Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 03.djvu/161

LEFT CONSTITUTION OF THE U. S. 125 CONSTITUTION OF THE U. S. 4. When vacancies happen in the represen- tation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacanclea. 5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. Section III. 1. 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. 2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may bo 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 expira- tion 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 ; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. 3. No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of 30 years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabit- ant of that State for which he shall be chosen. 4. The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. 5. The Senate shall choose their officers, also a president pro tempore, In the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall extrcise the office of President of the United States. 6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all 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 concur- rence of two-thirds of the members present. 7. Judgment in cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to remove from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States ; but the party convicted shall neverthe- less be liable and subject to Indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law. Section IV. 1. The times, places, and man- ner of holding elections for Senators and Rep- resentatives shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof ; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to places of choosing Senators. 2. 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 dav. Section V. 1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifica- tions of its own members, and a majority of each 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. 2. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for dis- orderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds expel a member. 3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their 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. 4. Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, 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. Section VL 1. The Senators and Repre- sentatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House they shall not be questioned in any other place. 2. No Senator or Representative shall, dur- ing the time for whicii he was elected, be ap- pointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States which shall have boeu creat^d, or the emoluments whereof shall hav« been Increased during such time ; and no per- son holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either House during hia continuance In office. Section VII. 1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments, as on otiier bills. 2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States ; if he approve, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return It. with his objections, to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and pro- ceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsidera- tion two-thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered ; and if approved by two-thirds of that House it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within 10 days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return ; in which case it shall not be a law. 3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States ; and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to the rulea and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill. Section VIII. 1. The Congress shall have power : To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but ail duties, imposts, and ex- cises shall be uniform throughout the United States. 2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States. 3. To regulate commerce with foreign na- tions and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes. 4. To establish an uniform rule of natural- ization and rniform laws on the subject of bankru' tcies ■• hroughout the United States. 5. 'I'll coin money, regulate the value there- of, ana of for igu coin, and &x the standard of weigh'.? .'ind ir.oasures. 6. To pro^ ide for the punishment of coun- terfeiting the securities and current coin of the United ?tatet 7. To est: blish postofflces and postroads. 8. To r'rc'mote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. 9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court. 10. To define and punish piracies and 9— Vol. Ill— Cyc