Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1889-09-27
THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.

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THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
Section 1.-The legislative power shall
be vested in legislature composed of a
senate and house of representatives, both
to be elected by the people, and sessions of
such Legislature shall be held at the seat Of
government Of the state.
Sec. 2.-Until otherwise provided by
law the senate shall consist of twenty-five
members and the house of representatives
of forty four members.
Sec. 3.-The number Of members of the
legislature shall be fixed by law but the
members Of the senate shall never be less
than twenty-five nor exceed thirty-three,
and the members of the house of repre-
sentatives shall never be less than forty
four nor exceed ninety-nine, and the num-
Der Of members of the senate shall never
be less than one-third nor more than one
half the number of members of the house
Of representatives, but each new county
shall have at least one representative.
Sec. 4.-Senators shall be elected for
four years, except as hereinafter provided,
and representatives for two years.
Sec. 5.--At the first session of the leRis-
lature after the adoption of the constitu-
ton, the senators shall, Immediately upon
organizing be divided into two classes des-
innated by odd and even numbers consecu-
lively, from one upward. When any SEN
atorial district has more than one senator
the names of such senators shall, as near
as practicable, be equally divided between
the odd and even numbers; those of the
one class shall hold their Offices for two
years, and the determination of the two
classes shall be made by lot, after the
names have been so numbered SO that one
half the senators, as nearly as practicable,
may be elected biennially thereafter.
Sec. 6.-No person shall be eligible to
the legislature who is not qualified cleo
tor In the state, and who has not been
citizen Of New Mexico for at least two
years prior to his election. Representa-
tives must not be less than 81 years Of
age, and senators not less than Is years of
age, at the time of election, and must be
residents of the districts or counties from
which they are elected.
Sec. 7-Members of the legislature
shall receive for their services such com
pensation as may be fixed by law; but no
law increasing their compensation shall
apply to the members of the legislature
enacting such law. Until otherwise pro-
yided by law they shall receive "a per day
during the session, and 10 cents for each
mile of necessary travel from their homes
TO the seat of government and returning
once in each session.
Sec 8.-The legislature shall regularly
meet once in two years, on the 6rst Tues
day after the first Monday in January next
after the election In November; but the
first legislature elected under this consttu-
ton shall meet on the 6rst Monday after
the expiration Of ninety days from the
date of the passenge and approval of an
act of congress admitting this state into
the union, unless the time for such meet
ing be fixed 10y said act. No regular sess-
ion shall last more than sixty days, nor
any special session more than twenty days
At special sessions no business shall be
transacted except such as relates to the OBJ
iects for which the legislature was coven-
ed, to be stated in the proclamation by the
governor.
Sec. "a majority of either house shall
constitute a quorum to do business, but a
less number may effect temporary organ
ization, adjourn from day to day and COM
pei the attendance of absent members.
Sec l0.-Each house shall be the Judge
OF the election and qualifications of it's
own members, and shall determine the
rules of its proceedings. The senate shall
at the beginlng and close of each regular
session, and at such other times as may he
necessary, elect one of its members presi-
dent pro tempore, to preside in the alb
sence of the lieutenant governor The
house of representatives shall elect one of
its own members as speaker. Each house
shall choose its own officers, but the leg
islature shall not elect or appoint any
officer except United States senator.
Sec. ll-Each house shall have power
to punish its members for disorderly be-
havior; or for absence without permission
Of the house, and, by vote of two-thirds
of all its members, to expel any member
but not a second time for the same Of
fensei to enforce obedience to its process;
and to punish by Imprisonment, not ex-
tending beyond the session, any person not
a member, for contempt or for disordely
behavior in its presence, obstructing any
of its proceedings or any of its members
or officers in the discharge of his or their
duties; or for any assault, threatening OF
abuse of member for words spoken in
debate; bat such punishment for contempt
or disorderly behavior shall not bar a
criminal prosecution for the same offense
Sec. 12.-Members of the legislature
shall in all cases, except treason, felony