Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 2.djvu/759



twelve members, to be elected for one year, three to be residents of and chosen from each ward in manner aforesaid: and each board shall meet at the council chamber on the second Monday in June next (for the despatch of business) at ten o’clock in the morning, and on the same day and at the same hour annually thereafter. A majority of each board shall be necessary to form a quorum to do business, but a less number may adjourn from day to day. The board of aldermen, immediately after they shall have assembled in consequence of the first election shall divide themselves by lot into two classes; the seats of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of one year, and the seats of the second class shall be vacated at the expiration of two years, so that one half may be chosen every year. Each board shall appoint its own president from among its own members, who shall preside during the sessions of the board, and shall have a casting vote on all questions where there is an equal division: Provided, such equality shall not have been occasioned by his previous vote.

. And be it further enacted, That no person shall be eligible to a seat in the board of aldermen or board of common council, unless he shall be more than twenty-five years of age, a free white male citizen of the United States, and shall have been a resident of the city of Washington one whole year next preceding the day of election, and shall, at the time of his election, be a resident of the ward for which he shall be elected, and possessed of a freehold estate in the said city of Washington, and shall have been assessed two months preceding the day of election. And every free white male citizen of lawful age, who shall have resided in the city of Washington for the space of one year preceding the day of election, and shall be a resident of the ward in which he shall offer to vote, and who shall have been assessed on the books of the corporation not less than two months prior to the day of election, shall be qualified to vote for members to serve in the said board of aldermen and board of common council, and no other person whatever shall exercise the right of suffrage at such election.

. And be it further enacted, That the present mayor of the city of Washington shall be, and continue such until the second Monday in June next, on which day, and on the second Monday in June annually thereafter, the mayor of the said city shall be elected by ballot of the board of aldermen and board of common council in joint meeting, and a majority of the votes of all the members of both boards shall be necessary to a choice; and if there should be an equality of votes between two persons, after the third ballot, the two boards shall determine the choice by lot. He shall, before he enters upon the duties of his office, take an oath or affirmation, in the presence of both boards, “lawfully to execute the duties of his office to the best of his skill and judgment, without favour or partiality.” He shall, ex-officio, have and exercise all the powers, authority and jurisdiction of a justice of the peace for the county of Washington, within the said county. He shall nominate, and, with the consent of a majority of the members of the board of aldermen, appoint to all offices under the corporation, (except the commissioners of election,) and any such officer shall be removed from office on the concurrent remonstrance of a majority of the two boards. He shall see that the laws of the corporation be duly executed, and shall report the negligence or misconduct of any officer to the two boards. He shall appoint proper persons to fill up all vacancies during the recess of the board of aldermen, to hold such appointment until the end of the then ensuing session. He shall have power to convene the two boards, when in his opinion the good of the community may require it; and he shall lay before them from time to time, in writing, such alterations in the laws of the corporation, as he shall deem necessary or proper, and shall receive for his services annually, a just and reasonable compensation,