Not content with the dictionary, I call attention to the use of the word in other authoritative places,--and pardon me, if I begin with the Constitution of Massachusetts, written originally by John Adams. In the Bill of Rights of this Constitution it is declared:-- “All power residing originally in the people, and being derived from them, the several magistrates and _officers_ of government, vested with authority, whether _legislative_, executive, or judicial, are their substitutes and agents, and are at all times accountable to them.”[292] Members of the _Legislature_ are classed among _officers_, and thus this word received its interpretation. In another part of the same Constitution it is provided:-- “Any person chosen Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Councillor, _Senator_, or _Representative_, and accepting the _trust_, shall, before he proceed to execute the duties of his _place_ or _office_, make and subscribe the following declaration.”[293] Here the _place_ or _trust_ of a _Senator_ or _Representative_ is called an _office_. And this same use of these terms, as synonymous, and applicable to the post of _Senator_ or _Representative_, is continued:-- “Every person chosen to either of the places or _offices_ aforesaid [meaning the _offices_ of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Councillor, _Senator_, or _Representative_] … shall, before he enters on the discharge of the business of his place or _office_, take and subscribe,”[294] &c. The authority of New Hampshire is like that of Massachusetts. Her Constitution declares:-- “All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and _officers_ of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them.”[295] Here the word “officers” obviously means the _substitutes_ and _agents_ of the people. But who are substitutes and agents of the people more than _Senators_? Then again, in the same Constitution, it is declared:-- “No _office_ or place whatsoever in government shall be hereditary.”[296] Here the word “office” is made synonymous with “place.” The Constitution of Vermont testifies:-- “All power being originally inherent in, and consequently derived from, the people, therefore all _officers_ of government, whether _legislative_ or executive, are their trustees and servants.”[297] Thus, in Vermont, members of the Legislature are “officers.” The old Constitution of New Jersey testifies also, in the clause prescribing the qualifications entitling a person to vote:-- “For representatives in Council and Assembly, and also for all _other_ public _officers_ that shall be elected by the people of the county at large.”[298] Here again members of the _Legislature_ are treated as “public _officers_.” The Constitution of Pennsylvania testifies:--