Part The Second: The Frame of Government
Chapter I, Section I
The opening of the "Part the Second" lays down the official name of the State of Massachusetts.
| “ | The people, inhabiting the territory formerly called the Province of Massachusetts Bay, do hereby solemnly and mutually agree with each other, to form themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent body politic, or state by the name of "THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS". | ” |
The first three articles in Chapter I, Section I,of the Massachusetts Constitution establishes the three primary branches of government; an executive, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary. The design of this system, unique at the time, was created to ensure the proper separation of power between the different entities. The framers of the state constitution used this tool to prevent the abuse of power by any one branch.
| “ | Article I. The department of legislation shall be formed by two branches, a Senate and House of Representatives: each of which shall have a negative on the other. | ” |
| “ | Article II. No bill or resolve of the senate or house of representatives shall become a law, and have force as such, until it shall have been laid before the governor for his revisal... | ” |
| “ | Article III. The general court shall forever have full power and authority to erect and constitute judicatories and courts of record, or other courts, to be held in the name of the commonwealth..." | ” |
Read more about this topic: Massachusetts Constitution
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