce.
2.
Changing the names of persons or places, or constituting one person
the heir-at-law of another.
3.
Locating or changing county seats.
4.
Regulating the jurisdiction and duties of Justices of the Peace.
5.
Punishing crimes and misdemeanors.
6.
Regulating the practice of courts of justice.
7.
Providing for a change of venue in civil or criminal actions.
8.
Assessing and collecting taxes.
9.
Regulating the interest on money.
10.
Changing the law of descent or succession.
11.
Regulating county and township affairs.
12.
Incorporating cities, town or villages; changing or amending the charter
of any city, town or village; laying out, opening, vacating or altering
town plats, highways, streets, wards, alleys or public grounds.
13.
Providing for sale or mortgage of real estate belonging to minors or
others under disability.
14.
Authorizing persons to keep ferries across streams within the State.
15.
Remitting fines, penalties or forfeitures.
16.
Granting to an individual, association or corporation any privilege,
immunity or franchise.
17.
Providing for the management of common schools.
18.
Creating, increasing or decreasing fees, percentages or allowances of
public officers during the term for which said officers are elected
or appointed.
The
Legislature may repeal any existing special law relating to the foregoing
subdivisions.
In
all cases where a general law can be applicable, no special law shall
be enacted.
Nothing
in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict the power of
the legislature to establish and regulate the compensation of fees of
county and township officers; to establish and regulate the rates of
freight, passage, toll and charges of railroads, toll roads, ditch,
flume and tunnel companies, incorporated under the laws of the State
or doing business therein.
Sec.
27. [Legislature cannot release certain debts.] The Legislature shall
have no power to release or extinguish, in whole or in part, the indebtedness,
liability or obligation of any corporation or person to the state, or
to any municipal corporation therein.
Sec.
28. [Lotteries forbidden.] The Legislature shall not authorize any game
of chance, lottery or gift enterprise under any pretense or for any
purpose.
Sec.
29. [Municipal powers not to be delegated.] The legislature shall not
delegate to any special commission, private corporation or association,
any power to make, supervise or interfere with any municipal improvement,
money, property or effects, whether held in trust or otherwise, to levy
taxes, to select a capitol site, or to perform any municipal functions.
Sec.
30. [Extra compensation to officers and contractors forbidden.] The
Legislature shall have no power to grant, or authorize any county or
municipal authority to grant, any extra compensation, fee or allowance
to any public officer, agent, servant or contractor, after service has
been rendered or a contract has been entered into and performed in whole
or in part, nor pay or authorize the payment of any claim hereafter
created against the State, or any county or municipality of the State,
under any agreement or contract made without authority of law: Provided,
That this section shall not apply to claims incurred by public officers
in the execution of the laws of the State.
Sec.
31. [Lending public credit forbidden.] The Legislature shall not authorize
the State, or any county, city, town, township, district or other political
subdivision of the State to lend its credit or subscribe to stock or
bonds in aid of any railroad, telegraph or other private individual
or corporate enterprise or undertaking.
ARTICLE
VII
EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENT
Section
1. [Executive department. Terms, residence, and duties of officers.]
The Executive Department shall consist of Governor, Secretary of State,
State Auditor, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Superintendent
of Public Instruction, each of whom shall hold his office for four years
beginning on the first Monday of January next after his election, except
that the terms of office of those elected at the first election shall
begin when the State shall be admitted into the Union, and shall end
on the first Monday in January, A.D. 1901. The officers of the Executive
Department, during their terms of office, shall reside at the seat of
government, where they shall keep the public records, books and papers.
They shall perform such duties as are prescribed by this Constitution
and as may be provided by law.
Sec.
2. [Election. Tie: legislature to elect.] The officers provided for
in section one of this article, shall be elected by the qualified electors
of the State at the time and place of voting for members of the Legislature,
and the persons respectively having the highest number of votes cast
for the office voted for shall be elected; but if two or more shall
have an equal and the highest number of votes for any one of said offices,
the two houses of the Legislature, at its next regular session, shall
elect forthwith by joint ballot one of such persons for said office.
Sec.
3. [Qualifications of governor, etc.] No person shall be eligible to
the office of Governor or Secretary of State unless he shall have attained
the age of thirty years at the time of his election, nor to the office
of Attorney-General unless he shall have attained the age of twenty-five
years at the time of his election, and have been admitted to practice
in the Supreme Court of the Territory or of the State of Utah, nor unless
he shall be in good standing at the bar at the time of his election.
No person shall be eligible to any of the offices provided for in section
one of this article, unless at the time of his election he shall be
a qualified elector, and shall have been a resident citizen of the State
or Territory for five years next preceding his election. The State Auditor
and State Treasurer shall be ineligible to election as their own successors.
Sec.
4. [Governor commander-in-chief.] The Governor shall be Commander-in-Chief
of the military forces of the State, except when they shall be called
into the service of the United States. He shall have power to call out
the militia to execute the laws, to suppress insurrection, or to repel
invasion.
Sec.
5. [Duties of governor.] The Governor shall see that the laws are faithfully
executed; he shall transact all executive business with the officers
of the government, civil and military, and may require information in
writing from the officers of the Executive Department, and from the
officers and managers of State Institutions upon any subject relating
to the condition, management, and expenses of their respective offices
and institutions, and at any time when the Legislative Assembly is not
in session, may, if he deem it necessary, appoint a committee to investigate
and report to him upon the condition of any executive office or State
Institution. He shall communicate by message the condition of the State
to the Legislature at every regular session, and recommend such measures
as he may deem expedient.
Sec.
6. [Id. May convene extra session.] On extraordinary occasions, the
Governor may convene the Legislature by proclamation, in which shall
be stated the purpose for which the Legislature is to be convened, and
it shall transact no legislative business except that for which it was
especially convened, or such other legislative business as the Governor
may call to its attention while in session. The Legislature, however,
may provide for the expenses of the session and other matters incidental
thereto. The Governor may also by proclamation convene the Senate in
extraordinary session for the transaction of executive business.
Sec.
7. [Id. May adjourn legislature, when.] In case of a disagreement between
the two houses of the Legislature at any special session, with respect
to the time of adjournment, the Governor shall have power to adjourn
the Legislature to such time as he may think proper: Provided, it be
not beyond the time fixed for the convening of the next Legislature.
Sec.
8. [Bills presented to governor. Veto. Appropriation bills.] Every bill
passed by the Legislature, before it becomes a law, shall be presented
to the Governor; if he approve, he shall sign it, and thereupon it shall
become a law; but if he do not approve, he shall return it with his
objections to the house in which it originated, which house shall enter
the objections at large upon its journal and proceed to reconsider the
bill. If, after such reconsideration, it again passes both houses by
a yea and nay vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house,
it shall become a law, notwithstanding the Governor's objections. If
any bill be not returned within five days after it shall have been presented
to him, (Sunday, and the day on which he received it excepted,) the
same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the
Legislature by its final adjournment prevent such return, in which case
it shall be filed with his objections in the office of the Secretary
of State within ten days after such adjournment (Sundays excepted) or
become a law. If any bill presented to the Governor contain several
items of appropriations of money, he may object to one or more such
items, while approving other portions of the bill; in such case he shall
append to the bill at the time of signing it, a statement of the item
or items which he declines to approve, together with his reasons therefor,
and such item or items shall not take effect unless passed over the
Governor's objection as in this section provided.
Sec.
9. [Governor may fill certain vacancies.] When any State or district
office shall become vacant, and no mode is provided by the Constitution
and laws for filling such vacancy, the Governor shall have the power
to fill the same by granting a commission, which shall expire at the
next election, and upon qualification of the person elected to such
office.
Sec.
10. [Governor's appointive power. Vacancies.] The Governor shall nominate,
and by and with the consent of the Senate, appoint all State and district
officers whose offices are established by this Constitution, or which
may be created by law, and whose appointment or election is not otherwise
provided for. If, during the recess of the Senate, a vacancy occur in
any State or district office, the Governor shall appoint some fit person
to discharge the duties thereof until the next meeting of the Senate,
when he shall nominate some person to fill such office. If the office
of justice of the supreme or district court, Secretary of State, State
Auditor, State Treasurer, Attorney-General or Superintendent of Public
Instruction be vacated by death, resignation or otherwise, it shall
be the duty of the Governor to fill the same by appointment, and the
appointee shall hold his office until his successor shall be elected
and qualified, as may be by law provided.
Sec.
