By reason of their age, their brevity, their rigidity, and their retention of certain archaic features, the six New England constitutions form a distinct class among our State constitutions. Three were drafted in the eighteenth century and the latest only in 1842. All are little more than bare frames of government, prefaced by declarations of rights. Rhode Island enjoys the distinction of possessing the shortest of State constitutions. All fall far below the average length, and they present an almost startling contrast to the bulky new constitution of Oklahoma. At a time when the legislature and the convention are being more frequently employed for the framing of fundamental laws, the process of amending five of the New England constitutions continues to be peculiarly difficult and slow. Maine interposes fewest obstacles to amendments in the organic law. Two-thirds of both chambers of the Maine legislature may propose amendments; a simple majority of those voting on the referendum suffices to adopt them. In all the other States except New Hampshire, an amendment must pass two successive legislatures—by majorities which vary from State to State—before it may be submitted to the electors for ratification. The New Hampshire constitution requires the sense of the voters to be taken every seven years as to the necessity of revising the organic law. If a majority of the electors voting favor revision, the general court must call a convention for that purpose. New Hampshire requires the excessive majority of two-thirds on the referendum, and Rhode Island three-fifths, for the adoption of any amendment. Elsewhere a simple majority of those voting suffices.