[144] The states of Maine, Oregon and Vermont still elect their representatives to Congress before the general November election. Maine holds her election on the second Monday in September, Oregon on the first Monday in June and Vermont on the first Tuesday in September next preceding the general November election.
[145] John F. Shafroth, When Congress Should Convene; North Am. Rev., Vol. 164. The writer of this article makes the common but erroneous assumption that the fundamental principle of our government is majority rule. From the standpoint of democracy, however, his argument is unassailable.
[146] A modification of this check on public opinion has been incorporated in the charter of one of our new Western cities. In Spokane, Washington, one-half of the councilmen take their seats immediately after the regular municipal election, and the other half, though elected at the same time, do not enter upon the discharge of their duties until one year later.
[147] Art. I, Sec. 2.
[148] The American Commonwealth, Vol. I, Ch. 15.
[149] The American Commonwealth, Vol. I, Ch. 15.
[150] The Conduct of Business in Congress, North Am. Rev., Vol. CXXVIII, p. 121.
[151] Ibid., p. 122.
[152] For instances of the exercise of this power see Follett, The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ch. IX.
[153] Senator Hoar's Article.