The Lincoln times., 1956-04-26

state, to the number of Senators
and Representatives to which the
state is entitled.
10. Have United States Senators
always been elected by popular
vote? Answer: No. Senators were
originally elected by the State
legislatures. Direct election by the
people was provided for by the
18th amendment, effective as to
Senators elected after May 81,
1918.
H. What is gerrymandering, and
how did the term originate? An
swer: The power of the states to
redistrict their territory offered
strong temptation to manipulate
districts for political advantage.
When Elbridge Gerry was Gov
ernor of Massachusetts, in 1872,
the State Legislature divided Es-
sex County into one compact dis
trict and another abSurdly shaped
district running around the edge
Of the county A map of the new
district was doctored up with head,
wings and claws. A remark was
made that it looked like a Sala-
mander. Some wit responded ger
rymander" and that name has
stuck to this day to similar po-
litical maneuvering.
II. May the President ever ad-
jCurn Congress? If so, under what
circumstances? Answer: Yes. In
case of disagreement between the
two Houses with respect to the
time of adjournment. the Consti-
tuition authorizes the President to
adjourn them to such time as he
shall think proper" No President
has yet exercised this power.
13. In the event of the death or
resignation Of a Representative,
how is the vacancy filled? Answer:
BY special election called by the
executive authority in the state in
which the vacancy occurs.
IA. What qualifications are pre-
scribed for a Member of the Sem
ate? Answer: A Senator must be
at least 80 years of age, must have
been citizen of the United States
for nine years. and must be a
resident of the state from which
he is elected.
Is. What qualifications are pre-
scribed for Representative ih
Congress? Answer: A Representa-
tive must be at least Is years Of
age. must have been a United
j States citizen for at least seven
years. and must reside in the state
/ from which he is elected.
Is. Do Senators and Represent
atives pay income tax on their
salaries? Answer: Yes. their sal
aries are subject to usual income
tax: campaign expenses are not
deductible in figuring income tax
but the extra expenses of main-
tanning a second home in the
District of Columbia may be de-
Quoted for income-tax purposes uI
to a maximum of $4,000.
IT. Who presides in the Senate?
Answer: The Vice President of the
United States He is referred to in
the Senate as Mr. President" be-
cause his title in that body is
/ President fthe Senate. The SEN
nf oil D1snCrdnr0f
/ tempore. who presides during the
absence of the Vice President.
/ 18. Who presides in the House?
Answer: The Speaker of the
House. who is elected by roll-call
vote of the Members.
49, What is a filibuster"? An
swer: Filibuster is a colloquial
term used to characterize the
practice of deliberately taking ad-
vantage of freedom of debate in
/ the Senate with a view of de-
laying or preventing action on a
measure under consideration.
20. What is pocket" veto?
Answer: The Constitution allows
the President 10 days teXclusive
of Sundays from the date of re-
ceiving a bill within which to 'ap-
prove it or veto it. If, within the
10 days, Congress adjourns and
thus prevents the return of a bill
to which the President objects
that bill does not become law. In
many cases, where bills have been
sent to him towards the close OF
a session, the President has taken
advantage of this provision ano
has held until after adjournment
measures of which he disapproved
but which for some reason he die
not wish to return with his OBJ
jectionS to Congress for their fur
ther action. This is C allied a
pocket Veto"
81. What is meant by rider
on a Congressional bill? Answer
A rider" is an extraneous pro-
vision incorporated in an approp-
ration bill with the idea of having
it ride" through to enactment on
the merits of the main measure.
%. Has the White House ever
been destroyed? If so, how ano
under what circumstances? An
swer: Yes: it was burned by the
British on August "a, 1914.
%. Who succeeds to the Presi-
dency upon the d e a t h of the
President and the Vice President:
Answer: The Speaker of the House
of Representatives.
"a. Name the members of the
Presidents Cabinet and the De-
partments they head. AnSW