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10.0. "Constitution of the United States" by MORO::BEELER_JE (A long, hard war) Thu Nov 17 1994 21:06

    

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, 
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 
promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves 
and our Posterity, do ordain and establish the Constitution for the United 
States of America.

Article. I.

Section. 1.  All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a 
Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of 
Representatives.

Section. 2.  The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen 
every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each 
State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous 
Branch of the State Legislature.
     No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained the Age of 
twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who 
shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be 
chosen.
     Representatives and direct Taxes* shall be apportioned among the several 
States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective 
Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free 
Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding 
Indians not taxed, three fifth of all other Persons.**  The actual Enumeration 
shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the 
United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as 
they shall by Law direct.  The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one 
for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one 
Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New 
Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three; Massachusetts eight; Rhode Island 
and Providence Plantations one; Connecticut five; New York six; New Jersey 
four; Pennsylvania eight; Delaware one; Maryland six; Virginia ten; North 
Carolina five; South Carolina five; and Georgia three.
     When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive 
Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
     The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; 
and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

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* Modified by the Sixteenth Amendment
** Replaced by the Fourteenth Amendment

Section. 3.  The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators 
from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each 
Senator shall have one Vote.*
     Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first 
Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes.  The 
Sears of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of 
the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and 
of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may 
be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or 
otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive 
thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the 
Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.**
     No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of 
thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United STates, and who shall 
not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
     The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, 
but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
     The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro 
tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the 
Office of the President of the United States.
     The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.  When 
sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation.  When the 
President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside:  And 
no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the 
Members present.
     Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal 
from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust 
or Profit under the United States:  but the Party convicted shall nevertheless 
be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according 
to the Law.

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* Superseded by the Seventeenth Amendment
**  Modified by the Seventeenth Amendment

Section. 4.  The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators 
and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature 
thereof, but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulation, 
except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
     The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting 
shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a 
different Day.*

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* Superseded by the Twentieth Amendment

Section. 5.  Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and 
Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a 
Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and 
may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, 
and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
     Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members 
for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a 
Member.
     Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time 
publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require 
Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question 
shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
     Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent 
of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than 
that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6.  The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for 
their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the 
United States.  They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of 
the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of 
their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for 
any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other 
Place.
     No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was 
elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United 
States, which shall have been created, of the Emoluments whereof shall have 
been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the 
United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in 
Office.

Section. 7.  All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of 
Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on 
other Bills.
     Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the 
Senate shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the 
United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, 
with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall 
enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it.  
If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the 
Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by 
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that 
House, it shall become a Law.  But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses 
shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for 
and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House 
respectively.  If any Bill shall not be retunred by the President within ten 
Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same 
shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the congress by 
their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
     Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of 
Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and 
before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being 
disapprvoed by him shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case 
of a Bill.

Section. 8.  The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, 
Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and 
general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall 
be uniform throughout the United States;
     To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
     To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, 
and with the Indian Tribes;
     To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the 
subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
     To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix 
the Standard of Weights and Measures;
     To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current 
Coin of the United States;
     To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
     To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for 
limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective 
Writings and Discoveries;
     To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
     To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and 
Offences against the Law of Nations;
     To declare War, grant Letter of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules 
concerning Captures on Land and Water;
     To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use 
shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
     To provide and maintain a Navy;
     To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval 
Forces;
     To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, 
suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
     To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for 
governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United 
States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, 
and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline 
prescribed by Congress;
     To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such 
District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular 
States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the 
United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the 
Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the 
Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful 
Buildings; -- And
     To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into 
Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this 
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or 
Officer thereof.

Section. 9.  The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States 
now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the 
Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or 
duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each 
Person.
     The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless 
when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
     No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
     No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to 
the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
     No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
     No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to 
the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or 
from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
     No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of 
Appropriations made by Law, and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts 
and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
     No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States; And no Person 
holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of 
the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind 
watever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.  No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or 
Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of 
Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; 
pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation 
of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
     No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or 
Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for 
executing its inspection Laws:  and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, 
laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury 
of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and 
Controul of the Congress.
     No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, 
keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or 
Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless 
actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article. II.

