Trisha did South Carolina This is ready to go. JW 6/2/04 *** CSTART SC 04/16/1868 01/01/1896 *** *** ASTART 9001.0 SC 1868 *** We, the People of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, Grateful to Almighty God for this opportunity, deliberately and peaceably of entering into an explicit and solemn compact with each other, and forming a new Constitution of civil government for ourselves and posterity, recognizing the necessity of the protection of the people in all that pertains to their freedom, safety, and tranquility, and imploring the direction of the Great Legislator of the Universe, do agree upon, and establish the following DECLARATION OF RIGHTS AND FORM OF GOVERNMENT AS THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF SOUTH CAROLINA. *** AEND *** *** ASTART 001.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. All men are born free and equal endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are the rights of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. Slavery shall never exist in this State; neither shall involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. All political power is vested in and derived from the people only; therefore they have the right, at all times, to modify their form of government in such manner as they may deem expedient, when the public good demands. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. Every citizen of this State owes paramount allegiance to the Constitution and Government of the United States, and no law or ordinance of this State in contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. This State shall ever remain a member of the American Union, and all attempts, from whatever source, or upon whatever pretext, to dissolve the said Union, shall be resisted with the whole power of the State. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. The right of the people peaceably to assemble to consult for the common good, and to petition the government or any department thereof, shall never be abridged. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. All persons may freely speak, write and publish their sentiments on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and no laws shall be enacted to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. In prosecutions for the publication of papers investigating the official conduct of officers or men in public capacity, or when the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence, and in all indictments for libel, the jury shall be the judges of the law and the facts. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. No person shall be deprived of the right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience; Provided, that the liberty of conscience hereby declared shall not justify practices inconsistent with the peace and moral safety of society. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. No form of religion shall be established by law; but it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of worship. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 11. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 12. No person shall be disqualified as a witness, or be prevented from acquiring, holding and transmitting property, or be hindered in acquiring education, or be liable to any other punishment for any offence, or be subjected in law to any other restraints or disqualifications in regard to any personal rights than such as are laid upon others under like circumstances. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 13. No person shall be held to answer for any crime or offence until the same is fully, fairly, plainly, substantially and formally described to him; or be compelled to accuse or furnish evidence against himself; and every person shall have a right to produce all proofs that may be favorable to him, to meet the witnesses against him face to face, to have a speedy and public trial by a impartial jury, and to be fully heard in his defence by himself or by his counsel, or by both, as he may elect. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 14. No person shall be arrested, imprisoned, despoiled or dispossessed of his property, immunities or privileges, put out of the protection of the law, exiled or deprived of his life, liberty, or estate, but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land. And the General Assembly shall not enact any law that shall subject any person to punishment without trial by jury, nor shall he be punished but by virtue of a law already established, or promulgated prior to the offence, and legally applied. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 15. All courts shall be public, and every person, for any injury that he may receive in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law and justice administered without unnecessary delay. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 16. All persons shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offences, when the proof is evident or the presumption great; and excessive bail shall not, in any case, be required, nor corporal punishment inflicted. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 017.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 17. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except when, in case of insurrection, rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 18. No person, after having been once acquitted by a jury, shall again, for the same offence, be put in jeopardy of his life or liberty. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 019.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 19. All offences less than felony, and in which the punishment does not exceed a fine of one hundred dollars, or imprisonment for thirty days, shall be tried summarily before a Justice of the Peace, or other officer authorized by law, on information under oath, without indictment or intervention of a Grand Jury, saving to the defendant the right of appeal; and no person shall be held to answer for any higher crime or offence unless on presentment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land and naval service, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 020.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt, except in cases of fraud; and a reasonable amount of property, as a homestead, shall be exempted from seizure or sale for the payment of any debts or liabilities, except for the payment of such obligations as are provided for in this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 021.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 21. No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall ever be enacted; and no conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 022.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 22. All persons have a right to be secure from unreasonable searches or seizures of their persons, houses, papers or possessions. All warrants shall be supported by oath or affirmation, and the order of the warrant to a civil officer to make search or seizure in suspected places, or to arrest one or more suspected persons, or to seize their property, shall be accompanied with a special designation of the persons or objects of search, arrest or seizure; and no warrant shall be issued but in the cases and with the formalities prescribed by the laws. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 023.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 23. Private property shall not be taken for public use, or for the use of corporations, or for private use, without the consent of the owners or a just compensation being made therefor; Provided, however, that laws may be made securing to persons or corporations the right of way over the lands of either persons or corporations, and, for works of internal improvement, the right to establish depots, stations, turnouts, etc.; but a just compensation, shall, in all cases, be first made to the owner. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 024.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 24. The power of suspending the laws, or the execution of the laws, shall never be exercised but by the General Assembly, or by authority derived therefrom; to be exercised in such particular cases only as the General Assembly shall expressly provide for. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 025.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 25. No person shall, in any case, be subject to martial law, or to any pains or penalties by virtue of that law, except those employed in the army or navy of the United States, and except the militia in actual service, but by authority of the General Assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 026.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 26. In the government of this Commonwealth, the Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers of the Government shall be forever separate and distinct from each other, and no person or persons exercising the functions of one of said departments shall assume or discharge the duties of any other. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 027.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 27. The General Assembly ought frequently to assemble for the redress of grievances and for making new laws as the common good may require. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 028.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 28. The people have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defence. As in times of peace, armies are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be maintained without the consent of the General Assembly. The military power ought always to be held in an exact subordination to the civil authority and be governed by it. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 029.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 29. In time of peace no soldier shall be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner; and, in time of war, such quarters shall not be made but in a manner prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 030.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 30. No person who conscientiously scruples to bear arms shall be compelled so to do, but he shall pay an equivalent for personal service. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 031.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 31. All elections shall be free and open, and every inhabitant of this Commonwealth possessing the qualifications provided for in this Constitution, shall have an equal right to elect officers and be elected to fill public office. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 032.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 32. No property qualification shall be necessary for an election to or the holding of any office, and no office shall be created, the appointment to which shall be for a longer time than good behavior. After the adoption of this Constitution, any person who shall fight a duel, or send or accept a challenge for that purpose, or be an aider or a better in fighting a duel, shall be deprived of holding any office of honor or trust in this State, and shall be otherwise punished as the law shall prescribe. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 033.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 33. The right of suffrage shall be protected by laws regulating elections, and prohibiting, under adequate penalties, all undue influences from power, bribery, tumult or improper conduct. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 034.