power has congress over such regulations? Why was any power over them reserved to congress? Ans. To prevent too great a dependence on the state legislatures.

How often must congress assemble? On what day must their meeting be?

SEC. 5. Who judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of members of congress? What is meant by judging of the elections? Ans. Questions may arise whether persons claiming seats in congress, were in fact duly and properly elected; deciding such cases is judging of elections. What is meant by judging of the returns?

Questions may also arise whether the officers whose duty it is, have sent to the congress, the names of the persons really elected and in the manner and time prescribed by law; deciding such questions is judging of the returns. What is meant by judging of the qualifications? Questions may also arise whether persons claiming seats have the age, citizenship, &c. required by the constitution; deciding such questions is judging of the qualifications. What proportion of the members of either house is necessary to constitute a quorum to do business? What is the meaning of quorum? Ans. It

is a Latin word signifying of whom; in the present application it is an abbreviated expression meaning a sufficient number for transacting business. What number is necessary to decide questions of adjournment, or to compel the attendance of absent members? Who have the power of determining the penalties to be inflicted on members of congress for absence?

Who are authorized to determine the rules of proceeding in congress? What is the general mode of proceeding in making laws, established by each house of congress? Ans. The member who is about to propose a bill for a law, gives one day's notice that he is about to make a motion for leave to bring in a bill. When he has obtained leave, the bill is read. Every bill must have three readings, and on three different days, before it can be finally passed. At each reading the house act upon the bill, that is, they approve it, refer it to a committee for their examination and report, or they reject it. In case of its rejection, however, in any stage, the bill is of course dropped and nothing further done with it. In the house . of representatives, when a bill has passed the second reading, it is committed to a committee

consisting of the whole house, including the speaker, who leaves his chair, and a chairman is appointed in his stead. This committee discuss the bill and report to the house, when it is read the third time and rejected or finally passed by that house. When a bill has passed

one house it is sent to the other, where it is treated in a similar manner, though the proceedings in the senate are somewhat different from those in the house of representatives.

Remarks. The rules of proceeding in the British parliament are the basis of the rules in our congress. The object of the different stages through which a bill must pass is to ensure its merits a thorough examination, and to prevent hasty legislation. The two houses sit as a general thing, with open doors. The senate however, when acting upon executive business, that is, upon treaties or nominations of officers made by the president, sit with closed doors. They once tried the experiment of thus sitting on all business. But so much opposition to it was exhibited, that the practice was relinquished. It is a practice which is ill suited to the genius of a popular government.

Who are authorized to punish members of congress for disorderly behaviour? What

proportion of the members of either house must concur in order to expel a member?

Why is each house required to keep a journal of its proceedings and to publish the same from time to time? Ans. It is required to keep such a journal that it may itself be able to ascertain for its own information what has been done, and it is required to publish it for the information of the people. Such a rule tends to make congress feel its responsibil ity for its acts to the people. In what case are the yeas and nays required to be entered on the journal? What is meant by entering the yeas and nays? Ans. It is recording the names of those voting in favor of any question with the name yeas prefixed, and of those voting against it with the name nays. What is the object of such a rule? It is to make the members feel their responsibility to the people still more, by being liable to have their individual conduct in any question recorded.

For how long a time may either house, during the session of congress, adjourn without the consent of the other? What restriction is made as to the place to which they may adjourn? What is the object of these rules? Ans. To prevent congress being embarrass

ed or broken up by a disagreement of the two houses.

SEC. 6. In what manner does the constitution declare that the senators and representatives shall be paid? Ans. Their compensation is to be ascertained by law and paid out of the treasury of the United States. What is their present compensation according to a law made by congress under the above rule? Ans. Eight dollars a day for each member during their attendance on congress, and eight dollars for every twenty miles travel on the direct road in going to and returning from the seat of gov ernment.

The compensation of the speaker of the house of representatives, is, however sixteen dollars a day. In what circumstances are members of congress privileged from arrest? What is treason? Ans. Levying war against the government or aiding its enemies. What is felony? Ans. It includes murder, arson, robbery, burglary, theft, and perhaps some other crimes. What is a breach of the peace? Ans. A violation of the law by means of quarrels, riots, mobs, &c. Any person engaged in any of these, is said to break the peace. Why are not members of congress liable to be called in question in any other place, for any speech or de