Eleanor Finch
Wyoming's constitution was written in 1889, and it became a state the following year. The document was drafted by 49 delegates in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in just 25 days. The constitution was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, and Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890. The Wyoming Constitution has been amended 71 times and, at nearly 30,000 words, is more than six times the length of the US Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | September 1889 |
| Date adopted | September 30, 1889 |
| Date ratified | November 5, 1889 |
| Number of delegates | 49 |
| Number of delegates who did not sign | 4 |
| Number of Republicans among delegates | 31 |
| Number of Democrats among delegates | 18 |
| Number of articles | 21 |
| Number of amendments | 71 |
| Number of sections in Article 1 | 39 |
| Number of sections in Article 2 | 1 |
| Number of sections in Article 3 | 53 |
| Number of sections in the Declaration of Rights | 37 or 39 |
| Number of words | 30,000 |
| Population of Wyoming in 1888 | 55,500 |
| Year Wyoming became a state | 1890 |
| Date Wyoming women gained suffrage | 1869 |
Explore related products
$104.71 $130.89
What You'll Learn
The constitution was written in 1889
The Wyoming Constitution was written in 1889, and it is the only constitution that the state has ever had. The constitution was adopted on September 30, 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889. It is a lengthy document, consisting of 21 articles and nearly 30,000 words.
In 1889, 49 delegates from across Wyoming Territory assembled in Cheyenne to draft the constitution. Notably, despite women having full voting rights and the right to seek and hold office, not one woman ran for a delegate slot. As a result, the constitution was drafted, debated, and passed by men alone. The delegates were in a hurry, as they knew that producing the document quickly would put pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. Indeed, Wyoming became a state the following year, in 1890.
The U.S. Constitution served as the primary model for the Wyoming Constitution. However, the two documents, drafted 100 years apart, differ in many ways. The Wyoming Constitution includes broader limitations on the role of government than the U.S. Constitution. For example, Article IV, Section 11 of the Wyoming Constitution provides for the election of the governor and four other officers, diffusing power among multiple executive officers.
The Wyoming Constitution also includes unique provisions reflecting the values of the time. For example, Wyoming had granted women the right to vote in 1869, and this right was protected in Article VI, Section 1 of the Wyoming Constitution. Additionally, the constitution includes statements such as "all power is inherent in the people" and "all members of the human race are equal... in their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." These sentiments likely influenced the inclusion of women's rights in the document.
The Evolution of Sweden's Constitution: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
It was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889
The Wyoming Constitution was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, marking a significant step towards statehood for the territory. This ratification affirmed the rights and framework outlined in the constitution, which had been drafted just two months prior by 49 delegates in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The document was a swift cut-and-paste job, modelled after the U.S. Constitution and borrowing heavily from the constitutions of neighbouring states like Montana and the Dakotas.
The Wyoming Constitution, in its lengthy declaration of rights, enshrined principles of equality and individual liberties. Notably, it protected women's rights to vote and hold office, a provision that had been in place in the Wyoming Territory since 1869. This progressive stance on women's suffrage set Wyoming apart and would later cause controversy when the statehood question came before Congress in 1890.
The constitution also addressed land and water issues, reflecting the priorities of local businessmen and politicians. It established a unique executive branch structure, with the governor and four other officers elected statewide, diffusing power among these five officials. This structure differed from the national model, demonstrating a distrust of centralised authority prevalent in the 19th century.
The ratification of the Wyoming Constitution by voters was a pivotal moment, demonstrating the territory's readiness for statehood. Despite facing obstacles due to its small population, Wyoming persevered, and on July 10, 1890, it officially became the 44th state of the United States. This journey towards statehood, led by Territorial Governor Francis E. Warren, showcased the determination of Wyoming's people to shape their own governance and future within the Union.
Abroad Adventures While the Constitution Was Written
You may want to see also
It has 21 articles and has been amended 71 times
The Wyoming Constitution was written in 1889 and has since been amended 71 times. The document, which is the state constitution of Wyoming, consists of 21 articles and was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889. Wyoming became a state the following year, on July 10, 1890.