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 34. Representation shall be apportioned according to population, and no person in this State shall be disfranchised or deprived of any of the rights or privileges now enjoyed except by the law of the land or the judgment of his peers. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 035.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 35. Temporary absence from the State shall not forfeit a residence once obtained. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 036.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 36. All property subject to taxation shall be taxed in proportion to its value. Each individual of society has a right to be protected in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property according to standing laws. He should, therefore, contribute his share to the expense of his protection and give his personal service when necessary. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 037.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 37. No subsidy, charge, impost tax or duties shall be established, fixed, laid or levied, under any pretext whatsoever, without the consent of the people or their representatives lawfully assembled. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 038.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 38. Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted, nor shall witnesses be unreasonably detained. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 039.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 39. No title of nobility or hereditary emolument shall ever be granted in this State. Distinction on account of race or color, in any case whatever, shall be prohibited, and all classes of citizens shall enjoy equally all common, public, legal and political privileges. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 040.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 40. All navigable waters shall remain forever public highways, free to the citizens of the State and the United States, without tax, impost or toll imposed; and, not tax, toll, impost or wharfage shall be imposed, demanded or received from the owner of any merchandise or commodity, for the use of the shores or any wharf erected on the shores, or in or over the waters of any navigable stream, unless the same be authorized by the General Assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 041.0 001.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 41. The enumeration of rights in this Constitution shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people, and all powers not herein delegated remain with the people. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 002.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The Legislative power of this State shall be vested in two distinct branches, the one to be styled the "Senate," and the other the "House of Representatives," and both together the "General Assembly of the State of South Carolina." *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen by ballot every second year, by the citizens of this State, qualified as in this Constitution is provided. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The Judicial Districts shall hereafter be designated as Counties, and the boundaries of the several Counties shall remain as they are now established, except the County of Pickens, which is hereby divided into two Counties, by a line leaving the southern boundary of the State of North Carolina where the White Water River enters this State, and thence down the centre of said River, by whatever names known, to Ravenel's Bridge, on Seneca River, and thence along the center of the road leading to Pendleton Village, until it intersects the lines of the County of Anderson; and the territory lying east of said line shall be known as the County of Pickens; and the territory lying west of said line shall be known as the County of Oconee; Provided, that the General Assembly shall have the power at any time to organize new Counties by changing the boundaries of any of the old ones; but no new County shall be hereafter formed of less extent than six hundred and twenty-five square miles, nor shall any existing counties be reduced to a less extent than six hundred and twenty-five square miles. Each County shall constitute one election district. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. The House of Representatives shall consist of one hundred and twenty-four members, to be apportioned among the several counties according to the number of inhabitants contained in each. An enumeration of the inhabitants, for this purpose, shall be made in eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, and again in eighteen hundred and seventy-five, and shall be made in the course of every tenth year thereafter, in such manner as shall be by law directed: and Representatives shall be assigned to the different counties in the above mentioned proportion, by Act of the General Assembly at the session immediately succeeding every enumeration; Provided, That until that apportionment, which shall be made upon the next enumeration shall take effect, the representation of the several counties, as herein constituted, shall be as follows: Abbeville five, Anderson three, Barnwell six, Beaufort seven, Charleston eighteen, Chester three, Clarendon two, Colleton five, Chesterfield two, Darlington four, Edgefield seven, Fairfield three, Georgetown three, Greenville Four, Horry two, Kershaw three, Lancaster two, Laurens four, Lexington two, Marion four, Marlboro two, Newberry three, Oconee two, Orangeburg five, Pickens one, Richland four, Spartanburg four, Sumter four, Union three, Williamsburg three, York four. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. If the enumeration herein directed shall not be made in the course of the year appointed for the purpose, it shall be the duty of the Governor to have it effected as soon thereafter as shall be practicable. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. In assigning representatives to the several counties, the General Assembly shall allow one representative to every one hundred and twenty-fourth part of the whole number of inhabitants in the State; Provided, that if in the apportionment of representatives any county shall appear not to be entitled, from its population, to a representative, such county shall nevertheless send one representative; and if there be still a deficiency of the number of representatives required by Section fourth of this Article, such deficiency shall be supplied by assigning representatives to those counties having the largest surplus fractions. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. No apportionment of representatives shall be construed to take effect, in any manner, until the general election which shall succeed such apportionment. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. The Senate shall be composed of one member from each county, to be elected, for the term of four years, by the qualified voters of the State, in the same manner in which members of the House of Representatives are chosen; except the County of Charleston, which shall be allowed two Senators. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. Upon the meeting of the first General Assembly which shall be chosen under the provisions of this Constitution, the Senators shall be divided, by lot, into two classes, as nearly equal as may be; the seats of the Senators of the first class to be vacated at the expiration of two years after the Monday following the general election, and of those the second class at the expiration of four years; so that, except as above provided, one-half of the Senators may be chosen every second year. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. No person shall be eligible to a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives who at the time of his election is not a citizen of the Untied Sates; nor any one who had not been for one year next preceding his election a resident of this State, and for three months next preceding his election a resident of the county whence he may be chosen, nor any one who has been convicted of an infamous crime. Senators shall be at least twenty-five, and Representatives at least twenty-one years of age. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 11. The first election for Senators and Representatives under the provisions of this Constitution shall be held on the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth days of April, of the present year; and the second election shall be held on the third Wednesday in October, eighteen hundred and seventy, and forever thereafter on the same day in every second year in such manner and at such places as the Legislature may hereafter provide. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 12. The first session of the General Assembly after the ratification of this Constitution, shall be convened on the second Tuesday of may of the present year in the city of Columbia (which shall remain the seat of government until otherwise determined by the concurrence of two-thirds of both branches of the whole representation), and thereafter on the fourth Tuesday in November annually. Should the casualties of war or contagious diseases render it unsafe to meet at the seat of government, then the Governor may, by proclamation, appoint a more secure and convenient place of meeting. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 13. The terms of office of the Senators and Representatives chosen at a general election, shall begin on the Monday following such election. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 14. Each House shall judge of the election returns and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do 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 may be provided by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 15. Each House shall choose its own officers, determine its rules of proceeding, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same cause. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 16. Each House may punish by imprisonment, during its sitting, any person not a member, who shall be guilty of disrespect to the House by any disorderly or contemptuous behavior in its presence; or who, during the time of its sitting, shall threaten harm to body or estate of any member for anything said or done in either House, or who shall assault any of them therefor, or who shall assault or arrest any witness or other person ordered to attend the House, in his going thereto or returning thereform, or who shall rescue any person arrested by order of the House; Provided, that such time of imprisonment shall not in any case extend beyond the session of the General Assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 017.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 17. The members of both Houses shall be protected in their persons and estates during their attendance on, going to, and returning from, the General Assembly, and ten days previous to the sitting, and ten days after the adjournment thereof. But these privileges shall not be extended so as to protect any member who shall be charged with treason, felony, or breach of the peace. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 18. Bills for raising a revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but may be altered, amended or rejected by the Senate; and all other bills may originate in either House, and may be amended, altered or rejected by the other. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 019.