SEC. 2. The sessions of the General Assembly shall be biennial, and shall commence on the second Monday in January next ensuing the election of its members; unless the Governor of the State shall, in the mean time, convene the General Assembly by proclamation.

SEC 3. The members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen every second year, by the qualified electors of their respective districts, on the second Tuesday in October, except the years of the Presidential election, when the election shall be on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November; and their term of office shall commence on the first day of January next after their election, and continue two years, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

[Amendment.] The general election for the state, district, county, and township officers shall be held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November.

[ This amendment was adopted in 1884.]

SEC. 4. No person shall be a member of the House of Representatives who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one years, be a [free white] male citizen of the United States, and Ishall have been an inhabitant of this State one year next preceding his election, and at the time of his election shall bave had an actual residence of sixty days in the County, or District he may have been chosen to represent. [Amended by striking out the words "free white," in 1880.]

SEC. 5. Senators shall be chosen for the term of four years, at the same

time and place as Representatives; they shall be twenty-five years of age, and possess the qualifications of Representatives as to residence and citizenship.

SEC. 6. The number of Senators shall not be less than one-third, nor more than one-half the Representative body; and shall be so classified by lot, that one class, being as nearly one half as possible, shall be elected every two years. When the number of Senators is increased, they shall be annexed by lot to one or the other of the two classes, so as to keep them as nearly equal in numbers as practicable.

SEC. 7. Each house shall choose its own officers, and judge of the qualification, election, and return of its own members. A contested election shall be determined in such manner as shall be directed by law.

SEC. 8. A majority of each house ́shall constitute a quorum to transact business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.

SEC. 9. Each house shall sit upon its own adjournments, keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same; determine its rules of proceedings, punish members for disorderly behavior, and, with the consent of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same offense; and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the General Assembly of a free and independent State.

SEC. 10. Every member of the General Assembly shall have the liberty to dissent from, or protest against any act or resolution which he may

think injurious to the public, or an individual, and have the reasons for his dissent entered on the journals; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on any question, shall, at the desire of any two members present, be entered on the journals.

SEC. II. Senators and Representatives, in all cases, except treason, felony, or breach of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest during the session of the General Assembly, and in going to and returning from the

same.

SEC. 12. When vacancies occur in either house, the Governor, or the person exercising the functions of Governor, shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

SEC. 13. The doors of each house shall be open, except on such occasions, as, in the opinion of the house, may require secrecy.