Chap. 105.—An ACT to provide for submission to the people for approval and
ratification the proposed amendments to section 46 of article 4, section 50
of article 4, sections 110, 119 and 120 of the Constitution of Virginia.

Approved March 9, 1910.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall be
the duty of the officers conducting the election directed by law to be held
on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, nineteen hundred
and ten, at the places appointed for holding the same, to provide a sep-
arate ballot box at said election, in which the judges of election shall
deposit the ballots of all qualified voters voting on the proposed amend-
ments to the Constitution of Virginia, and open a poll and take the sense
of the qualified voters upon the ratification or rejection of the said pro-
posed amendments to the Constitution of Virginia, contained in the
joint resolutions proposing the said amendments to the Constitution of
Virginia, and directing a submission of said proposed amendments to
the people for their approval and ratification, to- wit:

Strike out from the Constitution of Virginia section forty-six of
article four, which is in the following words:

846. The general assembly shall meet once in two years, on the second
Wednesday in January next succeeding the election of the members of
the house of delegates, and not oftener unless convened in the manner
prescribed by this Constitution. No session of the general assembly,
after the first under this Constitution, shall continue longer than sixty
days; but with the concurrence of three-fifths of the members elected to
each house the session may be extended for a period not exceeding thirty
days. Except for the first session held under this Constitution, mem-
bers shall be allowed a salary for not exceeding sixty days at any regular
session, and for not exceeding thirty days at any extra session. Neither
house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn to another place
nor for more than three days. A majority of the members elected to
each house shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller num-
ber may adjourn from day to day, and shall have power to compel the
attendance of members in such manner and under such penalty as each
house may prescribe.

And insert in lieu thereof the following:

§46. The general assembly shall meet once in two years, on the second
Wednesday in January next succeeding the election of the members of
the house of delegates, and not oftener unless convened in the manner
prescribed by the Constitution. No session of the general assembly shall
continue longer than ninety days, except that with the concurrence of
three-fifths of the members elected to each house the session may be ex-
tended for a period not exceeding thirty days. Neither house ‘shall,
without the consent of the other, adjourn to another place, nor for more
than three days. A majority of the members elected to each house shall
constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn
from day to day, and shall have power to compel the attendance of mem-
bers in such manner and under such penalty as each house may prescribe.

Strike out from the Constitution of Virginia section fifty, article
four, which is in the following words:

§50. No law shall be enacted except by bill. A bill may originate in
either house, to be approved or rejected by the other, or may be amended
by either, with the concurrence of the other.

No bill shall become a law unless prior to its passage it has been—

(a) Referred to a committee of each house, considered by such com-
mittee in session and reported ;

(b) Printed by the house in which it originated prior to its pas-
sage therein ;

(c) Read at length on three different calendar days in each house;
and unless

(d) A yea and nay vote has been taken in each house upon its final
passage, the names of the members voting for and against entered on
the journal, and a majority of those voting, which shall include at least
two-fifths of the members elected to each house, recorded in the affirma-
tive.
And only in the manner required in subdivision (d) of this section
sha]l an amendment to a bill by one house be concurred in by the other,
or a conference report be adopted by either house, or either house dis-
charge a committee from the consideration of a bill and consider the
same a8 if reported: provided, that the printing and reading, or either,
required in subdivision (b) and (c) of this section, may be dispensed
with in a bill to codify the laws of the State, and in any case of emer-
gency by a vote of four-fifths of the members voting in each house taken
by the yeas and nays, the names of the members voting for and against
entered on the journal: provided further, that no bill which creates or
establishes a new office, or which creates, continues or revives a debt or
charge, or makes, continues or revives any appropriation of public or
trust money or property, or releases or discharges or commutes any
claim or demand of the State, or which imposes, continues or revives
a tax, shall be passed except by the affirmative vote of the majority of all
the members elected to each house, the vote to be by the yeas and nays,
and the names of the members voting for and against entered on the
journal. Every law imposing, continuing or reviving a tax shall specifi-
cally state such tax, and no law shall be construed as so stating such tax
which requires a reference to any other law or any other tax. The pre-
siding officer of each house shall, in the presence of the house over
which he presides, sign every bill which has been passed by both houses
and duly enrolled. Immediately before this is done, all other business
being suspended, the title of the bill shall be publicly read. The fact
of the signing shall be entered on the journal.

And insert in lieu thereof the following:

§50. No law shall be enacted except by bill. A bill may originate in
either house, to be approved or rejected by the other, or may be amended
by either, with the concurrence of the other.

No bill shall become a law unless prior to its passage it has been—

(a) Referred to a committee of each house, considered by such com-
mittee in session, and reported ;

, (b) Printed by the house in which it originated prior to its passage
therein ;

(c) Read by title on three different calendar days in each house and
read at length at least once in each house; and unless

(d) A yea and nay vote has been taken in each house upon its final
passage, the names of the members voting for and against entered on the
journal, and a majority of those voting, which shall include at least two-
fifths of the members elected to each house, recorded in the affirmative.