11. [Vacancy in office of governor.] In case of the death of the Governor,
or his impeachment, removal from office, inability to discharge the
duties of his office, resignation, or absence from the State, the powers
and duties of said office shall devolve upon the Secretary of State,
until the disability shall cease, or until the next general election,
when the vacancy shall be filled by election. If, during a vacancy in
the office of Governor, the Secretary of State resign, die or become
incapable of performing the duties of the office, or be displaced, or
be absent from the State, the President pro tempore of the senate shall
act as Governor until the vacancy be filled or the disability cease.
While performing the duties of the Governor as in this section provided,
the Secretary of State, or the President pro tempore of the senate,
as the case may be, except in cases of temporary disability, or absence
from the State, shall be entitled to the salary and emoluments of the
Governor.
Sec.
12. [Board of pardons. Respites and reprieves.] Until otherwise provided
by law, the Governor, Justices of the Supreme Court and Attorney-General
shall constitute a Board of Pardons, a majority of whom, including the
Governor, upon such conditions, and with such limitations and restrictions
as they deem proper, may remit fines and forfeitures, commute punishments,
and grant pardons after convictions, in all cases except treason and
impeachments, subject to such regulations as may be provided by law,
relative to the manner of applying for pardons; but no fine or forfeiture
shall be remitted, and no commutation or pardon granted, except after
a full hearing before the Board, in open session, after previous notice
of the time and place of such hearing has been given. The proceedings
and decisions of the Board, with the reasons therefor in each case,
together with the dissent of any member who may disagree, shall be reduced
to writing, and filed, with all papers used upon the hearing, in the
office of the Secretary of State. The Governor shall have power to grant
respites or reprieves in all cases of convictions for offenses against
the State, except treason or conviction on impeachment; but such respites
or reprieves shall not extend beyond the next session of the Board of
Pardons; and such Board, at such session, shall continue or determine
such respite or reprieve, or they may commute the punishment, or pardon
the offense as herein provided. In case of conviction for treason, the
Governor shall have the power to suspend execution of the sentence,
until the case shall be reported to the Legislature at its next regular
session, when the Legislature shall either pardon, or commute the sentence,
or direct its execution; he shall communicate to the Legislature at
each regular session, each case of remission of fine or forfeiture,
reprieve, commutation or pardon granted since the last previous report,
stating the name of the convict, the crime for which he was convicted,
the sentence and its date, the date of remission, commutation, pardon
or reprieve, with the reasons for granting the same, and the objections,
if any, of any member of the Board made thereto.
Sec.
13. [State prison commissioners. Board of examiners.] Until otherwise
provided by law, the Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney-General
shall constitute a Board of State Prison Commissioners, which Board
shall have such supervision of all matters connected with the State
Prison as may be provided by law. They shall, also, constitute a Board
of Examiners, with power to examine all claims against the State except
salaries or compensation of officers fixed by law, and perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by law; and no claim against the State,
except for salaries and compensation of officers fixed by law, shall
be passed upon by the Legislature without having been considered and
acted upon by the said Board of Examiners.
Sec.
14. [Insane asylum commissioners.] Until otherwise provided by law,
the Governor, State Treasurer and State Auditor shall constitute a Board
of Insane Asylum Commissioners. Said Board shall have such supervision
of all matters connected with the State Insane Asylum as may be provided
by law.
Sec.
15. [Reform school commissioners.] Until otherwise provided by law,
the Governor, Attorney-General and Superintendent of Public Instruction
shall constitute a Board of Reform School Commissioners. Said Board
shall have such supervision of all matters connected with the State
Reform School as may be provided by law.
Sec.
16. [Duties of secretary of state.] The Secretary of State shall keep
a record of the official acts of the Legislature and Executive Department
of the State, and, when required, shall lay the same and all matters
relative thereto before either branch of the Legislature, and shall
perform such other duties as may be provided by law.
Sec.
17. [Duties of auditor and treasurer.] The Auditor shall be Auditor
of Public Accounts, and the Treasurer shall be the custodian of public
moneys, and each shall perform such other duties as may be provided
by law.
Sec.
18. [Duties of attorney general.] The Attorney-General shall be the
legal adviser of the State Officers, and shall perform such other duties
as may be provided by law.
Sec.
19. [Superintendent of public instruction.] The Superintendent of Public
Instruction shall perform such duties as may be provided by law.
Sec.
20. [Compensation of state officers.] The Governor, Secretary of State,
Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney-General, Superintendent of Public Instruction
and such other State and district officers as may be provided for by
law, shall receive for their services quarterly, a compensation as fixed
by law, which shall not be diminished or increased so as to affect the
salary of any officer during his term, or the term next ensuing after
the adoption of this Constitution, unless a vacancy occur, in which
case the successor of the former incumbent shall receive only such salary
as may be provided by law at the time of his election or appointment.
The compensation of the officers provided for by this article, until
otherwise provided by law, is fixed as follows:
Governor,
Two Thousand Dollars per annum.
Secretary
of State, Two Thousand Dollars per annum.
State
Auditor, Fifteen Hundred Dollars per annum.
State
Treasurer, One Thousand Dollars per annum.
Attorney-General,
Fifteen Hundred Dollars per annum.
Superintendent
of Public Instruction, Fifteen Hundred Dollars per annum.
The
compensation for said officers as prescribed in this section, and in
all laws enacted pursuant to this Constitution, shall be in full for
all services rendered by said officers, respectively, in any official
capacity or employment during their respective terms of office. No such
officer shall receive for the performance of any official duty any fee
for his own use, but all fees fixed by law for the performance by either
of them of any official duty, shall be collected in advance and deposited
with the State Treasurer quarterly to the credit of the State. The Legislature
may provide for the payment of actual and necessary expenses of said
officers while traveling in the State in the performance of official
duty.
Sec.
21. [Grants and commissions.] All grants and commissions shall be in
the name and by the authority of the State of Utah, sealed with the
Great Seal of the State, signed by the Governor, and countersigned by
the Secretary of State.
Sec.
22. [The great seal.] There shall be a seal of the State, which shall
be kept by the Secretary of State, and used by him officially. Said
seal shall be called "The Great Seal of the State of Utah." The present
seal of the Territory of Utah shall be the seal of the State until otherwise
provided by law.
Sec.
23. [U.S. officials ineligible. Governor not eligible for senate.] No
person, while holding any office under the United States' government,
shall hold any office under the State government of Utah, and the Governor
shall not be eligible for election to the Senate of the United States
during the term for which he shall have been elected Governor.
ARTICLE
VIII
JUDICIAL
DEPARTMENT
Section
1. [Judicial powers, how vested.] The Judicial power of the State shall
be vested in the Senate sitting as a court of impeachment, in a supreme
court, in district courts, in justices of the peace, and such other
courts inferior to the Supreme Court as may be established by law
Sec.
2. [Supreme court, how constituted. Terms..] The Supreme Court shall
consist of three judges; but after the year AD 1905, the Legislature
may increase the number thereof to five. A majority of the judges constituting
the court shall be necessary to form a quorum or render a decision.
If a justice of the Supreme Court shall be disqualified from sitting
in a cause before said court, the remaining judges shall call a district
judge to sit with them on the hearing of such cause. The Judges of the
Supreme Court shall be elected by the electors of the State at large.
The term of office of the Judges of the Supreme Court, excepting as
in this article otherwise provided, shall be six years. The Judges of
the Supreme Court, immediately after the first election under this Constitution,
shall be selected by lot, so that one shall hold office for the term
of three years, one for the term of five years, and one for the term
of seven years. The lots shall be drawn by the Judges of the Supreme
Court, who, for that purpose, shall assemble at the seat of government;
and they shall cause the result thereof to be certified by the Secretary
of State, and filed in his office. The judge having the shortest term
to serve, not holding his office by appointment or election to fill
a vacancy, shall be the Chief Justice, and shall preside at all terms
of the Supreme Court, and in case of his absence, the judge, having
in like manner, the next shortest term, shall preside in his stead.
Sec.
3. [Id. Qualification of judges.] Every Judge of the Supreme Court shall
be at least thirty years of age, and, before his election, shall be
a member of the bar, learned in the law, and a resident of the Territory
or State of Utah for five years next preceding his election
Sec.
4. [Id. Jurisdiction. Terms.] The Supreme Court shall have original
jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, quo
warranto and habeas corpus. Each of the justices shall have power to
issue writs of habeas corpus, to any part of the State, upon petition
by or on behalf of any person held in actual custody, and may make such
writs returnable before himself or the Supreme Court, or before any
district court or judge thereof in the State. In other cases the Supreme
Court Shall have appellate jurisdiction only, and power to issue writs
necessary and proper for the exercise of that jurisdiction. The Supreme
Court shall hold at least three terms every year, and shall sit at the
capital of the State.
