Changes

Short terms of office were also used to limit the power of governors.  Some state constitutions used only one year as the term of office for governor.

Short terms of office were also used to limit the power of governors.  Some state constitutions used only one year as the term of office for governor.

The state courts lacked power too.  In Pennsylvania, the general assembly could remove judges at any time for vaguely defined "misbehavior".  The situation was similar in Rhode Island.  When one judge decided that Rhode Island's attempts to force citizens to use paper money was unconstitutional, he (and other judges who agreed with him) were then dismissed by the legislature.  (Paper money in colonial times became worthless due to inflation, and so people preferred to use coin money that had some inherent value as gold, silver, or other valuable mineral.  The phrase "not worth a Continental" referred to paper money authorized by the Continental Congress in 1775 to finance the war.  The money became worthless because nothing like gold or silver backed it up, and states continued to use their own currencies.)

The state courts lacked power too.  In Pennsylvania, the general assembly could remove judges at any time for vaguely defined "misbehavior".  The situation was similar in Rhode Island.  When one judge decided that Rhode Island's attempts to force citizens to use paper money was unconstitutional, he (and other judges who agreed with him) were then dismissed by the legislature.  (The issue of paper money is discussed further below.)

'''Debate:  Were state constitutions right or misguided in concentrating nearly all power in the legislatures?'''

'''Debate:  Were state constitutions right or misguided in concentrating nearly all power in the legislatures?'''