_Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction._
_Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation._
It was declared a part of the Constitution, December 18, 1865.
Amendment XIV.--This amendment was proposed by Congress, June 16, 1866, as a part of the general plan for reconstruction. The Southern States were not to be regarded as a part of the Union until they should ratify it. The entire amendment, given in Appendix A, should be read. Sections 1 and 2, however, contain the most important provisions. Section 1 has already been partially discussed on p. 95, under the question, "Who are citizens?" Section 2 has also been considered on p. 54, in connection with the apportionment of representatives.
Congress has at different times removed the disabilities from certain of the classes mentioned in Section 3. Finally, an act of June 6, 1898, removed the last disability imposed by this section.
Amendment XV.--In order to secure full political rights for the negroes, the Fifteenth Amendment was passed, as indicated on p. 51.
_The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude._
_The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation._
Amendment XVI.--_The Congress shall have power to lay or collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration_.
This amendment, which provides for the laying of an income tax, was adopted by the thirty-sixth legislature, the requisite three-fourths, on February 3, 1913. It was hoped that the money supplied from this tax would make up for any loss of revenue due to the reduction of tariff duties. The new tax will affect those whose yearly incomes are in excess of a certain line of exemption.
Amendment XVII.--_The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature_.