THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. JUNE 3D, 1790. We, the Delegates of the people of the State of South Carolina. Preamble: in General Convention met, do ordain and establish this Consti tution for its government. ARTICLE 1. SEC. 1. The legislative authority of this State, shall be vested Legislature. in a General Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. SEC 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Representamembers chosen by ballot, every second year, by the citizens of this State, qualified as in this Constitution is provided. tives, how chosen, and for what time. SEC. 3. The several election districts in this State, shall elect Amended 1808. the following number for representatives, viz: Charleston, including St. Philip and St. Michael, Fifteen Members. Proportion of them: All Saints, (including its ancient boundaries,) One Three Three 66 Saxe Gotha, Three 66 66 towards the support of this governvote for a member or members, to ad hath paid a tax the preceding year, he offers to give his vote, six months day of election, and who hath a freehold of east six months before such election, or, being a citizen of this State, and having resided therein two or town lot, hath been a resident in the SEC. 4. Every free white man, of the age of twenty-one years, town lot, of which he hath been legally legislature, for the election district erty, or is so resident. ate of his citizenship, and a receipt cer, or any other person present, entiperson who shall offer his vote at an from the tax collector, of his having paid a tax, entitling him to vote, or swear or affirm, that he is duly qualified to vote agreeably to this constitution. may not be SEC. 6. No person shall be eligible to a seat in the House of Who may or Representatives, unless he is a free white man of the age of twenty-elected. one years, and hath been a citizen and resident in this State, three years previous to his election. If a resident in the election district, he shall not be eligible to a seat in the House of Repre sentatives, unless he be legally seized and possessed, in his own right, of a settled freehold estate of five hundred acres of land, and ten negroes; or of a real estate of the value of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling, clear of debt. If a non-resident, he shall be legally seized and possessed of a settled freehold estate therein, of the value of five hundred pounds sterling, clear of debt. Senators cho SEC. 7. The Senate shall be composed of members, to be Amen led 1808. chosen for four years, in the following proportions, by the citizens sen for four of this State, qualified to elect members to the House of Representatives, at the same time, in the same manner, and at the same places where they shall vote for representatives, viz: Charleston, (including St. Philip and St. Michael,) Two Members. Proportion of Christ Church, them. |