Page:The Federal and state constitutions v5.djvu/277

Rh Slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than for crime whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and are hereby, forever prohibited within this State.

The limits and boundaries of the State shall be and remain as they now are.

All courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered without sale, denial, or delay.

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner prescribed by law.

This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people; and all powers, not herein delegated, remain with the people.

The legislative authority shall be vested in two distinct branches, both dependent on the people, to wit: A senate and house of representatives.

The senate and house of representatives shall meet annually on the third Monday in November, and when assembled, shall be denominated the general assembly. Neither house shall proceed upon public business, unless a majority of all the members are actually present.

The senate shall be composed of fifty senators biennially chosen by ballot.

Until the first session of the general assembly, which shall be had after the year eighteen hundred and seventy-one, the senate shall be composed of members elected from districts constituted as follows:

First district, Perquimans, Chowan, Pasquotank, Currituck, Gates, and Camden, shall elect two senators.

Second district, Martin, Washington, and Tyrrell, shall elect one senator.

Third district, Beaufort and Hyde, shall elect one senator.

Fourth district, Northampton, shall elect one senator.

Fifth district, Bertie and Hertford, shall elect one senator.

Sixth district, Halifax, shall elect one senator.

Seventh district, Edgecomb, shall elect one senator.

Eighth district, Pitt, shall elect one senator.

Ninth district, Nash and Wilson, shall elect one senator.

Tenth district. Craven and Carteret, shall elect two senators.

Eleventh district, Jones and Lenoir, shall elect one senator.

Twelfth district, Duplin and Onslow, shall elect one senator.

Thirteenth district, Brunswick and New Hanover, shall elect two senators.

Fourteenth district, Bladen and Columbus, shall elect one senator.

Fifteenth district, Robeson, shall elect one senator.