The Evolution Of American Legislatures: Colonies, Territories, And States, 1619-2009 Project Muse Upcc Books

Squire offers a comprehensive history of legislatures, core institutions in American political development| The institutional development of American legislatures, beginning with the first colonial assembly of 1619, has been marked by continuity as well as change. Peverill Squire draws upon a wealth of primary sources to document this institutional history. Beginning with the ways in which colonial assemblies followed the precedents of British institutions, Squire traces the fundamental ways they evolved to become distinct. He next charts the formation of the first state legislatures and the Constitutional Congress, describes the creation of territorial and new state legislatures, and examines the institutionalization of state legislatures in the nineteenth century and their professionalization since 1900. With his conclusion, Squire discusses the historical trajectory of American legislatures and suggests how they might further develop over the coming decades. While Squire's approach will appeal to historians, his focus on the evolution of rules, procedures, and standing committee systems, as well as member salaries, legislative sessions, staff, and facilities, will be valuable to political scientists and legislative scholars. "Peverill Squire draws upon a wealth of primary sources to document both continuity and change in the institutional development of American legislatures. Beginning with the first colonial assemblies, which followed the precedents of British institutions, Squire traces the fundamental ways they evolved to become distinct. He charts the formation of the first state legislatures and the Constitutional Congress, describes the creation of territorial and new state legislatures, and examines the institutionalization of state legislatures in the 19th century and their professionalization since 1900. In conclusion, Squire discusses the historical trajectory of American legislatures and suggests how they might further develop over the coming decades."-- Back cover Tracing How American Legislatures Changed Over Time -- The Colonial Assemblies And The Beginnings Of American Legislatures -- The Original State Legislatures -- The Missing Link: Territorial Legislatures -- The Odd Evolutionary Cases -- The Institutionalizing Of State Legislatures In The Nineteenth Century -- The Professionalizing Of State Legislatures Since 1900 -- Where Does Legislative Evolution Go From Here?. Peverill Squire. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.