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


ed TO any civil office OF profit under the
Commonwealth. which has been created,
or the emoiumenis of which have been
increased, during such term, except Offices
filed by elections by the people.
/ Ill. Bills and resolutions may originate
in either of the two houses OF the General
| Assembly, 10 be approved or rejected bv
the other, and may be amended by either
house, with the consent Of the other.
IL. Each House OF the General Assem-
bly, shall keep journal Of its proceedings
which shall be published from time to
time, and the yeas and nays Of the mem
bers of either house. on any question. shall,
at the desire of one fifth Of those present
be entered on the journal. No bill shall
become law, until il has been read on
three different days of the session, in the
house in which il originated, unless two
thirds of the members elected to that
house shall otherwise determine.
l3. The whole number Of members 10
which The State may at any time be emit
tied in The House Of Representatives Of
the United States. shall be spportioned as
nearly as may be. amongst the several
counties, cities and towns OF the State,
| according TO their respective numbers,
which shall be determined by adding TO
the whole number OF free persons, includ-
| ing those bound 10 service for term Of
years, and excluding Indians not taxed,
three flfhs of all other persons.
Ia. In the appollionment, the State
shall be divided into districts, correspond
ing in number with The representatives 10
which il may be entitled in the House OF
| Representatives of the Congress Of the u
nited States, which shall be formed res
| pectively Of contiguous counties, cities
and towns, be compact, aud include, as
! nearly as may be, an equal number Of the
| population, upon which is based represen-
tation in the House OF Representatives Of
the United States.
l5. The privilege OF the writ Of habeds
corpus shall not, in any case, be suspend
| ed. The General Assembly shall not pass
| any bill of attainder; or any er posi- tacfo
law or any law impairing the obligation
OF contracts or any law whereby private
| properly shall be taken for public uses
without just compensation; or any law
abridging the freedom Of speech or Of the
press. No man shall be compelled to FREE
| quent or support any religious worship,
| place or ministry whatsoever; nor shall
any man be enforced, restrained, molest-
| ed or burlhened in his body or goods. or
| otherwise suffer, on account Of his religi-
| Gus opinions or belief; but all men shall.
be free to profess and by argument to
| maintain their opinions in matters OF reli-
| gion, and the same shall in no wise affect
diminish or enlarge their civil capacities.
And the General Assembly shall not pre-
scribe any religious test whatever; or
confer any peculiar privileges or advan-
tages on any sect or denomination or
| pass any law requiring or authorizing any
religious society, or the people Of any dis
trict within this commonwealth, to levy on
themselves or others any tax for the erec-
ton or repair OF any house for public @or-
ship, or for the support of any church or
ministry but il shall be left free 10 every
! person 10 select his religious instructor,
aud 70 make for his support such private
contract as he shall please.
l6 No law shall embrace more than
one object, which shall be expressed in
its title nor shall any law be revived or
amended by reference to its title. but the
| act revived or section amended shall be
| re.enacted and published at length.
II. The General Assembly may pro-
vide that no person shall be capable of
holding, or being elected to, any post oil
| profit, trust or emolurnent, civil or militia
~, legislative, executive or judicial. under
the government of this Commonwealth,
| who shall hereafter fight duel or send
or accept challenge TO fight duel, the
| probable issue of which may be the death
Of the challenger or challenged, or who
shall be second 10 either party, or shall in
any manner aid or assist in such duel. or
shall be knowingly the bearer Of such
| challenge or acceptance; but no person
shall be so disqualified by reason OF his
| having heretofore fought such duel, or
sent or accepted such challenge, or been
second in such duel, or bearer Of such
! challenge or acceptance.
| IT, The Governor, Lieutenant Cover
nor, Judges, and all others offending a.
| gains, the State, by NAL admission, cor
| rup.ion, neglect Of duty, or other high
| crime or misdemeanor shall be impeach.
| able by the House Of Delegates and be
! prosecuted before the Senate, which shall
have the sole power TO try impeachments.
When sitting for that purpose, they shall
be on oath or affirmation and no person
| shall be convicted, without the concur
! renee of two thirds of the members pres
ent. Judgment in cases OF impeachment
shall not extend further than to removal
from office, and disqualification to hold
and enjoy any Office Of honor, trust or
| prof, under the Commonwealth but the
! party convicted shall nevertheless be SUBJ
| ject 10 indictment, trial, judgment and
| punishment, according to law. The SEN
ale may sit during the recess Of the Gene
raj Assembly for the trial fimpeachmenls.
Slares and Free Negroes.
10. Slaves hereafter emancipaled shall
forfeit their freedom by remaining IN the
Commonw eal,h more than twelve months
atlef they become actually free. and shall
be reduced TO slavery, under such regula-
tons as may be prescribed by law.
| 90 The General Assembly may impose
such restrictions and conditions as they
shall deem proper on the powet Of slave
owners 10 emancipate their slaves aud
may pass laws for the relief Of the Com
monwealth from the free negro population
by removal or otherwise.
81 The General Assembly shall not e.
IL. H. %~s.t .pt