to use patronage in exchange for votes.  The use of money directly in bribery is difficult of detection, but other favors and privileges of money value are no less effective in the purchase of the votes of those members who are so unscrupulous as to be open to such influences.

Debate in Congress.—­It is now apparent that many other things besides the arguments used in debate determine which bills shall pass and which shall fail.  In the House the time for debate is strictly limited, on account of the amount of business.  The chairman of the committee reporting a bill generally has one hour in which to urge the passage of his measure; for a portion of the time he may yield the floor to other members, both friends and opponents of the bill.  Of course, much more than one hour is given to debate on important bills.  Many of the speeches which are printed in the Congressional Record have not been delivered; but they are intended for circulation among the constituents of representatives, and for use as campaign documents.  Many of the speeches that are actually delivered receive scant attention; the lack of interest in them is made evident by the noise and confusion that very often prevail during sessions of the House.

Senate Procedure.—­In the Senate debate is not limited.  Senators are expected to regard each other’s rights with respect to the amount of time and attention they may demand; yet a bill may be “talked to death” in the Senate.  As a result, the Senate is less business-like in its procedure than the House, and some means of checking unlimited discussion have often been proposed for it.

Conference Committees.—­A bill which has passed one house must be sent to the other.  Here it is introduced and goes through the stages above described.  If one house amends a bill which has already passed the other, it must be returned for re-passage to the house where it originated.  This is a frequent cause of conflict between the two houses, and each tries to insist on its rights.

When such a dispute cannot be easily adjusted, a conference committee must be appointed.  This is composed of members from each house, and they endeavor to arrange a compromise which will be acceptable to both houses.  Generally their decision is ratified without question, but sometimes even this method of settlement fails.

Methods of Voting.—­There are three methods of voting in Congress. (1) Members respond “aye” or “no” by acclamation. (2) If a division is called for, a rising vote is taken and the members are counted.  In the House the counting is done by two tellers, who stand near the speaker’s desk, while the members pass between them in single file, first those voting in the affirmative, and afterward those opposing the motion. (3) When the “yeas and nays” are called for, or whenever the rules of either house require them, the roll is called and each member votes as he responds to his name.  This vote is entered on the Journal.