The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-19
HOW THE LAWS ARE MADE.
The Many Processes by Which Bills Are
Finally Converted Into Statutes.
ton as to Topics on Which Every Citi-
zen Should Be Thoroughly Posted.


to the West accompanied committee of edu
Gators and corporation officials on an inspection
of the public schools in a beautiful little city.
As we entered the door of room to one of the
classes in the academy, the teacher. who was
laying out the work of the pupils for the morrow,
said:
I'm government to morrow shall ask you to
state five of the processes through which bill,
when introduced in Congress. must pass before
becoming law"
When the committee left that schoo-room
discussion arose among the members of as to the
answer that should be made to the question just
propounded by the teacher. The pupils to whom
the question was put were in ages probably from
fourteen to eighteen years. Although majority
of the committee had served as members of the
city council. and were at that time serving in
such capacity, and believe one or two of them
had represented the county in the State Legis-
lature, not two could agree upon the proper
answer to the lesson.
This incident suggested to me the fact that
that there is very small proportion of the we'll
read, educated and intelligent people of the
country who have correct conception of how
laws are made, the government conducted, and
what the duties are of the leading officers OF It,
1t occurred to me, also, that a series of letters
setting forth in simple language these facts, and
dealing at the same time upon current measures
and topics as far possible, would be interest
not only to the young people VINO are studying
political economy and government in our schools,
and out of them, but to the people of mature
ages. Writers upon topics of this character
az q mia in hool ~, +,o 1a;lx
prints, been too serious and philosophical, and
have in their efforts to be logical among great
men, made their productions unattractive. and
so not to be understood.
If the reader of national affairs as they come
from the capital, could understand that in all
the incorporated towns and cities and States he
can study the leading features of the machinery
of Congress in what is known as the town or
city council, he could more readily comprehend
what kind of an organization Congress is. 1t is
true that the town councils, or the councils of
the smaller cities, represent only one branch Of
Congress by having but one body, instead of
two, yet they represent the primary features of
the latter organization The processes by
which bill or ordinance becomes corporate
law in city council do not, should not differ
same parliamentary rules which come from the
English Parliament, are intended to govern the
American Legislatures. 1t is hardly necessary
to say that State Legislature, properly con-
Quoted, is exact counterpart, so far as its
general management is concerned Of Congress.
One makes laws for the State. the other makes
laws for the United States; but they are both
operated upon the same principle. OF course,
Congress observes the Constitution closely. and
the Legislature, in making its laws, must have
regard for the laws enacted by Congress. All
laws conform, or should conform, one to the
other city council does not enact law to
govern its corporation that is in conflict with the
statutes of the State, which are made by the
Legislature and the Legislature does not come
in conflict with the statutes of the United States,
which are made by Congress.
bill becomes law in Congress by very
many processes. 1t is introduced by a rep
| resentative. 1t first appears in the House
Bills to raise revenue and to appropriate money
are always introduced in the House and passed
upon there before they appear in the Senate
This is provided for by the Constitution of the
United States. After the introduction of the
bill it is referred to the proper committee. For
instance, if 1t be the subject of agriculture it
goes to the committee on agriculture; if it is to
amend a law on the statute books relating to
courts, or anything of that kind, it goes to ju-
dietary; if it affects the army it is referred to the
committee on military affairs; if it is an account
against the government it will probably 20 to the
committee on claims; however, if the account is
in the nature of drawback, where excessive
duty or revenue has been imposed, it may go to
the committee on ways and means; or, if it is an
account to adjust some claim in court, or that of
a United States officer in any capacity it would
go to the committee on judiciary If the bill re-
celVes favorable action 1t is reported back to the
House, with statement report from the COM
| mittee showing why it should pass and become
law. Sometimes bill Immediately after it is
reported Is taken up for consideration and
passed, but this can only be done by unanimous
consent, and one objection lays it over until some
other time. when the House is in session. when
it may be called up again by unanimous con-
sent. Generally, however, the bills are mum
bered AS they reported from the House. and
60 upon the calendar in order The report
from the committee is at once sent to the Public
Printer and returns to the House on the subse.
quent day. printed in sufficient quantities to
allow each member a copy The bill is also re-
printed, with lines at its head saying that it was
referred to committee and reported favorably
and placed upon the calendar. Ths chairman OF
the committee reporting the bill then by motion
In the House. secures day for considering the
measure. Very Often though, upon the dav set
for the consideration of bills, unfinished business
crowds over and consumes the time but the man
having the measure in charge will call it M
promptly when the unfinished business is dis
posed of. and it is then considered, unless tbs
day in which some other matter to be considered
has arrived when new and early day is fixed
upon. When the bill finally comes up for con-
sIceration the House goes into the committee of
the whole. The bill may then DO so amended
that it is thought best to send it back to the
original committee for such amendments as NAV
be suggested by the committee Of the whole
In that event the bill receives immediate consid-
Grafton when it is again reported. Finally
passed, the bill is engrossed and enrolled. in
which processes it must be brought out on parch-