tion. Once in ten years, in May and June of the years ending in 5, there is an enumeration of the people, and at the first regular session thereafter the Legislature may change the boundaries of the Senate Districts, so that each district shall approximately include one-fiftieth part of the inhabitants of the State. The Senate Districts must consist of contiguous territory, and no county can be divided except to make two or more Senate Districts wholly within the county. Some Senate Districts contain four counties, while the densely populated county of New York contains twelve Senate Districts. The boundaries of the Senate Districts will remain as they now are until after the State census of the year 1905. These boundaries are described in the Revised Constitution of New York, Article III, Section 3. The Senate Districts are numbered, the numbers beginning with 1 at the southeastern corner, and ending with 50 at the southwestern corner of the State. Should more than half the inhabitants of the State move into one county, would that county elect a majority of the Senators? The State Constitution declares that no county shall have more than one-third of all the Senators; and no two adjoining counties shall have more than one-half of all the Senators; therefore no two counties together can elect a majority of the Senators. Are women represented in the Senate? They are included in the enumeration of the people, and so are children of both sexes, and all persons other than aliens. The ratio for apportioning Senators is obtained by dividing the total number of inhabitants, excluding aliens, by fifty. Where does the Senate hold its sessions? In the Senate Chamber of the Capitol. It is presided over by the Lieutenant-Governor. Describe the lower of the two Houses of the Legislature at Albany. The Assembly is composed of one hundred and fifty members, each of whom is elected within an Assembly District. Assemblymen are elected annually, with the same salary and the same allowance for travelling expenses as Senators. The Assembly sits in the Assembly Chamber of the Capitol, and at the same time as does the Senate. Neither House can adjourn for more than two days without the consent of the other. The presiding officer of the Assembly is elected by the members from among their own number. Any bill may originate in either House of the Legislature, and all bills passed by one House may be amended in the other. How are the Assembly Districts erected? The Legislature apportions to each county its number of members, and the Boards of Supervisors divide the Senate Districts into their respective Assembly Districts. The Assembly Districts must be of contiguous territory, and as nearly equal in population as possible. The boundaries of the Assembly Districts must not overlap the Senate District boundaries, nor the county boundaries. The average is three Assembly Districts to each Senate District. Any county with less than a ratio and a half of population is made one district, and at least two are created in every other county. No change can be made in the representation of counties between the periods fixed by the State Constitution for the apportionment based on the census taken in years ending in 5. But the boundaries of Assembly Districts within any county may be altered within such period. The Assembly Districts are numbered within each county. How many Assembly Districts in the county of New York? There are thirty-five. The boundary of each, like the boundary of each Senate District, is the middle of the street when not a water line. How many Assembly Districts in the county of Kings? There are twenty-one, known each by its number. When are all Senators and Assemblymen elected? On the first Tuesday after the first Monday Election day in this State is a in November. legal holiday. How can one ascertain the name of the Senator and the Assemblyman who represent one's own Senate District and Assembly District? Write to the "Secretary of State, Albany, New York," and ask for a printed list of the members of the Legislature. One need not |