Chapter CLV. to alter certain parts of the act providing for the government of the territory of Missouri
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Chap. CLV.— An Act to alter certain parts of the act providing for the government of the territory of Missouri.April 29, 1816. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Act of June 4, 1812, ch. 95. Act of March 2, 1819, ch. 49. Electors to choose members of legislative council. Act of June 4, 1812, ch. 95. United States of America, in Congress assembled,* That the electors of the territory of Missouri, entitled to vote for members of the house of representatives of the territory at the time of electing the representatives to the general assembly, shall in each county in said territory elect one member of the legislative council to serve for two years and no longer, qualified according to the provisions of the fifth section of the “Act providing for the government of the territory of Missouri,” passed June fourth, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, a majority of whom shall be a quorum, and shall possess the same powers as are granted to the legislative council by the said recited act; and in case of a vacancy of a member of the legislative council by resignation or otherwise, the governor of the territory shall issue a writ to the county to elect another person to serve the residue of the term.
Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted,* That so much of the eighth section Biennial meetings of the general assembly to be held at St. Louis. of the said recited act as requires the general assembly of said territory to meet once in each year be repealed, and the said general assembly shall meet once in every other year at St. Louis, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day: *Provided,* That the governor for the time being shall have Proviso. authority by proclamation to convene the general assembly whenever he shall deem the interest of the territory may require it.
Sec. 3. *And be it further enacted,* That the general assembly of the Judges of the superior court may be required by the general assembly to hold superior and circuit courts at the times and under rules to be prescribed by it. said territory shall be, and are hereby authorized, to require the judges of the superior court of the said territory to hold superior and circuit courts, to appoint the times and places of holding the same, and under such rules and regulations as the general assembly may in that behalf prescribe; the circuit courts shall be composed of one of the said judges, and shall have jurisdiction in all criminal cases, and exclusive original jurisdiction in all those which are capital, and original jurisdiction in all civil cases of the value of one hundred dollars, and the superior and circuit courts shall possess and exercise chancery powers as well as common law jurisdiction in all civil cases; *Provided,* That there shall be an appeal in Proviso. matters of law and equity, in all cases from the circuit courts to the superior court of the said territory.
Sec. 4. *And be it further enacted,* That such part of the said recited Repeal of parts of former acts. acts as is repugnant to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this act, be, and the same is hereby repealed. Approved, April 29, 1816.