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 19. The style of the laws shall be, "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, now met and sitting in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same." *** SEND *** *** SSTART 020.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 20. Every act or resolution having the force of law shall relate to but one subject, and that shall be expressed in the title. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 021.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 21. No bill shall have the force of law until it shall have been read three times, and on three several days, in each House, has had the Great Seal of State affixed to it, and had been signed in the Senate House, by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 022.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 22. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in pursuance of an appropriation made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published annually, in such manner as may be by law directed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 023.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 23. Each member of the first General Assembly under this Constitution shall receive six dollars per diem while in session; and the further sum of twenty cents for every mile of the ordinary route of travel in going to and returning from the place where such session is held; after which they shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by law; but no General Assembly shall have the power to increase the compensation of its own members. And when convened in extra session they shall receive the same mileage and per diem compensation as are fixed by law for the regular session, and none other. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 024.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 24. In all elections by the General Assembly, or either House thereof, the members shall vote "viva voce" and their votes, thus given, shall be entered upon the journal of the House to which they respectively belong. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 025.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 25. Neither House, during the session of the General Assembly, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the Assembly shall be at the time sitting. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 026.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 26. Each House shall keep a journal of its own proceedings, and cause the same to be published immediately after its adjournment, excepting such parts as in its judgment may require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either House, on any question, shall at the desire of any two members present, be entered on the journals. Any member of either House shall have liberty to dissent from, and protest against, any act or resolution which he may think injurious to the public or to an individual, and have the reasons of his dissent entered on the journals. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 027.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 27. The doors of each House shall be open, except on such occasions as in the opinion of the House may require secrecy. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 028.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 28. No person shall be eligible to a seat in the General Assembly whilst he holds any office of profit or trust under this State, the United States of America, or any of them, or under any other power, except officers in the militia, magistrates, or justices of inferior Courts, while such justices receive no salary. And if any member shall accept or exercise any of the said disqualifying offices, he shall vacate his seat; Provided, That this prohibition shall not extend to the members of the first General Assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 029.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 29. If any election district shall neglect to choose a member or members on the day of election, or if any person chosen a member of either House shall refuse to qualify and take his seat, or shall resign, die, depart the State, accept any disqualifying office, or become otherwise disqualified, to hold his seat, a writ of election shall be issued by the President of the Senate, or Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, for the purpose of filling the vacancy thereby occasioned, for the remainder of the term for which the person so refusing to qualify, resigning, dying departing the State, or becoming disqualified, was elected to serve, or the defaulting election district ought to have chosen a member or members. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 030.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 30. Members of the General Assembly, and all officers before they enter upon the execution of the duties of their respective offices, and all members of the bar, before they enter upon the practice of their profession, shall take and subscribe the following oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm as the case may be) that I am duly qualified according to the Constitution of the United States and of this State to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been elected (or appointed,) and that I will faithfully discharge to the best of my abilities the duties thereof; that I recognize the supremacy of the Constitution and laws of the United States, over the Constitution and laws of any State; and that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution of the Untied States and the Constitution of South Carolina, as ratified by the people on the _________ day of ___________ 1868. SO HELP ME GOD." And the President of this Convention is authorized to fill the blanks in this sections whenever he shall receive satisfactory information of the day on which this Constitution shall be ratified. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 031.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 31. Officers shall be removed for incapacity, misconduct, or neglect of duty, in such manner as may be provided by law, when no mode of trial or removal is provided in this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 032.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 32. The family homestead of the head of each family, residing in this State, such homestead consisting of dwelling house, out-buildings and lands appurtenant, not to exceed the value of one thousand dollars, and yearly product thereof, shall be exempt from attachment, levy or sale on any mesne or final process issued from any court. To secure the full enjoyment of said homestead exemption to the person entitled thereto, or to the head of any family, the personal property of such person of the following character, to wit: household furniture, beds and bedding, family library, arms, carts, wagons, farming implements, tools, neat cattle, work animals, swine, goats and sheep, not to exceed in value in the aggregate the sum of five hundred dollars, shall be subject to like exemption as said homestead, and there shall be exempt in addition thereto all necessary wearing apparel: Provided, that no property shall be exempt form attachment, levy or sale, for taxes, or for payment of obligations contracted for the purchase of said homestead, or the erection of improvements thereon: Provided further, That the yearly products of said homestead shall not be exempt from attachment, levy or sale, for the payment of obligations contracted in the production of the same. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly at their fist session to enforce the provisions of this Section by suitable legislation. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 033.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 33. All taxes upon property, real or personal, shall be laid upon the actual value of the property taxed, as the same shall be ascertained by an assessment made for the purpose of laying such tax. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 003.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The Supreme Executive authority of this State shall be vested in a Chief Magistrate, who shall be styled "The Governor of the State of South Carolina." *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The Governor shall be elected by the electors duly qualified to vote for members of the House of Representatives, and shall hold his office for two years, and until his successor shall be chosen and qualified, and shall be re-eligible. He shall be elected at the first general election held under this Constitution for members of the General Assembly, and at each general election thereafter, and shall be installed during the first session of the said General Assembly after his election, on such day as shall be provided for by law. The other State officers elect shall, at the same time, enter upon the performance of their duties. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor who denies the existence of the Supreme Being; or who at the time of such election has not attained the age of thirty years, and who, except at the first election under this Constitution, shall not have been a citizen of the United States and a citizen and resident of this State for two years next preceding the day of election. No person while Governor shall hold any other office or commission (except in the militia) under this State, or any other power, at one and the same time. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. The returns of every election of Governor shall be sealed up by the managers of elections in their respective counties, and transmitted, by mail, to the seat of Government, directed to the Secretary of State, who shall deliver them to the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the next ensuing session of the General Assembly, and a duplicate of said returns shall be filed with the Clerks of the Courts of said Counties, whose duty it shall be to forward to the Secretary of State a certified copy thereof, upon being notified that the returns previously forwarded by mail have not been received at his office. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State, after the expiration of seven days from the day upon which the votes have been counted, if the returns thereof from any County have not been received, to notify the Clerk of the Court of said County, and order a copy of the returns filed in his office to be forwarded forthwith. The Secretary of State shall deliver the returns to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the next ensuing session of the General Assembly ; and during the first week of the session, or as soon as the General Assembly shall have organized by the election of the presiding officers of the two Houses, the Speaker shall open and publish them in the presence of both Houses. The person having the highest number of votes shall be Governor; but if two or more shall be equal, and highest in votes, the General Assembly shall, during the same session, in the House of Representatives choose one of them Governor viva voce. Contested elections for Governor shall be determined by the General Assembly in such manner as shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. A Lieutenant Governor shall be chosen at the same time, in the same manner, continue in office for the same period, and be possessed of the same qualifications as the Governor, and shall ex-officio be President of the Senate. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. The Lieutenant Governor, while presiding in the Senate, shall have no vote, unless the Senate be equally divided. