The Government Class Book

ganization of t

d annually; in the others biennially, or once in two years. A legislative session includes the daily meetings of a legislature from the time of its first assembling, to the day of final adjournment. Thus we say the session commenced in January and ended in March. The w

is called the seat of government, or perhaps more frequently, the capital of the state. Capital is from the Latin caput, the head, and has come to mean chief, or th

to the members of each house the oath of office, in which they solemnly swear (or affirm,) that they will support the c

he election of a presiding officer, or chairman, who is usually called speaker. The lieutenant-governor, in states in which there is one, presides in the senate, and is called president of the senate. In t

to be taken, he puts the question, which is done by requesting all who are in favor of a proposed measure, to say aye, and those opposed to say no. And, when a vot

ouse; and to do such other things as may be required of him; a sergeant-at-arms, to arrest members and other persons guilty of disorderly conduct, to compel the attendance of

ortion of the members shall constitute a quorum to do business. Quorum is the Latin of the English words, of whom, and has strangely come to signify the number or portion of any body of men who have power to act for the whole. Thus with reference to a legislative body consisting of a ce

tion. The doors may be closed against spectators only when the public good shall require secrecy. And that the peo

t for crimes and misdemeanors, be hindered during their attendance at the sessions of the legislature, nor in going to or returning from the same. Each house may compel the attendanc