Supreme court, how constituted. Terms

The Supreme Court shall consist of three judges; but after the year AD 1905, the Legislature may increase the number thereof to five. A majority of the judges constituting the court shall be necessary to form a quorum or render a decision. If a justice of the Supreme Court shall be disqualified from sitting in a cause before said court, the remaining judges shall call a district judge to sit with them on the hearing of such cause. The Judges of the Supreme Court shall be elected by the electors of the State at large. The term of office of the Judges of the Supreme Court, excepting as in this article otherwise provided, shall be six years. The Judges of the Supreme Court, immediately after the first election under this Constitution, shall be selected by lot, so that one shall hold office for the term of three years, one for the term of five years, and one for the term of seven years. The lots shall be drawn by the Judges of the Supreme Court, who, for that purpose, shall assemble at the seat of government; and they shall cause the result thereof to be certified by the Secretary of State, and filed in his office. The judge having the shortest term to serve, not holding his office by appointment or election to fill a vacancy, shall be the Chief Justice, and shall preside at all terms of the Supreme Court, and in case of his absence, the judge, having in like manner, the next shortest term, shall preside in his stead.