committee, consisting of three members of each House is appointed to consider the questions relative to the disagreement. If the members of the conference committee agree as to the matters in dispute, then they report that fact to their respective Houses, and the acceptance of the report concludes the action of the Houses on the bill. In case the conference committee fails to agree, and that fact is reported to the respective Houses, another conference committee is ordered, unless one of the two Houses votes to recede from its previous action on the pending bill. If no agreement is finally reached by a committee of conference, then the bill fails, as the consent of both Houses is requisite to the enactment of a law, or the passage of a joint resolution.

The salaries and compensation of all officers of the Government are fixed and determined by Congress, but the salaries and emoluments of the President of the United States and the judges of the United States courts may not be diminished during their continuance in office; and the President's salary may not be increased during his official term.

When an election for President and VicePresident is carried into the House of Representatives, that election is determined by the

action of the Representatives voting together as representing their State. In such case, each State is entitled to one vote only; and the several Representatives must among themselves decide for whom that vote shall be cast. A majority of all the votes cast in the House is necessary for a choice of President.

In case the choice of President devolves upon the House of Representatives, that choice must be made before the fourth day of March next ensuing; and if the House fails to make a choice, then the Vice-President becomes President, as in case of the death or disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes cast for Vice-President is Vice-President, provided he has a majority of all the votes cast by the Electors; and if no person has a majority of the votes of the Electors, the Senate is required to choose a Vice-President from the two persons who stand first and second on the list of persons voted for Vice-President by the Electors.

State elections may be held in the several States at any time, or on any day, that the Legislature of said State may order. But elections for the choice, or appointment, of presidential electors must be held in every State of the Union on one day-the Tuesday follow

ing the first Monday of November, in each fourth year.

The Electoral College of each State must meet in its State capital on the first Wednesday of the December next succeeding the presidential election; and the counting of the votes in the presence of both Houses of Congress must be had on the second Wednesday of February next succeeding the meeting of the Electoral Colleges.

The President and Vice-President take office at noon on the fourth day of March next succeeding the counting of the votes by both Houses of Congress. This induction into office is usually a public ceremony; but the law does not require of either President or Vice-President anything at that time but the taking of an oath to support and defend the Constitution and faithfully to discharge the duties of his office.

CHAPTER IV.

THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

HE chief officer of the Executive Department of the Government of the United States is the President. It is his duty to see that the laws of Congress are faithfully executed.

In addition to his civil powers, the President is Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the National Government. Exercising these functions, the President is bound to see that the laws are executed and rebellion and insurrection suppressed, by force if necessary.

The President must be a native of the United States, be at least thirty-five years of age, and have been a resident within the jurisdiction of the United States fourteen years prior to his election.

The salary of the President is fixed by Congress and may not be increased or diminished

during his official term. At present his salary is $50,000 a year; and he is allowed the use and occupancy of the Executive Mansion (or White House), with certain employees who are paid out of the public treasury.

In case of the death, resignation, or disability of the President, he is succeeded by the VicePresident, who then becomes President. The Vice-President, therefore, must have all the qualifications for his office that are required of the President as regards age and nativity.

The President has the power of negotiating treaties with foreign nations and of making appointments to office that are provided for by law under the Constitution. It is also his duty to lay before Congress, at the beginning of each session such information respecting the state of the country and recommendations relative to the public business, as he may see fit. He may also, from time to time, communicate to Congress, by written message, any information or recommendation that he may deem advisable.

The term of office of the President begins on the fourth of March next after his election, and lasts four years from that date. He may be impeached and removed by action of Congress, as provided by the Constitution.