The speaker is chosen by ballot from among the members, and serves during the pleasure of the House.  At the beginning of each congress a new election is held.  A speaker may be re-elected.  Henry Clay served as speaker for ten years.

The duties of the speaker are prescribed by the rules of the House.  So far, he has always appointed the committees.  As the work of legislation is largely shaped by committees, it may be fairly asked whether any one else can so affect the legislation of the country as can the speaker—­whether, indeed, he has not too much power.

[2] The most important “other officers” are the clerk and the sergeant-at-arms.

The clerk, as his title would indicate, has charge of the records of the House.  He has a number of assistants.

The sergeant-at-arms acts under the orders of the speaker in keeping order and in serving processes.  His duties in the House resemble those of the sheriff in court.

The doorkeeper, postmaster, and chaplain, have duties indicated by their titles.

These officers are elected by the House and serve during its pleasure, usually two years.  Assistants are appointed by the officers whom they assist.

None of these officers are members of the House.

[3] An impeachment is a solemn accusation in writing, formally charging a public officer with crime.  “The articles of impeachment are a sort of indictment; and the House, in presenting them, acts as a grand jury, and also as a public prosecutor.” [Footnote:  Story’s Exposition of the Constitution of the United States.]

For further discussion of impeachment, see pages 138, 203 and 331.  A very interesting account of the impeachment trial of Secretary Belknap is given in Alton’s Among the Lawmakers, pages 245-250.  Mr. B. is hidden under a fictitious name.

On impeachment, see also Wilson’s Congressional Government, page 275.

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

Each member of the class should prepare a tabulation like this, filling out the blanks briefly.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I. NUMBER—­
   1.  Based upon.
   2.  Limitations.
      (a)
      (b)
II.  QUALIFICATIONS.
   1.
   2.
   3.
   4.
   5. 
III.  ELECTION—­
IV.  TERM—­
Y. VACANCY—­

Pertinent Questions.

What is a constitution?  A law?  A preamble?  How many of the reasons assigned in the preamble for establishing this government are general and how many are special?

How many houses do most legislative bodies have?  How many did the congress under the confederation have?  Why?  Why has congress two houses?

How many representatives has this state in the U.S. congress?  Give their names by districts.  In which district do you live?  When was your representative elected?  By the census of 1880, Alabama had a population of 1,262,505; how many representatives should it have?  Nevada had only 62,261 inhabitants, but has a representative; how do you account for the fact?  What proportion of U.S. officers are elected?