DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. XV

Government; for this purpose, elections ought to be free and fre-
quent; and every* male citizen, having the qualifications
prescribed by the Constitution, ought to have the right of suffrage.
Bevard t). Hoffman, 18 Md. 479.

ART. 8. 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 De-
partments shall assume or discharge the duties of any other.

State e Chase, 5 H. & J 304. Crane o. MeginNIss, 1 G & J 463 Mitchell
v Mitchell, 1 Gill, 66. Prout v Berry, 2 Gill, 147 Miller v. State, 8 Gill, 145
Watkins v. Watkins, 2 Md. 341. Wright v. Wright's Lessee, 2 Md. 429
Thomas v Owens, 4 Md 189. Gough v. Pratt, Adm'r, 9 Md 526 Calvert v
Williams, 10 Md 478 Mayor, &c , of Balt. v. Police Commissioners, 15 Md
376 State v. N C R W Co , 18 Md. 193. Miles v. Bradford, 22 Md 181.
Green's Estate, 4 Md Ch Dec 349.

ART. 9. That no power of suspending Laws or the execution of
Laws, unless by, or derived from the Legislature, ought to be ex-
ercised, or allowed.

ART. 10. That freedom of speech and debate, or proceedings in
the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in any Court of
Judicature.

ART. 11. That Annapolis be the place of meeting of the Legis-
lature ; and the Legislature ought not to be convened or held at
any other place but from evident necessity.

ART. 12. That for redress of grievances, and for amending,
strengthening and preserving the Laws, the Legislature ought to
be frequently convened.

ART. 13. That every man hath a right to petition the Legisla-
ture for the redress of grievances in a peaceable and orderly
manner.

ART. 14. That no aid, charge, tax, burthen or fees ought to be
rated or levied, under any pretence, without the consent of the
Legislature.

ART. 15. That the levying of taxes by the poll is grievous and
oppressive, and ought to be prohibited; that paupers ought not to

*The word "white," omitted under the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of the
Dotted States.