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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15319-0.txt b/15319-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..779cf20 --- /dev/null +++ b/15319-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14189 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Government Class Book, by Andrew W. Young + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Government Class Book + Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles + of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of + Citizens. + + +Author: Andrew W. Young + +Release Date: March 10, 2005 [EBook #15319] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOVERNMENT CLASS BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: In the original book, questions appeared at the +bottom of each page. These questions have been compiled at the end of +the text.] + + + + +The Government Class Book; + +Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of +Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. + +By Andrew W. Young, + +Author of "Science of Government," "First Lessons in Civil Government," +"American Statesman," "Citizen's Manual of Government and Law." + + +NEW-YORK: +J. C. DERBY & N. C. MILLER, +5 SPRUCE STREET, TRIBUNE BUILDINGS. +1865. + + + + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by Andrew W. +Young, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Northern District of New York. + + + + +Preface. + + + +The utility of the diffusion of political knowledge among a people +exercising the right of self-government, is universally admitted. The +form of government established by the people of the United States, +though well adapted to promote the general welfare, is highly +complicated; and the knowledge requisite to administer it successfully +can not be acquired without much study. From the fact that a large +portion of the American people are greatly deficient in this knowledge, +we may justly conclude that it will never become general, until it shall +have been made an object of school instruction. + +The administration of the government of this great and rapidly +increasing republic, will, in a few years, devolve upon those who are +now receiving instruction in the public schools. Yet thousands annually +complete their school education, who have never devoted any time to the +study of the principles of the government in which they are soon to take +a part--who become invested with political power without the preparation +necessary to exercise it with discretion. The schools are regarded as +the nurseries of our future statesmen. They share largely in the bounty +of the state; yet few of them render in return even the rudiments of +political science to those who are to become her legislators, and +governors, and judges. Not only in the common schools generally, but in +a large portion of the high schools and seminaries, this science is not +included in the course of instruction. + +To many of the most enlightened friends of education and of our free +institutions, it has long been a matter of surprise as well as regret, +that those to whom the educational interests of the states are more +immediately intrusted, should so long have treated the study in question +as of minor importance, or have suffered it to be excluded by studies of +far less practical utility. The Regents of the University of the State +of New York have repeatedly noticed the neglect of this study in the +academies and seminaries subject to their visitation; and they mention +it as a remarkable fact, that in many of them preference is given to the +study of the Grecian and Roman antiquities. They say: "The +constitutions, laws, manners, and customs of ancient Greece and Rome are +made subjects of regular study, quarter after quarter, while our own +constitutional jurisprudence, and the every day occurring principles of +our civil jurisprudence, are not admitted as a part of the academic +course!" + +To persons who are to engage in any of the industrial or professional +pursuits, a preparatory course of training or discipline is deemed +indispensable to success. Yet many assume the weighty responsibilities +of freemen, and allow their sons to do the same, with scarcely any +knowledge of a freeman's duties. On the intelligent exercise of +political power, the public prosperity and the security of our liberties +mainly depend. Every person, therefore, who is entitled to the rights of +a citizen, is justly held responsible for the proper performance of his +political duties. And any course of popular instruction which fails to +impart a knowledge of our system of government, must be materially +defective. + +With a view to supply this deficiency, the author, many years since, +prepared his "Introduction to the Science of Government." This work soon +attained considerable popularity, both as a class book in schools, and +as a book for private reading and reference for adults. Not being +deemed, however, sufficiently _elementary_ for the children and youth +in most of our common schools, another work, entitled, "_First Lessons +in Civil Government_," was written to meet the capacities of younger or +less advanced scholars than those for whom the previous work was +designed. + +The favorable reception of these works by the public, and the assurances +of their usefulness to thousands who have studied them, are to the +author a source of high gratification, and an ample reward for many +years of arduous labor. The value of these works has, however, been in a +measure impaired by changes in the government and laws since the time of +their first publication. The latter, especially, descending so minutely +into the details of the government of the state for which alone it is +intended, requires frequent revisions. + +It has occurred to the author that a new work, more permanent in the +character of its matter, and adapted for use in all the states, is +demanded to supply the deficiency in the present course of education. +Stimulated by a desire to bear some part in laying a solid foundation +for our republican institutions, and encouraged by the success of his +former labors in this department of education, he has, after a +suspension of several years, resumed his efforts in this enterprise, in +the hope that, with the coöperation of teachers, and those having +official supervision of the schools, it may be carried forward to an +early consummation; when the principles of government shall be made a +subject of regular study in the schools, and the elements of a sound +political education shall be accessible to the mass of American youth. +And he flatters himself, that the attention he has given to this subject +has enabled him to prepare a work adapted, in a good degree, to meet the +existing want of the schools. + +Many words and phrases, as they occur in the course of the work, have +been defined; and an attempt has been made to explain the several +subjects in such a manner as to render them intelligible to youth. + +The object which it is the purpose of this work to aid in effecting, +claims the earnest attention of parents. Every father, at least, is +bound to see that his sons have the means of acquiring a good political +education. He can not innocently suffer them to pass from under his +guardianship unprepared to discharge their political duties. + +The study of this work should not be confined to male pupils. It has +long been considered a striking defect in our system of education, that +females are not more generally instructed in the principles of civil +government, and in matters of business. Although they take no active +part in public affairs, the knowledge here commended would enable them +to exert a far more powerful and salutary influence upon our national +character and destiny. As wives, mothers, teachers, and especially as +counselors of the other sex, they could apply this knowledge to valuable +purposes. And the question is submitted, whether it would not contribute +more to their usefulness than some of those accomplishments which form +so large a part of a modern female education, and which are usually lost +amidst the cares of married life. + +To preserve and transmit the blessings of constitutional liberty, we +need a healthful patriotism. But a genuine love of country is hardly to +be expected where there is not a proper appreciation of our political +institutions, which give it its preeminence among nations. And how can +they be duly appreciated if they are not understood? It has been one of +the objects of the writer to bring to view the chief excellencies of our +system of government, and thus to lay, in the minds of youth, the basis +of an enlightened and conservative patriotism. + +That this work, as an elementary treatise on civil government, is not +susceptible of improvement, is not pretended. Such as it is, it is +submitted to the judgment of a candid public. If it shall prove in any +considerable degree useful, the author's highest expectations will have +been realized. + + + +To Teachers. + + +To the meritorious, though often undervalued labors of the instructors +of American youth, is our country greatly indebted for the successful +working of its system of free government; and upon the labors of their +successors rest, in an equal degree, all well-founded hopes of its +future political prosperity. + +The general introduction and profitable study of this work, depend much +upon a hearty and active coöperation of teachers in the enterprise which +it is intended to promote. From all who desire to make themselves in the +highest degree useful in their profession, such coöperation is +confidently anticipated. + +The advantage of instructing a class in civil government, is not +confined to the pupils. The teacher will find the exercise both +interesting and profitable to himself. Although pains have been taken to +adapt the work to the capacities of youth, the definition of many terms +and phrases, and the further explanation of many subjects, have +necessarily been left to be supplied by teachers. The study and +investigation which may in some cases be required to qualify them for +the task, will be amply rewarded by their own advancement in political +knowledge. + +No intelligent teacher, it is presumed, will object to the introduction +of this study, on the ground that there is not sufficient time or room +for an additional exercise. Useful as all the branches now taught may be +justly deemed, all of them are not, as is a knowledge of government, +indispensable to the security of our liberties. The latter is of far +greater importance to an American citizen, than a knowledge of some +portions of arithmetic and the higher mathematics; and in the opinion of +some distinguished educators the time now devoted to these, in many +schools, is sufficient to acquire a tolerable political education. It is +believed, however, that this study need not exclude, or essentially +interfere with, any of the studies pursued in the schools generally. By +the more advanced scholars in the common schools, the work may be used +as a reading book, and thus a two-fold advantage be gained from its use. + +To assist the more inexperienced teachers in conducting the exercise, a +few questions have been appended to the chapters. Questions may be added +by the teachers at pleasure, or to such extent as may be thought +necessary. And it is believed the recitations may be made more +profitable to pupils, by requiring them, so far as may be, to give +answers in their own words. To some of the printed questions, no answers +are furnished by the chapters and sections referred to, but may be found +in the Synopsis of the State Constitutions, or other parts of the work. +Occasionally questions have been inserted to which no part of the work +furnishes the answers. + + + + +Contents + + + +Principles of Government. + + +Chapter I. + + Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws + +Chapter II. + + Rights and Liberty, defined + +Chapter III. + + Laws defined + +Chapter IV. + + Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; + Republic + + + +State Governments. + + +Chapter V. + + The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the manner in which + it is made + +Chapter VI. + + Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is + exercised in the States of this Union + +Chapter VII. + + Elections + +Chapter VIII. + + Division of the Powers of Government + +Chapter IX. + + States Legislatures--how constituted + +Chapter X. + + Meetings and Organization of the Legislature + +Chapter XI. + + Manner of Enacting Laws + +Chapter XII. + + Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant Governor + +Chapter XIII. + + Assistant Executive State Officers + +Chapter XIV. + + Counties and County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers + +Chapter XV. + + Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers + +Chapter XVI. + + Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c. + +Chapter XVII. + + Judicial Department. Justices' Courts + +Chapter XVIII. + + Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders + +Chapter XIX. + + Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c. + +Chapter XX. + + Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment + +Chapter XXI. + + Assessment and Collection of Taxes + +Chapter XXII. + + Education. School Funds; Schools, &c. + +Chapter XXIII. + + Canals and Railroads + +Chapter XXIV. + + Banks and Insurance Companies + +Chapter XXV. + + The Militia + + + +Government of the United States. + + +Chapter XXVI. + + Causes of the Revolution + +Chapter XXVII. + + Nature of the Union under the Confederation + +Chapter XXVIII. + + Nature of the Union under the Constitution + +Chapter XXIX. + + Legislative Department. House of Representatives + +Chapter XXX. + + The Senate + +Chapter XXXI. + + Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money + +Chapter XXXII. + + Power to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations + +Chapter XXXIII. + + Power to Regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among + the States, and with the Indian Tribes + +Chapter XXXIV. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; + Coining Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting + +Chapter XXXV. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Post-Offices; Copy-Rights and + Patents; Inferior Courts + +Chapter XXXVI. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Piracy and Offenses against the + Law of Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal; Public Defense; District + of Columbia; Implied Powers + +Chapter XXXVII. + + Prohibitions on Congress + +Chapter XXXVIII. + + Prohibition on the States + +Chapter XXXIX. + + Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, + Qualifications, &c. + +Chapter XL. + + Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; + Appointments and Removals + +Chapter XLI. + + Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the + Treasury, of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; + Attorney General + +Chapter XLII. + + Judicial Department. District Courts; Circuit Courts; Supreme Court + +Chapter XLIII. + + Treason Defined, its Punishment + +Chapter XLIV. + + State Records; Privileges of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New + States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government + +Chapter XLV. + + Provision for Amendments; Assumptions of Public Debt; Supremacy of + the Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the + Constitution + +Chapter XLVI. + + Amendments to the Constitution + + + +Common and Statutory Law. + + +Chapter XLVII. + + Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious + Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property + +Chapter XLVIII. + + Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife + +Chapter XLIX. + + Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; + Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants + +Chapter L. + + Rights of Property. How Title to Property is acquired; Wills and + Testaments; Title to Property by Descent + +Chapter LI. + + Deeds and Mortgages + +Chapter LII. + + Incorporeal Hereditaments, Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c. + +Chapter LIII. + + Leases. Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; + Estates by Sufferance; Rent, &c. + +Chapter LIV. + + Contracts in General + +Chapter LV. + + Contracts of Sale + +Chapter LVI. + + Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c. + +Chapter LVII. + + Bailment + +Chapter LVIII. + + Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c. + +Chapter LIX. + + Partnership + +Chapter LX. + + Promissory Notes + +Chapter LXI. + + Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury + +Chapter LXII. + + Crimes and Misdemeanors + + + +Law of Nations. + + +Chapter LXIII. + + Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, + and Conventional Laws of Nations + +Chapter LXIV. + + The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; + the Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c. + +Chapter LXV. + + Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes of War; Reprisals; + Alliances in War + +Chapter LXVI. + + Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the + Enemy's Subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering + +Chapter LXVII. + + Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; + Right of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of + Peace + + +Synopsis of the State Constitutions. + +Maine +New Hampshire +Vermont +Massachusetts +Rhode Island +Connecticut +New York +New Jersey +Pennsylvania +Delaware +Maryland +Virginia +North Carolina +South Carolina +Georgia +Florida +Alabama +Mississippi +Louisiana +Texas +Arkansas +Missouri +Tennessee +Kentucky +Ohio +Indiana +Illinois +Michigan +Wisconsin +Iowa +California +Minnesota + +Constitution of the United States + + + + + +Government Class Book. + + + + + +Principles of Government. + + + + +Chapter I. + +Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws. + + + +§1. Mankind are social beings. They are by nature fitted for society. By +this we mean that they are naturally disposed to associate with each +other. Indeed, such is their nature, that they could not be happy +without such association. Hence we conclude that the Creator has +designed men for society. It can not, therefore, be true, as some say, +that the savage state is the natural state of man. + +§2. Man is so formed that he is dependent upon his fellow men. He has +not the natural strength of other animals. He needs the assistance of +creatures like himself to protect and preserve his own being. We can +hardly imagine how a person could procure the necessaries of life +without such assistance. But men have the gifts of reason and speech. By +conversation they are enabled to improve their reason and increase their +knowledge, and to find methods of supplying their wants, and of +improving their social condition. + +§3. But, although men need the assistance of each other, they are so +formed that each must have the care of himself. If every man were fed +and clothed from a common store, provided by the labor of all, many, +depending upon the labor of others, would be less industrious than they +now are. By the present arrangement in society, which obliges every man +to provide for his own wants, more is earned, a greater number are cared +for, and the general welfare is better promoted than would be done if +each labored for the benefit of all. + + +§4. From this arrangement comes the right of property. If each man's +earnings should go into a common stock for the use of all, there would +be nothing that any one could call his own. But if each is to provide +for himself, he must have a right to use and enjoy the fruits of his own +labor. + +§5. But all men in society have the same rights. Therefore, in laboring +to supply our wants, and to gratify our desires, we can not rightfully +do so any further than is consistent with the rights of others. Hence we +see the necessity of some established rules for securing to every member +of society the free enjoyment of what justly belongs to him, and for +regulating his conduct toward his fellow-members. + +§6. These rules for regulating the social actions of men, are called +laws. _Law_, in a general sense, is a rule of action, and is applied to +all kinds of action. But in its limited and proper sense, it denotes the +rules of human action prescribing what men are to do, and forbidding +what they are not to do. + +§7. We have seen that man is fitted for society, and that laws are +necessary to govern the conduct of men in the social state. We see also +that mankind are fitted by nature for government and laws. Man is also a +moral being. The word _moral_ has various significations. Sometimes it +means only virtuous, or just; as, a moral man; that is, a man of moral +character, or who lives a moral life; by which is meant that the conduct +of the man is just and right. + +§8. But in a wider sense, the word moral relates to the social actions +of men, both right and wrong. Thus, in speaking of the character of a +man, we say, his morals are good, or his morals are bad. And of an +action, we say, it is morally right, or it is morally wrong. Man's +having a moral nature implies that he has a sense of right and wrong, or +at least the power or faculty of acquiring it; and, being a moral agent, +he is accountable for his actions. + +§9. Thus we have seen that men are social, reasonable, and moral beings. +They have power to discern their own wants and the wants of their fellow +men; to perceive what is right and what is wrong; and to know that they +ought to do what is right and to forbear to do what is wrong. Their +reason enables them to understand the meaning of laws, and to discover +what laws are necessary to regulate the social actions of men. Hence we +conclude that they are fitted and designed for society, and for +government and law. + +§10. The youngest reader probably knows, that in speaking of society, we +do not refer to any of those associations usually called societies, but +to _civil_ society, composed of the people of a state or nation. A +_nation_, or _state_, is a large number of persons united under some +form of government; as, the French nation; the British nation; or the +state of New-York; the state of Virginia. Sometimes it signifies the +ruling or governing power of a state or nation, as, the state has +provided for educating its citizens, and for supporting the poor. + +§11. The object of the people in forming a state association, or, as is +sometimes said, of entering into civil society, is to promote their +mutual safety and happiness. In uniting for this purpose, they agree to +be governed by certain established rules and principles; and the +governing of the people of a state or nation according to these rules, +is called _civil government_. The word _government_ also signifies the +rules and principles themselves by which the people are governed; and +sometimes the persons who administer the government--that is those who +make the laws of a state and carry them into effect--are called _the +government_. + + + + +Chapter II. + +Rights and Liberty, defined. + + + +§1. We have spoken of the rights of men, and of laws as designed to +secure to men the free enjoyment of their rights. But a more particular +definition of rights and laws will be useful to young persons just +commencing the study of civil government. + +§2. A _right_ means ownership, or the just claim or lawful title which a +person has to anything. What we have acquired by honest labor, or other +lawful means, is rightfully our own; and we are justly entitled to the +free use and enjoyment of it. We have a right also to be free in our +actions. We may go where we please, and do what ever we think necessary +for our own safety and happiness; provided we do not trespass upon the +rights of others; for it must be remembered that others have the same +rights as ourselves. + +§3. The rights here mentioned are _natural_ rights. They are so called +because they are ours by nature or by birth; and they can not be justly +taken from us or alienated. Hence they are also called _inalienable_. We +may, however, forfeit them by some offense or crime. If, for example, a +man is fined for breaking a law, he loses his right to the money he is +obliged to pay. By stealing, he forfeits his liberty, and may be justly +imprisoned. By committing murder, he forfeits his right to life, and may +be hanged. + +§4. Rights are also called personal, political, civil, and religious. +_Personal rights_, or the _rights of persons_, are rights belonging to +persons as individuals, and consist of the right of _personal security_, +or the right to be secure from injury to our bodies, or persons, or our +good names; the right of _personal liberty_, or the liberty of moving, +acting, or speaking without unjust restraint; and the _right of +property_, or the right to acquire and enjoy property. The terms +_rights of person_ and _rights of persons_, or _personal rights_, have +not the same meaning. The rights of person, as the term is generally +used, does not include the right of property; personal rights include +both the right of property and the rights of person. + +§5. _Political rights_ are those which belong to the people in their +political capacity. The word _political_, in a general sense, relates to +government. The whole body of the people united under one government, is +called the political body, or body politic. The right of the people to +choose and establish for themselves a form of government, or +constitution, and the right to elect persons to make and execute the +laws, are political rights. The right of voting at elections is +therefore a political right. + +§6. _Civil rights_ are those which are secured to the citizens by the +laws of the state. Some make no distinction between civil rights and +political rights. In a proper sense--that in which the terms are here +used--there is this difference: political rights are those secured by +the political or fundamental law, called the constitution; civil rights +are more properly those which are secured by the civil or municipal +laws. The difference will more clearly appear from the definition +elsewhere given of the political and civil laws. (Chap. III. §5, 6.) + +§7. _Religious rights_ consist in the right of a man to make known and +maintain his religious opinions, and to worship God in that way and +manner which he believes in his conscience to be most acceptable to his +Maker. This right is called also the _right of conscience_. But in +exercising this right, a man may not abuse it by violating the rights of +others, or disturbing the peace and order of society. + +§8. Now, although human rights are thus divided into classes and +differently defined, they are all natural rights. It is generally held +in this country as a truth, that "all men are created equal;" that is, +born with the same rights. And if men, as social and moral beings, are +fitted by _nature_ and designed for government and laws, we conclude +that their political, civil, and religious rights, and all other rights +to which they are entitled by the law of nature, are natural rights. + +§9. _Liberty_ is the being free to exercise and enjoy our rights, and is +called natural, political, civil, or religious, according to the +particular class of rights referred to. Thus the exercise of rights +guarantied by the constitution or political law, is called political +liberty. The free enjoyment of rights secured by the civil or municipal +laws, is called civil liberty. And freedom of religious opinion and +worship is called religious liberty. + +§10. Hence liberty itself is a natural right. The words _right_ and +_liberty_, however, have not the same meaning. We may have a right to a +thing when we have not the liberty of using it. John has a pencil which +is justly his own; but James takes it from him by force. John's liberty +to enjoy the use of his pencil is lost, but his right to it remains. +James has no right to the use of the pencil, though he enjoys the use of +it. + +§11. This example serves also to explain further the use of the +different terms applied to rights and liberty. John's right to his +pencil, being guarantied to him by the laws of civil society, is a +_civil_ right. It is with equal propriety called a _natural_ right, +because, by the law of nature, he has a right to the use of his pencil. + + + + +Chapter III. + +Laws, defined. + + + +§1. Law has been briefly defined. (Chap. 1. §6.) As in the case of +rights and liberty, laws are distinguished by different names; as, the +law of nature, or natural law; the moral law; the law of revelation, or +revealed law; the political law; the civil or municipal law. + +§2. The _law of nature_, is of the highest possible authority, being +established by the supreme Lawgiver himself. It is called the law of +nature, because it is right in itself--right in the nature of things, +and ought to be obeyed, though no positive command had ever been given +to men. It is a perfect rule of right for all moral and social beings. +It is that eternal rule of right to which God himself conforms. + +§3. The law of nature, as a rule of human action, arises out of man's +relation to his Maker and to his fellow men. As a creature, he must be +subject to the laws of his Creator, on whom he is dependent. He is also +in a measure dependent upon his fellow beings. All being created equal, +each is bound by the principles of natural justice to render to others +that assistance which is necessary to make them as happy as himself, or +which they justly owe to him in return. + +§4. The _moral law_ is that which prescribes to men their duties to God +and to each other. As a rule of human conduct therefore, it corresponds +exactly to the law of nature. The moral law is briefly expressed in the +decalogue or ten commandments, and is still more briefly summed up in +the two great commandments, to love God with all our heart and to love +our neighbor as ourselves. God being its author, it is called the +_divine law_; and, being found in the Holy Scriptures, in which his will +is revealed to mankind, it is called the _revealed law_, or _law of +revelation_. + +§5. _Political law_, as has been observed, is that system or form of +fundamental rules, called the constitution, by which the people in their +political capacity, or as a body politic, agree to be governed. The +nature of this law will more clearly appear from a more particular +definition of constitution, and from a description of the manner in +which a constitution is made. (Chap. V.) + +§6. The word _municipal_ was used by the Romans to designate that which +related to a _municipium_, which was a free town, or city. The rights of +a citizen of such free city or town were called _municipal rights_, and +its officers were called _municipal officers_. In this country, the word +is not only used in this limited sense, but is extended to what +pertains to a state. Hence the body of laws which prescribe the duties +of the citizens of a state, are called the _municipal_ or _civil law_. +And the term is used to distinguish the laws made by the legislature, or +law-making power of the state, from the constitution, or political law, +adopted by the people in their political capacity. + +§7. If, as has been said, the laws of the Creator form a perfect rule of +conduct for all mankind, and ought in all cases to be obeyed, then all +human law ought to agree with the divine law. If a human law is contrary +to the divine law, or if it requires us to disobey the commands of God, +it is not binding, and should not be obeyed. So the Scriptures teach. +They speak approvingly of men who disobeyed human authority, and who +gave as the reason, that it was their duty to obey God rather than men; +and they furnish many examples of good men who submitted to severe +punishment, even to death, rather than do what they knew to be contrary +to the divine will. + +§8. But although the divine will as revealed in the Scriptures, is a +perfect rule or law for all mankind, and although human laws ought to +conform to the divine law, yet it would be impossible to govern the +people of a state by that law alone. The divine law is broad, and +comprehends rules to teach men their whole duty; but it does not specify +every particular act of duty. Much of it consists of general principles +to which particular acts must be made to conform. It requires men to +deal justly with each other; but men do not always agree as to what is +right. Human laws, therefore, become necessary to declare what shall be +considered just and right between man and man. + +§9. It may be observed, further, that all the divine precepts could not +be carried into effect in civil government. They are spiritual, and +reach to the thoughts and intents of the heart. They require us to love +our Creator supremely, and our neighbor as ourselves; in other words, to +do to others as we would that they should do to us. But as the +omniscient God only knows when men fail in these duties, no human +authority could enforce such a law. Human laws, therefore, have respect +chiefly to the outward acts of men, and are designed to regulate their +intercourse with each other. + +§10. Although the laws of the state can not compel men to fulfill the +great law of love, it is nevertheless morally binding upon all. A +perfectly holy Creator could consistently require of his moral and +accountable creatures nothing less than supreme love to himself, and +equal love to one another. This, as has been remarked, is in accordance +with the law of nature, which is right in the nature of things. (Chap. +III. §2, 3.) + +§11. While the divine law accords perfectly with the principles of +natural justice, the giving of it to mankind manifests the wisdom and +benevolence of the supreme Lawgiver. Man is so formed, that it is for +his highest happiness strictly to obey this law. The generous man, in +relieving the wants of others, contributes to his own happiness. The boy +who divides an apple with his fellow, is more happy than he would be if +he retained the whole to himself. It is generally true, that, in +performing acts of kindness and charity to others, we most effectually +promote our own happiness, and feel the saying to be true, "It is more +blessed to give than to receive." + + + + +Chapter IV. + +Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; +Republic. + + + +§1. Governments have existed in a great variety of forms. The earliest +governments of which we have any knowledge, are the patriarchal. +_Patriarch_, from the Greek, _pater_, father, and _arkos_, chief, or +head, means the father and ruler of a family. This kind of government +prevailed in the early ages of the world, and in a state of society in +which the people dwelt together in families or tribes, and were not yet +formed into states or nations. The patriarchal government existed before +the flood, and for a long period afterward. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, +the fathers of the Hebrew race, as also the sons of Jacob, the heads of +the twelve tribes, were called patriarchs. + +§2. After their departure from Egypt, the government of the Hebrews was +a _theocracy_. This word is from _theos_, God, and _kratos_, power, and +signifies a government by the immediate direction of God. The laws by +which they were governed were given to them on Mount Sinai by God +himself, their leader and king. This theocratic form of government, with +some changes, existed until the coming of the Messiah. + +§3. But the forms of government which have most prevailed, are +designated by the terms, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, or +republic. These words severally indicate by what persons, and in what +manner, the governing power of a state is exercised. This power is +usually called the _sovereign_, or _supreme_ power. Where kings rule, +they are called sovereign; and where the power is in the hands of the +people, the people are sovereign. In the strict sense of the term, +however, entire sovereignty, or supreme power, exists only where power +is exercised by one man, or a single body of men, uncontrolled or +unrestrained by laws or by any other power. But in a more general sense, +it is that power in a state which is superior to all other powers within +the same. + +§4. A form of government in which the supreme power is in the hands of +one person, is called a monarchy. The word _monarch_ is from two Greek +words, _monos_ sole or only, and _arkos_, a chief; and is a general name +for a single ruler, whether he is called king, emperor, or prince. A +government in which all power resides in or proceeds from one person, is +an _absolute_ monarchy. If the power of the monarch is restrained by +laws or by some other power, it is called a _limited_ monarchy. + +§5. A monarchy is called _hereditary_ in which the throne passes from +father to son, or from the monarch to his successor, by inheritance. On +the death of a sovereign, the eldest son is usually heir to the crown; +or if there is no son, it falls to the daughter, or some other relative. +A monarchy is _elective_, where, on the death of the ruler, his +successor is appointed by an election. A few such monarchies have +existed. + +§6. An absolute monarchy is sometimes called _despotism_. The word +_despot_ is from the Greek, and means _master_, or _lord_. It has nearly +the same meaning as _tyrant_, which also is from the Greek, and +signifies _king_. These words at first meant simply a single ruler. They +are now applied, for the most part, to rulers who exercise authority +over their subjects with severity. In an absolute despotism, the monarch +has entire control over his subjects. They have no law but the will of +the ruler, who has at command a large force of armed men to keep his +people in subjection. The governments of Russia and Turkey are highly +despotic. + +§7. An _aristocracy_ is a form of government in which the power is +exercised by a privileged order of men, distinguished for their rank and +wealth. The word _aristocracy_ is from the Greek word _aristos_, best, +and _kratos_, power, or _krateo_, to govern; and means a government of +the best. It is also used for the nobility of a country under a +monarchical government. _Nobles_ are persons of rank above the common +people, and bear some title of honor. The titles of the English nobility +are those of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. These titles are +hereditary, being derived from birth. In some cases they are conferred +upon persons by the king. + +§8. A _democracy_ is a government of the people; the word democracy +being from the Greek _demos_, the people, and _krateo_, to govern. In a +government purely democratic, the great body of freemen meet in one +assembly to make and execute the laws. There were some such governments +in ancient Greece; but they necessarily comprised small territories, +scarcely more than a single town. The freemen of a state could not all +meet in a single assembly. + +§9. The government of this country, though a government of the people, +is not one of the kind just described; it is a republic. A _republic_ is +a government in which the power to enact and execute the laws is +exercised by representatives, who are persons elected by the people to +act for them. Yet, as not only the election of representatives, but the +adoption of the constitution or form of government itself is the act of +the people; and as, therefore, all power comes from the people, the +government is also democratic; and is properly called a _democratic +republic_, or a _representative democracy_. + +§10. A republic is sometimes also called a _commonwealth_. _Common_ +signifies general, and is applied to what belongs to or is used by the +people generally. _Weal_ means welfare or happiness. _Wealth_ also was +formerly sometimes used for weal. Hence _commonwealth_ means strictly +the _common good_, or the _common happiness_. In a general sense it +signifies a state; but it is properly applied to a free state, one in +which the people enjoy common rights and privileges. Hence every state +in the union is a commonwealth or republic. + + + + + +State Governments. + + + + +Chapter V. + +The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the Manner in which it is +made. + + + +§1. Of all the different forms of government which have existed, a +republican government, on the plan of that which has been established in +this country, is believed to be best adapted to secure the liberties of +a people, and to promote the general welfare. Under the reign of a wise +and virtuous ruler, the rights of person and property may be fully +enjoyed, and the people may be in a good degree prosperous. But the +requisite virtue and wisdom have seldom been found in any one man or a +few men. And experience has proved that the objects of civil government +may be best secured by a written constitution founded upon the will or +consent of the people. + +§2. The word _constitute_ is from the Latin, and signifies _to set_, to +fix, to establish. _Constitution_, when used in a political sense, means +the established form of government of a state. In a free government, +like ours, it is properly called the _political law_, being established +by the people as a body politic, or political body. (Chap. III, +§5.) It is also called the _fundamental law_, because it is the +_foundation_ of all other laws of the state, which are enacted by the +legislature for regulating intercourse between the citizens, and are +called the _municipal_ or _civil_ law, and must conform to the +fundamental, or political law. + +§3. A constitution is in the nature of an agreement between a whole +community or body politic and each of its members. This agreement or +contract implies, that each one binds himself to the whole, and the +whole bind themselves to each one, that all shall be governed by certain +laws and regulations for the common good. + +§4. The nature of a constitution will further appear from the manner in +which it is made. It is evident that a people, in establishing a +constitution, must have some right or authority to act in the business. +Whence this right is derived, we will not now stop to inquire. There is, +however, somewhere power to enact a law authorizing the people to make a +constitution and prescribing the manner in which it is to be made. + +§5. In forming a constitution, the people must act collectively. But +their number is too large to meet in a single assembly. Therefore they +choose a small number to act for them. One or more are chosen in each +county, or smaller district, and are called delegates. A _delegate_ is a +person appointed by another with power to transact business as his +representative. The assembly composed of the delegates so elected, is +called _convention_; a name given to most public meetings other than +legislative assemblies. Delegate and representative are words of nearly +the same meaning. The latter, however, usually designates a person +chosen to assist in making the laws of the state. + +§6. The rules agreed upon by the convention as a basis of government, +are arranged in proper form. The several portions relating to the +different subjects are called articles, and numbered; and the articles +are divided into sections, which also are numbered. But what has been +thus prepared by the convention is not yet a constitution. It is only a +draft of one, and can not become a constitution without the consent of +the people to be given at an election. If a majority of the persons +voting at such election vote in favor of the proposed constitution, it +is adopted, and becomes the constitution of the state. + +§7. One of the most valuable rights of the people under a free +government, is the right to have a constitution of their own choice. +Indeed it is in this right that their freedom principally consists. It +is by the constitution that their rights are secured. All the people +join in establishing the constitution; but they do not all unite in +making and executing the laws; in other words, they do not themselves +administer the government; this is done by their representatives. But if +these should enact unjust and oppressive laws; the people, having by +their constitution reserved the right to displace them, may do so by +electing others in their stead. + +§8. In an absolute monarchy the people have no political rights--the +right to establish a form of government for themselves, and the right to +elect those who are to make and administer the laws. The monarch has +entire control over his subjects. He can take their lives and property +when he pleases. His will is their law; and he has at command a large +force of armed men to keep his people in subjection. + +§9. In a limited monarchy, the people have some political rights. Such a +monarchy is Great Britain. The king or sovereign is in a measure +restrained by laws; and he can not make laws alone. The laws are framed +and agreed to by parliament, and must be approved by the king or queen. +Parliament consists of two bodies of men, the house of lords and the +house of commons. The members of the latter are elected by the people, +who, in such election, exercise a political right. + +§10. But the political right of establishing a constitution or form of +government, is not enjoyed by the people of that country. They have no +written instrument, like ours, called constitution, adopted by the +people. What is there called the constitution, is the aggregate or sum +of laws, principles, and customs, which have been formed in the course +of centuries. There is therefore no restraint upon the power of +parliament; hence no law which may be enacted is contrary to the +constitution; and the people have not the same security against the +enactment of unjust laws as the people of the United States. + + + + +Chapter VI. + +Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is exercised in +the States of this Union. + + + +§1. One of the first provisions usually inserted in a constitution of a +free state, is that which declares who shall be allowed to take a part +in the government; that is, to whom the political power shall be +intrusted. As this power is exercised by voting at elections, the +constitution very properly prescribes the qualifications of electors, +or, in other words, declares what shall be necessary to entitle a man to +the right of voting, or the right of suffrage. When, therefore, we speak +of the people politically, we mean those only who are qualified +electors. + +§2. To be competent to exercise the right of suffrage, a person must be +a freeman, or, as we sometimes say, he should be his own master. While +under the control of a parent or guardian, he might be constrained to +act contrary to his own judgment. All our state constitutions, +therefore, give this right only to free male citizens of the age of +twenty-one years and upwards; twenty-one years being the age at which +young men become free to act for themselves. + +§3. But even if this freedom were obtained at an earlier age, it would +not be expedient to bestow this right upon persons so young. They have +not the necessary knowledge and judgment to act with discretion. Some +are competent at an earlier age; but a constitution can make no +distinction between citizens. It has therefore, in accordance with the +general opinion, fixed the time at the age of twenty-one, when men shall +be deemed capable of exercising the rights and performing the duties of +freemen. + +§4. That a man may vote understandingly, he must have resided long +enough in the state to have become acquainted with its government and +laws, and to have learned the character and qualifications of the +persons for whom he votes. State constitutions therefore require, that +electors shall have resided in the state for a specified period of time, +varying, however, in the different states from three months to two +years. In most of the states, they must also have resided for some +months in the county or district, and be residents of the town in which +they offer to vote. + +§5. But in giving the right of suffrage to all free male citizens +twenty-one years of age, it is not given to every _man_, because all +_men_ of that age are not citizens. Persons born in foreign countries +and residing here are _aliens_, and are not entitled to the political +rights of persons born in this country. They are presumed to have too +little knowledge of our government, and to feel too little interest in +public affairs, on their first coming hither, to be duly qualified for +the exercise of political power. Laws, however, have been enacted for +naturalizing aliens after they shall have resided here long enough to +become acquainted with and attached to our government. By naturalization +they become citizens, entitled to all the privileges of native or +natural born citizens, (Chap. XXXIV, §3, 4.) + +§6. The constitutions of most of the states confer the rights of an +elector on _white_ male citizens only. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, +Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, are the only states in which colored +men have the same electoral rights as white citizens. In New York, men +of color owning a freehold estate (an estate in lands) of the value of +$250, are qualified voters. + +§7. It is provided also in state constitutions, that electors committing +infamous crimes are disfranchised. _Franchise_ is a right or privilege +enjoyed by the citizens of a state. Hence the right of voting at +elections is called the _elective franchise_; and an elector, when +deprived of this privilege, is _disfranchised_. An _infamous crime_ is +one which is punishable by imprisonment in a state prison. Men guilty of +high crimes are deemed unfit to be intrusted with so important a duty as +that of electing the persons who are to make and execute the laws of the +state. It is provided, however, that if such persons are pardoned before +the expiration of the term for which they were sentenced to be +imprisoned, their forfeited rights are restored. + +§8. By the earliest constitutions of many of the old states, electors +were required to own property, or to have paid rents or taxes, to a +certain amount. In the election of the higher officers, freeholders only +were entitled to vote. A _freeholder_ is an owner of real estate, +(property in lands,) which he holds in his own right, and may transmit +to his heirs. In the constitutions of the newer states, property has not +been made a qualification of an elector; and in the amended +constitutions of the old states this restriction upon the elective +franchise has been removed, until it has nearly ceased to exist in the +United States. It is now enjoyed by all white male freemen, with few +exceptions, in almost every state of the Union. + + + + +Chapter VII. + +Elections. + + + +§1. For the convenient exercise of political power, as well as for the +purposes of government generally, the territory of a state is divided +into districts of small extent. It has been remarked, that the people of +a state, being too numerous to meet in one assembly to make laws and +transact the public business, elect a small number to represent them. +But to elect these representatives and other officers, and to adopt the +constitution, or fundamental law of the state, are political duties, +which must be performed by the people in person, and in a _collective_ +capacity. Hence the necessity of small territorial divisions, in which +the people may assemble for political purposes. + +§2. A state is divided into counties, and these are divided into towns +or townships. The people of every county and every town have power to +manage their local concerns. The corporate powers of counties and towns, +and the election and the powers and duties of county and town officers, +will be given in subsequent chapters. + +§3. The electors of the state meet every year in their respective towns +for the election of officers. Meetings for electing town officers are, +in a majority of the states, held in the earlier part of the year. Most +officers elected by the people, other than town officers, are chosen at +the general state election, which, in most of the states, is held in +October or November. + +§4. Elections are conducted by persons designated by law, or chosen by +the electors of the town for that purpose. It is their duty to preserve +order, and to see that the business is properly done. They are usually +called _judges of elections_, or _inspectors of elections_. Persons +also, (usually two,) serve as clerks. Each clerk keeps a list of the +names of the persons voting, which is called a _poll-list. Poll_, which +is said to be a Saxon word, signifies _head_, and has come to mean +person. Thus, so much a head means so much for every _person_ By a +further change it has been made to signify an election, because the +persons there voting are numbered. Hence, "going to the polls" has +obtained the same meaning as going to an election. + +§5. When the inspectors are ready to receive votes, one of them makes it +known by proclaiming with a loud voice, that "the polls are now open." +The inspectors receive from each voter a ballot, which is a piece of +paper containing the names of the persons voted for, and the title of +the office to which each of them is to be elected. _Ballot_, from the +French, means a little ball, and is used in voting. Ballots are of +different colors; those of one color signifying an affirmative vote, or +_yes_; those of another color a negative vote, or _no_. From this has +come the application of the word ballot to the written or printed ticket +now used in voting. + +§6. If no objection is made to an elector's voting, the ballot is put +into the box, and the clerks enter his name on the poll-list. If the +inspectors suspect that a person offering to vote is not a qualified +elector, they may question him upon his oath in respect to his +qualifications as to age, the term of his residence in the state and +county, and citizenship. Any bystander also may question his right to +vote. This is called _challenging_. A person thus challenged is not +allowed to vote until the challenge is withdrawn, or his qualifications +are either proved by the testimony of other persons, or sworn to by +himself. + +§7. In a few states, the voters are registered. A list is kept of the +names of all who have, upon examination, been ascertained to be +qualified electors; and those only whose names are on the register are +allowed to vote. Thus many interruptions to voting by the examination of +voters at the polls, and much illegal voting, are prevented. Voters in +some states are also required to take what is called the "elector's +oath," in which they promise to be true and faithful to the state and +its government, and to the constitution of the United States; and to +give their votes as they shall judge will conduce to the best good of +the same. + +§8. After the polls are closed, the box is opened, and the ballots are +counted. If the number of ballots agrees with the number of names on the +poll-lists, it is presumed no mistake has been made, either in voting or +in keeping the lists. If the election is one for the choosing of town +officers, it is there determined who are elected, and their election is +publicly declared. + +§9. The election of county and state officers can not be determined by +the town canvassers. A statement of the votes given in each town for the +persons voted for, is sent to the county canvassers, who, from the +returns of votes from all the towns, determine and declare the election +of the officers chosen for the county. To determine the election of +state officers, and of such others as are elected for districts +comprising more than one county, a statement of the votes given for the +several candidates, is sent by the several boards of county canvassers +to the state canvassers, who, from the returns of votes from the several +counties, determine the election of the state officers. + +§10. In a few states, voting at elections is done _viva voce_. These +words mean by word of mouth. In voting in this manner, the elector +speaks the name of the person for whom he votes. + +§11. In most of the states, persons are elected by a plurality of votes. +An election by _plurality_ is when the person elected has received a +higher number of votes than any other, though such number be less than a +majority of all the votes given. Suppose, for example, three candidates +receive 1000 votes: One receives 450; another, 300; the third, 250 +votes. The first, having the highest number, though not a majority, is +elected. In the New England, or eastern states, a _majority_, that is, +more than one-half of all the votes given, is necessary to the election +of many of the higher officers. The least number of votes out of 1000, +by which a person can be elected by this rule, is 501. + +§12. Either of these modes is liable to objection. When a simple +plurality effects an election, 1,000 votes may be so divided upon three +candidates as to elect one by 334 votes; or of four candidates, one may +be elected by 251 votes, and against the wishes of nearly three-fourths +of the electors. An objection to the other mode is, that if no person +receives a majority of all the votes, another election must be held. +Numerous trials have, in some instances, been necessary to effect a +choice; and the people of a district have remained for a time without a +representative in the state or national legislature. + + + + +Chapter VIII. + +Division of the Powers of Government. + + + +§1. Having shown the nature of a constitution and the manner in which it +is made and adopted, it will next be shown how the powers of government +under a state constitution are divided. As the excellence of a form of +government consists much in a proper separation and distribution of +power, this subject deserves special attention. + +§2. We notice first the separation of the political and civil powers. +The words _political_ and _civil_ are often used as having the same +meaning. Thus, speaking of the system of government and laws of a +country, we use the general term, "political institutions," or "civil +institutions;" either of which is deemed correct. But these words have +also a particular signification, as has already been shown in the +distinction made in preceding chapters between political rights and +civil rights, and between the political law and the municipal or civil +laws. (Chap. II, and III.) Hence it appears, that what we mean by +political power is the power exercised by the people in their political +capacity, in adopting their constitution and electing the officers of +the government; and that, by the civil power is meant the power +exercised by these officers in administering the government. + +§3. In an absolute government, no such distinction exists; all power is +centered in the supreme ruler. There is no political law binding on him. +Being himself restrained by no positive laws or regulations that have +been adopted by the people, or that may be altered by them, the people +have no political rights. In a mixed government, or limited monarchy, +political power is exercised to some extent. Although there is no +written constitution adopted by the people, as in a republic, the +members of one branch of the law-making power are elected by the people. +In such election they are said to exercise political power. + +§4. We notice next the division of the civil power. This power, in well +constructed governments, is divided into three departments, the +legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative department +is that by which the laws of the state are made. The legislature is +composed of two bodies, the members of which are elected by the people. +In limited monarchies where one branch of the legislature is elective, +the other is an aristocratic body, composed of men of wealth and +dignity, as the British house of lords. + +§5. The executive department is intrusted with the power of executing, +or carrying into effect, the laws of the state. There is in this +department a governor, assisted by a number of other officers, some of +whom are elected by the people; others are appointed in such manner as +the constitution or laws prescribe. The powers and duties of the +governor of a state will be more particularly described in another +place. + +§6. The judicial department is that by which justice is administered to +the citizens. It embraces the several courts of the state. All judges +and justices of the peace are judicial officers; and they have power, +and it is their business to judge of and apply the law in cases brought +before them for trial. A more particular description of the powers and +duties of judicial officers, and the manner of conducting trials in +courts of justice, will be given elsewhere. (Chap. XVII-XX.) + +§7. Experience has shown the propriety of dividing the civil power into +these three departments, and of confining