bate delivered in congress? Ans. That they may deliver their opinions in congress freely and without fear, unless they violate the rules which the house of which they are members has established for regulating its own proceed. ings. To what offices are senators or representatives incapable of being appointed during the time for which they were elected What was the reason of making such a rule? prevent congress from creating offices or increasing the salaries attached to offices from motives of self-interest. Why does the constitution prohibit any person holding any office under the United States, from being a member of congress during his continuance in office? Ans. It is on the principle that the power of making laws, and that of putting them in execution, should not be vested in the same person. An accumulation of powers in the hands of the same individual might lead to oppression and tyranny. Besides it is manifestly improper that officers of the government should be members of the body which prescribes the duties of their office and determines the rate of their compensation. SEC. 7. In which house must all bills for raising revenue originate? What is a bill? Ans. It is a draft of a law presented to a legislature. What is revenue? Ans. It is money raised for the expenses of government. Why is it required that bills for raising revenue should be first proposed in the house of representatives? Ans. The two houses of congress are constructed on the plan of being checks upon each other, the power of originating such bills was therefore given to the house of representatives to counterbalance certain powers granted to the senate. What restriction upon the power of originating such bills is vested in the senate? Ans. The senate may propose amendments? When a bill has passed the senate and the house of representatives, to whom must it then be presented? If the president approves it, what must he do with it? If he does not approve it, what must he do with it? What must the house to whom it is returned do with it? What proportion of the house must after such re-consideration concur in order to pass a bill? In case the house, to which a bill is returned by the president, agree to pass it, what must they do with it? What proportion of that house must, on re-consideration concur, in oṛ der that it shall become a law, the president's disapproval notwithstanding? Why was the power of disapproving a bill and preventing it from becoming a law, except in the circumstances just mentioned, given to the president? Ans. To serve as a check upon improper or hasty legislation, and also to enable the president to protect his office from any encroachments upon his rights by the legislature. Why was any restriction placed upon his power of negativing a bill? Ans. To prevent him from abusing it and making it an engine of tyranny. Remark. In Great Britain the king has an absolute negative upon all laws, but it has not been exercised for a long time. The method which the crown takes to destroy any bill which it disapproves, is to exert such an influence that it shall not be passed by the legisla ture. How are the votes to be taken on reconsideration of a bill returned by the president? What is meant by taking the votes by yeas and nays? Ans. When the votes are taken in this manner, the names of the members are called, and each one in favor of the bill answers, yea, and each one against it, What is the reason of this rule? Ans. nay. It is to make the members feel their responsibil Why is it nays shall be enter ity, each one's vote being known. For a reason sim Remark. The whole construction of our government is a system of checks and balan ces. The senate is a check upon the president and upon the house of representatives; the house of representatives is a check upon the senate and upon the president; the presi dent by his veto, or disapproval of a bill, is a check upon both the senate and house of representatives, and these two houses by their qualified power of passing a bill, notwithstanding his disapproval, are a check upon his veto. Within what time must the president return a bill presented to him, or it will become a law even without his signature? What is the object of this rule? Ans. To prevent the pres. ident from defeating a bill by not giving the congress a seasonable opportunity for re-consideration? What orders, resolutions and votes require the approval of the president to give them effect? In what case shall such orders, reso lutions and votes take effect without his approval? SEC. 8. Enumerate the powers of congress. What are taxes? Ans. Taxes is a general name for all monies which individuals are required to pay to the government. What are duties and imposts? Ans. Monies which importers are required to pay to government upon certain articles of merchandize imported? What are excises? Ans. They are a tax which the consumers, users, manufacturers or retailers, of certain articles, are obliged to pay upon the articles consumed, used, manufactured or retailed. Which mode of raising revenue has been chiefly practised in this country? Ans. That by duties or imposts. What restriction is put upon the power of congress to lay and collect taxes? Ans. None, except that all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. Remarks. The list of duties laid by congress under the power granted by the constitution, is termed the tariff-a word derived from the Italian word tariffa, which has a similar meaning. This Italian word is derived from the Persian tarif, which signifies a making known, a notification, in which sense it was |