Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-12-24

8Sceft2INlDQ
fact, in like manner to cause the voters to decide
the two principle of representation which shall
at such previous voting have received the greatest
number Of votes and he shall ascertain and make
proclamation of the result of the said last vote and
comm nic.te the same The General Assembly at ts
next regular session and in either case the Genera
Assembly, at the regular session thereof which shall
be held next after the taking Of the vote the result
which shall have been 80 communicated TO it by the
Governor, shall re-apportion representation in the
two Houses respectively in accordance with the prn
ciple of representation in each for which majority of
the votes given and it shall be the duty of
the General Assembly, every tenth year thereafter
to rsapporton and distribute the number Senators
and delegates In accordance with the principle
QUALIFICATION SENATORS AND DELEGATES.
z. Any person may be elected Senator who at the
time of his election, has attained the age of twenty
five years. and is actually resident within the dis
trlct and qualified to vote for members of the Gene
raj Assembly, according to this Constitution, and any
person may be elected member of the House OF Del
egates, who. Ut the time of election, has attained the
age OF twenty-one years. and Is actually resident
within the county, city. town. election district,
qualified vote for members of the General Assem-
bly, according to this Constitution; but person
holding lucrative Office, no minister of the gospel
priest of any religious denomination, salaried
officer of any banking corporation or company shall
be capable of being elected member OF either House
OF Assembly. The removal of any person elected to
either branch of the General Assembly from the
ty, city, town district for which be elected,
shall vacate his office. ssAs-~ IS u lss&.1
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GENERAL AssRxBLY. q
8. The General Assembly shall meet onco in every
year, and not oftener unless convened by the Cover
nor in the manner prescribed by the Constitution
Neither House, during the session of the General As
sembly shall, without the consent of the other, ad
ourn for than three days, to any other place
than that in which the two houses shall be sitting
A majority of each House shall constitute quorum
to do business but q smaller number may adjourn
from day to day, and shall be authorized to compel
the attendance OF absent members In such manner
and under such penalties az each House may provide
s.. the House OF Delegates shall choose its own
Speaker and In the absence of the lieutenant
nor hen he shall exercise the office OF Governor,
the Senate shall choose from their own body q
President pro tenn and each House shall appoint it's
own officers, settle It's rules of proceeding, and
direct writs of election tor supplying intermediate va
cances but if vacancies shall occur during tbs recess
of the General Assemby such writs may be issued By
the Governor under such regulations may be pre-
scrlbed by law. Each House shall judge of the eec.
ton, qualification and returns of its MEMBERS may
punish them for disorderly behavior, and, with the
of two thirds, expel member, but not
second time for the same offence. s ..
To- The members of the General Assembly shall re-
celye tor their services acOmpenSation to be
ed by law, and paid out OF the public treasur but no
act increasing such compensation shall ske effect until
after the end of the term for which the members of
the House of Delegates voting thereon elected;
and no Senator or Delegate, during the term for
any civil Office of profit under the Commonwealth,
which has been created the smoluinents of which
have been increased, during such term, except offices
tiled by elections by the people. r,- s.. - !
IL. Bills and resolutions may originate in etherof
the two Houses OF the General Assembly, to be ap
proved rejected by the other, and may be amended
II. Each House OF the General Assembly shall
keep ajournal ofits proceedings which shall be pub
llshed from time time, and the yeas and nays of
the members of either House, any question. SHALL
the desire OF onefh OF those present. be entered
the journal No bill shall become law until 1t has
read three different days of the session in the
House in which 1t originated unless two-thlrds OF the
members elected to that House shall otherwise deter
mine. =
13. The whole number of members to which the
State may at any time be entitled In the House of
OF the Confederate States, shall be ap
portioned as nearly may be amongst the several
counties, ci and towns OF the State according to
their respective numbers which shall be determined
DY adding TO the whole number OF free persons lncu
ding those bound to service for term Of years, and
excluding Indians not taxed, three6fihs Of all other
persons.
