Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-08-12

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is, according 10 the number OF voters 10
Senatorial districts Of the Commonwealth;
/ Or, second, whether representation in
both Houses shall be apportioned on the
MIXED Basis" that is, according to The
number Of white inhabitants contained
and the amount of all State taxes paid, in
the several counties, cities and towns Of
the Commonwealth, deducting ,herefrom
all taxes paid on licenses and law process.
and any capitation tax on free negroes,
allowing one delegate for every seventy
sixth part Of said inhabitants, and one de.
legate for every seventy-sixth part Of said
taxes, and distributing the Senators in like
manner;
Or, third, whether representation shall
be spportioned in the Senate on taxation
| that is, according 10 the amount Of all
State taxes, paid in the several counties,
cities and towns OF the commonwealth,
deducting therefrom all taxes paid on Ii
censes aud law process. and any capitation
tax on free negroes. and in the House Of
Delegates on the Suffrage Basis as
aforesaid
Or. fourth, whether representation shall
| be appointed in the Senate on the MIXED
Basis as aforesaid, and in the House Of
Delegates on the Suffrage Basis" as afore-
| said: and each voter shall cast bis vote in
favor of one Of said schemes Of apportion-
| ment, and no more.
8. II shall be The duty of The Sheriifs,
and other officers taking said polls, to keep
the same open for the period of three
days, and within five days after they are
| closed, to certify true copies thereof to the
| Governor, who shall, as early as may be,
ascertain the result Of said vote, and make
| proclamation thereof; and IN case il is
| ascertained that majority OF all the votes
| cast is 10 favor OF either OF the principles
| of representation, referred as aforesaid toihe
| choice Of the voters, the Governor shall
| communicate the result of such vote 10
the General Assembly al its first regular
session thereafter, but in case it is acer-
tanned that majority of all the votes cast
is not in favor o: either Of The principles of
representation referred as aforesaid 10 the
choice of the voters, il shall be the duty
| OF the Governor, as soon as may be after
| ascertaining that fact, in like manner 10
cause the voters 10 decide between the two
| principles Of representation which shall,
at such previous voling, have received the
| greatest number of votes ard he shall as
certain and make proclamation Of the re.
| suit of the said last vote, and communicate
the same to the General Assembly at its
next regular session; and in either case, the
| General Assembly, al the regular session
thereof, which shall be held next after the
taking of the vote, the result of which
shall have been SO communicated 10 by
the Governor, hallre-apporton represen-
tation in the two houses respectively in
accordance with the principle ofrepresen-
taiion in each, for which majority Of the
votes cast were given; and il shall be the
! duty of the General Assembly in every
tenth year thereafter to re-appor.ion and
distribute the number Of Senators and
Delegates in accordance with the same
| principle.
7. Any person may be elected sen
ator who. at the time Of election, has at
tanned the age of twenty five years, and
is actually resident within the district,
and qualified to vote for members Of the
| General Assembly, according 10 this con-
sttuton. And any person may be cleo
! ted member of Of the House of Dele
gates, who, at the time Of election, has
attained the age Of twenty one years,
ard is actually resident within the coun.
ty, city, town or election district qualified
to vote for members Of the General Assem-
| bly, according 10 This Constitution but no
| person holding lucrative office, no min
lister ofthe gospel or priest Of any religious
| denomination, no salaried officer OF any
banking corporation or company, and no
attorney for the Commonwealth, shall be
capable of being elected a member Of
| either house of the Assembly. The res
moval of any person elected TO either
branch of the General Assembly from the
county, city, town or district for which he
was elected, shall vacate his office.
8. The General Assembly shall meet
once in every two yeats, and not oiiener,
unless convened by the Governor in the
mannerprescrbed in this Constitution. No
session Of the General Assembly after the
first under this Constitution, shall continue
longer than ninety days, without the con-
currence Of three fifihs Of the members e.
| lected 10 each House in which case, the
session may be extended for farther Pc
Rod, not exceeding thirty days. Neither
House, during the session OF the General
! Assembly, shall, without the consent OF
the other, adjourn for more than three
days, nor 10 any other place than that in
which the two houses shall be sitting.
majority of each house shall constitute
qnorem 10 do business, bu! smaller mum.
Der may adjourn from day to day, and
shall be authorized to compel the attend
ance of absent members in such manner
and under such penalties as each House
may provide.
! 8. The House Of Delegates shall choose
its own Speaker. and, IN the absence Of
the Lieutenant Governor. or when he
shall exercise the office Of Governor, the
Senate shall choose from theft own body
a president pro tenspore; and each house
shall appoint its own officers, settle its own
rules Of proceeding, and direct writs Of e.
lection for supplying intermediate vscan'
cies; but il vacancies shall occur during
the recess of the General Assembly, such
wlits may be issued by the Governor, ua-
der such regulations as may be prescribed
by law. Each house shall Judge OF the
election, qualification and returns OF It's
members, may punish them for disorderly