a.  The foremost executive officer. b.  Where the power of governor was really vested. c.  Why the name of president was preferred to that of governor. d.  The example of Massachusetts followed elsewhere. e.  The end of provisional government in 1780.

4.  The council transformed to a senate:—­

a.  The principle of reviewing the acts of the popular assembly. b.  The borrowing of Roman names. c.  The qualifications and service of senators. d.  The lieutenant-governor.

5.  Our state governments patterned after the government of England:—­

a.  The governor and the king. b.  The Senate and the House of Lords. c.  The House of Representatives and the House of Commons. d.  Some differences between the British system and the American.

Section 3. The State Governments.

[Sidenote:  Later modifications.] During the present century our state governments have undergone more or less revision, chiefly in the way of abolishing property qualifications for offices making the suffrage universal, and electing officers that were formerly appointed.  Only in Delaware does there still remain a property qualification for senators.  There is no longer any distinction in principle between the upper and lower houses of the legislature.  Both represent population, the usual difference being that the senate consists of fewer members who represent larger districts.  Usually, too, the term of the representatives is two years, and the whole house is elected at the same time, while the term of senators is four years, and half the number are elected every two years.  This system of two-chambered legislatures is probably retained chiefly through a spirit of conservatism, because it is what we are used to.  But it no doubt has real advantages in checking hasty legislation.  People are always wanting to have laws made about all sorts of things, and in nine cases out of ten their laws would be pernicious laws; so that it is well not to have legislation made too easy.

[Sidenote:  The suffrage.] The suffrage by which the legislature is elected is almost universal.  It is given in all the states to all male citizens who have reached the age of one-and-twenty.  In many it is given also to denizens of foreign birth who have declared an intention of becoming citizens.  In some it is given without further specification to every male inhabitant of voting age.  Residence in the state for some period, varying from three months to two years and a half, is also generally required; sometimes a certain length of residence in the county, the town, or even in the voting precinct, is prescribed.  In many of the states it is necessary to have paid one’s poll-tax.  There is no longer any property qualification, though there was until recently in Rhode Island, Criminals, idiots, and lunatics are excluded from the suffrage.  Some states also exclude duellists and men who bet on elections.  Connecticut and Massachusetts shut out persons who are unable to read.  In no other country has access to citizenship and the suffrage been made so easy.