the number of taxables in fuch returns; which Representation fhall continue for the next feven years afterwards, at the end of which a new return of the taxable inhabitants fhall be made, and a Representation agreeable thereto appointed by the faid Affembly, and fo on feptennially for ever. The wages of the Representatives in General Assembly, and all other State charges, shall be paid out of the State Treasury.

XVIII. In order that the freemen of this Commonwealth may enjoy the benefit of election as equally as may be, until the Reprefentation shall commence, as directed in the foregoing fection, each county at its own choice may be divided into diftricts, hold elections therein, and elect their Representatives in the county, and their other elective officers, as fhall be hereafter regulated by the General Affembly of this State. And no inhabitant of this State shall have more than one annual vote at the general election for Representatives in Affembly.

XIX. For the present, the Supreme Executive Council of this State fhall confift of twelve perfons, chofen in the following manner: The freemen of the city of Philadelphia, and of the counties of Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks, respectively, fhall chufe by ballot one perfon

for the city, and one for each county aforefaid, to serve for three years and no longer, at the time and place for electing Representatives in General Affembly. The freemen of the counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, and Berks, fhall, in like manner, elect one person for each county respectively, to serve as Councillors for two years, and no longer. And the counties of Northampton, Bedford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland, refpectively, shall in like manner elect one perfon for each county, to ferve as Councillors for one year, and no longer. And at the expiration of the time for which each Councillor was chofen to ferve, the freemen of the city of Philadelphia, and of the feveral counties in this State, refpectively, shall elect one perfon to ferve as Councillor for three years and no longer; and fo on every third year for ever. By this mode of election and continual rotation, more men will be trained to public bufinefs, there will in every subsequent year be found in the Council a number of perfons acquainted with the proceedings of the foregoing years, whereby the business will be more confiftently conducted, and moreover the danger of establishing an inconvenient ariftocracy will be effectually prevented. All vacancies in the

Council

Council that may happen by death, refignation, or otherwise, shall be filled at the next general election for Representatives in General Affembly, unless a particular election for that pur pose shall be sooner appointed by the President and Council. No Member of the General Af fembly, or Delegate in Congress, shall be chosen a Member of the Council. The Prefident and Vice-Prefident fhall be chofen an nually, by the joint ballot of the General Af fembly and Council, of the Members of the Council. Any person having served as a Councillor for three fucceffive years, fhall be incapable of holding that office for four years afterwards. Every Member of the Council fhall be a Juftice of the Peace for the whole Commonwealth, by virtue of his office,

In cafe new additional counties shall here, after be erected in this State, fuch county or counties shall elect a Councillor, and fuch county or counties fhall be annexed to the next neighbouring counties, and shall take rotation with fuch counties,

The Council fhall meet annually, at the fame time and place with the General Affembly. The Treasurer of the State, Trustees of the Loan

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Loan Office, Naval Officers, Collectors of Cuftoms or Excife, Judge of the Admiralty, Attornies-General, Sheriffs, and Prothonotaries, shall not be capable of a feat in the General Affembly, Executive Council, or Continental Congrefs.

XX. The Prefident, and in his abfence the Vice-Prefident with the Council, five of whom shall be a Quorum, fhall have power to appoint and commiffionate Judges, Naval Officers, Judge of the Admiralty, Attorney-General, and all other officers civil and military, except fuch as are chofen by the General Affembly, or the people, agreeable to this Frame of Government, and the laws that may be made hereafter; and shall supply every vacancy in any office, occafioned by death, refignation, removal, or difqualification, until the office can be filled in the time and manner directed by a law or this Conftitution. They are to correspond with other States, and tranfact business with the Officers of Government, civil and military; and to prepare fuch bufinefs as may appear to them neceffary to lay before the General Affembly. They shall fit as Judges to hear and determine on impeachments, taking to their affiftance,

fiftance, for advice only, the Juftices of the Supreme Court and shall have power to grant pardons, and remit fines, in all cases whatsoever, except in cafes of impeachment ; and in cafes of treafon and murder, fhall have power to grant reprieves, but not to pardon, until the end of the next feffions of Affembly: but there shall be no remiffion or mitigation of punishments on impeachments, except by act of the legiflature. They are alfo to take care that the laws be faithfully executed; they are to expedite the execution of fuch measures as may be refolved upon by the General Affembly; and they may draw upon the Treasury for such fums as shall be appropriated by the House: they may also lay embargoes, or prohibit the exportation of any commodity, for any time not exceeding thirty days, in the recefs of the House only they may grant fuch licences as shall be directed by law; and fhall have power to call together the General Affembly, when neceffary, before the day to which they shall stand adjourned. The Prefident fhall be Commander in Chief of the forces of the State, but shall not command in perfon, except advised thereto by the Council, and then only fo long as they fhall approve thereof. The Prefident and