the officers of each +department to the powers and duties belonging to the same. Those who +make the laws should not exercise the power of executing them; nor +should they who either make or execute the laws sit in judgment over +those who are brought before them for trial. A government in which the +different powers of making, executing, and applying the laws should be +united in a single body of men, however numerous, would be little better +than an absolute despotism. + +§8. Again, the legislative department of the civil power is divided. +Under all our state constitutions, the legislature consists of two +branches, both of which must agree to a proposed measure before it +becomes a law; and in many of the states, it must also be approved by +the governor. This is making the chief executive officer a third branch +of the law-making power; and is not in accordance with the principle of +keeping the several departments of the civil power separate and distinct +from each other. The reason for this departure from the general +principle mentioned, will be stated in another chapter. (Chap. XI. §16.) + + + + +Chapter IX. + +State Legislatures--how constituted. + + + +§1. The legislature of every state in the union is composed of two +houses--a senate and a house of representatives. The latter, or, as it +is sometimes called, the lower house, in the states of New York, +Wisconsin, and California, is called the assembly; in Maryland and +Virginia, the house of delegates; in North Carolina, the house of +commons; and in New Jersey, the general assembly. In most of the +states, the two houses together are called _general assembly_. + +§2. The senate, as well as the other house, is a representative body; +its members being elected by the people to represent them. Why, then, is +only one of the two branches called the house of representatives? +Perhaps for this reason: Under the governments of the colonies, while +yet subject to Great Britian, there was but one representative assembly. +The other branch of the legislature was called a _council_, consisting +of a small number of men who were appointed by the king. After the +colonies became free and independent states, a senate was substituted +for the old council, and although it is an elective body, the other +house, being much more numerous, is called, by way of distinction, the +_house of representatives_. + +§3. Senators are chosen annually in the six New England states, namely, +Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and +Connecticut. In the other states they are elected for terms of two, +three, or four years. In most of the states in which senators are +elected for longer terms than one year, they are not all elected at the +same time. They are divided into classes; and those of one class go out +of office one year, and those of another class another year; so that +only a part of the senators are elected every year, or every two, or +three, or four years. + +§4. The senate, as distinguished from the house of representatives, is +sometimes called the upper house. It was designed to be a more select +body, composed of men chosen with reference to their superior ability, +or their greater experience in public affairs. + +§5. Senators are differently apportioned in different states. In some +states they are apportioned among the several counties, so that the +number to be elected in each county shall be in proportion to the number +of its inhabitants. In others they are elected by districts, equal in +number to the number of senators to be chosen in the state, and a +senator is elected in each district. The districts are to contain, as +nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants; and sometimes they +comprise several counties. + +§6. Representatives are apportioned among the counties in proportion to +the population in each. In some states they are elected in districts of +equal population, counties being sometimes divided in the formation of +districts. In the New England states, representatives are apportioned +among the towns. In about one-half of the states, they are elected +annually; in the others, (including-most of the southern and western +states,) they are elected every two years. + +§7. The different modes of apportioning members of the legislature have +in view the same object--equal representation; that is, giving a member +to the same number of inhabitants in one county or district as to an +equal number in another. But in some counties the population increases +more rapidly than in others. The representation then becomes unequal, +being no longer in proportion to population. + +§8. In order to keep the representation throughout the state as nearly +equal as possible; in other words, to secure to the people of every +county or district their just proportion of the representatives, the +constitution requires that, at stated times, the people of the state +shall be numbered, and a new apportionment of senators and +representatives be made among the several counties according to the +number of inhabitants in each county; or if the state is one in which +members of the legislature are chosen in districts, a new division of +the state is made into districts. + +§9. But the periods of time between the enumerations of the people, are +not the same in all the states. In some states the enumerations are made +every ten years; in others, shorter periods have been fixed, from eight +down to four years. This enumeration or numbering of the people is +called taking the census. _Census_ is from the Latin, and was used by +the ancient Romans to signify a declaration or statement made before the +censors by the citizens, containing an enumeration or register of +themselves, their wives, children, servants, and their property and its +valuation. In the United States, although the census sometimes includes +a similar register, the word usually means simply an enumeration of the +people. + +§10. The constitution also prescribes the qualifications of senators and +representatives. If, as qualifications for an elector, full age, +citizenship, and a considerable term of residence in the state and +county, are properly required, as we have seen, (Chap. VI. §2-5,) they +must be at least equally necessary for those who make the laws. In no +state, therefore, are any but qualified electors eligible to the office +of senator or representative. In some states, greater age and longer +residence are required; and in some, the age and term of residence have +been still further increased in the case of senators. The property +qualification formerly necessary for members of the legislature, as well +as for voters, has been almost entirely abolished. (Chap. VI. §8.) + +§11. If a member of the legislature dies, or resigns his office before +the expiration of the term for which he was chosen, the vacancy is +filled by the election of another person at the next general election, +or at a special election called for that purpose, or in such other +manner as the constitution may provide. But a person chosen to fill a +vacancy, holds the office only for the remainder of the term of him +whose place he was chosen to supply. + + + + +Chapter X. + +Meetings and Organization of the Legislature. + + + +§1. The legislature meets as often as the constitution requires, to +enact such laws as may be necessary to promote the public welfare, and +to perform such other duties as are assigned to it by the constitution +and the laws. In about half of the states, sessions are held annually; +in the others biennially, or once in two years. A legislative session +includes the daily meetings of a legislature from the time of its first +assembling, to the day of final adjournment. Thus we say the session +commenced in January and ended in March. The word _session_ has +reference also to a single sitting, from the hour at which the members +assemble on any day, to the time of adjournment on the same day. Thus we +say, the legislature holds a daily session of four hours; or, it holds +two sessions a day, as the case may be. + +§2. Meetings of the legislature are held at a place permanently fixed by +the constitution; at which place the principal state officers keep their +offices. Hence it is called the _seat of government_, or perhaps more +frequently, the _capital_ of the state. _Capital_ is from the Latin +_caput_, the head, and has come to mean chief, or the highest. A capital +city is therefore the chief city of a state or kingdom. But the word +_capital_, applied to a city, now generally indicates the seat of +government. + +§3. When the two houses have assembled in their respective chambers, +some person designated for that purpose administers to the members of +each house the oath of office, in which they solemnly swear (or affirm,) +that they will support the constitution of the United States, and the +constitution of the state, and faithfully discharge the duties of their +office. + +§4. Each house then proceeds to _organize_ for business, by appointing +proper officers, and determining the right of members to seats in the +house. In organizing a legislative body, the first thing done is the +election of a presiding officer, or chairman, who is usually called +_speaker_. The lieutenant-governor, in states in which there is one, +presides in the senate, and is called _president of the senate_. In the +absence of the presiding officer, a temporary speaker or president is +chosen, who is called speaker or president _pro tempore_, commonly +abbreviated, _pro tem._, which is a Latin phrase, meaning _for the +time_. + +§5. The duty of the person presiding is to keep order, and to see that +the business of the house is conducted according to certain established +rules. When a vote is to be taken, he puts the question, which is done +by requesting all who are in favor of a proposed measure, to say _aye_, +and those opposed to say _no_. And, when a vote has been taken, he +declares the question to be carried or lost. This part of a speaker's +business is similar to that of the chairman of an ordinary public +meeting. + +§6. The other officers chosen by each house are, a _clerk_ to keep a +record or journal of its proceedings; to take charge of papers, and to +read such as are to be read to the house; and to do such other things as +may be required of him; a _sergeant-at-arms_, to arrest members and +other persons guilty of disorderly conduct, to compel the attendance of +absent members, and to do other business of a like nature: also one or +more _door-keepers_. The officers mentioned in this section are not +chosen from the members of the house. + +§7. The constitution does not prescribe to either house the order of +business, or the particular manner in which it shall be done; but +authorizes each house to determine for itself the rules of its +proceedings. But there are sundry things which it expressly enjoins. It +determines what portion of the members shall constitute a quorum to do +business. _Quorum_ is the Latin of the English words, _of whom_, and has +strangely come to signify the _number_ or _portion_ of any body of men +who have power to act for the whole. Thus with reference to a +legislative body consisting of a certain number of members, instead of +saying, A majority _quorum_ shall have power to act; or, A majority _of +whom_ shall have power to act, our constitutions generally say, A +majority shall constitute a quorum to do business. In some states, more +than a bare majority is required for a quorum. + +§8. Constitutions generally require also that the proceedings of +legislative bodies shall be open to public inspection. The doors may be +closed against spectators only when the public good shall require +secrecy. And that the people may be fully informed of what is done, each +house is required to keep and publish a journal of its proceedings. + +§9. Provision is also made, either by the constitution or by laws +against injury or interruption to the business of the legislature. +Members may not, by any prosecution at law, except for crimes and +misdemeanors, be hindered during their attendance at the sessions of the +legislature, nor in going to or returning from the same. Each house may +compel the attendance of absent members. It may for good cause expel a +member, and punish, not only its members and officers, but other +persons, for disorderly conduct, or for obstructing its proceedings. + + + + +Chapter XI. + +Manner of Enacting Laws. + + + +§1. When the two houses are duly organized and ready for business, the +governor sends to both houses a written communication called _message_, +in which, as the constitution requires, he gives to the legislature +information of the condition of the affairs of the state, and recommends +such measures as he judges necessary and expedient. The message is read +to each house by its clerk. + +§2. But the measures to which the governor calls the attention of the +legislature, are but a small portion of those which are considered and +acted upon. Many are introduced by individual members. Others are +brought into notice by the petitions of the people in different parts of +the state. _Petition_ generally signifies a request or prayer. As here +used, it means a written request to the legislature for some +favor--generally for a law granting some benefit or relief to the +petitioners. Petitions are sent to members, usually to those who +represent the counties or districts in which the petitioners live, and +are by these members presented to the house. + +§3. Now it is evident, that a proper consideration of the numerous +subjects pressed upon the attention of the legislature--some of them of +very great importance--must require much labor. If the necessary +investigation of so many subjects should occupy the time of the whole +house, there would not be time enough to act upon one-half of them. +Therefore, in order to dispatch business, the labor of the house must be +divided, that the investigation of all the different subjects may be +going on at the same time. + +§4. Hence arises the practice which prevails in all legislative bodies, +of the appointment of committees. As soon as may be, after a house is +organized, committees are appointed on all subjects usually acted on in +the legislature. A legislative committee is generally composed of three, +five, or seven members, who examine the subjects referred to them, and +report the result of their examination to the house. Committees are +appointed by the presiding officer of each house. Occasionally, though +very rarely, they are elected by the house itself. + +§5. Some or all of the following committees are appointed in every +legislature: a committee on finance, or the funds, income, and other +money matters of the state, sometimes called the committee of ways and +means; a committee on agriculture; a committee on manufactures; +committees on the incorporation of cities and villages; on banks and +insurance companies; on railroads; on canals; on education; on +elections; on public printing, besides many others. So numerous are +these subjects, that in constituting the committees, every member may be +put on some committee. + +§6. All matters relating to these subjects of a general nature, which +arise during the session, are referred to their appropriate committees. +Thus, a question or proposition relating to banks, is referred to the +committee on banks; matters relating to rail-roads, are referred to the +committee on rail-roads; those relating to schools, are referred to the +committee on education, &c. As these committees continue during the +session, they are called _standing_ committees. When a question arises +having no relation to any subject on which there is a standing +committee, it is usually referred to a _special_ or _select_ committee +appointed to consider this particular matter. + +§7. Committees meet in private rooms, during hours when the house is not +in session; and any person wishing to be heard in favor of or against a +proposed measure, may appear before the committee having it in charge. +Having duly considered the subject, the committee reports to the house +the information it has obtained, with the opinion whether the measure +ought or ought not to become a law. Measures reported against by +committees, seldom receive any further notice from the house. + +§8. From what has been said, the utility of committees is readily seen. +Although no proposed measure can become a law unless acted on and +approved by the two houses, its necessity may be inquired into, and the +information necessary to enable the house to act understandingly upon +the question, may be obtained, as well by a few members as by the whole +house. By the daily examination of so many subjects in committee, a +large amount of business is soon prepared for the house to act upon, and +much of its time is saved. + +§9. If a committee reports favorably upon a subject, it usually brings +in a bill with its report. A _bill_ is the form or draft of a law. Not +all bills, however, are reported by committees. Any member of the house +desiring the passage of a law, may give notice that he will, on some +future day, ask leave of the house to introduce a bill for that purpose; +and if, at the time specified, the house shall grant leave, he may +introduce the bill. But at least one day's previous notice must be given +of his intention to ask leave, before it can be granted. + +§10. The different steps in the progress of a bill, or the different +forms of action through which it has to pass, are numerous. A minute +description of them in a work designed chiefly for youth, will scarcely +be expected. A thorough knowledge of the proceedings of legislative +assemblies, can be practically beneficial, in after life, to but few of +those who shall study this elementary treatise. Those who shall +hereafter have occasion for this knowledge, will find works adapted to a +more mature age, in which the subject is fully treated. + +§11. A bill, before it is passed, must be read three times; but it may +not be read twice on any one day without unanimous consent, that is, the +consent of the whole house; or, as is believed to be the rule in some +bodies, the consent of three-fourths, or two-thirds of the house. In +some legislatures, the rule allows the first and second readings to be +on the same day. A bill is not to be amended until it shall have been +twice read. Nor is it usual for it to be opposed until then; but it may +be opposed and rejected at the first reading. + +§12. After a bill has been twice read, and fully debated and amended, it +is proposed to be read on a future day the third time. If the question +on ordering the bill to a third reading is not carried, the bill is +lost, unless revived by a vote of the house to reconsider. But if the +question to read the third time is carried, the bill is accordingly read +on a future day, and the question taken on its final passage. + +§13. When the final vote is to be taken, the speaker puts the question: +"Shall the bill pass?" If a majority of the members present vote in the +affirmative, (the speaker also voting,) the bill is passed; if a +majority vote in the negative, the bill is lost. Also if the ayes and +noes are equal, it is lost, because there is not a majority in its +favor. In a senate where a lieutenant-governor presides, not being +properly a member, he does not vote, except when the ayes and noes are +equal; in which case there is said to be a _tie_; and he determines the +question by his vote, which is called the _casting_ vote. In some +states, on the final passage of a bill, a bare majority of the members +present is not sufficient to pass it, in case any members are absent. +The constitutions of those states require the votes of a majority of +_all the members elected_ to each house. + +§14. When a bill has passed one house it is sent to the other, where it +must pass through the same forms of action; that is, it must be referred +to a committee; reported by the committee to the house; and be read +three times before a vote is taken on its passage. This vote having +been taken, the bill is returned to the house from which it was +received. If it has been amended, the amendments must be agreed to by +the first house, or the second must recede from their amendments, or the +amendments must be so modified as to secure the approval of both houses, +before the bill can become a law. + +§15. Some young reader may inquire why a bill should take so long and +slow a course through two different houses; and why one body of +representatives is not sufficient. The object is to secure the enactment +of good laws. Notwithstanding bills go through the hands of a committee +and three different readings in the house; yet through undue haste, +wrong information, or from other causes, a house may, and often does, +commit serious errors. Legislatures are therefore divided into two +branches; and a bill having passed one house is sent to the other where +the mistakes of the former may be corrected, or the bill wholly +rejected. + +§16. But in many of the states, a bill, when passed by both houses, is +not yet a law. As the two houses may concur in adopting an unwise +measure, an additional safeguard is provided against the enactment of +bad laws, by requiring all bills to be sent to the governor for +examination and approval. If he approves a bill, he signs it, and it is +a law; if he does not sign it, it is not a law. In refusing to sign a +bill, he is said to _negative_, or _veto_ the bill. _Veto_, Latin, +means, _I forbid_. + +§17. But no governor has full power to prevent the passage of a law. If +he does not approve a bill, he must return it to the house in which it +originated, stating his objections to it; and if it shall be again +passed by both houses, it will be a law without the governor's assent +But in such cases greater majorities are generally required to pass a +law. In some states, a majority of two-thirds of the members present is +necessary; in others, a majority of _all the members elected_. In a few +states, only the same majorities are required to pass a bill against +the veto as in the first instance. Or if the governor does not return a +bill within a certain number of days, it becomes a law without his +signature, or without being considered a second time. In some states, +bills are not sent to the governor, but are laws when passed by both +houses and signed by their presiding officers. + + + + +Chapter XII. + +Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. + + + +§1. The chief executive power of a state is, by the constitution, vested +in a governor. The governor is chosen by the people at the general +election; in South Carolina by the legislature. The term of office is +not the same in all the states. In the six New England states, the +governors are chosen annually; in the other states, for the different +terms of two, three, and four years. + +§2. The qualifications for the office of governor are also different in +the different states. To be eligible to the office of governor, a person +must have been for a certain number of years a citizen of the United +States, and for a term of years preceding his election a resident of the +state. He must also be above a certain age, which, in a majority of the +states, is at least thirty years; and in some states he must be a +freeholder. + +§3. The powers and duties of a governor are numerous. He communicates by +message to the legislature, at every session, information of the +condition of the state of its affairs generally, and recommends such +measures as he judges necessary and expedient. He is to take care that +the laws be faithfully executed, and to transact all necessary business +with the officers of the government. He may convene the legislature on +extraordinary occasions: that is, if, at a time when the legislature is +not in session, a matter should arise requiring immediate attention, the +governor may call a special meeting of the legislature, or as it is +usually termed, an extra session. + +§4. A governor has power to grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases +of impeachment, and, in some states, of treason. To _reprieve_ is to +postpone or delay for a time the execution of the sentence of death upon +a criminal. To _pardon_ is to annul the sentence by forgiving the +offense and releasing the offender. A governor may also _commute_ a +sentence; which is to exchange one penalty or punishment for another of +less severity; as, when a person sentenced to suffer death, is ordered +to be imprisoned. + +§5. The governor has power also, in some of the states, with the consent +of the senate, to appoint the higher officers of the militia of the +state, and the higher civil officers in the executive and judicial +departments. In a few of the states, there are executive councils whose +advice and consent are required in such cases. In making such +appointments, the governor nominates, that is, he _names_ to the senate, +in writing, the persons to be appointed. If a majority of the senators +consent, the persons so nominated are appointed. Many other duties are +by the constitution devolved upon the governor. + +§6. A lieutenant-governor has few duties to perform. He presides in the +senate, in which he has only a casting vote. In the state of New York, +he serves in some of the boards of executive officers. In nearly +one-half of the states the office of lieutenant-governor does not exist. +The chief object of electing this officer seems to be to provide a +suitable person to fill the vacancy in the office of governor in case +the latter should die, resign, be removed, or otherwise become +incompetent. + +§7. When the lieutenant-governor acts as governor, the senate chooses +from its own number a president. If the offices of both the governor and +lieutenant-governor should become vacant, the president of the senate +must act as governor. If there should be neither a governor, a +lieutenant-governor, nor a president or speaker of the senate, then, the +speaker of the house of representatives would become the acting +governor. This is believed to be the rule for supplying vacancies in +most if not all of the states. + + + + +Chapter XIII. + +Assistant Executive State Officers. + + + +§1. Among the executive officers who assist in the administration of the +government, there are in every state, some or all of the following: a +secretary of state, a controller or auditor, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, a surveyor-general. The mode of their appointment and +the terms of their respective offices, are prescribed by the +constitution or by law. In some states they are appointed by the +governor and senate; in others by the legislature; and in others they +are elected by the people. They keep their offices at the seat of +government of the state. + +§2. The _secretary of state_ keeps a record of the official acts and +proceedings of the legislature and of the executive departments, and has +the care of the books, records, deeds of the state, parchments, the laws +enacted by the legislature, and all other papers and documents required +by law to be kept in his office. He causes the laws passed by the +legislature to be published in one or more newspapers, as directed by +law; and also to be printed and bound in a volume, and distributed among +the state officers for their use, and among the county and town clerks, +to be kept in their offices for the use of the people who wish to +examine the laws. Also one or more copies are exchanged with each of the +other states for copies of their laws to be kept in the state library. +Various other duties are performed by the secretary. + +§3. The _state auditor_, in some states called _controller_, manages +the financial concerns of the state; that is, the business relating to +the money, debts, land and other property of the state. He examines and +adjusts accounts and claims against the state, and superintends the +collection of moneys due the state. When money is to be paid out of the +treasury, he draws a warrant (a written order,) on the treasurer for the +money, and keeps a regular account with the treasurer of all moneys +received into and paid out of the treasury. And he reports to the +legislature or other proper officers, a statement of the funds of the +state, and of its income and expenditures during each year. + +§4. The _treasurer_ has charge of all the public moneys that are paid +into the treasury, and pays out the same as directed by law; and he +keeps an accurate account of such moneys, specifying the names of the +persons from whom they are received, to whom paid, and for what +purposes. He also exhibits annually a statement of moneys received and +paid out by him during the year, and of the balance in the treasury. + +§5. Auditors, treasurers, and other officers intrusted with the care and +management of money or other property, are generally required, before +they enter on the duties of their offices, to give bonds, in sums of +certain amount specified in the law, with sufficient sureties, for the +faithful performance of their duties. The sureties are persons who bind +themselves to pay the state all damages arising from neglect of duty on +the part of the officers, not exceeding the sum mentioned in the bond. + +§6. The _attorney-general_ is a person learned in the law, appointed to +act for the state in law-suits in which the state is a party. He +prosecutes persons indebted to the state, and causes to be brought to +trial persons charged with certain crimes. He also gives his opinion on +questions of law submitted to him by the governor, the legislature, and +the executive officers. In some states there is no attorney-general. In +such states prosecutions in behalf of the state are conducted by the +state's attorney for each county. + +§7. The _surveyor-general_ superintends the surveying of the lands +belonging to the state. He keeps in his office maps of the state, +describing the bounds of the counties and townships; and when disputes +arise respecting the boundaries, he causes surveys to be made, if +necessary, to ascertain such bounds. He performs certain other duties of +a similar nature. In many of the states there is no surveyor-general, +the duties of that office being done by a county surveyor in each +county. + +§8. There is also, in many of the states, a _superintendent of schools_, +called in some states, _superintendent of public instruction_, whose +principal duties are described in a subsequent chapter. (Chap. XXII, +§10.) + +§9. There is also a printer to the state, or _state printer_, whose +business it is to print the journal, bills, reports, and other papers +and documents of the two houses of the legislature, and all the laws +passed at each session. State printers are either chosen by the +legislature, or employed by persons authorized to make contracts for the +public printing; or the printing is let to the lowest bidder. + +§10. There are other officers employed by the state, among whom are the +following: a _state librarian_, who has charge of the state library, +consisting of books containing matter of a public nature, such as the +laws of all the states, and of the United States, with a large +collection of miscellaneous books; persons having the care of the public +buildings and other property of the state; superintendents of state +prisons, lunatic asylums, and other state institutions, whose duties are +indicated by their titles, and need no particular description. + + + + +Chapter XIV. + +Counties ind County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers. + + + +§1. Some of the purposes for which a state is divided into small +districts have been mentioned. (Chap. VII, §1.) There are other reasons, +equally important, for these territorial divisions. Laws for the whole +state are made by the legislature; but certain regulations may be +necessary for the people in some parts of the state which are not needed +in others, and which the people of these places can better make for +themselves. It is the business of the governor and his assistant +executive state officers to execute or carry into effect the laws of the +state; but they could not see this done in every place, or in every +minute portion of the state. Again, for the convenience of those who may +be obliged to go to law to obtain redress for injuries, courts of +justice must be established near the residence of every citizen. + +§2. But in order to carry out these objects, a state must be divided +into small districts with fixed boundaries, that it may be known what +persons come under certain regulations, and over whom these local +officers are to exercise authority. The smallest territorial divisions +of a state are called _townships_, or _towns_, which contain generally +from twenty-five to one hundred square miles, and which, if in a square +form, would be from five to ten miles square. But for certain purposes +larger districts than townships have been found necessary. These are +formed by the union of several townships, and are called _counties_. +These divisions are the same as those of England, the country from which +the colonies (now states) were chiefly settled. + +§3. Counties in England were formerly districts governed by _counts_ or +earls; from which comes the name of _county_. A county was also called +_shire_; and an officer was appointed by the count or earl to perform +certain acts in the principal town in the county, which was called +_shire town_, and the officer was called _shire-reeve_, or _sheriff_, +whose powers and duties were similar to those of the sheriff of a county +in this country. The shire town is that in which the court-house and +other county buildings are situate, and where the principal officers of +the county transact their business. In a few counties there are two +towns in which the courts are held alternately. Hence each division is +called a _half-shire_. + +§4. Counties and towns are bodies politic, or bodies corporate. +_Corporate_ is from the Latin, _corpus_, which means _body_. A +_corporation_, or body politic, is an association of persons authorized +by law to transact business under a common name, and as a single person. +The laws of the state give such authority to the inhabitants of counties +and towns. The people of a town or county have power, to some extent, to +manage their own internal affairs, and to make rules and regulations for +their government; and they may buy, hold, and sell property, and sue and +be sued, as an individual. Similar powers are given to rail-road, +banking, insurance, and other incorporated companies. But there is in +some respects a difference between these corporations and those which +are created for purposes of government, as states, counties, towns, +cities, and villages, which will be noticed in another place. (Chap. +XVI.) + +§5. As a county possesses various corporate powers, there must be among +its officers some in whose name these powers are to be exercised. In +some states there is a board of _county commissioners_, (usually three,) +who exercise corporate powers. In a few, these powers are exercised by +and in the name of the _board of supervisors_, which is composed of the +supervisors of the several towns in the county, of whom there is one +supervisor in each town. These boards, or such officers in other states +as exercise these powers, have generally the power also to examine and +settle the accounts against the county, and to make orders and contracts +in relation to the building or repairing of the court-house, jail, and +other county buildings; and to perform such other acts as the laws +require. + +§6. There is in each county a _treasurer_ to receive and pay out the +moneys required to be collected and paid out in the county. There is +also, in some states, a county _auditor_ to examine and adjust the +accounts and debts of the county, and to perform certain other duties. +The business of county treasurers and auditors in their respective +counties, is of the same nature as that of state auditors and +treasurers. In states in which there is no county auditor, the duties of +auditor are performed by the treasurer, and some other county officer or +officers. + +§7. There is also in each county a _register_ or _recorder_, who records +in books provided for that purpose, all deeds, mortgages, and other +instruments of writing required by law to be recorded. In New York, and +perhaps in some other states, the business of a register or recorder is +done by a county clerk, who is also clerk of the several courts held in +the county, and of certain boards of county officers. In some states, +deeds, mortgages, and other written instruments, are recorded by the +town clerks of the several towns. + +§8. Another county officer is a _sheriff_, whose duty it is to attend +all the courts held in the county; to execute all warrants, writs, and +other process directed to him by the courts; to apprehend persons +charged with crime; and to take charge of the jail and of the prisoners +therein. It is his duty, also, to preserve the public peace; and he may +cause all persons who break the public peace within his knowledge or +view, to give bonds, with sureties, for keeping the peace, and for +appearing at the next court to be held in the county, and to commit them +to jail if they refuse to give such bonds. A sheriff is assisted by +deputies. + +§9. There are in each county one or more _coroners_, whose principal +duty is, to inquire into the cause of the death of persons who have died +by violence, or suddenly, and by means unknown. Notice of the death of a +person having so died is given to a coroner, who goes to the place of +such dead person. A jury is summoned to attend the examination; +witnesses are examined; and the jury give their opinion in writing as to +the cause and manner of the death. Such inquiry is called a _coroner's +inquest_. In one or two states, the office of coroner, it is believed, +does not exist; in which case the inquest is held by a justice of the +peace, or some other officer. + +§10. An attorney, elected or appointed for that purpose, attends all +courts in which persons are tried in the county for crimes committed +therein, and conducts the prosecutions in the trial of the offenders. In +states where there is no attorney-general for the state, the prosecuting +attorney for each county serves in this capacity, in trials in which the +state is a party. As all crimes and breaches of the peace are considered +as committed against the state, and prosecuted in its name, this +attorney is sometimes called _state's attorney_. + +§11. In some states there is a _county-surveyor_, whose duties within +his county are similar in their nature to those of a state +surveyor-general. + +§12. County officers are generally elected by the people of the county. +Some of them are, in some of the states, appointed by some authority +prescribed by the constitution or laws of the state. + + + + +Chapter XV. + +Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers. + + + +§1. The districts of territory into which counties are divided, are, in +some states, called _towns_. In others they are called, and perhaps more +properly, _townships_; and the name of _town_ is given to an +incorporated village, or a city. We shall, however, in this work, apply +to these territorial divisions the shorter name of _towns_, as they are +called in most of the old states. + +§2. The electors of the several towns meet once a year for the election +of town officers, and for certain other business purposes. The electors +of a town have power, at their annual town meetings, to order money to +be raised for the support of the poor, for the building and repairing of +bridges, and for other town purposes; to make regulations concerning +fences; to fix the compensation of town officers in certain cases; and +to perform such other duties as come within the usual powers of towns. +The powers of towns, however, are not precisely the same in all the +states. + +§3. Among the town officers elected at town meetings, are the following; +not all of them, however, are elected in any one state: One or more +persons who have the general oversight and direction of town affairs, +called by some name corresponding to the nature of their duties; a town +clerk; one or more assessors; justices of the peace; overseers of +highways; overseers of the poor; school officers; constables; a +collector of taxes; a treasurer; fence-viewers; pound-keepers, &c. In +some states there are also sealers of weights and measures; persons to +measure and inspect wood, lumber, bark, and other commodities. + +§4. The officers first mentioned in the preceding section, are, in the +New England states, called _selectmen_, of whom there are at least +three, and may in no state be more than nine, in each town. In a few +states they are called _trustees of townships_, and are three in number. +In a few other states, there is in each town one such officer, called +_supervisor_. The powers and duties of these officers are more numerous +in some states than in others. They have power to lay out roads, and lay +out and alter road districts; to do certain acts relating to roads, +bridges, taxes, common schools, the support of the poor, &c.; and to +examine and settle all demands against the town. In some of the states, +some of these duties are performed by other officers. + +§5. The _town-clerk_ keeps the records, books, and papers of the town. +He records in a book the proceedings of town meetings, the names of the +persons elected, and such other papers as are required by law to be +recorded. In some states, deeds and other conveyances are required to be +recorded by the clerks of towns. + +[For a description of the duties of _assessors_ and _justices of the +peace_, see Assessment and Collection of Taxes, and Justices' Courts.] + +§6. For the repairing of _highways_, a town is divided by the proper +officers into as many road districts as may be judged convenient; and a +person residing in each district is chosen, called _overseer_ or +_supervisor_, or _surveyor_ of _highways_, whose duty it is to see that +the roads are repaired and kept in order in his district. In some states +a tax is laid and collected for this purpose; and each person assessed +may perform labor or furnish materials to the amount of his tax. In +other states, road taxes are assessed upon the citizens in days' labor, +according to the value of their property; every man, however, being +first assessed one day for his head, which is called a _poll-tax_. +Persons not wishing to labor, may pay an equivalent in money, which is +called _commuting_. + +§7. _Overseers of the poor_ provide for the support of the poor +belonging to the town who need relief, and have no near relations who +are able to support them. In some states there is in each county a +poor-house, to which the poor of the several towns are sent to be +provided for; the expense to be charged to the towns to which such poor +persons belonged. + +§8. The principal duties of a _constable_ are, to serve all processes +issued by justices of the peace in suits at law for collecting debts, +and for arresting persons charged with crimes. The business of a +constable in executing the orders of a justice of the peace, is similar +to that of a sheriff in relation to the county courts. + +§9. The town _treasurer_ receives all moneys belonging to the town, and +pays them out as they may be wanted for town-purposes; and accounts +yearly to the proper officers. The office of town treasurer does not +exist in all the states. + +§10. The duties of _fence-viewers_ relate chiefly to the settling of +disputes between the owners of adjoining lands concerning division +fences, the examining or viewing of fences when damage has been done by +trespassing animals; and the estimating of damages in such cases. + +§11. The town _sealer_ keeps correct copies of the standard of weights +and measures established by the state. Standard copies are furnished by +the state sealer to each county sealer, at the expense of the county, +and the county sealer furnishes each town sealer a copy at the expense +of the town. The town sealer compares the weights and measures brought +to him with the copy in his possession, and sees that they are made to +agree with it, and seals and marks them. A person selling by a weight or +measure that does not agree with the standard, is liable to the +purchaser for damages--generally to several times the amount of the +injury. + +For a particular description of the duties of town officers, reference +must be had to the laws of the several states. + + + + +Chapter XVI. + +Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c. + + + +§1. Cities and incorporated villages have governments peculiar to +themselves. Places containing a large and close population need a +different government from that of ordinary towns or townships. Many of +the laws regulating the affairs of towns thinly inhabited, are not +suited to a place where many thousand persons are closely settled. +Besides, the electors in such a place would be too numerous to meet in a +single assembly for the election of officers or the transaction of other +public business. + +§2. Whenever, therefore, the inhabitants of any place become so numerous +as to require a city government, they petition the legislature for a law +incorporating them into a city. The law or act of incorporation is +usually called a _charter_. The word _charter_ is from the Latin +_charta_, which means paper. The instruments of writing by which kings +or other sovereign powers granted rights and privileges to individuals +or corporations, were written on paper or parchment, and called +_charters_. In this country, it is commonly used to designate an act of +the legislature conferring privileges and powers upon cities, villages, +and other corporations. + +§3. The chief executive officer of a city is a _mayor_. A city is +divided into wards of convenient size, in each of which are chosen one +or more _aldermen_, (usually two,) and such other officers as are named +in the charter. The mayor and aldermen constitute the _common council_, +which is a kind of legislature, having the power to pass such laws, +(commonly called _ordinances_,) and to make such orders and regulations, +as the government of the city requires. The mayor presides in meetings +of the common council, and performs also certain judicial and other +duties. There are also elected in the several wards, assessors, +constables, collectors, and other necessary officers, whose duties in +their respective wards are similar to those of like named officers in +country towns, or townships. + +§4. The inhabitants of cities, however, are not wholly governed by laws +made by the common council. Most of the laws enacted by the legislature +are of general application, and have the same effect in cities as +elsewhere. Thus the laws of the state require, that taxes shall be +assessed and levied upon the property of the citizens of the state to +defray the public expenses; and the people of the cities are required to +pay their just proportion of the same; but the city authorities lay and +collect additional taxes for city purposes. + +§5. In cities there are also courts of justice other than those which +are established by the constitution or general laws of the state. There +is a court for the trial of persons guilty of disturbing the peace, and +of such other minor offenses as are usually punishable by imprisonment +in the county jail, called _police court_. It is held by a _police +justice_, elected by the people, or appointed in such manner as the law +prescribes. In some of the larger cities, there are courts of _civil_ as +well as criminal jurisdiction, differing from those which are common to +counties generally. + +§6. The government of incorporated _villages_ is not in all respects +like that of cities. The chief executive officer of such a village is, +in some states, called _president_. The village is not divided into +wards; the number of its inhabitants being too small to require such +division. Instead of a board of aldermen, there is a board of _trustees_ +or _directors_, who exercise similar powers. The president of a village +is generally chosen by the trustees from their own number. In some +states, incorporated villages are called _towns_; and their chief +executive officer is called _mayor_. + +§7. The necessity and effect of incorporating a village may not yet +clearly appear to every reader. Let us illustrate. By a general law of +the state, or by a vote of the electors of a township in pursuance of +such law, cattle may run at large in the highways. This might be to many +persons in a village, a great annoyance, which can be prevented or +abated only by confining the cattle. Or, sidewalks may need to be made. +Or, it may be deemed necessary to provide means for extinguishing fires, +by purchasing fire-engines and organizing fire companies. In an +unincorporated village there is no power to compel the citizens to do +these things. Those, therefore, who desire that the citizens should have +power to make all needful regulations for the government of the village, +petition the legislature for an act of incorporation granting the +necessary powers. + +§8. The constitutions of some states require the legislature to pass a +general law prescribing the manner in which the people of any village +may form themselves into a corporation, with the necessary powers of +government, with out a special law for that purpose. + +§9. Besides these _territorial_ corporations for purposes of government, +as counties, towns, cities, &c., there are _incorporated companies_ for +carrying on business of various kinds, as turnpike and rail-road +companies, and companies for the purposes of banking, insurance, +manufacturing, &c. These kinds of business, to be carried on +successfully, sometimes require a larger amount of money than one man +possesses. A number of persons, therefore, unite their capital under an +act of incorporation granting them power to manage their business which +they could not have in an ordinary business partnership. Besides, a +common partnership must end on the death of any one of the partners; but +an incorporated company is not thus affected by the death of its +members. + +§10. It is in the nature of corporations to have a perpetual existence. +A corporation may live after the persons who first composed it are all +dead; for those who come after them have the same powers and privileges. +A town or city incorporated a hundred years ago, is the same town or +city still, although none of its first inhabitants are living. So a +railroad or banking corporation may exist after the death of many, or +even all of the original corporators. + +§11. But there are certain particulars in which all corporations are not +the same. A state has been defined to be a body politic, or corporation. +(Chap. I. §10; III, §5.) But it differs from other government +corporations, as counties, towns, cities, &c., in this: the latter are +formed by acts of the legislature; but a state is formed by the people +in their political capacity in establishing the constitution. + +§12. Again, all these government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies. In forming a town or city, many persons are brought +into the corporation against their wishes or consent; because, in +governments, all who live within certain prescribed bounds must come +under the same laws; but of an incorporated business association, as of +a common business partnership, none become members but by their own act +or choice. There is another difference: The latter are what are called +_stock_ companies; and although they may be continued after the death of +the first corporators, those who afterward come into the association, do +so by becoming owners of the capital stock of those who preceded them. +This latter difference will more clearly appear from the more particular +description, elsewhere given, of the incorporated companies, and of the +manner in which the stock is transferred. (Chap. XXIII, §11--15.) + + + + +Chapter XVII. + +Judicial Department. Justices' Courts. + + + +§1. Having seen how the legislative and executive departments of a state +government are constituted, and how the laws are made and executed, the +manner in which the local affairs of counties and towns are conducted, +and the powers and duties of their respective officers; we proceed to +describe the _judicial_ department, the powers and duties of judicial +officers, and the manner in which justice is administered. + +§2. It is the business of the legislature to determine what acts shall +be deemed public offenses, or crimes, and to make laws for securing +justice to the citizens in their dealings and general intercourse with +each other; but to judge of and apply the laws; that is, to determine +what the law is and whether it has been broken, and to fix the just +measure of damage or of punishment, and to order such decision to be +carried into effect, are duties which, as has been observed, have been +wisely assigned to a separate and distinct department. (Chap. VIII. §7.) + +§3. A government without some power to decide disputes, to award +justice, and to punish crime according to the laws of the state, would +not be complete. To allow every man to be his own judge in cases of +supposed injury, and to redress his own wrongs, would endanger the +rights of others. Justice is best secured to the citizens by +establishing courts for the redress of injuries and the punishment of +crimes; and that no person may suffer unjustly, it is provided that +every person charged with crime or any other wrong, is entitled to a +fair and impartial trial. + +§4. For the convenience of persons who may be compelled to seek relief +at law, courts are established in every town. These are courts of the +lowest grade, and are called _justices' courts_, being held by justices +of the peace who are, in most of the states, elected by the people of +the several towns. They are called the lowest courts, because they have +jurisdiction only in cases in which the smallest sums or damages are +claimed, or in which only the lowest offenses are tried. The word +_jurisdiction_ is from the Latin _jus_, law, or _juris_, of the law, and +_dictio_, a pronouncing or speaking. Hence the _jurisdiction_ of a court +means its power to pronounce the law. + +§5. Although justices of the peace are generally elected in the towns, +their jurisdiction extends over the county; that is, they have power to +try causes arising in any part of the county, or between citizens +residing in other towns. The jurisdiction of justices of the peace is +generally prescribed by law. The law prescribes the sum that may be sued +for, or the amount of damage that may be recovered in a justice's court, +and the grade of offenses that may be tried in it. In some states +justices of the peace may try suits only in which the sum in controversy +does not exceed $50; but in most of them, the jurisdiction of a justice +extends, it is believed, to sums of $100 or more. + +§6. Causes, in which money is claimed for damage or for debt, are called +_civil_ causes; those for the trial of persons charged with crime, or +some misdemeanor, are called _criminal_ causes. All crimes, strictly +speaking, are misdemeanors. In common usage, however, the word +_misdemeanor_ denotes a smaller offense, such as is usually punishable +by fine, or by imprisonment in a county jail, and not in a state prison. +Causes, actions, and suits, are words of similar meaning in law +language, being generally used to signify prosecutions at law, or +lawsuits. The party that sues is called _plaintiff_; the party sued is +the _defendant_. + +§7. Prosecutions at law are conducted in nearly the same manner in the +different states. The following is a sketch of the proceedings in an +ordinary civil suit in a justice's court: The justice, at the request of +the plaintiff, issues a _summons_, which is a writ or precept addressed +to a constable of the town, in some states to any constable of the +county, commanding him to summon the defendant to appear before the +justice on a day and at an hour specified, to answer the plaintiff +(naming him) in a suit, the nature of which is stated in the summons. + +§8. The constable serves the summons by reading it or stating the +substance of it to the defendant; and if requested, gives him a copy of +it. If he does not find the defendant, he leaves a copy at his place of +residence with some one of the family of proper age. At or before the +time named for trial, the constable returns to the justice the summons +with an indorsement stating the day on which it was served, and whether +served personally or by copy. If served by copy, and the defendant does +not appear at the time named for trial, a new summons is issued, as the +practice is in some states--perhaps all of them; and the trial may not +proceed unless a summons has been personally served. + +§9. The parties may appear in person, or by attorney. An _attorney_ is +any person lawfully appointed to transact business for another; hence +the word attorney does not always mean an attorney at law, or lawyer, +who is properly an officer of a court of law. When the parties have +appeared and answered to their names, they make their _pleadings_; that +is, the plantiff declares for what he brings his suit; and the defendant +states the nature of what he has to _offset_ against the demand of the +plaintiff, or denies the demand altogether. These acts of the parties +are called _joining issue_. + +§10. If the parties are ready for trial, the justice proceeds to try the +issue. If the witnesses have not been subpÅ“ned and are not in +attendance, the cause is adjourned to a future day; and the justice, at +the request of either party, issues a _subpÅ“na_, which is a writ +commanding persons to attend in court as witnesses. The witnesses on +both sides are examined by the justice, who decides according to law and +equity, as the right of the case may appear, in which he is said to +_give judgment_. To the amount of the judgment, whether against the +plaintiff or the defendant, are added the costs; for it is considered to +be just that the party in default shall pay the expense of the suit. +The costs consist of the _fees_ or compensation to be paid the justice, +constable and witnesses for their services. + +§11. If a defendant does not appear at the time of trial, the justice +may proceed to try the cause, and decide upon the testimony of the +plaintiff's witnesses. If a plaintiff does not answer or appear when his +name is called in court, the justice enters judgment of _nonsuit_. A +plaintiff may, at any time before judgment is rendered, discontinue or +withdraw his action, in which case also judgment of nonsuit is given. In +cases of nonsuit, and also when no cause of action is found, judgment is +rendered against the plantiff for the costs. + +§12. A debtor may avoid the expense of a lawsuit by _confessing +judgment_. The parties go before a justice, and the debtor acknowledges +or confesses the claim of the creditor, and consents that the justice +enter judgment accordingly. In some states, the confession and consent +must be in writing, and signed by the debtor. The amount for which +judgment may be confessed is limited by law, but is, in some states at +least, and perhaps in most if not all of them, larger than the sum to +which the jurisdiction of a justice is limited in ordinary suits. + + + + +Chapter XVIII. + +Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders. + + + +§1. The administration of justice in courts of law is not left entirely +to the justices and judges. Parties may not always have sufficient +confidence in the ability, honesty, and impartiality of the justice by +whom a suit is to be tried, to intrust their interests to his judgment. +Therefore the constitutions of all the states guaranty to every person +the right of trial by a jury. This right has been enjoyed in England +many centuries. It was established here by our ancestors, who were +principally from that country. + +§2. A _jury_ is a number of men qualified and selected as the law +prescribes, and sworn to try a matter of fact, and to declare the truth +on the evidence given in the case. This declaring of the truth is called +a _verdict_, which is from the Latin _verum dictum_, a true declaration +or saying. A jury in a justice's court consists in most or all of the +states, as is believed, of six men; in the higher courts, of twelve men, +who are generally required to be freeholders. The manner of selecting +the jurors is not the same in all the states. + +§3. After issue has been joined, and before testimony has been heard, +either party may demand that the cause be tried by a jury. Whereupon the +justice issues a _venire_, which is a writ or precept directing a +constable to summon the required number of duly qualified men to appear +before the justice, to make a jury to try the cause. + +§4. The testimony and arguments on both sides having been heard, the +jurors are put under the charge of the