1. the secretary of the senate and clerk of the house of representatives, are the officers next in rank in the two bodies forming congress. they are appointed by vote of their respective houses. they are not necessarily selected from among the members of the senate or house, as is the custom in case of the presiding officers, but may be chosen by the members at will.
2. their chief duties are in connection with a record or journal of the proceedings of their respective houses. this is an official and correct account of all the transactions of each body, is examined by the presiding officer, and read before the members for criticism and approval. they cause this journal to be printed and a copy be delivered to each member at the commencement of every session of congress, as also to the executive and to each branch of the legislature of every state. so also they arrange, cause to be printed, and distribute to the members all the current documents of each house that may be useful to them in the discharge of their duties, as often as the case requires. all contracts for furnishing anything required by congress, or for any labor done for it, are made with, or approved by, the clerk of the house and secretary of the senate.
3. they act also as treasurers of the special, or contingent funds of congress, from which payments are made on their order, after the accounts, on which the order is based, are approved by the committee of accounts; and give bonds in a large sum for the faithful use of these funds, making a detailed report of all expenditures.
the sergeant-at-arms
4. is a kind of police and executive officer, who aids or acts under the direction of the presiding officer in keeping order, and executes the commands of congress. all arrests ordered[415] by congress are made by him or his deputies, and all legal processes served by him. he bears a mace as the symbol of his office when on duty. he keeps the accounts of the pay and mileage of the members of congress, prepares checks, and draws and pays the money to them.
5. the other officers are a doorkeeper—whose business it is to see that only the proper persons gain admission to the sessions of congress, and watches over, and is responsible for, the furniture contained in the rooms of the capitol placed in his charge—and a postmaster, whose business it is to superintend a postoffice kept in the capitol for the accommodation of members of congress. various clerks, deputies, and messengers are employed under most of these officers, to aid them in the discharge of their duties.
