Our Knowledge of Congressional Proceedings.—­As citizens in a republican government, it is our duty to keep informed on the problems which our representatives are called upon to solve.  Means of gaining information are not wanting.  The public galleries of both houses are usually open to visitors.  The official record of the proceedings of Congress is made known to the public through the Journal, which is read at the opening of each day’s session.  Reports of the debates do not appear in the Journal, but are published each day in the Congressional Record.

Another means of keeping constituents informed on the position of their representatives is through the recording in the Journal of the vote of each member when demanded by one-fifth of those present.  In voting by the “yeas and nays,” the clerk calls the roll of members and places after each name, “yea,” “nay,” “not voting,” or “absent.”  The Senate rules specify this as the only method of voting. (Other methods of voting in the House are indicated on page 77.)

Power to Adjourn.—­Section 5, Clause 4. Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.

If there is a disagreement between the two houses with respect to the time of adjournment, the President may adjourn them to such a time as he thinks proper.  This right has never yet been exercised.

Compensation and Freedom from Arrest.—­Section 6, Clause 1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States.  They shall in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the sessions of their respective houses, and going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

Should the members of Congress be paid a salary, or should the office be regarded as exclusively one of honor?  These questions were discussed at length in the Constitutional Convention.  Some of the delegates favored the English custom, by which members of Parliament receive no salary.  It was finally concluded to adopt the provisions as given, in order that men of ability, though poor, might become members of the National Legislature.

By a law of 1789 the compensation of senators and representatives was fixed at six dollars per day and thirty cents for every mile traveled, by the most direct route, in going to and returning from the seat of government.  Prior to 1873 this amount was changed several times by act of Congress.  The compensation then agreed upon and until 1907 was $5000 per year, with mileage of twenty cents, and $125 per annum for stationery.  The speaker received $8000 a year and mileage.