First Amendment to the United States Constitution restrained but by despotic Governments." Eight of the other twelve states made similar pledges. However, these declarations were generally considered "mere admonitions to state legislatures", rather than enforceable provisions. After several years of comparatively weak government under the Articles of Confederation, a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia proposed a new constitution on September 17, 1787, featuring among other changes a stronger chief executive. George Mason, a Constitutional Convention delegate and the drafter of Virginia's Declaration of Rights, proposed that the Constitution include a bill of rights listing and guaranteeing civil liberties. Other delegates—including future Bill of Rights drafter James Madison—disagreed, arguing
Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea May 1994, the Crimean parliament voted to restore the May 1992 Constitution. In September 1994, President of Crimea Yuriy Meshkov and parliament decided to write a new constitution. On 17 March 1995, the Verkhovna Rada abolished the May 1992 Constitution and the post of President of Crimea. From June until September 1995, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma governed Crimea under a direct presidential administration decree. In October 1995, the Crimean parliament adopted a new Constitution which was not recognized by the Ukrainian national authorities until April 1996 when significant amendments were suggested. A fifth draft law of the October 1995 constitution