ons are under the control of the law, and
are guarded by the same restrictions that pertain to other elections.

CAUCUSES.--A meeting composed of the members of a legislative body who
are of the same party, and assembled for party purposes, is called a
_caucus_. _Ward conventions_ in cities are sometimes called by the
same name.

The usual purpose of a caucus is to nominate candidates for offices
within the gift of the legislative body, or to consider questions of
legislation. A caucus elects a chairman and other officers, but rarely
if ever adopts a platform of principles. The great political parties
of the country have caucuses in each branch of Congress, and usually in
the legislatures of the several States.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Name the great parties that have existed in the United States.

2. Who are the respective chairmen of the national executive committees
of the two great parties?

3. Read the last national platforms of the two great parties.

4. Which do you like better, primary elections or conventions? Why?

5. Should a member of a legislative body be influenced in his vote by
the decision of the caucus of his party?

CHAPTER XXI.

LEGISLATION.

Legislation, the act or process of making laws, is the most important
function of government. It is the most important, because it is the
first step, and the enforcement and interpretation of laws depend upon
their enactment. The laws of a country should be as few in number, as
simple in construction, and as uniform in their application, as will
meet the needs of the people. It is a great misfortune for the laws to
bear unequally upon the people; to grant special privileges to one
class, or to impose special hardships upon another class.

The great variety and volume of laws made by the national and the State
legislatures of the United States have led to a close study of
legislation. In no other country is the process of making laws so
thoroughly mastered, or parliamentary law so generally understood.

BILLS.--The process of enacting a law, from its introduction to its
final approval, is an intricate and interesting study. Until its
passage and final approval, a measure is called either a _bill_ or a
_resolution_.

Bills and resolutions are very similar, the latter usually being
simpler, and beginning with the words, "Be it resolved" or simply
"Resolved," while the former begin with the words, "Be it enacted." A
joint resolu