States. Minnesota2 Oregon3 Kansas West Virginia. Nevada6 Nebraska Colorado. Total. 1787. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1920. 1830. 1840. 1850. 1860. 1870. 1880. • As per Constitution. 65 105 141 181 212 240 223 234 241 As per act of April 14, 1792, one Representative for 33,000-first census. • As per act of January 14, 1802, one Representative for 33,000-second census. As per act of December 21, 1811, one Representative for 35,000-third census. • As per act of March 7, 1822, one Representative for 40,000-fourth census. 'As per act of May 22, 1832, one Representative for 47,700-fifth census. As per act of June 25, 1842, one Representative for 70,680-sixth census. As per acts of May 23, 1850, and July 30, 1852, one Representative for 93,000-seventh census. As per act of March 4, 1862, one Representative for 126,823-eighth census. As per acts of February 2 and May 30, 1872, one Representative for 135,239-ninth census. * As per act of February 25, 1882, one Representative for 151,906-tenth census. Previous to the 3d March. 1820, Maine formed part of Massachusetts, and was called the District of Maine, and its Representatives are numbered with those of Massachusetts. By compact between Maine and Massachusetts, Maine became a separate and independent State, and by act of Congress of 3d March, 1820, was admitted into the Union as such-the admission to take place on the 15th of the same month. On the 7th of April, 1820, Maine was declared entitled to seven Representatives, to be taken from those of Massachusetts. Admitted under act of Congress, June 1, 1796, with one Representative. • Admitted under act of Congress, April 30, 1802, with one Representative. • Admitted under act of Congress, December 14, 1819, with one Representative. When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. Const., I, 2. No Senator or Representative, shall, 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 shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office. Const., I, 6. SEC. VI.-Quorum. 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. Const., I, 5. In general the chair is not to be taken till a quorum for business is present; unless, after due waiting, such a quorum be despaired of, when the chair may be taken and the House adjourned. And whenever, during business, it is observed that a quorum is not present, any member may call for the House to be counted, and being found deficient, business is supended. 2 Hats., 125, 126. 1. The Presiding Officer having taken the chair, and a quorum being pre ent, the Fournal of the preceding day shall be read, and any mistake made in the entries corrected. The reading of the Fournal shall not be suspended unless by unanimous consent; and when any motion shall be made to amend or correct the same, it shall be deemed a privileged question, and proceeded with until disposed of. 2. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Senators duly chosen and sworn. SEC. VII.-CALL OF THE HOUSE. On a call of the House, each person rises up as he is called, and answereth; the absentees are then only noted, but no excuse to be made till the House be fully called over. Then the absentees are called a second time, and if still absent, excuses are to be heard. Ord. House of Commons, 92. They rise that their persons may be recognized; the voice, in such a crowd, being an insufficient verification of their presence. But in so small a body as the Senate of the United States, the trouble of rising cannot be necessary. Orders for calls on different days may subsist at the same time. 2 Hats., 72. 2. If, at any time during the daily sessions of the Senate, a question shall be raised by any Senator as to the presence of a quorum, the Presiding Officer shall forthwith direct the Secretary to call the roll and shall announce the result, and these proceedings shall be without debate. [In the Senate.] SEC. VIII.-ABSENCE. Rule V. 1. No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave. 2. If, at any time during the daily sessions of the Senate, a question shall be raised by any Senator as to the presence of a quorum, the Presiding Officer shall forthwith direct the Secretary to call the roll and shall announce the result, and these proceedings shall be without debate. 3. Whenever upon such roll-call it shall be ascertained that a quorum is not present, a majority of the Senators present may direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to request, and, when necessary, to compel the attendance of the absent Senators, which order shall be determined without debate; and pending its execution, and until a quorum shall be present, no debate nor motion, except to adjourn, shall be in order. SEC. IX.-SPEAKER. The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. Constitution, I, 3. The Senate shall choose their 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. Ib. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers. Const., I, 2. When but one person is proposed, and no objection made, it has not been usual in Parliament to put any question to the House; but without a question the members proposing him conduct him to the chair. But if there be objection, or another proposed, a question is put by the Clerk. 2 Hats., 158. As are also questions of adjournment. 6 Grey, 406. Where the House debated and exchanged messages and answers with the King for a week without a Speaker, till they were prorogued. They have done it de die in diem for fourteen days. 1 Chand., 331, 335. In the Senate, a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, is proposed and chosen by ballot. His office is understood to be determined on the Vice-President's appearing and taking the chair, or at the meeting of the Senate after the first 1. In the absence of the Vice-President, the Senate shall choose a President pro tempore. 2. In the absence of the Vice-President, and pending the election of a President pro tempore, the Secretary of the Senate, or in his absence the Chief Clerk, shall perform the duties of the Chair. 3. The President pro tempore shail have the right to name in open Senate, or, if absent, in writing, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair; but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment, except by unanimous consent. Where the Speaker has been ill, other Speakers pro tempore have been appointed. Instances of this are 1 H., 4. Sir John Cheyney, and Sir William Sturton, and in 15 H., 6. Sir John Tyrrel, in 1656, January 27; 1658, March 9; 1659, January 13. Sir Job Charlton ill, Seymour chosen, 1673, February 18. Seymour being ill, Sir Robert Sawyer chosen, 1678, April 15. Sawyer being ill, Seymour chosen Not merely pro tempore. I Chand., 169, 276, 277. Thorpe in execution, a new Speaker chosen, 31 H. VI, 3 Grey, 11; and March 14, 1694, Sir John Trevor chosen. There have been no later instances. 2 Hats., 161; 4 Inst. 8; L. Parl., 263. A Speaker may be removed at the will of the House, and a Speaker pro tempore appointed.* 2 Grey, 186; 5 Grey, 134. SEC. X.-ADDRESS. The President shall, from time to time, give to the Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. Const., II, 3. A joint address of both Houses of Parliament is read by the Speaker of the House of Lords. It may be attended by both Houses in a body, or by a Committee from each House, or by the two Speakers only. An address of the House of Commons only may be presented by the whole House, or by the Speaker, 9 Grey, 473; 1 Chandler, 298, 301; or by such particular members as are of the privy council. 2 Hats., 278. SEC. XI.-COMMITTEES. Standing committees, as of Privileges and Elections, &c., are usually appointed at the first meeting, to continue through the session. The person first named is generally permitted to act as chairman. But this is a matter of courtesy; every committee having a right to elect their own chairman, who presides over them, puts questions, and reports their proceedings to the House. 4 Inst., 11, 12; Scob., 9; 1 Grey, 122. * The tenure of office of a President pro tempore is distinctly defined by the following resolutions adopted by the Senate January 10, and 12, 1876, which are in the following words: 1. Resolved, That the tenure of the President pro tempore does not expire at the meeting of Congress, after the first recess, the Vice-President not having appeared to take the chair. 2. Resolved, That the death of the Vice-President does not have the effect to vacate the office of President pro tempore. 3. Resolved, That the office of President pro tempore is held at the pleasure of the Senate. (Sen. Jour. Ist Sess. 44th Cong., 1875-'76.) |