Preface
This small volume is the outgrowth of a series of lectures given at Harvard University. It is put forth primarily for the use of students there, but it may also prove of assistance to the members of the General Court, to those who are interested in constitutional and historical matters, and at the present time, when a constitutional convention is contemplated, to those who may serve as delegates.
I wish to express my appreciation of the kindness of Professor Edward Channing who was good enough to read the chapters on the early history. To the efficient Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mr. James W. Kimball, who read the chapter on Legislative Procedure, I owe thanks for valuable suggestions. To Professor W. B. Munro, who advised publication and revised the original material, I owe the encouragement to begin as well as to complete the work.
The author is conscious of many omissions and shortcomings in this book, but has endeavored to include in it data that seemed of most importance to those interested in study or casual investigation of constitutional and legislative matters.
The above was written in 1915 when this book was first published. The Constitutional Convention predicted took place in 1917. To cover that convention and various changes in laws and legislative procedure the book is brought up to date.
North Easton, 1925.