And only in the manner required in subdivision (d) of this section
shall an amendment to a bill by one house be concurred in by the other,
or a conference report be adopted by either house, or either house dis-
charge a committee from the consideration of a bill and consider the same
as if reported: provided, that the printing and reading, or either, re-
quired in subdivision (b) and (c) of this section, may be dispensed with
in a bill to codify the Jaws of the State, and in any case of emergency
by a vote of four-fifths of the members voting in each house taken by the
yeas and nays, the names of the members voting for and against entered
on the journal: provided further, that no bill which creates or establishes
& new office, or which creates, continues or revives a debt or charge, or
makes, continues or revives any appropriation of public or trust money
or property, or releases or discharges or commutes any claim or demand
of the State, or which imposes, continues or revives a tax, shall be passed
except by the affirmative vote of the majority of all the members elected
to each house, the vote to be by the yeas and nays, and the names of the
members voting for and against entered on the journal. Every law im-
posing, continuing or reviving a tax shall specifically state such tax, and
no law shall be construed as so stating such tax which requires a refer-
ence to any other law or any other tax. The presiding officer of each
house shall, in the presence of the house over which he presides, sign
every bill which has been passed by both houses and duly enrolled. Im-
mediately before this is done, all other business being suspended, the
title of the bill shall be publicly read. The fact of the signing shall be
entered on the journal.

Strike out from the Constitution section one hundred and ten, which
is in the following words:

§110. There shall be elected by the qualified voters of each county
one county treasurer, who shall not be elected or serve for more than
two consecutive terms, nor act as deputy of his immediate successor ;
one sheriff, one attorney for the Commonwealth, and one county clerk,
who shall be the clerk of the circuit court. ‘here shal] be elected or
appointed, for four years, as the general assembly may provide, commis-
sioners of the revenue for each county, the number, duties and compen-
sation of whom shall be prescribed by law; but should such commission-
ers of the revenue be chosen by election by the people, then they shall be
ineligible for re-election to the office for the next succeeding term.

There shall be appointed for each county, in such manner as may
be provided by law, one superintendent of the poor and one county sur-
veyor.

And insert in lieu thereof the following:

§110. There shall be elected by the qualified voters of each county
one county treasurer, one sheriff, one attorney for the Commonwealth,
and one county clerk, who shall be the clerk of the circuit court. There
shall be elected by the qualified voters of each county for four years com-
missioners of the revenue for each county, the number, duties and com-
pensation of whom shall be prescribed by law.

There shall be appointed for each county, in such manner as may be
provided by law, one superintendent of the poor and one county sur-
veyor.

Strike out from the Constitution of Virginia sections one hundred
and nineteen and one hundred and twenty, which are in the following
words:

8119. In every city, so long as it has a corporation court, or a sep-
arate circuit court, there shall be elected for a term of four years, by the
qualified voters of such city, one attorney for the Commonwealth, who
shall also, in those cities having a separate circuit court, be the attorney
for the Commonwealth for such circuit court.

In every city there shall be elected, or appointed, for a term of four
years, in a manner to be provided by law, one commissioner of revenue,
whose duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law, but should he
be elected by the people, he shall be ineligible for re-election to the office
for the next succeeding term.

§120. In every city there shall be elected, by the qualified voters
thereof, one city treasurer for a term of four years, but he shall not be
eligible for more than two consecutive terms, nor act as deputy for his
immediate successor; one city sergeant, for a term of four years, whose
duty shall be prescribed by law, and a mayor, for a term of four years,
who shall be the chief executive officer of such city. All city and town
officers, whose election or appointment is not provided for by this Con-
stitution, shall be elected by the electors of such cities and towns, or of
some division thereof, or appointed by such authorities thereof as the
general assembly shall designate.

The mayor shall see that the duties of the various city officers, mem-
bers of the police and fire departments, whether elected or appointed in
and for such city, are faithfully performed. He shall have power to
investigate their acts, have access to all books and documents in their
office, and may examine them and their subordinates on oath. The evi-
dence given by persons so examined shall not be used against them in
any criminal proceedings. He shall also have power to suspend such
officer and the members of the police and fire departments, and to re-
move such officers, and also such members of said departments when
authorized by the general assembly for misconduct in office or neglect of
duty, to be specified in the order of suspension or removal, but no such
removal shall be made without reasonable notice to the officer complained
of, and an opportunity afforded to be heard in person or by counsel, and
to present testimony in his defense. From such order of suspension or
removal the city officer so suspended or removed shall have an appeal of
right to the corporation court, or, if there be no such court, to the circuit
court of such city, in which court the case shall be heard de novo by the
judge thereof, whose decision shall be final. He shall have all other
powers and duties which inay be conferred and imposed upon him by the
general laws.

