OTHER OFFICERS.--The other officers of the House are the clerk, the sergeant-at-arms, the doorkeeper, the postmaster, and the chaplain. They are not members of the House. The sergeant-at-arms and the doorkeeper appoint numerous subordinates.
The sergeant-at-arms is the ministerial and police officer of the House. He preserves order, under the direction of the speaker, and executes all processes issued by the House or its committees. The symbol of authority of the House is the mace, consisting of a bundle of ebony rods surmounted by a globe, upon which is a silver eagle with outstretched wings. In scenes of disturbance, when the sergeant-at-arms bears the mace through the hall of the House at the speaker's command, the members immediately become quiet and order is restored.
The doorkeeper has charge of the hall of the House and its entrances. The postmaster receives and distributes the mail matter of the members. The chaplain opens the daily sessions of the House with prayer.
[1]After 1913. Before 1913 the senators of each State were elected by the legislature.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. Why do not the people of the United States make their laws in person, instead of delegating this power to Congress?
2. Is it right that the President should hold the veto power?
3. Why is each House "judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members"?
4. Why are the yeas and nays entered on the Journal?
5. Why are senators and representatives privileged from arrest during the session, except for certain specified offenses?