Sec.
5. [District courts, how constituted. Terms. Jurisdiction. Judge pro
tempore.] The State shall be divided into seven judicial districts,
for each of which, at least one, and not exceeding three judges, shall
be chosen by the qualified electors thereof. The term of office of the
district judges shall be four years. Except that the District Judges
elected at the first election shall serve until the first Monday in
January, AD 1901, and until their successors shall have qualified. Until
otherwise provided by law, a district court at the county seat of each
county shall be held at least four times a year. All civil and criminal
business arising in any county, must be tried in such county, unless
a change of venue be taken, in such cases as may be provided by law.
Each judge of a District Court shall be at least twenty-five years of
age, a member of the bar, learned in the law, a resident of the Territory
or State of Utah three years next preceding his election, and shall
reside in the district for which he shall be elected. Any District Judge
may hold a District Court in any county at the request of the judge
of the district, and upon a request of the Governor, it shall be his
duty to do so. Any cause in the District Court may be tried by a judge
pro tempore, who must be a member of the bar, sworn to try the cause,
and agreed upon by the parties, or their attorneys of record.
Sec.
6. [Id. Legislature may change districts.] The Legislature may change
the limits of any judicial district, or increase or decrease the number
of districts, or the judges thereof. No alteration or increase shall
have the effect of removing a judge from office. In every additional
district established, a judge shall be elected by the electors thereof,
and his term of office shall continue as provided in section five of
this article.
Sec.
7. [Jurisdiction of district courts.] The District Court shall have
original jurisdiction in all matters civil and criminal, not excepted
in this Constitution, and not prohibited by law; appellate jurisdiction
from all inferior courts and tribunals, and a supervisory control of
the same. The District Courts or any judge thereof, shall have power
to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto,
certiorari, prohibition and other writs necessary to carry into effect
their orders, judgments and decrees, and to give them a general control
over inferior courts and tribunals within their respective jurisdictions.
Sec.
8. [Justices of the peace. Jurisdiction, etc.] The Legislature shall
determine the number of justices of the peace to be elected, and shall
fix by law their powers, duties and compensation. The jurisdiction of
justices of the peace shall be as now provided by law, but the Legislature
may restrict the same.
Sec.
9. [Appeals from district court: record, etc. From justices' courts.]
From all final judgments of the district courts, there shall be a right
of appeal to the Supreme Court. The appeal shall be upon the record
made in the court below, and under such regulations as may be provided
by law. In equity cases the appeal may be on questions of both law and
fact; in cases at law the appeal shall be on questions of law alone.
Appeals shall also lie from the final orders and decrees of the Court
in the administration of decedent estates, and in cases of guardianship,
as shall be provided by law. Appeals shall also lie from the final judgment
of justices of the peace in civil and criminal cases to the District
Courts on both questions of law and fact, with such limitations and
restrictions as shall be provided by law; and the decision of the District
Courts on such appeals shall be final, except in cases involving the
validity or constitutionality of a statute
Sec.
10. [County attorneys. Election, term, etc.] A County Attorney shall
be elected by the qualified voters of each county who shall hold his
office for a term of two years. The powers and duties of County Attorneys,
and such other attorneys for the State as the Legislature may provide,
shall be prescribed by law. In all cases where the attorney for any
county, or for the State, fails or refuses to attend and prosecute according
to law, the court shall have power to appoint an attorney pro tempore.
Sec.
11. [Removal of judges from office.] Judges may be removed from office
by the concurrent vote of both houses of the Legislature, each voting
separately; but two-thirds of the members to which each house may be
entitled must concur in such vote. The vote shall be determined by yeas
and nays, and the names of the members voting for or against a judge,
together with the cause or causes of removal, shall be entered on the
journal of each house. The judge against whom the house may be about
to proceed shall receive notice thereof, accompanied with a copy of
the cause alleged for his removal, at least ten days before the day
on which either house of the Legislature shall act thereon. Sec. 12.
[Judges' salaries to remain fixed.] The Judges of the Supreme and District
Courts shall receive at stated times compensation for their services,
which shall not be increased or diminished during the time for which
they are elected.
Sec.
13. [Disqualification of judges.] Except by consent of all the parties,
no judge of the supreme or inferior courts shall preside in the trial
of any cause where either of the parties shall be connected with him
by affinity or consanguinity within the degree of first cousin, or in
which he may have been of counsel, or in the trial of which he may have
presided in any inferior court.
Sec.
14. [Clerks of courts. Reporter.] The Supreme Court shall appoint a
clerk, and a reporter of its decisions, who shall hold their offices
during the pleasure of the Court. Until otherwise provided, County Clerks
shall be ex officio clerks of the District Courts in and for their respective
counties, and shall perform other duties as may be provided by law.
Sec.
15. [Judges shall not appoint relatives to office.] No person related
to any judge of any court by affinity or consanguinity within the degree
of first cousin, shall be appointed by such court or judge to, or employed
by such court or judge in any office or duty in any court of which such
judge may be a member.
Sec.
16. [Judicial districts, how constituted.] Until otherwise provided
by law, the Judicial Districts of the State shall be constituted as
follows:
First
District:--The Counties of Cache, Box Elder and Rich.
Second
District:--The Counties of Weber, Morgan and Davis.
Third
District:--The Counties of Summit, Salt Lake and Tooele, in which there
shall be elected three district judges.
Fourth
District:--The Counties of Utah, Wasatch and Uintah.
Fifth
District:--The Counties of Juab, Millard, Beaver, Iron and Washington.
Sixth
District:--The Counties of Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield and Kane.
Seventh
District:--The Counties of San Pete, Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan
Sec.
17. [Courts of record.] The Supreme Court and District Courts shall
be courts of record, and each shall have a seal.
Sec.
18. [Style of process: "The State of Utah."] The style of all process
shall be, "The State of Utah," and all prosecutions shall be conducted
in the name and by the authority of the same
Sec.
19. [But one form of civil action.] There shall be but one form of civil
action, and law and equity may be administered in the same action.
Sec.
20. [Salary of judges.] Until otherwise provide by law, the salaries
of supreme and district judges, shall be three thousand dollars per
annum, and mileage, payable quarterly out of the State treasury.
Sec.
21. [Judges to be conservators of peace.] Judges of the Supreme Court,
District Courts, and justices of the peace, shall be conservators of
the peace, and may hold preliminary examinations in cases of felony.
Sec.
22. [Judges to report defects in laws.] District Judges may, at any
time, report defects and omissions in the law to the Supreme Court,
and the Supreme Court, on or before the first day of December of each
year, shall report in writing to the Governor any seeming defect or
omission in the law.
Sec.
23. [Publication of decisions.] The Legislature may provide for the
publication of decisions and opinions of the Supreme Court, but all
decisions shall be free to publishers
Sec.
24. [Effect of extending judges' terms.] The terms of office of Supreme
and District Judges may be extended by law, but such extension shall
not affect the term for which any judge was elected.
Sec.
25. [Decisions of Supreme Court to be in writing.] When a judgment or
decree is reversed, modified or affirmed by the Supreme Court, the reasons
therefor shall be stated concisely in writing, signed by the judges
concurring, filed in the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court, and
preserved with a record of the case. Any judge dissenting therefrom,
may give the reasons of his dissent in writing over his signature.
Sec.
26. [Id. Court to prepare syllabus.] It shall be the duty of the court
to prepare a syllabus of all the points adjudicated in each case, which
shall be concurred in by a majority of the judges thereof, and it shall
be prefixed to the published reports of the case.
Sec.
27. [Judge forfeits office by absence.] Any judicial officer who shall
absent himself from the State or district for more than ninety consecutive
days, shall be deemed to have forfeited his office: Provided, That in
case of extreme necessity, the Governor may extend the leave of absence
to such time as the necessity therefor shall exist.
ARTICLE
IX
CONGRESSIONAL
AND LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT
Section
1. [Election of congressman.] One Representative in the Congress of
the United States shall be elected from the State at large on the Tuesday
next after the first Monday in November, AD 1895, and thereafter at
such times and places, and in such manner as may be prescribed by law.
When a new apportionment shall be made by Congress, the Legislature
shall divide the State into congressional districts accordingly.
Sec.
2. [Decennial census to be taken.] The Legislature shall provide by
law for an enumeration of the inhabitants of the State, AD 1905, and
every tenth year thereafter, and at the session next following such
enumeration, and also at the session next following an enumeration made
by the authority of the United States, shall revise and adjust the apportionment
for senators and representatives on the basis of such enumeration according
to ratios to be fixed by law
Sec.