And insert in lieu thereof the following:

§119. In every city, so long as it has a corporation court, or a sep-
arate circuit court, there shall be elected for a term of four years by the
qualified voters of such city, one attorney for the Commonwealth, who
shal] also in those cities having a separate circuit court, be the attorney
for the Commonwealth for such circuit court.

In every city there shall be elected for a term of four years, in a
manner to be provided by law, one commissioner of revenue, whose
duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law.

§120. In every city there shall be elected, by the qualified voters
thereof, one city treasurer, for a term of four years; one city sergeant,
for a term of four years, whose duties shall be prescribed by law; and a
mayor, for a term of four years, who shall be the chief executive officer
of such city. All city and town officers whose election or appointment
is not provided for by this Constitution, shall be elected by the electors
of such cities and towns, or of some division thereof, or appointed by
such authorities thereof as the general assembly shall designate.

The mayor shall see that the duties of the various city officers, mem-
bers of the police and fire departments, whether elected or appointed in
and for such city, are faithfully performed. He shall have power to
investigate their acts, have access to all books and documents in their
offices, and may examine them and their subordinates on oath. The evi-
dence given by persons so examined shall not be used against them in
any criminal proceedings. He shall also have power to suspend such
officers and the members of the police and fire departments and to re-
move such officers and also such members of said departments when au-
thorized by the general assembly for misconduct in office or neglect of
duty, to be specified in the order of suspension or removal; but no such
removal shall be made without reasonable notice to the officer complained
of, and an opportunity afforded him to be heard in person, or by counsel,
and to present testimony in his defense. From such order of suspension
or removal the city officer so suspended or removed shall have an appeal
of right to the corporation court, or, if there be no such court, to the
circuit court of such city, in which court the case shall be heard de novo
by the judge thereof, whose decision shall be final. He shall have all
the other powers and duties which may be conferred and imposed upon
him by general laws.

Schedule.—At such election a ballot shall be furnished each voter,
which shall have printed thereon the following:

For the amendment to section forty-six of article four of the Con-
stitution of Virginia, extending the session of the general assembly to
ninety days.

Against the amendment to section forty-six of article four of the
Constitution of Virginia, extending the session of the genera] assembly
to ninety days. ,

For the amendment to section fifty of article four of the Constitution
of Virginia, simplifying legislative procedure.

Against the amendment to section fifty of article four of the Con-
stitution of Virginia, simplifying legislative procedure.

For the amendment to section one hundred and ten of the Constitu-
tion of Virginia, with reference to the election of the treasurers and
commissioners of the revenue in the counties.

Against the amendment to section one hundred and ten of the Con-
stitution of Virginia, with reference to the election of the treasurers and
commissioners of the revenue in the counties.

For the amendments to sections one hundred and nineteen and one
hundred and twenty of the Constitution of Virginia, with reference to
the election of treasurers and commissioners of the revenue in the cities.

Against the amendments to sections one hundred and nineteen and
one hundred and twenty of the Constitution of Virginia, with reference
to the election of treasurers and commissioners of the revenue in the
cities.

Which said ballots shall be printed and furnished by the electoral
boards as other ballots are required by law to be printed and furnished,
and the said election shall be held and conducted as provided by the
general election law of the State.

The marking out of the words “for” or “against” shall be sufficient
to indicate the wishes of the voters, and it shall not be necessary to mark
out the entire paragraph to indicate such wish.
2. That immediaeely after closing the polls the said officers shall
count the ballots deposited at said election for and against said proposed
amendments, and shall make return thereof at the time and in the
manner provided by law as in the case of other elections; and it shall be
the duty of the clerks and commissioners of election of each county, re-
spectively, to make out, certify and forward an abstract of the votes cast
for and against said proposed amendments in the manner now prescribed
by law in relation to votes cast in general election.

3. It shall be the duty of the secretary of the Commonwealth, and
of the State board of canvassers, to open and canvass the said abstract
of returns, and to examine and make statement of the whole number of
votes given at said election for said proposed amendments and against
said proposed amendments, respectively, in the manner now prescribed
by law in relation to votes cast in general election; and it shall be the
duty of the secretary of the Commonwealth to record said certified state-
ment in his office, and without delay to make out and transmit to the
governor of the Commonwealth an official copy of said statement, certified
by him under his seal of office.

4. The governor shall, without delay, make proclamation of the re-
sult, stating therein the aggregate vote for and against said amendments,
to be published in such newspapers in the State as may be deemed
requisite for general information ; and if a majority of said votes be cast
for the ratification of the amendments, he shall annex to his proclama-
tion a copy thereof.

5. The secretary of the Commonwealth shall cause to be sent to the
clerks of each county and corporation as many copies of this act as there
are places of voting therein; and it shall be the duty of said clerks to
deliver the same to the sheriff for distribution, whose duty it shall be
forthwith to post the said copies at some public place in each election
district.

6. The expenses incurred in conducting this election shall be de-
fraved as in the case of the election of members of the general assembly.