# United States Statutes at Large/Volume 4/20th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 13

Chap. XIII.—An Act to authorize the citizens of the territories of Arkansas and Florida, to elect their officers, and for other purposes.
Qualified voters in Arkansas, to elect their officers, except those appointed by President of United States, and certain others.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the citizens of the territory of Arkansas, qualified to vote, shall and may, at such time and place, and under such rules and regulations as the legislature of said territory may prescribe, elect their officers, civil and military, except such as, by the laws of Congress now in force, are to be appointed by the President of the United States; and except, also, justices of the peace, auditor and treasurer for said territory, who shall be chosen by joint vote of both houses of the legislature, at such time, and for such term of service, as the said legislature shall prescribe.
Term of service, duties, powers, fees, &c.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the term of service, and the duties and powers, fees, and emoluments, of the officers, civil and military, so chosen by the citizens, shall be prescribed by the legislature, and they shall be commissioned by the governor of the territory, and subject to be removed from office in such mode and for such cause as the legislature shall declare by law. All laws now in force, inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are hereby repealed. To take effect Dec. 1, 1829. This act shall take effect from and after the first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine.
Bills to be presented to the governor for approval. Proceedings in case of non-approval.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That every bill that shall have passed the House of Representatives and the legislative council of the ​legislature of the territory, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the governor of said territory: if he approve, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it: If, after such reconsideration, two thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, by which it shall likewise be re-considered, and, if approved by two thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the votes of both houses of the legislature shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively: And if any bill shall not be returned by the governor within three days (Sunday excepted) after it shall have been presented, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the legislature, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
Provisions contained in the two first sections, extended to voters of Florida.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the qualified voters of the territory of Florida to elect their officers, civil and military, in such manner, and under such rules, regulations, restrictions, and conditions, as are prescribed in the foregoing provisions in the two first sections of this act.
Apportionment of representation in the legislative council of Florida.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the members of the legislative council, in the territory of Florida, shall be elected by the qualified voters in the respective counties hereinafter designated, at the time provided by law, in the following manner, to wit: From the county of Escambia, two members: from the counties of Walton and Washington, one member; from the county of Jackson, two members; from the county of Gadsen, two members; from the county of Leon, two members; from the counties of Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton, one member; from the county of Alachua, one member; from the county of Duval, one; from the county of Nassau, one; from the counties of Saint Johns and Musqueto, two; and from the county of Monroe, one member.
Governor and legislative council authorized to alter this apportionment.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the governor and legislative council, at any time hereafter, to alter or arrange the districts in such manner as to secure, as near as may be, an equality of representation in each district.
Act of governor and legislative council, fixing seat of justice in Jackson county, annulled, &c.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the act of the governor and legislative council of the territory of Florida, fixing the seat of justice of Jackson county, in said territory, be, and the same is hereby, annulled; and the people and local authorities of said county shall have the privilege of selecting their county seat, in such manner as other counties have been authorized to do, under the laws of said territory.
Approved, January 21, 1829.