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. The Senate shall choose a President pro tempore, to act in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor, or when he shall exercise the office of Governor. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. A member of the Senate, or of the House of Representatives, being chosen and acting as Governor or Lieutenant Governor, shall thereupon vacate his seat, and another person shall be elected in his stead. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. In case of the removal of the Governor from his office, or his death, resignation, removal from the State, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Lieutenant Governor, and the General Assembly, at its first session, after the ratification of this Constitution, shall by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, declaring what officer shall then act as Governor, and such officer shall act accordingly, until such disability shall have been removed, or a Governor shall have been elected. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. The Governor shall be commander-in-chief of the militia of the State, except when they shall be called into the actual service of the United States. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 11. He shall have the power to grant reprieves and pardon after conviction, (except in cases of impeachment,) in such manner, on such terms, and under such restrictions as he shall think proper; and he shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures, unless otherwise directed by law. It shall be his duty to report to the General Assembly, at the next regular session thereafter, all pardons granted by him, with a full statement of each case, and the reasons moving him thereunto. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 12. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, in mercy. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 13. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall be neither increased nor diminished during the period for which they shall have been elected. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 14. All officers in the Executive Department shall, when required by the Governor, give him information in writing upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 15. The Governor, shall, from time to time, give to the General Assembly information of the condition of the State, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary or expedient. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 16. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the General Assembly; and should either House remain without a quorum for five days, or in case of disagreement between the two Houses with respect to the time of adjournment, may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; not beyond the time of the annual session then next ensuing. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 017.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 17. He shall commission all officers of the State. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 18. There shall be a Seal of the State, for which the General Assembly, at its first session, shall provide, and which shall be used by the Governor officially and shall be called "The Great Seal of the State of South Carolina." *** SEND *** *** SSTART 019.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 19. All grants and commissions shall be issued in the name and by the authority of the State of South Carolina, sealed with the Great Seal, signed by the Governor and countersigned by the Secretary of State. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 020.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 20. The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, before entering upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take and subscribe the oath of office as prescribed in Article two, section thirty of this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 021.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 21. The Governor shall reside at the capital of the State; but during the sittings of the General Assembly he shall reside where its sessions are held, except in case of contagion. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 022.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 22. Every bill or joint resolution which shall have passed the General Assembly, except on a question of adjournment, shall, before it becomes a law, be represented to the Governor, and, if he approve, he shall sign it; if not, he shall return it, with his objections to the House in which it shall have originated; which shall enter the objections at large on its journals, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House shall agree to pass it, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall be reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of that House, it shall have the same effect as if it had been signed by the Governor; but, in all such cases the vote of both Houses shall be taken by yeas and nays, and the names of the person voting for and against the bill or joint resolution, shall be entered on the journals of both Houses respectively. If a bill or joint resolution shall not be returned by the Governor within three days after it shall have been presented to him, Sundays excepted, it shall have the same force and effect, as if he had signed it, unless the General Assembly, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not have such force and effect unless returned within two days after their next meeting. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 023.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 23. There shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State, a Comptroller-General, a Treasurer, and a Secretary of State, who shall hold their respective offices for the term of four years, and whose duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 004.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The judicial power of this State shall be vested in a Supreme Court, in two Circuit Courts, to wit: a Court of Common Pleas, having civil jurisdiction, and a Court of General Sessions, with criminal jurisdiction only; in Probate Courts, and in Justices of the Peace. The General Assembly may also establish such municipal and other inferior Courts as may be deemed necessary. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, two of whom shall constitute a quorum. They shall be elected by a joint vote of the General Assembly for the term of six years, and shall continue in office until their successors shall be elected and qualified. They shall be so classified that one of the Justices shall go out of office every two years. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The Chief Justice elected under this Constitution shall continue in office for six years, and the General Assembly immediately after the said election shall determine which of the two Associate Justices elect shall serve for the term of two years and which for the term of four years; and having so determined the same, it shall be the duty of the Governor to commission them accordingly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only in cases of Chancery, and shall constitute a Court for the correction of errors at law, under such regulations as the General Assembly may by law prescribe; Provided, the said Court shall always have power to issue writs of injunction, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus, and such other original and remedial writs as may be necessary to give it a general supervisory control over all other Courts in the State. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. The Supreme Court shall be held at least once in each year, at the seat of Government, and at such other place or places in the State as the General Assembly may direct. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. No Judge shall preside on the trial of any cause in the event of which he may be interested, or where either of the parties shall be connected with him by affinity or consanguinity, within such degrees as may be prescribed by law, or in which he may have been counsel, or have presided in any inferior Court, except by consent of all the parties. In case all or any of the Judges of the Supreme Court shall be thus disqualified from presiding in any cause or causes, the Court or the Judges thereof shall certify the same to the Governor of the State, and he shall immediately commission, specially, the requisite number of men learned in the law for the trail and determination thereof. The same courts shall be pursued in the Circuit and inferior Courts as is prescribed in this section for cases of the Supreme Court. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. There shall be appointed by the Judges of the Supreme Court a reporter and clerk of said Court, who shall hold their offices for two years, and whose duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. When a judgment or decree is reversed or affirmed by the Supreme Court, every point made and distinctly stated in writing in the cause, and fairly arising upon the record of the case, shall be considered and decided; and the reasons therefor shall be concisely and briefly stated in writing, and preserved with the records of the case. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. The Judges of the Supreme Court and Circuit Courts shall, at stated times, receive a compensation for their services, to be fixed by law, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. They shall not be allowed any fees or perquisites of office, nor shall they hold any other office of trust or profit under this State, the United States, or any other power. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. No person shall be eligible to the office of Judge of the Supreme Court or Circuit Courts who is not at the time of his election a citizen of the United States, and has not attained the age of thirty years, and been a resident of this State for five years next preceding his election, or from the adoption of this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 11. All vacancies in the Supreme Court or other inferior tribunals shall be filled by election as herein prescribed; Provided, That if the unexpired term does not exceed one year, such vacancy may be filled by Executive appointment. All Judges, by virtue of their office, shall be conservators of the peace throughout the State. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 12. In all cases decided by the Supreme Court, a concurrence of two of the Judges shall be necessary to a decision. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 13. The State shall be divided into convenient circuits, and for each circuit a Judge shall be elected by joint ballot of the General Assembly, who shall hold his office for a term of four years, and during his continuance in office he shall reside in the circuit of which he is Judge. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 14. Judges of the Circuit Court shall interchange circuits with each other in such manner as may be determined by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 15. The Courts of Common Pleas shall have exclusive jurisdiction in all cases of divorce, and exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil cases and actions ex delicto, which shall not be cognizable before Justices of the Peace, and appellate jurisdiction in all such cases as may be provided by law. They shall have power to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, scire facias, and all other writs which may be necessary for carrying their powers fully into effect. