body resting on a more durable basis, should be placed as a check upon the more popular branch of the legislature. A longer term of office was required, as the means most likely to give independence and stability to the

senate.

"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."

As the provision of the above clause for the classification of senators was necessary only at the first organization of the senate, it is now a matter of history rather than of law.

The division and classification of the senate, by which the seats of one third of its members are vacated every second year, are calculated both to secure stability in the administration of the government, and to retain a large portion of experienced members acquainted with the general principles of national policy, and the forms and course of business.

"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."

The executive of a state may fill a vacancy that happens during the recess of the legislature of any state, but he cannot make the appointment constitutionally until the

years? How is the senate divided? How are contingent vacan

vacancy shall have actually occurred. So it was decided by the senate, in 1825. Mr. Lanman was a senator of the United States from the state of Connecticut. His term of service expired on the third of March. The governor of that state, having been previously notified by the presi dent of the United States, that the senate would be con vened on the fourth of March, accordingly made the appointment in February, the legislature not being in session Upon these facts, the question was raised as to the constitutionality of the appointment, and the senate decided, 23 to 18, that, as the appointment had been made before the vacancy had occurred, Mr. Lanman was not entitled to a

seat.

แ No person shall be a senator who shall not have at tained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when eleoted, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen."

The superior weight and delicacy of the trusts confided to the senate, seemed to require greater age, and longer citizenship, as qualifications for a senator than for a representative. Men elected to so responsible an office, should be of sufficient age to have acquired a thorough knowledge of the interests of the nation; and a period of citizenship is required sufficient to form an attachment to the principles of our government.

"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."

It is the duty of the president of the senate, and of the speaker of the house of representatives, to preside over,

cies filled? What are the qualifications of a senator? Why are greater age and longer residence required for a senator than for a

and to conduct, the proceedings and deliberations of their respective houses. The other officers are the same in both houses, being 1st, A chaplain, whose salary is five hundred dollars a year. 2d, The secretary of the senate and clerk of the house of representatives, each of whom is required to take an oath or affirmation to support the constitution of the United States, and another faithfully to discharge the duties of his office to the best of his knowledge and ability. They are required to give bonds, in the penal sum of twenty thousand dollars, for the faithful application of all the funds of their respective houses that shall come into their hands; which must be deposited in one of the banks in the District of Columbia, and may be paid out only by a draft on the bank in which the money is deposited. It is also their duty to furnish their respective houses with the necessary stationary; which is done by advertising, after the adjournment of each congress, in two newspapers printed in the District of Columbia, for proposals for supplying the succeeding congress with stationary. The proposal of the lowest bidder is actepted, who is required to give security for the fulfilment of his contract. And the said secretary and clerk are required to lay before the two houses, at the commencement of each session, a detailed statement of the items of the expenditure, and manner in which the funds of the respective houses have been applied. They receive for their compensation three thousand dollars a year, each; their principal clerks, eighteen hundred dollars; engrossing clerks, fifteen hundred dollars each. 3d, The librarian of the library of congress, whose salary is fifteen hundred dollars. 4th, 5th, The sergeant-at-arms and doorkeeper of each house, who receive fifteen hundred dollars each. 6th,

representative? Who presides in the senate? What are the officer of congress? Why has the senate the power to try impeach

an assistant doorkeeper of each house, who is paid fourteen hundred and fifty dollars a year.

"The senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments: when sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. 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."

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 malconduct, be subject to impeachment. 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 is 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. The same rules are observed in courts of impeachment, as in courts of common law. 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. As the power of originating the inquiry, of drawing up and presenting articles of impeachment, and of

ments? Why is the trial by impeachment necessary? What is the mode of proceeding in a trial of this kind? How far does judgment extend in cases of impeachment?

G

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.

CHAPTER IV.

Of the Senate and House of Representatives. "THE congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall, by law, appoint a different day."

In pursuance of the power conferred in this clause, congress 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 place to which congress shall stand adjourned, the president of the United States may, by proclamation, convene congress at such other place as he may judge proper.

"Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications, of its own members."

By the power here 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

In what case, and how, may the regular place of the meeting of eongress be changed? How are the elections, returns and qualifi