Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/313

Rh The powers of government ſhall be divided into three diſtinct departments each of them to be confided to a ſeparate body of magiſtracy; to wit, thoſe which are legiſlative to one, thoſe which are judiciary to another, and thoſe which are executive to another. No perſon, or collection of perſons, being of one of theſe departments, ſhall exerciſe any power properly belonging to either of the others, except in the inſtances hereinafter expreſsly permitted.

The legiſlature ſhall conſiſt of two branches, the one to be called the houſe of delegates, the other the ſenate, and both together the general aſſembly. The concurrence of both of theſe, expreſſed on three ſeveral readings, ſhall be neceſſary to the paſſage of a law.

Delegates for the general aſſembly ſhall be choſen on the laſt Monday of November in every year. But if an election cannot be concluded on that day it may be adjourned from day to day till it can be concluded.

The number of delegates which each county may ſend ſhall be in proportion to the number of its qualified electors; and the whole number of delegates for the ſtate ſhall be ſo proportioned to the whole number of qualified electors in it, that they ſhall never exceed 300, nor be fewer that 100. Whenever ſuch exceſs or deficiency ſhall take place, the houſe of delegates ſo deficient or exceſſive ſhall, notwithſtanding this, continue in being during its legal term: but they ſhall during that term, re-adjuſt the proportion, ſo as to bring their number within the limits before mentioned at the enſuing election. If any county be reduced in its