3. [Number of members of legislature.] The Senate shall consist of eighteen
members, and the House of Representatives of forty-five members. The
Legislature may increase the number of senators and representatives,
but the senators shall never exceed thirty in number, and the number
of representatives shall never be less than twice nor greater than three
times the number of senators.
Sec.4.
[Senatorial districts, how formed.] When more than one county shall
constitute a senatorial district, such counties shall be contiguous,
and no county shall be divided in the formation of such districts unless
such county contains sufficient population within itself to form two
or more districts, nor shall a part of any county be united with any
other county in forming any district.
REPRESENTATIVE
DISTRICTS
Until
otherwise provided by law, representatives shall be apportioned among
the several counties of the State as follows: Provided, That in any
future apportionment made by the Legislature, each county shall be entitled
to at least one representative.
The
County of Box Elder shall constitute the First Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Cache shall constitute the Second Representative District,
and be entitled to three representatives.
The
County of Rich shall constitute the Third Representative District, and
be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Weber shall constitute the Fourth Representative District,
and be entitled to four representatives.
The
County of Morgan shall constitute the Fifth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Davis shall constitute the Sixth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative. T
he
County of Tooele shall constitute the Seventh Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Salt Lake shall constitute the Eighth Representative District,
and be entitled to ten representatives.
The
County of Summit shall constitute the Ninth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Wasatch shall constitute the Tenth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Utah shall constitute the Eleventh Representative District,
and be entitled to four representatives.
The
County of Uintah shall constitute the Twelfth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Juab shall constitute the Thirteenth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of San Pete shall constitute the Fourteenth Representative District,
and be entitled to two representatives.
The
County of Carbon shall constitute the Fifteenth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Emery shall constitute the Sixteenth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Grand shall constitute the Seventeenth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Sevier shall constitute the Eighteenth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Millard shall constitute the Nineteenth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Beaver shall constitute the Twentieth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Piute shall constitute the Twenty-first Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Wayne shall constitute the Twenty-second Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Garfield shall constitute the Twenty-third Representative
District, and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Iron shall constitute the Twenty-fourth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Washington shall constitute the Twenty-fifth Representative
District, and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of Kane shall constitute the Twenty-sixth Representative District,
and be entitled to one representative.
The
County of San Juan shall constitute the Twenty-seventh Representative
District, and be entitled to one representative.
SENATORIAL
DISTRICTS
Until
otherwise provided by law, Senatorial Districts shall be constituted
and numbered as follows:
The
Counties of Box Elder and Tooele shall constitute the First District,
and be entitled to one Senator.
The
County of Cache shall constitute the Second District, and be entitled
to one Senator. The Counties of Rich, Morgan, and Davis shall constitute
the Third District, and be entitled to one Senator.
The
County of Weber shall constitute the Fourth District, and be entitled
to two Senators.
The
Counties of Summit and Wasatch shall constitute the Fifth District,
and be entitled to one Senator.
The
County of Salt Lake shall constitute the Sixth District, and be entitled
to five Senators.
The
County of Utah shall constitute the Seventh District, and be entitled
to two Senators.
The
Counties of Juab and Millard shall constitute the Eighth District, and
be entitled to one Senator.
The
County of San Pete shall constitute the Ninth District, and be entitled
to one Senator.
The
Counties of Sevier, Wayne, Piute, and Garfield shall constitute the
Tenth District, and be entitled to one Senator.
The
Counties of Beaver, Iron, Washington, and Kane shall constitute the
Eleventh District, and be entitled to one Senator.
The
Counties of Emery, Carbon, Uintah, Grand, and San Juan shall constitute
the Twelfth District, and be entitled to one Senator.
ARTICLE
X EDUCATION
Section
1. [Free non-sectarian schools.] The Legislature shall provide for the
establishment and maintenance of a uniform system of public schools,
which shall be open to all children of the State, and be free from sectarian
control.
Sec.
2. [Public school system. Maintenance.] The Public School system shall
include kindergarten schools; common schools, consisting of primary
and grammar grades; high schools; an Agricultural College; a University,
and such other schools as the Legislature may establish. The common
schools shall be free. The other departments of the system shall be
supported as provided by law: Provided, That high schools may be maintained
free in all cities of the first and second class now constituting school
districts, and in such other cities and districts as may be designated
by the Legislature. But where the proportion of school monies apportioned
or accruing to any city or district shall not be sufficient to maintain
all the free schools in such city or district, the high schools shall
be supported by local taxation.
Sec.
3. [State school fund. Interest distributed.] The proceeds of all lands
that have been, or may be granted by the United States to this State,
for the support of the common schools; the proceeds of all property
that may accrue to the State by escheat or forfeiture; all unclaimed
shares and dividends of any corporation incorporated under the laws
of this State; the proceeds of the sale of timber, minerals or other
property from school and State lands, other than those granted for specific
purposes; and the five per centum of the net proceeds of the sales of
public lands lying within the State, which shall be sold by the United
States, subsequent to the admission of this State into the Union, shall
be and remain a perpetual fund, to be called the State School Fund,
the interest of which only, together with such other means as the Legislature
may provide, shall be distributed among the several school districts
according to the school population residing therein.
Sec.
4. [University and agricultural college located. Rights, etc.] The location
and establishment by existing laws of the University of Utah, and the
Agricultural College are hereby confirmed, and all the rights, immunities,
franchises and endowments heretofore granted or conferred, are hereby
perpetuated unto said University and Agricultural College respectively.
Sec.
5. [Proceeds of land grants to constitute permanent funds.] The proceeds
of the sale of lands reserved by an Act of Congress, approved February
21st, 1855, for the establishment of the University of Utah, and of
all the lands granted by an Act of Congress, approved July 16th, 1894,
shall constitute permanent funds, to be safely invested and held by
the State; and the income thereof shall be used exclusively for the
support and maintenance of the different institutions and colleges,
respectively, in accordance with the requirements and conditions of
said Acts of Congress.
Sec.
6. [Separate control of city schools.] In cities of the first and second
class, the public school system shall be maintained and controlled,
by the Board of Education of such cities, separate and apart from the
counties in which said cities are located.
Sec.
7. [School funds guaranteed by state.] All public School Funds shall
be guaranteed by the State against loss or diversion.
Sec.
8. [State board of education.] The general control and supervision of
the Public School System shall be vested in a State Board of Education,
consisting of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and such other
persons as the Legislature may provide.
Sec.
9. [Textbooks.] Neither the Legislature nor the State Board of Education
shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the common schools.
Sec.
10. [Institutions for deaf, dumb and blind. Property. Fund.] Institutions
for the Deaf and Dumb, and for the Blind, are hereby established. All
property belonging to the School for the Deaf and Dumb, heretofore connected
with the University of Utah, shall be transferred to said Institution
for the Deaf and Dumb. All the proceeds of the lands granted by the
United States, for the support of a Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and for an
Institution for the Blind, shall be a perpetual fund for the maintenance
of said Institutions. It shall be a trust fund, the principal of which
shall remain inviolate, guaranteed by the state against loss or diversion.
Sec.
11. [Metric system.] The Metric System shall be taught in the public
schools of the State.
Sec.
12. [No religious or partisan tests in schools.] Neither religious nor
partisan test or qualification shall be required of any person, as a
condition of admission, as teacher or student, into any public educational
institution of the State.
Sec.
13. [Public aid to church schools forbidden.] Neither the Legislature
nor any county, city, town, school district or other public corporation,
shall make any appropriation to aid in the support of any school, seminary,
academy, college, university or other institution, controlled in whole,
or in part, by any church, sect or denomination whatever.
ARTICLE
XI
COUNTIES,
CITIES AND TOWNS
Section
1. [Existing counties, precincts, etc., recognized.] The several counties
of the Territory of Utah, existing at the time of the adoption of this
Constitution, are hereby recognized as legal subdivisions of this State,
and the precincts, and school districts, now existing in said counties,
as legal subdivisions thereof, and they shall so continue until changed
by law in pursuance of this article.
Sec.
2. [Removal of county seats.] No County Seat shall be removed unless
two-thirds of the qualified electors of the county, voting on the proposition
at a general election, shall vote in favor of such removal, and two-thirds
of the votes cast on the proposition shall be required to relocate a
county seat. A proposition of removal shall not be submitted in the
same county more than once in four years.
Sec.
3. [Changing county lines.] No territory shall be stricken from any
county unless a majority of the voters living in such territory, as
well as of the county to which it is to be annexed, shall vote therefor,
and then only under such conditions as may be prescribed by general
law.
Sec.
