Commonwealth (United States of America)
Four of the constituent states of the United States officially designate themselves as the Commonwealth : Kentucky , Massachusetts , Pennsylvania, and Virginia .
This designation, which has no constitutional implications, emphasizes that they have a “government based on the consent of the people”, in contrast to their former status as a crown colony , which was dependent on the British king. The word Commonwealth in this context refers to the common "wealth" or the well-being of the public and is derived from the free translation of the term " republic " ( Latin res publica ).
In addition to the four mentioned, other states occasionally use the term “Commonwealth” to refer to themselves. For example, the state of Vermont uses the term "Commonwealth" three times in its constitution, interchangeably with the term "state". Also Delaware described himself in his Constitution of 1776 as a "Commonwealth".
Commonwealth of Kentucky
On September 28, 1785, the residents of Kentucky County campaigned for Kentucky to become a state. It wanted to be recognized as a "free and independent state known as the Commonwealth of Kentucky". On June 1, 1792, Kentucky County officially became a state. In the constitution of 1850 the term "Commonwealth of Kentucky" is introduced for all orders and decisions, before that the term "State of Kentucky" was used.
Kentucky is the only state besides the thirteen Founding States that uses "Commonwealth" in its name.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts is constitutionally named "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts". The name "State of Massachusetts Bay" was used in all laws and resolutions up to 1780 and in the first draft of the constitution. The current name can be traced back to the second draft of the state's constitution, written by John Adams and ratified in 1780. In Massachusetts, the term state is sometimes used officially, but usually not as a single noun in a compound structure . This can be seen, for example, in the names of Massachusetts State Police , Massachusetts State House, and Bridgewater State Hospital .
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Seal does not use the term, but official acts are performed on behalf of the Commonwealth and it is a traditional official name used in relation to the state. In 1776, Pennsylvania spoke of both the Commonwealth and the State in its first constitution, which was continued in the 1790, 1838, 1874 and 1968 constitutions.
Commonwealth of Virginia
The name "Commonwealth of Virginia" goes back to its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain . Virginia's first constitution (adopted June 29, 1776) provides: "Commissions and Grants shall run, In the Name of the commonwealth of Virginia, and bear test by the Governor with the Seal of the Commonwealth annexed." The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia issues orders this way. According to other sources, the constitution states that criminal charges should be resolved "against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth." In addition, unlike the prosecutors in other states or the ordinary district attorney , the official title of the local elected prosecutor is the respective political areas of Virginia that of a "Commonwealth's Attorney".
In Virginia, as in Massachusetts, the term state is occasionally used officially, but usually in a compound structure , not as a single noun. This can be seen in names like State Corporation Commission (Virginia) and Virginia State Police , for example .
Prosecution
In Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, criminals are prosecuted on behalf of the Commonwealth. In California , Colorado , Illinois , Michigan and New York this is done on behalf of the people ("People"). All other US states prosecute criminals "on behalf of the state".
Individual evidence
- ^ Third Constitution of Kentucky (1850), Article 2, Section 1 ff. Other sections of the same constitution speak of the "State of Kentucky".
- ^ Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Preamble.
- ↑ Constitution of Pennsylvania, Preamble.
- ^ Constitution of Virginia (1971), Article IV, Section 1.