18.  That the electors, immediately on their meeting, and before they proceed
to the election of senators, take such oath (b) of support and fidelity to this
state, as this convention or the legislature shall direct, and also an oath (b) to 
elect, without favour, affection, partiality or prejudice, such persons for senators,
as they in their judgment and conscience believe 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 immediately thereupon, or at their next meeting
thereafter, elect by ballot, in the same manner as the electors are above directed
to 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 president, (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 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 November
(c), 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 (d),
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 the governor shall be determined by
lot, between those who have equal numbers; and if the person chosen governor
shall die, resign, remove out of the state, or refuse to act, (sitting the General
Assembly,) the senate and house of delegates shall immediately thereupon
proceed to a new choice in manner aforesaid.

    26.  That the senators and delegates, on the second Tuesday of November,
seventeen hundred and seventy-seven (e), and annually on the second Tuesday of
November for every thereafter, elect, by joint ballot, in the same manner as senators
are directed to be chosen, five of the most sensible, discreet, and experienced
men, above twenty-five years of age, residents in the state above three
years next preceding the election, and having therein a freehold of lands and tenements
above the value of one thousand pounds current money (f), to be the council

    (b)  Act of 1794, ch. 49, confirmed by 1795, ch. 11.
    (c)  Act of 1811, ch. 211, confirmed by 1812, ch. 129.
    (d)  See note (c) to the 23d section.
    (e)  See note (c) to the 23d section.
    (f)  Act of 1809, ch. 198, confirmed by 1810, ch. 18.