CHAPTER XII AND ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST LEGISLATURE cipation of an early rainy season the Convention ded for submitting the constitution for ratification s possible after their adjournment.1 Copies were San Francisco and scattered throughout the counher with an address to the people signed by the and a proclamation from the Governor. The elecembers for the first Legislature was to be held on day that voters expressed their acceptance or rethe constitution-Tuesday, November 13th.2 vernor's proclamation directed the prefects of the stricts, or the sub-prefects or senior judges of first In case the former office should be vacant, to see elections were held in their respective districts on pecified. The rules governing elections were to me as those given in the Governor's proclamation d, except that the prefect in charge (or his substiuld have power to designate any additional numces for opening the polls. A regular poll list was t by the judges and inspectors in each voting prewas to be the duty of such judges and inspectors the votes of the electors qualified to vote at such Each voter was to express his opinion by depositon six of the schedule attached to the constitution for 1849. ing a ticket in the ballot-box on which was to be written or printed "For the constitution" or "Against the constitution," or some similar expression which would convey his intention. At the close of the election the inspectors were to count the votes immediately, and make duplicate returns to the presiding officer of the district, who was to transmit the same, "by the most safe and rapid conveyance, to the Secretary of State." Upon receipt of the returns, or if the returns were not received earlier, on the 10th of December, the Secretary of State, acting with one of the judges of the superior court, the prefect, judge of first instance, and an alcalde of the Monterey district as a board of canvassers, or any three of the officers named, were to compare the votes given at the election in the presence of all who should care to attend, and publish an abstract of the same in one or more newspapers. If the constitution were ratified, the Governor was to make the fact known by a proclamation to that effect, and was to forward a copy of the same to the President of the United States. At the same election votes were to be cast for a governor, lieutenant governor, members of the state Legislature, and two members of Congress. The Legislature, providing the constitution were adopted, was to meet at the capital (San José) on the 15th of December. A president pro tempore was to be elected by the Senate until the lieutenant governor was installed in office. Two senators to Congress were to be chosen by the Legislature within four days after its organization.1 |