Massachusetts Constitution of 1780
207
iv.—and further, full power and authority are hereby given and
granted to the said General Court, from time to time, to make, ordain,
and establish, all manner of wholesome and reasonable orders, laws,
statutes, and ordinances, directions and instructions, either with penalties or without; so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to this Constitution, as they shall judge to be for the good and welfare of this Commonwealth, and for the government and ordering thereof, and of the
subjects of the same, and for the necessary support and defence of the
government thereof; and to name and settle annually, or provide by fixed
laws, for the naming and settling all civil officers within the said Commonwealth, the election and constitution of whom are not hereafter in
this Form of Government otherwise provided for; and to set forth the
several duties, powers and limits of the several civil and military officers
of this Commonwealth, and the forms of such oaths or affirmations as
shall be respectively administered unto them for the execution of their
several offices and places, so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to
this Constitution; and to impose and levy proportional and reasonable
assessments, rates, and taxes, upon all the inhabitants of, and persons
resident, and estates lying, within the said Commonwealth; and also to
impose, and levy reasonable duties and excises, upon any produce,
goods, wares, merchandize, and commodities whatsoever, brought into,
produced, manufactured, or being within the same; to be issued and disposed of by warrant, under the hand of the Governor of this Commonwealth for the time being, with the advice and consent of the Council, for
the public service, in the necessary defence and support of the government of the said Commonwealth, and the protection and preservation of
the subjects thereof, according to such acts as are or shall be in force
within the same.
And while the public charges of government, or any part thereof, sha