Massachusetts Constitution of 1780
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erwise, shall be supplied as soon as may be after such vacancies shall
happen.
v.—provided nevertheless, that no person shall be capable of being
elected as a Senator, who is not seized in his own right of a freehold
within this Commonwealth, of the value of three hundred pounds at
least, or of both to the amount of the same sum, and who has not been an
inhabitant of this Commonwealth for the space of five years immediately
preceding his election, and, at the time of his election, he shall be an inhabitant in the district, for which he shall be chosen.
vi.—the Senate shall have power to adjourn themselves, provided
such adjournments do not exceed two days at a time.
vii.—the Senate shall choose its own President, appoint its own officers, and determine its own rules of proceeding.
viii.—the Senate shall be a court with full authority to hear and determine all impeachments made by the House of Representatives, against
any officer or officers of the Commonwealth, for misconduct and maladministration in their offices. But, previous to the trial of every impeachment, the members of the Senate shall respectively be sworn, truly
and impartially to try and determine the charge in question, according to
evidence. Their judgment, however, shall not extend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold or enjoy any place of
honor, trust, or profit, under this Commonwealth: But the party, so convicted, shall be, nevertheless, liable to indictment, trial, judgment, and
punishment, according to the laws of the land.
ix.—not less than sixteen members of the Senate shall constitute a
quorum for doing business.
chapter i
section iii
House of Representatives
Art. i—there shall be in the legislature of this Commonwealth, a representation of the people, annually elected, and founded upon the principle of equality.