CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT 456
lature are elective, but the Senators (having larger electoral districts) are less numerous than the members of the House of Representatives, while in some States their terms are longer and, in a few, the Senate is only partially renewed at each election. Members of both Houses are paid at the same rate, which varies from 150 to 1,500 dollars per session, or from 1 to 8 dollars per day during session. The duties of the two Houses are similar, but in many States money bills must be introduced first in the House of Representatives. The Senate has to sit as a court for the trial of officials impeached by the other House, and besides, has often the power to confirm or reject appointments made by the Governor. In most of the States the sessions are biennial, the Governor having power to summon an extraordinary session, but not to dis- solve or adjourn. State Legislatures are competent to deal with all matters not reserved for the Federal Government by the Federal constitution, or falling within restrictions imposed by the State constitutions. Among their powers are the determination of the qualifications for the right of suffrage, and the control of all elections to public office, including elections of members of Congress and electors of President and Vice-President ; the criminal law, both in its enactment and in its execution, with unimportant exceptions, and the administration of prisons ; the civil law, including all matters pertaining to the possession and transfer of, and succession to, property ; marriage and divorce, and all other civil relations ; the chartering and control of all manu- facturing, trading, transportation, and other corporations, subject only to the right of Congress to regulate commerce passing from one State to another : the regulation of labour ; education ; charities ; licensing! including regulation of the liquor traffic ; fisheries, and game laws. The revenues of the States are derived chiefly from a direct tax upon property, in some cases both real and personal, in others on land and buildings only. The prohibition upon Congress to levy direct taxes save in proportion to population, contained originally in the national constitution, left this source of revenue to the States exclusively until 1913, when an amendment was adopted authorising the imposition of an income tax by Congress.
The Governor is chosen by direct vote of the people over the whole State. His term of office varies from 1 year to 4 years and his salary from 1,000 to 10,000 dollars. His duty is to see to the faithful administration of the law, and he has command of the military forces of the State. His power of appointment to State offices is usually unimportant. He may recommend measures, but does not present bills co the legislature. In some States he presents estimates. In all but two of the States the Governor has a veto upon legislation, which may, however, be overridden by the two houses, in some States by a simple majority, in others by a three-fifths or two-thirds majority.
The officials by whom the administration of State affairs is carried on (secretaries, treasurers, members of boards of commissioners, kc. ) are usually chosen by the people at the General State elections for terms similar to those for which governors hold office, the party in power appointing its own adherents.
In the Territories of Hawaii and Alaska there is a local legislature, the form of which has been prescribed by the National Government- These bodies have powers similar to those of the States, but any of their acts may be modified or annulled by Congress. The Governor of a Terri • torv is appointed for 4 vears bv the President to whom he makes an annual report. The President appoints also the Territorial secretaries and other officials, together with the Territorial judges. Porto Rico, although not designated as a ' territory ' in the technical sense, is self- jroverning. Its government is organised on a system almost identical with that of the territories. The Philippine Islands are governed by a civil Covering and elected Upper and Lower Legislative Chambers.
