Jonah Patel
The Minnesota Constitution has served for almost 160 years and has undergone minimal revision. Interestingly, there were two original versions of the constitution, one drafted by Republican delegates and the other by Democratic delegates, who refused to collaborate due to intense political bitterness. Both versions were submitted to voters and approved, resulting in Minnesota having two original constitutions. The Republican version was attached to the bill for Minnesota's admission to the union in 1858.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Versions | 2 |
| Date of Adoption | 1857 |
| Date of Admission to the Union | May 11, 1858 |
| Political Parties Involved | Republican and Democratic |
| Amendments | Approved by voters since adoption |
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What You'll Learn
Minnesota's constitution was drafted in 1857
The Minnesota Constitution was drafted in 1857, following the passage of the Enabling Act by the U.S. Congress on February 26, 1857. This act enabled the people of Minnesota to form a state and join the Union by holding an election for a constitutional convention, drafting a constitution, and getting it approved by the residents of Minnesota and Congress.
On June 1, 1857, an election was held in Minnesota Territory to elect Republican and Democratic delegates to the constitutional convention. When these delegates assembled in St. Paul on July 13, 1857, bitterness and tensions between the two parties were so intense that they refused to meet jointly and ended up writing separate versions of the constitution.
On August 8, 1857, Moses Sherburne wrote a proposal to form a Compromise Committee to resolve the deadlock. Republicans drafted an almost identical proposal on August 10 and sent it to the Democrats. The Compromise Committee, with five members from each party, proposed language that both sides eventually accepted. On August 28, 1857, the report of the Compromise Committee was adopted without amendment by both the Republican and Democratic conventions.
The constitution was then submitted to the residents of Minnesota Territory for approval, and it was approved in a special election held on October 13, 1857. Finally, the constitution was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota as a state in the Union.
It is worth noting that Minnesota initially had two original constitutions due to the existence of two versions drafted by the Republican and Democratic delegates. However, the Republican version was not submitted to Congress for ratification, and the Democratic version became the official constitution after being approved by the voters of Minnesota and Congress.
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There were two original versions
The Republican and Democratic delegates drafted their own constitutions separately, and both versions were submitted to the voters of the state as required by the Enabling Act. Both versions were approved, resulting in Minnesota having two original constitutions. There is substantial authority and historical evidence to show that both constitutions were before Congress when Minnesota was admitted to the union on May 11, 1858.
The Minnesota State Legislature began to convene before the constitution was ratified, and officials elected to positions such as governor did not begin acting in their official roles until later. The previous wording of the constitution, including all the amendments approved by voters since its adoption in 1857, was printed in the Minnesota Legislative Manual 1973-74. The amendment approved in 1974 did not alter the meaning of the constitution, although the original document remains the final authority in cases of ambiguity.
While there have been periodic proposals for a constitutional convention, the state's constitution has remained largely unchanged for almost 160 years.
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Both versions were submitted to voters
The Minnesota Constitution was drafted in 1857 by two separate groups of Republican and Democratic delegates. The two parties refused to meet or cooperate with each other, resulting in two separate constitutions. Both versions were submitted to voters as required by the Enabling Act, and both were approved. This resulted in Minnesota having two original constitutions.
The Republican version of the constitution was attached to the bill for Minnesota's admission to the union. However, when the bill was reported back from the senate, the Republican constitution was attached. There is substantial evidence that both constitutions were before Congress when Minnesota was admitted to the union on May 11, 1858.
The Minnesota State Legislature began to convene before the constitution was ratified, although officials elected to other positions, such as governor, did not begin acting in their official roles until later. The constitution has served the state for almost 160 years and has not undergone significant revision, although there have been periodic proposals for a constitutional convention.
The earlier wording of the constitution, including all of the amendments approved since its adoption in 1857, is printed in the Minnesota Legislative Manual 1973–74. The amendment approved in 1974 did not alter the meaning of the constitution, although the original document remains the final authority in the case of ambiguity.
