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59
slavish and destructive of the good and happiness of man-
kind.
Art. 6. That the right of the people to participate in the
Legislature is the best security of liberty and the foundation
of all free Government; for this purpose elections ought to be
free and frequent, and every free white male citizen having
the qualifications prescribed by the Constitution ought to
have the right of suffrage.
Art. *r. That the legislative, executive and judicial powers
of Government ought to be forever separate and distinct from
each other, and no person exercising the functions of one of
said departments shall assume or discharge the duties of any
other.
Art. 8. That no power of suspending laws or the execution
of laws, unless by or derived from the Legislature, ought to
be exercised or allowed.
Art. 9. That freedom of speech and debate or proceedings
in the Legislature ought not to be impeached in any court of
judicature.
Art. 10. That Annapolis be the place for the meeting of
the Legislature, and the Legislature ought not to be convened
or held at any other place but from evident necessity.
Art. 11. That for the redress of grievances, and for amend-
ing, strengthening and preserving the laws, the Legislature
ought to be frequently convened.
Art. 12. That every man hath a right to petition the Legis-
lature for the redress of grievances, in a peaceable and orderly
manner.
Art. 13. That no aid, charge, tax, burthen or fees ought
to be rated or levied, under any pretence, without the consent
of the Legislature.
Art. 14. That the levying of taxes by the poll is grievous
and oppressive, and ought to be abolished; that paupers
ought not to be assessed for the support of the Government,
but every other person in the State, or person holding pro-
perty therein, ought to contribute his proportion of public
taxes for the support of Government, according to his actual
worth in real or personal property; yet fines, duties or taxes
may properly and justly be imposed or laid on persons or pro-
perty, with a political view, for the good government and
benefit of the community.
Art. 15. That sanguinary laws ought to be avoided as far
as it is consistent with the safety of the State; and and no
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