The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-02-03
A Catechism OF the Constitu-
ton OF the United States.

4
ton OF the United States.
Contributed by The United Americans o
the State of Maine, Casco Bank Building
Portland, Maine.
published by arrangement with The
4 National Security League)
LESSON 2.
Q. How is the Government divided by
the Constitution?
A. Into three Observation-Disclosures
tive, executive and judicial.
Q. What part of the Constitution
deals with the legislative Department.
A. Article 1.
@. What is the legislative department
of the Government under the Constitu-
tion2
A. The Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives, known as the Congress.
@. How often is the House of Repre-
sentatives elected?
A. Once every two years.
Q. Who elects the representative?
A. The people
O. How is the number of representa-
tives determined?
A. The Constitution provides that the
number of representatives 'shail not ex-
coed one for every 10000 and that the
ratio shall be changed after each decen
NAL census. We now have one represen-
tative for each 100000.
Q. What is the qualification for rep
resentat We?
A. mo person shall be a representa-
tive who shall not have attained the age
of Is years and been seven years a citi-
zen of the United States, and who shall
not, when elected, be an inhabitant of
that State in which he shall be chosen"
Q Who presides over the House2
"A. A speaker chosen by the members of
the House.
@. What is the difference between
the terms of senator and a representa-
tive?
A The term of a senator is for six
years, and each State is entitled to two
senators. The term of a representative
is for two years.
Q. How are the senators chosen?
A. By an amendment to the Consti-
tuition, effective May 81, 1913, United
States Senators are chosen by direct pop
ular vote. Formerly they were chosen
by State legislatures.
" w nat are Tic HcCcS-
sary for a senator?
A. 'No person shall be a senator who
| shall not have attained the age of thirty
years, and been nine years citizen of
the United States, and who shall not,
when elected, be an inhabitant of that
State for which he shall be chosen"
| Q. Who presides over the Senate?
| A. The vice-president of the United
Init eah has &C
of tie.
LESSON 3.
O. What are the important duties of
the Senate apart from the enactment of
laws?
A. The Senate is empowered under
the Constitution to sit as court when
the President is impe Iched by the House
of Representatives When the President
of the United States is tried, the Chief
Justice presides and no person can be
convicted without the concurrence of
two thirds of all the members present.
The Senate is also part of the treaty.
making power. A two thirds vote of the
senators is necessary to ratify treaty.
| Q. How often shall Congress as
semble?
A. At least once in every year and
such meeting shall be on the first Mon
day In December unless they shall by law
appoint different day.
.. What constitutes quorum in the
Senate and the House?
A. For ordinary business a majority.
.. What provision is made in the
Constitution regarding adjournment?
A. Neither House during the session
of Congress shall without the consent of
the other adjourn Tor more than three
days nor to any other place than that in
which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Q. What privileges are accorded SEN
ators and representatives?
A. They shall in all cases, except
treason, felony and breach of peace, be
privileged from arrest during their at
tendance at the session of their respect
I've House and in going to and returning
from the same; and tor any speech or de-
bate in either House they shall not be
questioned in any other place.
. What restriction is placed upon
senators and representatives?
A. No senator or representative shall,
during the time for which he was elect
ed, be appointed to any civil Office under
the authority of the United States,
which shall have been created or the sal
airy or fees whereof shall have been iI-
creased during such time, and no person
holding any office under the United
States shall be member of either House
during his continuance in office.
/ q. What is the provision regarding
laws taxing the people2
A. All bills for raising revenue shall
originate in the House of Representa-
tives but the Senate may propose or con-
| n how
=. Is the action of Congress final re-
specting legislation?
1 A. No. Under the Constitution the
President is given the power of vetoing
any measure, but if, after his veto, both
the Senate and the House approve the
measure o. two-th.rds vote, it becomes
law.
COON MANI DEW aPnElN