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 16. The Court of Common Pleas shall sit in each Judicial District in this State at least twice in every year, at such stated times and places as may be appointed by law. It shall have jurisdiction in all matters of Equity, but the Courts heretofore established for that purpose shall continue as now organized until the first day of January on thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine for the disposition of causes now pending therein, unless otherwise provided by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 017.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 17. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the preservation of the records of the Courts of Equity, and also for the transfer to the Court of Common Pleas and Probate Courts for final decision of all causes that may remain undetermined. It shall be the duty of the Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts to file their decisions within sixty days from the last day of the term of court at which the causes were heard. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 018.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 18. The Court of General Sessions, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all criminal cases which shall not be otherwise provided for by law. It shall sit in each County in the State at least three times in each year, at such stated times and places as the General Assembly may direct. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 019.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 19. The qualified electors of each County shall elect three persons for the term of two years, who shall constitute a Board of County Commissioners which shall have jurisdiction over roads, highways, ferries, bridges, and in all matters relating to taxes, disbursements of money for County purposes, and in every other case that may be necessary to other internal improvement and local concerns of the respective Counties: Provided, That in all cases there shall be the right of appeal to the State Courts. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 020.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 20. A Court of Probate shall be established in each County, with jurisdiction in all matters testamentary and of administration, in business appertaining to minors and the allotment of dower in cases of idiocy and lunacy, and persons non compotes mentis. The Judge of said Court shall be elected by the qualified electors of the respective Counties for the term of two years. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 021.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 21. A competent number of Justices of the Peace and Constables shall be chosen in each County by the qualified electors thereof, in such manner as the General Assembly may direct; they shall hold their offices for a term of two years and until their successors are elected and qualified. They shall reside in the County, city or beat for which they are elected, and the Justices of the Peace shall be commissioned by the Governor. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 022.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 22. Justices of the Peace, individually, or two or more of them jointly, as the General Assembly may direct, shall have original jurisdiction in cases of bastardy, and in all matters of contract, and actions for the recovery of fines and forfeitures where the amount claimed does not exceed one hundred dollars, and such jurisdiction as my be provided by law in actions ex delicto, where the damages claimed do not exceed one hundred dollars; and prosecutions for assault and battery and other penal offences less than felony, punishable by fines only. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 023.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 23. They may also sit as examining Courts and commit, discharge, or recognize (except in capital cases) persons charged with offences, subject to such regulations as the General Assembly may provide; they shall also have power to bind over to keep the peace, or for good behavior. For the foregoing purposes they shall have power to issue all necessary processes. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 024.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 24. Every action cognizable before Justices of the Peace instituted by summons or warrant, shall be brought before some Justice of the Peace in the County or city where the defendant resides, and in all such causes tried by them, the right of appeal shall be secured under such rules and regulations as may be provided by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 025.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 25. The Judges of Probate, County Commissioners, Justices of the Peace, and Constables, shall receive for their services such compensation and fees as the General Assembly may from time to time by law direct. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 026.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 26. Judges shall not charge juries in respect to matters of fact, but may state the testimony and declare the law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 027.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 27. There shall be elected in each County, by the electors thereof, one Clerk for the Court of Common Pleas, who shall hold his office for the term of four years, and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. He shall, by virtue of his office, be clerk of all other Courts of Record held therein; but the General Assembly may provide by law for the election of a Clerk, with a like term of office, for each or any other of the Courts of Record, and may authorize the Judge of the Probate Court to perform the duties of Clerk for his Court, under such regulations as the General Assembly may direct. Clerks of Courts shall be removeable for such cause, and in such manner as shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 028.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 28. There shall be an Attorney-General for the State, who shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by law. He shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State for the term of four years, and shall receive for his services such compensation as shall be fixed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 029.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 29. There shall be one Solicitor for each circuit, who shall reside therein, to be elected by the qualified electors of the circuit, who shall hold his office for the term of four years, and shall receive for his services such compensation as shall be fixed by law. In all cases where a Attorney for the State, of any circuit, fails to attend and prosecute, according to law, the Court shall have power to appoint an attorney pro tempore. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 030.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 30. The qualified electors of each County shall elect a Sheriff and a Coroner, for the term of four years, and until their successors are elected and qualified; they shall reside in their respective Counties during their continuance in office and be disqualified for the office a second time, if it should appear that they or either of them are in default for monies collected by virtue of their respective offices. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 031.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 31. All writs and processes shall run, and all prosecutions shall be conducted in the name of the State of South Carolina; all writs shall be attested by the clerk of the court from which they shall be issued; and all indictments shall conclude against the peace and dignity of the State. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 032.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 32. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the speedy publication of the decisions of the Supreme Court made under this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 033.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 33. The first General Assembly convened under this Constitution, at their first session, immediately after their permanent organization, shall ratify the amendment to the Constitution of the United States, known as the Fourteenth Article, proposed by the Thirty-Ninth Congress. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 034.0 004.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 34. All contracts, whether under seal or not, the consideration of which were for the purchase of slaves, are hereby declared null and void and of no effect, and no suit, either at law or equity, shall be commenced or prosecuted for the enforcement of such contracts, and all proceedings to enforce satisfaction or payment on judgments or decrees, rendered, recorded, enrolled or entered up on such contracts, in any Court of this State, are hereby prohibited, and all orders heretofore made in this State, in relation to such contracts, whereby property is held subject to decision as to the validity of such contracts, are also hereby declared null and void and of no effect. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 005.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 005.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The General Assembly shall pass such laws as may be necessary and proper, to decide differences by arbitrators, to be appointed by the parties who may choose that summary mode of adjustment. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 005.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to pass the necessary laws for the change of venue in all cases, civil and criminal, over which the Circuit Courts have original jurisdiction, upon a proper showing, supported by affidavit, that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the County were such trial or prosecution was commenced. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 005.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The General Assembly, at its first session after the adoption of this Constitution, shall make provision to revise, digest, and arrange, under proper heads, the body of our laws, civil and criminal, and form a penal code, founded upon principles of reformation, and have the same promulgated in such manner as they may direct; and a like revision, digest and promulgation shall be made within every subsequent period of ten years. That justice may be administered in a uniform mode of pleading without distinction between law and equity, they shall provide for abolishing the distinct forms of action, and for that purpose shall appoint some suitable person or persons, whose duty it shall be to revise, simplify, and abridge the rules, practice, pleadings, and forms of the courts now in use in this State. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 006.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 006.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers bordering on this State, so far as such rivers shall form a common boundary to this and any other State bounded by the same; and they, together with all other navigable waters, within the limits of the State shall be common highways, and forever free, as well to the inhabitants of this State as to the citizens of the United States, without any tax or impost therefor, unless the same be expressly provided for by the General Assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 006.