The Constitution requires that the census shall be taken, that is, that the people shall be numbered, every ten years.

26. What is the constitutional provision as to the number of representatives?

"The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand; but each state shall have at least one representative." — Art. I. § 2. 3.

27. As the population has increased, has the ratio of representatives been enlarged?

Congress has from time to time enlarged the ratio to prevent the house from having too many members. 28. What is the present ratio?

One representative for one hundred and twentyseven thousand inhabitants.

29. Do the representatives vote by states or by individuals?

Each member has one vote.

30. Suppose a representative should die or resign? "When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies." Art. I. § 2. 4.)

31. What is meant by the executive of a state? The governor.

32. Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?

"The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment."- Art. I. § 2. 5.)

33. What is impeachment?

A formal written accusation of an officer under government as guilty of some public offence or misdemeanor.

CHAPTER IX.

THE SENATE.

1. How is the Senate composed?

"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and each senator shall have one vote.” — Art. I. § 3. 1.

2. Why are senators chosen for a longer period than representatives?

Because they have duties to perform which are thought to require greater experience.

3. What are some of those duties?

They share with the President the responsibility of appointing men to office, and are connected with him in managing the foreign affairs of the govern

ment.

4. How did the Constitution, at first, require the Senate to be divided?

"Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year; of the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year; so that one third may be chosen every second year." Art. I. § 3. 2.

5. What was the design of this provision?

The main design was to make the changes in the Senate gradual.

6. Do some senators now serve only two years, or do all serve six years.

All senators now serve for six years, except those who may be chosen to fill the places of those whose term of service may not have expired.

7. What are the qualifications for a senator? "No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen." — Art. I. § 3. 3.

8. Have the small states as much power in the Senate as the large states?

They have, because each has two senators, and thus two votes.*

9. Who is the presiding officer of the Senate?

"The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided." - Art. I. § 3. 4.

10. Why should not the Senate choose one of their own number to preside?

It would interfere with the equality of the states in the Senate.

11. What is done when the Vice-President is absent? "The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tempore in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States." · Art. I. § 3. 5.

* This provision was the result of compromise. Under the Confederation, the states had equal power, each state having one vote in Congress. When the Constitution was formed, the small states yielded their equality in the House, and retained it in the Senate.

12. What is the custom of the Senate in regard to the choice of a president pro tempore?

The Vice-President vacates the senatorial chair a short time before the end of each session, in order that the Senate may choose a president pro tempore, who is thus already in office if the Vice-President is called, in the recess, to exercise the office of President. 13. Suppose a senator should die or resign?

"If vacancies happen by resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies." Art. I. § 3. 2.

all

14. What judicial power does the Senate possess? "The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they

shall be on oath or affirmation."

Art. I. § 3. 6.

15. Where is the power of impeachment vested? In the House of Representatives.

16. Suppose the President of the United States should be impeached and tried?

"When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief-Justice shall preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present." — Art. I. § 3. 6.

17. Why should not the Vice-President preside when the President is tried?

Because he would succeed to the office of President in case the President were convicted and removed from office.

18. Why is a vote of two thirds required to convict a man?

It is an additional security against injustice.

19. Suppose the impeached person is found guilty, what punishment can be inflicted?

"Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment according to law."- Art. I. § 3. 7.

20. Suppose the President of the United States, or some other civil officer, should be impeached for treason or murder, and convicted, could he be punished by death?

Not by the Senate: the Senate could only remove him from office, and disfranchise him. He could then be tried by a court of law, and punished like any other criminal.

1. Who determine the times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives?

"The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but Congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the place of choosing senators." Art. I. § 4. 1.