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The Republican version was attached to the bill for admission
The Minnesota Constitution was drafted in 1857 by two separate groups: Republican and Democratic delegates. The two parties refused to work together due to intense political differences, resulting in two distinct versions of the state constitution. The Republican version of the constitution was attached to the bill for Minnesota's admission into the Union, as evidenced by historical records. This version was sent back to Minnesota with the bill, and there is substantial evidence that both constitutions were before Congress when Minnesota gained statehood on May 11, 1858.
The Republican version being attached to the bill for admission is a significant aspect of Minnesota's history. It highlights the political divide between the Republicans and Democrats during that era. The two parties were so bitterly divided that they refused to collaborate on drafting a unified constitution. As a result, Minnesota had two original constitutions, both approved by the voters and considered equally valid.
The Republican version being attached to the bill showcases the importance of statehood and the desire for Minnesota to be admitted into the Union. Despite the political differences, the process moved forward, and Minnesota gained admission into the Union. This event marked a crucial step in Minnesota's journey towards becoming an official state and solidifying its place within the nation.
Additionally, the presence of two constitutions underscores the complexity of the political landscape during that time. The Republicans and Democrats each had their own vision for the state, and their refusal to compromise resulted in the creation of two separate documents. This unusual situation highlights the challenges of governance and the need for consensus-building in a democratic society.
The attachment of the Republican version to the bill for admission also has legal implications. While Minnesota operated under two original constitutions, the Republican version being attached to the bill may have carried symbolic or legal significance. It could have been interpreted as an endorsement of that particular version or as a sign of its priority in representing Minnesota's interests and values during the statehood process.
Overall, the Republican version being attached to the bill for admission to the Union is a fascinating aspect of Minnesota's constitutional history. It reflects the political dynamics, the importance of statehood, and the complex process of establishing a state constitution. Minnesota's unique constitutional journey has shaped its governance and continues to be a significant part of its historical narrative.
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The constitution has not undergone significant revision
The state of Minnesota has had two original constitutions since its admission to the union on May 11, 1858. The existence of two constitutions can be traced back to the intense political dispute between Democrats and Republicans during the constitutional convention of 1857. The Republicans drafted their constitution, which called for universal male suffrage, while the Democrats drafted theirs. Both documents were nearly identical, with only minor differences in spelling, grammar, and style. Despite the differences, both versions were approved by the voters, resulting in Minnesota having two original constitutions.
Over time, there have been periodic proposals for a constitutional convention to revise the constitution. In 1971, the legislature created a commission to study the constitution and make recommendations to maintain its relevance. After two years of review, the commission recommended rewriting the constitution in modern language to allow for easier reference. This amendment was approved by voters on November 5, 1974, without altering the meaning of the original document.
The Minnesota Constitution has seen nearly 120 amendments, with the most significant being the reorganization in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers. This amendment streamlined the extensive verbiage without changing the substance of the constitution. While the constitution has undergone amendments and minor revisions, it has not undergone any significant overall revision since its adoption.
The process of revising the Minnesota Constitution is outlined in the constitution itself. According to Article IV, Section 2, two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the legislature can propose a convention for revising the constitution. If a majority of electors vote for this proposal, a convention will be called, consisting of delegates chosen in the same manner as members of the house of representatives. Any revisions made by this convention would then be submitted to the people for approval or rejection at the next general election.
In summary, while the Minnesota Constitution has been amended numerous times and underwent a simplification process in 1974, it has not undergone a significant overall revision. The state continues to operate under the framework set forth in the two original constitutions, with periodic amendments and updates to ensure its relevance and accessibility to modern readers. The constitution's longevity and stability highlight the commitment of Minnesotans to uphold and preserve their fundamental laws.
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Frequently asked questions
There were two original versions of the Minnesota Constitution.
The two versions were drafted by Republican and Democratic delegates respectively, who refused to meet in the same convention due to intense political bitterness between the two parties.
Both versions were approved by voters in 1857 and Minnesota was admitted to the union with two constitutions on May 11, 1858.