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The title to all lands and other property, which have heretofore accrued to this State by grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheats, or otherwise, shall vest in the State of South Carolina the same as though no change had taken place. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 006.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The People of the State are declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within the jurisdiction of the State; and all lands, the title to which shall fail for defect of heirs, shall revert, or escheat, to the people. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 007.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 007.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment. A vote of two-thirds of all the members elected shall be required for an impeachment, and any officer impeached, shall thereby be suspended from office until judgment in the case shall have been pronounced. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 007.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate, and when sitting for that purpose, they shall be under oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted except by vote of two-thirds of all the members elected. When the Governor is impeached, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or the Senior Judge, shall preside, with a casting vote in all preliminary questions. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 007.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The Governor and all other executive and judicial officers, shall be liable to impeachment; but judgment in such case shall not extend further than removal from office. The persons convicted, shall nevertheless, be liable to indictment, trial and punishment according to the law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 007.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. For any wilful neglect of duty, or other reasonable cause, which shall not be sufficient ground of impeachment, the Governor shall remove any executive or judicial officer on the address of two-thirds of each House of the General Assembly. Provided, that the cause, or causes, for which said removal may be required, shall be stated at length in such address, and entered on the journals of each House. And provided further, that the officer intended to be removed shall be notified of such cause or causes, and shall be admitted to a hearing in his own defence, before any vote for such address; and in all cases, the vote shall be taken by yeas and nays, and be entered on the journals of each House respectively. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 008.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. In all elections by the people the electors shall vote by ballot. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. Every male citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, not laboring under the disabilities named in this Constitution, without distinction of race, color, or former condition, who shall be a resident of this Sate at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, or who shall thereafter reside in this State one year, and in the County in which he offers to vote, sixty days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote for all officers that are now, or hereafter may be, elected by the people, and upon all questions submitted to the electors at any elections; Provided, That no person shall be allowed to vote or hold office who is now or hereafter may be disqualified therefor by the Constitution of the United States, until such disqualification shall be removed by the Congress of the United States; Provided further, That no persons, while kept in any alms house or asylum, or of unsound mind, or confined in any public prison, shall be allowed to vote or hold office. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide from time to time for the registration of all electors. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. For the purpose of voting no person shall be deemed to have lost his residence by reason of absence while employed in the service of the United States, nor while engaged upon the waters of this State or the United States, or of the high seas, nor while temporarily absent from the State. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. No soldier, seaman or marine in the army or navy of the United States shall be deemed a resident of this State in consequence of having been stationed therein. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. Electors shall, in all cases, except treason, felony or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest and civil process during their attendance at elections, and in going to and returning from the same. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. Every person entitled to vote at any election shall be eligible to any office which now is or hereafter shall be elective by the people in the County where he shall have resided sixty days previous to such election, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution or the Constitution and laws of the United States. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. The General Assembly shall never pass any law that will deprive any of the citizens of this State of the right of suffrage except for treason, murder, robbery, or duelling, whereof the persons shall have been duly tried and convicted. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. Presidential electors shall be elected by the people. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. In all elections held by the people under this Constitution, the person or persons who shall receive the highest number o votes shall be declared elected. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 11. The provision of this Constitution concerning the term of residence necessary to enable persons to hold certain offices therein mentioned, shall not be held to apply to officers chosen by the people at the first election, or by the General Assembly at its first session. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 008.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 12. No person shall be disfranchised for felony, or other crimes committed while such person was a slave. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 009.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation, and shall prescribe such regulations as shall secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, real, personal and possessory, except mines and mining claims, the proceeds of which alone shall be taxed; and also excepting such property as may be exempted by law for municipal, educational, literary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The General Assembly may provide annually for a poll tax not to exceed one dollar on each poll, which shall be applied exclusively to the public school fund. And no additional poll tax shall be levied by any municipal corporation. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The General Assembly shall provide for an annual tax sufficient to defray the estimated expenses of the State for each year; and whenever it shall happen that such ordinary expenses of the State for any year shall exceed the income of the State for such year, the General Assembly shall provide for levying a tax for the ensuing year sufficient, with other sources of income, to pay the deficiency of the preceding year, together with the estimated expenses of the ensuing year. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. No tax shall be levied except in pursuance of a law, which shall distinctly state the object of the same; to which object such tax shall be applied. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to enact laws for the exemption from taxation of all public schools, colleges, and institutions of learning, all charitable institutions in the nature of asylums for the infirm, deaf and dumb, blind, idiotic and indigent persons, all public libraries, churches and burying grounds; but property of associations and societies, although connected with charitable objects, shall not be exempt from State, County or Municipal taxation; Provided, that this exemption shall not extend beyond the buildings and premises actually occupied by such schools, colleges, institutions of learning, asylums, libraries, churches and burial rounds, although connected with charitable objects. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. The General Assembly shall provide for the valuation and assessment of all lands and the improvements thereon prior to the assembling of the General Assembly of one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and thereafter every fifth year. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. For the purpose of defraying extraordinary expenditures, the State may contract public debts; but such debts shall be authorized by law for some single object, to be distinctly specified therein ; and no such law shall take effect until it shall have been passed by the vote of two-thirds of the members of each branch of the General Assembly, to be recorded by yeas and nays on the journals of each House respectively; and every such law shall levy a tax annually sufficient to pay the annual interest of such debt. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. The corporate authorities of Counties, Townships, School Districts, Cities, Towns and Villages may be vested with power to assess and collect taxes for corporate purposes; such taxes to be uniform in respect to persons and property within the jurisdiction of the body imposing the same. And the General Assembly shall require that all the property, except that heretofore exempted within the limits of municipal corporations, shall be taxed for the payment of debts contracted under authority of law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. The General Assembly shall provide for the incorporation and organization of cities and towns, and shall restrict their powers of taxation, borrowing money, contracting debts, and loaning their credit. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. No scrip, certificate, or other evidence of State indebtedness shall be issued, except for the redemption of stock, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness previously issued, or for such debts as are expressly authorized in this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 11. An accurate statement of the receipt and expenditure of the public money shall be published with the laws of each regular session of the General Assembly in such manner as may, by law, be directed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 012.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 12. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in pursuance of appropriations made by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 013.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 13. The fiscal year shall commence on the first day of November in each year. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 014.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 14. Any debt contracted by the State shall be by loan on State Bonds, of amounts not less than fifty dollars each, on interest, payable within twenty years after the final passage of the law authorizing such debt. A correct registry of all such bonds shall be kept by the Treasurer in numerical order, so as always to exhibit the number and amount unpaid, and to whom severally made payable. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 015.