354 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION [1776.

election, shall admit to a seat, as an elector, such qualified person
as shall appear to them to have the greatest number of legal votes
in his favour.

18. " That the electors immediately on their meeting, and be-
fore they proceed to the election of senators, take such oath of
support and fidelity to this state, as this convention or the legisla-
ture shall direct, and also an oath "to elect without favour, affec-
tion, partiality, or prejudice, such persona for senators as they in
their judgment and conscience, believe best qualified for the office."

19. "That in case of refusal, dealh resignation, disqualification
or removal out of the state, of any senator, or on his becoming
governor, or a member of the council, the senate shall immediately
thereupon or at their next meeting thereafter, elect by ballot, in the
same manner as the electors are above directed lo choose senators,
another person in his place, for the residue of the said term of five
years.

20. "That not less than a majority of the senate, with their pre-
sident, (to be chosen by them by ballot) shall constitute a house
for the transacting any business, other than that of adjourning.

21. "That the senate shall judge of the elections and qualifica-
tion of senators.

22. " That the senate may originate any other, except money bills
to which their assent or dissent only shall be given, and may re-
ceive any other bills from the house of delegates, and assent, dis-
sent or propose amendments.

23. " That the general assembly meet annually on the first Mon-
day of November; and if necessary, oftener,

24. "That each house shall appoint its own officers, and settle
its own rules of proceeding.

25. " That a person of wisdom, experience, and virtue, shall be
chosen governor on the second Monday of November, seventeen
hundred and seventy-seven, and on the second Monday in every
year for ever thereafter, by the joint ballot of both houses, to be
taken in each house respectively, deposited in a conference room,
the boxes to be examined by a joint committee of both houses,
and the numbers severally reported, that the appointment may be
entered; which mode of taking the joint ballot of both houses
shall be adopted in all cases. But if two or more shall have an
equal number of ballots in their favour, by which the choice shall
not be determined on the first ballot, then a second ballot shall be
taken, which shall be confined to the persons, who on the first
ballot shall have had an equal number; and if the ballots should
again be equal between two or more persons, then the election of