Page:The Federal and state constitutions v2.djvu/550

Rh the fourteenth and fifteenth sections, the governor shall fill the vacancy or vacancies until the disability is removed or a successor is elected and qualified. Every such vacancy shall be filled by election, at the first general election that occurs more than thirty days after such vacancy shall have occurred, and the person chosen shall hold the office for the full term fixed in the second section of this article.

The officers mentioned in this article shall, at stated times, receive for their services compensation to be fixed by law, which shall neither be increased or diminished during the period for which they shall have been elected.

The officers of the executive department and of the public State institutions shall, at least ten days preceding each regular session of the general assembly, severally report to the governor, who shall transmit the same to the general assembly.

Every bill which shall have passed both houses shall be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign the same, but if he shall not approve, he shall return it with his objections to the house in which it snail have originated, who shall enter the objections at large upon the journal, and proceed to reconsider the same. 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 case, 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 upon the journals of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the governor within five days (Sunday excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, it shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the general assembly, by their adjournment, prevented its return, in which case it shall also be a law, unless sent back within two days after the next meeting.

Contested elections for governor, lieutenant-governor, judges of the supreme court, and all other State officers, shall be determined by the general assembly, in such manner as may be prescribed by law.

The general assembly shall have power to provide by law for the election of a surveyor-general, State geologist, and superintendent of common schools, whose duties shall be prescribed by law.

The judicial power of the State shall be vested in a supreme court, courts of common pleas, justices of the peace, and in such other courts inferior to the supreme court as the general assembly may establish.

The supreme court shall consist of three judges, a majority of whom shall form a quorum. It shall have such original and appellate jurisdiction as may be provided by law. It shall hold at least one term each year, at the seat of government, and such other terms as may be provided by law. The judges of the supreme court shall be elected by the electors of the State at large.