Section. 1.  The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United 
States of America.  He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, 
and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as 
follows:
     Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may 
direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and 
Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress:  but no 
Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under 
the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
     The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for 
two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State 
with themselves.  And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and 
of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and 
transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to 
the President of the Senate.  The President of the Senate shall, in the 
Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, 
and the Votes shall then be counted.  The Person having the greatest Number of 
Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number 
of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, 
and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall 
immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a 
Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like 
Manner chuse the President.  But in chusing the President, the votes shall be 
taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum 
for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the 
States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice.  In 
every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest 
Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President.  But if there 
should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from 
them by Ballot the Vice President.*
     The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day 
on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout 
the United States.
     No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United 
States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to 
the Office of President, neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office 
who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen 
Years a Resident within the United States.
     In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, 
Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said 
Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by 
Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of 
the President and the Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as 
President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be 
removed, or a President shall be elected.**
     The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a 
Compensation, which shall neither be encreased or diminished during the Period 
for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that 
Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
     Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the 
following Oath or Affirmation:-- "I do solumnly swear (or affirm) that I will 
faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will 
to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the 
United States."

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* Superseded by the Twelfth Amendment
** Modified by the Twenty-fifth Amendment

Section. 2.  The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of 
the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into 
the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in 
writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon 
any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall 
have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United 
States, except in Cases of Impeachment.  He shall have Power, by and with the 
Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the 
Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and 
Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and 
Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United 
States, whose Appointments are no herein otherwise provided for, and which 
shall be established by Law; but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment 
of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the 
Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
     The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen 
during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at 
the End of their next Session.

Section. 3.  He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of 
the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as 
he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, 
convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between 
them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time 
as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public 
Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall 
Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section.  4.  The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the 
United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction 
of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article. III.

Section. 1.  The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one 
supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to 
time ordain and establish.  The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior 
Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated 
Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be 
diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.  The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, 
arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties 
made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; -- to all Cases affecting 
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; -- to all Cases of admiralty 
and maritime Jurisdiction; -- to Controversies to which the United States shall 
be a Party; -- to Controversies between two or more States; -- between a State 
and Citizens of another State;* -- between Citizens of different States, -- 
between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different 
States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, 
Citizens or Subjects.
     In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, 
and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have 
original Jurisdiction.  In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme 
Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such 
Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
     The trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; 
and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been 
committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such 
Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

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* Modified by the Eleventh Amendment

Section. 3.  Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying 
War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. 
No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two 
Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
     The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no 
Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except 
during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. IV.

Section. 1.  Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public 
Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.  And the Congress 
may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and 
Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section. 2.  The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges 
and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
     A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who 
shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall be on Demand of 
the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be 
removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
     No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, 
escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regualtion therein, 
be dischared from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of 
the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section. 3.  New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but 
no new State shall be formed or erected witin the Jurisdiction of any other 
State, nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts 
of States, without the Consent of the Legislaturs of the States concerned as 
well as of the Congress.
     The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and 
Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United 
States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice 
any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4.  The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a 
Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; 
and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the 
Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Article. V.

     The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, 
shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the 
Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for 
proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and 
Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of 
three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourth thereof, 
as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; 
Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand 
eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses 
in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its 
Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI.

     All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of 
this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this 
Constitution, as under the Confederation.
     This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made 
in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the 
Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the 
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or 
Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
     The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the 
several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of 
the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or 
Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be 
required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United 
States.

Article. VII.

     The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient 
for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the 
Same.

     done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the 
Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the 
Twelfth.  In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

Articles in Addition to, and Amendment of, the Constitution of the United 
States of America, Proposed by Congress, and Ratified by the Legislatures of 
the Several States, Pursuant to the Fifth Article of the Original Constitution.

     Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or 
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or 
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition 
the Government for a redress of grievances.

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The first ten amendments were passed by Congress September 25, 1789.  They were 
ratified by three-fourths of the states December 15, 1791.

     A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, 
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

     No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the 
consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by 
law.

     The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and 
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and 
no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or 
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the 
persons or things to be seized.

     No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous 
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases 
arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service 
in time or War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same 
offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in 
any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, 
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be 
taken for public use, without just compensation.

     In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a 
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein 
the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously 
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the 
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory 
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of 
Counsel for his defence.

     In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty 
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a 
jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than 
according to the rules of the common law.

     Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor 
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

     The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be 
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

     The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution; nor 
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to 
the people.

     The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend 
to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United 
States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign 
State.

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Passed March 4, 1794.  Ratified January 23, 1795.

     The Electors shall meet in their respective States and vote by ballot for 
President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant 
of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person 
voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as 
Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as 
President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of 
votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to 
the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of 
the Senate; -- The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate 
and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall 
then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for 
President, shall be President, if such number be a majority of the whole number 
of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the 
persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those 
voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, 
by ballot, the President.  But in choosing the President, the votes shall be 
taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum 
for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the 
states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.  And 
if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right 
of choice devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, 
then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or 
other constitutional disability of the President. -- The person having the 
greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if 
such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no 
person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the 
Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist 
of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole 
number shall be necessary to a choice.  But no person constitutionally 
ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of 
Vice-President of the United States.

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Passed December 9, 1803.  Ratified June 15, 1804.

     Section 1.  Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a 
punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall 
exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
     Section 2.  Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation.

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Passed January 31, 1865.  Ratified December 6, 1865.

     Section 1.  All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of 
the State wherein they reside.  No State shall make or enforce any law which 
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; 
nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without 
due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal 
protection of the laws.
     Section 2.  Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States 
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in 
each State, excluding Indians not taxed.  But when the right to vote at any 
election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the 
United States, Representatives in Gongress, the Executive and Judicial officers 
of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the 
male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of 
the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in 
rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced 
in proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole 
number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
     Section 3.  No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or 
elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, 
under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an 
oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a 
member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any 
State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in 
insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the 
enemies thereof.  But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, 
remove such disability.
     Section 4.  The validity of the public debt of the United States, 
authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and 
bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be 
questioned.  But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay 
any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the 
United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all 
such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void.
     Section 5.  The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate 
legislation, the provisions of this article.

-----
Passed June 13, 1866.  Ratified July 9, 1868.

     Section 1.  The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not 
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, 
color, or previous condition of servitude--
     Section 2.  The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation.

-----
Passed February 26, 1869.  Ratified February 2, 1870.

     The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from 
whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and 
without regard to any census or enumeration.

-----
Passed July 12, 1909.  Ratified February 13, 1913.

     The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from 
each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator 
shall have on vote.  The electors in each State shall have the qualifications 
requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
     When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, 
the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill 
such vacancies:  Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the 
executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the 
vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
     This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term 
of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

-----
Passed May 13, 1912.  Ratified April 8, 1913.

     Section 1.  After one year from the ratification of this article the 
manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the 
importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and 
all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is 
hereby prohibited.
     Section 2.  The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent 
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
     Section 3.  This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been 
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several 
States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of 
the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

-----
Passed December 18, 1917.  Ratified January 16, 1919.

     The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or 
abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
     Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate 
legislation.

-----
Passed June 4, 1919.  Ratified August 18, 1920.

     Section 1.  The terms of the President and Vice-President shall end at 
noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives 
at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have 
ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors 
shall then begin.
     Section 2.  The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and 
such meeting shall being at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by 
law appoint a different day.
     Section 3.  If at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the 
President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice-President elect shall 
become President.  If a President shall not have been chosen before the time 
fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have 
failed to qualify, then the Vice-President elect shall act as President until a 
President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the 
case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice-President elect shall have 
qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which 
one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly 
until a President or Vice-President shall have qualified.
     Section 4.  The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of 
any of the persons from who the House of Representatives may choose a President 
whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of 
the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a 
Vice-President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
     Section 5.  Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October 
following the ratification of this article.
     Section 6.  This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been 
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of 
three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its 
submission.

-----
Passed March 2, 1932.  Ratified January 23, 1933.

     Section 1.  The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the 
United States is hereby repealed.
     Section 2.  The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, 
or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating 
liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
     Section 3.  This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been 
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several 
States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of 
the submission hereof to the States by Congress.

-----
Passed February 20, 1933.  Ratified December 5, 1933.

    No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, 
and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for 
more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President 
shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.
     But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of 
President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent 
any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, 
during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the 
office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

-----
Passed March 12, 1947.  Ratified March 1, 1951.

    Section 1.  The District constituting the seat of Government of the United 
States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
     A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole 
number of Senators and Representatives to which the District would be entitled 
if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they 
shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be 
considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, 
to be electors appointed by the State; and they shall meet in the District and 
perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
     Section 2.  The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation.

-----
Passed June 16, 1960.  Ratified April 3, 1961.

     Section 1.  The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any 
primary or other election for President or Vice President, or for Senator or 
Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United 
States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
     Section 2.  The Congress shall have the power to enfoce this aricle by 
appropriate legislation.

-----
Passed August 27, 1962.  Ratified January 23, 1964.

     Section 1.  In case of the removal of the President from office or of his 
death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
     Section 2.  Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice 
President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office 
upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
     Section 3.  Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore 
of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written 
declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, 
and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such 
powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting 
President.
     Section 4.  Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the 
principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as 
Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the 
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written 
declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of 
his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties 
of the office of Acting President.
     Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of 
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, he shall resume the 
powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of 
either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body 
as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro 
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their 
written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and 
duties of his office.  Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling 
wihin forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session.  If the Congress, 
within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if 
Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required 
to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is 
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President 
shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the 
President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

-----
Passed July 6, 1965.  Ratified February 11, 1967.

     Section 1.  The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen 
years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United 
States or by any State on account of age.
     Section 2.  The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation.

-----
Passed March 23, 1971.  Ratified July 5, 1971.

    For a limited time, copies of the Constitution with a limited index are
    available at CVG::CRT_PICTURES:CONSTITUTION.*.  The formats available
    are:
    
    CONSTITUTION.DECW$BOOK	! For DECwindows BOOKREADER -- must have a
                                ! current release
    CONSTITUTION.LN03		! LN03 format
    CONSTITUTION.PS		! Postscript for LN03R or LPS40
    CONSTITUTION.TXT		! ASCII text
    
    Send mail to CVG::THOMPSON if you have any problems.  Many thanks to
    Alfred Thompson for making these available.

                      Text version of the Bill of Rights 
    
    

                           Amendments. Article I 

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
    prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
    speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
    assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

                          Amendments. Article II 

    A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free
    State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be
    infringed.

                          Amendments. Article III 

    No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without
    the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be
    prescribed by law. 

                          Amendments. Article IV 

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
    and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
    violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
    supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
    to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

                           Amendments. Article V 

    No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
    crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in
    cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in
    actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be
    subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or
    limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
    against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without
    due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use
    without just compensation. 

                          Amendments. Article VI 

    In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
    speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district
    wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have
    been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature
    and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses
    against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining Witnesses in his
    favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence. 

                          Amendments. Article VII 

    In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
    twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no
    fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the
    United States, than according to the rules of common law. 

                         Amendments. Article VIII 

    Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
    cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

                          Amendments. Article IX 

    The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
    construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

                           Amendments. Article X 

    The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
    prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
    respectively, or to the people.