4. [Uniform county government.] The Legislature shall establish a system
of County government, which shall be uniform throughout the State, and
by general laws shall provide for precinct and township organizations.
Sec.
5. [Special municipal charters forbidden. ] Corporations for municipal
purposes shall not be created by special laws; the Legislature, by general
laws, shall provide for the incorporation, organization, and classification
of cities and towns in proportion to population; which laws may be altered,
amended or repealed.
Sec.
6. [Municipalities forbidden to sell waterworks or rights.] No municipal
corporation, shall directly or indirectly, lease, sell, alien or dispose
of any waterworks, water rights, or sources of water supply now, or
hereafter to be owned or controlled by it; but all such waterworks,
water rights and sources of water supply now owned or hereafter to be
acquired by any municipal corporation, shall be preserved, maintained
and operated by it for supplying its inhabitants with water at reasonable
charges: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be construed
to prevent any such municipal corporation from exchanging water-rights,
or sources of water supply, for other water-rights or sources of water
supply of equal value, and to be devoted in like manner to the public
supply of its inhabitants.
ARTICLE
XII CORPORATIONS
Section
1. [Corporations. Formation. Control.] Corporations may be formed under
general laws, but shall not be created by special acts. All laws relating
to corporations may be altered, amended or repealed by the Legislature,
and all corporations doing business in this State, may, as to such business,
be regulated, limited or restrained by law.
Sec.
2. [Existing corporations to accept Constitution.] All existing charters,
franchises, special or exclusive privileges, under which an actual and
bona fide organization shall not have taken place, and business been
commenced in good faith, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution,
shall thereafter have no validity; and no corporation in existence at
the time of the adoption of this Constitution shall have the benefit
of future legislation without first filing in the office of the Secretary
of State, an acceptance of the provisions of this Constitution
Sec.
3. [Legislature not to extend or validate franchises.] The Legislature
shall not extend any franchise or charter, nor remit the forfeiture
of any franchise or charter of any corporation now existing, or which
shall hereafter exist under the laws of this State.
Sec.
4. ["Corporation" defined. Suits.] The term "Corporation," as used in
this article, shall be construed to include all associations and joint-stock
companies having any powers or privileges of corporations not possessed
by individuals or partnerships, and all corporations shall have the
right to sue, and shall be subject to be sued, in all courts, in like
cases as natural persons
Sec.
5. [Corporate stock. Issuance, increase, etc.] Corporations shall not
issue stock, except to bona fide subscribers thereof or their assignee,
nor shall any corporation issue any bond, or other obligation, for the
payment of money, except for money or property received, or labor done.
The stock of corporations shall not be increased, except in pursuance
of general law, nor shall any law authorize the increase of stock without
the consent of the person or persons holding the larger amount in value
of the stock, or without due notice of the proposed increase having
previously been given in such manner as may be prescribed by law. All
fictitious increase of stock or indebtedness shall be void.
Sec.
6. [Privileges of foreign corporations.] No corporations organized outside
of this State, shall be allowed to transact business within the State
on conditions more favorable than those prescribed by law to similar
corporations organized under the laws of this State
Sec.
7. [Limitation on alienation of franchise.] No corporation shall lease
or alienate any franchise, so as to relieve the franchise or property
held thereunder from the liabilities of the lessor, or grantor, lessee
or grantee, contracted or incurred in operation, use or enjoyment of
such franchise or any of its privileges.
Sec.
8. [Consent of local authorities necessary to use of streets.] No law
shall be passed granting the right to construct and operate a street
railroad, telegraph, telephone or electric light plant within any city
or incorporated town, without the consent of the local authorities who
have control of the street or highway proposed to be occupied for such
purposes.
Sec.
9. [Place of business, process agent, etc.] No corporation shall do
business in this State, without having one or more places of business,
with an authorized agent or agents, upon whom process may be served;
nor without first filing a certified copy of its articles of incorporation
with the Secretary of State.
Sec.
10. [Corporations limited to authorized objects.] No corporation shall
engage in any business other than that expressly authorized in its charter,
or articles of incorporation
Sec.
11 [Franchises may be taken for public use.] The exercise of the right
of eminent domain shall never be so abridged or construed, as to prevent
the Legislature from taking the property and franchises of incorporated
companies, and subjecting them to public use the same as the property
of individuals.
Sec.
12. [Common carriers.] All railroad and other transportation companies
are declared to be common carriers, and subject to legislative control;
and such companies shall receive and transport each other's passengers
and freight, without discrimination or unnecessary delay.
Sec.
13. [Competing railroads not to consolidate.] No railroad corporation
shall consolidate its stock, property or franchises with any other railroad
corporation owning a competing line
Sec.
14. [Rolling stock considered personal property.] The rolling stock,
and other movable property, belonging to any railroad company or corporation
in this State, shall be considered personal property, and shall be liable
to taxation and to execution and sale, in the same manner as the personal
property of individuals, and such property shall not be exempted from
execution and sale.
Sec.
15. [Legislature to prescribe maximum rates. Discriminations.] The Legislature
shall pass laws establishing reasonable maximum rates of charges for
the transportation of passengers and freight, for correcting abuses,
and preventing discrimination and extortion in rates of freight and
passenger tariffs by the different railroads, and other common carriers
in the State, and shall enforce such laws by adequate penalties.
Sec.
16. [Armed bodies not enter state, when.] No corporation or association
shall bring any armed person or bodies of men into this State for the
preservation of the peace, or the suppression of domestic trouble without
authority of law.
Sec.
17. [Employee of corporation ineligible to municipal office, when.]
No officer, employee, attorney or agent of any corporation, company
or association doing business under, or by virtue of any municipal charter
or franchise, shall be eligible to or permitted to hold any municipal
office, in the municipality granting such charter or franchise.
Sec.
18. [Liability of stockholders of banks.] The stockholders in every
corporation, and joint stock association for banking purposes, in addition
to the amount of capital stock subscribed and fully paid by them, shall
be individually responsible for an additional amount, equal to the amount
of their stock in such corporation, for all its debts and liabilities
of every kind
Sec.
19. [Blacklisting forbidden.] Every person in this State shall be free
to obtain employment whenever possible, and any person, corporation,
or agent, servant or employee thereof, maliciously interfering or hindering
in any way, any person from obtaining, or enjoying employment already
obtained, from any other corporation or person, shall be deemed guilty
of a crime. The Legislature shall provide by law for the enforcement
of this section
Sec.
20. [Trusts and combinations prohibited.] Any combination by individuals,
corporations, or associations, having for its object or effect the controlling
of the price of any products of the soil, or of any article of manufacture
or commerce, or the cost of exchange or transportation, is prohibited,
and hereby declared unlawful, and against public policy. The Legislature
shall pass laws for the enforcement of this section by adequate penalties,
and in case of incorporated companies, if necessary for that purpose,
it may declare a forfeiture of their franchise
ARTICLE
XIII
REVENUE
AND TAXATION
Section
1. [Fiscal year.] The fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January,
unless changed by the Legislature.
Sec.
2. [What property taxable. Definitions. Revenue.] All property in the
State, not exempt under the laws of the United States, or under this
Constitution, shall be taxed in proportion to its value, to be ascertained
as provided by law. The word property, as used in this article, is hereby
declared to include monies, credits, bonds, stocks, franchises and all
matters and things (real, personal and mixed) capable of private ownership;
but this shall not be so construed as to authorize the taxation of the
stocks of any company or corporation, when the property of such company
or corporation represented by such stocks, has been taxed. The Legislature
shall provide by law for an annual tax sufficient, with other sources
of revenue, to defray the estimated ordinary expenses of the state for
each fiscal year. For the purpose of paying the State debt, if any there
be, the Legislature shall provide for levying a tax annually, sufficient
to pay the annual interest, and principal of such debt, within twenty
years from the final passage of the law creating the debt.
Sec.
3. [Legislature to provide uniform tax. Exemptions.] The Legislature
shall provide by law a uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation
on all property in the State, according to its value in money, and shall
prescribe by general law such regulations as shall secure a just valuation
for taxation of all property; so that every person and corporation shall
pay a tax in proportion to the value of his, her or its property: Provided,
That a deduction of debts from credits may be authorized: Provided further,
That the property of the United States, of the State, counties, cities,
towns, school districts, municipal corporations and public libraries,
lots with the buildings thereon used exclusively for either religious
worship or charitable purposes, and places of burial not held or used
for private or corporate benefit, shall be exempt from taxation. Ditches,
canals, and flumes owned and used by individuals or corporations for
irrigating lands owned by such individuals or corporations, or the individual
members thereof, shall not be separately taxed so long as they shall
be owned, and used exclusively for such purpose
Sec.
