. The library of American history, literature and biography .. . absence by one of the senators, chosen by themselves forthat duty, and known as the President pro tempore. This body has also a Clerkand Sergeant at-Arms and minor officials. The business of Congress is largelydone by its committees, which consider all important subjects before they arebrought to the attention of either house. These committees are appointed by DUTIES OF THE CONGRESS. 207 the Speaker in the House of Representatives, and in the Senate are selected bya committee of the senators. Each Congress la;ts for two years, al
. The library of American history, literature and biography .. . absence by one of the senators, chosen by themselves forthat duty, and known as the President pro tempore. This body has also a Clerkand Sergeant at-Arms and minor officials. The business of Congress is largelydone by its committees, which consider all important subjects before they arebrought to the attention of either house. These committees are appointed by DUTIES OF THE CONGRESS. 207 the Speaker in the House of Representatives, and in the Senate are selected bya committee of the senators. Each Congress la;ts for two years, although notin session all of the time. Congress meets in the ^apitol at Washington on thefirst Monday in December of every year. The first year the session lasts untilboth houses can agree to adjourn, thus giving time for free and ample discus-sion of every subject. These long sessions usually continue until July orAugust, and sometimes until October. On the alternate years Congress isdirected by the Constitution to adjourn on the fourth day of March, thus pre-. SENATE CHAMBER. venting the attempt to make any one Congress permanent. All Congressmenare paid a salary, in order that poor men may have an equal chance with therich. This salary is $5000 for both senators and representatives, except in thecase of the Speaker and President of the Senate, who each of them receive$8000. No religious tests are allowed, and any man may belong to either housewho is a citizen of the United States, who resides in the State which elects him,and who is of suitable age, twenty-five years in the House and thirty yearsin the Senate. When the laws are made they must be carried out; and this is the busi* 2o8 THE STORY OF AMERICA. ness of the Executive department of the Government, a co-equal branch withthe Legislative department. The President is the chief executive officer of thenation, and as such is prope ly the chief personage and principal officer in theland. It is no x-;istake to Fcvle him the
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Keywords: ., bookauthormabieham, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookyear1904