constable, who is sworn to keep +them in some convenient place, without meat or drink, except such as the +justice may order, until they shall have agreed on their verdict, or +have been discharged by the justice; and not to allow any person to +speak to them during such time, nor to speak to them himself, except by +order of the justice, unless to ask them whether they have agreed on +their verdict. + +§5. All the jurors must agree in a verdict; and when so agreed, they +return in charge of the constable, and, in open court, deliver their +verdict to the justice, who enters judgment according to the finding of +the jury. If the jurors, after having been out a reasonable time, do not +all agree upon a verdict, the justice may discharge them, and issue a +new venire, unless the parties consent to submit the cause to the +justice. + +§6. If a judgment is not paid within the time prescribed by law, the +justice issues an _execution_, which is a precept directing a constable +to collect the amount of the judgment; and authorizing him to take and +sell the goods and chattels of the debtor, and to make his returns to +the justice within the time required. _Goods_ and _chattels_ are +personal or movable property, or property other than freehold, or real +estate. If the money can not be collected, the execution is returned as +not satisfied. If a constable does not faithfully obey the directions +contained in the execution, he and his sureties become liable to pay the +judgment. + +§7. Laws have been passed in all the states for the benefit of poor men, +who are allowed to retain, for the use and comfort of themselves and +their families, certain articles of personal property, which may not be +sold on execution; such as necessary household furniture, apparel, beds, +tools and implements of trade, &c. The practice which formerly +prevailed, of imprisoning debtors who were unable to satisfy executions, +has been abolished, except for fines and penalties. + +§8. The foregoing description of the proceedings of a justice's court is +that of a prosecution in ordinary cases. But there are other modes of +prosecution in certain cases, one of which is by attachment. An +_attachment_ is a writ directing the property of a debtor to be taken, +and kept till a trial can be had, and judgment obtained. This mode of +proceeding is adopted when the plaintiff has reason to believe that a +debtor conceals himself to avoid being prosecuted by summons, or is +about to remove his property or himself from the county, or intends in +some other way to defraud his creditors. + +§9. In case of an absent or concealed debtor, the constable, (as is +supposed to be the common practice,) leaves a copy of the attachment, +with an inventory or list of the articles of property attached, at the +defendant's last place of abode, or, if he had none in the county, the +copy and inventory are to be left with the person in whose possession +the property is found. If the defendant does not appear on the day of +trial, the plaintiff may proceed to prove his demand and take judgment. +An execution is then issued against the property attached. + +§10. If either party is dissatisfied with a judgment rendered in a +justice's court, he may _appeal_ to a higher court for trial, or for a +review of the judgment. The party appealing is called _appellant_; the +adverse party is the _appellee_ or _respondent_. + +§11. An important part of the duties of a justice of the peace relates +to the arrest and trial of persons charged with crimes and misdemeanors. +Although they have not power to try high offenses usually called crimes, +they may order the apprehension of persons charged with such offenses, +and cause them to be committed for trial. + +§12. A person knowing or suspecting another to have committed an +offense, may make complaint to a judge or justice of the peace, who +examines the complainant on oath, and witnesses, if any appear; and if +he is satisfied that an offense has been committed, he issues a +_warrant_, directing the person accused to be brought before him. The +complainant and witnesses for the prosecution, and next the prisoner and +his witnesses, are examined. If the offense is one of which the +magistrate has jurisdiction, he may proceed to try the prisoner, who, it +will be recollected, is entitled to be tried by a jury. + +§13. If the offense is one which the magistrate has not power to try, he +binds the prosecutor or complainant and all material witnesses to appear +and testify against the prisoner at the next court having power to +indict and try him. And if the offense is one for which the prisoner may +be bailed, the magistrate takes bail for his appearance at court. If the +offense is not bailable, or if no satisfactory bail is offered, the +magistrate orders him to be committed to jail to await his trial. But, +as will be seen hereafter, he must be indicted by a grand jury before he +can be tried. (Chap. XIX., §7-9.) And were there no danger of an +offender's escape before he could be brought to trial, his previous +arrest and examination might be unnecessary. + +§14. The obligation or bond given by a prosecutor and witnesses for +their appearance at court, is sometimes called a _recognizance_. They +bind themselves, with sureties, to forfeit and pay a certain sum of +money in case of their non-appearance. A similar bond or recognizance is +given in case of bail. The person accused binds himself, with sureties, +in such sum as the justice requires, which is to be paid if he shall not +appear for trial. The word _bail_ is from a French word meaning _to +deliver_, or _to release_. Hence, the justice _bails_, sets free, or +delivers to his sureties, the party arrested. Also the sureties are said +to bail a person when they procure his liberation. + + + + +Chapter XIX. + +Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c. + + + +§1. The court next higher than a justice's court, is a court held in +each county, generally called a _county court_, or _court of common +pleas_. This court is usually held by a county judge elected by the +electors of the county in most of the states; in some, appointed by the +legislature; and in others, by the governor, with the advice and consent +of the senate. In a few of the states this court consists of more than +one judge. In some states, county courts are held by judges of the +circuit courts. + +§2. In this court are tried civil causes in which are claimed sums of +greater amount than a justice of the peace has jurisdiction of, and +criminal causes in which are charged the lower crimes committed in the +county. Also causes removed by appeal from a justice's court are tried +in this court; in which cases it is said to have _appellate_ +jurisdiction. Courts are also said to have _original_ jurisdiction; +which means that suits may _originate_ or commence in such courts. + +§3. There is in every state at least one court, and in most of the +states there are two or more courts of higher grade than a county court. +They are called in the different states by different names; as _circuit +court_, _superior court_, _supreme court_, and _court of appeals_. A +_circuit_ court probably obtains its name thus: A state is divided into +judicial districts, in each of which one or more judges are elected, +who go around holding a court once a year or oftener in each of the +counties composing a judicial district. This court usually has both +original and appellate jurisdiction; it being a part of its business to +try appeals from the county courts. It also tries such of the higher +crimes as a county court has not the power to try. Courts in which +crimes are tried are sometimes called courts of _oyer and terminer_. + +§4. Every county court, and every circuit having like jurisdiction, has +a jury to try issues of fact, and a grand jury. An _issue of fact_ is +when the _fact_ as to the indebtedness or the guilt of the party charged +is to be determined from the testimony. An _issue of law_ is one in +which it is to be determined what is the _law_ in the case, which is +done by the judge instead of the jury. The jury by which issues of fact +are tried, as distinguished from a grand jury, is called a _petty_ or +_petit jury_. It consists of twelve men, all of whom must agree in a +verdict. + +§5. The manner of selecting grand and petit jurors is prescribed by law. +A number of judicious men in each town are selected by some person or +persons lawfully authorized; and the names of the men so selected are +written on separate pieces of paper, and put into a box in each town, +and kept by the town clerk; or as is the practice in some states, the +names of the men designated as jurors in the several towns are sent to +the county clerk, and by him kept in a box. Previous to the sitting of +the court, the requisite number is drawn out the box; and the men whose +names are drawn, are summoned to attend as jurors. + +§6. It is the business of a _grand jury_ to inquire concerning crimes +and misdemeanors committed in the county; and if there appear just +grounds of accusation against any person, they make to the court a +presentment or formal charge against him, upon which he is to be put +upon trial. The number of grand jurors is not always the same. In some +states there may not be more than twenty-three nor less than twelve. It +is not required that they shall all agree in order to put a person upon +trial. + +§7. On the opening of the court, the grand jurors are sworn to make a +true presentment of all things given them in charge. The judge then +gives them a charge, and appoints one of them foreman; and the jurors +retire to a private apartment to attend to their duties. They hear all +complaints brought before them against persons for crimes and breaches +of the peace, and examine witnesses who appear to testify; and when it +is requested, they have the assistance and advice of the state's +attorney; or as he is called in some states, the _district attorney_, or +_prosecuting attorney_. If they think any person complained of ought to +be tried, they draw up a writing, in which they charge him with the +offense of which they think him guilty. This is called an _indictment_. +It is signed by the foreman, indorsed "a true bill," and carried by the +jury into court. If the person accused has not before been arrested, he +may now be arrested, and put upon trial. (See Chap. XVIII, §12-14.) + +§8. As grand juries do not try crimes, but merely make inquiry into +them, some may not readily perceive the necessity of such juries. +Innocent persons might be subjected to great inconvenience and expense +in defending themselves in court against the slanderous reports or false +accusations of evil minded persons. It is to prevent this that grand +juries are instituted, who make careful examinations into the cases +brought before them, and do not often charge persons with crime unless +there is a strong probability of their being found guilty on trial. + +§9. So important was the institution of grand juries considered, that +the constitution of the United States, to which the constitutions and +laws of the states must conform, was made to provide, that "no person +shall be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime, unless on +a presentment or indictment of a grand jury," except in certain cases. +(Con. U.S., Amend. Art. V. For the definition of "infamous crime," see +Chap. VI., §7.) + +§10. It is the opinion of many that this requirement of a previous +indictment by a grand jury has reference only to the courts of the +United States; and that the states may dispense with it. Hence, efforts +are now making in some states to abolish grand juries. It is supposed +that an examination at all times before a justice or a judge, when the +prisoner can be present with his witnesses, is more likely to protect +him against being unnecessarily subjected to the trouble and expense of +a trial, than before a grand jury, where complaints are often made by +malicious persons, and sustained by the testimony of partial or corrupt +witnesses. + +§11. The _supreme court_ is generally the next higher, and in most of +the states, the highest state court. This court differs somewhat in the +different states, both in the manner of its formation and in its +jurisdiction. It is believed, however, to have, in the states generally, +both original and appellate jurisdiction, civil and criminal. In the +state of New York and a few other states, there is one higher court, +called _court of appeals_, which has appellate power only. Its business +is to review cases from the supreme court. + +§12. Suits in the county, circuit, and supreme courts, are commenced by +a _writ_, (in some states a summons or a declaration,) which is served +by the sheriff of the county in which the suit is to be tried. He also +serves warrants and executions issued by these courts. A sheriff is to +these courts what a constable is to a justice's court. His powers and +duties have been elsewhere described. (Chap. XIV., §8.) + + + + +Chapter XX. + +Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment. + + + +§1. It might be supposed, that in instituting the courts which have been +described, all necessary provision had been made for securing justice to +the citizens. But many cases arise in which justice and equity can not +be obtained in these courts. To afford relief in such cases, a court +has been established called a _court of equity_, or _court of chancery_. +What often renders it impossible to get justice in ordinary courts of +law, is the want of witnesses; but in a court of equity the parties may +themselves be put on oath. + +§2. A debtor, to avoid the payment of his debts, may conceal his +property or his money; but this court may compel him to disclose and +give up the same to satisfy an execution; and it may prevent persons +indebted to him from making payment to him. A person refusing to fulfill +a contract may, in courts of common law, only be sued for damage; but +this court may in certain cases compel him to fulfill the contract +itself. It may also restrain individuals and corporations from +committing fraudulent acts, and prevent persons from committing wastes +on land and certain other injuries, until the right at law can be tried. + +§3. Courts of chancery were established, it is believed, in a majority +of the old states. But separate and distinct organizations called +chancery courts, now exist in but a few states; the power to try suits +in equity having been given to the judges of the common law courts. + +§4. Suits _in equity_ are not commenced as suits _at law_. The plaintiff +prepares a bill of complaint, the facts stated in which are sworn to by +himself. The bill, which contains a petition or prayer that the +defendant may be summoned to make answer on oath, is filed with the +clerk of the court, who issues a subpÅ“na commanding the defendant to +appear before the court on a day named. A trial may be had on the +complaint and answer alone; or witnesses may be introduced by the +parties. The case is argued by counsel, and a _decree_ is pronounced by +the court, which the court has power to carry into effect. + +§5. There is another kind of courts which are in their nature different +from ordinary law courts, and are called _probate courts_. There is in +every county a probate court held by a _judge of probate_, whose duties +relate to the proving of wills and the settling of the estates of +persons deceased. A _will_ is a writing in which a person gives +directions concerning the disposal of his property after his death. The +Latin word _probatus_ means proof; from which _probate_ has come to be +applied to the proving of a will. (See Wills and Testaments.) In the +state of New York the judge of this court is called _surrogate_, and the +court is called _surrogate's court_. + +§6. There is still another court in every state, which is not a common +law court. It is the _court of impeachment_. The name is applied to the +senate when sitting on a trial of impeachment. An _impeachment_ is a +charge or accusation against a public officer for corrupt conduct in his +office; as if a governor, for money offered him, should approve and sign +a law; or a judge should, for money or from some other selfish or +personal motive, give a wrong judgment. The constitution gives to the +house of representatives the power to impeach, and to the senate the +power to try the persons impeached. This practice has come from Great +Britain, where the impeachment is made by the house of commons, and the +house of lords is the high court of impeachment. + +§7. The house of representatives, in a case of impeachment, acts in +nearly the same manner as a grand jury in a court of law. A complaint is +made to the house; and if, upon examination, there appear to a majority +of the members present sufficient grounds for the charge, an accusation +in writing is prepared, called _articles of impeachment_, and delivered +to the senate. In some states, a majority of the members elected is +necessary to impeach. The president of the senate orders the court to be +summoned. The accused is brought before the court to answer to the +charge, and has counsel assigned him. The senators are sworn truly to +try and determine the impeachment according to evidence; and a day is +fixed for trial. + +§8. The house of representatives usually choose from their number a +committee of managers to conduct the trial, the proceedings in which are +the same as in law courts. The senators retire and deliberate as jurors +in such courts. Two-thirds of the senators--in some states two-thirds of +all the senators elected--must concur in order to convict the person +accused. If a person is convicted, the court may remove him from +office, or disqualify him to hold any office in the state, for a time, +or for life; or may both remove and disqualify him. This court can +pronounce no other sentence. But if the act committed is a crime, the +offender may also be indicted, tried, and punished in a court of +justice. + +§9. Judicial officers may also be removed by the governor on address of +the legislature. If a judge is suspected of corrupt conduct in his +office, or of being incompetent to discharge its duties, complaint is +made to the legislature, and the party complained of is notified, and an +opportunity is given him of being heard in his defense. If both +branches, by the required majorities, concur in the opinion that he +ought to be removed, they address the governor, setting forth their +reasons for the removal. If the governor considers the reasons +sufficient, the officer is removed. This mode of removal does not exist +in all the states. In New York, and perhaps in a few other states, the +legislature makes the removal without the concurrence of the governor; +and in that state some of the lower judicial officers may be removed by +the senate on the recommendation of the governor. In a few states, +judges are not removable by impeachment. + + + + +Chapter XXI. + +Assessment and Collection of Taxes. + + + +§1. Every government must have the power of providing means for its +support. The money which is needed to pay the expenses of administering +the government, if the state has no permanent source of revenue, or +income, must be raised by taxation. A _tax_ is a rate or sum of money +assessed upon the person or property of a citizen for the use of the +state. When assessed upon the person, it is called a _poll-tax_, or +_capitation tax_, being a certain sum on every poll, or head. But as +persons ought generally to contribute to the public expenses according +to their ability, taxes are more just and equal when laid upon the +property of the citizens. Few poll-taxes are levied in this country. + +§2. There are certain kinds of property which are exempt from taxation; +such as the corporate property of the state, of counties, and of towns, +including the buildings in which the public business is done, the +prisons, jails, asylums, &c., and the lands attached to them; +school-houses and meeting-houses, with the lands attached; +burying-grounds, and the property of literary and charitable +institutions. But the property of business corporations, as rail-road, +banking, insurance, manufacturing, and other stock companies, like that +of individuals, is liable to taxation. _Real estate_, or _real +property_, is land with the buildings and other articles erected or +growing thereon. _Personal estate_, or _personal property_, consists of +movables, as goods, chattels, money, and debts due from solvent debtors. + +§3. As the property of every person is to be assessed in proportion to +its value, it is necessary, first, to make a correct valuation of all +the taxable property. For this purpose, the assessor or assessors pass +through the town, and make a list of the names of all the taxable +inhabitants, and the estimated value of the property, real and personal, +of each; and returns of the same are made to the proper county officers, +who cause the tax-list for each town to be made out, and order the taxes +to be collected. + +§4. In some states, persons liable to taxation are themselves required +to furnish lists of all their taxable property, printed blank lists +having been previously distributed among them for this purpose. To +secure an accurate valuation, the assessors, (called also _listers_,) +may require persons to make oath that they have made a true statement of +their property and its value. In states where the polls of the +tax-payers are assessed, these also are set down in the lists at such +sums as the law directs to be affixed to each poll. + +§5. Before a tax-list can be made out, it must be known what amount is +to be collected in each town. This amount is made up of three parts: +First, the sum wanted to pay the expenses of the town for the preceding +year; secondly, the town's share of the county expenses; and thirdly, +its proportional share of the expenses of the state government, or of +what is to be raised for state purposes. + +§6. The apportionment of the amount of the state and county expenses +among the several towns, is made according to the amount of property in +each as valued by the assessors. The state auditor or controller, having +received from the several counties returns of the value of the property +in each county, is enabled to determine its quota of the amount to be +raised for state purposes. To each county's share of the state expenses +is added the sum to be raised in the county for county purposes; and the +amount is apportioned among the towns in proportion to the value of the +assessed property of each. Then adding to each town's share of the +amount of the state and county expenses, the amount to be raised for +town purposes, gives the sum to be collected in the town. + +§7. Having thus ascertained the sum to be raised in each town, the +officers whose duty it is, cause a tax-list to be made out, in which the +amount of each person's tax is set opposite his name and the estimated +value of his property. The tax-list of each town, certified and signed +by the proper persons, is put into the hands of the collector, with a +warrant ordering the same to be collected. + +§8. The money collected for county and state purposes is paid to the +county treasurer, who pays to the state treasurer the amount raised in +the county for state expenses, and retains the remainder to be expended +in the county. The money collected for town purposes is paid to such +persons in the town as are by law authorized to receive the same. + + + + +Chapter XXII. + +Education. School Funds; Schools, &c. + + + +§1. The proper object of government is to promote the welfare and +happiness of its citizens. For this purpose, it must provide for making +and properly administering laws to protect the people in the enjoyment +of life and the fruits of their labor. But it should go further, and +make express provision for improving the condition of the people, +especially the less fortunate portions of them. + +§2. The prosperity of a state or nation depends essentially upon the +education of its citizens. This is seen by comparing the condition of +the people of this country with the condition of the people of those +countries where the benefits of education are not enjoyed. Ignorance +tends to make men idle, vicious, and miserable. On the other hand, +learning is not only a means of enjoyment in itself, but of improving +the social condition of a people. + +§3. Again, a free government is better adapted than any other to promote +the welfare of a nation. But if the people are not properly educated, +they are incapable of self-government. And as many persons are unable to +pay for the tuition of their children, the safety of the government +itself requires the establishment of a system of education, by which the +great body of the people may be fitted to discharge their social and +political duties. The states have accordingly instituted school systems +for the instruction of children and youth of all classes at the public +expense. + +§4. In most of the states, the schools are supported only in part, in a +few of them wholly, at the expense of the states. Some states have +provided funds, the income of which is annually applied to this object. +_Fund_ generally signifies the money or capital stock employed in +carrying on trade or any other business operation. _State funds_ are the +moneys and other property of the state which are set apart for paying +the expenses of the government, or for the construction of canals, +roads, and other public improvements. The interest of these funds, and +the income from other sources, are called the _revenue_. + +§5. In some states, school funds are created by appropriating the public +lands, which are lands owned by the state as a body corporate. The +proceeds of these lands, from sales or rents, constitute a part or the +whole of the school fund, the interest of which is annually applied to +the support of schools. If the income from the school fund is +insufficient for this purpose, the deficiency may, as is done in some +states, be supplied, in whole or in part, by taxation, or from the state +treasury. + +§6. Many of the new states have large school funds. At an early period, +while most of the territory from which these states have been formed was +yet the property of the United States, and uninhabited, Congress passed +an act by which a particular section of land (number sixteen) in every +township is reserved for the support of schools therein. By this act, +one thirty-sixth part of the lands within each of these states has been +thus appropriated, besides smaller portions granted for the benefit of a +university in each state. These lands are in the charge of proper +officers, who dispose of them, and apply the proceeds as the law +directs. + +§7. The school funds of many of the states have been largely increased +by certain moneys received from the United States. In 1837, there had +accumulated in the national treasury about thirty millions of dollars +over and above what was needed for the support of the government. By an +act of congress, this surplus revenue was distributed among the states +then existing, to be kept by them until called for by congress. Although +congress reserved the right to recall the money, it was presumed that it +would never be demanded. That it never will be, is now almost certain. +Many of the states have appropriated large portions of their respective +shares for school purposes. From its having been said to be only +_deposited_ with the states, this fund is sometimes called the _United +States deposit fund_. + +§8. School moneys coming from the state treasury, or state fund, are +usually apportioned among the several towns of the state; and each +town's share of such moneys, together with what may come to the town by +taxation or from its school lands, is divided among the several +districts according to the number of children between certain ages in +each district, or in such other manner as may be directed by law. If the +moneys thus received are insufficient to pay the wages of teachers, a +rate bill is made out in each district for the deficiency, and collected +from the persons whose children have been taught in the schools. + +§9. The towns, or townships, are divided into districts of suitable size +for schools, which are called _district schools_. From their being +supported by a common fund, and designed for the common benefit, or from +the lower or more common branches being taught in them, they are also +called _common schools_. One or more _trustees_ or _directors_ are +chosen in each district to manage its affairs; a _clerk_ to notify +meetings and record the proceedings of the same; and a _collector_ to +collect taxes for building and repairing school-houses, and all rate +bills for the payment of teachers. + +§10. The highest school officer is the _state superintendent of common +schools_, or, as he is sometimes called, _superintendent of public +instruction_. The superintendent collects information relating to the +schools; the number of children residing in each district, and the +number taught; the amount paid for tuition; the number of school-houses, +and the amount yearly expended in erecting school-houses; and other +matters concerning the operation and effects of the common school +system. If there is no other officer whose duty it is, the +superintendent also apportions the money arising from the state funds +among the several counties. He reports to the legislature at every +session the information he has collected, and suggests such improvements +in the school system as he thinks ought to be made. + +§11. There is in every county an officer who receives from the state +superintendent the money apportioned to the county, and apportions the +same among the towns; reports to the state superintendent the number of +children in the county; and performs such other duties as the law +requires. In some states, there is no such county officer; but the money +is apportioned by the state superintendent among the towns; and the +reports from the towns are made directly to the state superintendent. + +§12. In the towns are officers whose duties are to examine teachers, +visit schools, apportion the school moneys among the districts, and to +collect the lists of the number of children in the several districts, +with such other information as the law requires, and report the same to +the county officer, or, if there is none, to the state superintendent. +In some states, there is in each county an officer or a board of +officers, for examining teachers, and performing certain other duties +relating to the schools of the county. + +§13. Academies and colleges also receive aid from the state, to a +limited extent. A distinct fund is created in some states for their +benefit; in others, they are aided by special appropriations from the +state treasury. + + + + +Chapter XXIII. + +Canals and Rail-Roads. + + + +§1. In carrying out the purposes of government, provision ought also to +be made to secure to the people the means of obtaining a suitable reward +for their industry, and to render the labor of all, as nearly as may be, +equally profitable. + +§2. The people of some states do not possess the same advantage as those +of others; nor do all the people of the same state enjoy equal +advantages. Those who reside at a great distance from market, or from +navigable waters and good roads, are not so well rewarded for their +labor as those who reside near them, because of the greater cost of the +transportation, both of what they have to sell, and of the goods they +buy. Hence the necessity of good roads, canals, or other means of +facilitating trade between the different parts of the state. + +§3. Among the works intended to effect this object, _canals_ are perhaps +the most useful, and are to be preferred wherever their construction is +practicable. Canals are sometimes constructed by incorporated companies; +but generally these works, especially those of great magnitude, are made +by the state, and are the property of the state. Although there are some +states in which are no canals of this kind, it may be interesting to +young persons generally to know how so important a state work is made. + +§4. To raise the money necessary to make a canal, the legislature might +levy a general tax upon the property of the citizens. But this would not +be expedient or just; because, first, the payment of so large a sum by +the people within the time in which it would be desirable to complete +the work, would be inconvenient and burdensome; and secondly, the +expense must fall alike upon the people of all parts of the state: +whereas, those residing most remotely from the line of the work, would +derive from it little or no benefit. + +§5. When, therefore, a great enterprise of this kind is undertaken by a +state, the law authorizing the work usually provides a _fund_, the +income of which is to be applied to this object. This fund consists of +such lands, property, and moneys as the legislature may grant for this +purpose. Funds were thus constituted in some of the western states, to +which funds congress made grants of the public lands of the United +States lying within those states. + +§6. These funds, however, furnish but a part, some of them but a small +portion of the money necessary to complete the work; and some states +undertaking public improvements may not have the lands or other property +to constitute such a fund. The state therefore borrows the money for a +long term of years, and depends upon the income of the canal fund and +the tolls to be collected on the canals, for the repayment of the money +borrowed. Should the revenues of the canal and of the canal fund be +insufficient, the deficiency may be supplied by taxation. + +§7. The business of borrowing the money is done on the part of the +state, by persons duly authorized, who give for the money borrowed the +bonds of the state, which are written promises to pay the money at the +times specified, with interest at the rate agreed on; the interest +generally to be paid semi-annually. These bonds are usually given in +sums of $1,000 each, or less. The debts of a state thus contracted by +issuing bonds, are called _state stocks_, as the capital, or stock +required to construct a state work is obtained by the sale of its bonds. +These bonds, like the certificates of stock in a rail-road or other +corporate business company, are transferable, and may be bought and sold +as promissory notes, and constitute an important article of trade. + +§8. These stocks are taken by men who have large sums of money to lend, +and who consider the state a responsible debtor; because, if it has no +other sufficient means of paying its bonds, the legislature has power to +raise the money by taxation. Most of the states have contracted debts in +this manner for various purposes. State stocks are purchased and held +not only by capitalists in this country, but by many in Europe. + +§9. Officers are appointed to manage the canal fund, and others to +superintend the canals. There are also officers, called _canal +collectors_, at suitable distances along the canals, to collect the +_tolls_, which are charges paid by the masters or owners of boats for +the use of the canal. + +§10. The states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and some other western +states, have prosecuted the canal enterprise on a large scale. Although +large debts have been contracted for the construction of canals in these +states, the benefits derived from them more than compensate for the vast +expense of their construction. + +§11. _Rail-roads_, although they are of public utility, are not +properly public works, being constructed by companies incorporated for +that purpose. The necessity for an act of incorporation is readily seen. +Rail-roads pass through the lands of private individuals; and without +the authority of law, the land of no person can be taken for such +purpose; nor can a law authorize it to be taken, unless the work is one +of general advantage; nor even in such case, without compensation to the +owner for his land; for it is declared by the state constitutions, that +"private property shall not be taken for public use without just +compensation." + +§12. If, therefore, the legislature deem a proposed railroad to be of +public utility, they pass an act to incorporate a company with the +requisite powers to construct the road, on making compensation for the +land, the value of which is to be estimated in such manner as the law +prescribes. The law also prescribes the manner in which the affairs of +the road are to be conducted. + +§13. The amount of capital to be employed by the company, is mentioned +in the act of incorporation, or charter, and is raised in this way: The +amount of the capital, or stock, is divided into shares of $100, or +less. Persons wishing to invest money in the road, subscribe the number +of shares they will respectively take. When all the shares are thus sold +and the money is paid in, the company is ready to proceed to the +construction of the road. The owners of these shares are called +_stockholders_, who choose from among themselves such number of +_directors_ as the charter authorizes. The directors elect from their +number a _president_. + +§14. Persons buying shares receive certificates signed by the proper +officers, stating the number of shares for which each certificate is +given. The holders of these certificates, if they wish to make other use +of the money they have invested in the business, may sell their stock to +others, to whom they pass their certificates, which are evidence of the +amount of stock purchased. Thus these certificates are bought and sold +as promissory notes. + +§15. Stockholders depend, for the reimbursement of their capital, upon +the money to be received for the transportation of passengers and +freight. Such portion of the income of the road as remains after paying +all expenses of running and repairs, is divided semi-annually among the +stockholders. Hence the sums thus divided are called _dividends_. The +earnings of some roads are so large as to make the investment a +profitable one; so that the holder of shares is enabled to sell them at +an advance. When shares in the stock of any institution are sold at +their nominal value, the price named in the certificates, the stock is +said to be at _par_. When they are sold for more or less than their +nominal value, they are said to be above or below _par_. In large +commercial cities, as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and others, the +purchase and sale of state stocks, and stocks in rail-roads, banks, &c., +is a regular and extensive business of capitalists. + + + + +Chapter XXIV. + +Banks and Insurance Companies. + + + +§1. Banks, we are told, were first instituted in Italy, where certain +Jews assembled, seated on benches, ready to lend money, and to exchange +money and bills; and _banco_ being the Italian name for bench, banks +took their title from this word. The first banks are said to have been +only places where money was laid up or deposited for safe-keeping. But +banks at the present day are not used for depositing alone. + +§2. Banks in this country can be established only by authority of law. +They are incorporated by an act of the legislature. The capital stock is +raised by the sale of shares, and issue of certificates, as in the case +of rail-roads. (Chap. XXIII., §13.) The stockholders elect of their +number (usually) thirteen _directors_, who choose one of themselves as +_president_. The president and directors choose a cashier and clerks. + +§3. Merchants and others in commercial places, deposit in banks, for +safe-keeping, the money they receive in the course of business, and then +draw it out on their written orders as they have occasion to use it. An +order of this kind is called a _check_. + +§4. Persons depositing money only once, or very seldom, and intending to +draw for the same at once, usually receive from the cashier a +_certificate of deposit_, which states the name of the depositor, the +sum deposited, and to whose order it is to be paid. For the use of money +deposited for any considerable period, banks agree to pay interest, +usually less, however, than the rate established by law. Certificates of +deposit may, by indorsement, be made transferable as promissory notes +and other negotiable paper, (Chap. LX., §2,) and are often remitted, +instead of money, to distant places, where, by presenting them at a +bank, they may, for a trifling compensation, be converted into money. + +§5. A material part of the business of banks is to assist merchants and +others in transmitting money to distant places. Thus: A, in New York, +wishing to send $1,000 to B, in Philadelphia, puts the money into a bank +in New York, takes for it an order, called _draft_, on a bank in +Philadelphia, for that amount, to be paid to B. The draft is sent by +mail to B, who presents his draft at the bank, and receives the money; +and the bank charges the amount to the New York bank. + +§6. But persons unacquainted with commercial business, especially young +persons, may not know how the bank in Philadelphia is to be repaid. In +the course of trade between the two cities, business men are constantly +remitting money both ways through the banks, which thus receive the +money and draw upon each other. Thus millions of dollars may be annually +transmitted between the two cities, without any expense except the small +charge of the banks for doing the business, and without the risk of loss +by accident or robbery which attends the conveyance of money in person. + +§7. Banks also lend money. The borrower gives a note for the sum +wanted, signed by himself, and indorsed by one or more others as +sureties. The cashier pays the money for the note, retaining out of it +the interest on the sum lent, instead of waiting for it until the note +becomes due. This is called _discounting_ a note. + +§8. The bills of banks pass as money. A bank bill or note is a promise +of the bank to pay the bearer a certain sum on demand, signed by the +president and cashier. It passes as money, because the bank is bound to +pay it in specie if it is demanded. Paying notes thus is _redeeming_ +them. When a bank is unable to redeem all its bills, it is said to have +failed, or to be broken; and the bill holders suffer loss, unless some +security has been provided. This has been done in some states by making +the stockholders individually liable for the redemption of the bills; +that is, the property owned by them as individuals may be taken and sold +on execution for that purpose. Such security, however, has never been +generally provided. + +§9. But a system of banking, sometimes called _free banking_, has more +recently been adopted in some states. It is so called, because the +business of banking is thrown open to all by a _general law_. Any +person, or any number of persons, may, by complying with the provisions +of this general law, establish a bank without a special law for this +purpose. Hence it is also called the _general banking_ system. + +§10. Persons, before commencing business under this law, must put into +the hands of the proper state officers ample securities for the +redemption of their bills; and they may not issue bills to a greater +amount than the amount of their securities. These securities must +consist of approved state stocks, or United States stocks, or partly of +public stocks, and partly of real estate. When a bank fails, the lands +and stocks held in pledge by the state are sold, and the avails are +applied to the redemption of the bills. This system of banking seems to +be growing into public favor. + +§11. _Insurance companies_ also are authorized by law. Their business is +to insure persons against loss by fire. The corporators, on being paid a +small sum, consisting generally of a certain percentage on the amount +for which the property is insured, promise to pay such amount if the +property shall be destroyed by fire. There are companies also for +insuring vessels at sea; and _life_ insurance companies, that agree to +pay, in case of the death of the person insured, a certain sum for the +benefit of his family, or of some other person named in the policy. The +word _policy_ as here used, means the writing containing the terms or +conditions on which the company agrees to indemnify the person insured +in case of loss. The money paid to obtain insurance, is called +_premium_. + +§12. The profits of the stockholders consist of the excess of money +received for premiums over the amount paid out for losses. Thus, if a +company has issued 2,000 policies, each covering property of an average +amount of $1,000, the amount of risk is $2,000,000; and if the rate of +insurance is one per cent., the amount received in premiums is $20,000. +Hence, if none of the 2,000 buildings is burned within the time the +insurance is to run, the $20,000 are gained. If ten of them should be +burned, there would still be a gain of $10,000. If twenty should be +destroyed, there would be no gain, but an actual loss to the amount of +the expenses of the concern. + +§13. But from the average number and amount of losses annually for many +years, companies are enabled so to fix the rates of insurance as to give +the stockholders a fair profit on their capital. The rates are not the +same on all kinds of property; a higher per centage is charged on that +which is deemed hazardous, or more exposed to fire, than on that which +is less exposed. The profits on the business of the company, or the +_dividends_, as they are called, are annually or semi-annually divided +among the stockholders, in proportion to the amount of their respective +shares. + +§14. There is another kind of insurance companies, which differ +materially from the _stock_ companies described in the preceding +sections. They are _mutual_ insurance companies. They are so called +because the members unite in insuring each other. Every person having +his property insured by such a company is a member of it. He has his +buildings and the property in them valued; and pays a certain rate per +cent. on such valuation. A fund is thus raised out of which any member +suffering loss by fire is paid the amount for which the property was +insured. When the fund is exhausted, it is again supplied by a tax +assessed upon the members in proportion to the amounts for which they +are respectively insured. + + + + +Chapter XXV. + +The Militia. + + + +§1. It is the practice of governments to keep their respective countries +prepared to defend themselves against foreign enemies. For this purpose +all men liable to do military duty are enrolled, and are required to +meet on certain days every year for instruction in the art of war, in +order to be ready for actual service whenever it shall be required. The +body of soldiers thus enrolled are called the _militia_. There are other +words which are sometimes applied to bodies of soldiers; as _infantry_, +which means the soldiers or troops who serve on foot; _cavalry_, the +troops on horses; _artillery_, those who manage the cannon and other +heavy weapons of war. But all troops are comprehended in the general +term, _militia_. + +§2. The militia of a state, or a portion of them, may also be needed to +aid in executing the laws of the state, and in suppressing insurrection +or rebellion. An _insurrection_ is a rising against the public +authority, or the attempt of persons to prevent the execution of a law. +_Rebellion_ generally means nearly the same as _insurrection_; but more +properly it signifies a revolt, or an attempt to overthrow the +government to establish a different one. As it is the duty of an +executive to see the laws executed, power is given by the constitution +to the governor to call out a sufficient military force for this +purpose. + +§3. All able-bodied white male citizens of the United States, between +the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, are liable to perform +military service in the states in which they reside, except such as are +exempt by the laws of the states and of the United States. Persons +exempt by the laws of the states are generally the following: Ministers +of the gospel; commissioned officers of the militia having served a +certain number of years; members of uniformed companies having served +for a specified time; members of fire companies; certain public officers +while in office; and in some states teachers and students of colleges, +academies, and common schools; and a few others. + +§4. Persons exempt by the laws of the United States are the +vice-president, the subordinate executive and all the judicial officers +of the government of the United States; members of congress and its +officers; custom-house officers and their clerks; post-officers and +drivers of mail stages; ferrymen employed at ferries on post-roads; +pilots and mariners. + +§5. By the constitutions of the several states, the governors are made +the commanders-in-chief of the militia of their respective states; and +by the constitution of the United States, the president is made +commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and also +of the militia of the states when called out into actual service. It has +already been remarked, (§2,) that the military force of the state is at +the command of the executive to protect the government and its citizens. +So the president was thought the proper person to have command of the +public forces, to execute the laws of the United States, to repel +invasion, and to carry on war. Hence the governors and the president are +not among the public officers who are exempt from military duty. + +§6. Persons who, having been duly notified, refuse to appear at +military parades, or, appearing without being equipped as the law +directs, are tried by a military court, called _court martial_, +consisting usually of three military officers, or of such other persons +as may be appointed according to the law of the state. If the persons +tried do not show good cause for their delinquency, they are fined in +such sums as the law prescribes. In certain cases courts may consist of +more than three members. + +§7. The highest militia officer, except the governor, is the +_adjutant-general_ of the state; who keeps a list of all the higher +commissioned officers, containing the dates of their commissions, their +rank, the corps (pronounced _core_) they belong to, the division, +brigade, and regiment, and their places of residence. He distributes all +orders from the commander-in-chief (the governor,) to the several +divisions; attends public reviews where the commander-in-chief reviews +the militia; and obeys all orders from him relative to carrying into +execution the system of military discipline established by law. + +§8. There is also in some states a _commissary-general_, who has the +care of the arsenals and magazines, and the articles deposited in them. +An _arsenal_ is a building in which are kept cannon, muskets, powder, +balls, and other warlike stores; all of which are to be kept in repair +and ready for use. + +§9. There are persons who, believing all wars to be wrong, can not +conscientiously do military service. As it is the object of our +government to secure to every person the liberty of conscience as well +as other rights, the constitutions of many of the states provide, that +those who are averse to bearing arms, may be excused by paying annually +a sum of money instead of rendering the service. But it may well be +doubted whether compelling a man to pay the money is not itself a +violation of the right of conscience. Many persons conceive it to be no +less morally wrong to commute for the service than to perform it. In +some states, all persons belonging to the society of Friends, usually +called Quakers, are exempt without the payment of an equivalent in +money. + +§10. In the states of New York and Ohio, the rank and file of the +militia are not required to train in time of peace. Persons liable to +perform military service, except those connected with the uniformed +companies, are enrolled in the militia; but instead of doing duty, they +pay annually a small tax, which is in New York fifty cents, and in Ohio +fifty cents, or a day's highway labor. + +§11. Laws abolishing trainings and musters of the great body of the +militia, are, it is believed, growing into favor, and for these among +other reasons: First, the militia system produces no material +improvement in discipline; secondly, the expenditure of time and money +in these useless exercises, and for arms and equipments, are burdensome +to many citizens; and thirdly, there is no probability of an occasion +requiring a large portion of the militia to be so suddenly called into +service as to allow no time for preparation. Volunteer companies like +those kept up and disciplined in the states above named, and the +standing army of the nation, are deemed sufficient for any supposable +emergency. + +§12. Happily the practice of settling disputes between nations by war, +is becoming less popular in civilized and Christian communities. War is +a dreadful evil, and ought to be discouraged, and, if possible, avoided. +Were governments so disposed, they might in most cases settle their +differences as individuals do, by submitting them to the judgment of a +third party. If the love of military honor were less encouraged, and the +principles of peace duly inculcated, the time would be hastened when +"nations shall learn war no more." + + + + + +Government of the United States. + + + + +Chapter XXVI. + +Causes of the Revolution. + + + +§1. The plan of government in this country is peculiar. To a person +previously unacquainted with our political institutions, it might seem +strange, after having read the foregoing description of the state +governments, to be told that there is still another and a different +government to which the people are subject. How the people of more than +thirty states, all having complete and distinct governments, can at the +same time be subject to another government, also complete in all its +parts, he would not immediately understand. He would not know what is +meant by the government of the United States. How the states, all having +governments of their own, can be _united_ in one government, he would +not readily perceive. + +§2. We shall therefore proceed to a description of the government of the +United States, from which will appear the relation between that +government and the state governments. It will also appear that the state +governments, each of which has in itself a great deal of machinery, all +move in harmony with the great political machine--the government of the +United States. It is easy to see that a knowledge of these governments +is important to the people who live under them, as every freeman +exercises a part of the governing power, both in the government of his +own state, and in the general government. + +§3. To assist the reader in understanding the constitution and +government of the United States, we shall first give a sketch of the +governments which preceded, and of the principal causes which led to the +revolution in the government of this country. Most of the youth who are +of sufficient age to study this work, probably know that our present +forms of government were not established by the early settlers in this +country. The first inhabitants were _colonists_. A _colony_ is a +settlement of persons in a distant place or country, who remain subject +to the government of the state or country from which they removed. The +American colonies which have become the "United States," were chiefly +settled from Great Britain, and were under her jurisdiction. + +§4. The political rights and privileges enjoyed by the colonists as +British subjects, were very limited, and were conferred by the charters +of the king. The people had not then, as now, constitutions of their own +choice. There were colonial governments; but they were such as the king +was pleased to establish, and might be changed at his pleasure. These +governments were in _form_ somewhat similar to that of our state +governments. There was what might be called a legislature; also an +executive or governor; and there were judges. + +§5. But of the officers of these departments of the government, only the +members of one branch of the law-making power were elected by the +people. The other branch was composed of a small number of men, called a +council; but they were appointed by the king and subject to his control, +as was also the governor, who had the power of an absolute negative or +veto to any proposed law. And laws after having received the assent of +the governor, must be sent to England and approved by the king, before +they could go into effect. + +§6. Hence we see that the colonists had no security for the passage of +such laws as they wanted. And the consequence was, that they were often +denied good and wholesome laws, by the refusal of the king to sanction +them. Not only so; many laws enacted by parliament were very unjust and +oppressive. The object of these laws was to secure to Great Britain +alone the trade of the colonies. One law declared that no goods should +be imported by the colonists but in English vessels; if brought in +other vessels, both the goods and vessels were to be forfeited to the +British government. + +§7. Another law required such articles as England wanted, to be +transported to that country and other countries belonging to Great +Britain. The colonists were permitted to ship to foreign markets such +products only as English merchants did not want. They were prohibited +from selling abroad any wool, yarn, or woolen manufactured goods. This +was done to keep the markets open for British wool and manufactures. +Another law declared that no iron wares of any kind should be +manufactured here. Thus was it attempted to suppress manufactures in the +colonies. + +§8. Hence we see that it was the policy of the British government to +compel the colonists to buy of England all the goods they wanted which +they did not themselves produce, and to sell to England the surplus +productions of the colonies. For this purpose, heavy duties were laid +upon goods imported into the colonies from other countries than Great +Britain and her possessions. These duties were taxes levied upon goods +brought into the colonies from abroad, and were collected by officers +here from the persons importing the goods. + +§9. The following facts will explain to the young reader more clearly +the nature and effects of these duties: The colonists traded with the +West India islands, some of which belonged to Great Britain, some to +France, and some to Spain. To secure the whole trade, the British +government imposed high duties upon the molasses, sugar and other +articles imported into the colonies from the French and Spanish islands. +The people of the colonies could therefore avoid the payment of these +duties only by importing the above mentioned goods from the British +islands. + +§10. Not satisfied with these acts, parliament claimed the right to tax +the colonies, "in all cases whatsoever;" and an act was passed +accordingly, laying duties upon all tea, glass, paper, &c., imported +into the colonies; and the money thus collected was put into the British +treasury. The colonists petitioned the king and parliament to repeal +these obnoxious laws; but their petitions were denied. Having given up +all hope of relief, congress, which was a body of delegates from the +several colonies, declared the colonies to be free and independent +states, no longer subject to the government of Great Britain. This +declaration was maintained by a war which lasted about seven years, when +Great Britain gave up the contest, and acknowledged the independence of +the states; and the _revolution_ was accomplished. + + + + +Chapter XXVII. + +Nature of the Union under the Confederation. + + + +§1. As early as the year 1774, the colonies united in the plan of a +congress, to be composed of delegates chosen in all the colonies, for +the purpose of consulting on the common good and of adopting measures of +resistance to the claims of the British government. The first great +continental congress met on the 4th of September, 1774. Another congress +assembled in May, 1775. This congress adopted sundry measures having +reference to war, and finally made the declaration of independence, July +4th, 1776. The continental congress, the members of which were chosen by +the state legislatures, conducted the affairs of the nation until near +the close of the war. + +§2. With a view to a permanent union of the colonies under a general +government, the congress, in November, 1777, agreed upon a frame of +government, contained in certain articles, called, "Articles of +Confederation and perpetual Union between the States." These articles +were to go into effect when they should have received the assent of all +the states. But as the consent of the last state (Maryland) was not +obtained until March, 1781, they went into operation only about two +years before the close of the war. + +§3. As