The Text

That the election of senators shall be after this manner: that so much of this state as is now parcelled into counties, be divided into four great districts: the southern district to comprehend the city and county of New York, Suffolk, Westchester, Kings, Queens, and Richmond counties; the middle district to comprehend the counties of Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange; the western district, the city and county of Albany, and Tryon county; and the eastern district, the counties of Charlotte, Cumberland, and Gloucester. That the senators shall be elected by the freeholders of the said districts, qualified as aforesaid, in the proportions following, to wit: in the southern district, nine; in the middle district, six; in the western district, six; and in the eastern district, three. AND BE IT ORDAINED. That a census shall be taken as soon as may be, after the expiration of seven years from the termination of the present war, under the direction of the legislature; and if, on such census, it shall appear that the number of senators is not justly proportioned to the several districts, that the legislature adjust the proportion, as near as may be, to the number of freeholders, qualified as aforesaid, in each district. That when the number of electors within any of the said districts shall have increased one twenty-fourth part of the whole number of electors which, by the said census, shall be found to be in this state, an additional senator shall be chosen by the electors of such district. That a majority of the number of senators, to be chosen as aforesaid, shall be necessary to constitute a senate sufficient to proceed upon business; and that the senate shall, in like manner with the assembly, be the judges of its own members. AND BE IT ORDAINED, That it shall be in the power of the future legislatures of this state, for the convenience and advantage of the good people thereof, to divide the same into such further and other counties and districts as shall to them appear necessary.