Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-08-22
ARTICLE III.
Ofhe Legislative POzuer.


Sec. j. The legislative power shall be vest
| ed in 6 General assembly," which shall con-
sist ola &c Senate" and of g House Of Repre-
sentatiUes"
| Sec. 3, The house of representatives shall
consist of members to be chosen every eeond
year by the qualified electors of the several
counties. Each county shall have at least one
representative, but the whole number Of rep
rcsentatives shall never exceed one hundred.
| Sec. 8. No person shall he member of the
house Representatives who shall not have at
tanned to the age OF twenty-four years; who
shall not be a free white male citizen of the Uni
ted States; who shall not have been an inhabi-
| tant Of this state two years, and of the county
| which he represents one year next before his
election, if such county shall have been so long
established, but if not, then of the county or
counties from which the same shall have been
taken; and who shall not, moreover, have
paid state CT county tax.
Sec. 4. The General Assembly at their first
session, and in the years one thousand eight
hundred and twenty-five, and one thousand
eight hundred and twenty-four respectively;
and every fourth year thereafter, shall cause an
enumeration of the inhabitants of this state TO
be made; and, at the first session after each
enumeration, shall apportion the number OF
representatives among the several counties
according TO the number of free white male
inhabitants therein.
Sec. 5. The senators shall be chosen by
the qualified electors for the term offour years.
No person shall be senator who shall not have
attained to the age of thirty years; who shall
not be a free white male citizen of the United
States; who shall not have been an inhabitant
of this state four years, and of the district which
he may be chosen to represent one year next
before his election, if such district shall have
been SO long established, but ifnot, then ofthe
district or districts from which the same shall
have been taken and who shall not, moreo-
vcr have paid state or county tax.
Sec. 6. The senate shall consist of not less
than fourteen nor more than thirty three men,
bers; for the election of whom the state shall
be divided into convenient districts, which
NAV be altered from time to time, and new
districts established, as public convenience
may require; and the senators shall be appor-
toned among the several districts according
to the number of free white male inhabitants
in each provided, that when senatorial dis
trict shall be composed of two or more coun-
ties, the counties of which such district con-
sists shall not be entirely separated by any
county belonging to another district, and no
county shall be divided in forming district.
Sec. 7. At the first session of the General
| Assembly the senators shall be divided by lot
as equally as may be, into two classes. The
seats of the first class shall be vacated at the
end of the second year, and the seats OF the
second class at the end of the fourth year; so
that one half of the senators shall be chosen
every second year.
Sec. s. After the first day of January, one
thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, all
general elections shall commence on the first
Monday in August, and shall be held biennial
| "; and the electors, in all cases, except OF
treason, felony, or breach of the peace, shall
be privileged from arrest during their contin-
uance at elections, and in going to, and re-
turning from the same.
Sec. 9. The governor shall issue writs of
lection to fill such vacancies as may occur in
either house of the General Assembly.
Sec TO- Every free white male citizen of
the United States who shall have attained to
the age of twenty years, and who shall have
resided in this state one year before an elec'
ton, the last three months whereof shall have
been in the county or district in which he Of
fers to vote, shall be deemed qualified cleo.
tor of all elective Offices; provided, that nc
soldier, seaman or marine, in the regular army
or navy of the United States shall be entitled
to vote at any election in this state,