In the new constitution were combined the national and federative principles. It was proper that, when a people are incorporated into one nation, every district or territorial subdivision should have a proportional share in the gov ernment, and it was equally proper that each of the several members of the confederacy should have, in some respect, an equal voice in the public councils.

Of the House of Representatives.

"The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year, by the people of the several states; and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature."

By limiting the term of office of a representative to two years, it was intended to secure a faithful and just representation of the interests of the people in the national councils. For, should a representative prove to be incompetent, or unfaithful to his trust, he may at the end of two years be removed, and his place filled by another. Besides, the hope of a re-election, should his conduct meet the approbation of his constituents, and the fear of being displaced, should he forfeit their confidence, have a tendency to ensure a faithful performance of his dutiesBut if the elections were still more frequent, and the term of a representative were limited to a single year, his increased dependence on the popular favor, would probably diminish his regard for the general good.

Any person qualified to vote for a representative in the lowest or most numerous branch of the legislature of the state in which he resides, is entitled to vote for a repre

How are the representatives chosen? What are the qualifications of electors? Why is the term of office of a representative

sentative in congress. But the qualifications of the electors, being established by the constitutions of the several states, are not uniform. In some states, the possession of a certain amount and description of property, is made a qualification. Colored persons are not allowed to vote in any state, excepting a few, in which the property qualification is required. In a majority of the states, however, all free white citizens, of the age of twenty one years or upwards, having resided for a certain period of time in the state, and paid taxes thereto, are entitled to vote for representatives in the most numerous branch of the state legislature.

"No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of the state in which he shall be chosen."

This provision, as to age and term of residence, is intended to prevent the election of men who have not had time to acquire that knowledge and experience which are essential to constitute a useful and efficient representative; and, unless he be an inhabitant of the state in which he is chosen, he cannot be presumed to understand the interests he is to represent.

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within the union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made

fixed at two years? Are the qualifications of electors the same in all the states? What are the qualifications of a representative? Why are these deemed necessary? How are representatives and

within three years after the first meeting of the congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative."

By the apportionment of representatives according to the provisions of the above clause, the free citizens of the slave-holding states have a greater number of representatives than an equal number of white persons in the other states. For instance, suppose a state to contain 500,000 free persons, and 300,000 slaves: the addition of three fifths, (180,000,) of the number of the slaves, to the number of free persons, makes 680,000; according to which number representatives are apportioned. But as repre sentation and taxation go together, it was thought the free states had no just cause to complain of unequal representation, as the slave states would be liable to greater direct taxes, in proportion to their free population, than the free states. Direct national taxes, however, have seldom been laid, and probably they will not again be resorted to.

The present number of representatives is 240; which are apportioned according to the census of 1830. [Census was used among the Romans to signify the valuation of a man's estate, and the registering of himself, his age, his family and his servants. As used in the United States, it usually means only the enumeration of the people.}

The present ratio of representation is one representative for every 47,700 inhabitants: giving to Maine 8; New Hampshire 5; Vermont 5; Massachusetts 12; Rhode Island 2; Connecticut 6; New York 40; New Jersey 6;

taxes apportioned? How often is the census taken? What is the ratio of representation? What is the present number of representatives? To what number are the states severally entitled? How

Pennsylvania 28; Delaware 1; Maryland 8; Virginia 21; North Carolina 13; South Carolina 9 Georgia 9; Alabama 5; Mississippi 2; Louisiana 3; Tennessee 13; Kentucky 13; Ohio 19; Indiana 7; Illinois 3; Missouri 2. By an act of congress, every territory belonging to the United States, in which a government is established, has the right of sending a delegate to congress. Such delegate is entitled to a seat, with the right of debating, but not of voting.

"When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

"The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment."

CHAPTER III.

Of the Senate of the United States.

"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."

Our government, as has been remarked, partakes of the national and federative character, combining the principles of proportional and equal representation. The house of representatives is constituted upon the former principle,

are the territories represented? How are contingent vacancies filled? Why is the power of impeachment given to the house?

How is the senate composed? What is the usual mode of choos

the number of its members from each state being in proportion to its population; while in the senate each state is equally represented. Besides the reasons stated in a preceding section, for instituting a senate, it is said to be the result of a compromise between the large and the small states; the latter consenting to be represented in one branch of the legislature, in proportion to the number of inhabitants in each, on condition of being allowed an equal representation in the other branch.

The usual mode of choosing senators is by joint vote: that is, the members of both branches of the state legislature meet together, and vote numerically. Another mode is by a concurrent vote, each house voting separately, and a concurrence in its choice being required by the other house. But the latter mode is not common. In cases of disagreement between the two houses, the election of senators by a concurrent vote is often attended with great difficulty; for so long as each house adheres to its decision, no election can be effected. As the constitution does not prescribe the manner in which the appointment shall be made, there is much uncertainty as to its true construction in this particular.

Senators are elected for six years. Political factions and popular excitements will arise in every community; and their tendency is to produce fluctuation and instability in the public councils. Sudden changes in public feeling, are usually followed by corresponding changes in legislative bodies of short duration. As much of the party feeling that prevails among the electors, is often carried by the representative into the legislative hall, frequent alterations of the laws are to be expected; and these changes are sometimes attended with great mischiefs to the community. It was deemed requisite, therefore, that a

ing senators? Why are senators elected for so long a term as six