ttee--before their passage.

In some legislative bodies, especially in the Congress of the United
States, a great many bills are _pigeon-holed_ by committees; that is,
are filed away and never reported. The reports of the committees,
whether favorable or unfavorable, are usually adopted by the body, and
therefore have an important bearing upon legislation.

AMENDMENTS.--In most legislative bodies a bill may be amended at the
pleasure of the majority, before it is read the third time. Amendments
are made for the purpose of perfecting the measure. A bill may be
amended by striking out some of its provisions, by striking out and
inserting, or by inserting.

A bill passed by one house of a legislature maybe amended by the other
house, but, if amended, must be returned with the amendment to the
house in which it originated, in order that the amendment may be
considered. If one house amends and the other refuses to accept, the
bill is often referred to a _conference committee_ of members of both
houses. If this does not secure agreement, and both adhere to their
original action, the bill fails.

PASSAGE.--When a bill passes the house in which it originated, the
clerk transmits and reports it to the other house for action. The
house to which it is transmitted may pass it without commitment, but
usually refers it to a committee, and, when reported, may pass it or
reject it, or amend it and return it with the amendment to the house in
which it originated.

When passed by both houses, the bill is engrossed--that is, rewritten
without blots or erasures--and transmitted to the President or
governor, as the case may be, for his approval. If approved and
signed, or if not returned within a fixed time, the bill becomes a law.
If vetoed, it must be again considered by both bodies, and is lost
unless again passed by each, and in Congress and in many States by a
two thirds vote.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Obtain from any convenient source and present in the recitation a
sample of a bill, and also of a resolution.

2. Why should a bill have three separate readings on three different
days?

3. Why is the report of a committee generally adopted by the body?

4. Why are chairmanships of committees usually much sought after in
legislative bodies?

5. Present in the recitation a copy of the report of a legislative
committee upon some subject.

CHAPTER XXII.

REVENUE AND TAXATION.

Revenue.--The regulation of