of, and whether the Laws have been duly executed: For these purposes they shall have Power to send for Persons, Papers and Records; they shall have Authority to pass public Censures, to order Impeachments and to recommend to the Legislature the repealing such Laws as appear to them to have been enacted contrary to the Principles of the Constitution: These Powers they shall continue to have, for and during the space of one Year from the Day of their Election, and no longer: The said Council of Censors shall always have Power to call a Convention, to meet within two Years after their sitting, if there appear to them an absolute Necessity of amending any Article of the Constitution which may be defective, explaining such as may be thought not clearly expressed, and of adding such as are necessary for the Preservation of the Rights and Happiness of the People: But the Articles to be amended, and the Amendments proposed, and such Articles as are proposed to be added or abolished, shall be promulgated at least six Months before the Day appointed for the Election of such Convention, for the previous Consideration of the People, that they may have an Opportunity of instructing their Delegates on the Subject.

"Passed in Convention the 28th Day of September, 1776, and signed by their order.

B. FRANKLIN, President.

Philadelphia City.

Ty. Matlack,

Frederick Kuhl,

James Cannon,

George Schlosser,
Dav'd Rittenhouse.

Philadelphia County.

Robert Loller,
Joseph Blewer,
Jno. Bull,

Wm. Coats.

County of Bucks.

Jno. Wilkinson,

Sam'l Smith,

John Keller,

William Van Horne,

John Grier,

Abram. V. Middleswart,

Jos. Kirkbride,

Bedford County.

Benj'n Elliot,

Inrolled in the Rolls office for the State of Pennsylvania in Law Book No. 1, page 18, &c. Philada., 20th April, 1785.

1 Every page of the Original at Harrisburg (with which the foregoing has been compared,) is signed, "B. Franklin."

No. 9.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

We, the People of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ordain and establish this Constitution for its government.

ARTICLE I.

SECTION I. The legislative power of this commonwealth shall be vested in a general Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

SECTION II. The Representatives shall be chosen, annually, by the citizens of the city of Philadelphia, and of each county, respectively, on the second Tuesday of October.

SECTION III. No person shall be a Representative, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State three years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof an inhabitant of the city or County, in which he shall be chosen; unless, he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this State. No person, residing within any City, Town or Borough, which shall be entitled to a separate representation, shall be elected a Member for any County, nor shall any person residing without the limits of any such City, Town or Borough, be elected a Member therefor.

SECTION IV. Within three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly, and within every subsequent term of seven years, an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants shall be made, in such manner as shall be directed by law. The number of Representatives shall, at the several periods of making such enumeration, be fixed by the legislature, and apportioned among the City of Philadelphia and the several counties, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each; and shall never be less than sixty, nor greater than one hundred. Each county shall have, at least, one Representative; but no County, hereafter erected shall be entitled to a separate representation, until a sufficient number of taxable inhabitants shall be contained within it to entitle them to one Representative, agreeably to the ratio which shall then be established.

SECTION V. The Senators shall be chosen, for four years, by the citi zens of Philadelphia, and of the several counties, at the same time, in the same manner, and at the same places where they shall vote for representatives.

SECTION VI. The number of Senators shall, at the several periods of making the enumeration before mentioned, be fixed by the Legislature, and apportioned among the districts, formed as hereinafter directed, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each; and shall never be less than one fourth, nor greater than one third of the number of representatives.

SECTION VII. The Senators shall be chosen in districts, to be formed by the Legislature, each district containing such a number of taxable inhabitants as shall be entitled to elect not more than four Senators: When a district shall be composed of two or more Counties, they shall be adjoining. Neither the city of Philadelphia nor any County shall be divided in forming a district.

SECTION VIII. No person shall be a Senator, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State four years next before his election, and the last year thereof an inhabitant of the district for which he shall be chosen; unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States or of this State.

SECTION IX. Immediately after the Senators shall be assembled in consequence of the first election subsequent to the first enumeration, they shall be divided, by lot, as equally as may be into four classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year, of the second class at the expiration of the second year, of the third class at the expiration of the third year, and of the fourth class at the expiration of the fourth year; so that one fourth may be chosen every year.

SECTION X. The General Assembly shall meet on the first Tuesday of December in every year, unless sooner convened by the Governor.

SECTION XI. Each House shall choose its Speaker and other officers; and the Senate shall also choose a Speaker PRO TEMPORE, when the Speaker shall exercise the office of Governor.

SECTION XII. Each House shall judge of the qualifications of its members. Contested elections shall be determined by a committee to be selected, formed and regulated in such manner as shall be directed by law. A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorised, by law, to compell the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as may be provided.

SECTION XIII. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and with the concurrence of two thirds expel a member; but not a second time for the same cause; and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the legislature of a free State.

SECTION XIV. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish them weekly; except such parts as may require secrecy: And the yeas and nays of the members, on any question shall, at the desire of any two of them, be entered on the Journals.

SECTION XV. The doors of each House and of committees of the whole, shall be open, unless when the business shall be such as ought to be kept

secret.

SECTION XVI. Neither House shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three Days, nor to any other place than that, in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

SECTION XVII. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the commonwealth. They shall, in all cases, except treason, Felony, and breach or surety of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of the respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same. And for any speech or debate in either House they shall not be questioned in any other place.

SECTION XVIII. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he shall have been elected, be appointed to any civil office, under this commonwealth, which shall have been created, or the emoluments of which shall have been increased, during such time; and no member of Congress or other person holding any office (except of attorney at law and in the Militia) under the United States, or this commonwealth, shall be a member of either House during his continuance in Congress, or in office.

SECTION XIX. When vacancies happen in either House, the Speaker shall issue Writs of election to fill such vacancies.

SECTION XX. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house of Representatives; but the Senate may propose amendments as in other bills.

SECTION XXI. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.

SECTION XXII. Every bill, which shall have passed both Houses, shall be presented to the Governor: If he approve, he shall sign it; but if he shall not approve, he shall return it, with his objections, to the House, in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large upon their journals, and proceed to reconsider it: If after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent with the objections, to the other House, by which likewise it shall be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that House it shall be a law. But in such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for or against the Bill shall be entered on the Journals of each House respec