Pennsylvania's Signatories: Who Signed The Constitution?

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence from Great Britain. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, and has been described as the most democratic in America. The constitution was signed by its president, Benjamin Franklin, and its members on September 28, 1776, and was ratified on the same day.

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Pennsylvania's first constitution

Pennsylvania has had four constitutions since declaring its independence from Great Britain in 1776. The first Pennsylvania Constitution was written and adopted in 1776, and it established a unicameral legislature, similar to the one used during the colonial government.

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence and has been described as the most democratic in America. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, who was elected president of the convention. The constitution was completed on September 28, 1776, and was signed by Franklin and the members of the convention. It was then transmitted to the Committee of Safety, with directions to deliver it to the general assembly of the state at their first meeting. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of the same year.

The 1776 Constitution established Pennsylvania's official title as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." It provided for a judiciary appointed by the legislature for seven-year terms and a president elected by the Assembly and Council together. It also established a Council of Censors, elected every seven years, to evaluate the state government and ensure its compliance with the constitution. The Council of Censors was the only body with the authority to call a convention to amend the constitution.

The 1776 Constitution expanded the franchise and enumerated the rights of citizens, increasing the democratic nature of Pennsylvania's governing charter. It placed power in the hands of a single assembly, without a governor or an upper house to check its power. This led to concerns about the effectiveness of the government. The constitution also included provisions for oaths of allegiance and office, and it established that no public tax, custom, or contribution could be imposed on the people of the state without a law for that purpose.

The constitution's authors

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence and has been described as the most democratic in America. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, who was also elected president of the constitutional convention.

The constitution was completed on September 28, 1776, and was signed by the president and members of the convention. It was then transmitted to the Committee of Safety, with directions to deliver it to the general assembly of the state at their first meeting. The first meeting of the Pennsylvania General Assembly took place on November 28, 1776.

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was drafted in response to a growing desire for a complete break with England following the publication of Thomas Paine's Common Sense in January 1776. The Continental Congress, inspired by more radical elements in Pennsylvania, called for a new form of government, and opponents of the Assembly demanded a convention to "take the sense of the province." Associators and Committees of Correspondence met throughout the province to vote for more aggressive action and to send delegates to a convention.

The convention met in Philadelphia and elected Colonel George Ross as vice-president, John Morris as secretary, and Jacob Garrigues as assistant-secretary. The constitution featured a unicameral legislature and a collective executive, which may have influenced the later French Republic's formation under the French Constitution of 1793. It also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776.

The constitution's contents

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It has been described as the most democratic constitution in America at the time. The constitution was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, who was elected president of the convention.

The constitution established a unicameral legislature, similar to the one used during the colonial government. Eleven counties and the city of Philadelphia each elected 6 representatives, making for a total of 72 Members in the Assembly. It also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. The constitution was ratified on September 28, 1776, and was signed by the president and members of the convention.

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 also established the official title of the state as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania". It provided for a judiciary appointed by the legislature for seven-year terms, which could be removed at any time. All approved legislation would only take effect at the next session of the Assembly, so the people could assess the utility of the proposed law. The constitution also established a President, who was to be elected by the Assembly and Council together. Thomas Wharton Jr. was chosen as the first President of the Supreme Executive Council in 1777.

The constitution also established a Council of Censors, which was elected every seven years. This council was responsible for evaluating the state government's activities and could censure actions, order impeachments, and recommend the repeal of laws that appeared to violate the constitution. It was the only body with the authority to call a convention to amend the constitution. The Council of Censors could also call a convention to meet within two years if there appeared to be an absolute necessity of amending any article of the constitution.

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The constitution's signing

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, who was also elected president of the constitutional convention. The convention also elected Colonel George Ross as vice-president, John Morris as secretary, and Jacob Garrigues as assistant-secretary.

The convention arrogated to itself the interim political power of the state. The constitution was completed on 28 September 1776, when it was read in convention for the last time, signed by the president and members, and transmitted to the Committee of Safety. The constitution was then delivered to the general assembly of the state at their first meeting on 28 November 1776.

The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as the most democratic in America. It featured a unicameral legislature and a collective executive, which may have influenced the later French Republic's formation under the French Constitution of 1793. The constitution also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776.

Pennsylvania has had four more constitutions since declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776. The second constitution was adopted in 1790, the third in 1874, the fourth in 1968, and the current constitution entered into force in 1968 and has been amended numerous times.

Pennsylvania's subsequent constitutions

Pennsylvania has had four constitutions since declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776. The first, written in 1776, established a unicameral legislature, with 72 Members in the Assembly. This constitution was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, who was president of the convention that drafted it.

The second constitution was adopted in 1790. Under this constitution, the General Assembly was divided into two chambers: the House and the Senate. The third Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1874 and raised the number of members of the House to a minimum of 200, guaranteeing each county at least one representative. The fourth Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968, creating 203 distinct legislative districts in the state, each with one representative.

There have also been several amendments to the various constitutions. In 1857, an amendment was made to the first and second constitutions, setting a limit of 100 members in the House. In 1967, there were several amendments, including one that repealed former section 19 and renumbered former section 22 to the present section 19. Another 1967 amendment allowed the governor to declare a disaster emergency upon finding that a disaster has occurred or is imminent, threatening the health, safety, or welfare of the Commonwealth.

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