funds of the respective houses have been applied. They receive for their compensation $3000 a year, each; their principal clerks, $1500 each. 3d, a sergeant-at-arms, who executes the commands of the presiding officer of the house. He arrests offenders, and performs such other duties as usually devolve upon a sheriff or constable attending as a peace officer at the session of a civil court. 4th, a doorkeeper, whose salary, and that of sergeant-atarms, are $1500 a year, each. 5th, an assistant doorkeeper, whose salary is $1450 a year.

141. The senate possesses the sole power to try impeachments: when sitting for that purpose, its members must be on oath or affirmation. A provision in the constitution for trial by impeachment, was rendered necessary for the punishment of offences that could not be tried before ordinary courts. These offences are such as are committed by persons in public offices, and consist in misconduct and mal-administration. Should a magistrate receive money for giving an erroneous decision, he would be liable to impeachment. So also the president, or other public officer, would, for mal-conduct, be subject to impeachment. It has been decided that a member of congress is not a civil officer within the meaning of the constitution, and therefore not liable to impeachment.

142. The first proceeding in a trial of this kind, is a complaint to the house of representatives. A committee is then appointed to investigate the matter; and if the charge be well founded, a written accusation is prepared and presented to the senate, with a request to proceed to trial. The house chooses a number of its members to conduct the trial on the part of the house. The president of the senate presides when present, except when the president is tried in such case, the chief justice presides. The same rules are observed in courts of impeachment, as in courts of common law.

143. As the power of originating the inquiry, of drawing up and presenting articles of impeachment, and of

ries? 141. Of what has the senate sole power? Why is this kind of trial necessary? 142. Give the proceedings in a trial of this

conducting the prosecution, is more properly given to the members of the house, because they immediately represent the people; so the members of the senate are more fit to sit as judges on a trial of impeachment, because they are further removed from the people, and are presumed to be more free from party influence.

144. No person can be convicted on a trial by impeachment, without the concurrence of two thirds of the senators present: and judgment can extend no 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 may, nevertheless, be indicted, tried and punished, in a justice' court.

CHAPTER IV.

Of the Senate and House of Representatives.

145. THE times, places and manner of holding elec tions for senators and representatives, are 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 places of choosing senators.

146. Congress is required, by the constitution, to assemble at least once in every year, on the first Monday in December, unless it shall, by law, appoint a different day. Congress, in pursuance of the power here given, has provided, that when, from the prevalence of contagious sickness, or from other circumstances, it would be dangerous to the health of the members to meet at the

kind? 143. For what reasons are the power to impeach, and the power to try impeachments, divided between the two houses? 144. What is necessary to conviction? How far does judgment extend?

145. How are the time, place and manner of holding elections for members of congress prescribed? 146. When, and how often,

place to which congress shall stand adjourned, the presi dent of the United States may, by proclamation, convene congress at such other place as he may judge proper.

147. Each house is made the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications, of its own members. By the power granted to each house of congress to judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its members, it was intended to preserve a pure representation. It often happens that, in consequence of some alleged irregularity or unfairness in the election or return of a member, his

seat is claimed by the opposing canditate. In such case, the house institutes an investigation, and decides which of the candidates is entitled to the seat.

148. A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as each house may provide. Quorum means such a number of any officers as is sufficient to transact business. Thus the senate consists of 48 members, 25 of whom, a quorum, may act.

149. Each house may punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, may expel a member. A member may be expelled for a high misdemeanor, though committed elsewhere than in the presence of the house to which he belongs. In determining on expulsion, it is not necessary to adhere to those forms and rules, of evidence which are observed in courts of law. From the power to punish its members for disorderly behavior, congress has inferred and exer cised the power of punishing for contempt other persons than its own members.

150. Each house is required to keep a journal of its proceedings, and, from time to time, to publish the same,

must congress assemble? 147. For what purpose is congress authorized to judge of the elections, &c. of its members? 148. What onstitutes a quorum in each house? What is meant by quorum?

To what does the power of each house to punish and expel ers extend? 150. What does the constitution require respect

excepting such parts as may, in its judgment, require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on any question, shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. Besides the number of copies of the public journals usually printed, there are printed several hundred copies, of which twentyfive copies are to be deposited in the library of congress, for the use of members of congress during any session, and all other persons authorized by law to use the books in the library. And as many other copies are transmitted to the executives of the several states and territories, as shall be sufficient to furnish one copy to each branch of every state and territorial legislature, and one copy to each college and incorporated historical society in each state; and the residue are deposited in the library of the United States, subject to the future disposal of congress.

151. The printing of congress, both as it regards the manner and the prices of the work, is regulated by law. Before the close of each congress, a printer is chosen, by each house, to execute its work during the next congress. The person elected is required to give a bond, with sureties, to the secretary of the senate and clerk of the house of representatives, for the prompt and faithful execution of the work.

152. Neither house, during the session of congress, may, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. The time of the final adjournment is fixed by a concurrent resolution of both houses Every second year, congress must of necessity adjourn on the third day of March, as the term for which the house of representatives and one third of the senate are elected, expires on that day.

153. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law,

ing the journals of congress? How does the law regulate their publication? 151. How is the printing of congress regulated? 152. How is the power of each house to adjourn restricted? Wheu does the constitutional term of each congress expire? 153. How

The

and paid out of the treasury of the United States. compensation at present received by a member of congress, is eight dollars for every day's attendance in the house, and eight dollars for every twenty miles of estimated distance, by the most usual route, from his residence, both going to, and returning from, the place of the meeting of congress. The president of the senate pro tempore, when the vice president shall be absent, and the speaker of the house of representatives, respectively receive, in addition to their compensation as members of congress, eight dollars for every day's attendance on their respective houses.

154. Members of congress, in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, are privileged from arrest by any civil process, during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to, and returning from, the same; and, in order to preserve the freedom of deliberation, no member of either house can be questioned, in any other place, for any speech or debate in the house of which he is a member.

155. No senator or representative may, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States, may be a member of either house during his continuance in office.

156. Civil offices are created, and the salaries of public officers are established by congress. Therefore, to take away from its members all inducement unnecessarily to create offices, their appointment to such offices is prohibited. In order to preserve, as far as possible, purity of action in the national legislature, it has by law been provided, that no member shall be allowed to make any contract, or to have any interest in any contract, to be

What is their present

is the compensation of members fixed? compensation? 154. What privileges have members during the session of congress? 155. How are they restricted as to receiving and holding offices? 156. What is the object of this restriction From what are members further prohibited? Under what penalty?