TIP #439: KENTUCKY'S FOUR CONSTITUTIONS Just a short tip for today about Kentucky's constitutions. We are blessed in America to have had a constitution that was so well thought out and inclusive, that we are still living under it. However, Kentucky has gone through four constitutions during its statehood in 1792. There were constitution of 1792, 1799, 1850 and 1891. The first two constitutions were fairly well based on the United States Constitution. The first one, penned in 1792, was barely more than a brief document laying out the establishment of a tripartite government; a bicameral legislature and a bill of rights for its citizens. It allowed the House of Representatives to be elected by popular election and the governor and Senate elected by a body of electors. The constitution of 1799 kept most of the 1792 constitution but added the abolition of an electoral college and allowing popular vote; created the office of Lieutenant Governor; gave more power to local governments; increased the power of different agencies that were responsible for taxation; regulated business. But, the free blacks lost the franchise they had had since 1792. The 1850 Constitution was much lengthier. The major changes included setting the judiciary to serve fixed terms; changing the General Assembly (which had greatly abused its powers). It limited the legislative sessions to sixty days unless a 2/3rds vote over-ruled this. It protected the money set aside for debt repayment (called a sinking fund), set up the publiceducation system reaffirmed slavery, and added the requirement for office holders to swear that they had not participated in a duel. The latter is still a requirement in KY!. Another major change was for judges, sheriff and the majority of local office holders to be elected for fixed terms instead of appointed. The 1891 constitution lost control over executive officials by addting two elective independent constitutional executive offices (up to 11). The General Assembly was limited to the 60-day sessions every two years. Appropriations were subject to a gubernatiorial line-item veto. Fiscal restrictions ewere placed on local governments and corporations operating in the state. For all it's good points, historian Thomas Clarke and others have noted that it has limited the ability of state and local governments to provide services. It did allow for the use of amendments and by 1992, over 30 amendments have been added. It's amazing that we all somehow survive! (c) Copyright 1 May 2003, Sandra K. Gorin. All rights reserved. Col. Sandi Gorin, 205 Clements Ave., Glasgow, KY 42141 (270) 651-9114 Publishing: http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/ GORIN worldconnect website: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/~sgorin SCKY resource links: http://www.public.asu.edu/~moore/Gorin.html