[Footnote 14:  The population of the United States, according to the first census, was 3,929,214.  The population in 1910 was 91,972,266; including the possessions and dependencies, 101,000,000.]

Ratio of Representation.—­The Constitution provided that there should be 65 members in the first House of Representatives.  After the first census, Congress agreed that there should be one representative for each 33,000 of the population.  This gave a house with 105 representatives.  From that time the ratio of representation has been changed every ten years.  Otherwise, with the rapid increase in population, the House would soon become too large.  The ratio adopted by the act of 1911 was one representative to 211,877 people.[15] After March 4, 1913, therefore, there will be at least 433 members, an increase of 42.[16]

[Footnote 15:  For the method of apportionment, see “Government in State and Nation,” p. 128.]

[Footnote 16:  The number of members in the English House of Commons is 670; in the French Chamber of Deputies, 584; and in the German Reichstag, 396.]

Members from New States.—­Should a new State be admitted after the apportionment is made, its representatives are always additional to the number provided for by law.

The Constitution provides that each State shall have at least one representative.  If this provision had not been made, the States of Arizona, Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming, each having a smaller population than the ratio adopted in 1910, would not be represented.

Territorial Delegates.—­The organized Territories are each entitled to send a delegate to the House of Representatives.  He is allowed to speak on any question that has to do with his Territory, but may not vote.

Vacancies.—­Section 2, Clause 4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

When a vacancy occurs in the representation from any State on account of death, expulsion, or for other cause, it is made the duty of the governor of the State in which the vacancy exists to call for a special election in that district to choose a representative for the remainder of the term.

Officers.—­Section 2, Clause 5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

The speaker, who is the presiding officer, has always been a member of the House, but the Constitution does not say that he shall be.  The other officers are the clerk, sergeant-at-arms, doorkeeper, postmaster, and chaplain, none of whom is a member of the House.

Number and Term of Office of Senators.—­Section 3, Clause 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each senator shall have one vote.  The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature.