Download or read book The American State Constitutional Tradition written by John J. Dinan and published by University Press of Kansas. This book was released on 2006-04-14 with total page 447 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For too long, the American constitutional tradition has been defined solely by the U.S. Constitution drafted in 1787. Yet constitutional debates at the state level open a window on how Americans, in different places and at different times, have chosen to govern themselves. From New Hampshire in 1776 to Louisiana in 1992, state constitutional conventions have served not only as instruments of democracy but also as forums for revising federal principles and institutions. In The American State Constitutional Tradition, John Dinan shows that state constitutions are much more than mere echoes of the federal document. The first comprehensive study of all 114 state constitutional conventions for which there are recorded debates, his book shows that state constitutional debates in many ways better reflect the accumulated wisdom of American constitution-makers than do the more traditional studies of the federal constitution. Wielding extraordinary command over a mass of historical detail, Dinan clarifies the alternatives considered by state constitution makers and the reasons for the adoption or rejection of various governing principles and institutions. Among other things, he shows that the states are nearly universal in their rejection of the rigid federal model of the constitutional amendment process, favoring more flexible procedures for constitutional change; they often grant citizens greater direct participation in law-making; they have debated and at times rejected the value of bicameralism; and they have altered the veto powers of both the executive and judicial branches. Dinan also shows that, while the Founders favored a minimalist design and focused exclusively on protecting individuals from government action, state constitution makers have often adopted more detailed constitutions, sometimes specifying positive rights that depend on government action for their enforcement. Moreover, unlike the federal constitution, state constitutions often contain provisions dedicated to the formation of citizen character, ranging from compulsory schooling to the regulation of gambling or liquor. By integrating state constitution making with the federal constitutional tradition, this path-breaking work widens and deepens our understanding of the principles by which we've chosen to govern ourselves.

Download or read book Report of the Debates in the Convention of California on the Formation of the State Constitution in September and October 1849 written by California. Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1850 with total page 540 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John Ross Browne (1817-1875) of Kentucky, the official reporter for the California State Constitutional Convention of September-October 1849, came to California in 1849 as an employee of the government revenue service. He traveled widely in the next two decades before settling down in Oakland. Report of the debates of the Convention of California (1850) comprises the official records of the convention. Browne had been a shorthand reporter for the U.S. Senate before coming west, and he provides transcripts of the proclamation calling the convention, proceedings of the convention, text of the state constitution adopted by the delegates, and official correspondence regarding the convention and the institution of state government under that constitution.

Download or read book The Convention Manual of Procedure Forms and Rules for the Regulation of Business in the Sixth New York State Constitutional Convention 1894 written by New York (State). Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1894 with total page 1432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book State Constitutional Conventions from Independence to the Completion of the Present Union 1776 1959 written by and published by . This book was released on 1972 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book State Constitutional Conventions from Independence to the Completion of the Present Union 1776 1959 written by Cynthia E. Browne and published by Greenwood. This book was released on 1973 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book New York State Constitution Annotated written by New York (State) and published by . This book was released on 1915 with total page 644 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Official Publications Relating to American State Constitutional Conventions written by University of Chicago. Library and published by . This book was released on 1936 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book State Constitutional Conventions written by Elmer E. Cornwell and published by Greenwood. This book was released on 1975 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Documents of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Virginia written by Virginia. Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1867 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Debates and Proceedings of the Maryland Reform Convention to Revise the State Constitution written by Maryland. Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1851 with total page 810 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A List of Documentary Material Relating to State Constitutional Conventions 1776 1912 written by and published by . This book was released on 1915 with total page 94 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Proceedings of the Maryland State Convention to Frame a New Constitution written by Maryland. Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1850 with total page 946 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Convention Manual of the Sixth New York State Constitutional Convention 1894 written by New York (State). Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1894 with total page 1326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Debates and Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of the State of California Convened at the City of Sacramento Saturday September 28 1878 written by California. Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1881 with total page 442 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Revised Record of the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York written by New York (State). Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1916 with total page 1132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Journal of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Illinois written by Illinois. Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1870 with total page 1022 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Journal of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Virginia written by Virginia. Constitutional Convention and published by . This book was released on 1867 with total page 406 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: