The Mace and the Gavel: Symbols of Government in America

封面
American Philosophical Society, 1997 - 84 頁
One of the urgent priorities of the first Federal Congress was the formation of its organization, formulation of rules for its conduct, & the selection of appropriate officials & devices to represent their authority. Following British tradition, the newly organized House of Representatives & the Senate each appointed a Sergeant-at-Arms. For its symbol of the commonality of the American people, the House adopted the mace in the tradition of its mother country, while the Senate utilized a gavel or knocker. First used during meetings in New York of the House of Representatives, the mace was destroyed by the British when they burned Washington, & it was not until 1841 that another was acquired. Over the years the mace has been used primarily to quell quarrels between Congressmen on the floor, & to bring absent House members to meetings so that a quorum could be formed. The mace has been invariably effective in bringing order among turbulent House members. Although a Sergeant at Arms served the same function in the United States Senate, he was not provided with a mace. Order was maintained by an ivory knocker or form of gavel that has been used for the purpose for almost two centuries.
 

其他版本 - 查看全部

常見字詞

熱門章節

第 41 頁 - MADISON. In order to judge of the form to be given to this institution, it will be proper to take a view of the ends to be served by it. These were, — first, to protect the people against their rulers, secondly, to protect the people against the transient impressions into which they themselves might be led.
第 42 頁 - Gentlemen, I feel great difficulty how to act. I am possessed of two separate powers; the one in esse and the other in posse. I am Vice- President. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything.
第 13 頁 - ... and the silent arts of corruption; and if the constitution be destined ever to perish by the sacrilegious hands of the demagogue or the usurper, which God avert, its expiring agonies will be witnessed on this floor.
第 13 頁 - House during its sittings ; to execute the commands of the House from time to time, together with all such process, issued by authority thereof, as shall be directed to him by the Speaker.
第 42 頁 - ... Journal of the first session of the Senate of the United States of America, begun and held at the City of New- York, March 4th, 1789, and in the thirteenth year of the Independence of the said states.
第 ix 頁 - The ancient use of the mace introduces us to a remarkable instance of ecclesiastical casuistry. The clergy was forbidden to shed blood, and, as thus the sword was inhibited, this might have been thought suflicient to keep them from the battle-field.
第 26 頁 - I want to know what you mean by such an answer as that." Mr. Grow replied: "I mean just what I say; this is a free hall, and a man has the right to be where he pleases.
第 46 頁 - Whenever upon such roll call it shall be ascertained that a quorum is not present, a majority of the Senators present may direct the Sergeant-at- Arms to request, and, when necessary, to compel th-e attendance of the absent Senators, which order shall be determined without debate; and pending its execution, and until a quorum shall be present, no debate nor motion, except to adjourn, shall be in order.
第 44 頁 - Senate during all its sittings, to execute the commands of the Senate, from time to time, together with all such process issued by authority thereof as shall be directed to him by the President. The actual expenses of the Sergeant-at-Arms, for every arrest, for each day's custody and releasement.
第 38 頁 - Virginia post office that had been neglected for more than one hundred years was dismantled and rebuilt in the National Museum of History and Technology (now the National Museum of American History).