LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.

The legislative or law-making power of the State is vested in the
legislature, sometimes called the general assembly, and in some States
known as the general court, or legislative assembly. The legislature
is composed of two bodies, or houses, called respectively the Senate
and the House of Representatives. In New York the latter body is known
as the Assembly, in New Jersey it is called the General Assembly and in
some States the House of Delegates. A bill must be passed by both
branches of the legislature in order to become a law. The proceedings
of the legislature should be made public, and therefore the sessions
are open, and the constitution requires each house to keep and publish
a daily record, called the _Journal_.

QUALIFICATIONS.--The State constitution prescribes the age, the length
of residence, and other legal qualifications for membership in each
branch of the legislature. The constitutions of most States fix a
longer term of office and require a more mature age for senators than
for representatives. In addition to these legal qualifications a
legislator should be a man of unswerving honesty, of broad information,
of close thought, well versed in the principles of government,
acquainted with the needs of the country, and faithful to the interests
of the whole people.

PRIVILEGES.--Each branch of the legislature consists of members elected
by the people. Senators and representatives are responsible for their
official acts to the people, and to the people alone. Except for
treason, felony, and breach of the peace, members of the legislature
are privileged from arrest while attending the sessions of their
respective houses, and while going thereto and returning therefrom.
For any speech or debate in either house, a member thereof can not be
questioned in any other place.

Each house adopts rules for its own government. Each house also elects
its own officers, except that in most States the people elect a
lieutenant-governor, who is also president of the Senate. These
various privileges are granted in the State constitution in order that
the actions of the legislature may be free from all outside influences.

POWER.--The constitution of the State defines the limits of the power
vested in the legislative department. The legislature may enact any
law not forbidden by the Constitution of the State or of the United
States. Every act passed is binding upon the people unles