Studies in Civics Part 18

[3] Men, women and children. [4] Apprentices.

[5] Slaves. The framers of the const.i.tution did not like to use the word "slave," and therefore used this expression. Most of them, even the slaveholders, hoped that slavery would soon cease to be.

In determining the persons to be enumerated, much difficulty was encountered. The slaveholding states wished the slaves counted as individuals, claiming that they had as much right to be represented as had women, children and other non-voters. The non-slaveholding [Footnote: In all the states except Ma.s.sachusetts slavery then existed. But in the northern states the number of slaves was so small, that we may call them "non-slaveholding."] states thought that being held as property they should not be counted at all for purposes of representation. This provision in the const.i.tution was the outcome,--another compromise.

[6] Called the _Census_. The prime purpose in taking the census is to find out the number of people in each state, so that representation may be equalized. But the census takers collect at the same time a vast amount of other useful information upon the agriculture, manufactures, commerce, etc., of the country. Reports of the census are published by the government for gratuitous distribution.

[7] The first meeting of congress was held in 1789, and the first census was taken in 1790.

[8] To prevent the House from becoming too large. But the population of the United States has constantly and rapidly increased, so that the "ratio of representation," as it is called, has been made greater at each census.

It now takes 173,901 people to secure a representative. (For ratio in each decade, see pages 312-13.)

[9] So that even the smallest states shall be represented.

_Clause 4.--Vacancies._

_When vacancies[1] happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority[2] thereof shall issue writs of election[3] to fill such vacancies.[4]_

[1] Vacancies usually happen through the death or resignation of the inc.u.mbent. But a vacancy may be made by the expulsion of a member or by the election of an ineligible person.

[2] The governor or acting governor.

[3] That is, he orders an election. The order is printed in the newspapers of the district, and specifies the time the election is to be held. At the time specified the electors vote as in regular elections. This is called a "special election."

[4] The person elected serves for the unexpired term.

_Clause 5.--House Powers.

The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker[1] and other officers;[2] and shall have the sole power of impeachment[3]._

[1] Called so in imitation of the t.i.tle of the presiding officer of the British House of Commons, who was originally called the speaker because he acted as spokesman in communicating to the king the wishes of the House.

The speaker is chosen by ballot from among the members, and serves during the pleasure of the House. At the beginning of each congress a new election is held. A speaker may be re-elected. Henry Clay served as speaker for ten years.

The duties of the speaker are prescribed by the rules of the House. So far, he has always appointed the committees. As the work of legislation is largely shaped by committees, it may be fairly asked whether any one else can so affect the legislation of the country as can the speaker--whether, indeed, he has not too much power.

[2] The most important "other officers" are the clerk and the sergeant-at-arms.

The clerk, as his t.i.tle would indicate, has charge of the records of the House. He has a number of a.s.sistants.

The sergeant-at-arms acts under the orders of the speaker in keeping order and in serving processes. His duties in the House resemble those of the sheriff in court.

The doorkeeper, postmaster, and chaplain, have duties indicated by their t.i.tles.

These officers are elected by the House and serve during its pleasure, usually two years. a.s.sistants are appointed by the officers whom they a.s.sist.

None of these officers are members of the House.

[3] An impeachment is a solemn accusation in writing, formally charging a public officer with crime. "The articles of impeachment are a sort of indictment; and the House, in presenting them, acts as a grand jury, and also as a public prosecutor." [Footnote: Story's Exposition of the Const.i.tution of the United States.]

For further discussion of impeachment, see pages 138, 203 and 331. A very interesting account of the impeachment trial of Secretary Belknap is given in Alton's _Among the Lawmakers_, pages 245-250. Mr. B. is hidden under a fict.i.tious name.

On impeachment, see also Wilson's _Congressional Government_, page 275.

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

Each member of the cla.s.s should prepare a tabulation like this, filling out the blanks briefly.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I. NUMBER-- 1. Based upon.

2. Limitations.

(a) (b) II. QUALIFICATIONS.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

III. ELECTION-- IV. TERM-- Y. VACANCY--

_Pertinent Questions._

What is a const.i.tution? A law? A preamble? How many of the reasons a.s.signed in the preamble for establishing this government are general and how many are special?

How many houses do most legislative bodies have? How many did the congress under the confederation have? Why? Why has congress two houses?

How many representatives has this state in the U.S. congress? Give their names by districts. In which district do you live? When was your representative elected? By the census of 1880, Alabama had a population of 1,262,505; how many representatives should it have? Nevada had only 62,261 inhabitants, but has a representative; how do you account for the fact?

What proportion of U.S. officers are elected?

What is the "most numerous branch" of this state's legislature called?

What qualifications must electors to that house have? Whom else can such persons therefore vote for? If this state desired higher qualifications in electors for United States representatives, how could she require them?

Should not the United States designate the qualifications of voters for members of congress? May one who is not a citizen of the United States vote for a member of congress?

What is the number of the present congress? When did it begin? How many members in the present House of Representatives? Just how was that number determined? Name the speaker. What political party is in the majority in the present House? Is congress now in session?

Must a representative reside in the _district_ from which he is chosen? If your representative should move to another state, would he lose his seat?

If a person twenty-four years and ten months old at the time of election should be chosen representative, would he be eligible?

How long must an alien live in the United States to be eligible to the house? Is there any exception?

If $13,000,000 were to be raised for the use of the United States by direct taxation, how much would this state have to pay? How much would Alaska have to pay? How would this state raise the money?

Are there any people in this state who are not counted in making up the representative population?

When was the first United States census taken? How many have since been taken? When was the last taken? When will the next be taken?