The justices of the peace were to be appointed by the supervisors and judges of the County Court.

The courts in name remained the same, but the constitution of the Supreme Court was somewhat changed and a Circuit Court was added. "The Supreme Court sat four times a year in review of their decisions and for the determination of questions of law. Each justice was empowered to hold circuit courts and any justice of the Supreme Court could

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

likewise preside at the Oyer and Terminer." ' ^ The Constitution provided that the State should be divided into not less than four nor more than eight circuits-' Each district had its circuit judge, who possessed the powers of a justice of the Supreme Court at chambers, in the trial of issues joined in the Supreme Court, and in the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The Courts of Common Pleas and Sessions and Justices' Court were continued. Prior to the adoption of this Constitution most offices were held either during good behavior or at the pleasure of the appointing power. The judges of the Court of Common Pleas were appointed for the term of five years, and the surrogates for four years. In 1823 the Court of Probates disappears, and appeals from the surrogates lay to the chancellor. The justices of the peace became elective in 1826.

The Constitution of 1846 extended the franchise to every resident white male citizen who was twentyone years of age. The XV. Amendment to the Constitution of the United States erased the word white. All judicial offices of the State, all county offices and almost all civil offices in the gift of the State became elective. The Court for the Final Impeachment and the Correction of Errors disappears. A new Court of Appeals is established, the constitution of which was somewhat modified by the amendment of 1866.