Part 20 (1/2)

[4] In an ordinary court, the verdict of the jury must be unanimous. To require similar agreement in this case would be to make it next to impossible ever to convict. To allow a bare majority to convict would be to place too little protection over a public officer.

[5] But for this provision abuses of power might occur in times of political excitement and strife. The question which the Senate settles is simply whether, in view of the evidence, the accused is or is not worthy to hold public office.

[6] This provision was inserted to prevent an official who had been deposed for crime from pleading the principle that ”No one can be twice tried and punished for the same offense.”

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

COMPARATIVE TABULATION.

POINTS CONSIDERED. HOUSE OF R. SENATE

Number...............................................

Age Qualifications......Citizens.h.i.+p......................

Inhabitancy Election.............................................

Term.................................................

Vacancy..............................................

Presiding Officer t.i.tle.............................

How Chosen........................

Sole Powers..........................................

_Debate._

Resolved, That United States Senators should be elected by the people.

_Pertinent Questions._

Name the present senators from this state. When were they elected? Were they elected to fill a vacancy or for a full term? How many times has each been elected?

How many more senators has New York that Rhode Island? How many members in the present Senate? How many in each cla.s.s? When the next state is admitted, in what cla.s.ses will its senators be placed? How will the cla.s.s of each be decided?

Why not have senators chosen for life?

If one of our senators should resign today, to whom would the resignation be addressed? How would the vacancy be filled? How long would the appointee serve? Could the governor appoint himself?

How long at least must an alien live in the United States before being eligible to the Senate? Has anyone ever been refused admission, after being duly elected, on account of shortness of citizens.h.i.+p?

Who is now vice-president? Who is president _pro tempore_ of the Senate?

Why is it not correct under any circ.u.mstances to speak of the president _pro tempore_ as vice-president?

Has the vice-president's vote ever helped to carry any measures of great importance?

If every senator be ”present,” what number of senators would it take to convict? Does the accused continue to perform his official duties during the trial? Was President Johnson impeached? Is there any appeal from the Senate's verdict? How do senators vote in cases of impeachment? How is judgment p.r.o.nounced?

What punishments follow conviction on impeachment in other countries?