John Lansing Jr. Quotes
All free constitutions are formed with two views—to deter the governed from crime, and the governors from tyranny.
John Lansing Jr., 1754-1829, Member, Continental Congress, New York Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Mayor, Albany, NY, Chief Justice, New York State Supreme Court, Debate, Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, PA, July 1787
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Some would say that the same two questions are still troubling the country.
The English Constitution is not as binding on the English government as is the Amercan Constitution. In the English system, the government in power can override the constitution although the rarely do so out of respect for the system. In America, the Constitution is much more controlling and hence would be seen to count for more. In many third world countries, the ruler can “suspend” the constitution in a national emergency.
Barstow the Democratic Governor who had no serious opposition in 1853 found himself challenged for reelection by Coles Bashford of the new Republican Party. The Board of Canvassers reported that Governor Barstow had won reelection but by less than 200 votes in the whole state. The Republicans charged that there had been fraud in some of the rural districts and petitioned the Wisconsin Supreme Court which ruled that nonexistent precincts had indeed voted for the Governor. The Barstow forces however refused to recognize the decisions of the court claiming that the court had no jurisdiction over the Board of Canvassers who were part of the executive branch. The Republicans held their own inauguration and two men claimed to be Governor. But the Governor claimed that the state constitution did not give the court any authority to deal with the crisis, He even called out the State Militia to maintain his office and intimidate the Supreme Court and keep the “other governor” from the state house. Nonetheless the court ruled that even the Governor had to obey the law and the Supreme Court would determine what the law was. Barstow finally “resigned.” See {587915} & {587914}.
Jefferson and a number of other Founding Fathers were so against aristocracy and monarchy that the assumed that the only way to prevent it was to have all government officials subjected to annual elections. Jefferson was not at the constitutional convention, while annual elections were considered, the compromise that became the Constitution required 2 year elections for the House and 6 years for the Senate with 4 years for the Presidency.
At the start of the state of Israel, he wanted a written Constitution. However the first 60 person Knesset failed to agree upon enough to generate one. Nimerous attempts have been made, but there are few significant constitutional positions that a majority of the fractious Israeli population can agree upon. Israel at the end of te 20th century had given up on a constitution and became a legislative and common law nation. It is perhaps the hardest nation in which to practive law in that the common law that is recognized is based on Turkish Ottoman Law, Englaish Law and Jordanian law. Each of these was controlling at times in the recent past.
Despite Ziglar’s and other officials pointing out the illegality, illegal sweeps and arrests were made without warrants or constitutional requirements.