4. [Taxation of mines.] All mines and mining claims, both placer and
rock in place, containing or bearing gold, silver, copper, lead, coal
or other valuable mineral deposits, after purchase thereof from the
United States, shall be taxed at the price paid the United States therefor,
unless the surface ground, or some part thereof, of such mine or claim,
is used for other than mining purposes, and has a separate and independent
value for such other purposes; in which case said surface ground, or
any part thereof, so used for other than mining purposes, shall be taxed
at its value for such other purposes, as provided by law; and all the
machinery used in mining, and all property and surface improvements
upon or appurtenant to mines and mining claims, which have a value separate
and independent of such mines or mining claims, and the net annual proceeds
of all mines and mining claims, shall be taxed as provided by law
Sec.
5. [Local authorities to levy local taxes.] The Legislature shall not
impose taxes for the purpose of any county, city, town or other municipal
corporation, but may, by law, vest in the corporate authorities thereof,
respectively, the power to assess and collect taxes for all purposes
of such corporation.
Sec.
6. [Annual statement to be published.] An accurate statement of the
receipts and expenditures of the public moneys, shall be published annually
in such manner as the Legislature may provide.
Sec.
7. [Tax rate for state purposes.] The rate of taxation on property,
for State purposes, shall never exceed eight mills on each dollar of
valuation; and whenever the taxable property within the State shall
amount to two hundred million dollars, the rate shall not exceed five
mills on each dollar of valuation; and whenever the taxable property
within the State shall amount to three hundred million dollars, the
rate shall never thereafter exceed four mills on each dollar of valuation;
unless a proposition to increase such rate, specifying the rate proposed,
and the time during which the same shall be levied, be first submitted
to a vote of such qualified electors of the State as, in the year next
preceding such election, shall have paid a property tax assessed to
them within the State, and the majority of those voting thereon shall
vote in favor thereof, in such manner as may be provided by law.
Sec.
8. [Officer not to make profit out of public moneys.] The making of
profit out of public moneys, or using the same for any purpose not authorized
by law, by any public officer, shall be deemed a felony, and shall be
punished as provided by law, but part of such punishment shall be disqualification
to hold public office.
Sec.
9. [State expenditure to be kept within revenues.] No appropriation
shall be made, or any expenditure authorized by the Legislature, whereby
the expenditure of the State, during any fiscal year, shall exceed the
total tax then provided for by law, and applicable for such appropriation
or expenditure, unless the Legislature making such appropriation, shall
provide for levying a sufficient tax, not exceeding the rates allowed
in section seven of this article, to pay such appropriation or expenditure
within such fiscal year. This provision shall not apply to appropriations
or expenditures to suppress insurrections, defend the State, or assist
in defending the United States in time of war.
Sec.
10. [All property taxable where situated.] All corporations or persons
in this State, or doing business herein, shall be subject to taxation
for State, County, School, Municipal or other purposes, on the real
and personal property owned or used by them within the territorial limits
of the authority levying the tax.
Sec.
11. [State and county boards of equalization.] Until otherwise provided
by law, there shall be a State Board of Equalization, consisting of
the Governor, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Secretary of State and
Attorney-General; also, in each county of this State, a County Board
of Equalization, consisting of the Board of County Commissioners of
said county. The duty of the State Board of Equalization shall be to
adjust and equalize the valuation of the real and personal property
among the several counties of the State. The duty of the County Board
of Equalization shall be to adjust the equalize the valuation of the
real and personal property within their respective counties. Each Board
shall also perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.
Sec.
12. [Stamp, income, license, franchise, or mortgage tax permissible.]
Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prevent the Legislature
from providing a stamp tax, or a tax based on income, occupation, licenses,
franchises or mortgages.
ARTICLE
XIV
PUBLIC
DEBT
Section
1. [State debt, limitation.] To meet casual deficits or failures in
revenue, and for necessary expenditures for public purposes, including
the erection of public buildings, and for the payment of all Territorial
indebtedness assumed by the State, the State may contract debts, not
exceeding in the aggregate at any one time, the sum of two hundred thousand
dollars over and above the amount of the Territorial indebtedness assumed
by the State. But when the said Territorial indebtedness shall have
been paid, the State shall never contract any indebtedness, except as
in the next section provided, in excess of the sum of two hundred thousand
dollars, and all monies arising from loans herein authorized, shall
be applied solely to the purposes for which they were obtained.
Sec.
2. [Debts for public defense.] The State may contract debts to repel
invasion, suppress insurrection, or to defend the State in war, but
the money arising from the contracting of such debts shall be applied
solely to the purpose for which it was obtained.
Sec.
3. [Debts of counties, cities, etc., not to exceed revenue. Exception.]
No debt in excess of the taxes for the current year shall be created
by any county or subdivision thereof, or by any school district therein,
or by any city, town or village, or any subdivision thereof in this
State; unless the proposition to create such debt, shall have been submitted
to a vote of such qualified electors as shall have paid a property tax
therein, in the year preceding such election, and a majority of those
voting thereon shall have voted in favor of incurring such debt.
Sec.
4. [Limit of indebtedness of counties, cities, towns and school districts.]
When authorized to create indebtedness as provided in section three
of this article, no county shall become indebted to an amount, including
existing indebtedness, exceeding two per centum. No city, town, school
district or other municipal corporation, shall become indebted to an
amount, including existing indebtedness, exceeding four per centum of
the value of the taxable property therein, the value to be ascertained
by the last assessment for State and county purposes, previous to the
incurring of such indebtedness; except that in incorporated cities the
assessment shall be taken from the last assessment for city purposes:
Provided, That no part of the indebtedness allowed in this section,
shall be incurred for other than strictly county, city, town or school
district purposes: Provided, further, That any city or town, when authorized
as provided in Section three of this Article, may be allowed to incur
a larger indebtedness, not exceeding four per centum additional, for
supplying such city or town with water, artificial lights or sewers,
when the works for supplying such water, light and sewers, shall be
owned and controlled by the municipality.
Sec.
5. [Borrowed money to be applied to authorized use.] All moneys borrowed
by, or on behalf of the State, or any legal subdivision thereof, shall
be used solely for the purpose specified in the law authorizing the
loan.
Sec.
6. [State not to assume county, etc., debts.] The State shall not assume
the debt, or any part thereof, of any county, city, town or school district.
Sec. 7. [Existing indebtedness not impaired.] Nothing in this article
shall be so construed as to impair or add to the obligation of any debt
heretofore contracted, in accordance with the laws of Utah Territory,
by any county, city, town or school district, or to prevent the contracting
of any debt, or the issuing of bonds therefor, in accordance with said
laws, upon any proposition for that purpose, which, according to said
laws, may have been submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of
any county, city, town or school district before the day on which this
Constitution takes effect.
ARTICLE
XV
MILITIA
Section
1. [How constituted.] The militia shall consist of all able-bodied male
inhabitants of the State, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five
years, except such as are exempted by law.
Sec.
2. [Organization and equipment.] The Legislature shall provide by law
for the organization, equipment and discipline of the militia, which
shall conform as nearly as practicable to the regulations for the government
of the armies of the United States.
ARTICLE
XVI
LABOR
Section
1. [Rights of labor to be protected.] The rights of labor shall have
just protection through laws calculated to promote the industrial welfare
of the State.
Sec.
2. [Board of labor.] The Legislature shall provide by law, for a Board
of Labor, Conciliation and Arbitration, which shall fairly represent
the interests of both capital and labor. The Board shall perform duties,
and receive compensation as prescribed by law.
Sec.
3. [Certain employments, etc., to be prohibited.] The Legislature shall
prohibit:
(1)
The employment of women, or of children under the age of fourteen years,
in underground mines.
(2)
The contracting of convict labor.
(3)
The labor of convicts outside prison grounds, except on public works
under the direct control of the State.
(4)
The political and commercial control of employees.
Sec.
4. [Exchange of blacklists prohibited.] The exchange of black lists
by railroad companies, or other corporations, associations or persons
is prohibited.
Sec.
5. [Injuries resulting in death. Damages.] The right of action to recover
damages for injuries resulting in death, shall never be abrogated, and
the amount recoverable shall not be subject to any statutory limitation.
Sec.
6. [Eight hours a day's labor on public works.] Eight hours shall constitute
a day's work on all works or undertakings carried on or aided by the
State, County or Municipal governments; and the Legislature shall pass
laws to provide for the health and safety of employees in factories,
smelters and mines.
Sec.
7. [Legislature to enforce this article.] The Legislature, by appropriate
legislation, shall provide for the enforcement of the provisions of
this article.
