Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. Const., I, 5. SEC. V.-QUALIFICATIONS. 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. 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 end 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; and 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. Const., I, 3. No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen. Const., I, 3. 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. Const., I, 2. 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 that State in which he shall be chosen. Const., I, 2. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this 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 within *The portion of this clause of the Constitution within brackets has been amended by the 14th amendment, 2d section. 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. Const., I, 2. The provisional apportionments of Representatives made in the Constitution in 1787, and afterwards by Congress, were as follows: States. 1787. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840.8 1850. 1860. 1870. 1880.* States. 1787. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840. 1850. 1860. 1870. 1880. As per act of April 14, 1792, one Representative for 33,000-first census. As per acts of May 23, 1850, and July 30, 1852, one Representative for 93,000-seventh census. J 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. 1 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, April 8, 1812, with one Representative. ▸ Admitted under act of Congress, December 11, 1816, with one Representative. ▾ Admitted under act of Congress, January 26, 1837, 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 present, the Fournal of the preceding day shall be read, and any mistake made in the entries corrected. The reading of the Journal 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. [In the Senate.] Rule V-Clause 2. 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. |