a plan of national government, the confederation was soon found +to be very defective. The union formed under it was a very imperfect +one. Having been framed in time of war, it had respect to the operations +of war rather than to a state of peace. Although it answered some good +purpose in carrying on the war, it was not well adapted oven to the +condition of the country then existing. Its defects appeared almost as +soon as it went into effect; and after the return of peace, it was found +that the union, instead of being strengthened and perpetuated by it, +could be preserved only by a radical change in the system of government. + +§4. The leading defect of the confederation was its weakness. Congress +could do little more than to recommend measures. As it could not +legislate directly upon persons, its measures were to be carried into +effect by the states; but the states were not in all cases willing, and +some of them did at times refuse to do so, and congress could not compel +them. It belonged to congress to determine the number of troops and the +sums of money necessary to carry on the war, and to call on each state +to raise its share; but congress could not enforce its demands. It +borrowed money in its own name, but it had not the means of paying it. +It had no power to lay and collect taxes; this power was reserved to the +states. + +§5. Hence we see that congress was dependent for every thing upon the +good will of thirteen independent states. It is a wonder that a +government of such inherent weakness should bring the war to a +successful issue. It was a sense of danger from abroad, rather than any +power in the government, that induced a sufficient compliance with the +ordinances of congress to achieve the independence of the states. + +§6. On the restoration of peace, new difficulties arose. We have already +spoken of the want of power in congress to lay and collect taxes for +war purposes. Money was now wanted to discharge the public debt, and to +pay the current expenses of the government; yet congress had no power to +raise it, either by a _direct tax_ upon the persons or property of the +citizens, or _indirectly_ by duties on goods imported, as at present +under the constitution. The power to lay and collect duties was with the +states; but it was of little use so long as each state could impose such +duties as it chose. The states being unable to agree upon a uniform rate +of duties, the goods would be imported into states which levied the +lowest duties. It was expedient, if it had been possible, to borrow more +money on the credit of the union, as the heavy debt contracted during +the war remained unpaid, and congress had no means of paying it. + +§7. But the inability to raise money was not the only difficulty that +attended the want of power by congress to lay duties. This power was +necessary also to regulate the foreign trade. We have already remarked, +that it was the policy of Great Britain before the revolution to secure +in the colonies a market for her manufactures. (Chap. XXVI.) Not only +so; she had by her navigation acts, for more than a hundred years, +imposed heavy duties upon foreign vessels coming into her ports, in +order to secure the carrying trade to her own shipping. In addition to +this, she also levied high duties upon the produce of the states sent to +pay for the goods we were obliged to buy of her, our own people not +having as yet the means, nor having had time, to establish +manufactories, and to manufacture for themselves. + +§8. Another of the numerous troubles which arose from this imperfect +union was the want of peace and harmony between the states. Laws were +enacted in some states with a view to their own interests, which +operated injuriously upon other states. This induced the latter states +to retaliate, by passing laws partial to themselves and injurious to the +former. The states soon became disaffected toward each other; and their +mutual jealousies and rivalries and animosities at length became so +great as to cause fears that some of the states would become involved +in war among themselves, and that the union would be broken up. + +§9. In the hope of remedying the difficulty last mentioned, an attempt +was made to procure the insertion, into the articles of confederation, +of a provision giving to congress the power to regulate trade; but the +attempt failed. In January, 1786, the legislature of Virginia proposed a +convention of commissioners from all the states, to take into +consideration the situation and trade of the United States, and the +necessity of a uniform system of commercial regulations. + +§10. A meeting was accordingly held at Annapolis, in September, 1786; +but as commissioners from only five states attended, viz., New York, New +Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia, the commissioners deemed +it unadvisable to proceed to business relating to an object in which all +the states were concerned; but they united in a report to the several +states and to congress, in which they recommended the calling of a +general convention of delegates from all the states, to meet in +Philadelphia on the 2d Monday of May, 1787, with a view not only to the +regulation of commerce, but to such other amendments of the articles of +confederation as were necessary to render them "adequate to the +exigencies of the union." + +§11. In pursuance of this recommendation, congress, in February, 1787, +passed a resolution for assembling a convention. All the states, except +Rhode Island, appointed delegates, who met pursuant to appointment; and +framed the present constitution of the United States. They also +recommended it to be laid by congress before the several states, to be +by them considered and ratified in conventions of representatives of the +people. Conventions were accordingly called for this purpose in all the +states, except Rhode Island, and the constitution was ratified by all of +them in which conventions had been called, except North Carolina. + +§12. The constitution was to go into effect if ratified by nine states. +The ninth state, New Hampshire, sent its ratification to congress in +July, 1788; and measures were taken by congress to put the new +constitution into operation. Ratifications were received from North +Carolina and Rhode Island the year after the organization of the new +government. + + + + +Chapter XXVIII. + +Nature of the Union under the Constitution. + + + +§1. Having given, in the preceding chapter, a sketch of the union under +the confederation, we shall next show the nature of the union under the +present constitution, commencing with a brief comparison of the leading +features of the two systems of government. + +§2. The former union was a mere confederacy. A _confederacy_ is a +league, a federal compact. The word _federal_ is from the Latin _fadus_, +a league, or alliance. Hence a confederacy is a combination or union of +two or more parties, whether persons or states, for their mutual benefit +and assistance. And let it be here particularly noted, that this union +was a union of states, _as states_. The articles of confederation were +framed by congress, whose members were appointed by the state +legislatures, and, when framed, were submitted to the state legislatures +for ratification. + +§3. On the other hand, the union under the constitution is a union, not +of the states, as such, but of the _people of the states_. Thus it is +expressed in the preamble to the constitution: "We, the people of the +United States, in order to form a more perfect union, ... do ordain and +establish this constitution for the United States of America." And the +constitution was submitted for ratification, not to the state +legislatures, but to conventions whose members were elected by the +people for that purpose. + +§4. The states under the confederation were independent, not only of +each other, but of the general government. True, they agreed, for their +common defense and mutual welfare, to do certain things; and certain +other things they agreed not to do, but delegated to congress the power +to do them; but, as we have seen, congress had not the power to compel +the states to obey its requisitions. By the constitution, the states +have given up a greater portion of their sovereignty to the general +government, which has power, in certain cases, to control the state +governments, and to enforce its laws upon them and upon individuals. + +§5. Again, under the confederation, as in confederacies generally, the +states were equal. They were entitled to an equal number of delegates in +the congress, in which they voted by states, each state having one vote; +that is, if a majority of the delegates of a state voted in favor of or +against a proposed measure, the vote of the state was so counted; and a +proposition having in its favor a majority of the states, was carried. +Every state was entitled to seven delegates; but there must be at least +two delegates present and voting, in order to give a state vote; and if +an equal number of the delegates of a state voted for and against a +proposition, the state was said to be divided, and to have no vote. + +§6. Under the constitution there are two branches of congress, in one of +which the number of representatives of each state is in proportion to +its population; in the other, (the senate,) the states are equally +represented, on the principle of the confederation, though by two +senators only. But the vote in both is taken, not by states as under the +confederation, but _per capita_, that is, by the head or poll, the vote +of each member counting one. + +§7. The articles of confederation were framed by congress, the members +of which were appointed by the state legislatures; and the articles, +when framed, were submitted for ratification to the state legislatures. +The constitution was framed by a convention of delegates from the +states appointed for that purpose; and was ratified, not by the state +legislatures, but by state conventions whose members were elected by the +people of the several states. + +§8. The former union, as has been remarked, was a mere Confederacy, +composed of independent states, and united simply for purposes of +defense and their mutual safety. In most respects they had no more +political connection than so many different nations. The people of a +state were not, properly speaking, citizens of the United States, but +only citizens of the state in which they lived. But by the constitution, +the people of the states were incorporated into a nation; and a citizen +of a state is also a citizen of the United States. The government of the +confederation, although sometimes called the national government, was +not really such, nor was it generally so regarded, as appears from the +proceedings of the convention that framed the constitution. + +§9. Among the earliest proceedings of the convention was the offering of +a resolution, declaring that "a national government ought to be formed, +consisting of legislative, judiciary, and executive." This resolution +was strongly opposed by a large portion of the delegates, because it +proposed to establish a _national_ government. They were in favor of +continuing the confederation with a slight enlargement of the powers of +congress, so as to give that body the power to lay and collect taxes, +and to regulate commerce. But the friends of a national government +prevailed; and we have now a complete government, consisting of the +three departments, legislative, executive, and judicial. + +§10. Under the confederation, there was no executive to execute the +ordinances of congress; nor a national judiciary, the state courts being +used for all judicial purposes. There was only a legislature; and that +consisted of a single body, called the congress, appointed by the state +legislatures, and having scarcely power enough to entitle it to the name +of legislature. + +§11. But, although the present government, with these three departments +of power, and controlling, in matters of general concern, the action of +the state governments and of individuals, is properly a national +government; yet it is not wholly such, but partly national and partly +federal; some of the federal features of the confederation having been +retained in the constitution, as will appear on a further examination of +this instrument. Hence the union is still called, with propriety, the +_federal union_, and the government the _federal government_. + + + + +Chapter XXIX. + +Legislative Department. House of Representatives. + + + +§1. The first article of the constitution describes the manner in which +the legislature is formed, and prescribes its principal powers. It +declares, "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a +congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and house +of representatives." Members of the old congress were appointed by the +state legislatures for one year, and might be recalled by them at any +time. Representatives are now chosen for two years. It was thought that +a single session was too short a term for men in general to acquire the +knowledge and experience necessary to a right performance of the +responsible duties of a representative. Besides, measures are often left +unfinished at the close of a session; and those who have once examined +their merits and demerits, can dispose of them more promptly than new +members. + +§2. The same clause declares that "the electors in each state shall have +the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of +the state legislature." The qualifications of electors were various in +the different states. (Chap. VI, §8.) In some of them, owners of +property, or tax-payers, in others, freeholders only, were voters. In +some, only the latter voted for the higher officers; in a few, suffrage +was almost universal. It was presumed that no state would object to its +own rule for electing the popular branch of its legislature. It is +proper that a representative should be chosen directly by those whose +wants he is to make known, and whose rights he is to guard. + +§3. A representative must, at the time of his election, "have attained +the age of twenty-five years; and have been seven years a citizen of the +United States;" and he must "be an inhabitant of the state in which he +is chosen." Few young men, on attaining the age of majority, have the +knowledge, or experience, or wisdom, which is requisite to qualify them +for the responsible duties of a representative. Nor is it to be presumed +that an alien, at the earliest period at which he may become a +naturalized citizen, would be sufficiently familiar with our +institutions and the wants of our people to be a competent +representative. + +§4. The next clause prescribes the rule of apportionment. +"Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined +by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to +service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, +three-fifths of all other persons." To the younger class of readers, +this part of the clause needs explanation. + +§5. The convention found it very difficult to agree upon a rule of +apportionment. In the first place, the states, as will be recollected, +were entitled to an equal number of delegates in the old congress; and +each state had one vote. But as each member of the house of +representatives was to have a vote, the small states opposed a +representation according to numbers, while the large states as +strenuously insisted upon it. + +§6. In the next place, the slaveholding states claimed a representation +according to numbers including slaves; the non-slaveholding states +insisted on a representation according to the number of free persons. It +may here be observed, that slavery then existed in all the states except +Massachusetts; but as the slaves were so few in the northern states, in +which slavery has been since abolished, the latter are generally spoken +of as if they were at that time non-slaveholding states. The controversy +on this point rose so high, and the parties were for a long time so +unyielding, that fears were entertained of a sudden dissolution of the +convention. + +§7. It became evident that the question could be settled only by +compromise. The northern states consented that in ascertaining the +number of persons to be taken as the basis of apportionment, +three-fifths of the slaves should be added to the number of free +persons. And as these states had opposed the computation of any slaves +in fixing a rule of apportionment, on the ground that slaves are +property, and that no property in these states entitled its owners to +representation, the southern states consented, on their part, that +_direct taxes_ should be apportioned on the same basis as +representatives. + +§8. To illustrate this rule by an example: Suppose a state to contain +600,000 free persons, and 500,000 slaves. Adding three-fifths of the +number of slaves, (300,000) to the number of free persons, gives 900,000 +as the number of the representative population: and the state would be +entitled to _three_ representatives for every _two_ that a state would +have which contained 600,000 free inhabitants and no slaves. So in +apportioning taxes according to population, the state in the case we +have supposed, would have to raise _three_ dollars for every _two_ that +it would raise if no slaves were counted. + +§9. But the advantages of this arrangement are more unequal than may at +first sight appear, or than was anticipated by the framers of the +constitution. The benefits are chiefly on the side of the slaveholding +states. In the first place, two-fifths of a large class of property in +these states is exempt from taxation, while _all_ the property in the +free states is liable to taxation. Of this the framers were aware. But +they did not foresee the fact, that the laying of direct taxes would be +unnecessary, and that the slave states would consequently escape +taxation for their slaves. Only three direct taxes have been laid; and +it is not probable that another will become necessary; the treasury +being supplied from other sources, chiefly by duties on imports. + +§10. Now, although nothing is gained by the slave states, nor is +anything lost by the free states, by the exemption of the two-fifths of +the slaves from taxation, since direct taxes are unnecessary; there is a +great gain to the slave states, which have between thirty and forty +representatives for what their laws hold to be "property to all intents +and purposes whatsoever," for which the free states have nothing in +return. + +§11. The constitution does not limit the house to any definite number of +representatives; it only declares that the number shall not exceed one +for every 30,000 inhabitants. It requires an enumeration of the +inhabitants every ten years; and the next congress thereafter determines +the ratio of representation and the number of representatives, and +apportions them among the states. The word _ratio_ signifies rate, or +proportion. It here means the number or portion of the inhabitants +entitled to a representative. + +§12. But as a representative for every 30,000 inhabitants, after the +population became very numerous, would have made the house too large to +transact business with due dispatch, and would have unnecessarily +increased the public expense, the ratio of representation has from time +to time been increased. But to whatever number the ratio may be raised, +the constitution expressly declares, that "each state shall have at +least one representative." Neither Delaware nor Florida had, in 1850, a +population equal to the present ratio; and without the above +constitutional provision, these states would have been deprived of a +representation in the house, unless congress had adopted a smaller +ratio. + +§13. It will be seen by reference to the constitution, that the number +of representatives was for the time fixed at sixty-five. After the first +census, taken in 1790, the ratio was fixed at 33,000, which gave the +house 106 members. After the census of 1800, the same ratio was +adopted, and the number of members was 142. + +After 1810, the ratio was 35,000; number of members 182. +After 1820, the ratio was 40,000; number of members 213. +After 1830, the ratio was 47,700; number of members 240. +After 1840, the ratio was 70,680; number of members 233. + +After 1850, the ratio was 93,000 and a fraction, making the number of +members 233, of which California had one; but in view of her rapid +increase in population, she was allowed an additional member, making, in +all, 234. Minnesota has since been admitted into the Union (1858) with +two members, and Oregon (1859) with one member. + +§14. Representatives are chosen by districts. Each state is divided by +the legislature into as many districts as there are representatives to +be elected in the state; and one representative is chosen in each +district. In most of the states, representatives are chosen at the +general state election; in the others, there are special elections for +choosing representatives. + +§15. By an act of congress, every territory belonging to the United +States in which a government has been established, is entitled to send a +delegate to congress, who has a right to take a part in the debates of +the house, but not the right of voting. + + + + +Chapter XXX. + +The Senate. + + + +§1. "The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators +from each state; chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and +each senator shall have one vote." (Art. I, sec. 3.) The convention +readily agreed upon dividing congress into two branches; but, as has +been observed, it was difficult to settle the mode of representation. +The delegates from the large states insisted upon a representation in +proportion to numbers, in the senate as well as in the house; and the +small states contended for equality in both branches. The debate was +long and animated; and it became apparent that, as in the case of slave +representation in the house, there must be a compromise. This was at +length effected; the small states consenting to a proportional +representation in the house, and the large states to an equal +representation in the senate. + +§2. It has been remarked, that the federative principle of the old +system has been to some extent retained in the constitution. Both the +equality of representation in the senate, and the election of senators +by the state legislatures, are in strict conformity with the plan of the +confederation, and of simple confederacies generally. Different modes of +electing senators were proposed; but the one adopted by the convention +seems preferable to any other. + +§3. There is, however, in one particular, a material difference between +the plan of the old congress and that of the senate. It is in the manner +of voting. In the former, the vote was taken by states, each state +having but one vote; (Chap. XXVIII, §5,) in the latter, the senators +vote separately, the vote of each senator counting one, as in the house; +and a question is decided by the united votes of a majority of the +members, and not by the vote of a majority of the states. Nor is the +vote of a state lost if but one of its senators is present, as formerly. +If, however, the two senators vote on different sides of a question, the +effect is the same as when, in the old congress, the members from a +state were equally divided. + +§4. There were also various opinions as to the proper term of office of +senators. Terms were proposed differing in length from three to nine +years; and a proposition was even made by one distinguished member to +make the term continue during good behavior, which is practically for +life. There appear to be sound objections both to long and short terms. +It is urged by those in favor of the latter, that an officer elected for +a short term, especially if he desires a reëlection, will have a strong +inducement to please and faithfully serve those who are to elect or +appoint him. + +§5. Others, however, while they admit that short terms tend to insure +responsibility on the part of a representative, consider this argument +more than counterbalanced by the objections to which a short term is +liable. Looking to a reëlection, he may act with a view to his +popularity rather than to the public good. Again, the oftener a +legislature is changed, the more changeable and uncertain will be the +laws. Men having invested their capital in a business enterprise, and +made a successful beginning under existing laws, may be ruined by a +sudden and unexpected change of governmental policy. + +§6. In view of these objections to both long and short terms, a medium +term of six years was adopted. This was believed to be short enough to +keep up in a senator a feeling of responsibility, and yet long enough to +insure his acting independently and with a regard to the general +interests of the nation. Although a bad senator may occasionally be kept +too long in office by a six years' term, cases also occur in which the +act of a senator, especially in time of public excitement, is strongly +condemned, but upon calm and mature reflection meets the public +approbation. + +§7. The next clause of the third section provides for the gradual change +of the senate. One-third of the senators go out of office every two +years. In favor of this arrangement are two important considerations. +First, it secures to the public at all times the benefit of the +experience of at least two-thirds of the body. Whereas, if the terms of +all the senators expired at once, their places might be supplied mainly +by new members without the requisite knowledge and experience. Secondly, +while a long term is intended to guard against the too frequent changes +in the laws, it may also prevent, for too long a time, the amendment or +the repeal of bad laws. Such amendment or repeal may be hastened by the +election of new members in the place of the one-third who retire every +two years. + +§8. Vacancies which happen in the representation of any state in the +senate during the recess of its legislature, may be filled by the +governor until the next meeting of the legislature. Without this +provision, either the legislature must be assembled immediately to fill +the vacancy, or the state must remain in part, or perhaps wholly +unrepresented in the senate, until the next regular session of the +legislature. + +§9. But an appointment may not be made by an executive before the +vacancy actually happens. In 1825, the term of a senator was about to +expire during the recess of the legislature of his state, which had +failed at its previous session to appoint a successor. As a special +session of the senate was to be held immediately after the expiration of +the senator's term, the governor, a few days before the term expired, in +anticipation of the vacancy, reappointed the senator. But the senate +decided that, as the appointment had been made _before the vacancy +happened_, the senator was not entitled to a seat. + +§10. The next clause prescribes the qualifications of senators. A +senator must have attained the age of thirty years, and been nine years +a citizen of the United States; and he must, when elected, be an +inhabitant of the state for which he is chosen. As many of the duties of +a senator require more knowledge, experience, and stability of character +than those of a representative, greater age and longer citizenship are +required. The nature of these duties will be noticed in subsequent +chapters. + +§11. The seventh section of the first article provides for the passage +of bills negatived, or vetoed, by the president. Bills returned by him +with his objections, become laws when passed by majorities of two-thirds +of both houses; that is, by two-thirds of the members present. They also +become laws if not returned by him within ten days (Sundays excepted) +after they have been presented to him, unless their return is prevented +by the adjournment of congress. + +§12. We have passed over several sections and clauses of this article +without remark. Most of them are similar to some in the state +constitutions, which we have noticed; and the propriety of others is so +readily perceived, that any comment upon them is deemed unnecessary. + + + + +Chapter XXXI. + +Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money. + + + +§1. Having shown how the legislative department of the general +government is constituted, we proceed to consider its powers. It is +thought proper, however, first to notice one important characteristic of +the general government, in which it differs from the state governments, +and the knowledge of which is necessary to a right understanding of the +powers of the state and national governments respectively. + +§2. The general government is a government of _delegated_ powers; that +is, powers which have been intrusted or _delegated_ to it by the states, +or the people of the states. Having derived its powers from the states, +or the people, it has such powers only as have been conferred by the +constitution. Hence it is called a government of _limited_ powers. The +states, on the other hand, existing before the general government, and +possessing entire sovereignty or supreme power, may exercise all powers +which they have not surrendered to the general government. In other +words, their powers are _unlimited_, except so far as they have parted +with any of their original powers. + +§3. Most of the powers of congress are enumerated in the eighth section +of the first article of the constitution. The first in the list is in +these words: "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, +duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the +common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, +imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the U. States." + +§4. We have already noticed the want of such a power in the old +congress. The debt which had been contracted to carry on the war +remained unpaid; and congress, as we have seen, had no power to raise +money either to pay debts or to defray the current expenses of the +government. (Chap. XXVII: §4, 6.) It could neither raise money by +_direct_ taxation; that is, by taxing the persons and property of the +citizens, nor by _indirect_ taxation, which is by duties. + +§5. _Duties_, or _customs_, are taxes on goods imported from, or +exported to, a foreign country. _Imposts_ are taxes on imported goods +only. Duties on exports, however, being deemed inexpedient, are not laid +by our government. An _excise_ is a tax neither on imports nor exports, +but on articles produced and consumed in the country, and on licenses to +deal in certain commodities. The money paid for license to sell +spirituous liquors is an _excise_ tax. + +§6. Duties are _specific_ and _ad valorem_. A _specific_ duty is a +specified sum of money charged upon every yard, pound, or gallon of any +commodity. Thus, a duty of ten cents on a pound of tea, or of one dollar +on a yard of cloth, or of fifty cents on a gallon of wine, is a specific +duty. _Ad valorem_ is a Latin phrase, signifying _according to the +value_. An _ad valorem_ duty is a certain _per centage_ on the value or +price. Thus, thirty per cent, on a yard of cloth costing two dollars, is +sixty cents; on a yard costing three dollars, ninety cents; the sum +charged being varied by the difference in the price or value. + +§7. The power to lay duties is very properly qualified by the provision +that "all duties shall be uniform throughout the United States." This +was intended to prevent the giving of unjust preference to any one or +more states over others. Without this restriction upon the exercise of +this power, the representatives of a part of the states might combine, +and by laying higher duties upon goods imported into other states, than +upon those imported into their own, might turn the trade chiefly into +the latter. Or they might in laying duties on exports, impose high +duties upon the productions of other states, and low duties, or none at +all, upon the products of their own. + +§8. Although Congress has power to lay direct taxes, it has seldom been +exercised. The duties on foreign goods and on the vessels in which they +were imported, have been found sufficient for the payment of the public +debt, and for other government purposes. The national debt in 1791 was +about $75,000,000, and, in 1804, had risen to $86,000,000; yet chiefly +by duties was this debt reduced nearly one-half by the year 1812. By the +war which commenced that year, the debt was again increased, being in +1816, $127,000,000. In 1835, this large debt had been, in the manner +stated, entirely extinguished. + +§9. The next power mentioned is the "power to borrow money on the credit +of the United States." Although Congress may, under the power to lay +taxes and duties, raise money to any extent, a large amount may +sometimes be wanted before it can be raised from the regular income or +revenue of the nation, or even before it could be raised by a direct +tax, which would be burdensome to the people. Hence the utility of the +power to borrow money until it can be reimbursed from the national +revenues. + + + + +Chapter XXXII. + +Power of Congress to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations. + + + +§1. Next in the list of powers is "the power to regulate commerce with +foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian +tribes." The need of no power under the confederation was more deeply +felt than the power to regulate foreign trade. It was the want of this +power, as we have seen, which was the more immediate cause of calling +the convention that framed the constitution. (Chap. XXVII: §7-11.) The +necessity of this power arose mainly from the policy of Great Britain, +by which she had secured to herself undue advantages in her foreign +commerce, especially in her trade with this country. + +§2. During the war of the revolution, the direct trade with Great +Britain was interrupted. But when peace was restored, our markets were +again open to British goods and vessels, while upon American produce and +American vessels entering British ports, heavy duties were levied. To +enable some young readers more clearly to understand the objects and the +unequal operation of the policy of the British government, the subject +may need some further illustration. + +§3. One object was, to secure a market at home for the products of +agricultural labor. How this is done by taxing foreign products, will +appear from the following example: Suppose the market value of a bushel +of wheat in Great Britain to be one dollar a bushel, and the cost of +raising the article here and carrying it to that market to be the same. +If now a duty of 40 cents a bushel is laid upon wheat from abroad, the +English consumer, instead of buying it with this duty added, will buy of +the English producer. But more wheat is produced here than there is a +market for; and the American farmer must find a market abroad. But in +order to sell it in the English market, he must pay 40 cents on every +bushel to the British government; or, which is the same thing in effect, +he must sell it for 40 cents a bushel less than its value to the British +purchaser, who pays the duty to that government. + +§4. Now, as much less American wheat will be sent to Great Britain than +if it were free from duty, a better market is secured to the English +farmer. Besides this, of the value of every bushel which Great Britain +may please to admit, or which the people of other countries maybe +obliged to sell to her, 40 per cent, is paid into her treasury. Thus by +one operation, are two benefits secured, namely, the reward of +agricultural labor at home, and the raising of revenue. So by the duties +imposed upon foreign vessels entering her ports, the national revenue +was to some extent increased, and great advantages were secured to her +citizens engaged in the carrying trade. + +§5. The people of this country being nearly all employed in agriculture, +and consequently dependent upon foreign markets for the sale of the +surplus products of their labor, they were obliged to submit to the +payment of these duties. And not possessing at that time the means of +manufacturing to any considerable extent for themselves, goods in large +quantities came in from Great Britain, for which they must pay in +produce heavily burdened with duties, or with money obtained for the +produce subject to these heavy duties. + +§6. To remove the inequality in the trade between the two countries, it +was thought necessary to retaliate upon Great Britain by subjecting her +goods and vessels coming into our ports to the payment of duties similar +to those imposed on our produce and vessels in her ports. But the power +to lay duties was with the states; and, as we have seen, the states +could not agree upon any effectual system; for, in order to make any +system effectual, the duties must be uniform throughout the United +States. + +§7. It was intended, in regulating trade, to render our own country less +dependent upon foreign nations for manufactured goods, by encouraging +domestic or home manufactures by duties on goods imported. Duties laid +for this purpose are called _protective_ duties, being designed to +_protect_ our manufacturers against loss from the competition of +foreigners. The nature and operation of a protective duty may be thus +illustrated: + +§8. Suppose foreign broadcloth of a certain quality is sold in this +country for $2.50 a yard, and cloth of the same quality manufactured +here can not be afforded for less than $3 a yard. There would now be no +encouragement to any one to engage in the manufacture of such cloth; +because in order to sell it, he must reduce the price to that of the +foreign article, which would subject him to a loss of fifty cents a +yard. Let now a duty of $1 a yard be laid upon the foreign cloth, and +the price would be $3.50, and preference would be given to the domestic +article, unless the importer should reduce the price of his foreign +cloth to $3; in which case, it is to be presumed, about an equal +quantity of each would be consumed, and the duty of $1 a yard on the +foreign cloth would go into the United States' treasury. + +§9. The same objects may, to some extent, be effected by the first +mentioned power, "to lay taxes, duties," &c. In laying duties for +revenue, that is, raising money to pay the debts and other expenses of +the government, congress may lay the duties upon those kinds of goods +which it wishes to protect; and thus _indirectly_ both encourage +domestic industry and regulate commerce. From this it appears that the +three objects mentioned may be accomplished under the grant of either +one of the two general powers, to lay duties, and to regulate commerce. + +§10. Why, then, it may be asked, were both these powers inserted in the +constitution? The first _expressly_ authorizes the laying of duties only +to raise money for paying debts and government expenses; and protection +and the regulation of commerce can only be effected _indirectly_. Hence, +if our arrangements with foreign nations should be such as to render it +unnecessary to lay duties to regulate commerce, or encourage domestic +industry, money could not be raised without the _express_ power to lay +taxes, duties, &c. And such might be the state of things, that rates of +duties sufficient for revenue would be insufficient for the purposes of +protection and regulating trade. Therefore, both powers are properly +granted to congress. + +§11. Again, it may be asked, if foreign goods without duty can be had at +lower prices than domestic, why is it not better for us to buy them than +to force the manufacture and sale of our own at higher prices? and, if +there is no other way of raising money, why not do it by direct +taxation? Suppose, for example, as in a preceding section, (§8,) the +price of foreign cloth to be $2.50 a yard, for which the farmer has to +pay in wheat, or in cash received for it. But as the wheat has to be +shipped to a foreign market, the merchant who takes it in exchange for +the cloth, or the cash purchaser, deducts from the foreign market price +the cost of transportation and the foreign duty, which, together, let us +suppose to be fifty cents a bushel, or one-half of the foreign market +price. A yard of cloth would then cost five bushels of wheat. + +§12. Let us now suppose a domestic article at $3 a yard to take the +place of the foreign. A large portion of the laborers formerly employed +in agriculture, are now engaged in building factories and in +manufacturing. These, instead of being producers, have become only +consumers of the wheat of the farmers, who now have a market at home, +thus saving the duties and the cost of transportation. As there are now +fewer producers, the price of wheat would probably be not less than $1 a +bushel. Therefore a yard of domestic cloth would cost only _three_ +bushels of wheat, instead of _five_ paid for the foreign cloth. And as +there would be a corresponding rise in the price of labor, more cloth at +$3 a yard could be bought for the avails of a day's labor than formerly. + +§13. The protection of domestic industry received the early attention of +congress. The second law passed by the first congress under the +constitution, authorized "duties to be laid on goods, wares, and +merchandises imported;" and among the objects of the law expressed in a +preamble one was "the encouragement and protection of domestic +manufactures." For a long time, however, little was done in the way of +protection. The principal nations of Europe, England included, became +involved in war. A large portion of their laboring population having +been called from agricultural pursuits into the armies, a foreign demand +was created for American produce; and we were enabled to supply +ourselves at less disadvantage with foreign manufactures. + +§14. But after peace had been restored in Europe, and people had +returned to their usual employments, the foreign demand for our +breadstuffs nearly ceased; and large quantities of foreign goods were +again imported, for which our people were unable to pay. Congress now +found it necessary to exercise, to a greater extent, its power to +regulate trade, by discouraging importations, and encouraging domestic +manufactures, and, in 1816, commenced an effective system of +protection. Laws have from time to time been passed to favor +manufactures from cotton, wool, iron, and other materials; and +manufacturing is now carried on extensively in this country. By thus +drawing a large portion of the people into manufacturing and mechanical +employments, a market has been created at home for more grain, meat, and +other agricultural products, than is required to supply all foreign +demand. + +§15. The laws relating to foreign commerce prescribe the manner of +collecting the revenue. There is in every port of entry a _collector_ of +_customs_, who superintends the collection of duties. When a vessel +arrives it is submitted, with the cargo and all papers and invoices, to +the inspection of the proper officers; and the goods subject to duty are +weighed and measured, and the duties estimated according to law. + + + + +Chapter XXXIII. + +Power to regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among the +States, and with the Indian Tribes. + + + +§1. In regulating foreign commerce, congress has also passed navigation +laws. _Navigation_ is the art of conducting ships and other vessels. It +has reference also to the rules to be observed by owners and masters +engaged in the shipping trade. We have noticed the navigation acts of +Great Britain by which she built up her shipping interest; (Chap. XXVII, +§7,) and we have stated that one object of the power to regulate +commerce was to countervail the effects of those acts upon our shipping. + +§2. To encourage and promote domestic navigation, an act was passed by +the first congress conferring special privileges upon vessels built and +owned by citizens of the United States. This was done by laying _duties +on tunnage_. _Tunnage_ means the content of a ship, or the burden that +it will carry, which is ascertained by measurement, 42 cubic feet being +allowed to a tun. This act imposed a duty of fifty cents a tun on +foreign vessels, and upon our own a duty of only six cents a tun. As +such a law discriminates, or makes a distinction or difference between +domestic and foreign vessels, these duties are also called +_discriminating_ duties. + +§3. By the aid of these protective duties, slightly changed from time to +time, our shipping interest acquired great strength. But the necessity +of discriminating duties no longer exists. By the stipulations of +existing treaties between the principal commercial nations, each is to +admit into her ports the vessels of the others on equal terms with her +own. Our government having become a party to this agreement, +discriminating tunnage duties have been abolished. + +§4. The registry, however, of vessels of the United States, and other +regulations concerning them, are for the most part continued. A vessel +is measured by a surveyor to ascertain her tunnage, and the collector +records or registers in a book her name, the port to which she belongs, +her burden or tunnage, and the name of the place in which she was built, +and gives to the owner or commander a certificate of such registry. + +§5. The master of a vessel departing from the United States, bound to a +foreign port, must deliver to the collector of the district, a +_manifest_, which is an invoice, or account of the particulars of a +cargo of goods, and of their prices or value. This statement is +subscribed by the master, and sworn by him to be true. The collector +then grants a _clearance_, for the vessel, which is a certificate +stating that the commander has cleared his vessel according to law. + +§6. Vessels of the United States going to foreign countries, are, at the +request of the masters, furnished with passports. A _passport_ is a +writing from the proper authority of a state or kingdom, granting +permission to pass from place to place, or to navigate some sea without +hinderance or molestation. It contains the name of the vessel and that +of her master, her tunnage, and the number of her crew, certifying that +she belongs to the subjects of a particular state, and requiring all +persons at peace with that state, to suffer her to proceed on her voyage +without interruption. In this country the form of a passport is prepared +by the secretary of state, and approved by the president. + +§7. The navigation laws also provide for the safety of passengers and +the crews of vessels, limiting the number of passengers on passenger +vessels, and prescribing the quantity of water and certain kinds of +provisions which merchant vessels are required to have for each person +on board. They also declare what persons may be employed on board, and +how funds shall be provided for sick and disabled seamen. + +§8. Under the power to regulate commerce, congress has also passed laws +relating to quarantines. The word _quarantine_, from the Latin +_quarantina_, signifies the space of forty days. Originally vessels +suspected of having contagious sickness on board, or of being infected +with malignant, contagious disease, were forbidden, for forty days, to +have intercourse with the place or port at which they arrived. The +period for which ships are now detained is not defined, but is fixed by +the proper officers at their discretion, according to circumstances. +Quarantines are required by the health laws of the states; and by the +laws of congress, vessels are to be subject to the health laws of the +state at whose ports they arrive. + +§9. In connection with the power to regulate foreign commerce, power is +given to regulate "commerce among the several states," or _internal_ +commerce. We have noticed the difficulties which attended the different +commercial regulations of the states, and the necessity of a uniform +system, which could be had only by giving congress alone the power to +regulate commerce. (Chap. XXXI., §7.) Without the power to regulate +_internal_ commerce, congress could not give effect to the power to +regulate foreign commerce. One state might impose unjust and oppressive +duties upon goods imported or exported through it by another state. But +in the hands of congress, the power to regulate internal as well as +foreign commerce, secures to all the states the benefits of a free and +uninterrupted trade. + +§10. In granting to congress the power to regulate commerce "with the +Indian tribes," it was intended to lessen the dangers of war. Murders +and war had been provoked by the improper conduct of some of the states. +It was believed, that, by a uniform policy, difficulties would be more +likely to be prevented; and that if they should occur, they would be +more likely to be amicably settled by the general government than by a +state, which, being an interested party, would be more liable to +misjudge the matter in dispute, and more rigid in demanding satisfaction +for injuries, as well as more severe in redressing them. + + + + +Chapter XXXIV. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; Coining +Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting. + + + +§1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to establish a uniform +rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies +throughout the United States." We have already noticed some of the +disqualifications of aliens. (Chap. VI, §5.) By the common law of +England and this country, aliens were not only politically disqualified, +but they could not in their own name lawfully hold and sell real estate. +To admit aliens to all the rights and privileges of citizens immediately +on their arrival in this country, and before they shall have acquired a +knowledge of our government and laws, and of the duties of citizens, +would be expedient. Educated under monarchical governments, many of +them, it is to be presumed, have little respect for our republican +institutions, or at most but an imperfect knowledge of them. + +§2. But to deny foreigners the rights of citizens after they shall have +acquired a fixed residence here, and a knowledge of their civil and +political duties, would be illiberal and unjust. Provision has therefore +been made for removing their disqualifications, or for _naturalizing_ +them; that is, for investing them with the rights and privileges of +_natural_ born citizens. But if different rules were established by the +different states, a person, having become naturalized in one state, +would, on removing into another state, be deprived of the rights of +citizenship, until he should have been naturalized by the laws of such +state. Besides, by the constitution, a person, on becoming a citizen of +any state, is a citizen of the United States, and entitled to the +privileges of a citizen in any other state. (Art. IV., §2.) As, +therefore, there should be one uniform rule, the power of naturalization +is properly given to congress. + +§3. An alien, to become a citizen, must declare on oath before a state +court or a circuit court of the United States, or before a clerk of +either of said courts, after having resided three years in the United +States, that it is his intention to become a citizen, and to renounce +his allegiance to all foreign governments, and particularly that under +which he formerly lived, and that he will support the constitution of +the United States. Then after two years, the court, if satisfied that he +has resided five years in the United States, and one year in the state +in which the court is held, and that during that time he has behaved as +a man of good moral character, and is attached to the principles of the +constitution, may admit him as a citizen. + +§4. An alien minor who has resided in the United States at least three +years before he was twenty-one years of age, may, at any time after that +age and five years' residence in the United States, be admitted as a +citizen, without having previously declared his intention to become a +citizen. Also the minor children of a naturalized citizen, if dwelling +in the United States at the time of his naturalization, become +citizens. + +§5. A _bankrupt_ is an insolvent debtor; that is, a person who is unable +to pay all his just debts. A _bankrupt law_ is a law which, upon an +insolvent's giving up all his property to his creditors, discharges him +from the payment of his debts. Such laws are designed for the benefit of +honest and unfortunate debtors, who, by having the enjoyment of their +future earnings secured to them, are encouraged to engage anew in +industrial pursuits. But these laws, intended for the benefit of the +unfortunate poor, have enabled dishonest and fraudulent debtors to +procure a release from their debts. + +§6. Experience had shown the propriety of intrusting to congress the +power to make these laws. The dissimilar and conflicting laws of the +different states, and the entire want of them in others, had caused +great inconvenience. A debtor, though discharged from debt by the laws +of one state, was liable to be prosecuted on removing into another +state. Important as such laws were deemed, there is no existing law on +the subject. A bankrupt law was passed in April, 1800, and repealed in +December, 1803. Another was passed in 1841, which was of still shorter +duration. + +§7. The next power mentioned is the power "to coin money and regulate +the value thereof." As a consequence of giving this power to Congress, +we have a uniform currency throughout the union. We have also, instead +of the awkward system of reckoning by pounds, shillings, and pence, the +more convenient decimal mode of calculation by dollars and cents. The +old system was rendered the more inconvenient by the difference in the +value of a pound, shilling, and penny in the different states. A +merchant in a New England state, buying goods in New York or +Philadelphia, must, in order to put prices upon them, reduce the +currency of the state in which he bought them to New England currency. +Thus, the cost of an article being in New York two shillings and four +pence a pound, would be in Connecticut one shilling and nine pence. One +shilling and six pence in New York would be in any New England state +one shilling and a penny and a half. + +§8. The place where money is coined is called _mint_. The principal mint +in the United States, and the first that was established in this +country, is at Philadelphia. The business of coining is under the +superintendence of a director. Under him are a treasurer, an assayer, a +chief coiner, an engraver, and a melter and refiner. The gold and +silver, before it is coined, is called _bullion_. There is a branch mint +in New Orleans, one at Charlotte, in North Carolina, one at Dahlonega, +in Georgia, one in California, and one in the city of New York. At the +place last mentioned, gold is assayed, but not coined. + +§9. The clause containing the power last quoted, gives power also to +"fix the standard of weights and measures." For the convenience of trade +between the states, the standard of weights and measures should be the +same in all the states. Without such uniformity, commerce among the +states would meet with embarrassments scarcely less than those +experienced from the want of a uniform currency. To effect the desired +object, this power was given to congress. + +§10. The next power in the list is the power "to provide for the +punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the +United States." By securities here are meant bonds and other evidences +of debt. As the general government has the power to borrow money and to +coin money, it is proper that it should also have the power to provide +for punishing those who forge its written obligations for the payment of +the money borrowed, and who counterfeit its coin. These offenses are +tried in the courts of the United States. + + + + +Chapter XXXV. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Post-Offices, Copy-Rights, and +Patents, and Inferior Courts. + + + +§1. Congress has power "to establish post-offices and post-roads." The +post-office department, from the facilities which it affords for the +circulation of intelligence and the transaction of business, is an +institution of incalculable value to the union. It is impossible to +conceive all the difficulties which would attend the exercise of this +power by the different states. A uniform system of regulations is +indispensable to the efficiency of this department, and could be secured +only by placing this power in the hands of congress. + +§2. Congress has power "to promote the progress of science and the +useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, +the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." +Useful sciences and arts are promoted by new books and new inventions. +But if every man had the right to print and sell every book or writing, +without compensation to the author, there would be little to encourage +men of ability to spend, as is often done, years of labor in preparing +new and useful works. Nor would men of genius be likely to spend their +time and money in inventing and constructing expensive machinery, if +others had an equal right to make and sell the same. In pursuance of the +power here given, congress has enacted laws for the benefit of authors +and inventors. + +§3. The exclusive right of an author to the benefits of the sale of his +books or writings, is called _copy-right_, and is obtained thus: The +author sends a printed copy of the title of his book to the clerk of the +district court of the United States of the district in which the author +resides. The clerk records the title in a book, for which he receives +fifty cents, and gives the author, under the seal of the court, a copy +of the record, for which also he receives fifty cents. + +§4. The author must also, within three months after the first +publication of the work, deliver a copy of the same to the clerk of the +district court. And he must cause to be printed on the title page or +page immediately following, of every copy of the book, words showing +that the law has been complied with. This secures to the author the sole +right to print and sell his work for twenty-eight years, at the +expiration of which time, he may have his right continued for fourteen +years longer, by again complying with the requirements of the law as +before, provided it be done within six months before the expiration of +the first term, and a copy of the record published in a newspaper for +the space of four weeks. + +§5. _Patents_ for new inventions are obtained at the patent office at +the seat of government. This office is connected with the department of +the interior. (Chap. XLI, §7.) The commissioner of patents superintends +the granting of patents under the direction of the secretary of the +interior. To secure an exclusive right to an invention, the inventor +must deliver to the commissioner of patents, a written description of +his invention, and specify the improvement which he claims as his own +discovery; and he must make oath that he believes he is the discoverer +thereof. + +§6. Before the petition of an inventor is considered, he must pay the +sum of thirty dollars. If the commissioner, upon examination, does not +find that the invention had been before discovered, he issues a patent +therefor. Patents are granted for the term of fourteen years, and may be +renewed for a further term of seven years, if the inventor has not been +able to obtain a reasonable profit from his invention. + +§7. Congress has power "to constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme +court." As the first section of the third article of the constitution, +in providing for a national judiciary, authorizes congress to ordain and +establish such inferior courts, the insertion of the power in this place +seems to have been unnecessary, (Chap. XLII, §1.) + + + + +Chapter XXXVI. