Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

By the constitutions of thirty-two States either house may expel any of its members by a vote of two thirds of the elected members, and in Vermont, by a majority vote of a quorum. But in twenty-five States no member can be expelled a second time for the same cause, nor in Vermont, Michigan, or Arizona for any cause known to his constituents before his election.

In Michigan and Arizona the reason for expulsion must be entered in the journal, with the names of the members voting. In Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Colorado, and Alabama a member expelled for corruption is not thereafter eligible for either house.

Each house has in thirty of the States power to punish its members for disorderly conduct; and in many, either house may punish any person, not a member, for disorderly or contemptuous conduct, such punishment not to extend beyond the final adjournment of the session, and in others, by different terms of imprisonment, varying from thirty days to twentyfour hours.

The constitutions of all the States provide that each house shall be the judge of the qualifications, elections, and returns of its members.

In most cases it is provided that each house shall choose its own officers, except in certain cases the president of the senate, which place is filled (1) in eighteen States by the lieutenant-governor, (2) in Rhode Island by the governor or lieutenant-governor or the secretary of state. In all States it is enacted that each house shall determine the rules of its own proceedings.

By the constitutions of nearly all of the States a majority of elected members in either house constitutes a quorum, but in five two-thirds are necessary. In New Hampshire a majority is a quorum in the house, but when less than two-thirds are present a two-thirds vote is necessary to any act or proceeding, and in the senate thirteen are necessary to a quorum, and when less than sixteen are present a vote of ten is necessary, and in Massachusetts sixteen members constitute a quorum in the senate and one hundred in the house. But a smaller number than a quorum may, in thirty-two States, adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members. Freedom of speech is guarantied by the constitutions of most of the States, as 9504-37

well as freedom from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace during the session of the legislature, and in going and returning. In Michigan, Wisconsin, California, and Arizona the privilege from arrest (except as above) lasts during the whole of the time that they are members of the legislature.

In most of the legislatures it is provided by the constitutions that the proceedings shall be open to the public, except on such occasions as may, in the opinion of the house, require secrecy.

The regular session of the legislature is in one State (Rhode Island) twice a year; in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and South Carolina, once a year; and in others every two years, in the even or the odd year as the case may be.

There are, however, often adjourned sessions held in the intervening year, except in Pennsylvania, where they are prohibited. The length of the session is limited in many of the States, thus: In Indiana the limit is sixty-one days; in Colorado and Georgia, forty days; in six States and two Territories, sixty days; in Maryland, ninety days; in Alabama, thirty days; West Virginia, forty-five days.

Extra sessions on extraordinary occasions may be convened by the governor, but no such extraordinary session can be called in the Territories without the approval of the President of the United States. In Virginia an extra session is convened on the application of two-thirds of the members; in West Virginia, on application of three-fifths of the elected members, except on extraordinary occasions.

In West Virginia, Kentucky, and Georgia the ordinary session may be continued by a two-thirds vote, and in Virginia the session may be continued for thirty days beyond the time limited, upon the concurrence of three-fifths of the members.

By the constitutions of all the States, neither house can ad journ without the consent of the other for more than three or two days (as the case may be).

In most States, if the two houses disagree with respect to the time of adjournment, the governor may adjourn the legislature to such time as he thinks proper, with certain limitations, such as not beyond the first day of the regular session in fif teen States; for not more than ninety days in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Delaware, and not exceeding four months

in Pennsylvania and Kentucky; no limit being given in Vermont and Georgia.

Amendments to the constitution of a State may be proposed by the State legislature for confirmation by the people of the State (except in Kentucky and New Hampshire), or the citizens may be asked to decide on the advisability of holding a convention for the reform of the constitution. If a convention is decided upon, the amendments made by it are referred for ratification or rejection to the vote of the people. The periods, however, vary as to when this may be done.

In this connection the following table is given, showing the numbers, term of office by years, salaries, and the time of meeting of State and Territoria! legislatures:

Numbers, term of office (years), salaries, and time of meeling of State and Territorial legislatures.

[blocks in formation]

Alabama Arkansas California

Bien. Tu. aft. 2 Mon. Nov... 50 days.. 33 100 4 2
Bien. 2d Mon. Jan

60 days.. 32 92 4

Bien 1st Mon aft. Jan. 1...

60 days.. 40 80 4

3 No. of rep's.

Term of senators.

Term of rep's.

2

2

[blocks in formation]

90 days.. 26 49 4
None.... 24249 2
None.

9 20 4

Salary.

$4 a day and 10c. mile. $6 a day.

8 a day and 10c.
mileage and $25.
$7 a day and 15c. mile.
$300 and mileage.
$3 a day and mileage.
$5 a day and 10c. mile.
$1 a day and mileage.
$4 a day and 20c mile.

60 days..32 76 4
40 days*. 41 175 2 2
60 days.. 12 24 22
None 51 153 425 a day and 10c.
mileage and $50.
60 days.. 50 100 4 2 $5 a day and mileage.
None 50 100 4 2 $550 a year.

50 days 49 125 42 $3 a day and 15c. mile.
60 days* 38 100 4 2 $5 a day and 15c, mile.
6) days.. 36 98 4 4 $4 a day and mileage.
None 31 151 22 $150 and 20c, mile.
90 days

None..

None.

26117 4 2 $5 a day and mileage. 40240 11 $750 yr. and 20c. mile. 32.100 2 2 $3 a day and 10c. mile. 60 days.. 43 107 4 2 $5 a day and 15c. mile. None.... 40 120 4 2 $100 a year.

[blocks in formation]

40 days 33 100 2 2

60 days.. 20 40 4 2

$5 a day and mile. age and $30.

$4 a day and 20e. mile. $3 a day and 10c. mileage.

$8 a day and 40c. mile.

None....24 321 2 2 $250 and mileage.

None.... 21 60 3 1 $500 a year.

None... 32128 21

North Carolina. Bien. Wed. aft. 1 Mon. Jan. 60 days.. 50 120 2 2

* Unless extended by special vote.

5$1,500 a year and
10c. mileage.
$4 a day and 10c, mile.

States.

Number, term of office (years), salaries, etc.—Continued.

Sessions.

Month and day.

Limit of
session.

Term of senators.

No: of senators.

No. of rep's.

Term of rep's.

Salary.

[blocks in formation]

60 days..24 48 2 2
None 37 110 2 2
40 days..30 60 4 2
None.... 50 204 4 2

None.. 36 72 1 1
None 35 124 4 2
69 days..24 48 2 2
75 days..33 99 2 2
90 days.. 31 106 4 2
None 30 240 2 2
90 dayst.40 100 4 2
60 days..12 24 2 2
45 days. 26 65 4
None.... 33 100

4

60 days.. 12 24 2

2

$4 a day and 20e.mile. $600 yr. and 12c. mile. $3 a day and 15c, mile. $1,500 a year, 5c. mileage.

$1 a day and 8c. mile. $5 a day and 10e. mile. $4a day and 20c. mile. $4 aday and 16c, mile. $5 a day and mileage. $3 a day.

$540 a year.

$4 aday and 20c mile. $4 a day and 10e. mile. S$500 a year and 100. mileage.

2
284 a day and 20c. mile.

Wyoming.

[blocks in formation]

* In Ohio and a few other States, where the legislative sessions are biennial, the legislature holds adjourned sessions," practically amounting to annual meetings.

[ocr errors]

The Rhode Island legislature is required to meet annually the last Tuesday in May, at Newport, and an adjourned session to be holden annually at Providence. Unless extended by special vote.

STATE LEGISLATURES, RESOLUTIONS of.

(See JOINT RESOLUTIONS.)

STATIONERY.

The act of June 20, 1874 (Laws, 1, 43, p. 4), revived the laws in force in regard to stationery prior to March 3, 1873.

By the act of August 26, 1842, it is provided that all stationery, of every name and nature, for the use of the House of Representatives, shall be furnished by contract by the lowest bidder. The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall advertise, once a week for at least four weeks, in one or more of the principal papers published in the city of Washington, for sealed proposals for furnishing such articles, or the whole of any particular class of articles, specifying in such advertisement the amount, quantity, and description of each kind of articles

to be furnished; and all such proposals shall be kept sealed until the day specified in such advertisement for opening the same, when they shall be opened by or under the direction of the Clerk, in the presence of at least two persons; and the person offering to furnish any class of such articles, and giving satisfactory security for the performance thereof, under a forfeiture not exceeding twice the contract price in case of failure, shall receive a contract for doing the same; and in case the lowest bidder shall fail to enter into such contract and give such security within a reasonable time, to be fixed by such advertisement, then the contract shall be given to the next lowest bidder who shall enter into such contract and give such security. And in case of a failure to supply the articles by the person entering into such contract, he and his sureties shall be liable for the forfeiture specified in such contract, as liquidated damages, to be sued for in the name of the United States in any court having jurisdiction thereof.-Stat. at Large, Vol. V, pp. 526, 527. See also Stat. at Large, Vol. XXIV, p. 596.

By a resolution of the House on the 24th of July, 1868 (Journal, 2, 40, p. 1173), it is provided that the Clerk be authorized, as the agent of the House, to purchase, in the manner provided by law, on the best terms he may find practicable, such stationery as may be requisite for the use of the House and Clerk's office, giving preference in all cases to American manufacture, provided it be equally cheap and of as good quality; that he cause to be recorded in a well-bound book, suited to that purpose, the bills and invoices of all the stationery he may so purchase from time to time; that he deliver to the members of Congress and officers hereinafter named the amounts of stationery hereinafter specified, keeping an accurate account of the same, and also of the quantity and value of that used in the Clerk's office; and that hereafter, in the annual reports now required by law to be made by the Clerk, showing the amount of expenditure from the contingent fund of the House, he be required to state, accurately and distinctly, the quantity and cost of all the stationery delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof and that used in the Clerk's office; also the amount remaining on hand at the time of making such statement, and the amount of unexpended appropriation for stationery: Pro

« AnteriorContinuar »