The constitution was drafted by 49 delegates who met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in September 1889. Of these 49 delegates, 31 were Republicans, 18 were Democrats, and four did not sign the Constitution, attending only occasionally. The delegates were in a hurry to produce the document, as they knew that if they could work quickly, it would put more pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. Indeed, their tactic proved effective, as Wyoming became a state the following year.
The Wyoming Constitution is modelled after the U.S. Constitution, which was drafted 100 years prior. Notably, however, the Wyoming Constitution is nearly six times longer than the U.S. Constitution, containing almost 30,000 words. The document includes a Declaration of Rights, which consists of 39 sections that outline specific political and civil rights. This Declaration of Rights places broader limitations on the role of government than the U.S. Constitution.
The Wyoming Constitution also sets up an executive branch structure that differs from the national one. While the president and vice president are the only two executive officers elected nationwide, the Wyoming Constitution provides for the election of the governor and four other officers: the secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction. Many important decisions, such as those related to state lands and funds, must be agreed upon by these five officers, reducing the power of the governor compared to other states.
The Apostolic Constitutions: When Were They Written?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Revised Statutes of Wyoming, in Force January 1, 1887 / Including the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of the United States, the 1887 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It was drafted by 49 delegates in Cheyenne
The Wyoming Constitution was drafted by 49 delegates in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1889. The delegates were chosen in a special election called by Territorial Governor Francis E. Warren, who knew that producing a constitution quickly would put pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. Indeed, Wyoming became a state the following year, in 1890.
The 49 delegates met in September 1889, and in just 25 days, they assembled the document. The constitution was then ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, by a vote of 6,272 to 1,923. Of the 49 delegates, 31 were Republicans, and 18 were Democrats. Four of the 49 did not sign the Constitution and attended only occasionally.
The delegates' primary model for the Wyoming Constitution was the US Constitution, which had been drawn up 100 years earlier. The Wyoming Constitution, however, is more than six times the length of the US Constitution, with nearly 30,000 words. The document includes 21 articles and has been amended 71 times.
The Wyoming Constitution, like the US Constitution, sets out a framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, as well as individual and civil rights. One notable difference between the two constitutions is that Article IV, Section 11 of the Wyoming Constitution provides for the election of the governor and four other officers: the secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction. This structure reduces the power of the governor compared to other states, as each member has a single vote on policy matters.
America's Citizenship Evolution: Constitution to Today
You may want to see also
It was based on the US Constitution
The Wyoming Constitution was written in 1889 and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889. Wyoming became a state the following year on July 10, 1890. The constitution was drafted by 49 delegates who met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and it has been amended 71 times since its creation.
The US Constitution was the primary model for the Wyoming Constitution. The delegates from across Wyoming Territory who wrote the document used the US Constitution as their basis, although the two constitutions were drawn up 100 years apart in very different times. As a result, the two documents are quite different in many ways. The Wyoming Constitution, for example, is more than six times the length of the US Constitution. It also includes broader limitations on the role of the government than the US Constitution.
Despite these differences, the US Constitution is referenced in the Wyoming Constitution, which states that "the constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land." The Wyoming Constitution also includes language and ideas from many of the then-existing 15 amendments of the US Constitution. For example, the US Constitution's statement that "all power is inherent in the people" may have influenced Article VI, Section 1 of the Wyoming Constitution, which protects women's rights to vote and hold office. This provision caused controversy when the Wyoming statehood question came before Congress in 1890, as women across the US would not win the vote for another 30 years.
Another difference between the two constitutions is the structure of the executive branch. The US Constitution establishes the president and vice president as the only two executive officers elected nationwide. In contrast, the Wyoming Constitution provides that the governor and four other officers—the secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction—are all elected statewide. This structure reduces the power of the governor compared to their counterparts in other states, as each member has a single vote when policy matters come before boards such as the State Land and Investment Board or the Capitol Building Commission.
The Constitution's Gendered Language: 'Man' and Its Impact
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Wyoming Constitution was written in 1889.
49 delegates wrote the Wyoming Constitution.
The Wyoming Constitution was written in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The Wyoming Constitution was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889.
The Wyoming Constitution is the state constitution of Wyoming and outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and
