Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE

UNITED STATES.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.*

United States Constitution.-Not only has each State a Constitution which determines the limits within which the functions of the State government are exercised, but also the United States have adopted a Constitution which is the fundamental law of the whole land, and which takes the precedence of all State Constitutions. After the Revolutionary War, representatives from each State met in general convention, and framed a Constitution which was afterwards adopted by all the States. No State Constitution, or act of Congress or of State Legislature, must conflict with its requirements, and all executive, legislative, and judicial officers of the State are required to take an oath to support not only the State Constitution, but also the Constitution of the United States.

All amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of all the States before they can become a part of the Constitution.

Departments of Government.-The Government of the United States, like the State government, is divided into three departments:

*For additional information, see "The Government of the United States," by W. J. Cocker, published by Harper & Brothers, Franklin Square, New York.

[blocks in formation]

The President.-The executive power is vested in the President alone. His powers and duties as enumerated in the Constitution are:

I.

To see that the laws are faithfully executed; 2. To require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices;

3. To make appointments and to commission the officers of the United States;

4. To command and direct the military and naval

forces;

5. To grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States;

6. To make treaties, and to receive ambassadors and other public ministers;

7. To approve or disapprove bills passed by Con

gress;

8. To give to Congress information of the state of the Union, and to recommend to their consideration such measures as he may deem necessary and expedient;

9. To convene both Houses, or either of them, on extraordinary occasions, and to adjourn them

in case of a disagreement between them as to the time of adjournment.

He is aided in the performance of his duties,-
1. By his Cabinet;

2. By subordinate executive officers appointed by
himself, with the advice and consent of the
Senate.

The President as Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States.

The Cabinet.--The President's Cabinet consists of eight members appointed by himself, with the consent of the Senate. The members of the Cabinet are the confidential advisers of the President, and each of them is placed at the head of some branch of the executive department. They are the,

1. Secretary of State,

2. Secretary of the Treasury,
3. Secretary of War,

4. Secretary of the Navy,

5. Secretary of the Interior.

6.

Postmaster General,

7. Attorney General,

8. Secretary of Agriculture.

Secretary of State.-The Secretary of State is the most important Cabinet office. He has general charge of all matters arising between the government of the United States and that of foreign countries, publishes and promulgates the laws of the United States and the amendments to the Constitution, countersigns all com

« AnteriorContinuar »