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Term of Service: Houses

Each of the two Houses of Congress is made by the Constitution the "judges of the elections returns, and qualifications of its own members"; and each of the Houses may, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.

The Congress of United States has the power to propose alterations in the Constitution, by the 5th article of the same. The article orders that the Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to the Constitution, or, on the application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of all the States, shall call a convention for proposing the amendments, which in either case shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in threefourths thereof, as the one or other mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress.

Under an Act of Congress approved Jan. 20, 1874, the salary of a senator representative, or delegate in Congress is 5,000 dollars per annum, with travelling cxpenses; these expenses are calculated by the most direct route of usual travel, and similar return, one for each session of Congress. The salary of the Speaker of the House of Representative is, under the same Act of Congress, 8,000 dollars per annum.

The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives are by the Constitution allowed to be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but Congress may at any time by law alter such regulations, or make new ones, except as to the places of choosing senators. Under this provision a law has been passed prescribing a method of choosing senators. No senator or representative can, during the time for which he is elected, be appointed to any civil office under authority of the United States which shall have been created or the emoluments of which shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States can be a member of either House during his continuance in office. No religious test is required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

The period usually termed "a Congress" in legislative language, continues for two years; as, for example, from noon, March 4, 1891, until noon, March 4, 1893, at which latter time the term of the representatives to the 52d Congress expires, and the term of the new House of Representatives commences