MAINE. One of the new states of the United State's of America. This state
was admitted into the Union by the Act of Congress of March 3, 1820, 3
Story's L. U. S. 1761, from and after the fifteenth day of March, 1820, and
is thereby declared to be one of the United States of America, and admitted
into the Union on an equal footing with the original states in all respects
whatever.
2. The constitution of this state was adopted October 29th, 1819. The
powers of the government are vested in three distinct departments, the
legislative, executive and judicial.
3.-1. The legislative power is vested in two distinct branches, a
house of representatives and senate, each to have a negative on the other,
and both to be styled The legislature of Maine. 1. The house of
representatives is to consist of not less than one hundred, nor more than
two hundred members; to be apportioned among the counties according to law;
to be elected by the qualified electors for one year from the next day
preceding the annual meeting of the legislature. 2. The senate consists of
not less than twenty, nor more than thirty-one members, elected at the same
time, and for the same term, as the representatives, by the qualified
electors of the districts into which the state shall, from time to time, be
divided. Art. 4, part 2, s. 1. The veto power is given to the governor, by
art. 4, part 3, s. 2.
4.-2. The supreme executive power of the state is vested in a
governor, who is elected by the qualified electors, and holds his office one
year from the first Wednesday of January in each year. On the first
Wednesday of January annually, seven persons, citizens of the United States,
and resident within the state, are to be elected by joint ballot of the
senators and representatives in convention, who are called the council. This
council is to advise the governor in the executive part of government, art.
5, part 2, s. 1 and 2.
5.-3. The judicial power of the State is distributed by the 6th
article of the constitution as follows:
6.-1. The judicial power of this state shall be vested in a supreme
judicial court, and such other courts as the legislature shall, from time to
time, establish.
7.-2. The justices of the supreme judicial court shall, at stated
times, receive a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their
continuance in office, but they shall receive no other fee or reward.
8.-3. They shall be obliged to give their opinion upon important
questions of law, and upon solemn occasions, when required by the governor,
council, senate, or house of representatives.
9.-4. All judicial officers; except justices of the peace, shall hold
their offices during good behaviour, but not beyond the age of seventy
years.
10.-5. Justices of the peace and notaries public shall hold their
offices during seven years, if they so long behave themselves well, at the
expiration of which term, they may be re-appointed, or others appointed, as
the public interest may require.
11.-6. The justices of the supreme judicial court shall bold no office
under the United States, nor any state, nor any other office under this
state, except that of justice of the peace.
For a history of the province of Maine, see 1 Story on the Const. Sec.
82.