The People of the State of New York, represented in SECTION 1. The legislative powers of the Ccrporation of the city of New York, shall be vested in a Board of Aldermen and a Board of Councilmen, who, together, shall form the Common Council of the city. The Board of Aldermen shall consist of one Alderman from each ward, who shall be elected by the people of the respective wards, for two years. The Board of Councilmen shall consist of sixty members, to be elected from as many districts, who shall be sworn into office on the first Monday of January next succeeding their election; and shali hold their offices for one year, and shall receive the same compensation as the Aldermen. E 2. The members of the Board of Aldermen, first elected under this act, shall be classified as follows on or before the first Tuesday in December, succeeding the next general election, the Clerk of the city and county of New York shall, in the presence of the Mayor, Recorder, and Comptroller, or a majority thereof, draw from a box, to be provided for the purpose, in which two ballots shall have been deposited, having thereon, respectively, either the word "odd," or the word 66 even;" one ballot, if the ballot so drawn shall have thereon the word "odd ;" then the term of office of the Aldermen chosen from wards having an odd numerical designation, shall expire on the first Monday of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five; and in case the ballot having thereon the word "even," shall be drawn, then the term of office of the Aldermen having an even numerical designation, shall expire on the first Monday of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six. At all subsequent elections, Aldermen shall be elected for the full term of two years. § 3. For the election of Councilmen, the said city shall be divided into sixty districts, of contiguous territory, and as near as may be of equal population, each of which shall choose one Councilman. The Common Council shall so divide the city into such districts, on or before the first Monday in September next, and thereafter, within one year after the State and National Census shall have been completed, the Common Council shall, in like manner, re-district said city. § 4. Every act, resolution or ordinance, appropriating money, or involving the expenditure of 'money, not rendered imperative under the provisions of any State law, shall originate in the Board of Councilmen ; but the Board of Aldermen may propose, or concur with amendments, as in other cases. § 5. A vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each Board, shall be necessary to pass any act, ordinance, or resolution of the Common Council, which shall have been returned by the Mayor, with his objections. |