THE COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS. R EGARDING these courts the Constitution of 1802 contained the following provision: ARTICLE III, SECTION 3. The several Courts of Common Pleas shall consist of a President and Associate Judges. The state shall be divided, by law, into three circuits: there shall be appointed in each circuit a President of the courts, who, during his continuation in office, shall reside therein. There shall be appointed in each county not more than three nor less than two Associate Judges, who, during their continuance in office, shall reside tnerein. The President and Associate Judges in their respective counties, any three of whom shall be a quorum, shall compose the Court of Common Pleas; which court shall have common law and chancery jurisdiction in all such cases as shall be directed by law provided, that nothing here contained shall be construed to prevent the Legislature from increasing the number of circuits and Presidents after the term of five years (et seq.). The Judges under this provision of the first Constitution were elected by the General Assembly, and, under the subsequent acts of that body, were as follows: |