Page:The Federal and state constitutions v2.djvu/598

Rh

The general assembly shall provide by law for submitting to the people of each county, at an annual election, the question of the location of county-seats; and the general assembly may change the lines of counties, but shall, by law, submit such proposed alterations to the electors of the county or counties affected thereby at a general election; said alterations to be made to township-lines as far as practicable.

The general assembly shall provide by law for the creation and election of county, city, town, and township officers.

All officers whose election or appointment is not provided for by this constitution shall be elected by the people, or appointed as the general assembly may by law direct.

Provision shall be made by law for the removal, for misconduct or malversation in office, of all officers whose powers and duties are not local or legislative, and who shall be elected at general elections, and also for supplying vacancies created by such removal.

The legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be deemed vacant, where no provision is made for that purpose in this constitution.

All elections shall be free and equal.

Electors shall in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance on elections, and in going to and returning from them.

All elections by the people shall be by ballot, and all elections by the general assembly, or by either branch thereof, shall be viva voce.

All general elections shall be held on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November of each year.

Returns of elections for members of Congress, the general assembly, and all other officers not otherwise provided for, shall be made to the secretary of state, in such manner as may be prescribed by law.

Corporations may be created under general laws, but shall not be created by special acts, except for municipal purposes. All general laws and special acts authorizing or creating corporations may be altered from time to time or repealed.

Dues from corporations shall be secured by such individual liability of the stockholders and other means as shall be prescribed by law, and each stockholder of a corporation or joint-stock association, except corporations for charitable purposes and railroad corporations, shall be individually liable over and above the stock by