16. That the senators shall be balloted
for at one and the same time, and out
of the gentlemen, residents of the west-
ern shore, who shall be proposed as
senators, the nine, who shall on striking
the ballots appear to have the greatest
numbers in their favour, shall be accord-
ingly declared and returned duly elec-
ted; and out of the gentlemen, residents
of the eastern shore, who shall be pro-
posed as senators, the six who shall, on
striking the ballots, appear to have the
greatest numbers in their favour, shall
be accordingly declared and returned
duly elected; and if two or more, on the
same shore, shall have an equal number
of ballots in their favour, by which the
choice shall not be determined on the
first ballot, then the electors sha]] again
ballot before they separate, in which
they shall be confined to the persons,
who on the first ballot shall have had an
equal number; and they who shall have
the greatest number in their favour on
the second ballot, shall be accordingly
declared and returned duly elected; and
if the whole number should not thus be
made up, because of an equal number
on the second ballot still being in favour
of two or more persons, then the election
shall be determined by lot, between
those who have equal numbers; which
proceedings of the electors shall he
certified under their hands and returned
to the chancellor for the time being.
17. That the electors of senators shall
judge of the qualifications and elections
of members of their body, and on a con-
tested 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 before they proceed
to the election of senators, take such
oath of support and fidelity to this State,
378
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as this convention or the legislature shall
direct, and also an oath "to elect, with-
out favour, affection, partiality, or prej-
udice, such persons for senators as they,
in their judgment and conscience, be-
lieve best qualified for the office."
19. That in case of refusal, death,
resignation, disqualification, or removal
out of this state, of any senator, or on
his becoming governor, or a member of
the council, the senate shall immedi-
ately thereupon, or at their next meeting
thereafter, elect by ballot, in the same
manner as the electors are above directed
to chuse 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 president, (to be
chosen by them by ballot) shall consti-
tute an house for the transacting any
business, other than that of adjourning.
21. That the senate shall judge of the
elections and qualification 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 receive any other bills from the
house of delegates, and assent, dissent
or propose amendments.
23. That the general assembly meet
annually, on the first Monday of Novem-
ber, 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, experi-
ence, and virtue, shall be chosen gover-
nor, on the second Monday of Novem-
ber 1777, 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
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