Page:Revised Statutes of the State of North Carolina - Volume 1.djvu/37

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STATE CONSTITUTION
13

Sect. 9. That all persons possessed of a freehold in any form in this State, having a right of representation, and also all freemen who have been inhabitants of any such town twelve months next before and at the day of election, and shall have paid public taxes, shall be entitled to vote for a member to present such town in the house of commons. Provided always, That this section shall not entitle any inhabitant of such town to vote for members of the house of commons for the county in which he may reside, nor any freeholder in such county, who resides without or beyond the limits of such town, to vote for a member for said town.

Sect. 10. That the senate and house of commons when met, shall each have the power to choose a speaker and other their officers, be judges of the qualifications and elections of their members, sit upon their own adjournments from day to day, and prepare bills to be passed into laws. The two houses shall direct writs of elections for supplying intermediate vacancies, and shall also jointly, by ballot, adjourn themselves to any future day and place.

Sect. 11. That all bills shall be read three times in each house before they pass into laws, and be signed by the speaker of both houses.

Sect. 12. That every person who shall be chosen a member of the senate or house of commons, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat or entering upon the execution of the his office, shall take an oath to the State; and all officers shall also take an oath of office.

Sect. 13. That the General Assembly shall, by joint ballot of both houses, appoint judges of the supreme courts of law and equity, judges of admiralty, and attorney general, who shall be commissioned by the governor, and hold their offices during good behavior.

Sect. 14. That the senate and house of commons shall have power to appoint the generals and field officers of the militia, and all officers of the regular army of this State.

Sect. 15. That the senate and house of commons jointly, at their first meeting after each annual election, shall by ballot elect a governor for one year, who shall not be eligible to that office longer than three years in six successive years: That no person under thirty years of age, and who has not been a resident in this State above five years, and having in the State a freehold in lands and tenements above the value of one thousand pounds, shall be eligible as governor.

Sect. 16. That the senate and house of commons jointly,