Page:1887 Compiled Laws of Dakota Territory.pdf/65

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§§ 5-12
POLITICAL CODE.
The Legislature.

or indirectly, to control or influence a member in giving his vote, or to prevent his giving the same; but the term of imprisonment which such house may impose for any contempt specified in this section, shall not extend beyond the same session of the legislature.

Contempt Misdemeanor.
s. 5, c. 2, Pol. C.

§ 5. Every person who shall be guilty of any contempt specified in the preceding section, shall, also, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

Administering oath to members and officers.
s. 6, c. 2, Pol. C.

§ 6. The speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the council, the governor, or any of the justices of the supreme court are authorized to administer the oath of office to the members and officers of the respective houses.

§ 7. The members shall be required to take and subscribe the following oath:

Oath of members.
s. 7, c. 2, Pol. C.

You do solemnly swear that you will support the constitution of the United States and the organic act of the territory of Dakota, and that as a member of this house of representatives (or this council, as the case may be), you will not propose or absent to any bill, vote or resolution which shall appear to you injurious to the people, nor do or consent to any act or thing whatever that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges as declared by the constitution of the United States, and the organic act of this territory, but will, in all things, conduct yourself as a faithful, honest representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of your judgment and abilities. So help you God.

Committee may administer oath.
s. 8, c. 2, Pol. C.

§ 8. Any member of the council or house of representatives, while acting as a committee of the house of which he is a member, shall have authority to administer oaths to such persons as shall be examined before the committee of which he is a member.

Contested seats.
s. 9, c. 2, Pol. C.

§ 9. In case the right of any person to a seat in either house of the legislative assembly shall be contested, the right of such person to a seat as aforesaid shall be determined by the house in which he claims such seat as a member; and each house shall in all cases be the judge of the qualifications of its members.

Officers of respective houses.
s. 10, c. 2, Pol. C. Act of congress approved June 19, 1878.

§ 10. The officers of the respective houses shall consist of a president of the council, who must be a member of that body; a speaker of the house, who must be a member of that body; and for each house, one chief clerk, one enrolling and engrossing clerk, one sergeant-at-arms, one doorkeeper, one messenger, one watchman and one chaplain.

Officers elected viva voce-Oath.
s. 11, c. 2, Pol. C.

§ 11. The said officers shall be elected viva voce, by the members of each house, respectively, at such time, after the meeting of said house, as the members thereof shall see proper, and shall be required to take and subscribe the same oath as is provided for other civil officers; but neither house shall transact any business other than the election or appointment of officers, until said officers are elected or appointed pro tem., on motion.

Chief clerks to keep journals, etc.
s. 12, c. 2, Pol. C.

§ 12. It shall be the duty of the chief clerk of the council and chief clerk of the house of representatives to keep correct journals of the proceedings of their respective houses; to have the custody of all records, accounts, and other papers committed to them, and at the close of each session of the legislative assembly, shall deposit for safe keeping in the office of the secretary of the territory, all books, bills, documents, resolutions and papers in the possession of the legislature, correctly labeled, folded, and classified, and generally to perform such duties as shall be assigned them by their respective houses; provided, the journals of the two houses need not be deposited as above

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