ARTICLE XVII
WATER
RIGHTS
Section
1. [Existing rights confirmed.] All existing rights to the use of any
of the waters in this State for any useful or beneficial purpose, are
hereby recognized and confirmed.
ARTICLE
XVIII
FORESTRY
Section
1. [Forests to be preserved.] The Legislature shall enact laws to prevent
the destruction of and to preserve the Forests on the lands of the State,
and upon any part of the public domain, the control of which may be
conferred by Congress upon the State.
ARTICLE
XIX
PUBLIC
BUILDINGS AND STATE INSTITUTIONS
Section.
1. [Property of territory becomes property of state.] All Institutions
and other property of the Territory, upon the adoption of this Constitution,
shall become the Institutions and property of the State of Utah.
Sec.
2. [Charitable and penal institutions, how maintained.] Reformatory
and Penal Institutions, and those for the benefit of the Insane, Blind,
Deaf and Dumb, and such other institutions as the public good may require,
shall be established and supported by the State in such manner, and
under such boards of control as may be prescribed by law.
Sec.
3. [Seat of government and public institutions permanently located.]
The Public Institutions of the State are hereby permanently located
at the places hereinafter named, each to have the lands specifically
granted to it by the United States, in the Act of Congress, approved
July 16th, 1894, to be disposed of and used in such manner as the Legislature
may provide:
First:--The
Seat of Government and the State Fair at Salt Lake City, and the State
Prison in the County of Salt Lake.
Second:--The
Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, and the State Reform
School at Ogden City, in the County of Weber. Third:--The State Insane
Asylum at Provo City, in the County of Utah.
ARTICLE
XX
PUBLIC
LANDS
Section
1. [Land grants accepted on terms of trust.] All lands of the State
that have been, or may hereafter be granted to the State by Congress,
and all lands acquired by gift, grant or devise, from any person or
corporation, or that may otherwise be acquired, are hereby accepted,
and declared to be the public lands of the State; and shall be held
in trust for the people, to be disposed of as may be provided by law,
for the respective purposes for which they have been or may be granted,
donated, devised or otherwise acquired.
ARTICLE
XXI
SALARIES
Sec.
1. [Public officers to be paid salaries. Exceptions.] All State, district,
city, county, town and school officers, excepting notaries public, boards
of arbitration, court commissioners, justices of the peace and constables,
shall be paid fixed and definite salaries: Provided, That city justices
may be paid by salary when so determined by the mayor and council of
such cities.
Sec.
2. [Legislature to provide fees. Accounting.] The Legislature shall
provide by law, the fees which shall be collected by all officers within
the state. Notaries public, boards of arbitration, court commissioners,
justices of the peace, and constables paid by fees, shall accept said
fees as their full compensation. But all other State, district, county,
city, town and school officers, shall be required by law to keep a true
and correct account of all fees collected by them, and to pay the same
into the proper treasury, and the officer whose duty it is to collect
such fees shall be held responsible under his bond for the same.
ARTICLE
XXII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
1. [Homestead exemption.] The Legislature shall provide by law, for
the selection by each head of a family, and exemption of a homestead,
which may consist of one or more parcels of lands, together with the
appurtenances and improvements thereon on the value of at least fifteen
hundred dollars from sale on execution.
Sec.
2. [Property rights of married women.] Real and personal estate of every
female, acquired before marriage, and all property to which she may
afterwards become entitled by purchase, gift, grant, inheritance or
devise, shall be and remain the estate and property of such female,
and shall not be liable for the debts, obligations or engagements of
her husband, and may be conveyed, devised or bequeathed by her as if
she were unmarried.
ARTICLE
XXIII
AMENDMENT
AND REVISION
Section
1. [Amendments: proposal, election.] Any amendment or amendments to
this Constitution may be proposed in either house of the Legislature,
and if two-thirds of all the members elected to each of the two houses,
shall vote in favor thereof, such proposed amendment or amendments shall
be entered on their respective journals with the yeas and nays taken
thereon; and the Legislature shall cause the same to be published in
at least one newspaper in every county of the State, where a newspaper
is published, for two months immediately preceding the next general
election, at which time the said amendment or amendments shall be submitted
to the electors of the State, for their approval or rejection, and if
a majority of the electors voting thereon shall approve the same, such
amendment or amendments shall become part of this Constitution. If two
or more amendments are proposed, they shall be so submitted as to enable
the electors to vote on each of them separately.
Sec.
2. [Revision of the constitution.] Whenever two-thirds of the members,
elected to each branch of the Legislature, shall deem it necessary to
call a convention to revise or amend this Constitution, they shall recommend
to the electors to vote, at the next general election, for or against
a convention, and, if a majority of all the electors, voting at such
election, shall vote for a convention, the Legislature, at its next
session, shall provide by law for calling the same. The convention shall
consist of not less than the number of members in both branches of the
Legislature.
Sec.
3. [Id. Submission to electors.] No Constitution, or amendments adopted
by such Convention, shall have validity until submitted to, and adopted
by, a majority of the electors of the State voting at the next general
election.
ARTICLE
XXIV
SCHEDULE
Section
1. [Actions, contracts, etc., to continue.] In order that no inconvenience
may arise, by reason of the change from a Territorial to a State Government,
it is hereby declared that all writs, actions, prosecutions, judgments,
claims and contracts, as well of individuals as of bodies corporate,
both public and private, shall continue as if no change had taken place;
and all process which may issue, under the authority of the Territory
of Utah, previous to its admission into the Union, shall be as valid
as if issued in the name of the State of Utah.
Sec.
2. [Territorial laws continued.] All laws of the Territory of Utah now
in force, not repugnant to this Constitution, shall remain in force
until they expire by their own limitations, or are altered or repealed
by the Legislature. The act of the Governor and Legislative Assembly
of the Territory of Utah, entitled, "An Act to punish polygamy and other
kindred offenses," approved February 4th, AD 1892, in so far as the
same defines and imposes penalties for polygamy, is hereby declared
to be in force in the State of Utah.
Sec.
3. [Prisoners to be held.] Any person, who, at the time of the admission
of the State into the Union, may be confined under lawful commitment,
or otherwise lawfully held to answer for alleged violation of any of
the criminal laws of the Territory of Utah, shall continue to be so
held or confined, until discharged therefrom by the proper courts of
the State.
Sec.
4. [Fines, etc., due the territory. Debts of the territory.] All fines,
penalties and forfeitures accruing to the Territory of Utah, or to the
people of the United States in the Territory of Utah, shall inure to
this State, and all debts, liabilities and obligations of said Territory
shall be valid against the State, and enforced as may be provided by
law.
Sec.
5. [Recognizances. Judgments. Records. Fines due counties, etc.] All
recognizances heretofore taken, or which may be taken before the change
from a Territorial to a State Government, shall remain valid, and shall
pass to and be prosecuted in the name of the State; and all bonds executed
to the Governor of the Territory, or to any other officer or court in
his or their official capacity, or to any official board for the benefit
of the Territory of Utah, or the people thereof, shall pass to the Governor
or other officer, court or board, and his or their successors in office,
for the uses therein, respectively expressed, and may be sued on, and
recovery had accordingly. Assessed taxes, and all revenue, property,
real, personal or mixed, and all judgments, bonds, specialties, choses
in action, claims and debts, of whatsoever description; and all records
and public archives of the Territory of Utah, shall issue and vest in
the State of Utah, and may be sued for and recovered, in the same manner,
and to the same extent by the State of Utah, as the same could have
been by the Territory of Utah; and all fines, taxes, penalties and forfeitures,
due or owing to any county, municipality or school district therein,
at the time the State shall be admitted into the Union, are hereby respectively
assigned and transferred, and the same shall be payable to the county,
municipality or school district, as the case may be, and payment thereof
be enforced under the laws of the State.
Sec.
6. [Criminal prosecutions begun and crimes committed before statehood.]
All criminal prosecutions, and penal actions, which may have arisen,
or which may arise before the change from a Territorial to a State Government,
and which shall then be pending, shall be prosecuted to judgment and
execution in the name of the State, and in the court having jurisdiction
thereof. All offenses committed against the laws of the Territory of
Utah, before the change from a Territorial to a State Government, and
which shall not have been prosecuted before such change, may be prosecuted
in the name, and by authority of the State of Utah, with like effect
as though such change had not taken place, and all penalties incurred
shall remain the same, as if this Constitution had not been adopted.
Sec.