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Piracy and Offenses against the Law of +Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal, Public Defense, District of Columbia; +Implied Powers. + + + +§1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to define and punish +piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against +the law of nations." _Piracy_ is commonly defined to be forcible robbery +or depredation upon the high seas. But the term _felony_ was not exactly +defined by the laws of England, whence the common law of this country +was derived; consequently its meaning was not the same in all the +states. It was sometimes applied to capital offenses only; at other +times, to all crimes above misdemeanors. For the sake of uniformity, the +power to define these offenses is given to congress: and as the states +have no jurisdiction beyond their own limits, it is proper that congress +should have the power to punish as well as define crimes committed on +the high seas. + +§2. Nor were offenses against the law of nations more clearly defined: +therefore the power to define these are with equal propriety given to +congress. As our citizens are regarded by foreign nations as citizens of +the United States and not as citizens of their respective states; and as +the general government alone is responsible to foreign nations for +injuries committed on the high seas by citizens of the United States, +this power is vested in congress. + +§3. Congress is also properly intrusted with the power "to declare war; +grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules concerning captures +on land and water." It is very evident that a single state ought not to +be allowed to make war. As the people of all the states become involved +in the evils of war, the power to declare it is justly given to the +representatives of the whole nation. In monarchical governments this +power is exercised by the king, or supreme ruler. But so important a +power should not be intrusted to a single individual. The framers of +the constitution have wisely intrusted it to the representatives of +those who have to bear the burdens of the war. + +§4. _Marque_ means passing the frontier or limits of a country; +_reprisal_, taking in return. _Letters of marque and reprisal_ authorize +persons injured by citizens or subjects of another nation to seize the +bodies or goods of any of the citizens of such nation, and detain them +until satisfaction shall be made. To permit an individual to act as +judge in his own case in redressing his private wrongs would increase +the dangers of war. + +§5. Nor should a state be permitted to authorize its citizens to make +reprisals; for, although such authority is designed to enable the +citizens of one country to obtain redress for injuries committed by +those of another, without a resort to war, the tendency of reprisals is +to provoke rather than to prevent war; and as the whole nation becomes +involved in a war, the power to authorize reprisals properly belongs to +the general government. Indeed it is not clear that such license ought +ever to be given. It does not appear strictly just to capture the bodies +or goods of unoffending persons, especially before war has been declared +between the two countries. But if the power to grant such license is +ever to be exercised, it ought to be vested in congress. + +§6. As congress has the power to declare war, it ought to have power to +make rules concerning the property captured in time of war. The general +practice is to distribute the proceeds of the property among the captors +as a reward for bravery and a stimulus to exertion. But proof must be +made in a court of the United States that the property was taken from +the enemy, before it is condemned by the court as a prize. + +§7. The next five clauses provide for the security and defense of the +nation. The power to declare war would be of little use in the hands of +congress, without power over the army, navy and militia. This had been +proved by experience Congress had power under the confederation to +declare war; but, as we have seen, it could not raise troops, nor compel +the states to raise them. To guard against similar difficulties in +future, power to control the public forces was placed where it can be +promptly and effectively exercised. + +§8. The next power of congress is, "to exercise exclusive legislation +over such district, not exceeding ten miles square, as may, by cession +of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of +government of the United States." If the seat of the general government +were within the jurisdiction of a state, congress and other public +officers would be dependent on the state authority for protection in the +discharge of their duties. To guard the public business more effectually +against the danger of interruption, complete and exclusive power at the +seat of government is given to congress. The old congress had once, near +the close of the Revolution, been treated with insult and abuse while +sitting at Philadelphia; and the executive authority of Pennsylvania +having failed to afford protection, congress adjourned to Princeton in +the State of New Jersey. + +§9. It appears that the cession of this territory to the general +government had not yet been made; but it was in contemplation by the +states of Virginia and Maryland to cede it. It is called the _District +of Columbia_. Its inhabitants are subject to the laws of congress. That +part of the district which was ceded by Virginia, was in 1846, +retroceded _by_ congress to that state. To congress is given, with equal +propriety, exclusive authority over all places purchased "for the +erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful +buildings." + +§10. The last power granted in this section, is the power "to make all +laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the +foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in +the government of the United States, or in any department or officer +thereof." As it was impossible to enumerate in the constitution every +particular act which congress might find it necessary to perform, +certain powers were expressly granted; and to these powers was added +this general grant of power to pass laws for carrying them into effect. + +§11. It is the opinion of eminent statesmen that this clause confers no +additional power. They hold that the power therein granted is +necessarily _implied_ or included in the foregoing powers. For example: +The power "to regulate commerce" includes the power to cause the +construction of break-waters and light-houses, the removal of +obstructions from navigable rivers, and the improvement of harbors; for +in regulating and facilitating commerce, these works and improvements +are absolutely necessary. So the power "to establish post-offices" +implies the power to punish persons for robbing the mail. The doctrine +is, "that wherever a general power to do a thing is given, every +particular power for doing it is included." Hence it is inferred that +congress would have had the power to pass the laws here authorized, +though no express power for that purpose had been given. + +§12. Besides the long list of powers contained in the eighth section of +the first article of the constitution, and considered in preceding +chapters, there are sundry other powers of congress in subsequent +articles, which will be noticed in their order. + + + + +Chapter XXXVII. + +Prohibitions on Congress. + + + +§1. While the constitution confers on congress all the powers deemed +necessary to be exercised for the general welfare, it imposes on +congress certain restrictions, the most of which are contained in the +next section. (Art. I, sec. 9.) The first prohibition is in these words: +"The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states, now +existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the +congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a +tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten +dollars for each person." + +§2. It is generally known that, from an early period, slaves had been +imported into the colonies from Africa. At the time when the +constitution was formed, laws prohibiting the foreign slave trade had +been passed in all the states except North Carolina, South Carolina, and +Georgia. The delegates from these states in the convention insisted on +having the privilege of importing slaves secured, by withholding from +congress the power to prohibit the importation. A majority of the +convention were in favor of leaving congress free to prohibit the trade +at any time. But as it was doubtful whether these states would in such +case accede to the constitution; and as it was desirable to bring as +many states as possible into the union; it was at length agreed that the +trade should be left open, and free to all the states choosing to +continue it, until 1808, (twenty years;) congress being allowed, +however, to lay a duty or tax of ten dollars on every slave imported. + +§3. It has ever been a cause of wonder and regret to many, that the +traffic in human beings should have been permitted by the constitution, +even for the most limited period. It is, however, a gratifying fact, +that congress exercised its power for terminating the foreign slave +trade, at the earliest possible period. A law was passed in 1807, to go +into effect in January, 1808, making it unlawful, under severe +penalties, to import slaves into the United States; and in 1820, the +African slave trade was by law declared _piracy_, and made punishable by +death. + +§4. The next clause is, "The privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ +shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, +the public safety may require it." _Habeas corpus_, (Latin,) signifies, +_have the body_. A person deprived of his liberty, may, before the final +judgment of a court is pronounced against him, petition a court or +judge, who issues a writ commanding the party imprisoning or detaining +him, to produce his body and the cause of his detention before the judge +or court. If the imprisonment or detention is found to be illegal, or +without sufficient cause, the prisoner is set at liberty. + +§5. The next clause declares, "No bill of attainder or _ex post facto_ +law shall be passed." A _bill of attainder_ is an act of the legislature +by which the punishment of death is inflicted upon a person for some +crime, without any trial. If it inflicts a milder punishment, it is +usually called a bill of pains and penalties. Such laws are inconsistent +with the principles of republican government, and are therefore properly +prohibited. + +§6. An _ex post facto_ law is literally a law made after an act is done, +or which has effect upon an act after it is done. But it here means a +law that makes punishable as a _crime_, an act which was not criminal +when done. A law is also an _ex post facto_ law that increases the +punishment of a crime after it has been committed. If, for example, a +law should be passed by which a person, having previously killed another +in lawfully defending his own life, should be made to suffer death, it +would be an _ex post facto_ law, because killing in self-defense, before +the passage of the law, was not punishable as a crime. Such also would +be a law that should require all persons now charged with stealing, to +be imprisoned for life, if found guilty; because the crime, when +committed, was punishable by a shorter imprisonment. + +§7. The next prohibition is, "No capitation or other direct tax shall be +laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before +directed to be taken." The words _capitation_ and _capital_ are from the +Latin _caput_, the head, or poll. Hence a _capitation-tax_ or a +_poll-tax_, is a tax upon each head or person. (Chap. VII. §4.) The +above clause means, that poll-taxes, if laid, must be laid in conformity +to article 1st, section 2d, clause 3d, of the constitution, which +requires three-fifths of the slaves to be counted in apportioning taxes +among the states according to population. + +§8. The next prohibition is, "No tax or duty shall be laid on articles +exported from any state." Probably no law for taxing exports could be +devised which would operate equally upon the interests of the different +states. Or some states the principal product is cotton, rice, or +tobacco; of others, grain; and of others, manufactures; and some of +these products might not bear the same rates of duties as others. But +though it were possible to devise a plan which would be equal in its +operation, a majority of the representatives might be opposed to it. The +representatives of the grain producing, and those of the planting +states, might combine in imposing excessive taxes upon the productions +of the manufacturing states. Or the manufacturing and the grain +producing states might, with the same intent, combine against the +planting states. + +§9. As it was the purpose of the framers of the constitution to make +taxation, as nearly as possible, equal in the different states, by +uniform duties; and as every necessary object of indirect taxation may +be attained by duties on imports; duties on exports are properly +prohibited. And to secure to all the states freedom and equality in +trade, it is expressly provided in the same clause, that "no preference +shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to the ports +of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from +one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another." + +§10. The next clause provides that "no money shall be drawn from the +treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." This places +the public money beyond the reach or control of the executive or any +other officer, and secures it in the hands of the representatives of the +people. In pursuance of this provision, congress, at every session, +passes laws specifying the objects for which money is to be +appropriated. The latter part of the clause requires, that "a regular +statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public +money shall be published from time to time." And it is by law made the +duty of the secretary of the treasury to make to congress annually such +statement, which is published by order of congress; so that the people +may know for what purposes the public money is expended. + +§11. It is next declared, that "no title of nobility shall be granted by +the United States." Although the bare titles of lord, duke, &c., which +are conferred upon citizens in monarchical governments, could not add to +the political power of any person under our constitution; yet, as it is +desirable that there should be equality of rank as well as of political +rights, it is proper that congress should be prohibited from creating +titles of nobility. And to guard public officers against being corrupted +by foreign influence, they are forbidden to "accept of any present, +emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, +or foreign state." + + + + +Chapter XXXVIII. + +Prohibitions on the States. + + + +§1. The next section contains restrictions on the powers of the states. +"No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation." [For +the definition of _treaty_ and the manner in which a treaty is made, see +Chapter XL: §3-5.] An _alliance_ is a union between two or more nations, +by a treaty, or contract, for their mutual benefit. _Confederation_ and +_alliance_, have nearly the same meaning. If the states, separately, +were allowed to make treaties or form alliances with foreign powers, the +rights and interests of one state might be injured by the treaties made +by another state. As the states united constitute but one nation, it is +obvious that the power to treat with other nations properly belongs to +the general government. If the states also had the power, they might +counteract the policy of the national government. + +§2. Nor may a state "grant letters of marque and reprisal." If, as has +been shown, this power is properly given to congress, it could not be +safely intrusted to the states. (Chap. XXXVI, §5.) + +§3. The power to "coin money" is also prohibited to the states. It was +given to the general government to secure a uniform currency. (Chap. +XXXIV, §7.) But this object would not be likely to be attained, if the +power to coin money were exercised by the states. + +§4. A state may not "emit bills of credit." _Bills of credit_, to a vast +amount, were issued by the states during the war, and for some time +thereafter. They were in the nature of promissory notes, issued by the +authority of the state, and on the credit of the state, and put in +circulation by the continental congress and the states as money. This +paper money, having no funds set apart to redeem it, became almost +worthless. Bank bills issued upon the credit of private individuals, do +not come under the prohibition. It is also held that the prohibition +does not apply to the notes or bills of a _state_ bank, drawn on the +credit of a particular fund set apart for that purpose. + +§5. No state shall "make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts." _Tender_ signifies an offer, or to offer. In law, it +is an offer of something in payment of a debt, or the thing itself which +is offered in payment. Some of the states had declared their +irredeemable paper money a lawful tender. But paper money and property +of all kinds are continually liable to fluctuation in value, and might +subject those who should be compelled to receive it to great +inconvenience and loss. But although no person is obliged to take in +payment any thing but coin, bank bills are by common consent taken in +the course of business and in payment of debts, because they may be +converted into specie by presenting them at the bank by which they are +issued. + +§6. Nor may a state "pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or +law impairing the obligation of contracts." Bills of attainder and ex +post laws have been defined and considered. (Chap. XXXVII, §5.) If these +laws are in their nature wrong, the states as well as congress should be +prohibited from passing them. Not less unjust are laws impairing the +obligation of contracts. Laws that should weaken the force of contracts, +or that would release men from their obligations, would be contrary to +the principles of justice, and destroy all security to the rights of +property. + +§7. As bankrupt laws release debtors from the payment of their debts, +and consequently impair the obligation of contracts, the question has +arisen whether the states have power to pass insolvent or bankrupt laws. +From decisions of the supreme court of the United States, which is the +highest judicial authority, it appears, that a state may not pass a +bankrupt law discharging a debtor from the obligation of a contract made +before such law was passed. But it was not to be considered a law +impairing the obligation of a contract, if it existed before the +contract was made; because the parties, who are presumed to know that +such law exists, may guard themselves against loss. + +§8. The last thing prohibited in this clause, is, "to grant any title of +nobility." This is forbidden to the states for the same reason as it is +prohibited to congress. (Chap. XXXVII, §11.) + +§9. The first prohibition to the states in the next clause is to "lay +any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be +absolutely necessary for executing their inspection laws." The +objections to the power of the states to lay duties have been +considered. They are founded upon the same reasons as have been given +for intrusting congress with this power; one of which is to secure +uniformity throughout the United States. (Chap. XXXII, §6.) And as +congress is properly prohibited from laying duties on exports, (Chap. +XXXVI, §8, 9,) there can be no good reason for allowing it to be done +by the states. + +§10. The exception allowing a state to lay duties necessary to execute +its inspection laws was deemed proper. Laws are passed by the states for +the inspection or examination of flour and meat in barrels, leather, and +sundry other commodities in commercial cities, to ascertain their +quality and quantity, and to be marked accordingly. By this means the +states are enabled to improve the quality of articles produced by the +labor of the country, and the articles are better fitted for sale, as +the purchaser is thereby guarded against deception. A small tax is laid +upon the goods inspected, to pay for their inspection. But, lest the +states should carry this power so far as to injure other states, these +"laws are to be subject to the revision and control of congress." + +§11. The last restrictions upon the power of the states contained in +this section, are: "No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay +any duty of tunnage; keep troops or ships of war in time of peace; enter +into any agreement or compact with any other state, or with a foreign +power; or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent +danger as will not admit of delay." Some of the prohibitions here +enumerated have been noticed in this and preceding chapters; and the +reasons of the others are so obvious as to render any remarks upon them +unnecessary. + + + + +Chapter XXXIX. + +Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, +Qualifications, &c. + + + +§1. The second article of the constitution relates to the executive +department. Of the necessity of a separate and distinct power to execute +the laws, we have already spoken. (Chap. VIII, §7.) Under the +confederation, as will be recollected, there was no national executive. +This defect has been supplied by the constitution. "The executive power +shall be vested in a president of the United States of America. He shall +hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the +vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows." (Art. +2, §1.) + +§2. In regard to the organization and powers of the executive +department, there was a great diversity of opinion. Ought the chief +executive power to be vested in one person, or a number of persons? Laws +should be executed with promptness and energy. This is more likely to be +done by one man than by a number. If several were associated in the +exercise of this power, disagreement and discord would be likely to +happen, and to cause frequent and injurious delays. Unity being deemed +favorable to energetic and prompt action, the chief executive power of +the nation was given to a single person. + +§3. Secondly, as to the duration of the office. Much of what has been +said in relation to the term of office of senators, will apply to that +of president. (Chap. XXX, §4-6.) His term of office should not be so +short as to induce him to act more with a view to his re-election than +to the public good; yet it should be short enough to make him feel his +responsibility. And it should be long enough to insure a due degree of +independence, and to enable him to carry out his system of public +policy. The term of four years was accordingly adopted. + +§4. Thirdly, the mode of election. Among the various modes proposed, the +one adopted was that of electing the president by electors chosen in the +several states for that purpose; the number of the electors chosen in +each state to be equal to the number of its senators and representatives +in congress. A material alteration in the mode of election has been made +since the adoption of the constitution, as will be seen by examining the +two modes. (Art. 2, §1; and Art. 12 of Amendments.) This amendment does +not change the manner of choosing the electors, but the manner of +choosing the president by the electors. + +§5. The constitution does not prescribe the manner in which the +electors shall be appointed or chosen; it only declares that each state +shall appoint them "in such manner as the legislature thereof shall +direct." No uniform mode was adopted by the different states. In some +states the electors were appointed by the legislature; in others, by the +people. At present the latter mode prevails in all the states except +South Carolina, where presidential electors are still chosen by the +legislature. + +§6. The electors are, by the laws of the several states, chosen by +_general ticket_. The names of two men, corresponding to the number of +senators to which a state is entitled in congress, together with the +names of as many others as there are representatives of the state in the +lower house of congress, one to reside in each congressional district, +are all placed on the same ballot; so that every voter votes for the +whole number of presidential electors to be chosen in the state. And, by +a law of congress, the electors are required to be chosen in all the +states on the same day, which is the Tuesday next after the first Monday +of November. + +§7. The electors so chosen are required by a law of congress, to meet in +their respective states on the first Wednesday of December, and vote for +president and vice-president; and to make and sign three certificates of +all the votes given by them, and seal up the same. One of these is to be +sent by a person duly appointed by them, to the president of the senate +at the seat of government, before the first of January next ensuing; +another is to be forwarded by mail, also directed to the president of +the senate; and the third is to be delivered to the United States judge +of the district in which the electors are assembled. + +§8. On the second Wednesday of February, the president of the senate, in +presence of all the senators and representatives, opens the certificates +from all the states, and the votes are counted. The person having a +majority of all the electoral votes for president is elected. If no +person has a majority of all the electoral votes, the house of +representatives must choose the president from those candidates, not +exceeding three, who had the highest numbers of the electoral votes. But +in so doing, the members do not all vote together; but those of each +state vote by themselves; and the candidate who receives the votes of a +majority of the representatives of a state, has but one presidential +vote for such majority; and the person who receives the votes of a +majority of the states, is elected. Thus in the election of president by +the house of representatives, voting is done _by states_, as was done in +passing laws by the old congress. (Chap. XXVIII, §5.) + +§9. There have been two elections by the house of representatives. The +second was 1825. The votes of the electoral colleges (assemblies) had in +December, 1824, been divided upon four candidates. Andrew Jackson had +received 99 electoral votes; John Quincy Adams, 84; William H. Crawford, +41; and Henry Clay, 37. Neither having received a majority of all the +electoral votes, the election devolved upon the house of +representatives. Of the three candidates who had received the highest +numbers of the electoral votes, Mr. Adams received in the house of +representatives the votes of thirteen states; Gen. Jackson, the votes of +seven states; and Mr. Crawford, the votes of four states. Mr. Adams +having received the votes of a majority of all the states, he was +elected. + +§10. By the 12th article of amendments, if there is no election of +vice-president by a majority of the electors, then, from the two highest +numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president. +Two-thirds of the whole number of senators shall constitute a quorum for +such election; and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to +a choice. + +§11. To be eligible to the office of president or vice-president, a +person must be a natural born citizen of the United States, thirty-five +years of age, and must have been fourteen years a resident within the +United States. The reasons for requiring long terms of citizenship and +residence, and mature age and experience, in the case of senators, apply +with equal force in the case of president. + +§12. In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the vice-president +becomes the president. The power of making further provision for +supplying vacancies is, by the constitution, given to congress. (Art. 2, +§1.) Congress has accordingly enacted, that, when there is neither +president nor vice-president, the president _pro tempore_ shall act as +president; and if there should be none, the speaker of the house of +representatives would assume the duties of the office. + +§13. The same section declares that the salary of the president shall +neither be increased nor diminished during the time for which he shall +have been elected. It would be improper to allow congress to reduce his +salary at pleasure. This would make the executive dependent upon the +legislature for his support. On the other hand, if his compensation +could be increased during his official term, he might be tempted to use +undue influence to procure a needless increase of his salary. + +§14. The presidential term commences the 4th of March next after the +election, and ends the 3d day of March four years thereafter. Each +successive congress also commences and ends its term every two years, on +the same days of that month; and it is called a new congress, although +only one-third of the senators go out of office when a congress is said +to expire, and are succeeded by new ones when the next congress is said +to commence its official term. + + + + +Chapter XL. + +Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; +Appointments and Removals. + + + +§1. The powers and duties of the president are next given. "The +president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United +States, and of the militia of the several states when called into the +actual service of the United States." (Art. 2, §2.) Some of the reasons +for giving to the executive the command of the public forces, have been +given. (Chap. XXV, §2, 5.) It has also been observed, that a prompt and +effectual execution of the laws is best secured by intrusting this power +to a single individual. (Chap. XXXVIII, §2.) The constitution, (Art. I, +§8, clauses 12-16,) give congress power over the army, navy, and +militia, and "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the +laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions." As this +power is to be exercised upon sudden emergencies, congress has by law +authorized the president to call out the militia for these purposes. And +as the direction of the public forces is a power of an executive nature, +it is intrusted to the executive. + +§2. The president has also "power to grant reprieves and pardons for +offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." The +same power is exercised by the governors of the several states. (Chap. +XII, §4.) Through partial or false testimony, or the mistakes of judges +or juries, an innocent person may be convicted of crime; or facts may +subsequently come to light showing the offense to be one of less +aggravation than appeared on the trial. There should therefore be +somewhere a power to remit the punishment, or to mitigate the sentence, +or postpone its execution, as the case may seem to require; and by no +other person or persons, it is presumed, would this power be more +judiciously exercised than by the executive. + +§3. The president has "power, by and with the advice and consent of the +senate, to make treaties, to appoint embassadors, other public ministers +and consuls, judges of the supreme court," and other officers, "provided +two-thirds of the senators concur." A _treaty_ is an agreement or +contract between two or more nations, for regulating trade, or for +restoring or preserving peace. This power ought therefore to be in the +national government. In monarchical governments it belongs to the king. +To confide so important a trust to the president alone, would be +imprudent. To associate the house of representatives with the president +and senate, as in making laws, would render it impossible to act with +the decision, secrecy, and dispatch, which are sometimes necessary in +making treaties. + +§4. As the treaty-making power appears to be in its nature neither +wholly executive nor wholly legislative, but to partake of the nature of +both, a _part_ of the legislature is properly associated with the +president. As the senate, being less numerous than the house, is capable +of acting more promptly as well as more easily convened and at less +expense, that body is more properly united with the executive in the +exercise of this power. And it is equally proper that the power to +appoint embassadors and others by whom treaties are negotiated, should +be placed in the same hands. + +§5. Treaties are negotiated; that is, the provisions or terms are +arranged and agreed upon, by the agents of the two governments; and a +copy of the articles of agreement is sent to each government to be +approved and confirmed, or, as it is usually expressed, to be +_ratified_. Both governments must ratify, or the treaty fails. Treaties +are ratified, on the part of our government, by the president and +senate. This is what is meant by their making treaties. The persons by +whom treaties are negotiated are sometimes appointed by their +governments for that special purpose; but the business is perhaps more +frequently done by the permanent representatives or ministers of the +respective governments. + +§6. Each of the principal civilized nations has some officer at home +who acts as agent in negotiating treaties and transacting business with +foreign governments, and has also a representative at the seat of each +foreign government for this purpose, and for keeping his government, +apprised of what is done abroad. Our government has a minister in Great +Britain, one in Russia, one in France, one in Spain, and one in each of +the other principal commercial nations; and each of these nations has a +minister residing at the city of Washington, the seat of government of +the United States. The officer of our government who corresponds with +foreign ministers here, and with our ministers abroad, is the secretary +of state. The negotiation of treaties at home with the ministers of +foreign governments residing here, is done by him. + +§7. Representatives at foreign courts have different names or titles: +embassadors, envoys, ministers, and chargès des affaires. An embassador +who is intrusted with the ordinary business of a minister at a foreign +court, is called an _embassador in ordinary_. An _embassador +extraordinary_ is a person sent on a particular occasion, who returns as +soon as the business on which he was sent is done. He is sometimes +called _envoy_; and when he has power to act as he may deem expedient, +he is called _envoy plenipotentiary_; the latter word signifying full +power. An ordinary embassador or minister resides abroad, and acts in +obedience to instructions sent him from time to time. + +§8. Agents or representatives sent by our government to reside at +foreign courts, are called _ministers_. Formerly those sent to the less +important countries, were called _chargès des affaires_, who are +ministers of a lower grade. The name, usually written chargès +d'affaires, is French, and is pronounced _shar-zha-daf-fair_, accented +on the first and last syllables. It means a person having charge of the +affairs of his nation. It is not at present applied to any of our +representatives abroad, all being called by the common name of minister. + +§9. _Consuls_ are agents of inferior grade. They reside in foreign +seaports. Their business is to aid their respective governments in their +commercial transactions with the countries in which they reside, and to +protect the rights, commerce, merchants, and seamen of their own nation. +Hence much of their business is with masters of vessels, and with +merchants. They also dispose of the personal estate of citizens of their +own nation who die within their consulates, leaving no representative or +partner in trade to take care of their effects. + +§10. The appointment of judges of the supreme court by the president and +senate, seems to be proper. Their election by the people, most of whom +could have little or no knowledge of the persons who should be chosen, +would be injudicious. Besides, the mass of the voters are not so +competent to judge of the qualifications necessary for so important a +judicial office, as those to whom the constitution has given the power +of appointment. + +§11. The power of appointing the head officers of the several executive +departments, is with equal propriety given to the president and senate. +As the president is in a measure responsible for the acts of his +subordinates who conduct the business of these departments, and as, +without their coöperation, he could scarcely carry out his own measures, +it is proper that he should have the right of selecting them; and by +being required to submit his choice to the body of senators for their +approval, a sufficient safeguard is provided against the appointment of +unworthy or incompetent men. + +§12. "The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may +happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which +shall expire at the end of the next session." (Art. 2, sec. 2, clause +3.) Without such a power somewhere, the public interests would often +suffer serious injury before the senate should again be in session to +act upon a nomination by the president. As it is his duty to see that +the business of the executive offices is faithfully done, he seems to +be the proper person to make such temporary appointment. + +§13. The powers and duties of the president enumerated in the next +section of the constitution, are all necessary to insure a successful +administration of the government; and they are so clearly of an +executive nature, that they could not with any degree of propriety have +been devolved upon any other officer or department of the government. + +§14. The last section of this article of the constitution enumerates the +persons liable to be removed from office by impeachment, and the +offenses for which they are thus removable. As in the state governments, +so in the general government, impeachments are made by the house of +representatives, and tried by the senate. (Chap. XX, §6-8; Cons. U.S., +art. I, §2, 3.) + + + + +Chapter XLI. + +Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the Treasury, +of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; +Attorney-General. + + + +§1. The great amount and variety of the executive business of the +nation, requires the division of this department into several +subordinate departments, and the distribution among them of the +different kinds of public business. At the head of each of these +departments is a chief officer. These chief officers, sometimes called +_heads of departments_, with the attorney general, being private +advisors or counselors of the president, are called the _cabinet_. They +are appointed by the president and senate. + +§2. By the first congress under the constitution, were established the +state, treasury, and war departments, whose head officers, called +secretaries, and the attorney-general, constituted the first cabinet. +In 1798, the navy department was established. During president Jackson's +term of office, the postmaster-general was made a cabinet officer. And +the establishment, in 1849, of the department of the interior, added to +the cabinet the seventh member. + +§3. The _secretary of state_ performs such duties as are committed to +him by the president relating to foreign intercourse. Some of these +duties have been mentioned. (Chap. XXXIX, §6.) He conducts all our +diplomatic correspondence, being the official organ of communication +with the ministers of foreign governments sent to this country, and with +our ministers abroad. _Diplomacy_ signifies the rules and customs which +govern the intercourse of nations through their ministers or agents; +also the management of the business of a nation by its minister at a +foreign court. And such minister, especially if he manages with ability +and skill, is called a _diplomatist_. + +§4. The secretary of state keeps the seal of the United States; and he +makes out, records, and seals all civil commissions to officers +appointed by the president and senate, or by the president. His duties +in relation to the publishing and distributing the laws, and certain +other matters, are similar to the duties of a secretary of state of a +state government. + +§5. The _secretary of the treasury_ has charge of the finances of the +nation. He superintends the collection of the revenue, and performs +certain other duties of the nature of the controller or auditor of a +state. (Chap. XIII, §3.) He lays before congress annually a report of +the finances, containing a statement of the public revenue and +expenditure during the past year, the value of the imports and exports, +and estimates of the revenue and expenditures for succeeding years, and +plans for improving the revenues. He also makes annually a statement of +appropriations of money, and of sums remaining, in the treasury. + +§6. The vast amount of business in this department requires a great +number of assistants; among whom are several controllers and auditors of +accounts; a treasurer, a register, who keeps the accounts of goods +imported and exported, and of the shipping employed in our foreign +trade; a solicitor; a recorder; and numerous clerks. + +§7. The _secretary of the interior_ superintends the business relating +to the public lands, public buildings, the lead mines and other mines of +the United States, Indian affairs, patents, and pensions. A _pension_ is +a yearly allowance to a person by the government for past services. In +this country pensions are granted for services in war. They were at +first allowed only to such as had been disabled in the war of the +revolution and in the war of 1812; and subsequently to all who had +served at least six months in the revolutionary war, and to their widows +during their lives. Those disabled in the late war with Mexico have also +been added to the pension list. And by recent acts of congress, bounties +of lands were to be allowed to all the surviving soldiers of the war of +1812, who had served one month therein. + +§8. The _secretary of war_ performs duties relating to military +commissions, or to the land forces and warlike stores of the United +States. The standing army of the nation consists at present of about +15,000 men, who are distributed among the several military stations, +armed and ready for service. He reports annually a statement of the +expenditure and application of moneys drawn from the treasury for his +department, and makes such suggestions relative to its condition as he +thinks proper. He is assisted by subordinate officers and clerks. + +§9. The _secretary of the navy_ executes the orders of the president for +procuring naval stores and materials, and for equipping and employing +vessels of war, and performs such other duties pertaining to the naval +establishment as are required of him. Three officers are appointed by +the president and senate, who constitute a board of _commissioners for +the navy_, and discharge the ministerial duties of the office of the +secretary, and furnish estimates of the expenditures of the department. + +§10. The _postmaster-general_ establishes post-offices, appoints +postmasters and other persons employed in the general post-office, and +provides for carrying the mails. He is assisted by three assistant +post-masters-general, an auditor of the post-office treasury, to audit +and settle the accounts of the department, and to superintend the +collection of the debts due the department. The business of this +department requires a large number of clerks. He reports annually all +contracts made for the transportation of the mail, and a statement of +the receipts and expenditures of the department. + +§11. Postmasters keep an account of all letters sent from and received +at their respective offices, stating the names of the offices from which +letters are received, and of those to which letters are sent, and +whether they are post paid or sent free. Postmasters, at stated periods, +(in most places quarterly,) advertise all letters remaining in their +offices; and they send quarterly to the general post-office accounts of +letters sent and received, and of moneys received for postage, and of +those paid out on orders of the department. Letters also which have lain +in their offices during the time for which they were required to be +advertised, are sent as _dead_ letters to the general post-office, where +they are opened; and such as contain money or other valuable matter are +returned by mail to the writers. + +§12. Postmasters are allowed for their services a commission on the +amount of postage received by them quarterly. Those at whose offices the +sums received are small, are allowed a greater per centage than those +where the receipts are large. Thus, the commission at present (1859) is, +on the first $100 received, sixty per cent.; on the next $300, fifty per +cent.; on the next $2,000, forty per cent.; on all over 2,400, fifteen +per cent. Stamped letters are considered as paid in cash. On newspaper +postages, fifty per cent, on all sums, large or small. If a postmaster's +commission exceeds $2,000 a year, besides the expenses of the office, +the excess is paid to the general post office. Postmasters may also +receive for pigeon-holes or boxes, not exceeding $2,000, the excess, if +any, to be paid to the general post-office. Postmasters whose +compensation amounts to $1,000 or more in a year, are appointed by the +president and senate. + +§13. Postmasters whose commission on postages has been less than $200 +during the preceding year, may receive and send, free of postage, +letters on their own private business, weighing not more than half an +ounce. And members of congress, during their term of office, and until +the first of December after its expiration, may send and receive letters +and packages weighing not more than two ounces, and all public documents +free. A person to be entitled to send matter free, must write on the +outside his name and the title of his office. This is called _franking_. +Civil officers at the seat of government also may frank matter relating +to the business of their offices, by marking it outside, "official +business." + +§14. The _attorney-general_ attends to all suits in the supreme court of +the United States in which the United States is a party or is concerned, +and gives his opinions on questions of law when requested by the +president or heads of departments. + + + + +Chapter XLII. + +Judicial Department. + + + +§1. We come now to the third article of the constitution. The first two +sections provide for the organization, and prescribe the powers, of the +courts of the United States. The want of a national judiciary was a +material defect of the confederation. Dependence upon the state courts +to enforce the laws of the union, subjected the government to great +inconvenience and embarrassment. A government that has a legislature +and an executive, should also have a judiciary to judge of and interpret +the laws. The constitution declares that "the judicial power of the +United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior +courts as the congress may ordain and establish." Under the authority +here given, congress passed the judiciary act of 1789, by which the +several courts of the United States were established. + +§2. The same section declares, "The judges of both the supreme and +inferior courts shall hold their offices during good behavior." In no +other department of the general government are offices held for so long +a term, which is virtually for life, unless removed on impeachment, or +for inability. To insure a correct and impartial administration of +justice, the judges should be independent. If they could be displaced at +the pleasure of the appointing power, or by frequent elections, they +might be tempted to conform their opinions and decisions to the wishes +of those on whom they were dependent for continuance in office. The +object of the framers was to remove them as far as possible from party +influence. + +§3. It is further provided, with a view to the independence of the +judges, that their "compensation shall not be diminished during their +continuance in office." Salaries are fixed by congress. To give congress +power over the purse of an officer, is to give it power over his will. +Dependence upon the legislature would be as great an evil as dependence +upon the appointing power. Besides, men generally selected for high +judicial offices are eminent lawyers, pursuing a lucrative professional +business; and, without a liberal salary, men of the greatest ability +would not accept these offices; or if in office, an essential reduction +of their compensation might induce them to resign their offices. + +§4. The next section enumerates the cases to be tried in these courts. +It is evident from their nature that state courts are not the proper +tribunals to try them. Also all violations of the laws of the United +States are tried in the national courts. Thus, the counterfeiting of +United States coin, murder and other crimes committed on the sea, beyond +the jurisdiction of a state, smuggling goods, that is, secretly +importing dutiable goods without paying the duties, infringements of +patent rights, &c., are prosecuted in courts of the United States. + +§5. The third clause of this section declares, that "the trial of all +crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial +shall be held in the same state where the said crimes shall have been +committed." This is intended to secure the trial of the accused among +his friends and acquaintances, and near the residence of his witnesses, +whose attendance in a distant state could not be had without great +inconvenience and expense, which might deprive him of the benefit of an +important witness. + +§6. There are three kinds of national courts: the supreme court, circuit +courts, and district courts. Every state constitutes at least one +district. The larger states are divided into two or more districts. In +each district is a _district judge_, who holds a court four times a +year. There are also in each district, a _district attorney_, to conduct +suits on the part of the United States, and a _marshal_, whose business +is similar to that of a sheriff. This court tries the more common civil +cases, arising under the laws of the United States, and the lower crimes +against the laws of the United States, committed on land and sea. This +court has in some cases a jury. + +§7. There are nine _circuits_, each embracing several states. In each +circuit is a justice or a judge, who holds a court in his circuit twice +a year. The district judge of the district in which a circuit court is +held, sits with the circuit judge in holding a circuit court. This court +tries causes between citizens of different states, between aliens and +citizens, and those in which the United States are a party. It also +tries some cases in appeal from the district courts. It tries matters +relating to affairs on the high seas, and all felonies punishable with +death. It has a grand and a petit jury. + +§8. The _supreme court_ is composed of the nine judges of the circuit +courts, one of whom is chief-justice, the others are called associate +justices. It holds one session annually at the seat of government, +commencing in January or February, and continuing about two months. It +will be seen from this section of the constitution, that this court has +_original_ jurisdiction in but few cases. Its principal business is to +rejudge cases brought up from the circuit courts. + +§9. An important object of a supreme court of the United States, is to +secure a correct and uniform interpretation of the constitution and laws +of the United States. State laws and decisions of state courts, are +sometimes made which are supposed to be repugnant to the constitution +and laws of the United States. What may be pronounced constitutional in +one state, may be declared unconstitutional in another. Therefore it is +provided that when an act or judgment in a case tried in the highest or +last court in a state is deemed inconsistent with the constitution or +laws of the United States, such case may be removed to the supreme court +of the United States, whose decision governs the judgment of all +inferior courts throughout the union. + + + + +Chapter XLIII. + +Treason, defined; its Punishment. + + + +§1. The constitution defines treason, as follows: "Treason against the +United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in +adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Art. 3, sec. 3. +A proneness to construe less aggravated crimes into acts of treason, +made it proper that the constitution should define the crime. The term +_levying war_ has the sense here which it was understood to have in the +English statute, from which it was adopted. An assemblage of men for a +treasonable purpose, such as war against the government, or a revolution +of any of its territories, and in a condition to make such war, +constitutes a levying of war. + +§2. War can be levied only by the employment of force; troops must be +embodied; men must be openly raised; but there may be treason without +arms, or without the application of force to the object. When war is +levied, all who perform a part, however remote from the scene of action, +being leagued in the conspiracy, commit treason. But a mere conspiracy +to levy war is not treason. A secret, unarmed meeting of conspirators, +not in force, nor in warlike form, though met for a treasonable purpose, +is not treason; but these offenses are high misdemeanors. + +§3. The constitution also prescribes the proof necessary for the +conviction of treason. "No person shall be convicted of treason, unless +on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on +confession in open court." No evidence less than this should be +considered sufficient to convict a person of a crime for which he is to +suffer death. + +§4. "Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason." +Art. 3, sec. 3. By the common law, the punishment of treason was of a +savage and disgraceful nature. The offender was drawn to the gallows on +a hurdle; hanged by the neck and cut down alive; his entrails taken out +and burned while he was yet alive; his head cut off; and his body +quartered. Congress, in pursuance of the power here granted, has very +properly abolished this barbarous practice, and confined the punishment +to simple death by hanging. + +§5. But the same clause provides, that "no attainder of treason shall +work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the +person attainted." _Attainder_ literally signifies a staining, or +rendering impure; but it here means a conviction and judgment in court +against the offender. By the common law, the sentence of death for +treason was made to affect the _blood_ of the traitor; so that he could +neither inherit property nor transmit it to heirs; but his estate was +forfeited. This practice, so unjust to the innocent relatives of an +offender, is properly abolished by the constitution; and congress has +declared that "no conviction or judgment shall work corruption of blood, +or any forfeiture of estate." So that while this law continues, there is +no forfeiture, even during the life of the person attainted. + + + + +Chapter XLIV. + +State Records; Privilege of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New +States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government. + + + +§1. "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public +acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the +congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, +records, and proceedings shall be proved and the effect thereof." Art. +4, sec. 1. Without this provision, a person against whom a judgment has +been obtained, might remove with his property into another state, where +the property could not be taken on execution without a new trial and +judgment; which, at so great a distance from the residence of the +creditor and his witnesses, would be very difficult and expensive, and +perhaps impossible. Now, the proceedings of the court in which a +judgment is obtained, if sent to the place where the debtor resides, +have the same effect as in the state in which such proceedings were +taken. + +§2. There are several other cases which this provision is intended to +meet. But, as is seen, the effect of these acts, records, and judicial +proceedings, and the manner of proving them are to be prescribed by +congress. In pursuance of the power here granted, congress has enacted, +that a certificate under seal of the clerk of a court of record, +transmitted to any state of the union, shall there be deemed evidence +of the facts therein stated. But if the thing certified is a judicial +proceeding, such sealed certificate must be accompanied by the +certificate of the presiding judge or justice, that the attestation of +the clerk is in due form. Acts of a state legislature, to be entitled to +credit in another state, must have the seal of the state affixed to +them. + +§3. The next section of this article provides, that "the citizens of +each state shall be entitled to all the immunities and privileges of +citizens in the several states." This means that the citizens of any +state going into other states, shall not, by the laws of those states, +be deprived of any of the privileges of citizens; but shall be entitled +to the privileges which are enjoyed by persons of the same description +in the states to which they remove. Without such a provision, any state +might deny to citizens coming into it from other states, the right to +buy and hold real estate, or to become voters, or to enjoy equal +privileges in trade or business. A state may, however, prescribe a +certain term of residence therein as a qualification for voting at +elections. + +§4. The next clause of this section provides for apprehending "a person +charged with crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another +state." The governor of the state from which such person has fled, sends +a requisition to the governor of the state in which he is found, +demanding his delivery to the proper officers, to be conveyed back for +trial. Without such authority to apprehend criminals, they might escape +justice by taking shelter in another state. + +§5. In the same section it is provided, that "no person held to service +or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, +shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged +from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the +party to whom such service or labor may be due." This clause was +intended for the benefit of the slaveholding states. By the common law, +a slave escaping into a non-slaveholding state became free. As it was +presumed that other northern states would follow Massachusetts in +abolishing slavery, the southern states wanted some provision to enable +them to reclaim their fugitive slaves. + +§6. The manner in which slaves are to be reclaimed, is prescribed by an +act of congress. The owner of a runaway slave, finding him in a free +state, arrests him and brings him before a magistrate; and if he proves +his title to the slave to the satisfaction of the magistrate, the slave +is delivered to the owner or claimant. Free colored persons have +sometimes been arrested, and, on false testimony, delivered to +claimants, taken to slave states and held as slaves. Hence the opinion +prevails extensively that a person claimed as a slave should be entitled +to trial by a jury; and that the fact of his being a slave should be +proved to the satisfaction of a jury before his delivery to a claimant. +Many persons, believing freedom to be the natural right of all men, hold +that all laws for returning fugitive slaves are wrong, and ought not to +be obeyed. + +§7. The first clause of the next section provides, that "new states may +be admitted into this union," and requires the consent of congress and +of the states concerned, to the formation of new states from old ones. A +provision of this kind was deemed necessary in view of the large extent +of vacant lands within the United States, and of the inconvenient size +of some of the states then existing. The territory north-west of the +Ohio river had been ceded to the general government by the states +claiming the same; and a territorial government had already been +established therein by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. From this +territory have since been formed and admitted, the states of Ohio, +Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. + +§8. South of the Ohio river also was a large tract, principally +unsettled, within the chartered limits of Virginia, North Carolina and +Georgia, extending west to the Mississippi river, from which, it was +presumed, new states would be formed. Justice, however, to these states, +as well as to others in all future time, required the general provision +above mentioned, that "no state should be divided without the consent of +its legislature and of congress." + +§9. The next clause authorizes congress "to dispose of and make all +needful rules and regulations respecting the territory and other +property of the United States." If the general government has power to +acquire territory, it must have the right to exercise authority over it. +This express grant establishes beyond doubt a power which had been +questioned under the confederation. In pursuance of the power here +granted, congress has made rules and regulations for governing the +people of different portions of such territory previously to their +admission as states into the union. + +§10. The next section declares, that "the United States shall guaranty +to every state in this union a republican form of government; and shall +protect each of them against invasion, and on the application of the +legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be +convened,) against domestic violence." Art. 