642 



THE STANDARD DICTIONARY OF FACTS 



members (actually ninety-five in 1907), the 

 number of Senators being not more than half 

 nor less than one-third of that of members of the 

 House of Representatives (actually forty-two 

 in 1907). The membership of both Houses is 

 apportioned anew every five years according to 

 the results of the federal decennial census and of 

 the intervening decennial State census. Eligible 

 for either house are citizens of the United States 

 who are qualified voters in the districts for which 

 the election is held. But members of the 

 United States Congress and holders of United 

 States or State ofiices are disqualified. The 

 chief executive authority resides in a governor, 

 chosen by the qualified electors of the State and 

 holding office for four years. He is charged to 

 watch over the faithful execution of the laws; 

 he recommends legislative measures, communi- 

 cating by message every session with the Legis- 

 lature. He is commander-in-chief of the State 

 military forces; he has pardoning powers as to 

 the use of which he reports to the Legislature ; he 

 has a, veto in legislation, but his veto may be 

 overridden by a two-thirds majority of each 

 House. He signs all commissions. The execu- 

 tive department consists of the governor, a sec- 

 retary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney- 

 general, superintendent of public instruction, 

 and commissioner of public lands, all elected by 

 the qualified voters for four years. 



West Virginia. The present Constitu- 

 tion was framed and adopted in 1872, super- 

 seding the Constitution of 1863. It was amended 

 in 1879, 1883, and 1902. The Legislature consists 

 of the Senate and the House of Delegates. The 

 members of both Houses are elected by the gen- 

 eral electors. The Senate is composed of thirty 

 members elected for a term of four years in such 

 a manner that half the Senate is renewed bien- 

 nially. Senators must be at least 25 years of age 

 and have been resident five years in the State 

 and in the senatorial districts for which they are 

 severally chosen. The House of Delegates con- 

 sists of eighty-six members. Every bill passed 

 by both Houses requires the assent of the gov- 

 ernor, but if this is refused the bill may become 

 law on being re voted by a majority in the Legis- 

 lature. The executive department consists of 

 a governor, secretary of state, superintendent 

 of free schools, auditor, treasurer, and attorney- 

 general, each elected for four years. The gov- 

 ernor must be at least 30 years of age and is not 

 eligible for reelection. He is commander-in- 

 chief of the State military establishment, con- 

 venes the Legislature in extra session, approves 

 or disapproves all acts of the Legislature, fills 

 vacant State offices by appointment, and is 

 president of the board of public works. 



Wisconsin was admitted to the Union in 

 1848. The Constitution of that year is still in 

 force, but has been frequently amended, first in 

 1869, and most recently in 1904. The legisla- 

 tive power is vested in a Senate and Assembly. 

 The Senate consists of thirty-three members 

 elected for a term of four years, only about one- 

 half of the members being elected at one time. 

 The Assembly consists of 100 members, elected 

 for a term of two years, all of the members being 

 elected at the same time. The powers of the two 

 Houses as to appropriations and revenue bills are 



the same. Eligible to the Legislature are all 

 males who are qualified electors in the district 

 to be represented and who have resided one year 

 within the State, except members of Congress 

 and office holders under the United States. The 

 chief executive authority in the State is vested 

 in the governor, who is elected for two years and 

 has the powers usually resident in State govern- 

 ors, including the limited veto and pardoning 

 power. The secretary of state is elected for t wo 

 years. Other important elective offices are 

 those of lieutenant-governor, treasurer, attorney- 

 general, superintendent of schools, and insurance 

 commissioner. Among the more important 

 appointive offices are the following: commis- 

 sioner of labor and industrial statistics, appointed 

 for four years, commissioner of banking, dairy 

 and food commissioner, superintendent of public 

 property, and adjutant-general. The railroad 

 commission consisting of three members is ap- 

 pointed by the governor, with the consent of the 

 Senate, for a term of six years. The tax com- 

 mission is composed of three members similarly 

 appointed for a term of eight years. The civil 

 service commission is appointed for a term of 

 six years, and the board of control for five 

 years. 



Wyoming" was admitted into the Union as 

 a State in 1890. The original Constitution, 

 adopted in 1889, is still in force. Constitutional 

 amendments proposed in either House of the 

 Legislature, agreed to by a two-thirds vote of all 

 the members of each House, and approved l>v a 

 majority vote of the people, become part of the 

 Constitution. The Legislature consists of a 

 Senate of twenty-three members, elected for 

 four years (about one-half retiring every two 

 years), and a House of Representatives of fifty 

 members elected for two years. Legislators 

 must be citizens (Senators 25 and Representatives 

 21 years of age), and must have resided in the 

 county or district one year next preceding the 

 election. Revenue bills must originate in the 

 House of Representatives. The Senate tries 

 cases of impeachment brought by the other 

 House. The chief executive officer of the Slate 

 is the governor, elected for four years. He may 

 appoint to offices not otherwise provided for by 

 law, has a limited power of pardoning, etc., may 

 call special sessions of the Legislature, and has a 

 veto which may be overridden by a two-thirds 

 vote of each House. Other officials elected for 

 four years, are the secretary of state, auditor, 

 treasurer, and superintendent of public instruc- 

 tion. The treasurer is not eligible for the 

 succeeding term. 



Zanzibar. The dominions of the Sultan 

 of Zanzibar include only the islands of /an/ihar 

 and Pemba, and the coast of the British Mast 

 Africa up to ten miles inland. The Sultan is still 

 the titular sovereign, under a- British Protecto- 

 rate. In October, 1891, a regular government 

 was formed for Zanzibar. All accounts are now 

 kept in English and Arabic, and are always open 

 to the inspection of the British agent and consul- 

 general, and no new undertakings or additional 

 expenditure can be incurred without his consent. 

 On February 1, 1892, Zanzibar was declared a 

 free port, and it remained so until October 1, 

 1899. 



