The Georgetown news., 1855-06-28
Proposed Amendments to the Consti.
tuition of the State of California

The Legislature of the State of California. at
its sixth session, commenced on the first dav of
January, A. D. 1855, propose as amendments to
the present Constitution of this State, the fol-
lowing:-
AMENDMENT l. Section of article A. is amend
ed so as to read as follows: Section q The ses-
slons OF the Legislature shall be biennial and shall
commence on the first Monday of January next
ensuing the election of its members unless the
Governor of the State shall in the interim con-
vene the Legislature by proclamation.
In Senate, March Goth, '55, on the above amend
ments the Ayes were Ii Noes, s.
In Assembly, April 18th, 1855, the Ayes ana
Noes on the above lst proposed amendment, were
as follows: Ayes, SO, Noes, H.
AMENDMENT q Section of article is amend
ed so as to read as follows: Section ). The mem
hers of the Assembly shall be chosen by the quail
fed electors of their respective districts on the
first Wednesday of September, one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-seven, unless otherwise order
ed bv the Legislature, and biennially thereafter;
and their term of office shall be two years.
In Senate March 20th, 1855, upon the above
I'd proposed amendment the ayes and noes were
as follows: Ayes, 10; Noes, g.
In Assembly, April l2h, 1855, the vote on said
I'd proposed amendment stood as follows: Ayes,
81; Noes, II.
L Is
ed so as to read as follows: Section 5. Senators
shall be chosen for the term of four years at the
same time and place as members of the Assem-
bly,; and no person shall be member of the Sen
ate or Assembly who has not been a citizen and
inhabitant of the State two years, and of the
county or district for which he shall be chosen
one year next preceding his election.
In Senate, March Goth. 1855, upon the above
Sd proposed amendment to the Constitution, the
ayes and noes were as follows: Ayes, 10; Noes, 3.
In the Assembly, April 18th, 1855, upon the Sd
above proposed amendment, the ayes and noes
stood as follows: Ayes, so; Noes, IA.
AMENDMENT 4. Section of article is amend
ed SO as to read as follows: Section 6. The num-
Der of Senators shall not be less than onethird,
nor more than one-half of that of members of the
Assembly; and at the first session of the Legisa-
ture, after this amendment takes effect, Senators
shall be divided by lot as equally as may be into
two classes. The seats of the Senators of the
first class shall be'vacated at the expiration of
two years, so that One-half as nearly as may be,
shall be chosen bienially.
In Senate, March Goth, 1856, upon the above
4th proposed amendment to the Constitution, the
ayes and noes were as follows: Ayes, l9; Noes, 6.
In Assembly, April 18th, 1855, upon the above
Sd proposed amendment. the ayes and noes were
as follows: Ayes, 10; Noes, 6.
AMENDMENT 5. Section 2 of article 10 is amend
ed so as to read as follows: Section 2 And if
at any time two-thirds of the Senate and Assem-
bly, shall think 1t necessary to revise and change
this entire Constitution, they shall recommend to
the electors at the next election for members of
the Legislature to vote for against a cOnven-
ton, and if it shall appear that majority of the
electors voting at such election, have voted in IA
v0r of calling convention, the Legislature shall
at its next session, provide by law for calling a
convention to be holden within six months after
the passage of such law; and such convention
shall consist of a number of members not less
than that of both branches of the Legislature
The Constitution that may have been agreed up
on and adopted by such convention, shall be sub
mitted to the people at special election to be
provided for by law, for their ratification or re-
lection. Each voter shall express his opinion by
depositing in the ballOt-bOx ticket whereOn
shall be written or printed the words "FOr the
new Constitution" or Against the new Consti-
tuition" The returns of such election shall, in
such manner as the Convention shall direct, be
certified to the Executive of this State, who shall
call to his assistance the Controller, Treasurer
and Secretary of State, and compare the votes
so certified to him. If by such examination it be
ascertaned that majority of the whole number
of votes cast at such election be in favor of such
new Constitution, the Exclusive Of this State
shall by his proclamation declare such new Con-
stitutiOn to be the Constitution of the State of
California.
In Senate, March Goth, 1855, the ayes and noes
upon the above 5th proposed amendment to the
Constitution. were as follows: Ayes, "a; Noes, l.
In Assembly, April 18th, 1855, upon the above
proposed amendment, the ayes and noes stood as
follows; AyeS 81; Noes l3