4, sec. 4. The propriety of +a power to prevent a state from changing its government to any other +than a republican form, is evident. It is equally proper that a state, +when invaded by a foreign enemy, or in case of an insurrection within +its own borders, should have protection and aid from the general +government; especially as the states have surrendered to it the right to +keep troops or ships of war in time of peace. (Art. 1, sec. 10.) + + + + +Chapter XLV. + +Provision for Amendments; Assumption of Public Debts; Supremacy of the +Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the Constitution. + + + +§1. The 5th article provides for amending the constitution. It +prescribes two different modes for proposing amendments, and two modes +of ratifying them. Amendments may be proposed by two-thirds of both +houses of congress; or, on the application or request of two-thirds of +the states, congress shall call a convention for proposing amendments. +Proposed in either of these modes, amendments, to become valid as parts +of the constitution, must be ratified by the legislatures of +three-fourths of the states, or by conventions in three-fourths of them; +the mode of ratification, whether by the legislatures or by conventions, +to be proposed by congress. + +§2. As the best human government is imperfect, and as all the future +wants and necessities of a people can not be foreseen and provided for, +it is obvious that every constitution should contain some provision for +its amendment. But if amendments could be made whenever desired by a +bare majority of the states, the strength and efficiency of the +constitution might be greatly impaired by frequent alterations. It is +therefore wisely provided, that a mere proposition to amend cannot be +made but by a majority of at least two-thirds of congress, or of the +legislatures of at least of two-thirds of the states; and that such +proposition must be ratified by a still larger majority (three-fourths) +of the states. It was thought better to submit occasionally to some +temporary inconvenience, than to indulge in frequent amendments of the +constitution. + +§3. The 6th article acknowledges the obligation of the general +government to pay "all debts contracted before the adoption of the +constitution." As has been observed, congress had borrowed money for the +payment of which it was unable to provide; and one object of a change +of government was to make provision for fulfilling the engagements of +the nation. This clause, it is said, was also intended to allay the +fears of public creditors, who apprehended that a change in the +government would release the nation from its obligations. + +§4. The next clause declares, "This constitution, and the laws made in +pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of the +United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in +every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or +laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding." If all state +authorities were not bound by the constitution and laws of the United +States, nothing would have been gained by the union. If the laws and +treaties made by the general government could be disregarded or +nullified by any power in a state, why was power to make them given to +the general government? + +§5. The last clause of the 4th article requires certain officers, both +of the United States and of the several states to be "bound by oath or +affirmation to support this constitution." Binding the conscience of +public officers by oath or solemn affirmation, has ever been considered +necessary to secure a faithful performance of their duties. They are +generally required to swear not only to support the constitution, but +also to discharge the duties of their offices to the best of their +ability. + +§6. The same clause declares that "no religious test shall ever be +required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the +United States." _Test_ here means an oath or a declaration in favor of +or against certain religious opinions, as a qualification for office. In +England, all officers, civil and military, were formerly obliged to make +a declaration against transubstantiation, and to assent to the doctrines +and conform to the rules of the established church. Desirous of securing +to every citizen the full enjoyment of religious liberty, the +introduction of tests was prohibited by the constitution. + +§7. The 7th and last article declares: "The ratification of the +conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of +this constitution between the states so ratifying the same." The +immediate ratification of the constitution by all the states was hardly +to be expected; a unanimous ratification, therefore, was not required. +But a union of less than nine states was deemed inexpedient. The framers +concluded their labors on the 17th of September, 1787; and in July, +1788, the ratification of New Hampshire, the ninth state, was received +by congress. + +§8. The dates of the ratifications of the several states are as follows: +Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, +December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, +1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South +Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 26, +1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode +Island, May 29, 1790. The two last named states did not accede to the +constitution until after proceedings under it had commenced. The +ratification of North Carolina was received by congress in January, +1790; that of Rhode Island in June following. + +§9. The first Wednesday of January, 1789, was appointed by congress for +choosing electors of president in the several states, and the first +Wednesday of February for the electors to meet in their respective +states to elect the president. Gen. Washington was unanimously elected, +and on the 30th of April was inaugurated president. Proceedings under +the constitution, however, had commenced on the 4th of March preceding. + + + + +Chapter XLVI. + +Amendments to the Constitution. + + + +§1. It is remarkable that, during a period of seventy years, the +constitution has received so few alterations. Although twelve articles +of amendment, so called, have been adopted, only two, (the 11th and +12th,) have in any manner or degree changed any of its original +provisions. Most of them, it will be seen, are merely declaratory and +restrictive. As the principles which they declare were so generally +acknowledged, and as the general government was a government of limited +powers, having such only as were expressly authorized by the +constitution, the framers deemed these declarations and restrictions +unnecessary. But as several of the state conventions had, at the time of +adopting the constitution, expressed a desire that declarations and +guaranties of certain rights should be added, in order to prevent +misconstruction and abuse, the first congress, at its first session, +proposed twelve amendments, ten of which were ratified by the requisite +number of states. Virginia, the last state necessary to make up such +number, ratified December 15, 1791. + +§2. Freedom in matters of religion, freedom of speech and of the press, +and the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances, +guarantied in the first article, are rights so essential to civil +liberty, and so evidently just, that it can hardly be presumed that +congress would ever have passed laws directly violating these rights, +even though such laws had not been prohibited. + +§3. The second article guaranties "the right of people to bear arms." +Without this right, ambitious men might, by the aid of the regular army, +overthrow the liberties of the people, and usurp the powers of +government. + +§4. The third article declares, that "no soldier shall, in time of +peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor +in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." It is a +principle of the common law, that "a man's house is his own castle." +Among the grievances enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, was +one "for quartering large bodies of armed troops" among the people of +the colonies. To secure the people against intrusions of this kind, is +the object of this prohibition. + +§5. The fourth article guaranties "the right of the people to be secure +in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable +searches and seizures." But there could be no such security, if every +man could, on mere pretense or suspicion of injury, obtain a warrant for +arresting his neighbor or searching his premises and seizing his +property. Innocent men would often be subjected to much trouble and +perplexity; and unjust suspicions would be thrown upon their characters. +It is proper, therefore, that a magistrate shall not issue a warrant, +unless it shall be made to appear, by the oath of the applicant or of +some other person that there is probable cause. + +§6. The rights guarantied by the fifth article are common law rights, +and founded upon just principles. We have elsewhere stated the object of +grand juries, and noticed the opinion of some, that this object is +sufficiently secured by the examination before the magistrate; and, +consequently, that grand juries are unnecessary. (See Chap. XIX, §8-10.) +But while this article continues to be a part of the constitution, grand +juries in courts of the United States can not be dispensed with. It is +quite proper, as is provided in this article, that, after a fair and +impartial trial and an acquittal, a person should not be tried a second +time. The provisions of the next article (6th) are also necessary to +secure the same object--the rights of liberty and life to every citizen. + +§7. The seventh article of amendment secures, in courts of the United +States, "in suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall +exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury." By suits at common +law are meant those tried in the ordinary courts, as distinguished from +those tried in courts of equity and courts of admiralty. This article +further declares, that "no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reëxamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law." That is, if a fact tried by a jury in a lower +court, is carried up to a higher court for reëxamination, such +reëxamination or new trial shall also be by jury. + +§8. "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, +nor unusual punishments inflicted." Amend. art. 8. The object of bail +and the manner in which it is given, have been stated. (Chap. XVIII.) +Without the above restriction, the sum might be fixed so high as to +prevent persons accused of crime from procuring the necessary sureties; +whereby innocent persons might be subjected to long imprisonment before +the time of trial. It is therefore properly left to the court to fix the +sum, which should correspond to the aggravation of the offense. Courts +have the same discretion as to the measure of punishment to be inflicted +in each particular case of crime. + +§9. The ninth amendment is, "The enumeration in the constitution of +certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others +retained by the people." There were persons who feared that, because the +constitution mentioned certain rights as belonging to the people, those +not mentioned might be considered as having been surrendered to the +general government. This article was therefore inserted to prevent such +a misconstruction of the constitution. + +§10. The tenth amendment is similar to the preceding. "The powers not +delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it +to the states are reserved to the states respectively, or to the +people." In other words the powers which the constitution has not given +to the general government, nor prohibited the states from exercising, +the states or the people have reserved to themselves. So clear is it, +that they retain all power which they have not in words parted with, +that it seems strange to many that the insertion of such a provision +should ever have been thought necessary. + +§11. The eleventh amendment was proposed at the first session of the +third congress, March 5, 1794, and its ratification by the +constitutional number of states was announced to congress by the +president in a message dated January 8, 1798. This article prohibits a +court of the United States from trying "any suit in law or equity +commenced or prosecuted against one of the states by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state." This is +intended to prevent a state from being sued in an original suit, by a +private person, the citizen of another state. + +§12. The twelfth and last amendment effects a change in the mode of +electing the president and vice-president, and has been considered. +(Chap. XXXIX, §4.) This amendment was proposed at the first session of +the eighth congress, December 12, 1803, and was adopted by the requisite +number of states in 1804, according to a public notice by the secretary +of state, dated the 25th of September of the same year. + + + + + +Common and Statutory Law. + + + + +Chapter XLVII. + +Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious +Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property. + + + +§1. Having taken a general view of the state governments and the +government of the United States, and seen how wisely they are adapted to +promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty; we +proceed to give a digest of the laws which more particularly define the +rights and prescribe the duties of citizens, or by which their social +and civil intercourse is to be regulated. These laws, it will be +recollected, we have elsewhere called the _municipal_ or _civil_ laws, +as distinguished from the _political_ or _fundamental_ law of the state. +(Chap. III, §6.) + +§2. These laws are of two kinds, the written or statute law, and the +unwritten or common law. _Statute laws_ are those which are enacted by +the legislature, and recorded in writing, and are usually collected and +published in books. The word _statute_ is from the Latin _statuo_, to +set, fix, or establish. + +§3. The _common law_ is not a code of written laws enacted by a +legislature, but consists of rules of action which have become binding +from long usage and established custom. It is said to be founded in +reason and the principles of justice. The common law of England was +brought over by our ancestors, and established here before the +revolution. Some of the states, in their constitutions, adopted after +the revolution, declared it to be the law of their respective states; +and it has continued to be law in all the states, and is still so +considered, except such parts as have been altered or repealed by +constitutional or legislative enactments, or by usage. + +§4. The most valuable rights protected by law are the rights of personal +security and personal liberty. The right of _personal security_ is the +right to be secure from injury to our persons or good names. By +_personal liberty_ is meant the freedom of our bodies or persons from +restraint or confinement. Provisions guarantying these rights have been +incorporated into our national constitution, and the constitutions of +the several states. + +§5. The right of personal security is also protected by the law, by +which a man, on showing reasonable cause of danger of personal injury, +may require his adversary to be bound with sureties to keep the peace. +And for violence committed, the offender may be prosecuted in behalf of +the state and punished, and is liable also to the party aggrieved in a +civil suit for damages. + +§6. This right is further protected by the law which permits a man to +exercise the natural right of self-defense. In defending his person in +case of a felonious assault, he may lawfully take the life of his +assailant. This is by law pronounced justifiable homicide, and is +allowed also in defense of one's property against felonious and violent +injury. But homicide (man-killing) is not justifiable in case of a +private injury, nor upon the pretense of necessity when the party is not +free from fault in bringing that necessity upon himself. + +§7. The right to be secure in our good names, which is included in the +right of personal security, is protected by the law against slander and +libel. A _slander_ is a false and malicious report or statement tending +to injure another in his reputation or business, and which, if true, +would render him unworthy of confidence or employment; or it is the +maliciously charging of another with anything by which he sustains +special injury. The slander of a person by words spoken, is a civil +injury, that is, an injury for which redress is to be obtained in a +civil suit for damages. + +§8. A slander written or printed, is called _libel_. A libel is a +malicious publication in print or writing, signs or pictures, tending to +expose a person to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule. And it is +considered in law a publication of such defamatory writing, though +communicated to a single person. A slander written or printed is likely +to have a wider circulation, to make a deeper impression, and to become +more injurious. A person may therefore be liable in damages for words in +print or writing, for which he would not be liable if merely spoken. In +case of libel, a person is not only liable to a private suit for +damages, but may be indicted and tried as for other public offenses. + +§9. It is a principle of English common law, that in a criminal action +for libel it is immaterial whether the matter of it is true or false; +and a person prosecuted for libel is not allowed, in justification, to +prove to the jury the truth of his statement, since the provocation, not +the falsity, is to be punished. And, whether true or false, the libelous +publication is equally dangerous to the public peace, and is presumed to +have been made with malicious intent. + +§10. It is held--and perhaps it is the prevailing opinion--that in a +civil action for damages, a libel must be false as well as scandalous, +and, consequently, that the truth may be pleaded in justification. This +point, however, is not fully settled. The reason for this distinction +between cases of public and private prosecution, it is not easy to +perceive. If it is just to inquire into the good or bad intentions of +the publisher in one case, it would seem to be equally so in the other. + +§11. But the common law has been materially modified and relaxed in this +country. In most of the states it is provided by their constitutions or +by law, that the truth may be given in evidence, and if it shall appear +to the jury "that the matter charged as libelous is true, and was +published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be +acquitted." As it may sometimes be proper to speak or publish an +unfavorable truth concerning others, the principle of the above +provision would seem to be founded in justice. In the state of Vermont, +and perhaps in a few other states, if the party prosecuted proves the +truth of his statement in any case, he is acquitted. + +§12. The right of _personal liberty_ is secured by express provision of +the national constitution, which guaranties to every citizen "the +privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_." (Cons. U.S. art. 1, sec. 9.) +The nature of this writ has been explained. (Chap. XXXVI, §4.) The same +provision has been inserted in the state constitutions. This was a +common law privilege, independently of any constitutional enactment. The +principal object of the provision seems to be to take from congress and +the state legislatures the power to abolish this privilege, or even to +suspend it for any time, or in any case, except the particular cases +mentioned. + +§13. Freedom of religious opinion and worship, or liberty of +conscience, is a valuable personal right, included in the term, personal +liberty, and is effectually secured in this country. In England, the +country of our ancestors, there is a church established and supported by +the government. This is sometimes called "union of church and state." +The American people, from their love of religious freedom, have, in +their constitutions, expressly prohibited congress from making laws +"respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free +exercise thereof." (Amend. art. 1.) And the state constitutions have +adopted similar provisions. + +§14. Another important personal right comprehended in the term personal +liberty, and guarantied in the same article of the national +constitution, and in the state constitutions, is the liberty of speech +and of the press. Some of the monarchical governments of Europe +prohibited the people from speaking against the sovereign or his +government. Books and papers could not be published until they had been +examined and approved. The persons authorized to examine the +manuscripts, were called _censors_. Hence the expression sometimes +heard, "censorship of the press." To secure the liberty of speaking and +publishing their sentiments freely up on all subjects, the people of +this country have made express provision in their constitutions; which, +however, while they properly guaranty this right, leave men "responsible +for its abuse," and liable to prosecution for slander or libel. (§7, 8.) + +§15. The _right of property_ is the right to acquire property, and to be +free in the use and enjoyment of it. To protect men in the enjoyment of +this right, is one of the principal objects of constitutions and laws. +The rights of property will constitute the subject matter of several +subsequent chapters of this digest of "common and statutory law." (Chap. +L, and onward.) + + + + +Chapter XLVIII. + +Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife. + + + +§1. To render a marriage contract lawful, the parties must be of +sufficient age, called the age of consent; which, by the common law of +the land, is fourteen years in males, and twelve in females. In some +states the age of consent has been altered by statute. In Ohio, Indiana, +and Michigan, it has been raised to eighteen years in males, and +fourteen in females; in Illinois to seventeen and fourteen; in +Wisconsin, to eighteen and fifteen. + +§2. The parties must also have sufficient understanding to transact the +ordinary business of life. Idiots and lunatics cannot legally contract +marriage. Persons must also act freely. If the consent of either party +has been obtained by force or fraud, the marriage may be declared void. +The parties must not be nearly related. The degrees of relationship at +which they are forbidden to marry are in some states fixed by law; but +the laws of these states on the subject are not uniform. Some states +have forbidden marriages which come within what is called the Levitical +degrees; but these degrees have received different interpretations. +According to the interpretation of some, the relation of uncle and niece +and aunt and nephew, come within this rule. + +§3. No person can lawfully remarry who has a wife or husband living. +Such second marriage is, by the common law, null and void. In some of +the states, perhaps in most of them, it is declared _polygamy_, and a +state prison offense, except in certain cases; as when the husband or +wife of the party who remarries has been long absent, and the party +re-marrying does not know the other to have been living within the time; +or when the former husband or wife of the party remarrying has been +sentenced to imprisonment for life; or when the former marriage has been +lawfully annulled or dissolved. If, however, a marriage has been +annulled or dissolved for the cause of adultery, the criminal party is, +in some states at least, not allowed to remarry. + +§4. In some of the cases excepted in the preceding section, the second +marriage is merely excusable. Although the party to such marriage is +exempt from the _penalty_, yet if the former wife or husband is living, +though the fact is unknown, and no divorce has been duly announced, or +the first marriage has not been duly annulled; the second marriage is +void. Where there is no statute regulation, the common law governs, +which is, that nothing but death, or a decree of a competent court, can +dissolve the marriage tie. + +§5. The manner in which marriages are to be solemnized, and by whom, and +the manner in which marriage licenses are to be obtained, or notices of +marriage published, (which are required in some states,) are prescribed +by the laws of the states in which such regulations exist. Marriages may +usually be solemnized by ministers of the gospel, judges, justices of +the peace, and certain other officers. But by the common law, a marriage +is rendered valid by a simple consent of the parties declared before +witnesses, or subsequently acknowledged; or such consent may be inferred +from continual cohabitation and reputation as husband and wife. + +§6. In law, the husband and wife are regarded as one person. By the +common law, the husband, by marriage, acquires a right to the property +of the wife which she had before marriage, and which she may acquire +after marriage. To her personal property, including debts due her by +bond, note, or otherwise, he has an absolute right, and may use and +dispose of the same as he pleases. Her chattels real, however, which are +leases of land for years, though personal property, he can not dispose +of by will; and if he makes no disposition of them during his life time, +and she outlives him, she takes them in her own right. If he survives +his wife, he acquires an absolute right to them. + +§7. But to the real estate of the wife, the husband does not acquire an +absolute right. He has only a right to the use, rents, and profits +thereof during his life, if he shall die before his wife; and in that +event she takes the estate again in her own right. If the wife dies +first, and there are no children, her heirs immediately take the estate. +If there are children living, the husband holds the estate for life, and +on his death it goes to the wife or her heirs. + +§8. But this rule of the common law which gives to the husband the +possession and disposal of the property of the wife, has been repealed +by special enactments in most of the states. By these state laws, the +real and personal property of the wife owned by her before marriage, or +conveyed to her by any other person than her husband after marriage, +with the rents and profits of such property, is declared to be her own, +and at her disposal, and not liable for the debts of her husband, except +in a few cases specified in the law of each state. In some of these +states, although the property of the wife is not liable for the +husband's debts, he has the control and management, and the rents and +profits of it. + +§9. As the husband, by common law, acquires, by marriage, an interest in +the property of his wife, he becomes liable for her debts contracted +before marriage; but if they are not recovered of him during coverture, +he is discharged _Coverture_, in law, is the state of a married woman, +considered as under _cover_, or under the power of her husband. Some of +the states which have abolished the common law right of the husband to +the property of the wife acquired before marriage, have also abolished +the common law obligation of the husband to pay the debts of the wife +contracted before marriage; her property alone being liable for such +debts. + +§10. The husband is bound to maintain his wife, and is liable for debts +which she may contract for necessaries, but for nothing more. If he +refuses to provide for her wants, or if, through other ill treatment or +fault on his part, they become separate, he is liable to fulfill her +contracts for necessaries, even though he has forbidden persons to trust +her. If they part by consent, and he secures to her a separate +maintenance, and pays it according to agreement, he is not liable, even +for necessaries. + +§11. The husband and wife can not be witnesses for or against each +other; but any declarations made by a wife when acting as agent for her +husband, may be admitted in evidence against him. In a few states, laws +have been proposed, and, it is believed, in some they have been passed, +removing, to some extent, this restriction upon the right of a husband +or wife to the testimony of the other. + + + + +Chapter XLIX. + +Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; +Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants. + + + +§1. Parents, as the natural guardians of their children, are obliged to +provide for their support and education during their minority, or while +they are under twenty-one years of age. At twenty-one they attain the +age of majority, when they are said to be _of age_. Under this age they +are, in law, _infants_, or _minors_. The father, if he is able, is bound +to support his minor children, even if they have property of their own; +but in such case the mother is not so bound. But a husband is not +obliged to maintain the child of his wife by a former husband. If, +however, he takes the child into his family, he is responsible for its +maintenance and education while it lives with him. + +§2. A father may be liable for necessaries sold to a child. But to be so +liable, it must be proved that the contract for the articles was made by +his actual authority, or the circumstances must be sufficient to imply +authority; or that neglect to provide for the child, or some other fault +on the part of the father, rendered assistance to the child necessary. +Being bound to provide for his children, the father has a right to their +labor or service; and he may recover their wages from any person +employing them without his consent. + +§3. In general, a minor cannot bind himself by contract. If he lives +with his father or guardian, by whom he is properly supplied, he can not +bind himself even for necessaries. But if, on contracting a debt, he +agrees to pay it after he shall have become of age, he will then become +liable. If a minor has no father or other guardian, his contracts for +necessaries are binding upon him. + +§4. If a minor takes an estate and agrees to pay rent, he will be liable +for its payment after he shall have become of age. If he receives rents, +he can not demand them again when of age. If he pays money on a +contract, and enjoys the benefit of the contract and then avoids it when +he comes of age, he can not recover back the consideration paid. And if +he avoids an executed contract when he comes of age, on the grounds of +infancy, he must restore the consideration. + +§5. Minors are answerable for crimes, and may be indicted and tried, +and, on conviction, be fined and imprisoned. They are responsible also +for acts of fraud. Their age and the peculiar circumstances in which +they were placed, might be such as to exempt them from liability; but in +cases of gross and palpable fraud committed by minors who have arrived +at the age of discretion, they would be bound by a contract. + +§6. In general, male infants and unmarried females under eighteen years, +may, of their own free will, bind themselves, in writing, to serve as +_apprentices_ and servants, in any trade or employment; males until the +age of twenty-one, and females until the age of eighteen years, or for a +shorter time. But the minor must have the consent of the father; or if +the father is dead, or disqualified by law, or neglects to provide for +his family, consent must be had of the mother; or, if the mother is dead +or disqualified, then of the guardian. + +§7. Pauper children may be bound out by the officers having charge of +the poor. And the laws of many of the states, perhaps of most or all of +them, very properly require, that a person, to whom a poor child is +bound, shall agree to cause such child to be taught to read and write, +and, if a male, to be also instructed in the general rules of +arithmetic. + +§8. Masters have a right to correct their apprentices with moderation +for negligence and misbehavior; and they may recover damage at law of +their apprentices for willful absence. On the other hand, a master may +be prosecuted for ill usage to his apprentice, and for a breach of his +covenant. A master is liable to pay for necessaries for his apprentice, +and for medical attendance, but he is not so liable in the case of a +hired servant. + +§9. When an apprentice becomes immoral and disobedient, an investigation +of the matter may be had by the proper authorities; and for good cause +the indenture may be annulled, and the parties discharged from their +obligations. Upon the death of a master, an apprenticeship is dissolved. + +§10. There is, it is believed, no statute law in any state, particularly +defining the rights and obligations of _hired servants_ and the persons +employing them. Both are obliged to fulfill their agreement. If a hired +servant leaves the service of his employer, without good cause, before +he has worked out the time for which he was hired, he cannot recover his +wages. And for immoral conduct, willful disobedience, or habitual +neglect, he may be dismissed. On the other hand, ill usage, or any +failure on the part of the employer to fulfill his engagement, releases +the laborer from his service. + +§11. How far a master is answerable for the acts of his hired servant, +is not clear. As a general rule, the master is bound for contracts +made, and liable for injuries done, by a servant actually engaged in the +business of his master, whether the injury proceeds from negligence or +from want of skill. But for an injury done by a willful act of the +servant, it is considered that the master is not liable. If the servant +employs another to do his business, the master is liable for the injury +done by the person so employed. But a servant is accountable to his +master for a breach of trust, or for negligence in business, or for +injuring another person in his master's business. + + + + +Chapter L. + +Right of Property. How Title to property is acquired; Wills and +Testaments Title to Property by Descent. + + + +§1. Every citizen of the United States is capable of holding lands, or +real estate, and of taking them by devise, descent, or purchase, and of +selling and conveying away such estate. Aliens, by common law, have not +this power. In many of the states, however, this disability has been +removed by statute. On declaring their intention to become citizens, and +complying with certain regulations, aliens acquire the right to take and +hold real estate to themselves and their heirs. But they may hold and +dispose of personal property without any special enactment. + +§2. To _devise_ property is to give or bequeath it by will. A _will_ is +a written instrument in which a person declares his will concerning the +disposal of his property after his death. It is also called _testament_. +This word is from the Latin _testis_, meaning witness. Hence the word +has come to be applied to this instrument, which is the witness or proof +of a person's will. A person making a will is called _testator_; one who +dies without making a will or testament, is called _intestate_. + +§3. All persons of full age and sound mind, except married women, may +give and bequeath real and personal estate by a last will and testament. +In many of the states, personal estate may be willed at an earlier age. +In a few states, females at eighteen may make a will of real and +personal estate. In a few states, personal estate may be willed +verbally, if the will is within a specified time reduced to writing, and +subscribed by disinterested witnesses. In Ohio such will must be written +within ten days after the speaking of the testamentary words. A will of +this kind is called a _nuncupative_ will. + +§4. In most of the states, laws have been enacted, allowing married +women to hold, in their own exclusive right, all the property, real and +personal, which they owned at the time of marriage, and which they may +acquire after marriage. (Chap. XLVIII, §8.) With the right of possession +is also given, it is presumed, the power of disposing of the property by +will. + +§5. A will devising real estate must be subscribed by at least two, in +some slates three, attending witnesses, in whose presence the testator +must subscribe the will, or acknowledge that he subscribed it, and +declare it to be his last will and testament. If the testator is unable +to sign his will, another person may write the testator's name by his +direction; but he should sign his own name as witness to the will. + +§6. A testator may revoke or alter his will by a later will or writing, +executed in the same manner. But the second will, to revoke the former, +must contain words expressly revoking it, or directing a different +disposal of the property. A will may also be revoked by a sale of the +property. And any alteration of the estate or interest of the testator +in lands devised, is held to be an implied revocation of the will. Lands +purchased after a will has been made, are not conveyed by it. As a +general rule, a will is also revoked by the subsequent marriage of the +testator and birth of a child, unless the wife and child have been +otherwise provided for. The will of an unmarried woman is revoked by her +marriage. + +§7. By the statutes of some states, a child born after the death of the +testator, or born in his lifetime and after the making of the will, +inherits a share of the estate, as if the father had died intestate. In +some other states, the statute goes further, and gives the same relief +to all the children who are not provided for in the will, and who have +not had their portion in the parent's lifetime. + +§8. A _codicil_ is an addition or a supplement to a will, and must be +executed with the same solemnity. It is no revocation of a will, except +in the precise degree in which it is inconsistent with it. + +§9. After the death of a testator, the will is brought before the court +of probate to be proved. (Chap. XX, §5.) When a will has been duly +proved and allowed, the court issues letters testamentary to the +executor. An _executor_ is a person named in the will of a testator to +carry the will into effect. _Letters testamentary_ give him the power to +act in settling the estate of the deceased. If he refuses to act, or is +not lawfully qualified, the court appoints a person, who, in that case, +is called _administrator_; and the court issues _letters of +administration_ with the will annexed. Letters of administration are +also issued in case of a person dying intestate. They give to the +administrator the requisite authority to settle the estate. + +§10. Taking property by _descent_, is the receiving of it from an +ancestor or other relative dying intestate. If a person dies without +making a will, his property falls, or _descends_ to his lawful heirs. +The order or rule of descent is not uniform in this country, being +determined, to a great extent, by the laws of the states. In general, +however, the real estate of an intestate descends, first to his lineal +descendants, that is, persons descending in a direct line, as from +parents to children, and from children to grand-children. The lineal +descendants most nearly related to the intestate, however distant the +relation may be, takes the estate. + +§11. If any children of an intestate are dead, and any are living, the +inheritance descends to the children living, and to the descendants of +the children dead, so that each child living shall receive such share as +he would receive if all were living, and the children of those who are +dead such share as the parents would receive if living. Thus, suppose an +intestate had three sons, one of whom is dead, but has left children. In +this case, each of the sons living would share one-third of the +property, and the children of the deceased son the remaining third. + +§12. But if the children are all dead, and there are grand-children +living, the grand-children share equally, though not an equal number are +children of each parent. If, for example, an intestate dies leaving no +children, but having had two sons, one of whom had left three children, +and the other two, the five share equally in the estate. The laws of +Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, +Louisiana, and Alabama, unless recently altered, are exceptions to this +rule. In these states, and perhaps in a few others, though the children +of the intestate are all dead, the grand-children do not share equally, +but those of each stock, or family, take the portion which their parent +would have taken if living. + +§13. The order of descent is so different in the states, especially when +there are no lineal descendants of an intestate, that it can be +ascertained only by reference to the laws of each state. As a general +rule, real estate passes, (1.) to the lineal descendants; (2.) to the +father; (3.) to the mother; (4.) to the collateral or _side_ relatives, +as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, &c. But even to this general rule +there are exceptions in the laws of some states. + +§14. The rule of descent given in the preceding sections, it will be +seen, relates to _real_, and not to personal estate. The rule in regard +to real estate, and that relating to personal estate, are generally +somewhat different in the same state. + + + + +Chapter LI. + +Deeds and Mortgages. + + + +§1. In whatever manner a person acquires possession of real estate, +whether by devise, descent, purchase, or gift, evidence of possession +consists, usually, in a _deed_, which is a written instrument conveying +real estate to an heir, a purchaser, or a donee. A deed of land sold, +contains the names of the seller and the purchaser, the consideration, +or sum paid for it, and a description of it; and in express words grants +and conveys all the interest of the seller or grantor to the purchaser +and his heirs forever: and the seller affixes his name and seal to the +instrument, usually in the presence of one or more subscribing +witnesses. + +§2. But a deed thus executed does not give to the purchaser sure +possession of the land, until it has been duly recorded in the office of +the proper recording officer of the county in which the land lies; or in +the office of the town clerk, in those states in which conveyances are +required to be there recorded. If the land should be conveyed by the +seller to a subsequent purchaser who should get his deed first on +record, such purchaser would hold the land, unless, before purchasing, +he had had notice of a sale and deed to a prior purchaser. + +§3. In some states, a reasonable time is allowed a purchaser to get his +deed recorded before he loses his right of possession by the earlier +recording of another's deed. In some other states, the time is fixed by +law, and varies in these different states from fifteen days to two +years. But a deed, though not recorded in season to secure the title +against a second purchaser, or though not recorded at all, is good +against the sellor or grantor; and the dispossessed purchaser has a +lawful claim against him for the value of the land. + +§4. A recorder or register may not record a conveyance of land without +proof that it was executed by the person named in it as the maker or +grantor. This proof consists, usually, in a certificate of a proper +officer, on the back or margin of the deed, stating that the person so +named appeared before him, and, being duly sworn, acknowledged that he +was the person who had executed the deed. In every state, judges of +courts and justices of the peace, mayors of cities and aldermen, +notaries public, or some of these officers, and commissioners of deeds +appointed for that special purpose may take acknowledgments. In New York +and a few other states, the acknowledgment may be dispensed with, and +the execution of the deed may be proved by the subscribing witnesses. +Deeds duly acknowledged, are, with the acknowledgments, copied by the +recorder, word for word, in books provided for that purpose. + +§5. As a person can not give a good title unless he has one himself, the +seller or grantor covenants and agrees that he is seized of the premises +in _fee-simple_, (meaning that he is the absolute owner,) and that he +will _warrant and defend_ the premises in the quiet and peaceable +possession of the purchaser and his heirs forever. Hence such deed is +called a _warranty deed_, [For definition of _fee_ and _fee-simple_, see +Chap. LIII, §1.] A _quit-claim_ deed merely conveys the interest or +claim of the grantor. It contains no warranty of title against any other +claimant. + +§6. A _mortgage_ is a grant of land as security for the payment of +money, on condition that, if the money shall be paid according to +contract, the grant shall be void. When only a part of the purchase +money is paid on receiving a deed, the purchaser usually executes a +mortgage to the seller, pledging the land as security for the remainder +of the purchase money. And if the money shall not be paid as agreed, the +land may be sold; but if sold for more than the amount due, the overplus +is to be paid to the mortgager. + +§7 To effect a full conveyance of real estate, a wife must join with +her husband by signing the deed with him; or, in case of the husband's +death in her lifetime, she would be entitled, for life, to the use of +one-third of the estate. This interest of a widow in the estate of a +deceased husband, is called _dower_. It is necessary also for the wife +to acknowledge, before the officer taking the acknowledgment, and apart +from her husband, that she signed the deed freely, and without +compulsion of her husband. In some states, the acknowledgment of the +wife out of the presence of her husband is not required. + + + + +Chapter LII. + +Incorporeal Hereditaments. Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c. + + + +§1. The term _incorporeal hereditaments_ may, to some readers, need +explanation. A _hereditament_ is a thing capable of being inherited. +Land, and all things attached to it by the course of nature or the hands +of men, as trees, herbage, water, buildings, &c., which are comprehended +in the term real estate, are _corporeal_ hereditaments. _Incorporeal_ +hereditaments are inheritable rights which grow out of corporeal +inheritances, or which consist in their enjoyment; as the right of +pasturing a common; a right of passage over the land of another; a right +to the use of waters, sometimes called _aquatic rights_, &c. + +§2. A _right of way_ is a right of private passage over another man's +ground. This right is sometimes granted by the owner of the soil; and to +make it a freehold right, it must be created by deed, though it be only +an easement upon the land of another, and not an interest in the land +itself. An _easement_ is, in general, an accommodation. In law, it is +any privilege or convenience which one has of another, by grant or +otherwise, as a right of way, &c. By the grant of an easement, the +grantee acquires no other right than what is necessary to the fair +enjoyment of the privilege. + +§3. If it is a mere personal right, it can be enjoyed only by the owner +of the right, and when he dies, the right dies with him. But a right of +way belonging to an estate may be conveyed when the land is sold. Thus, +if a man owns lot A and lot B, and he used a way from lot A, over lot B, +to a mill, or to a river; and if he sells lot A with all ways and +easements, the grantee will have the same privilege of passing over lot +B as the grantor had. + +§4. A right of way may arise from necessity. If a man sells a part of +his land, and there is no other way to the remaining part, he is +entitled to a right of way to it over the land sold. And if a man sells +land wholly surrounded by his own land, the purchaser is entitled to a +right of way to it over the other's ground, even though no such right is +reserved. The right of way passes to the purchaser, as necessarily +incident to the grant, or included in it. + +§5. A man having license to conduct lead pipes through the land of +another, may enter on the land, and dig therein, to mend the pipes. The +general rule is, that when the use of a thing is granted, every thing is +granted which is necessary to the enjoyment of its use. + +§6. A person has a temporary right of way over land adjoining a public +highway, if the highway is out of repair, or is obstructed by snow, a +flood, or otherwise. But the right of going upon adjoining lands does +not apply to private ways. A person having a right to a private way over +another's land, has no right to go upon adjoining land, even though the +private way is impassable. + +§7. A right of way sometimes arises by _prescription_; which is the +right or title to a thing derived from long use and enjoyment. Such is +the right which, by common law, a man acquires to land which has been +peaceably held by himself, or by himself and preceding owners, for +twenty years. Although the first occupancy was obtained without grant, +the long free use of the land is, in law, equivalent to a grant, and +implies a valid title. In some states, shorter periods have been fixed +by statute in which a right by prescription may be obtained. In +Pennsylvania, and Ohio, the period is fixed at twenty-one years. + +§8. The owners of land adjoining highways, have a right to the soil to +the centre of the road: the public have only a right of passage while +the road is continued. The owners of the soil may maintain a suit +against any person who encroaches upon the road, or digs up the soil, or +cuts down trees growing on the side of the road. They may carry water in +pipes under it, and have every use of it that does not interfere with +the rights of the public. + +§9. Every proprietor of lands adjoining a stream, has naturally an equal +right to the use of the water that flows in the stream adjacent to his +lands, "as it was wont to run." Each may use the water while it runs +upon his own land; but he can not unreasonably detain it, or give it +another direction; and he must return it to its ordinary channel when it +leaves his estate. He can not, by dams or any obstruction, cause the +water injuriously to overflow the grounds of the neighbor above him, nor +so use or apply it as materially to injure his neighbor below him. + +§10. But this right to the use of waters, as an easement to the land, +may be acquired and lost, or enlarged and abridged, by prescription. A +man may diminish the quantity of the water, or corrupt its quality, by +the exercise of certain trades; and by such use of the water for a +sufficient length of time, he is in law _presumed_ to have acquired it +by grant: and this presumption is the foundation of his right by +prescription. The time of such use and enjoyment of water necessary to +establish such right is twenty years, except in states in which a +different period is fixed by statute. (§7.) + +§11. It is a general and established doctrine, that an exclusive and +uninterrupted enjoyment of water, or of light, or of any other easement, +in any particular way, for twenty years, or for any other period which +in any particular state is the established period of limitation, is a +sufficient enjoyment to raise a presumption of title as against the +right of any other person. The enjoyment is deemed to have been +uninterrupted, whether it has been continued from ancestor to heir, and +from seller to buyer; or whether the use has been enjoyed during the +entire period by one person. + +§12. As a right may be acquired by use, so it may be lost by disuse; and +as an enjoyment for twenty years, or such other period as is prescribed +by statute, is necessary to establish a right; an absolute +discontinuance of the use for such period will raise the presumption +that the right has been released or extinguished. Thus a title to land +may pass from its actual owner by non-occupancy for the period above +stated; and a title to it may be acquired by an undisturbed occupant who +shall hold it in peaceable and uninterrupted possession for the same +period. + + + + +Chapter LIII. + +Leases:--Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; Estates +by Sufferance; Rent, &c. + + + +§1. Real estate, the title to which is conveyed by deed, as +distinguished from other estates in land, is called an _estate of +inheritance_. An estate of inheritance, that is, an estate in lands that +may be transmitted by the owner to his heirs, is a _fee_. No estate is +deemed a fee unless it may continue forever. When it is a pure and +absolute inheritance, clear of any qualification or condition, it is +called a _fee-simple_. + +§2. An interest in lands which is to continue for a limited period, is +usually conveyed by a written instrument called lease. _To lease_, means +to let; but generally to grant the temporary possession of real estate +to another for rent or reward. Sometimes the word _demise_ is used for +ease. The landlord, or person letting the estate, is called _lessor_; +and the tenant, or person to whom the land is leased, is called +_lessee_. Leases for a term longer than one year, are usually required +to be sealed, and in some states, proved and recorded also, as deeds and +mortgages. + +§3. These limited interests in land are divided into estates for life, +estates for years, estates at will, and estates by sufferance. An +_estate for life_ is an estate conveyed to a person for the term of his +natural life. Life estates held by lease, however, are not common in +this country. Another kind of life estate is that which is acquired, not +by the acts of the parties, as by lease, but by the operation of law. +Such is the right of a husband to the real estate of his wife acquired +by her before or after marriage. Such also is the right of dower. (Chap. +XLVIII, §6, 7. Chap. LI, §7.) + +§4. An _estate for years_ is a right to the possession and profits of +land for a determinate period, for compensation, called rent; and it is +deemed an estate for years, though the number of years should exceed the +ordinary limit of human life. And if a lease should be for a less time +than a year, the lessee would be ranked among tenants for years. Letting +land upon shares for a single crop is not considered a lease; and +possession remains in the owner. + +§5. A lessee for years may assign over his whole interest to another, +unless restrained by agreement not to assign without leave of the +lessor. And he may underlet for any less number of years than he himself +holds; but he is himself liable to the landlord. + +§6. A tenant for years, whose lease expires after the land is sown or +planted, and before harvest, is not entitled to the crop, if the lease +is for a certain period; for, knowing that his lease would expire before +harvest time, he might have avoided the loss of his labor. But if the +lease for years depends upon an uncertain event, the occurring of which +would terminate the lease before the expiration of the term, the tenant +would be entitled to the crop, if there were time to reap what has been +sown, in case he should live. It is believed that, in a few states, the +tenant has a right to the crop from grain sown in the autumn before the +expiration of the lease, and cut the next summer after its expiration. + +§7. Where there is an express agreement to pay rent, the tenant can not +avoid payment even if the premises are destroyed by fire or flood, or if +he is in any other manner deprived of their enjoyment and use, even +without any default on his part. Hence, if land should be leased with a +flock of sheep, and the sheep should die, the full rent must be paid. +But if the land should be recovered from the tenant by a person having a +better title than that derived from his landlord, he is not liable for +rent after his use of the land has ceased. + +§8. A tenant can not make repairs at the expense of the landlord, or +deduct the cost of them out of the rent, unless by special agreement. +But if the premises, from want of repair, have become unsafe or useless, +the tenant from year to year may quit without notice; and he would not +be liable for rent after the use had ceased to be beneficial. + +§9. When rent is due, payment may be made or tendered upon the premises; +and if no place of payment has been agreed on, a personal tender off the +land is also good. As to the time of payment, where there is no special +agreement to the contrary, rent is due yearly, half-yearly, or +quarterly, according to the usage of the country. Where there is no +particular usage, the rent is due at the end of the year. + +§10. An _estate at will_ is where land is let to another, to hold at the +will of the lessor. Tenancies at will, strictly such, are not common. +Such estates, when no certain term is agreed on, are construed to be +tenancies from year to year, and each party is bound to give reasonable +notice of an intention to terminate the lease. If the tenant holds over +after the expiration of a lease for years, either by express consent, or +under circumstances implying consent, it is held to be evidence of a new +contract without any definite period, and is construed to be a tenancy +from year to year: and in those states where the old English rule +prevails, six months' notice must be given the tenant to quit. + +§11. What turns leases for uncertain terms into leases from year to +year, is the landlord's reserving annual rent. A tenant placed on land +without any terms prescribed or rent reserved, is strictly a tenant at +will; and it has been held that such tenant is not entitled to notice to +quit; but the general rule now seems to be, that even in such case the +six months' notice is necessary; or, as in some states, a reasonable +notice. + +§12. An _estate at sufferance_ is that which is acquired by a tenant who +has come into lawful possession of land, but who holds over by wrong +after his interest has ceased. He is not entitled to notice to quit; and +where there is no special statute, he is not liable for rent; and the +landlord may enter, and remove the tenant and his goods with such gentle +force as may be necessary. If undue force is used, the landlord would be +liable to an action for forcible entry and detainer. + + + + +Chapter LIV. + +Contracts in General. + + + +§1. A _contract_ is an agreement between two or more persons, by which +the parties agree to do, or not to do, a particular thing. Contracts are +_executory_, when the stipulations remain to be executed, or when one +party agrees to sell and deliver, at a future time, for a stipulated +price, and the other agrees to accept and pay. Contracts are _express_, +when the parties contract in express words, or by writing; _implied_, +when an act has been done which shows that the parties must have +intended to contract; as, when a person employs another to do some +service, it is presumed that the party employing intended to pay for the +labor performed. + +§2. Contracts are also distinguished as specialties and simple +contracts. A _specialty_ is a contract under seal; as a deed, or a bond. +But we shall here consider chiefly that common class of contracts called +_simple contracts_, or _contracts by parol_. _Parol_ signifies by word +of mouth. Applied to contracts, however, it not only means verbal +contracts, but includes written contracts not under seal. Both are +simple contracts; the distinction between them is in the mode of proof. +The mutual understanding of the parties to a verbal contract may be +proved by parol evidence. But as the real intention of parties is more +likely to be expressed in a written contract, the rule of law is, that +parol evidence may not be admitted to contradict or vary the terms of a +written instrument. It may however be admitted to explain what is +doubtful, or to supply some deficiency. + +§3. To make a valid contract, _the parties must be capable of +contracting_. They must be of sound mind. Hence idiots and lunatics are +generally incompetent to make contracts. Contracts by lunatics and +idiots are not necessarily void, but only _voidable_; the validity or +invalidity depending upon facts to be proved. To avoid a contract on the +ground of mental imbecility, it must be proved that the party +contracting was at the time incompetent. But if a general derangement is +once established or conceded, the person is presumed to be incompetent; +and the party seeking to enforce the contract must prove the other to +have been sane. The general rule in the case of idiots is, that if the +party is incapable of acting in the ordinary affairs of life, or in the +particular contract, his idiocy will annul the contract. + +§4. Drunkards also are incompetent to contract while in a state of +intoxication, provided the drunkenness is such as to deprive them of +reason for a time, and create impotence of mind. But for absolute +necessaries, if the drunkard consumes them during his drunkenness, or +keeps them after becoming sober, he is liable. Intoxication only renders +a contract voidable, not void, as the party intoxicated may adopt it on +recovering his