7. [Transfer of causes, records, etc.] All actions, cases, proceedings
and matters, pending in the Supreme and District Courts of the Territory
of Utah, at the time the State shall be admitted into the Union, and
all files, records and indictments relating thereto, except as otherwise
provided herein, shall be appropriately transferred to the Supreme and
District Courts of the State respectively; and thereafter all such actions,
matters and cases, shall be proceeded with in the proper State courts.
All actions, cases, proceedings and matters which shall be pending in
the District Courts of the Territory of Utah, at the time of the admission
of the State into the Union, whereof the United States Circuit or District
Courts might have had jurisdiction had there been a State Government
at the time of the commencement thereof respectively, shall be transferred
to the proper United States Circuit and District Courts respectively;
and all files, records, indictments and proceedings relating thereto,
shall be transferred to said United States Courts: Provided, That no
civil actions, other than causes and proceedings of which the said United
States' Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction, shall be transferred
to either of said United States' Courts except upon motion or petition
by one of the parties thereto, made under and in accordance with the
act or acts of Congress of the United States, and such motion and petition
not being made, all such cases shall be proceeded with in the proper
State Courts.
Sec.
8. [Seals of courts.] Upon a change from Territorial to State Government,
the seal in use by the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah, until
otherwise provided by law, shall pass to and become the Seal of the
Supreme Court of the State, and the several District Courts of the State
may adopt seals for their respective courts, until otherwise provided
by law.
Sec.
9. [Transfer of probate causes to district courts.] When the State is
admitted into the Union, and the District Courts in the respective districts
are organized, the books, records, papers and proceedings of the probate
court in each county, and all causes and matters of administration pending
therein, upon the expiration of the term of office of the Probate Judge,
on the second Monday in January, 1896, shall pass into the jurisdiction
and possession of the District Court, which shall proceed to final judgment
or decree, order or other determination in the several matters and causes,
as the Territorial Probate Court might have done, if this Constitution
had not been adopted. And until the expiration of the term of office
of the Probate Judges, such Probate Judges shall perform the duties
now imposed upon them by the laws of the Territory. The District Courts
shall have appellate and revisory jurisdiction over the decisions of
the Probate Courts as now provided by law, until such latter courts
expire by limitation.
Sec.
10. [Officers to hold office until superseded.] All officers, civil
and military, now holding their offices and appointments in this Territory
by authority of law, shall continue to hold and exercise their respective
offices and appointments, until superseded under this Constitution:
Provided, That the provisions of this section shall be subject to the
provisions of the Act of Congress, providing for the admission of the
State of Utah, approved by the President of the United States on July
16th, 1894.
Sec.
11. [Election for adoption or rejection of constitution, and for state
officers. Voters.] The election for the adoption or rejection of this
Constitution, and for State Officers herein provided for, shall be held
on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, 1895, and shall
be conducted according to the laws of the Territory, and the provisions
of the Enabling Act; the votes cast at said election shall be canvassed,
and returns made, in the same manner as was provided for in the election
for delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Provided, That all male
citizens of the United States, over the age of twenty-one years, who
have resided in this Territory for one year next prior to such election,
are hereby authorized to vote for or against the adoption of this Constitution,
and for the State Officers herein provided for. The returns of said
election shall be made to the Utah Commission, who shall cause the same
to be canvassed, and shall certify the result of the vote for or against
the Constitution, to the President of the United States, in the manner
required by the Enabling Act; and said Commission shall issue certificates
of election to the persons elected to said offices severally, and shall
make and file with the Secretary of the Territory, an abstract, certified
to by them, of the number of votes cast for each person for each of
said offices, and of the total number of votes cast in each county.
Sec.
12. [Id. Officers to be elected.] The State Officers to be voted for
at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be a Governor,
Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Attorney General,
Superintendent of Public Instruction, Members of the Senate and House
of Representatives, three Supreme Judges, nine District Judges, and
a Representative to Congress.
Sec.
13. [Contest for district judgeship, how determined.] In case of a contest
of election between candidates, at the first general election under
this Constitution, for Judges of the District Courts, the evidence shall
be taken in the manner prescribed by the Territorial laws, and the testimony
so taken shall be certified to the Secretary of State, and said officer,
together with the Governor and the Treasurer of the State, shall review
the evidence, and determine who is entitled to the certificate of election.
Sec.
14. [Constitution to be submitted to voters. Ballot.] This Constitution
shall be submitted for adoption or rejection, to a vote of the qualified
electors of the proposed State, at the general election to be held on
the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, A. D. 1895. At
the said election the ballot shall be in the following form: For the
Constitution. Yes. No. As a heading to each of said ballots there shall
be printed on each ballot the following Instructions to Voters: All
persons desiring to vote for the Constitution must erase the word "No."
All persons desiring to vote against the Constitution must erase the
word "Yes."
Sec.
15. [Election of officers not provided for herein.] The Legislature,
at its first session, shall provide for the election of all officers,
whose election is not provided for elsewhere in this Constitution, and
fix the time for the commencement and duration of their terms.
Sec.
16. [When Constitution in force.] The provisions of this Constitution
shall be in force from the day on which the President of the United
States shall issue his proclamation, declaring the State of Utah admitted
into the Union; and the terms of all officers elected at the first election
under the provisions of this Constitution, shall commence on the first
Monday, next succeeding the issue of said proclamation. Their terms
of office shall expire when their successors are elected and qualified
under this Constitution.
Done
in Convention at Salt Lake City, in the Territory of Utah, this eighth
day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five,
and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and nineteenth.
Attest:
JOHN
HENRY SMITH, President.
PARLEY
P. CHRISTENSEN, Secretary.
Louis
Bernhardt Adams
Rufus
Albern Allen
Andrew
Smith Anderson
John
Richard Barnes
John
Rutledge Bowdle
John
Sell Boyer
Theodore
Brandley
Herbert
Guion Button
William
Buys
Chester
Call
George
Mousley Cannon
John
Foy Chidester
Parley
Christiansen
Thomas
H. Clark, Jr
Louis
Laville Coray
Elmer
Ellsworth Corfman
Charles
Crane
William
Creer
George
Cunningham
Arthur
John Cushing
William
Driver
Dennis
Clay Eichnor
Alma
Eldredge
George
Rhodes Emery
Andreas
Engberg
David
Evans
Abel
John Evans
Lorin
Farr
Samuel
Francis
William
Henry Gibbs
Charles
Carroll Goodwin
James
Frederic Green
Francis
Asbury Hammond
Charles
Henry Hart
Harry
Haynes
Samuel
Hood Hill
John
Daniel Holladay
William
Howard
Henry
Hughes
Joseph
Alonzo Hyde
Anthony
Woodward Ivins
Wm.
F. James
Lycurgus
Johnson
Joseph
Loftus Joley
Frederick
John Keisel
David
Keith
Thomas
Kearns
William
Jasper Kerr
Andrew
Kimball
James
Nathaniel Kimball
Richard
G. Lambert
Lauritz
Larsen
Christen
Peter Larsen
Hyrum
Lemmon
Theodore
Belden Lewis
William
Lowe Peter Lowe
James
Paton Low
Anthony
Canute Lund
Karl
G. Maeser
Richard
Mackintosh
Thomas
Maloney
William
H. Maughan
Robert
McFarland
George
Parcust Miller
Elias
Morris
Jacob
Moritz
John
Riggs Murdock
Joseph
Royal Murdock
James
David Murdock
Aquila
Nebeker
Jeremiah
Day Page
Edward
Partridge
John
David Peters
Mons
Peterson
James
Christian Peterson
Frank
Pierce
Wm.
B. Preston
Alonzo
Hazelton Raleigh
Franklyn
Snyder Richards
Joel
Ricks
Brigham
Henry Roberts
Jasper
Robertson
Joseph
Eldredge Robinson
Willis
Eugene Robison
George
Ryan
John
Henry Smith
George
B. Squires
Harrison
Tuttle Shurtliff
Edward
Hunter Snow
David
Brainerd Stover
Hiram
Hupp Spencer
Charles
Nettleton Strevell
Charles
William Symons
Moses
Thatcher
Daniel
Thompson
Ingwald
Conrad Thoresen
Joseph
Ephraim Thorne
Samuel
R. Thurman
William
Grant Van Horne
Charles
Stetson Varian
Heber
M. Wells
Noble
Warrum, Jr.
Orson
Ferguson Whitney
Joseph
John Williams
By
order of the Convention, May 8th, 1895.
JOHN
HENRY SMITH, President
Source:
Revised
Statutes of Utah, 1898, pp. 37-72. Note: The text of the constitution
of Utah is a literal print of the original on file, except as to the
black letter lines preceding sections and enclosed in brackets.
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