and registered. In order to register prior to December 20, 1902, the applicant must have engaged in, or been a descendant of, one who has participated in one of the following events: the War of 1812, the Mexican War, any war with the Indians, the war between the States, the war with Spain, or served with the forces of the Confederate States or of the State of Alabama in the war between the States; and he must be an individual of good character, and who understands the duties and obligations of citizenship under a republican form of government. After January 1, 1903, the qualifications for citizenship are to be modified, and from that date the ability to read and write any clause of the United States Constitution in English, and the pursuit of some lawful calling for the greater part of the twelve months preceding the time of registration, will be prerequisites for voting. These qualifications are not required of those who own, individually or through their wives, a certain amount of property free from tax incumbrances. Any person guilty of a criminal offense, including the selling, buying, or offering to sell or buy, a vote, is debarred from voting. The constitution contains a detailed statement of the proper procedure in registration, of penalties, etc. Each county is to have a board of registrars, consisting of three members, who issue life certificates to those who are entitled to them. An amendment to the constitution may be secured by a three-fifths vote of each house, ratified by a vote of the people. A constitutional convention may be called when voted by a majority of each house, and ratified by the people, and the power of such convention in altering, revising, or amending the constitution is subject to no restrictions.
Legislative.—The legislative body consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, the maximum limit of membership being 35 and 105 respectively. The number of senators must not be more than one-third nor less than one-fourth that of representatives. Senatorial districts are composed of contiguous undivided counties. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every fourth year, and the legislature meets on the second Tuesday in the following January, the session being limited to fifty days. Members are paid $4 per day and traveling expenses. Revenue bills originate in the House, and cannot be passed in the last five days of the session. The legislature must provide for the revision of the statutes every twelfth year. One of the numerous legislative prohibitions prevents the State from engaging in or aiding in internal improvements.
Executive.—A governor, lieutenant-governor, attorney-general. State auditor, secretary of State, State treasurer, superintendent of education, and commissioner of agriculture and industries are elected every fourth year, at the time and place appointed for the election of members of the legislature. None of these officers is eligible for reëlection, and the governor is not eligible to election or appointment to any office in the State, or to the Senate of the United States, during his term or within one year after the expiration thereof. The lieutenant-governor is ex-officio president of the Senate, and succeeds to the office of governor in case that office becomes vacant. The attorney-general, Secretary of State, and State auditor constitute a board of pardons, to hear petitions for pardons, commutation, or parole in cases of felony, and advise the governor thereon; but the decision of the governor does not need to conform with that of the board. The governor may veto any bill, or any item of an appropriation bill; but a majority vote of each house may override the veto of the governor. A bill becomes law if the governor fails to pass upon it within one week after it has been submitted to him.
Judiciary.—The judicial power of the State is vested in the Senate, sitting as a court of impeachment, a supreme court, circuit courts, chancery courts, courts of probate, such courts of law and equity inferior to the supreme court, consisting of not more than five members, as the legislature from time to time may establish, and such persons as may be by law invested with powers of a judicial nature. A circuit court, or a court having the jurisdiction of a circuit court, is held in each county of the State at least twice every year. The State is divided into chancery divisions, with a chancellor for each division. The divisions are subdivided into districts, in each of which the chancellor holds court at least twice each year. The legislature may establish courts of probate in each county. Judges of the supreme, circuit, chancery, and probate courts are elected for a term of six years. For each judicial circuit a solicitor (prosecutor) is elected for a term of four years. Each precinct has two justices of the peace and one constable, excepting precincts lying within towns of over 1500 inhabitants, in which precincts the legislature may establish inferior courts in lieu of the justices of the peace.
Local Government.—Both county and municipal corporations are limited in their taxing and debt incurring powers. Each county elects a sheriff, who serves for a term of four years, but he cannot be reëlected. One year's residence is necessary to secure a divorce, the principal causes for which are desertion (two years) and habitual drunkenness.
The State has nine representatives in the national House of Representatives. Montgomery is the capital.
Militia.—The authorized National Guard of Alabama numbers 7788, while the organized body consists of 2471 men. The census of 1900 found 328,000 males of militia age, of whom 165,000 are liable to military duty. The National Guard is formed into one brigade, and consists of three regiments of infantry, of twelve companies each; one battalion of artillery, composed of three batteries; one squadron of cavalry, composed of four troops.
History. In 1540 De Soto passed through the territory now included in Alabama, and found it occupied by powerful Indian nations. Among them were the Alibamas, who gave their name to the country; the Chickasaws, the Choctaws, and the Creeks, together constituting the Muskhogean family; the Cherokees and Apalaches. Alabama was included under Carolina in the royal grants made by the Stuarts in 1629 and 1663, but no attempts at settlement were made by the English. In 1702, the French, under Bienville, removed from Biloxi Bay, where a fort had been built some years previous, and erected Fort St. Louis, on Mobile Bay. Mobile was founded in 1711, and until 1726 was the capital of Louisiana. In 1714 Fort Toulouse was built at the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa. The growth of the colony was hindered by disease and poverty;