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 15. Suitable laws shall be passed by the General Assembly for the safe keeping, transfer and disbursement of the State, County and School funds, and all officers and other persons charged with the same, shall keep an accurate entry of each sum received, and of each payment and transfer; and shall give such security for the faithful discharge of such duties as the General Assembly may provide. And it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to pass laws making embezzlement of such funds a felony, punishable by fine and imprisonment proportioned to the amount of deficiency or embezzlement, and the party convicted of such felony shall be disqualified from every holding any office of honor or emolument in this State; Provided, however, That the General Assembly, by a two-third vote, may remove the disability upon payment in full of the principal and interest of the sum embezzled. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 016.0 009.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 16. No debt contracted by this State in behalf of the late rebellion, in whole or in part, shall ever be paid. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 010.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a State Superintendent of Education, who shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State in such manner and at such time as the other State officers are elected; his powers, duties, term of office and compensation shall be defined by the General Assembly. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. There shall be elected biennially, in each County, by the qualified electors thereof, one School Commissioner, said Commissioners to constitute a State Board of Education, of which the State Superintendent shall, by virtue of his office, be Chairman; the powers, duties, and compensation of the members of said Board shall be determined by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The General Assembly shall, as soon as practicable after the adoption of this Constitution, provide for a liberal and uniform system of free public schools throughout the State, and shall also make provision for the division of the State into suitable School Districts. There shall be kept open at least six months in each year one or more schools in each School District. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide for the compulsory attendance, at either public or private schools, of all children between the ages of six and sixteen years, not physically or mentally disabled, for a term equivalent to twenty-four months, at least: Provided, That no law to that effect shall be passed until a system of public schools has been thoroughly and completely organized, and facilities afforded to all the inhabitants of the State for the free education of their children. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. The General Assembly shall levy at each regular session after the adoption of this Constitution an annual tax on all taxable property throughout the State for the support of public schools, which tax shall be collected at the same time and by the same agents as the general State levy, and shall be paid into the Treasury of the State. There shall be assessed on all taxable polls in the State an annual tax of one dollar on each poll, the proceeds of which tax shall be applied solely to educational purposes. Provided, that no person shall ever be deprived of the right of suffrage for the non-payment of said tax. No other poll or capitation tax shall be levied in the State, nor shall the amount assessed on each poll exceed the limit given in this section. The School Tax shall be distributed among the several School Districts of the State, in proportion to the respective number of pupils attending the public schools. No religious sect or sects shall have exclusive right to, or control of any part of the school funds of the State, nor shall sectarian principles be taught in the public school. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. Within five years after the first regular session of the General Assembly, following the adoption of this Constitution, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide for the establishment and support of a State Normal School, which shall be open to all persons who may wish to become teachers. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. Educational institutions for the benefit of all the blind, deaf and dumb, and such other benevolent institutions, as the public good may require, shall be established and supported by the State, subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. Provisions shall be made by law, as soon as practicable, for the establishment and maintenance of a State Reform School for juvenile offenders. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance of the State University, and as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment of an Agricultural College, and shall appropriate the land given to this State, for the support of such a college, by the Act of Congress, passed July second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, or the money or scrip, as the case may be arising from the sale of said lands, or any lands which may hereafter be given or appropriated for such purpose, for the support and maintenance of such college, and may make the same a branch of the State University, for instruction in Agriculture, the Mechanic Arts, and the Natural Sciences connected therewith. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. All the public schools, colleges, and universities of this State supported in whole or in part by the public funds, shall be free and open to all the children and youths of the State, without regard to race or color. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 011.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 11. The proceeds of all lands that have been or hereafter may be given by the United States to this State for educational purposes, and not otherwise appropriated by this State or the Untied States, and of all lands or other property given by individuals, or appropriated by the Sate for like purpose, and of all estates of deceased persons who have died without leaving a will or heir, shall be securely invested and sacredly preserved as a State School Fund, and the annual interest and income of said fund, together with such other means as the General Assembly may provide, shall be faithfully appropriated for the purpose of establishing and maintaining free public schools, and for no other purposes or uses whatever. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 011.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 011.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. Institutions for the benefit of the insane, blind, deaf and dumb, and the poor, shall always be fostered and supported by this State, and shall be subject to such regulations as the General Assembly may enact. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 011.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The Directors of the Penitentiary shall be elected or appointed, as the General Assembly may direct. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 011.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The Directors of the benevolent and other State institutions, such as may be hereafter created, shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate; and upon all nominations made by the Governor, the question shall be taken by yeas and nays, and entered upon the journals. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 011.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. The Governor shall have power to fill all vacancies that may occur in the offices aforesaid, until the next session of the General Assembly, and until a successor or successors shall be appointed and confirmed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 011.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. The respective Counties of this State shall make such provision, as may be determined by law, for all those inhabitants who by reason of age, and infirmities or misfortunes, may have a claim upon the sympathy and aid of society. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 011.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. The Physicians of the Lunatic Asylum, who shall be superintendent of the same, shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. All other necessary officers and employes shall be appointed by the Governor. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 012.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 012.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. Corporations may be formed under general laws; but all such laws may from time to time be altered or repealed. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 012.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The property of corporations now existing or hereafter created, shall be subject to taxation, except in cases otherwise provided for in this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 012.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. No right of way shall be appropriated to the use of any corporation until full compensation therefor shall be first made, or secured by a deposit of money to the owner, irrespective of any benefit from any improvement proposed by such corporation, which compensations shall be ascertained by a jury of twelve men, in a Court of Record, as shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 012.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. Dues from corporations shall be secured by such individual liability of the stockholders and other means, as may be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 012.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. All general laws and special acts passed pursuant to this section, shall make provisions therein for fixing the personal liability of stockholders under proper limitations; and shall prevent and punish fraudulent representations as to the capital property and resources of such corporations; and shall also regulate the public use of all franchises which have heretofore been, or hereafter may be created or granted, by or under the authority of this State, and shall limit all tolls, imposts, and other charges and demands under such laws. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 012.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. The General Assembly shall grant no charter for banking purposes, nor renew any banking corporations now in existence, except upon the condition that the stockholders shall be liable to the amount of their respective share or shares of stock in such banking institution, for all its debts and liabilities, upon note, bill, or otherwise; and upon the further condition that no director or other officer of said corporation shall borrow any money from said corporations; and if any director or other officer shall be convicted upon indictment of directly or indirectly violating this Section, he shall be punished by fine or imprisonment, at the discretion of the Court. The books, papers, and accounts of all banks shall be open to inspection, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 013.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 013.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. The Militia of this State shall consist of all able-bodied male citizens of the State between the ages of eighteen and fort-five years, except such persons as are now, or may hereafter be, exempted by the laws of the United States or who may be adverse to bearing arms, as provided for in this Constitution; and shall be organized, armed, equipped and disciplined as the General Assembly may by law provide. