Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-12-25

tor who NAV happen to be.in any county, city
or town other than that Of his residence, at
the time Of an election, Or who shall have re-
moved TO any county, city Or town, in which
he would have been aqualifed elector, had he
not 50 removed, may vote for any State or Dis
trict othcer or member Of Congress, for whom
he could have voted in the county Of his resi-
dence, orthe county, city or town, from which
he may have soremoved.
Sec. .. Electors shall, in all cases, except
in those Of treason, felony or breach Of the
peace, be privileged FROM arrest during their
attendance on elections, and going to and re-
turning from the same.
Sec. 3. the first election shall be ballot, and
all future elections by the people, shall be re-
gulated by law.
Sec. 4. The Legislative power of this
State, shall be vestedin two distinct branch
es; the one to be styled the Senate" the
other 'the House Of Representatives, and
both together, aThe Legislature of the State
Of Mississippi; = and the style of their laws
shall be, g Be il enacted By the Legislature of
The State of Mississippi"
Sec. 5. The members of the House of
Representatives shall be chosen by the quail
fed electors, and shall serve for the term of two
years, from the day of the commencement Of
the general election, and no longer.
Sec. 8. The Representatives shall be cho-
sen every two years, on the first Monday and
day following, in November.
Sec. Z. No person shall be a representa-.
tive unless he be a citizen of the Uuited
States, and shall have been an inhabitant o.
this State two years next proceeding his
election, and the last year thereof resident
of the county, city, or town, for which he shall
be chosen, and shah have attained the age of
twenty-one years.
Soc g. Elections for representatives for
the several counties, shallbe held at the places
of holding their respective courts, or in the Sc
veral election districts into which the county
may be divided: Provided, That whenitshalla APP
pear to the Legislature, that any city or town
hath number Of free white inhabitants, equal
to the ratio then fixed, such city or town shall
have separate representation, according to
the number Of free white inhabitants therein,
which shall be retained so long as such CITY or
town shall contain a number of free white in
habitants equal to the existing ratio, and there
after and during the existence Of the right of
separate representation in such city or town,
elections for the county in which such city or
town entitled to a separate representation is
situated, shall not be held in such city or town:
And provided. Thatif the residuum or fraction
of any city or town entitled to separate rep
resentation shall, when added to the residuum
in the county in which it may lie, be equal to
the ratio fixed by law for one representative,
then the aforesaid county, city or town. hav-
ing the largest residuum, shall be entitled to
such representation And provided also, That
when there are two or more counties adioin-
ing, which have residuums over and above the
-
when added together, will amount to such "a
ito, IN that case one representative shall be
added to that county having the largest resi-
duuR.
Sec. 9. The Legislature shall at their first
session, and at periods of not less than every
four, nor more than every six years, until the
year eighteen hundred and fOrty-fve and
thereafter, at periods Of not less than every
four, nor more than every eight years, cause
an enumeration to be made of all the free
white inhabitants Of this state and the whole
number of representatives shall, at the several
periods of making such enumeration, be fixed
by the Legislature. and apportioned among the
several counties, cities or towns, entitled to
separate representation, according to the num-
Der of free white inhabitants in each, and shall
not be less than thirty-six nor more than one
IOOtOCS HDtCCBCTS 4 HdJ CdCIl GULL
ty shall always be entitled to at least one
Representative.
Sec. 10. The whole number of Senators
shall, at the several periods of making the
enumeration before mentioned, be fixed blythe
Legislature, and appOrtioned among the Sc
veral districts to be established by law, accord
ing to the number of free white inhabitants in
each, and shall never he less than one-fourth,
nor more than one-third of the whole number
of Representatives.
Sec. IL. The senators shall be chosen BY
the qualified electors, for four years and on
their being convened, in consequence of the
first election, they shall be divided by lot from
their respective districts, into two classes, as
nearly equal as can be; and the seats of the
Senators of the first class, shall be vacated at
the expiration of the second year.
Sec. IL. Such mode of classifying new adj
ditional senators shall be observed, as win
nearly as possible preserve an equality of num-
bers in each class.
Sec. Is. When a senatorial district shall
be composed of two or more counties, it shall
not be entirely separated by any county be-
longing to another district and no county
shall be divided in forming district
Sec. IA. No person shall be senator, I'm.
| less he be a citizen of the United States
and shall have been an inhabitant of this state
four years next proceeding his election, anC
the last year thereof resident Of the district
/ for which he shall be chosen, and have attain
ed the age of thirty years.
Sec. Is. The house of representative.
when assembled, shall choose speaker and it
other officers, and the senate shall choose
president and its officers, and each house shall
Judge Of the qualifications and elections of it
own members; but contested election shall
be determined in such manner as shall be direC
ted by law. A majority of each house shal
constitute quorum to do business, but small
er number may adjourn from day to day, an,
may compel the attendance Of absent me1l
bers, in such manner and under such 3enaltie
as each house may prescribe.
Sec. 16. Each horse may determine tn
rules ofits own Sroceedings, punish member
tor eisordeSS11y behavior, and with the Consen
8 OF .wo-thirds, ezpela member, but not a Sc
cOnd time for the same cause; and shall hav
!. al other powers necessary for branch of til
legislature of free and independent state.
Sec. IL. Each house shall keep iourns
of its proceedings, and publish the same
and the yeas aud nays Of the members Of e
Their house, on any question, shall at the desir
of any three members present, be entered 0
the journal
Sec. lS. When vacancies happen in eithe
house, the Governor, or the person exercisin
the powers of Governor. shall issue writs
election to fiji such vacancies.
Sec. l9. Senators andrepresentatives shal
in all cases except Of treason, felony or breac
Of the peace, be privileged from arrest durin
the session OF the Legislature, and ingoing