The power to impeach is vested in the representatives because for the reason stated, they seem more immediately in fact as well as in name to represent the people, who it will be remembered are always the complainant in criminal cases.  And the senate has the sole power of trying impeachments. [Footnote:  When the governor is being tried, the lieutenant governor cannot act as a member of the court.] The length of term frees the members from the fear of immediate punishment in case of an unpopular verdict.  And if they are right time will show it.  Historically, this division of power in cases of impeachment is derived from colonial practice and from the constitution of the United States.

The senate has also the sole power of confirming or rejecting the appointments of the governor.

Forbidden Laws.—­In addition to the laws forbidden in that part of the constitution called the bill of rights, the legislature is usually forbidden to pass laws authorizing any lottery; or granting divorces; or giving state aid to private corporations; or involving the state in debt, except in case of war or other emergency.

Pertinent Questions.

Define constitution.  What is a law?  What is meant by common law?  Statute law?  Equity?

By reference to the comparative legislative table in the appendix, tell the most common name applied to the legislative body; any peculiar names; the names most commonly applied to the respective houses; the usual qualifications of members; the frequency of regular sessions, and the month of meeting most usual.  Why is this time of year so uniformly chosen?  What relation do you see between the frequency of sessions and the term of members?  What is the relation between the terms of the respective houses?  How does the number of senators compare with the number in the lower house?  What state has the largest house?  The smallest?  Why is the term senate so common?  Look up the derivation of the word.  In what section of the country are the terms the shortest?  Can you account for this?  Which states require the highest qualifications in members?

Find out whether in your state there are any requirements not given in the tabulation.  By reference to the legislative manual or other source of information find out any other facts of interest, such as the names of the speaker and other legislative officers; the number of your senatorial district, and the name of your senator; of your representative district, and the name of your representative; what committees are appointed in each house, and on which your local representatives are, and how they came to be selected for these particular committees; how vacancies are filled in the legislature; any contested elections that have occurred in your state and the basis of the contest; some of the important rules of parliamentary practice; the salary paid members in your state; any cases of impeachment, the charge, and the outcome; other forbidden laws.