IA. In the apportonment the State shall be divi-
ded into Districts corresponding IN number with the
representatives 10 which it may be entitled in the
House OF Representatives of the Congress of the Con-
federate States which shall be formed respectively of
contiguous counties, cities and towns, be compact
and include nearly as may be an equal number Of
the population upon which based representation in
the House of Representatives Of the Confederate
States. =
r5 The privilege of the writ of Aa5eas corpus shall
not in any case be suspended. The General Assem-
bly, shall pass any bill OF atainder any posi-
fuco law or any law npalrng the obligations OF con-
tract or any law whereby private property shall be
taken for public without just compensation;
any law abridging the freedom of speech or of the
press. No shall be compelled to frequent sup
port any religious worship place, or ministry whatso
ever; nor shall any be enforced strained, mo-
iested or burthened IN his body or goods, other
suffer account OF his religious opinions or be-
iet; but all men shall be to profess, and by srgu
ment to malntain their opinions In matters OF religlon
ana the same shall III nowise affect, diminish, or en-
large their civil capacities; and the General Assem-
oily shall not prescribe any religious test whaever or
confer any peculiar privileges or advantages any
denomination, pass any law requiring
shorizing any religious society," the people of any
dlsrlct within this Coumanwealth to levy on theh-
selves others any tor the erection repair OF
any house tor the support OF any
church ministry but IL shall be left free to every
person select his regious lnstl uctor, audto make
Tor has support such private contract as ne shal
please -.lsa4 0a4
is. Every law, or resolaton having tn, force of
law. shall reatete but onesubJect, winch shall be
pressed In the tJJe. ..- 9 - sf r IL. -
AZ. The General Assembly may provide that no
person shall De capable vi holding, being elected to
any post vi prvht, trust, or einoueni, CIVIL military,
leglsatrye executive, or Judicial under the Goyef
ent OF this Commonwealth who shall hereafter tight
duel OF send or accept challenge to- fight duel
the probable Issue of which may be the death of the
ehaenger or challenged, or ho shall be second 70
either party, or shall IN any manner aid assist
such duel or shall be knowingly the bearer OF such
challenge or acceptance; but no person shall be
such duel or sent accepted such Challenges been
second IN such duel bearer of such challenge
cepiance. , ~ sss4s. so r-a... Fl
Io. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Judges,
and all others offending against the State by malad
corruptlon neglect OF duty or other high
crnle or misdemeanor, shall be lmpeaehable by the
douse of Delegates, aud be prosecuted before the
nate, which shall have The sole power try impeach
ments. When sitIlng for that purpose they shall be
on oath or aiifmatlon and no person shall be con-
vfcted without the concurrence OF tw0thrds of the
members present. Judgment, in cases OF impeach
ments, shall not extend turther than removal from
Office and disqualification to hold enjoy any Office
OF honor, trust or profit under the Commonwealth;
but the party convicted shall nevertheless be subject
to Indictment uia judgment, and punishment ac-
cording law. The Senate may sit during the recess
OF the General Assembly for the trial OF npeachments
and the consideration OF Executive business.
H E SLAVES AND FREE NEGROES. s7ses
10. Slaves hereafter emancipated shall forfeit their
freedom Dy remaining in. the ,Commonw ealth more
than twelve months after they become tuaiy Tree,
and it shall be The duty of the General Assembly 10
prescribe proper regulations for reducing such me-
greess to slatefyy 'fsF.Ast as 'sss@ "
zO. The General Assembly may prohibit thefnture |
of slaves, impose sch restrictions and
eoudtions as they Shall deem proper on the power OF
sias owners einancipate their slaves and pass
law for The relief Of the Commonwealth from the free
D. gro popuiatlon by removal or otherwise. i
u. 1he General Assembly shall emancipate
.ny slave descendant Of any slave, either be-
fore or aiter the birth OF such descendant. IS g /
TAXATION AND FlNANCE.
o. Taxation shall be equal and uniform throughout
he Commonwealth and all property shall be taxed In
,ropoi its value, which Shall be sscertalned IN
uch manner as may be prescribed by lawi but any
property may be excmped from laxat0n bs the vote
1tp nj hcI tfm