secretaries for the States; and in addition thereto, he has charge of our affairs with foreign nations, and gives directions under the President, to our foreign ministers and consuls. The Secretary of the Treasury has charge of, and conducts the financial affairs of the Government. Amongst other things, it is his duty to attend to the collection of funds for the support of the Government; to make out and report to Congress, estimates of the public revenues and expenses, and to inform that body what appropriations will be needed for the use of the Government. The Secretary of War has charge of the Military Department. The Secretary of the Navy has the charge of the business relating to the Navy. The Attorney-General is the legal adviser of the President and heads of the various Departments, and prosecutes suits in the Supreme Court of the United States. The Postmaster-General has the general supervision of post offices, and of the carrying and distributing of the mails. The Secretary of the Interior has charge of the Indian, land, pension, and patent matters. The heads of these several Departments constitute the President's Cabinet, and are his counsellors and advisers. Questions-In whom is the Executive department of the United States vested? Does the President execute the laws in person? How does he execute them? Name the chief department officers. What are the duties of each? CHAPTER III. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. The Legislative Department is vested in Congress, consisting of two bodies: a senate and house of representatives. The senate has two members from each State who are elected for six years. The Vice-President is the presiding officer of the senate. The advice and consent of the senate is necessary for the appointment of many of the officers of the Government. When charges are preferred against certain officers of the United States, the senate tries them; and when sitting for that purpose, is a court of impeachment. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides on such occasions. In matters of legislation, the proceedings of the two houses of Congress are similar to those of the two branches of the General Assembly. The members of the house of representatives hold their offices for two years. The States are divided into districts, and a member is elected in each district. The powers of Congress are delegated to it by the constitution; and in this respect it differs from the State Legislatures. The State constitutions prescribe and indicate what the Legislatures may not do; the Federal constitution declares what Congress may do. Hence, in determining whether an act of Congress is constitutional, the question is, "Does the constitution authorize the act?" -and in determining whether an act of a State Legislature is constitutional, the question is, "Does the constitution forbid it?" But by the constitution of Ohio, it is provided "that all powers, not hereby delegated, remain with the people;" and it was held by the supreme court, in 1st Ohio State Reports, page 77, that any act passed by the General Assembly, not falling fairly within the scope of legislative authority, is as clearly void as though expressly prohibited. Questions-In what body is the Legislative department of the Government vested? How many members has the senate? Mention some of the duties of the senate, not pertaining to the ordinary matters of legislation? How are members of the house elected? How long is their term of office? What is said of the powers of Congress? In what respect do the powers of Congress differ from the powers of State Legislatures? What is the test of the constitutionality of an act? What provision is made by the constitution of Ohio with reference to certain powers? CHAPTER IV. GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, CONTINUED THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT-SALARIES OF OFFICERS. The Federal constitution provides that the Judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as Congress may, from time to time, establish. It also enumerates the duties and powers of these courts. The Supreme Court consists of nine members. The United States is divided into ten circuits, and a judge is appointed in each circuit. The circuit courts revise the decisions of the district courts, and in addition to certain civil causes they may try, they have jurisdiction for the trial of the highest crimes against the United States. When a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is present at a circuit court, he presides. The judge of a district sometimes sits with the circuit judge, in which case the circuit judge presides. District courts are established throughout the United States. In each State there is at least one district court. This court has jurisdiction in admiralty, bankruptcy, and many other cases. It also has jurisdiction over offenses against the laws of the United States. In addition to these, Congress has established a court. of claims, for the adjudication of claims against the Government. The President of the United States receives an annual salary of $50,000; the Vice President, $8,000; Cabinet officers, $8,000 each; Envoys Extraordinary, and Ministers Plenipotentiary, from $12,000 to $17,500; Ministers Resident in foreign countries, from $7,500 to $12,000; Ministers Resident and Consuls General, $4,000 to $7,000; members of Congress, $5,000, and mileage at twenty cents per mile each way, to and from Washington. Questions-What provision is made in the constitution for the establishment of courts? Of how many members is the Supreme Court composed? How many circuit courts are there in the United States? What is said of the jurisdiction of circuit courts? What judge presides in the circiut court? What is said of the establishment of district courts? Of their jurisdiction? Of the court of claims? What salary does the President of the United States receive? The Vice President? Cabinet officers? Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary? Ministers Resident and Consuls General? Members of Congress? INDEX. [The reference figures are to the pages.] ABDUCTION, penalty for........ 184 .183 .166 BEES, stealing or injuring. .187 169 ..187 ACCESSORY in felony. 184 BILLS, where not to be posted.. ..188. ACCUSED, rights of.. .182 BILLS, expired banks; lading. ..188. CANADA THISTLES. ..191 AUCTIONS, law concerning.. 186 .187 AUDITOR of State 109; of county..119 CANNON, where not to be fired. BALL or nine-pin alley.. |