LEGISLATION FOR CHILDREN

authority of a country, or state. Legislatures are of modern origin. The ancient Greeks and Romans legislated by popular a emblies and not through special representatives elected, or appointed. England was the first to have representatives, chosen, first, the freeholders in the 13th century of the boroughs and the clergy. In France in 1302 the people were represented by the three estates, nobility, clergy and commons, who met and consulted with the king. This ceased in 1614 until the Revolution. The representative system in Europe in the 18th century was not of the whole people, but of certain cla es. Eventually all bodies in the United States and abroad formed two chambers. Pennsylvania, Georgia and Vermont had at first single legislative chambers, and in recent years in Oregon, Nebraska, and California strong movements were made for a single chamber. Its advocates claim that it would save expense and hasten legislation, and that the veto power, referendum, etc., would serve to control unwise legislation of a single chamber. In the United States members of the upper and lower house are apportioned on the basis of the entire population, or number of voters. The usual rule that every county shall have a representative, or senator, works wrong as to equality. In New York no county can have more than a third of all representatives. This is to limit New York City. tives to the lower house (1870), thus enabling Prohibitionists, Socialists, etc., to elect representatives. - The upper house is the senate in all states. The majority of senators are elected for 4 years, the others for 2. The lower house is mostly called ‘House of Representatives’ and a few ‘A emblies’ and ‘House of Delegates.’ All are paid salaries, or per diem allowances. Largest, Illinois $3500. Smallest South Carolina and New Hampshire $200. Per diem averages $4 to $5. Mileage 10 to 25 cents. In some states pay is fixed by the constitution, in others by the legislature. The majority of se ions are held every two years; New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and South Carolina every year, and Alabama every four years. See Reinsch American Legislatures and Legislative Methods, N.Y. 1907. TION can only be acquired according to Amer, and Eng. law by birth in lawful wedlock. It is presumed that the child of a married woman is legitimate unle rebutting evidence of fact is produced. In many countries the legitimation of a child born before wedlock is effected by subsequent marriage of parents. Various laws were pa ed in England and other countries, after the World War, providing for the care of illegitimate dutlarer and their mothers.