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 013.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. The Governor shall have power to call out the militia to execute the laws, repel invasion, repress insurrection, and preserve the public peace. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 013.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. There shall be an Adjutant and Inspector-General, elected by the qualified electors of the State, at the same time and in the same manner as other State officers, who shall rank as a Brigadier-General, and whose duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law. The Governor shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, such other staff officers as the General Assembly may direct. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 014.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this State, unless he possess the qualifications of an elector. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. Lotteries, and the sale of lottery tickets, for any purpose whatever, are prohibited, and the General Assembly shall prevent the same by penal laws. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. The State Library shall be subject to such regulations as the General Assembly may prescribe. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 004.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 4. The General Assembly may direct, by law, in what manner claims against the State may be established and adjusted. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 005.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 5. Divorces from the bonds of matrimony shall not be allowed but by the judgment of a Court, as shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 006.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 6. No person who denies the existence of the Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 007.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 7. The printing of the laws, journals, bills, legislative documents and papers for each branch of the General Assembly, with the printing required for the Executive and other departments of State, shall be let, on contract, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 008.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 8. The real and personal property of a woman, held at the time of her marriage, or that which she may thereafter acquire, either by gift, grant, inheritance, devise, or otherwise, shall not be subject to levy and sale for her husband's debts; but shall be held as her separate property and may be bequeathed, devised, or alienated by her the same as if she were unmarried; Provided, That no gift or grant from the husband to the wife shall be detrimental to the just claims of his creditors. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 009.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 9. The General Assembly shall provide for the removal of all causes, which may be pending when this Constitution goes into effect, to Courts created by the same. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 010.0 014.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 10. The election for all state officers shall take place at the same time as is provided for that of members of the General Assembly, and the election for those officers whose terms of service are for four years, shall be held at the time of each alternative general election. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** ASTART 015.0 SC 1868 *** *** SSTART 001.0 015.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 1. Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution, may be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives. If the same be agreed to by two-thirds of the members elected to each House, such amendment or amendments shall be entered on the journals respectively, with the yeas and nays taken thereon; and the same shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the State, at the next general election thereafter for Representatives, and if a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly, voting thereon, shall vote in favor of such amendment or amendments, and two-thirds of each branch of the next General Assembly shall, after such an election, and before another, ratify the same amendment or amendments, by yeas and nays, the same shall become part of the Constitution: Provided, that such amendments or amendments shall have been read three times, on three several days in each House. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 002.0 015.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 2. If two or more amendments shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for or against each of such amendments separately. *** SEND *** *** SSTART 003.0 015.0 0 SC 1868 *** Section 3. Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly shall think it necessary to call a Convention to revise, amend, or change this Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote at the next election for Representatives, for or against a Convention; and if a majority of all the electors voting at said election shall have voted for a Convention, the General Assembly, shall, at their next session, provide by law for calling the same; and such Convention shall consist of a number of members, not less than that of the most numerous branch of the General Assembly. *** SEND *** *** AEND *** *** MSTART 001 001.0 016.0 0 SC 1868 1873 *** Article 16 To the end that the public debt of South Carolina may not hereafter be increased, without the due consideration and free consent of the people of the State, the General Assembly is hereby forbidden to create any further debt or obligation, either by the loan of the credit of the State, by guaranty, endorsement, or otherwise, except for the ordinary and current business of the State, without first submitting the question as to the creation of any such new debt, guaranty, endorsement, or loan of its credit, to the people of this State at a general State election; and, unless two thirds of the qualified voters of this State, voting on this question, shall be in favor of a further debt, guaranty, or endorsement, or loan of its credit, none such shall be created or made. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 002 011.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 1873 *** The first election for senators and representatives, under the provisions of this constitution, shall be held on the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of April, of the present year; and the second election shall be held on the third Wednesday in October, 1870, and forever thereafter on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, in every second year, in such manner, and at such places, as the Legislature may provide. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 003 023.0 003.0 0 SC 1868 1875 *** There shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State a Comptroller General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Adjutant and Inspector General, and Superintendent of Education, who shall hold their respective offices for the term of two years, and whose duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 004 003.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 1875 *** Section 3. The Judicial Districts shall hereafter be designated as Counties, and the boundaries of the several Counties shall remain as they are now established, except the County of Pickens, which is hereby divided into two Counties, by a line leaving the southern boundary of the State of North Carolina where the Taxaway River enters this State, and thence down the centre of said River, by whatever names known, to Ravenel's Bridge, on Seneca River, and thence along the center of the road leading to Pendleton Village, until it intersects the lines of the County of Anderson; and the territory lying east of said line shall be known as the County of Pickens; and the territory lying west of said line shall be known as the County of Oconee; Provided, that the General Assembly shall have the power at any time to organize new Counties by changing the boundaries of any of the old ones; but no new County shall be hereafter formed of less extent than six hundred and twenty-five square miles, nor shall any existing counties be reduced to a less extent than six hundred and twenty-five square miles. Each County shall constitute one election district. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 005 005.0 010.0 0 SC 1868 1878 *** The Boards of the County Commissioners of the several Counties shall levy an annual tax of not less than two on the dollar upon all the taxable property in their respective Counties, which levy shall not be increased unless by special enactment of the General Assembly, for the support of public schools in their respective Counties, which tax shall be collected at the same time and by the same officers as the other taxes for the same year, and shall be held in the County Treasuries of the respective Counties, and paid out exclusively for the support of public schools as provided by law. There shall be assessed on all taxable polls in the State an annual tax of one dollar on each poll, the proceeds of which tax shall be applied solely to educational purposes. Provided, that no person shall ever be deprived of the right of suffrage for the non-payment of said tax. Not other poll or capitation tax shall be levied in the State, nor shall the amount assessed on each poll exceed the limit given in this Section. The school tax shall be distributed among the several school districts of the Counties in proportion to the respective number of pupils attending the public schools. No religious sect or sects shall have exclusive right to, or control of any part of the school funds of the State, nor shall sectarian principles be taught in the pubic schools. *** MEND *** *** MSTART 006 032.0 002.0 0 SC 1868 1880 *** The General Assembly shall enact such laws as will exempt from attachment and sale under any mesne or final process issued from any Court to the head of any family residing in this State a homestead in lands, whether held in fee or any lesser estate, not to exceed in value one thousand dollars, with the yearly products thereof; and every head of a family residing in this State, whether entitled to a homestead exemption in lands or not, personal property not to exceed in value the sum of five hundred dollars; provided, that in case any woman having a separate estate shall be married to the head of a family who has not of his own sufficient property to constitute a homestead as hereinbefore provided, said married woman shall be entitled to a like exemption as provided for the head of a family: Provided, further, that there shall not be an allowance of more than one thousand dollars worth of real estate and more than five hundred dollars worth of personal property to the husband wife jointly: Provided, that no property shall be exempt from attachment, levy or sale for taxes, or for payment of obligations contracted for the purchase of said homestead or the erection of improvements thereon: Provided further, that the yearly products of said homestead shall not exempt from attachment, levy or sale, for the payment of obligations contracted in the production of the same. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly at their first session to enforce the provisions of this section by suitable legislation. *** MEND *** *** CEND ***