The State Articules

Creating Republican Governments, 1776-1790 THE STATE ARTICULES The thirteen independent colonies, which would soon become states, were persuaded by John Adams to draft their own state constitutions in 1776. Political ideas from the Enlightenment had a significant impact on Adams and other revolutionary leaders who wanted to establish workable republican governments. Adams's thinking was influenced by the theories of French philosopher Montesquieu, who had argued for the division of powers in government. Adams' Thoughts on Government, which he published in response to North Carolina's plea for guidance on good governance, had an impact on several state legislatures. Adams argued that "there is no good government but what is republican," not that he supported democracy. He proposed a system of checks and balances, in which the three distinct parts of government-executive, legislative, and judicial-would preserve a balance of power, out of fear that a single party in control may lead to tyranny. Additionally, he suggested that every state maintain its independence as a republic. The many methods used to handle the question of how much democracy would prevail in the thirteen republics are shown by the state constitutions of the new United States. While some governments adopted democratic traditions, others shifted to considerably more republican and aristocratic ones. Two documents that demonstrate democratic inclinations are the constitutions of New Hampshire (1784) and Pennsylvania (1776). In Pennsylvania, a man may vote provided he was twenty-one years of age or older, had paid taxes, and had resided in the same place for a year. The prerequisite of owning property was removed. This allowed the majority of Pennsylvania's free White male citizens to vote. The lower chamber of the legislature is an example of democratic administration because the New Hampshire constitution of 1784 gave every small town and hamlet the right to send delegates to the state legislature. Reluctant to accept majority rule, conservative Whigs in Pennsylvania reacted negatively to the removal of property requirements for voting and holding public office. The Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 shocked conservative Whig John Adams, who said that it was "so democratical that it must produce confusion and every evil work." He and the other conservative Whigs believed that this constitution simply gave those who had no business using their right to vote too much influence. The upper house and the executive branch (there was no governor) were abolished under Pennsylvania's constitution as well. Pennsylvania's legislature was unicameral, consisting of just one chamber: The constitutions of South Carolina and Maryland serve as illustrations of attempts to restrict the authority of a democratic majority. Written in 1776, Maryland's limited office holding to the affluent planter class. To hold the office of governor of Maryland, a man had to have at least £5,000 in personal property, and to be a state senator, he needed to have an estate valued at £1,000. This latter requirement kept out more than 90% of Maryland's White male population from holding political office. The South Carolina constitution of 1778 similarly aimed to safeguard the interests of the affluent. "A settled plantation or freehold in their and each of their own right of the value of at least ten thousand pounds currency, clear of debt" was a requirement for the office of governor and lieutenant governor in the state. This clause restricted the state's highest offices to the richest citizens. Senators from South Carolina were also required to possess estates worth a minimum of €2,000. The Massachusetts constitution of 1780 was mostly drafted by John Adams, who was afraid of too much democracy. As a result, it established the upper and lower houses, two legislative chambers, and a powerful governor with extensive veto authority. Similar to South Carolina, Massachusetts established conditions for office-holding: The new constitution required an estate worth at least £1000 for a candidate to be governor: A man needed to be at least £600 in total wealth and own an estate worth at least £300 in order to be eligible to serve in the state senate. He needed to be at least sixty pounds in order to vote. Judges were appointed, not elected, to help ensure the integrity of democracy. The state capitol's location in Boston's business district was one last barrier that prevented farmer's from the western region of the state from attending legislative sessions.