islative department of a city government should
consist of only one deliberative body.

CHAPTER VII.

THE STATE.

INTRODUCTORY.--After the county, the government nearest us is that of
the State. The political divisions which we have considered are
subject to the State, holding their powers as grants from its
government. The State can make and unmake them, and we owe them
obedience because the State has commanded it. As we sometimes express
it, the sovereignty or supreme sway of these local divisions resides in
the State.

DEFINITION.--A State is a community of free citizens living within a
territory with fixed limits, governed by laws based upon a constitution
of their own adoption, and possessing all governmental powers not
granted to the United States. Each State is a republic and maintains a
republican form of government, which is guaranteed by the United
States. The State is supreme within its own sphere, but its authority
must not conflict with that of the national government. A State is
sometimes called a commonwealth because it binds the whole people
together for their common weal or common good.

FORMATION OF ORIGINAL STATES.--The thirteen original colonies were
principally settled by people from Europe. The colonial rights were
set forth and boundaries fixed by charters granted by the crown of
England. In the Declaration of Independence these colonies declared
themselves "free and independent States." After the treaty of peace
which acknowledged their independence, they framed and adopted the
national constitution, and thereby became the United States of America.

ADMISSION OF NEW STATES.--New States are admitted into the Union by
special acts of the Congress of the United States. An organized
Territory having the necessary population sends a memorial to Congress
asking to be admitted as a State. Congress then passes a law called an
"enabling act," authorizing the people of the Territory to form a State
constitution. When the people have framed and adopted a State
constitution not in conflict with the Constitution of the United
States, Congress passes another act admitting the new State into the
Union "upon an equal footing with the original States in all respects
whatever." Sometimes the enabling act provides for admission on
proclamation of the President of the United States. Several of the
Territories adopted State constitutions and were admitted as States
without enabling acts.