STATE OF MARYLAND. 23

as, in the opinion of the two Houses, the public interests
may require it, but all subsequent regular sessions, of the
General Assembly shall be closed on the tenth day of March
next ensuing the time of their commencement, unless the
same shall be closed at an earlier day by the agreement of
the two Houses.

SEC. 9. No person shall be eligible as a Senator or Del-
egate who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of the
United States, and who has not resided at least three years
next preceding the day of his election in this State, and
the last year thereof in the county or city which he may be
chosen to represent, if such county or city shall have been
so long established, and if not, then in the county from
which, in whole or in part, the same may have been formed;
nor shall any person be eligible as a Senator unless he shall
have attained the age of twenty-five years, nor as a Delegate
unless he shall have attained the age of twenty-one years
at the time of his election.

Qualifications of
Senators and Del-
egates.

SEC. 10. No member of Congress, or person holding any
civil or military office under the United States, shall be eli-
gible as a Senator or Delegate; and if any person shall, after
his election as a Senator or Delegate, be elected to Congress,
or be appointed to any office, civil or military, under the
government of the United States, his acceptance thereof
shall vacate his seat:

Persons ineligible
as Senators or
Delegates

1853, ch 260.

SEC. 11. No Minister or Preacher of the Gospel, of any
denomination, and no person holding any civil office of pro-
fit or trust under this State, except Justices of the Peace,
shall be. eligible as Senator or Delegate.

Same.

SEC. 12. Each House shall be judge of the qualifications
and elections of its members, subject to the laws of the
State — appoint its own officers, determine the rules of its
own proceedings, punish a member for disorderly or disre-
spectful behaviour, and with the consent of two-thirds, ex-
pel a member; but no member shall be expelled a second
time for the same offence.

Powers of each
House.

SEC. 13. A majority of each House shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, but a smaller num-
ber may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance
of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties
as each House may prescribe.

Quorum.

SEC. 14. The doors of each House and of Committees of
the whole shall be open, except when the business is such
as ought to be kept secret.

Sessions to be
open.