LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

Since the State Organization.

First Session-Held at Omaha, the State Capital, on July 4, A. D. 1866. Adjourned July 11, 1866. Session eight days. Convened in compliance with adoption of the Constitution. Membership consisted of thirteen senators and thirty-nine representatives, elected from the territorial districts.

Second Session-(Special)-Held at Omaha, the State Capital, February 20, 1867, and adjourned February 21, 1867. Session two days. Session was called to consider certain conditions made by act of congress for the admission of Nebraska into the Union.

Third Session-(Special) --Held at Omaha, the State Capital, May 16, 1867, and adjourned June 24, 1867. Session forty days. Session called by the governor to carry out provisions of the new Constitution.

Fourth Session-(Special)-Held at Omaha, the State Capital, October 27, 1868. Adjourned October 28, 1868. Session two days. Called to provide for the election of president and vice-president electors.

Fifth Session-(Special)-Held at Lincoln, the State Capital, January 7, 1869. Adjourned February 15, 1869. Session forty days.

Sixth Session-(Special)-Held at Lincoln, where the State Capital was permanently located. Convened February 17, 1870. Adjourned March 4, 1870. Session sixteen days. Called to ratify the proposed Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and special business.

Seventh Session-(Special)-Convened March 4, 1870. Adjourned March 4, 1870. Session one day.

Eighth Session-Convened January 5, 1871. Adjourned on the 29th of March to the 30th day of May, for the purpose of sitting as a court to try impeachment proceedings against Governor Butler. On June 7, 1871 adjourned a second time until January 9, 1872, for the purpose of trying impeachment proceedings against Auditor John Gillespie. Adjourned January 26, 1872. Session 110 days.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

Preamble... We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the constitution of the State of Nebraska.

ARTICLE I-BILL OF RIGHTS.

Section 1. [Equal Rights.] All persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights and the protection of property, governments are instituted among people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Sec. 2. Slavery prohibited.] There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this state, otherwise than for punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

Sec. 3. [Due process of law.] No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Sec. 4. [Religious freedom.] All persons have a natural and indefensible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship against his consent, and no preference shall be given by law to any religious society, nor shall any interference with the rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required as a qualification for office, nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witness on account of his religious belief; but nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with caths and affirmations. Religion, morality and knowledge, however, being essential to good government. it shall be the duty of the legislature to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship, and to encourage schools and the means of instruction.

Sec. 5. [Freedom of speech and press.] Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty; and in all trials for libel, both civil and criminal, the truth when published with good motives, and for justifiable ends, shall be a sufficient defense.

Sec. 6. [Trial by jury. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate, but the legislature may authorize trial by a jury of a less number than twelve men in courts inferior to the district court.

Sec. 7. [Search and seizure.] The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized.

Sec. 8. [Habeas corpus.] The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless, in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety requires it, and then only in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.

Sec. 9. [Bail, fines; imprisonment.] All persons shall be bailable by sufficient suréties, except for treason and murder, where the proof is evident or the presumption great. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Sec. 10. Indictment; information.] No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense, except in cases in which the punishment is by fine, or imprisonment otherwise than in the penitentiary, in case of impeachment, and in cases arising in the army and navy, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury; Provided, that the legislature may by law provide for holding persons to answer for criminal offenses on information of a public prosecutor; and may by law, abolish, limit, change, amend or otherwise regulate the grand jury system.

Sec. 11. [Rights of accused.] In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to appear and defend in person or by counsel, to demand the nature and cause of accusation, and to have a copy thereof; to meet the witnesses against him face to face; to have process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf; and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.

Sec. 12. [Evidence against self; twice in jeopardy.] No person shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to give evidence against himself, or be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense.

Sec. 13. [Justice administered without delay.] All courts shall be open, and every person, for any injury done him in his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have a remedy by due course of law, and justice administered without denial or delay.

Sec. 14. [Treason.] Treason against the state shall consist only in levying war against the state, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

Sec. 15. [Penalties.] All penalties shall be proportioned to the nature of the offense, and no conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate; nor shall any person be transported out of the state for any offense committed within the state.

Sec. 16 [Bill of attainder; retroactive laws; special privileges.] No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or making any irrevocable grant of special privileges or immunities shall be passed.

Sec. 17. [Military power.] The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.

Sec. 18. [Soldiers' quarters.] No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war except in the manner prescribed by law.

Sec. 19. [Right of petition.] 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.

Sec. 20. [Imprisonment for debt.] No person shall be imprisoned for debt in any civil action on mesne or final process, unless in cases of fraud.

Sec. 21. [Private property.] The property of no person shall be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation therefor.

Sec. 22. Free elections.] All elections shall be free; and there shall be no hindrance or impediment to the right of a qualified voter to exercise the elective franchise.

Sec. 23. [Writ of error.] The writ of error shall be a writ of right