-•s Independence 



the consent of the people or their representatives in the 

 legislature. 



Section 17. Suits may be brought against the republic in 

 such manner, and in such cases, as the legislature may by 

 law direct. 



Section 18. No person can in any case be subjected to 

 the law martial, or to any penalties or pains, by virtue of 

 that law (except those employed in the army or navy and 

 the militia in actual service) but by the authority of the 

 legislature. 



Section 19. In order to prevent those who are vested 

 with authority from becoming oppressors, the people have 

 a right at such periods, and in such manner as they shall 

 establish by their frame of government, to cause their public 

 officers to return to private life, and fill up vacant places by 

 regular elections and appointments. 



Section 20. That all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient 

 sureties, unless for capital offences, when the proof is evident 

 or presumption great ; and the privilege and benefit of the 

 writ habeas corpus shall be enjoyed in this republic, in the 

 most free, easy, cheap, expeditious, and ample manner, and 

 shall not be suspended by the legislature except upon the 

 most urgent and pressing occasions, and for a limited time, 

 not exceeding twelve months. 



Article II. Legislative Powers 



Section i. The legislative power shall be vested in a 

 legislature of Liberia and consist of two separate branches — 

 a House of Representatives and a Senate, to be styled the 

 Legislature of Liberia — each of which shall have a negative 

 on the other ; and the enacting style of their acts and laws 

 shall be " It is enacted by the Senate and House of 



207 



