Massachusetts

2 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Massachusetts
       n 1: a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies
            [syn: {Bay State}, {Old Colony}, {MA}]
       2: a member of the Algonquian people who formerly lived around
          Massachusetts Bay [syn: {Massachuset}]
       3: one of the British colonies that formed the United States


          [syn: {Massachusetts Bay Colony}]
       4: the Algonquian language of the Massachuset people [syn: {Massachuset}]

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  MASSACHUSETTS. One of the original states of the United States of America. 
  The colony or province of Massachusetts was included in a charter granted by 
  James the First, by which its territories were extended in breadth from the 
  40th to the 48th degree of north latitude, and in length by all the breadth 
  aforesaid throughout the mainland from sea to sea. This charter continued 
  until 1684. Holmes' Annals, 412; 1 Story, Const. Sec. 71. In 1691 William 
  and Mary granted a new charter to the colony, and henceforth it became known 
  as a province, and continued to act under this charter till after the 
  Revolution. 1 Story, Const. Sec. 71. 
       2. The constitution of Massachusetts was adopted by a convention begun 
  and held at Cambridge, on the first of September, 1779, and continued, by 
  adjournment, to the second of March, 1780. 
       3. The style and name of the state is The Commonwealth of 
  Massachusetts. The government is distributed into a legislative, executive 
  and judicial power.   
       4.-1st. The department of legislation is formed by two branches, a 
  senate and house of representatives, each of which has a negative on the 
  other, and both are styled The General Court of Massachusetts. Part 2, c. 1, 
  s. 1. 
       5.-1. The senate is elected by the qualified electors, and is 
  composed of forty persons to be counsellors and senators for the year 
  ensuing their election. Part 2, c. 1, s. 2, art. 1. 
       6.-2. The House of representatives is composed of an indefinite 
  number of persons elected by the towns in proportion to their population. 
  Part 2, c. 1, s. 3, art. 2. 
       7.-2d. The executive power is vested in a governor, lieutenant 
  governor and council. 
       8.-1. The supreme executive magistrate is styled The Governor of the 
  Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is elected yearly by the qualified 
  electors. Part 2, c. 2, s. 1. He is invested with the veto power. Part 2, c. 
  1, s. 1, art. 2. 
       9.-2. The electors are required to elect annually a lieutenant 
  governor. When the office of governor happens to be vacant he acts as 
  governor, and at other times he is a member of the council. Part 2, c. 2, s. 
  2, art. 2 and 3. 
      10.-3. The council consists of nine persons chosen annually by the 
  general court; they mast be taken from those returned for counsellors and 
  senators, unless they will not accept the said office, when they shall be 
  chosen from the people at large. The council shall advise the governor in 
  the executive part of the government. Part 2, c. 2, s. 3, art. 1 and 2. 
      11.-3d. The judicial power. The third chapter of part second of the 
  constitution makes the following provisions in relation to the judiciary: 
      Art. 1. The tenure that all commissioned officers shall, by law, have in 
  their office, shall be expressed in their respective commissions; all 
  judicial officers, duly appointed, commissioned, and sworn, shall hold their 
  offices during good behaviour; excepting such concerning whom there is 
  different provision made in this constitution; Provided, nevertheless, the 
  governor, with consent of the council, may remove them upon the address of 
  both houses of the legislature. 
      12.-2. Each branch of the legislature, as well as the governor and 
  council, shall have authority to require the opinions of the justices of the 
  supreme judicial court, upon important questions of law, and upon solemn 
  occasions. 
      13.-3. In order that the people may not suffer from the long 
  continuance in place of any justice of the peace, who shall fail of 
  discharging the important duties of his office with ability or fidelity, all 
  commissions of justices of the peace shall expire and become void in the 
  term of seven years from their respective dates; and upon the expiration of 
  any commission, the same may, if necessary, be renewed, or another person 
  appointed, as shall most conduce to the well-being of the commonwealth. 
      14.-4. The judges of probates of wills, and for granting letters of 
  administration, shall hold their courts at such place or places, on fixed 
  days, as the convenience of the people may require; and the legislature 
  shall, from time to time hereafter, appoint such times and places: until 
  which appointments, the said courts shall be holden at the times and places 
  which the respective judges shall direct. 
      15.-5. All causes of marriage, divorce, and alimony, and all appeals 
  from the judges of probate, shall be heard and determined by the governor 
  and council, until the legislature shall, by law, make other provision.