Civil Government of Virginia eBook

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This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 227 pages of information about Civil Government of Virginia.

Civil Government of Virginia eBook

xc
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 227 pages of information about Civil Government of Virginia.

Inherent means inseparable from, or not to be taken away.  Inherent rights are rights that cannot justly be taken away from the people.  The right to life and liberty is an inherent right of man which cannot be taken away by any constitution or government.

Freedom of elections means freedom to hold elections to choose the officers of government, and freedom for every citizen to vote for the candidate of his choice.  Freedom of speech and freedom of the press mean liberty for all to speak or publish what they desire to say on any subject, being liable to punishment by law if they speak or publish anything injurious to the reputation of others.  Religious freedom means liberty to belong to any religion, or to worship God in any way that one thinks proper.

Civil rights are the rights a man is entitled to as a member of the community, such as the right to trial by jury, the right of freedom of speech.

Political rights are the rights that belong to men as citizens, Such, as the right to vote, the right to be candidates for public office.

Public privileges are benefits or advantages possessed by some and not by others, such as charters to corporations or licenses to carry on certain kinds of business.  For example, a license to sell liquors is a public privilege.  It is not for the public good that it should be given to everybody, but the Constitution guarantees that under necessary restrictions as to the number of such licenses granted, all citizens shall have equal rights to such privileges.

Private property is property that belongs to private individuals.  It may be taken for public use when necessary.  If a government building has to be erected or a railroad made, the land required for the purpose may be taken from the owner, but a just price must be paid for it.

Who May Vote and Hold Office.  Every male citizen of the United States, who is 21 years old, who has been a resident of the State two years, of the county, city, or town one year, and of the precinct in which he offers to vote thirty days next preceding any election, has been registered and has paid his state poll taxes, shall be entitled to vote; except idiots and lunatics, persons convicted after the adoption of the constitution of bribery in any election, embezzlement of public funds, treason, felony, or petit larceny, obtaining money or other property under false pretences, or who have been in any way concerned in a duel.

All persons entitled to vote shall be eligible to any office within the gift of the people, except as restricted by the constitution.

Excepting the requirements of residence in the voting precinct, payment of poll tax and registration, the qualifications of jurors are practically the same as those of voters.

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Civil Government of Virginia from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.