Sec.2.  But the measures to which the governor calls the attention of the legislature, are but a small portion of those which are considered and acted upon.  Many are introduced by individual members.  Others are brought into notice by the petitions of the people in different parts of the state. Petition generally signifies a request or prayer.  As here used, it means a written request to the legislature for some favor—­generally for a law granting some benefit or relief to the petitioners.  Petitions are sent to members, usually to those who represent the counties or districts in which the petitioners live, and are by these members presented to the house.

Sec.3.  Now it is evident, that a proper consideration of the numerous subjects pressed upon the attention of the legislature—­some of them of very great importance—­must require much labor.  If the necessary investigation of so many subjects should occupy the time of the whole house, there would not be time enough to act upon one-half of them.  Therefore, in order to dispatch business, the labor of the house must be divided, that the investigation of all the different subjects may be going on at the same time.

Sec.4.  Hence arises the practice which prevails in all legislative bodies, of the appointment of committees.  As soon as may be, after a house is organized, committees are appointed on all subjects usually acted on in the legislature.  A legislative committee is generally composed of three, five, or seven members, who examine the subjects referred to them, and report the result of their examination to the house.  Committees are appointed by the presiding officer of each house.  Occasionally, though very rarely, they are elected by the house itself.

Sec.5.  Some or all of the following committees are appointed in every legislature:  a committee on finance, or the funds, income, and other money matters of the state, sometimes called the committee of ways and means; a committee on agriculture; a committee on manufactures; committees on the incorporation of cities and villages; on banks and insurance companies; on railroads; on canals; on education; on elections; on public printing, besides many others.  So numerous are these subjects, that in constituting the committees, every member may be put on some committee.

Sec.6.  All matters relating to these subjects of a general nature, which arise during the session, are referred to their appropriate committees.  Thus, a question or proposition relating to banks, is referred to the committee on banks; matters relating to rail-roads, are referred to the committee on rail-roads; those relating to schools, are referred to the committee on education, &c.  As these committees continue during the session, they are called standing committees.  When a question arises having no relation to any subject on which there is a standing committee, it is usually referred to a special or select committee appointed to consider this particular matter.