Page:A Brief History of the Constitution and Government of Massachusetts (1925).pdf/24

14 The Governor was to take the oath before the Lieutenant or, or in his absence before any two or more of the Councillors; the and the Councillors before the Governor; and all other officers before the Governor or  or any two or more of the Councillors.

Under this Province Charter the Governor had power to prorogue or dissolve the General Court, but no power was given the General Court to adjourn itself. This caused dissatisfaction. Disputes had also arisen as to the right of the Governor to veto the election of a Speaker. Governors Dudley and Shute had each put a negative on the election of a Speaker, but the House in each case had refused to acquiesce. Governor Hutchinson vetoed the election of John Hancock as Speaker. To clear up these matters an explanatory charter was granted in 1726 by King George, giving the representatives assembled in any great or general court the right to adjourn not exceeding two days, and also providing that the election of a Speaker should be subject to the approval of the Governor, to be signified by message in writing to the House of Representatives. The right to negative Councillors had seldom been questioned and time and again when active patriots were chosen their election was negatived by the Governor.

The charters granted to Massachusetts and to other colonies are very interesting documents, not only on their own account and as grants of independent legislative power, but because they served as a basis for a future constitution in Massachusetts and in other states. For instance, the