understanding. + +§5. Another requisition to a valid contract, is the _mutual assent of +the parties_. A mere offer by one party not assented to or accepted by +the other, constitutes no contract. Assent must also be given freely. A +contract entered into under duress, or compulsion, is not binding; as +where assent is extorted by threats of personal injury. Assent must also +be given with a knowledge of facts. A contract made under an injurious +mistake, or ignorance of a material fact, may be avoided, even though +the fact is not fraudulently concealed. But a mistake made through +ignorance of the law, will not render a contract void. + +§6. A _valuable consideration_ also is necessary to a valid contract. A +_consideration_ is what is given or done, or to be given or done, as the +cause or reason for which a person enters into an agreement. Thus, the +money given or offered, for which a man agrees to perform certain labor, +is the consideration of the agreement. So the money or other thing for +which a promissory note is given, is the consideration. A valuable +consideration is any thing that is either a benefit to the party +promising, or some trouble or injury to the party to whom the promise is +made. + +§7. Mutual promises are sufficient considerations to make a contract +binding; but they must be made at the same time. Such promises support +each other. The promise of one party constitutes a sufficient +consideration for a promise by the other party. In case the parties are +distant from each other, if the proposition is made in writing and sent +by mail, and a letter of acceptance is written and put in the mail, the +contract is complete, unless, before mailing the letter of acceptance, +a second letter has been received containing a retraction of the +proposal. + +§8. Promises which are wholly gratuitous are void; because, being +neither a benefit to the promiser, nor an injury to the promisee, they +are not regarded in law as a valuable consideration. Hence, +subscriptions to public works and charitable, literary, and religious +institutions, if they are merely gratuitous, can not be collected, +unless they have operated to induce others to advance money, make +engagements, or do other acts to their own injury. + +§9. As gratuitous promises are void for want of consideration, so merely +gratuitous services, as voluntarily assisting to save property from +fire, or securing beasts found straying, or paying another's debts +without request, afford no consideration upon which payment for their +value can be lawfully claimed; there being no promise of compensation. +But if a person knowingly permits another to do certain work, as plowing +his field, or hoeing his corn, although the work may have been commenced +without his order or request, his consent will be regarded in law as an +_implied promise_ to pay for the value of the labor, unless the +circumstances of the case are such as to forbid the presumption. + +§10. A consideration must also be _possible_, and in accordance with +law, sound policy, and good morals. A contract founded upon an +impossible consideration is void. No man can be lawfully bound to do +what is not in the power of man to do. But it is otherwise, if the thing +to be done is only at the time impossible in fact, but not impossible in +its nature. Hence, inability from sickness to fulfill an agreement, or +the impossibility of procuring an article of a certain kind or quality +which a person has agreed to deliver, would not exempt him from +liability in damages for the non-performance of his contract. + +§11. A contract, the consideration of which is _illegal_ or _immoral_, +may be avoided by either party. A man can not be held to an agreement to +do acts forbidden by the law of God or by the laws of the state. But if +an illegal contract has been executed; in other words, if the wrong has +been done, the party in the wrong can not renounce the contract; for the +general rule is, that no man can take advantage of his own wrong; and +the innocent party alone has the privilege of avoiding the contract. If +both parties are guilty, neither can, in ordinary cases, obtain relief +on a contract that has been executed. + +§12. The rule that a consideration is necessary to a valid contract +applies to all contracts and engagements not under seal, except bills of +exchange and negotiable notes after they have passed into the hands of +an innocent indorsee. (See Promissory Notes.) In contracts under seal, a +consideration is necessarily _implied_ in the solemnity of the +instrument. + +§13. It is declared by the English statute of frauds, which prevails +generally in the United States, that an agreement which is not to be +performed within one year from the time of making it, shall not be +valid, unless such agreement, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in +writing, and signed by the party to be charged. The statutes of some of +the states have adopted this provision of the English statute, and +require further, that a special promise to answer for the debt, default, +or misdoing of another person, and an agreement or promise upon +consideration of marriage, (except mutual promises to marry,) shall +likewise be void without such writing, in which the consideration shall +be expressed. + + + + +Chapter LV. + +Contracts of Sale. + + + +§1. A Sale is a transfer of the title to property to another person for +a certain price; or the exchange of a commodity for its equivalent value +in money. The exchange of one commodity for another, is _barter_. +Unless the absolute title is conveyed, the contract is merely a +mortgage. The same general principles of law which apply to contracts in +general, are applicable to contracts of sale, viz.: the competency of +the parties to contract; the sufficiency of the consideration; its +legality and morality; the assent of the parties; and the absence of +fraud. + +§2. To make a sale valid, the thing to be sold must have an _actual or a +possible existence_, and be _capable of delivery_. Thus, if A sells a +horse or certain goods to B; and if, at the time of the sale, the horse +is dead, or the good? are destroyed; the sale is void. If the goods are +partially destroyed, the buyer may either take them at a proportionate +reduction of the price, or abandon the contract. + +§3. But, although the thing to be sold has no actual and present +existence; yet if its future existence is possible, and if it is the +product or increase of something to which the seller has a present +right, it is the subject of sale. Thus, a man may sell the wool that may +grow on his sheep, the fruit that may grow on his trees, or the future +increase of his cattle. But he cannot sell the products of the sheep or +cattle which he may hereafter buy. A man may, however, agree to procure +goods which he has not, and to furnish at a future time, for a certain +price; and his contract will be good; though this is not strictly a +sale, but an agreement to sell. + +§4. There can be no sale without a _price_; and the price must be fixed +and definite, or susceptible of being ascertained by reference to some +criterion prescribed in the contract, so as to render any further +negotiation of the parties unnecessary. Thus, a man may agree to pay +what shall be the market price at a particular time, or a price to be +fixed by a third person. The price must also be payable in money or its +negotiable representative, as notes or bills. One article given for +another is merely _barter_. The same principles of law, however, govern +in both cases. + +§5. There must be a _mutual consent of the parties_, and the contract is +binding when a proposition made by one party is accepted by the other. +The negotiation may be carried on by letter, as before stated. (Chap. +LIV, §7.) + +§6. In contracts of sale which are not perfected at once by payment and +delivery, certain formalities are to be observed. These forms generally +are prescribed by what is called the English statute of frauds, which +requires, (1.) that the buyer shall accept and receive part of the goods +sold; or (2.) give something in earnest to bind the bargain, or in part +payment; or (3.) that some note or memorandum in writing of the bargain +shall be made and signed by the party to be charged, or by his +authorized agent. These provisions, however, apply only to cases in +which the price of the goods sold is ten pounds sterling, or more. The +same rule prevails generally in this country, with slight variations in +some states. The price of the goods sold, in cases to which the +provisions of that statute apply, is fixed by law in many of the states, +and varies from $30 to $200. + +§7. To complete a contract of sale, and pass the title to the property +to the buyer, there must be a _delivery of the goods sold_. When the +goods are such as cannot be manually or immediately delivered, or are +not in the actual custody of the seller, the law does not require an +actual delivery. But they must be placed in the power of the purchaser; +or there must be such acts and declarations of the parties as imply a +change of ownership. When the right of property has been transferred to +the buyer, whether by an actual or only a constructive delivery, he +immediately assumes the risk of the goods; so that if they shall be +afterward injured or destroyed, he must bear the loss. + +§8. When nothing is said at the sale as to the time of delivery, or the +time of payment, the buyer is entitled to the goods on payment or tender +of the price, and not other wise; for, though he acquires the _right of +property_ by the contract of sale, he does not acquire the _right of +possession_, until he pays or tenders the price. But if the seller +delivers the goods absolutely, and without fraudulent contrivance on +the part of the buyer, the buyer will hold possession of them. + +§9. But when goods are sold on credit, and nothing is said as to the +time of delivery, the buyer is immediately entitled to the possession. +If, however, it is ascertained, before the buyer obtains possession of +the goods, that he is insolvent, or so embarrassed as to disable him +from meeting the demands of his creditors, the seller may stop the goods +as a security for the price. But if they are stopped without good cause, +or through misinformation, the buyer is entitled to the goods, and to +damages which he may have sustained in consequence of their stoppage. + +§10. In the sale of a chattel, if the seller has possession of the +article, and sells it as his own, he is understood to _warrant the +title_. A fair price implies a warranty of title; and the purchaser may +have satisfaction from the seller, if he sells goods as his own, and the +title proves deficient. But if the possession is at the time in another, +and there is no covenant or warranty of title, the party buys at his +peril. It is thought, however, if the seller affirms that the property +is his own, he warrants the title, though it is not in his possession. + +§11. With regard to the _quality_ of the thing, the seller is not bound +to make good any deficiency, except under special circumstances, unless +be expressly warranted the goods to be sound and good, or unless he made +a fraudulent representation or concealment concerning them. The rule is, +if there is no express warranty by the seller, nor fraud on his part, +and if the article is equally open to the inspection of both parties, +the buyer who examines the article for himself, must abide by all losses +arising from latent defects equally unknown to both parties. + +§12. But this rule does not reasonably apply to cases in which the +purchaser has ordered goods of a certain character, or in which goods of +a certain described quality are offered for sale, and, when delivered, +they do not answer the description. There being no opportunity of +examining them, there is an _implied_ warranty of the quality. An +intentional concealment or suppression of a material fact, when both +parties have not equal access to means of information, is unfair +dealing, and renders the contract void. + +§13. As a general rule, each party is bound to communicate to the other +his knowledge of material facts, provided he knows the other to be +ignorant of them, and they are not open and naked, or equally within the +reach of his observation. Surely the _moral law_ and fair dealing +require, in all cases, a full disclosure of all defects within the +knowledge of the contracting parties. + + + + +Chapter LVI. + +Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c. + + + +§1. The title to property is sometimes transferred with fraudulent +intent. A debtor, to place his property beyond the reach of his +creditors, sells or assigns it to others by way of mortgage, under the +false pretense of securing the payment of a debt; the property to remain +in the possession and use of the assignor. + +§2. Any agreement which operates as a fraud upon third persons, is void. +It is a rule of common law, that all deeds of gift, and all transfers of +goods and chattels made by any person to secure them for his future use, +shall be void as against creditors; and that if property assigned or +sold remains with the seller or assignor, the transaction is to be +presumed fraudulent. But whether such conveyance of goods is only _prima +facie_ (at first view) evidence of fraud, which the vendee or assignee +may rebut by proving the sale or assignment to have been made honestly +and in good faith; or whether the transaction is fraudulent in point of +_law_, and void, is a question upon which the decisions of the courts +in England as well as those in this country differ, and which, +therefore, may be considered as not conclusively settled. + +§3. Some have made a distinction between bills of sale and assignments +that are absolute and those that are conditional. The supreme court of +the United States has affirmed the doctrine that an absolute and +_unconditional_ bill of sale or conveyance, when the property is +retained in possession, is of itself conclusive evidence of fraud; in +other words, it is presumed to be fraud in point of law, whatever it may +be in fact. It has been held by the same court, that a conveyance with a +_condition_ that the property is to remain with the vendor until the +condition shall be performed, or a conveyance in the nature of a +mortgage or security, expressing an agreement between the parties, that +the mortgager shall retain possession, is valid. + +§4. In some states, the doctrine established by the courts is, that a +continuance of possession is only _prima facie_ evidence of fraud; in +which case the mortgagee or assignee is allowed to show by proof, that +the conveyance was made in good faith and for a valuable consideration. +In other states, the strict rule prevails, that, without a change of +possession, the transaction is fraudulent _in law_; in which case the +assignee, or person claiming the property under the assignment, is not +permitted to show that, in point of _fact_, the transaction was _bona +fide_, (in good faith.) + +§5. The rule that holds every conveyance to be fraudulent unless the +property immediately changes hands, often operates to inconvenience and +even injury of honest debtors. A debtor may be obliged to part with +property, however convenient or needful its present use may be to him, +when, but for this stringent rule of law, he might borrow the money to +pay a debt, or procure a postponement of payment, and retain the use of +the property pledged. + +§6. In many of the states, this perplexing question has been settled by +statute. In the state of New-York, the law expressly declares, that a +sale or an assignment without immediate delivery and a change of +possession, shall be presumed to be fraudulent and void as against +creditors, unless the party claiming the property under the assignment +shall make it appear that the same was made in good faith, and without +any attempt to defraud. Laws more or less similar to this, and securing +to the assignor the use of the mortgaged property, are believed to exist +in a majority of the states. The instruments conveying the property are +usually called _chattel mortgages_, and are required to be recorded as +deeds; in New-York, and perhaps a few other states, only filed in the +town or county clerk's office. + +§7. In the sale of personal property, though there should be a judgment +against the vendor, and the purchaser should have notice of it, that +fact would not of itself render the sale fraudulent. But if the +purchaser, knowing of the judgment, purchases with the view or purpose +to defeat the creditor's execution, the transaction is fraudulent. The +question of fraud depends upon the motive. + +§8. Assignments are sometimes made by debtors for the benefit of their +creditors. A person deeply indebted, or in embarrassed circumstances, +assigns his property, in trust, to one or more persons, who are to +dispose of it, and to apply the avails to the payment of his creditors, +or a part of them; for the law does not forbid a debtor's giving a +preference to one or more creditors over others, provided the assignment +is for a sufficient consideration. A debtor may directly assign or +transfer all his property to a single creditor, and the assignment be +valid; but if the value of the property is manifestly excessive, and +disproportionate to the debt which it is intended to cover, the other +creditors have a right to the surplus. + +§9. When an embarrassed debtor agrees to pay his creditors a certain +proportion of their claims in consideration of a discharge of their +demands, if he privately agrees to give a better or further security to +one than to others, the contract is void; because the condition upon +which they agree to discharge the debtor is, that they shall share +equally. + +§10. A gift, or conveyance founded merely upon a consideration of +affection, or blood, or consanguinity, may be set aside by creditors, if +the grantor was in embarrassed circumstances when he made it; for a man +is bound, both legally and morally, to pay his debts before giving away +his property. But if he is indebted to only a small amount in proportion +to the value of his property, and wholly unembarrassed, the gift is not +rendered voidable by his indebtedness, even though he should afterwards +become insolvent. + + + + +Chapter LVII. + +Bailment. + + + +§1. The word _bailment_ is from _bail_, French, to deliver. (Chap. +XVIII, §14.) Bailment, in law, is a delivery of goods, in trust, upon +agreement that the trust shall be executed, and the goods restored by +the bailee, when the purpose of the bailment shall have been, answered. + +§2. A person who receives goods to be kept and returned without reward, +must keep them with reasonable care, or, if they receive injury, he will +be liable for the damage: in other words, he is responsible only for +gross neglect. Gross neglect is a want of that care which every man of +common sense takes of his own property. A _depositary_, who is a person +with whom goods are deposited, has no right to use the goods intrusted +to him. + +§3. A _mandatary_, or one who undertakes to do an act for another +without recompense, in respect to the thing bailed to him, is +responsible for gross neglect, if he undertakes and does the work amiss; +but it is thought that for agreeing to do, and not undertaking or doing +at all, he is not liable for damage. + +§4. The borrower of an article, as a horse, carriage, or book, without +reward, is liable for damage in case of slight neglect. But if the +article is applied only to the use for which it is borrowed, is used +carefully by the borrower only, and returned within the time for which +it was borrowed, he is not liable. + +§5. Property taken in pledge as security for a debt or an engagement, +must be kept with ordinary care; in other words, the pawnee is +answerable only for ordinary neglect; and if the goods should then be +lost or destroyed, the pawner is still liable for the debt. If the +pawnee derives any profit from the use of the property, he must apply +the profits, after deducting necessary expenses, toward the debt. + +§6. Another kind of bailment is the hiring of property for a reward. If +an article is injured or destroyed without any fault on the part of the +hirer, the loss falls on the owner, for the risk is with him. + +§7. If work or care is to be bestowed for a recompense on the thing +delivered, the workman is liable for ordinary neglect; and the work must +be performed with proper skill, or he is answerable for damage. If a +tailor receives cloth to be made into a coat, he is bound to do it in a +workmanlike manner. + +§8. Innkeepers are in general responsible for all injuries to the goods +and baggage of their guests, even for thefts. But for loss caused by +unavoidable accident, or by superior force, as robbery, they are not +liable. + +§9. A person who carries goods for hire in a particular case, and not as +a common carrier, is answerable only for ordinary neglect, unless he +expressly takes the risk of a common carrier. + +§10. A common carrier is one who carries goods for hire as a common +business, whether by land or by water, and is responsible to the owner +of the goods, even if robbed of them. He is in the nature of an insurer, +and is answerable for all losses, except in cases of the act of God, as +by lightning, storms, floods, &c. and public enemies, as in time of war. + +§11. A common carrier is bound to receive from any person paying or +tendering the freight charges, such goods as he is accustomed to carry, +and as are offered for the place to which he carries. But he may refuse +to receive them if he is full, or if they are dangerous to be carried, +or for other good reasons. He may refuse to take them unless the charges +are paid; but if he agrees to take payment at the end of the route, he +may retain them there until the freight is paid. A carrier must deliver +freight in a reasonable time; but he is not liable for loss by the +freezing of a river or canal during his voyage, if he has used due +diligence. + +§12. Proprietors of a stage coach do not warrant the safety of +passengers as common carriers; and they are not responsible for mere +accidents to the persons of the passengers, but only for the want of due +care. Slight fault, unskillfulness, or negligence, either as to the +sufficiency of the carriage, or to the driving of it, may render the +owner responsible in damages for injury to passengers. But as public +carriers, they are answerable for the loss of a box or parcel of goods, +though ignorant of its contents, unless the owner fraudulently conceals +the value or nature of the article, or deludes the carrier by treating +it as of little or no value. Public carriers are responsible for the +baggage of their passengers, though they advertise it as being at the +risk of the owners. + + + + +Chapter LVIII. + +Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c. + + + +§1. An _agent_, or factor, is a person intrusted with the management of +the business of another, who is called _principal_. The words _agent_ +and _factor_ both signify a deputy, a substitute, or a person acting +for another; but _agent_ seems to be the more comprehensive term, being +applied to one who is intrusted by another with any kind of business; +_factor_ more properly denotes an agent employed by merchants residing +in other places to buy and sell, and transact certain other business on +their account. A factor, from his being commissioned or authorized to +act for his principal, and especially if allowed a commission, or a +certain rate per cent, of the value of the goods bought or sold, is +called a _commission merchant_. + +§2. If a factor advances money on property intrusted to him, he can hold +it until the money shall be refunded, and all charges paid. If the +actual owner of the property is unknown to the factor, the person in +whose name the goods were shipped, is to be deemed the owner. + +§3. The right of a factor to hold property against the owner in +satisfaction of a demand, is called _lien_; and the factor may sell the +goods to satisfy his claim; but he must pay the surplus, if any, to the +principal or owner. A factor can not pledge goods intrusted to him for +sale, as security for his own debts. If he disposes of merchandise +intrusted or consigned to him, and applies the avails to his own use, +with intent to defraud the owner, he may be punished by fine and +imprisonment. + +§4. How far, in ordinary business, a principal is bound by the acts of +an agent, it is not easy to determine. As a general rule the acts of a +general agent; that is, one who either transacts all kinds of business +for his employer, or who does all acts connected with a particular +business or transaction, or which relate to some particular department +of business, bind his principal, so long as he keeps within the general +scope of his authority, though he may in some special cases act contrary +to his private instructions. But an agent employed for a particular +purpose, if he goes beyond the limits of his power, does not bind his +principal. + +§5. An agent is bound, in ordinary cases, to observe the instructions of +his principal, even though an act contrary to such instructions should +be intended for the benefit of the principal. The agent must bear, +personally, all losses growing out of a non-compliance with his orders; +and the profit accruing therefrom goes to the benefit of the principal. +An agent, however, is excused from a strict compliance with his orders, +if, after receiving them, some sudden and unforeseen emergency has +arisen, in consequence of which such compliance would operate as an +injury to the principal, and frustrate his intention. + +§6. When an agent receives no instructions, he must conform to the usage +of trade, or to the custom applicable to the particular agency; and any +deviation therefrom, unless justified by the necessity of the case, +renders him solely liable for any loss or injury resulting from it. + +§7. An agent is bound to exercise ordinary diligence and reasonable +skill; and he is responsible only for the want thereof. Ordinary +diligence is that which persons of common prudence use in conducting +their own affairs. Reasonable skill is that usually possessed by persons +of common capacity employed in the same business. + +§8. If an agent exceed the limits of his authority, he becomes +personally responsible to the person with whom he deals, if the +limitations of his authority are unknown to such person. He is in like +mariner responsible, if he makes a contract in his own name; or if he +does not disclose the name of the principal, so as to enable the party +with whom he deals to have recourse to the principal in case the agent +had authority to bind him. And if the agent even buys in his own name, +but for the principal, and without disclosing his name, the principal +also is bound, provided the goods come to his use. Also if the principal +is under age, or a lunatic, or otherwise incompetent to contract, the +agent is liable. + +§9. A _broker_ is an agent employed to negotiate sales between parties +for a compensation in the form of a commission, which is commonly called +_brokerage_. His business consists chiefly in negotiating exchanges; or +in buying and selling stocks, goods, ships, or cargoes; or in procuring +insurances and settling losses; and as he confines himself to one or the +other of these branches, he is called an exchange broker, stock broker, +insurance broker, &c. A broker differs from a factor. He has not the +custody of the goods of his principal. He is merely empowered to effect +the contract of sale; and when this is done, his agency ends. If a +broker executes his duties in such a manner that no benefit results from +them, or is guilty of gross misconduct in selling goods, he is not +entitled to a commission or compensation. + +§10. A _lien_, as the claim of a factor upon goods intrusted to him for +sale, has been noticed. (§3.) The right of lien extends to others than +factors. It is intended also for the benefit of manufacturers, +mechanics, and other persons carrying on business for the accommodation +of the public. A tailor has a lien upon the garment made from another's +cloth until he is paid for the making; a shoemaker upon the shoes made +from another's leather; a blacksmith upon the horse he has shod; an +innkeeper upon the horse or goods of his guest; and common carriers upon +the goods they transport. But they cannot hold the property for any +other debt; nor can they sell it to satisfy their claim. Whenever a +person allows property to go out of his possession, he loses his lien. + + + + +Chapter LIX. + +Partnership. + + + +§1. A partnership is an association formed by contract between two or +more persons, for joining their money, labor, or skill, in lawful +business, the profits to be divided and the loss to be borne by the +partners in certain proportions. It is a partnership if one furnishes +the funds and the other performs the labor; or if, when no money is +necessary, each agrees to do his share of the labor. A partnership or +association of this kind is denominated a _firm_, or _house_. + +§2. The act of any one of the firm is considered the act of all, and +binds all; and either of them is liable for all the debts. But if a bill +or note is drawn by one partner in his own name only, without appearing +to be on partnership account, he alone is bound, though it were made for +a partnership purpose. A partner buying goods on his own account for his +individual use, is alone liable; but if they afterward go to the use of +the partnership, all become responsible. + +§3. Sometimes a person agrees to receive, by way of rent, a portion of +the profits of a farm, a tavern, or a manufactory; or an agent or a +clerk receives a share of the profits for his labor. But as there is in +these cases no partnership, the persons who buy the stock and hire the +labor are alone responsible. + +§4. All the partners must unite in suing and being sued. One who should +conceal his name so as not to be known when the debt is contracted, may +be sued when discovered to be a partner, if he shares in the profits of +the trade. + +§5. A partner cannot sell his interest to another person, who is to take +his place in the partnership, without the consent of all the partners: +nor can a partner, without such consent, withdraw when he pleases, and +dissolve the partnership, except in cases in which the partnership is +without any definite term. A partnership is dissolved by the death, +insanity, bankruptcy, or other inability of one of the parties. + +§6. When a partnership is dissolved by the withdrawal of any of the +partners, notice of dissolution ought to be duly published, or a firm +may be bound by a contract made by one partner in the usual course of +business and in the name of the firm, with a person who contracted on +the faith of the partnership, and who had no notice of the dissolution. +The same notice is necessary to protect a retiring partner from +continued responsibility. And even if due notice is given, yet, if he +willingly suffers his name to continue in the firm, or in the title of +the firm over the door of the shop or store, he may in certain cases be +liable. + +§7. In some of the states, a partnership may be formed by a number of +persons, some of whom are to be responsible only to a limited amount; +and their names are not to be used in the firm. Before a partnership of +this kind can do business, a writing and certificate signed by the +parties stating the terms of partnership, and the amount for which the +_special partners_ (as they are called) are to be responsible must be +recorded. The terms of partnership must also be published in a +newspaper. + +§8. In these _limited_ partnerships, as they are termed, the special +partners are liable only to the amount stated in the terms of +partnership. The other partners, called _general partners_, whose names +only are used, and who transact the business, are liable for all the +debts contracted, as in ordinary partnerships. If such partnership is to +be dissolved by act of the parties before the expiration of the term for +which it is formed, notice of dissolution must be filed and recorded, +and published in a newspaper. Such is the law in the state of New York; +and it is presumed to agree, in its most essential provisions, with the +laws of the other states in which these partnerships are authorized. + + + + +Chapter LX. + +Promissory Notes. + + + +§1. A promissory _note_ is a written promise to pay a specified sum at a +certain time, to a person named, or to his order, or to the bearer. A +common form of a note is the following: + + $100. Albany, June 9, 1859. + + Three months after date, I promise to pay to James Smith, or + bearer, one hundred dollars, value received. + + John Brown. + +§2. A note thus payable to Smith or bearer, or to him or his order, is +called _negotiable_, because it may be sold or transferred to any other +person, who has the same power to sue for and collect the money, as +Smith, the original promisee. If it were made payable to Smith _or +order_, he must indorse it by writing his name on the back of it, before +it would pass as a negotiable note. The indorsement is considered as the +order of Smith to the maker to pay it to any other person. But, though +not negotiable, it might be transferred; but the holder must sue in the +name of Smith, and Brown might offset any demands which he has against +Smith. + +§3. An indorsement, made by writing the name only on the back of a note, +is called a _blank_ indorsement. A full indorsement is one which points +out the person to whom the note is to be paid. A blank indorsement may +be filled up at any time by the holder. For example: A note is payable +to "John Jay or order," or to "the order of John Jay," who indorses it +in blank which makes it payable to any other holder. Now if any holder +or indorsee wishes it paid to any particular person, he fills up the +blank by writing a request to that effect above the name of the +indorser, thus: "Pay to George Bruce," or "Pay to George Bruce or +order;" who, again, may by indorsement order it paid to some particular +person. Or, if he should indorse it in blank, or order it paid "to the +_bearer_," it would again pass, as at first, by mere delivery. + +§4. In common business transactions in the country, notes intended to be +negotiable are usually made payable to bearer, as in the form given. +(§1.) The young reader, or other person inexperienced in business, may +not know why they are not always so written. The making of a note +payable to order protects the holder or owner in case the note should be +lost. Take, for example, the note supposed in the preceding section, +indorsed in blank. Suppose the owner resides in Buffalo, and the maker +in Detroit. The owner writes over the name of John Jay, "Pay to George +Bruce," also residing in Detroit, to whom it is sent by mail, to be by +him presented to the maker for payment. And should the note by accident +or fraud fall into the hands of another, it being payable to Bruce only, +or to his order, the parties are protected from loss. + +§5. As a contract is not binding without a valuable consideration, +(Chap. LIV, §6,) the words "value received" are inserted in notes, as +evidence of such consideration. But where there is no statute requiring +the insertion of these words, a note is good without them. Whether they +are inserted or not, the note is presumed to have been given for a +valuable consideration; and the maker, to avoid his obligation to pay +it, must make it appear that no value was received. + +§6. A note made by two or more persons may be joint or joint or several. +When it is written, "We promise to pay," it is only a joint note, and +all must be sued together. If written, "We jointly and severally promise +to pay," they may be sued either jointly or separately. Also if written +"I promise to pay," it is treated as a joint and several note. A note +written, "We promise," and signed, A. B., principal, and C. D., +security, is the joint note of both; and if written, "I promise," and +signed in the same manner, it is the joint and several note of both. + +§7. Any person having in possession a negotiable note, though a mere +agent, is deemed the true owner, and may sue it in his own name, without +showing title. The _bona fide_ holder can recover upon the paper, though +it came to him from a person who had stolen or robbed it from the true +owner; provided he took it innocently in the course of trade for a +valuable consideration before it was due, and with due caution. But if +suspicion is cast upon the title of the holder, by showing that the +instrument has got into circulation by force or fraud, then the holder +must show the consideration he gave for it. + +§8. Ordinarily, a person can not convey to another a valid title to +property which is not lawfully his own; and hence the purchaser of +stolen goods must give them up to the lawful owner. The exception to +this rule, in the case of promissory notes, seems to be founded in +reason and good policy. The use of negotiable paper in commercial +transactions is of great public convenience; and it is proper that, for +the sake of trade, protection should be given to the holder of such +paper who receives it fairly in the way of business, though it has been +paid, if he received it before it fell due. + +§9. But it is equally material for the interests of trade, that the +owner should have due protection. Hence if a person takes a note from a +stranger without inquiring how he came by it; or does not take it in the +usual course of business, or for some responsibility incurred on the +credit of the note, he takes it at his peril. But the owner, in order to +place his right to relief beyond question, ought to use diligence in +apprising the public of the loss of the note. + +§10. A person buying a note after it has become due, takes it at his +peril. Although the holder may sue it in his own name, the maker may +offset any demands which he had against the promisee before it was +transferred, as in the case of notes not negotiable. (§2.) But when +notes in which no day of payment is expressed comes under this rule, is +a question to be determined by circumstances. In New Jersey and +Pennsylvania, the words "without defalcation or discount," or words to +that effect, must be inserted in notes, or they may be met by offsets as +notes that are bought after due. + +§11. A note made payable in some commodity is not negotiable. If it is +not paid according to the conditions therein expressed, the maker +becomes liable to pay in cash. But in either case, if it passes to a +third person, he can sue it only in the name of the promisee or payee; +and it may be met by offsets as other notes not negotiable, (§2,) and +notes bought after due. (§10.) + +§12. Notes payable _on demand_, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, are due immediately, and no demand of payment is necessary. +But a note payable _at sight_, or at a specified time after sight, must +be presented for payment before it can be sued. If the words "with +interest" are omitted, interest commences at the time the note becomes +due. If payable on demand, it will draw interest from the time when +payment is demanded. + +§13. After the day on which a note is made payable, the maker has three +days in which to make payment, which are called _days of grace_. Hence, +a note payable on the first day of the month is not due and suable until +the fourth. If, however, the last day of grace falls on Sunday, or the +fourth of July, or any other day recognized by law as a holiday, or day +of public rest, the last day of grace would be a day earlier. If the +fourth of July or any other holiday should come on Saturday, the note +would be due on Friday. Or if such day should fall on Monday, the last +day of grace would be Saturday. + +§14. To hold the indorser of a note responsible, payment must be +demanded of the maker on the last day of grace. As to the time of day +when the demand should be made, it is considered that the maker is +entitled to the latest convenient time within the customary business +hours of the place where the note is presented. + +§15. If payment has been demanded and refused, notice thereof must be +given to the indorser; and one entire day is allowed the holder to give +the notice. If the demand is made on Saturday, it is sufficient to give +notice on Monday. If the indorser resides in the same town, he may be +notified personally by the holder, or by a messenger sent to his +dwelling-house, where notice may be given personally, or left in a way +likely to bring it to his knowledge. If the parties reside in different +towns, notice may be sent by mail; in which case, the notice must be +put into the post-office, as early as the next day after the last day of +grace, so as to be forwarded as soon as possible thereafter: or notice +may be sent by a private conveyance or a special messenger. + +§16. If, in consequence of the removal of the maker before the note +becomes due, or from any other cause, his residence is unknown, the +holder must make endeavors to find it, and make the demand there; +though, if he has removed out of the state, it is sufficient to present +the note at his former place of residence. If the maker has absconded, +that will, as a general rule, excuse the demand. + +§17. Notes, on being transferred, are guarantied by indorsement. If a +person simply writes his name on the back, he is liable as indorser +only. If he guarantees "the payment of the note," he is generally +considered liable as an original promisor. If he guaranties the note +"good," or "collectable," the maker, and the indorsers also, if any, +must be sued, before the guarantor is liable. Strict notice to a +guarantor is not required to bind him, as in the case of an indorser. +But to hold him liable in case immediate notice is not given, or the +note is not immediately sued, it must be shown that he has not suffered +injury from want of notice, or that the note was not collectable of the +maker or indorsers when due. But the kind of liability incurred, whether +that of indorser, original promisor, or surety, by indorsing a note or +guarantying payment, is not the same in all the states. There are sundry +other points in the law relating to promissory notes, on which the +statutes and judicial decisions are not uniform in all the states. + + + + +Chapter LXI. + +Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury. + + + +§1. A bill _of exchange_ is a written order or request to a person in a +distant place, to pay a third person a certain sum of money. The +following is a common form: + + $1,000. New-York, August 10, 1859. + + Twenty days after date, (or at sight, or ten days after sight,) pay + to the order of John Stiles, one thousand dollars, value received, + and charge the same to account of + + To George Scott, Thomas Jones. + + New Orleans, La. + +§2. Bills drawn on persons in foreign countries, are called _foreign_ +bills of exchange; those drawn on persons in distant places in our own +country, are called _inland_ bills of exchange. To persons in mercantile +business they are of great convenience, as will be seen from the +following example of their nature and operation. + +§3. A, in New-York, has $1,000 due him from B, in New Orleans. A draws +an order on B for that sum, and C, who is going to New Orleans, pays A +the money, takes the order, and receives his money again of B. Thus A is +accommodated by receiving his debt against B, and O has avoided the risk +of carrying the money from place to place. A, who draws the order, or +bill, is called the _drawer_. B, to whom it is addressed, is the +_drawee_; C, to whom it is made payable, is the _payee_. As the bill is +payable to C, or his order, he may, by indorsment, direct the bill to be +paid to D; in which case C becomes the _indorser_, and D, to whom the +bill is indorsed, is called the _indorsee_ or _holder_. + +§4. If, when a bill is presented to the drawee, he agrees to pay it, he +is said to _accept_ the bill, and writes his acceptance upon it. An +acceptance may, however, be by parol. The acceptor of a bill is the +principal debtor; the drawer, the surety. The acceptor is bound, though +he accepted without consideration, and for the sole accommodation of +the drawer. But payment must be demanded on the last day of grace; and, +if refused, notice of non-payment must be given to the drawer, as in the +case of an indorsed promissory note. (Chap. LX, §15.) + +§5. No precise time is fixed by law at which bills payable at sight or a +certain number of days after sight, must be presented to the drawee for +acceptance; though an unreasonable delay might discharge the drawer. A +bill payable on a certain day after date, need not be presented before +the day of payment, but if presented before due, and acceptance is +refused, it is dishonored; and notice must be given immediately to the +drawer. If a bill has been accepted, payment must be demanded of the +acceptor, when the bill falls due; and if no place is appointed for +payment, the demand must be made at his house or residence, or upon him +personally. + +§6. A check upon a bank, (Chap. XXIV, §3,) is another kind of negotiable +paper. It partakes more of the nature of a bill of exchange than of a +promissory note. It is not a direct promise to pay; but it is an +undertaking, by the drawer, that the drawee shall accept and pay; and +the drawer is answerable only when the drawee fails to pay. A check +payable to bearer passes by delivery; and the bearer may sue on it as on +an inland bill of exchange. + +§7. When a foreign bill of exchange is to be presented for acceptance or +payment, demand is usually made by a _notary public_; and in case of +refusal, his certificate of the presentment of the bill and of the +refusal, is legal proof of the fact in any court. This certificate is +called _protest_, which means, _for proof_. A protest may be noted on +the day of the demand; though it may be drawn up in form at a future +period. Notaries are appointed in all towns and cities of commercial +importance. + +§8. A protest of an inland bill of exchange is not generally deemed +necessary in this country; though it is the practice to have bills, +drawn in one state on persons in another, protested by a notary. No +protest is legal evidence in court, except in the case of a foreign +bill. Yet it is expedient, in many cases of inland bills, to employ +notaries when evidence is to be preserved, because they are easily found +when wanted as witnesses. In some states, bills drawn in one state and +payable in another, are deemed foreign bills; and their protest as such +is required. Notes payable at banks are also protested for non-payment. + +§9. _Interest_ is a premium paid for the use of money, or a profit per +cent, received for money lent, or on an unpaid demand. Thus a person +lends $1,000 to another person, who pays for the use of it six per cent, +a year, or $6 for every hundred, as interest. The rate of interest is +fixed by a law of the state. + +§10. The established lawful rates of interest in the several states are +as follows: _Six_ per cent, in all but the following: In New-York, +Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, _seven_ per cent.; in Alabama and Texas +_eight_ per cent.; in Louisiana, _five_ per cent.; bank interest _six_; +in California, _ten_ per cent. But there may be taken by special +agreement, in Florida and Louisiana, _eight_ per cent.; in Mississippi, +Arkansas, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, _ten_; in Texas and Wisconsin, _twelve_; +in Minnesota and California, any rate. In Illinois and Michigan, for +money loaned, it may be _ten_. In Mississippi, for the _bona fide_ use +of money _eight_ per cent. + +§11. A rate of interest beyond that which is established by law, is +_usury_. Not only can no more be collected on any contract or obligation +than the legal rate, but in most of the states there is some forfeiture +for taking usurious interest. In a few, the obligation is void, and the +payment of no part of the debt can be enforced by law; in others, twice +or thrice the excess above the lawful interest is forfeited; and in +some, only the excess paid can be recovered. + + + + +Chapter LXII. + +Crimes and Misdemeanors. + + + +§1. The statutes of each state define the crimes of which its laws take +cognizance. The definitions given in this chapter, agree substantially, +it is presumed, with those of similar crimes in every state in the +union. The statutes also prescribe the penalties, which are not +precisely the same in all the states. Nor is there in any state an equal +measure of punishment inflicted in all cases for the same offense. The +laws usually declare the longest and the shortest terms of imprisonment, +and the highest and lowest fines, leaving the exact measure of +punishment, except for crimes punishable by death, to the discretion of +the judges, to be fixed according to the aggravation of the offense. + +§2. The laws of the several states differ in respect to the number of +crimes made punishable by death. In some states the penalty of death is +annexed to the crime of murder only. Treason is punishable by death; but +as this offense is defined and made punishable by the laws of the United +States, not all the states take cognizance of it. If committed in such +states, it is tried in the courts of the United States. In New York, +murder, treason, and arson in the first degree, are punishable by death. +Few states make more than these crimes thus punishable. In two or three +states, the penalty of death has been abolished, and imprisonment for +life substituted. + +§3. Crimes punishable by death, are called _capital_ crimes, and their +punishment is called _capital_ punishment. The word capital is from the +Latin _caput_, which means head; and so has come to signify the highest +or principal. Hence, probably, the application of the word capital to +the principal crimes receiving the highest punishment, which was +formerly practiced extensively in other countries by beheading or +_decapitating_ the criminals. + +§4. _Treason_ is defined by statute to be, levying war in any state +against the people of the state; or a combination of two or more +persons, attempting by force to usurp or overturn the government of the +state; or in adhering to enemies of the state while separately engaged +in war with a foreign enemy, and giving them aid and comfort. + +§5. _Murder_ is the killing of a person deliberately and maliciously, +and with intent to effect death; or killing a person in committing some +other crime, though not with a design to effect death; or in killing a +person purposely and without previous deliberation. The less aggravated +cases of murder, are in some states distinguished as murder in the +second degree, and punished by imprisonment for a long term, or for +life. + +§6. _Manslaughter_ is killing a person either upon a sudden quarrel, or +unintentionally while committing some unlawful act. The statutes of New +York define four different degrees of manslaughter. + +§7. _Arson_ is maliciously burning any dwelling-house, shop, barn, or +any other building, the property of another. Arson in the first degree, +which is burning an inhabited dwelling _in the night time_, is in some +states punishable with death. + +§8. _Homicide_ signifies mankilling. It is of three kinds: felonious, +justifiable, and excusable. When felonious, it is either murder or +manslaughter. _Justifiable_ homicide is that which is committed in the +necessary defense of one's person, house, or goods, or of the person of +another when in danger of injury; or that which is committed in lawfully +attempting to take a person for felony committed, or to suppress a riot, +or to keep the peace. _Excusable_ homicide is the killing of a person by +accident, or while lawfully employed, without any design to do wrong. In +the two last cases there is no punishment. + +§9. Intentionally _maiming_ another by cutting out or disabling the +tongue or any other member or limb; inveigling or _kidnapping_; +_decoying_ and taking away children; _exposing children_ in the street +to abandon them; committing or attempting an assault with _intent to +kill_, or to commit any other felony, or in resisting the execution of a +legal process; _administering poison_ without producing death; +_poisoning any well_ or spring of water; are all felonies, and +punishable as such. + +§10. _Burglary_ is maliciously and forcibly breaking into and entering +in the night time, any dwelling-house or other building, with intent to +commit a crime. Breaking into and entering a house by day, is considered +a minor degree of burglary. + +§11. _Forgery_ consists in falsely making, counterfeiting, or altering +any instrument of writing, with intent to defraud. The word +_counterfeiting_ is generally applied to making false coin or bank +notes, or in passing them; or in having in possession any engraved +plate, or bills unsigned, which are intended to be used for these +purposes. + +§12. _Robbery_ is the taking of personal property from another in his +presence and against his will, by violence, or by putting him in fear of +immediate injury to his person. Knowingly to send or deliver, or to make +for the purpose of being sent, a letter or writing, threatening to +accuse any one of crime, or to do him some injury, with intent to extort +or gain from him any money or property, is considered an _attempt to +rob_, for which the offender may be imprisoned. + +§13. _Embezzlement_ is fraudulently putting to one's own use what is +intrusted to him by another. To buy or receive property knowing it to +have been embezzled, is to be guilty of the same offense. Embezzling is +usually punishable in the same manner as larceny of the same amount. + +§14. _Larceny_ is theft or stealing. The stealing of property above a +certain amount in value is called _grand larceny_, and is a state prison +offense. If the value of the property stolen is of less amount, the +offense is called _petit larceny_, and is punished by fine or +imprisonment in jail or both. + +§15. _Perjury_ is willfully swearing or affirming falsely to any +material matter, upon an oath legally administered. _Subornation of +perjury_ is procuring another to swear falsely; punishable as perjury. + +§16. _Bribery_ is promising or giving a reward to a public officer, to +influence his opinion, vote or judgment. A person _accepting_ such +bribe, is punishable in the same manner, and forfeits his office, and, +in some states, may never hold another public trust. This offense is not +in all the states punishable by imprisonment in the state prison. + +§17. _Dueling_ is a combat between two persons with deadly weapons. +Killing another in a duel is murder, and punishable with death. If death +does not ensue, imprisonment. Challenging, or accepting a challenge to +fight, or to be present as a second, imprisonment. Dueling is not a +punishable offense in every state. + +§18. Aiding or attempting to aid a prisoner committed for felony, to +_escape from confinement_, or forcibly rescuing a prisoner charged with +crime, from the custody of a public officer, is a crime. If the offense +for which the prisoner is committed is less than felony, the punishment +is imprisonment in jail, or fine, or both. + +§19. _Bigamy_ is the crime of having two or more wives, and is also +called _polygamy_. But bigamy literally signifies having _two_ wives, +and polygamy any number more than one. These words, in law, are applied +also to women having two or more husbands. A person having a lawful +husband or wife living, and marrying another person, is guilty of +bigamy. An unmarried person, also, who shall marry the husband or wife +of another, is punishable in like manner. + +§20. _Incest_ is the marrying or cohabiting together as husband and +wife, of persons related to each other within certain degrees. + +§21. _Opening a grave_ and removing a dead body for any unlawful +purpose, or purchasing such body knowing it to have been unlawfully +disinterred, is a crime. This offense is in some states punishable by +imprisonment in a county jail, or by fine, and not in a state prison. + +§22. Persons sometimes advise or are knowing to the commission of +felonies, but are not actually engaged in committing them. Such are +_accessories_. He who advises or commands another to commit a felony, is +called an _accessory before the fact_, and is punished in the same +manner as the principal. If he conceals the offender after the offense +has been committed, or gives him any aid to prevent his being brought to +punishment, he is an _accessory after the fact_, and may be imprisoned +or fined. + +§23. _Assault and Battery_ is unlawfully to assault or threaten, or to +strike or wound another. Besides being liable to fine and imprisonment, +the offender is liable also to the party injured for damages. + +§24. A _riot_ is the assembling together of three or more persons, with +intent forcibly to injure the person or property of another, or to break +the peace; or agreeing with each other to do such unlawful act, and +making any movement or preparation therefor, though lawfully assembled. +When riotous persons are thus assembled, and are proceeding to commit +offenses, any judge, justice, sheriff, or other ministerial officer, may +in the name of the state, command them to disperse. If they refuse, the +peace officers are required to call upon all persons near to aid in +taking the rioters into custody. Persons refusing to assist may be +fined. + +§25. A sheriff or other officer voluntarily suffering a prisoner charged +with or convicted of an offense, to _escape_, from his custody, is +guilty of a misdemeanor. To _rescue_ a prisoner thus charged or +convicted, is punishable in a similar manner. It is also a misdemeanor +to assist a criminal, with a view to effect his escape, though he does +not escape from jail. + +§26. A person taking upon himself to act as a public officer, and taking +or keeping a person in custody unlawfully or without authority, is +_false imprisonment_; for which the offender may be fined or imprisoned. + +§27. The offenses mentioned in the last four sections, being of a lower +grade than those defined in the preceding sections, and not being +punishable in a state prison, are usually called _misdemeanors_, and are +punishable by fine or imprisonment in a county jail. There are numerous +other misdemeanors and immoralities, as profane cursing and swearing, +betting and gaming, horse racing, disturbing religious meetings, +sabbath-breaking, trespasses and injury to property, and many disorderly +practices, all of which are punishable in a like manner. + + + + + +Law of Nations. + + + + +Chapter LXIII. + +Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, and +Conventional Laws of Nations. + + + +§1. The _law of nations_ consists of those rules by which intercourse +between nations is regulated. In its present improved state, the law of +nations has not long existed. Ancient nations were little governed by +the principles of natural justice. Little respect was paid by one nation +to the persons and property of the citizens of another. Robbery on land +and sea was not only tolerated, but esteemed honorable; and prisoners of +war were either put to death, or reduced to slavery. By this rule of +national law, commerce was destroyed, and perpetual enmity kept up +between nations. + +§2. Within the last three or four centuries, essential improvement in +the law of nations has been made. By the light of science and +Christianity, the rights and obligations of nations have come to be +better understood, and more generally regarded. Commerce also has done +much to improve the law, by showing that the true interests of a nation +are promoted by peace and friendly intercourse. + +§3. Hence we find the nations of Europe and America recognizing the same +rules of international law. And as the light and power of Christianity +shall increase, the law of nations will undergo still further +improvements. And it is to be hoped, that, as one of these improvements, +the practice of settling national disputes by war will be abolished, and +the more rational and humane course be adopted, of referring +difficulties which the parties are incapable of adjusting, to some +disinterested power for adjudication. + +§4. There are, in every nation or state, courts of justice to try and +punish offenders; but there is no tribunal before which one nation can +be brought to answer for the violation of the rights of another. Every +nation, however small and weak, is independent of every other. +Therefore, when injuries are committed by one upon another, the offended +party, unless it chooses quietly to endure the wrong must seek redress, +either by appealing to the sense of justice of the party offending, or +by a resort to force. + +§5. Every nation has a right to establish such government as it thinks +proper; and no other nation has a right to interfere with its internal +policy. To this rule, however, some writers make an exception. They hold +that the natural right of a state to provide for its own safety, gives +it the right to interfere where its security is seriously endangered by +the internal transactions of another state. But it is admitted that such +cases are so very rare, that it would be dangerous to reduce them to a +rule. + +§6. So cases seldom arise in which one nation has a right to assist the +subjects of another in overturning or changing their government. It is +generally agreed, that such assistance may be afforded consistently with +the law of nations, in extreme cases; as when the tyranny of a +government becomes so oppressive, as to compel the people to rise in +their defense, and call for assistance. When the subjects of any +government have carried their revolt so far as to have established a new +state, and to give reasonable evidence of their ability to maintain a +government, the right of assistance is unquestionable. But it is not +clear that, prior to this state of progress in a revolution, the right +to interpose would be justifiable. + +§7. There is a sense, however, in which nations are not wholly +independent. Mankind in the social state, as we have seen, are dependent +upon each other for assistance. (Chap. I, §2.) Such is, in a measure, +the mutual dependence of nations. Although the people of every nation +have within themselves the means of maintaining their individual and +national existence, their prosperity and happiness are greatly promoted +by commerce with other nations. And as laws are necessary to govern the +conduct of the individual citizens of a state, so certain rules are +necessary to regulate the intercourse of nations. + +§8. It has been observed, also, that the law of nature is a perfect rule +for all moral and social beings, and ought to be universally obeyed. +Equally binding is this law upon nations. It requires each nation to +respect the rights of all others, and to do for them what their +necessities demand, and what it is capable of doing, consistently with +the duties it owes to itself. And the general good of mankind is as +really promoted by the application of this law to the affairs of +nations, as by its application to the affairs of individuals. + +§9. The law of nature applied to nations or states as moral persons, is +called the _natural law of nations_. It is also called the _necessary +law of nations_, because nations are morally bound to observe it; and +sometimes the _internal law of nations_, from its being binding on the +conscience. + +§10. Although the law of nature, as expressed in the law of revelation, +is a correct rule of human conduct; yet, as much of this law consists of +general principles from which particular duties can not always be +deduced, positive human enactments are necessary to define the law of +nature and revelation. So an important part of the law of nations +necessarily consists of positive institutions. Hence some writers have +divided international law under these two principal heads: the _natural_ +law of nations, and the _positive_. + +§11. The _positive law of nations_ is founded on usage or custom and +agreement, and may be considered as properly divided into the +_customary_ law of nations, and the _conventional_. The _customary law +of nations_ consists of certain maxims, or is founded on customs and +usages which have been long observed and tacitly consented to by +nations, and have thereby become binding upon all who have adopted them, +so far as their observance does not require a violation of the law of +nature. + +§12. A _conventional law of nations_ is one that has been established by +a treaty or league. The word _convention_ usually signifies an assembly +of persons met for some benevolent, political, or ecclesiastical +purpose. It also signifies a treaty, or agreement between nations; and +such agreement or contract, though made without a formal meeting, is +deemed conventional. + +§13. As the law of nature is liable to misconstruction, and as the law +of usage or custom is vague and uncertain, _conventional_ law, because +more definite, has been found to afford greater security to the rights +of commerce. Hence the practice, now so common among nations, of +regulating their intercourse by negotiation. By treaties, the rights of +the contracting parties are placed beyond dispute. + +§14. But it may be said, if each nation is independent of every other, +and if there is no constituted authority to enforce the fulfillment of +treaty stipulations, the rights guarantied by treaties are still +insecure. But few governments are so devoid of a sense of honor as, by a +palpable violation of treaty obligations, to incur the odium and +condemnation of all mankind. Self-respect and the fear of provoking a +war, have generally proved sufficient incentives to the observance of +treaties. + +§15. The obligations of nations are sometimes called _imperfect_. A +_perfect obligation_ is one that can be enforced--one that exists where +there is a right to compel the party on whom the obligation rests to +fulfill it. An _imperfect obligation_ gives only the right to demand the +fulfillment, leaving the party pledged to judge what his duty requires, +and to do as he chooses, without being constrained by another to do +otherwise. + + + + +Chapter LXIV. + +The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; the +Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c. + + + +§1. The seas are regarded as the common highway of nations. The main +ocean, for navigation and fishing, is open to all mankind. Every state, +however, has jurisdiction at sea over its own subjects in its own public +and private vessels. The persons on board such vessels are protected and +governed by the laws of the country to which they belong, and may be +punished by these laws for offenses committed on board of its public +vessels in foreign ports. + +§2. The question how far a nation has jurisdiction over the seas +adjoining its lands, is not clearly settled. It appears to be generally +conceded, that a nation has a right of exclusive dominion over navigable +rivers flowing through its territory; the harbors, bays, gulfs, and arms +of the sea; and such extent of sea adjoining its territories as is +necessary to the safety of the nation, which is considered by some to be +as far as a cannon shot will reach, or about a marine league. + +§3. It is the duty of a nation in time of peace, to allow the people of +other states a passage over its lands and waters, so far as it can be +permitted without inconvenience, and with safety to its own citizens. Of +this the nation is to be its own judge. The right of passage is only an +_imperfect right_, because the obligation to grant the right is an +_imperfect obligation_. (Chap. LXIII, §15.) + +§4. In general, it is the duty of a nation to allow foreigners to enter +and settle in the country. On being admitted into a state, the state +becomes pledged for their protection, and they become subject to its +laws; and in consideration of the protection they receive, they are +obliged to aid in defending it, and in supporting its government, even +before they are admitted to all the rights of citizens. + +§5. But no state is bound to shelter criminals fleeing into it from a +foreign state. They can be tried only in the state whose laws they have +violated. It is therefore the duty of the government to surrender a +fugitive on demand of the proper authorities of the state from which he +fled, if, after due examination by a civil magistrate, there shall +appear sufficient grounds for the charge. The surrender of criminals is +sometimes provided for in treaties. + +§6. The rule which makes foreigners amenable to the laws of the state in +which they remove, does not apply to embassadors. They are not +responsible to the laws of the country to which they are sent, even when +guilty of crime. When their conduct is dangerous to the government and +its citizens, all that can be done is, either to deprive them of liberty +by confinement, or to send them home and demand their punishment. As +every nation has a right to treat and communicate with all others, it +ought not to be deprived of the services of its representative. Hence, +the persons and property of all public ministers are held sacred and +inviolable. + +§7. Embassadors are entitled to the same protection in the countries +through which they pass in going to, and returning from the government +to which they are sent. And to insure them a safe passage, some +governments have given them passports to be shown if required. A +_passport_ is a written license from the authority of a state granting +permission or safe conduct for one to pass through its territory. +Passports, though named in our law, are not known in practice, being +deemed unnecessary. + +§8. If a minister at a foreign court treats the sovereign with +disrespect, the fact is sometimes communicated to the government that +sent him, with a request for his recall. Or, if the offense is a more +serious one, the offended sovereign refuses intercourse with him while +his master's answer is awaited. Or, if the case is an aggravated one, he +expels him from the country. + +§9. Ministers at foreign governments, in their negotiations or business +correspondence with those governments, sometimes consider themselves ill +treated, and their own nation dishonored, and take their leave and +return home; or the minister informs his sovereign, who either recalls +him, or takes such other measure as he thinks the honor and interest of +his nation demand. + +§10. The peculiar condition of a country, the nature of the business +upon which an embassador is sent, or the personal character of the +embassador, may be such as to justify a government in refusing to +receive him. But to preserve the friendly relations of the two +countries, satisfactory explanations ought to be made, or good reasons +offered for the refusal. + +§11. A minister can not bind his sovereign to any treaty or agreement, +conclusively, under the authority of an ordinary credential, or letter +of attorney. He can not do so without a special power, containing +express authority so to bind his principal. Ministers act under secret +instructions which they are not bound to disclose. Even the treaties +signed by plenipotentiaries, (a word signifying full power,) are, +according to present usage, of no force, until ratified by their +governments. + +§12. Consuls are not entitled to the privilege enjoyed by ministers, +but are subject to the laws of the country in which they reside. Their +principal duties have been described. (Chap. XL, §9.) The office of +consul has been found to be one of great utility; hence, every trading +nation has a consul in every considerable commercial port in the world. +As in the case of ministers, consuls carry a certificate of their +appointment, and must be acknowledged as consuls by the government of +the country in which they reside, before they can perform any duties +pertaining to their office. + + + + +Chapter LXV. + +Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes and Objects of War; Reprisals; +Alliances in War. + + + +§1. Wars are offensive and defensive. The use of force to obtain justice +for injuries done, is _offensive war_. The making use of force against +any power that attacks a nation or its privileges, is _defensive war_. A +war may be defensive in its principles, though offensive in its +operation. For example: one nation is preparing to invade another; but +before the threatened invasion takes place, the latter attacks the +former as the best mode of repelling the invasion. In this case, the +party making the attack acts on the _defensive_. (§10.) The contending +parties are called _belligerents_. The word _belligerent_ is from the +Latin _bellum_, war, and _gero_, to wage or carry on. Nations that take +no part in the contest, are called _neutrals_. + +§2. War ought never to be undertaken without the most cogent reasons. In +the first place, there must be a _right_ to make war, and _just grounds_ +for making it. Nations have no right to employ force any further than is +necessary for their own defense, and for the maintenance of their +rights. Secondly, it should be made from _proper motives_, the good of +the state, and the safety and common advantage of the citizens. Hence, +there may be, according to the law of nations, just cause of war, when +it would be inexpedient to involve the nation in such a calamity. + +§3. The numerous objects of a lawful war may be reduced to these three: +(1.) To recover what belongs to us, or to obtain satisfaction for +injuries. (2.) To provide for our future safety by punishing the +offender. (3.) To defend or protect ourselves from injury by repelling +unjust attacks. The first and second are objects of an _offensive_ war; +the third is that of a _defensive_ war. + +§4. Injury to an individual citizen of a state, by the subjects of +another state, is deemed a just cause of war, if the persons offending, +or the government of the state to which they belong, do not make +reparation for the injury; for every nation is responsible for the good +behavior of its subjects. But, although this would, according to the law +of nations, afford justifiable cause of war, neither the honor nor the +true interest of a nation requires that war should always be made for so +slight a cause. + +§5. Generally, the injury sought to be redressed should be serious, and +satisfaction be demanded and refused, before recourse should be had to +arms. Where there is a question of right between the parties, the +government making war should have no reasonable doubt of the justice of +its claim. And even when no such doubt exists, it would be the duty of +such government to prevent a war, if possible, by proposals of +compromise. It is believed that war ought in no case to be made, until +attempts have been made to effect an adjustment of difficulties by +compromise, or by offers to submit them for arbitration. + +§6. One of the means by which satisfaction is sought without making war, +is that of _reprisals_. (Chap. XXXVI, §4, 5.) If a nation has taken what +belongs to another, or refuses to pay a debt, or to make satisfaction +for an injury, the offended nation seizes something belonging to the +former or to her citizens, and retains it, or applies it to her own +advantage, till she obtains satisfaction: and when there shall be no +longer any hope of satisfaction, the effects thus seized are +confiscated. To _confiscate_ is to adjudge property to be forfeited, and +to appropriate it to the use and benefit of the state. But as the loss +in this case would fall upon unoffending citizens, it is the duty of +their government to grant them indemnity. + +§7. But to justify reprisals by the law of nations, the grounds upon +which they are authorized must be just and well ascertained. If the +right of the party demanding satisfaction is doubtful, he must first +demand an equitable examination of his claim, and next be able to show +that justice has been refused, before he can justly take the matter into +his own hands. He has no right to disturb the peace and safety of +nations on a doubtful pretension. But if the other party refuses to have +the matter brought to the proof, or to accede to any proposition to +terminate the dispute in a peaceable manner, reprisals become lawful. + +§8. By treaties of alliance, nations sometimes agree to assist each +other in case of war with a third power. It is a question not clearly +settled, whether the government that is to afford the aid is bound to do +so when it deems the war to be unjust. The reasonable conclusion seems +to be, that, in cases simply doubtful, the justice of the war is to be +presumed; and the government pledging its aid is bound to fulfill its +engagement. The contrary doctrine would furnish a nation with too ready +a pretext for violating its pledge. In cases only of the clearest +injustice on the part of its ally, can a nation rightfully avoid a +positive engagement to afford assistance. + +§9. But when the object of the war is hopeless, or when the state under +such engagement would, by furnishing the assistance, endanger its own +safety, it is not bound to render the aid. But the danger must not be +slight, remote, or uncertain. None but extreme cases would afford +sufficient cause for withholding the promised assistance. + +§10. When the alliance is defensive, the treaty binds each party to +assist the other only when engaged in a defensive war, and unjustly +attacked. By the conventional law of nations, the government that first +declares, or actually begins the war, is considered as making +_offensive_ war; and though it should not be the first actually to apply +force, yet if it first renders the application of force necessary, it is +the aggressor; and the other party, though the first to apply force, is +engaged in a _defensive_ war. (§1.) + + + + +Chapter LXVI. + +Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the +Enemy's subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering. + + + +§1. When a nation has resolved on making war, it is usual to announce +the fact by a public declaration. In monarchical governments, the power +to declare war, which of course includes the right of determining the +question whether it shall be made, is vested in the king. In the United +States, this power is, by the constitution, given to the representatives +of the people, for reasons elsewhere stated. (Chap. XXXVI, §3.) + +§2. It was usual, formerly, to communicate a declaration of war to the +enemy. According to modern practice, a formal declaration to the enemy +is not required. Any manifesto or paper from an official source, +announcing that the country is in a state of war, is considered +sufficient. The recalling of a minister has alone been regarded as a +hostile act, and followed by war, without any other declaration. But +such cases have not been frequent. Under ordinary circumstances, the +recall of a minister is not an offensive act. + +§3. The government of a state acts for and in behalf of all its +citizens; and its acts are binding upon all. Hence, when war is +declared, it is not merely a war between the two governments; all the +subjects of the government declaring it become enemies to all the +subjects of that against which it is declared. + +§4. Whether, on the occurrence of a war in any state, the subjects of +the enemy found within the state may be detained as prisoners of war, +and their movable property confiscated; or whether they are entitled to +a reasonable time to retire with their effects, is a question upon which +writers of public law are not agreed. Few civilized nations, at the +present day, would deny such persons a reasonable time to retire with +their property. Of houses and lands, all admit that only the income is +subject to confiscation. The privilege spoken of, instead of being left +to uncertainty, is now, with great propriety, generally secured by +treaty. + +§5. When war is declared, all intercourse between the two countries at +once ceases. All trade between the citizens, directly or indirectly, is +strictly forbidden; and all contracts with the enemy made during the war +are void. + +§6. Although a state of war makes all the subjects of one nation enemies +of all those of the other, they cannot lawfully engage in offensive +hostilities without permission of their government. If they have no +written commission as evidence of such permission, and if they should be +taken by the enemy, they would not be entitled to the usual mild +treatment which other prisoners of war receive, but might be treated +without mercy as lawless robbers and banditti. + +§7. As the object of a just war is to obtain justice, a nation, when it +has declared war, has a right to use all necessary means, and no other, +for attaining that end. A just war gives the right to take the life of +the enemy; but there are limits to this right. If an enemy submits, and +lays down his arms, we can not justly take his life. And justice and +humanity forbid that women, children, feeble old men, and sick persons, +who make no resistance, should be maltreated. + +§8. Prisoners of war are not to be treated with cruelty. They may be +confined, and even fettered, if there is reason to apprehend that they +will rise against their captors, or make their escape. Prisoners of war +are detained to prevent their returning to join the enemy, or to obtain +from their government a just satisfaction as the price of their liberty. +Prisoners may be kept till the end of the war. Then, or at any time +during the war, the government may exchange them for its own soldiers +taken prisoner by the enemy; or a ransom may be required for their +release. It is the duty of the government to procure, at its own +expense, the release of its citizens. + +§9. Ravaging a country, burning private dwellings, or otherwise wantonly +destroying property, is not justifiable, except in cases of absolute +necessity. But all fortresses, ramparts, and the like, being +appropriated to the purposes of war, may be destroyed. + +§10. Stratagems and deceit to obtain advantage of an enemy, are, to some +extent, justified by the law of nations; but in general they are +dishonorable and wrong. + +§11. Spies are sometimes sent among an enemy, to discover the state of +his affairs, to pry into his designs, and carry back information. This +is a dishonorable office; spies, if detected, are condemned to death. + +§12. The rights of a nation in war at sea are essentially different from +those in war upon land. The object of a maritime war is to destroy the +commerce and navigation of the enemy, with a view of weakening his naval +power. To this end, the capture or destruction of private property is +necessary, and is justified by the law of nations. Hence, for the +purpose of attack as well as defense, every nation of considerable power +or commercial importance, keeps a _navy_, consisting of a number of war +vessels, ready for service. + +§13. Besides these national ships of war, there are armed vessels owned +by private citizens, and called _privateers_. Their owners receive from +the government a commission to go on the seas, and to capture any vessel +of the enemy, whether it is owned by the government or by private +citizens, or whether it is armed or not. And to encourage privateering, +the government allows the owner and crew of a privateer to keep the +property captured as their own. + +§14. To prevent the abuse of this right, the owners are required to give +security, that the cruise shall be conducted according to instructions +and the usages of war; that the rights of neutral nations shall not be +violated; and that the captured property shall be brought in for +adjudication. + +§15. When a prize is brought into a port, the captors make a writing, +called _libel_, stating the facts of the capture, and praying that the +property may be condemned; and this paper is filed in the proper court. +If it shall be made to appear that the property was taken from the +enemy, the court condemns the property as _prize_, which is then sold, +and the proceeds are distributed among the captors. + +§16. All prizes, whether taken by a public or private armed vessel, +primarily belong to the sovereign; and no person has any interest in a +prize, except what he receives from the state: and due proof must in all +cases be made before the proper court, that the seizure was lawfully +made. In this country, prizes are proved and condemned in a district +court of the United States, which, when sitting that purpose, is called +a _prize court_. + + + + +Chapter LXVII. + +Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; Right +of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of Peace. + + + +§1. A neutral nation is bound to observe a strict impartiality toward +the parties at war. If she should aid one party to the injury of the +other, she would be liable to be herself treated as an enemy. A loan of +money to one of the belligerents, or supplying him with other means of +carrying on a war, if done with the view of aiding him in the war, would +be a violation of neutrality. But an engagement made in time of peace to +furnish a nation a certain number of ships, or troops, or other articles +of war, may afterward, in time of war, be fulfilled. + +§2. A nation is not bound, however, on the occurrence of a war, to +change its customary trade, and to cease supplying a belligerent with +articles of trade which such belligerent was wont to receive from her, +although the goods may afford him the means of carrying on the war. So +if a nation has been accustomed to lend money to another for interest, +and the latter should become engaged in war with a third power, the +neutral would not break her neutrality if she should continue to lend +her money. The wrong in any case lies in the _intention_ to aid one to +the detriment of the other. + +§3. This rule, it is believed, is universally admitted in cases of +belligerents going themselves to a neutral country to make their +purchases. But whether a neutral nation is at full liberty to _carry the +goods_ in the cases mentioned, is not so certain. A nation in a just war +has a right to deprive her enemy of the means of resisting or injuring +her, and therefore may lawfully intercept every thing of a warlike +nature which a neutral is carrying to such enemy. + +§4. Articles which a neutral nation is not allowed to carry to an enemy, +are called contraband goods. What these are, it is impossible to say +with precision, as some articles may in certain cases be lawfully +carried, which would be justly prohibited under other circumstances. +Among the articles usually contraband, are arms, ammunition, materials +for ship-building, naval stores, horses, and sometimes even provisions. + +§5. Contraband goods, when ascertained to be such, are confiscated to +the captors as lawful prize. Formerly the vessel also was liable to be +condemned and confiscated; but the modern practice, it is said, exempts +the ship, unless it belongs to the owner of the contraband articles, or +the carrying of them is connected with aggravating circumstances. + +§6. One of the rights of a belligerent nation which a neutral is bound +to regard, is the right of blockade. _Blockade_ is a blocking up. A war +blockade is the stationing of ships of war at the entrance of an enemy's +ports, to prevent all vessels from coming out or going in. The object of +a blockade is to hinder supplies of arms, ammunition, and provisions +from entering, with a view to compel a surrender by hunger and want, +without an attack. A neutral vessel attempting to enter or depart, +becomes liable to be seized and condemned. Towns and fortresses also may +be shut up by posting troops at the avenues. + +§7. A simple decree or order declaring a certain coast or country in a +state of blockade, does not constitute a blockade. A force must be +stationed there, competent to maintain the blockade, and to make it +dangerous to enter. And it is necessary that the neutral should have due +notice of the blockade, in order to subject his property to condemnation +and forfeiture. According to modern usage, if a place is blockaded by +sea only, trade with it by a neutral nation may be carried on by inland +communication. And a neutral vessel, loaded before the blockade was +established, has a right to leave the port with her cargo. + +§8. To prevent the conveyance of contraband goods, the law of nations +gives a belligerent nation the _right of search_; that is, the right, in +time of war, to search neutral vessels, to ascertain their character, +and what articles are on board. A neutral vessel refusing to be searched +by a lawful cruiser, would thereby render herself liable to condemnation +as a prize. Private merchant vessels only are subject to search; the +right does not extend to public ships of war. + +§9. The property of an enemy found on board of a neutral vessel, may be +seized, if the vessel is beyond the limits of the jurisdiction of the +nation to which she belongs; but the vessel is not confiscated; and the +master is entitled to freight for the carriage of the goods. The +_property of neutrals_ found in an enemy's vessels, is to be restored to +the owners. + +§10. A neutral is forbidden by the law and practice of nations, to +permit a belligerent to arm and equip vessels of war within her forts. +Nor may the citizens of a nation fit out any vessel, or enlist, to go +beyond the limits of their own country to assist any people in war +against another with whom they are at peace. + +§11. It is sometimes agreed to suspend hostilities for a time. If the +agreement is only for a short period, for the purpose of burying the +dead after battle, or for a parley between the hostile generals; or if +it regards only some particular place, it is called a cessation or +_suspension of arms_; if for a considerable time, and especially if +general, it is called a _truce_. By a partial truce, hostilities are +suspended in certain places, as between a town and the general besieging +it; and generals have power to make such truces. By a general truce, +hostilities are to cease generally, and in all places, and are made by +the governments or sovereigns. Such truces afford opportunities for +nations to settle their disputes by negotiation. + +§12. A truce binds the contracting parties from the time it is made; but +individuals of the nation are not responsible for its violation before +they have had due notice of it. And for all prizes taken after the time +of its commencement, the government is bound to make restitution. During +the cessation of hostilities, each party may, within his own +territories, continue his preparations for war, without being charged +with a breach of good faith. + +§13. War is generally terminated, and peace secured, by _treaties of +peace_. The manner of making treaties has been described. (Chap. XL, +§5.) A treaty of peace puts an end to the war, and leaves the +contracting parties no right to take up arms for the same cause. + +§14. The parties to a treaty of peace are bound by it from the time of +its conclusion, which is the day on which it is signed; but, as in the +case of a truce, persons are not held responsible for any hostile acts +committed before the treaty was known; and their government is bound to +order and enforce the restitution of property captured subsequently to +the conclusion of the treaty. + +§15. War is sometimes terminated by _mediation_. A friend to both +parties, desirous of stopping the destruction of human life, kindly +endeavors to reconcile the parties. The friendly sovereign who thus +interposes, is called _mediator_. Many desolating wars might have been +early arrested in this way, or wholly prevented, had there always been +among friendly powers a disposition to reconcile contending nations. + + + + +Synopsis of the State Constitutions. + + + +Maine. + + +The District of Maine, formerly belonging to the state of Massachusetts, +adopted in convention, October 29, 1819, the present constitution, and +was admitted into the Union as a state, March 15, 1820. The constitution +has received several alterations. + +_Electors._ All male citizens, having had a residence in the state three +months, except paupers, persons under guardianship, and Indians not +taxed. + +_Legislature._ The house of representatives consists of one hundred and +fifty-one members, apportioned among the counties according to +population; and the number apportioned to each county are apportioned +among the towns according to the population. A representative must have +been a citizen of the United States five years, resided in the state one +year, and in the town or district he is chosen to represent, three +months. Senate, not less than twenty, nor more than thirty-one members, +elected in districts by majority. If a senator is not elected by the +electors, the house and the senators elected choose one from the two +candidates having the highest numbers of votes. Age, twenty-five years, +otherwise qualified as representatives. + +A majority constitutes a _quorum_. Bills vetoed by the governor become +laws when re-passed by two-thirds majorities. Also bills become laws if +not returned by the governor within five days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment, in which case they will become laws unless +returned within three days after the next meeting. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually, by majority. If no person +has a majority, the house, from those voted for (not exceeding four) +having the highest numbers of votes, elects two, of whom the senate +elects a governor. Age, thirty years, a native citizen, resident of the +state five years. An executive council of seven, chosen annually by the +legislature on joint ballot. Power of appointment is exercised by the +governor and council. No lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and attorney-general, are chosen annually +by joint ballot of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme judicial court, and such other courts as the +legislature may establish. Judges of the judicial court are appointed by +the governor and council for seven years; judges and registers of +probate are elected in the counties for four years. + +Officers may be removed by impeachment, and by the governor and council +on address of both houses of the legislature. + +Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by two-thirds of both +branches, and ratified by the electors at the next annual election. + + + +New Hampshire. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1784; the present +one in 1792, and has been amended. + +_Electors._ All male citizens, except paupers and persons excused from +paying taxes at their own request, resident in the state six months, and +in the town three months. + +_Legislature_--called _general court_. Senate, twelve members, elected +annually in single districts; thirty years of age; inhabitants of the +state seven years, and inhabitants of their respective districts. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns according to ratable +male polls, (male tax-payers;) state residence, two years. Senators and +representatives must be of the Protestant religion. _Quorum_, a +majority. + +Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--also become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the return is prevented by +adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually by majority. If no person +has a majority, the two houses elect one of the two highest. Age, thirty +years; inhabitant of the state, seven years, and a Protestant. Council +of five, one in each district, elected annually by majority. Power of +appointment and of pardon exercised by the governor and council. No +lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and commissary-general appointed by joint +ballot of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ Judicial officers are appointed by the governor and +council; justices of the peace for five years, judges of the higher +courts during good behavior. Judges disqualified at seventy years of +age. + +Attorney-general, solicitors, sheriffs, coroners, registers of probate, +and naval and the higher militia officers, are appointed by the governor +and council. County treasurers and registers of deeds are elected in the +counties. + +_Amendments._ The sense of the people is taken every seven years; and if +a majority favor a revision, the legislature calls a convention; and any +alterations proposed by the convention must be approved by two-thirds of +the qualified electors who vote thereon. + + + +Vermont. + + +This state was admitted into the Union in 1791, with a constitution +formed in 1777; the present one was adopted in 1793, and has been +several times amended. + +_Electors._ Citizens having resided in the state one year, of quiet and +peaceable behavior, are entitled to all the privileges of freemen, by +taking an oath that, in giving their votes, they will so do it as they +believe will conduce to the best good of the state. + +_Legislature._ Senate, thirty members, elected annually; apportioned +among the counties according to population, each county to have at least +one senator; age, thirty years; freemen of the county. Representatives +are elected in towns, each town being entitled to at least one +representative; resident of the state two years, of the town one year. + +_Quorum_, a majority. For raising a tax, two-thirds of the members +elected must be present. + +Bills vetoed by the governor may be again passed by simple majorities. +Bills not returned by the governor within five days become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually by majority. If no person +has a majority, the legislature chooses one of the three highest. +Resident of the state four years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, chosen by the two houses; a treasurer, elected as +governor and lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and county courts; the judges chosen +annually by the senate and house; justices of the peace are elected in +the towns; judges of probate in districts; assistant judges of county +courts, sheriffs, high bailiffs, and state's attorneys, in their +respective counties. + +_Amendments._ A council of thirteen censors, chosen every seven years, +examines into the different departments, and have power to call a +convention to amend the constitution. + + + +Massachusetts. + + +The constitution of this state was formed in 1780. It has been several +times amended. + +_Electors._ Every male citizen, except paupers and persons under +guardianship, having resided in the state one year, in the town or +district six months; and having paid a tax within two years, or is +legally exempt from taxation. + +_Legislature_--styled _general court_. Senate, forty members, chosen in +districts, and apportioned according to population; residents of the +state five years, and inhabitants of the districts they represent. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns and cities. Every town +or city containing 1,200 inhabitants, is entitled to one, and an +additional one for every 2,400 additional inhabitants. Residence one +year in the towns they represent. + +Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--or become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the legislature by adjournment, +prevent their return. + +_Executive._ The governor is chosen annually, by majority. If no +candidate has a majority, the house elects two of those voted for, (not +exceeding four,) having the highest numbers of votes, of which two the +senate elects a governor. He must have resided in the state seven years, +and declare himself to be of the Christian religion. A council of nine, +elected annually by joint ballot of the two houses, act with the +governor in pardons and appointments, and in directing the affairs of +state generally. Counselors must have resided in the state five years. + +The secretary, treasurer, receiver-general, commissary-general, notaries +public, and naval officers, are chosen annually by the legislature. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme judicial court and a court of common pleas, held +in every county of the state, and courts held by justices of the peace. +All judicial officers are appointed by the governor and council; +justices of the higher courts during good behavior, justices of the +peace for seven years. The former are removable by the governor and +council, or address of the legislature. + +The attorney-general, the solicitor-general, sheriffs, coroners, and +registers of probate, are appointed as justices. + +_Amendments_ agreed to by a majority of the senators and two-thirds of +the representatives at two successive sessions, are submitted to the +qualified voters of the state for ratification. + + + +Rhode Island. + + +A charter granted in 1663, by Charles II, to the Rhode Island and +Providence Plantations, continued, with some modifications, the basis of +government of this state, until 1842, when the present constitution was +adopted. + +_Electors._ Every male _native_ citizen, resident in the state two +years, in the town or city six months, and having within a year paid a +tax of $1, or has done military duty. Also every naturalized citizen, +resident in the state one year, in the town or city six months, owning +real estate worth $134 above all incumbrances, or which rents for $7 a +year. Voters in this state must be registered in the town clerk's +office, at least seven days before they offer their votes. + +_Legislature_ styled _general assembly_. Representatives, not to exceed +seventy-two, are apportioned among the towns, no town to have more than +one-sixth of the whole house. The senate consists of the +lieutenant-governor and one senator from each town or city. The +governor, and in his absence, the lieutenant-governor, presides in the +senate, and in grand committee, (the two houses united.) _Quorum_, a +majority. + +Bills when passed by both houses are laws. + +_Executive._ The governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually +by majority. If no candidate has a majority, the two houses in joint +assembly (grand committee) elect from the two having the highest numbers +of votes. + +A secretary, an attorney-general, and a general treasurer, are elected +in the same manner as the governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +shall establish. Judges of the supreme court are elected by the two +houses in grand committee. The judges hold their offices until their +places shall be declared vacant by the general assembly. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, (a +majority of all the members elected to each house voting in their +favor,) and approved by three-fifths of the electors of the state voting +thereon. + + + +Connecticut. + + +This state was governed under a charter granted by Charles II, in 1662, +until 1818, when the present constitution was adopted. This constitution +has received numerous amendments. + +_Electors._ Every white male citizen, who has resided in the state a +year, and in the town six months, who sustains a good moral character, +and is able to read any section of the constitution of the state and of +the constitution of the United States. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the towns according to population. Any elector is +eligible to either house. Senators, not less than eighteen, nor more +than twenty-four, are chosen in districts, the number of which is not to +be less than eight, nor more than twenty-four. _Quorum_, a majority. + +Bills rejected by the governor may be again passed by a majority of each +house. Bills become laws also if not returned by the governor within +three days, unless the legislature sooner adjourn. + +_Executive._ A governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually. +Any qualified elector thirty years of age is eligible. Election by +majority. In case of a failure to elect, the general assembly chooses a +governor from the two having the highest numbers of votes. + +A treasurer, a secretary, and a controller of public accounts, are +elected as the governor and lieutenant-governor. A sheriff is elected in +each county for three years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, a superior court, and such inferior courts +as the legislature shall establish. The judges are appointed by the +general assembly; the judges of the supreme and superior courts for +eight years; removable by the governor on address of two-thirds of each +house. Judges of probate are chosen annually by the electors in +districts; justices of the peace in the towns. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by a majority of the house of representatives, +approved by two-thirds of both houses of the next legislature and a +majority of the electors at an election. + + + +New York. + + +The first constitution of this state was formed in 1777; the second in +1821, and adopted in 1822; the present was formed and adopted in 1846. + +_Electors._ Every white male citizen, resident in the state a year, and +in the county four months, and thirty days in the district which the +person voted for is to represent. Naturalized persons must have been +admitted as citizens ten days before voting. Colored men must have +resided in the state three years, own a freehold of $250 in value over +incumbrances, and have paid a tax thereon. + +_Legislature._ Senate, thirty-two members elected in single districts +for two years. Assembly, one hundred and twenty-eight members, +apportioned among the counties. Counties entitled to more than one +member are divided into districts and a member is elected in each +district. A census is taken, and a new apportionment made every ten +years. A majority is a quorum to do business. The final passage of bills +requires a majority of all the members. Bills may be passed against the +veto by two-thirds majorities. They become laws if not returned within +ten days, unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ A governor is elected for two years; a citizen, thirty +years of age; a resident of the state five years. A lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A court of appeals, a supreme court, county courts, and +courts held by justices of the peace. There are eight judicial +districts, in each of which four justices of the supreme court are +elected for eight years, two of them every two years. The court of +appeals is composed of eight judges, four of whom are elected by the +electors of the state for eight years, one every two years, and the +other four are of the class of justices of the supreme court whose term +has most nearly expired. In each county are held circuit courts and +special terms of the supreme court, by one or more justices of the +supreme court. General terms of the supreme court are held in the +several districts by three or more of the justices. A county court is +held by a county judge elected for four years, who is also _surrogate_, +called in other states, _judge of probate_. In counties having more than +40,000 inhabitants, a separate officer may be chosen as surrogate. +Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns for four years. + +Judges of the court of appeals and justices of the supreme court may be +removed by the legislature; county judges by the senate on +recommendation of the governor. + +A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a state engineer and surveyor, are chosen for two years; three canal +commissioners and three inspectors of state prisons, for three years, +one of each every year. + +Sheriffs, clerks of counties, coroners, and district attorneys, are +elected for three years in the several counties. Sheriffs are ineligible +for the next three years. + +_Amendments_ must receive the sanction of two successive legislatures, +and of a majority of the electors voting thereon at an election. + + + +New Jersey. + + +New Jersey, as a colony, adopted a constitution in 1776, under which the +state was governed until the present constitution, framed in 1844, was +adopted. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, who have resided in the state a year, +and in the county five months. + +_Legislature._ A senate and general assembly. The senate consists of one +senator from each county, elected for three years; one-third of the +senators elected every year. Age, thirty years; residence in the state +four years, and in the county one year. Members of the general assembly, +not to exceed sixty, are apportioned among the counties according to +population. Residence in the state two years, in the county one year. A +majority is a _quorum_. + +The final passage of bills requires a majority of the members elected. +The same majorities may pass bills disapproved by the governor. Bills +become laws if not returned by the governor within five days, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for three years, and is ineligible +for the next three years. He must be thirty years of age; have been +twenty years a citizen, seven years a resident of the state. The +pardoning power is exercised by the governor in conjunction with the +chancellor and the judges of the court of errors and appeals. No +lieutenant-governor. + +The state treasurer, and the keeper and inspectors of the state prison +are appointed annually by joint assembly of the two houses. The +secretary of state, attorney-general, and prosecutors of the pleas, are +appointed by the governor and senate, for five years. + +_Judiciary._ A court of errors and appeals; a court of chancery; a +prerogative court; a supreme court; circuit courts; and inferior courts. +The court of errors and appeals consists of the chancellor, the justice +of the supreme court, and six judges, or a majority of them. The court +of chancery consists of the chancellor, who is also the ordinary, or +surrogate-general, and judge of the prerogative court, to which appeals +are made from the orphans' court. The supreme court consists of a chief +justice and four associates. The circuit courts are held in every county +by one or more justices of the supreme court, or a judge appointed for +that purpose. Chancellor and justices of the supreme court hold for +seven years; judges of the court of errors and appeals for six years; +and all are appointed by the governor and senate. The inferior court of +common pleas shall not have more than five judges, one to be appointed +every year by the senate and assembly. + +Justices of the peace, from two to five, are elected in each township +and city ward, for five years. + +Sheriffs and coroners are elected annually in their respective counties, +and may be re-elected until they shall have served three years; after +which they are ineligible for three years. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members elected to each house concurring, and be +ratified by the electors at an election held for that purpose. +Amendments, (if more than one,) must be submitted separately; and not +oftener than once in five years. + + + +Pennsylvania. + + +A Constitution was adopted in 1776; another in 1790; the present one in +1838. + +_Electors._ White freemen, having resided in the state one year, in the +election district ten days, and paid a tax within two years; if between +twenty-one and twenty-two years, they need not have paid the tax. An +elector having removed from the state and returned, may vote after six +months residence in the state, and ten days in the district, and the +payment of taxes. + +_Legislature_--called _general assembly_. Representatives are chosen +annually, and apportioned every seven years among the counties according +to the number of taxable inhabitants; number not less than sixty, nor +more than one hundred. Age, twenty-one; residence in the state three +years, one in the district. Senators are chosen for three years, +(one-third every year,) in districts, not more than two in any district, +unless the taxable inhabitants in any city or county entitle it to elect +more; but no city or county may elect more than four. The whole number +may not be less than one-fourth nor greater than one-third of the number +of representatives. Twenty-five years; state residence, four years; +district, one year. + +_Quorum_, a majority of each house. Bills passed against the veto by +two-thirds majorities. Bills not returned by the governor within ten +days, become laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for three years, and may not hold +the office more than six years in nine Age, thirty years; a citizen and +inhabitant of the state, seven years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary is appointed by the governor during pleasure. A treasurer is +chosen annually by joint assembly. + +_Judiciary._ Supreme court, the judges elected for fifteen years; courts +of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery in the counties, held by +judges of the supreme court and court of common pleas; a court of common +pleas in each judicial district, which may not include more than five +counties, the presiding judge to hold his office for ten years, the +associates for five years; a court of quarter sessions and orphans' +court for each county, held by judges of the common pleas; a register's +court for each county, composed of the register of wills and judges of +the common pleas; and courts held in the several townships, wards, and +boroughs, by justices of the peace or aldermen elected by the voters +therein, for five years. Judges of the supreme court are elected by the +people of the state at large; others are chosen in the districts or +counties over which they preside. + +Sheriffs and coroners are elected in their counties for three years. +Sheriffs may not be twice chosen in any term of six years. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of two +successive legislatures, and ratified by a majority of the electors +voting thereon. Amendments must be voted on separately; and none may be +submitted to the electors oftener than once in five years. + + + +Delaware. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1776; the present, +in 1831, and has been amended. + +_Electors._ White males twenty-two years of age, having resided in the +state one year, in the county one month, and within two years paid a +county tax assessed at least six months before the election. If +twenty-one, and under twenty-two years of age, they may vote without +having paid any tax. + +_Legislature_--called _general assembly_. Representatives are chosen in +counties for two years; must be twenty-four years of age; have been +citizens and inhabitants of the state three years, of the county one +year. Senators are elected in the counties for four years; the number +not to be greater than one-half, nor less than one-third of the number +of representatives. A senator must be twenty-seven years of age; have +been a citizen and an inhabitant of the state three years, of the +county, one year; and possess a freehold estate in the county of two +hundred acres of land, or real and personal property, or either, worth +£1,000, at least. + +A majority of each house is a quorum. Bills are not submitted to the +governor. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is not +eligible a second time. Thirty years of age; a citizen and inhabitant of +the United States twelve years, of the state, six years. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, appointed by the governor during his continuance +in office; a state treasurer, biennially, by a concurrent vote of the +two houses. [By this mode of election, the two houses do not meet and +vote jointly, but they vote separately, as in passing laws.] + +_Judiciary._ Five judges appointed by the governor, of whom one is +chancellor, and holds the court of chancery. Of the other four, one is +chief-justice, and the other three are associate justices, of whom one +resides in each county. + +The superior court, and the court of general sessions of the peace and +jail delivery, consist of the chief-justice and two associates. The +court of oyer and terminer consists of all the judges except the +chancellor. The court of errors and appeals issues writs of error to the +superior court, receives appeals from the court of chancery, and +determines finally all matters in error in the judgments and proceedings +of the superior court; and when thus acting, it consists of the +chancellor and two of the other judges. In other cases, it is +differently constituted. The orphans' court in each county is held by +the chancellor and the associate judge residing in the county. The +register's court in each county is held by the register of the county. + +Judges of the courts are appointed by the governor during good behavior; +and they may be removed by him on the address of two-thirds of all the +members of each branch of the general assembly. + +In pursuance of the power vested in the legislature to establish +inferior courts, a court of common pleas is established in each county. + +Justices of the peace in each county are appointed by the governor for +seven years, and may be removed as the judges. + +The attorney-general, registers, and prothonotaries are appointed for +five years, removable in like manner. + +The sheriff and the coroner of each county are elected by the citizens +thereof; but the legislature may vest their appointment in the governor. +The sheriff may not be chosen twice in any term of six years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of each house, with the +approbation of the governor, and ratified by three-fourths of each +branch of the next general assembly. Or, a convention to amend may be +called by the legislature, in pursuance of the sense of the people +expressed at a previous election. + + + +Maryland. + + +The constitution of this state adopted in 1776, continued until 1851, +when the present one was adopted. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided a year in the state, and +six months in the county. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; must be thirty +years of age; have been a citizen five years, a resident of the state +five years, and for three years a resident of the district from which he +is elected. In case of vacancy, the general assembly elects a resident +of the same district for the residue of the term. If the vacancy happens +during the recess of the legislature, the president of the senate serves +until the next session. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state is appointed by the governor and senate during the +official term of the governor. A controller of the treasury is elected +by the electors of the state for two years; and a treasurer and a state +librarian are chosen by the legislature on joint ballot at each session. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of delegates, styled _general +assembly_. Senators, one from each county and the city of Baltimore, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-five +years; residence, three years in the state, one in the county. Delegates +are eligible at twenty-one; otherwise qualified as senators; elected for +two years, apportioned among the counties according to population; the +city of Baltimore to have four more delegates than the most populous +county, and no county to have less than two delegates; the whole number +not to be more than eighty, nor less than sixty-five. + +A majority constitutes a quorum. Bills must pass by majorities of all +the members elected; and when so passed and sealed with the great seal, +the governor is required to sign them in the presence of the presiding +officers and chief clerks of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A court of appeals, consisting of four judges, one of whom +is elected in each judicial district for ten years. One is designated by +the governor and senate as chief-justice. They must be thirty years of +age, and have been citizens of the state five years. They are +disqualified at seventy. There are eight judicial circuits, in each of +which, except the fifth, is elected a judge, for ten years, who holds +circuit courts in the counties within his circuit. + +There are, in the city of Baltimore, courts peculiar to that city. + +Justices of the peace and constables, are elected for two years in each +ward of the city of Baltimore, and in each election district in the +several counties. + +A sheriff and a state's attorney are elected in each county and the city +of Baltimore, the former for two, and the latter for four years. +Sheriffs are ineligible for the next two years. + +_Amendments_ may be made only by a convention, called by the legislature +in pursuance of a vote of the people to be taken after each United +States census. + + + +Virginia. + + +A constitution was adopted in 1716; another in 1830; the present in +1851. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state two years, +and in the county, city or town where they offer to vote, one year. +Votes are given openly, or _viva voce_. Dumb persons only vote by +ballot. + +_Legislature._ Senate and house of delegates. Delegates, one hundred and +fifty-two in number, are elected biennially, and apportioned among the +several counties and election districts according to population. The +senate consists of fifty members, elected in single districts for four +years, one-half every two years. Apportionments are made every ten +years. Delegates are eligible at the age of twenty-one years; senators +at the age of twenty-five. + +_Quorum_, a majority. Bills to become laws, do not require the +governor's approval. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. He must be thirty years of age, a native citizen of +the United States, and have been a citizen of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years in joint assembly; an attorney general is +elected for four years by the people at every election for governor. + +_Judiciary._ The state is divided into twenty-one judicial circuits, ten +districts, and five sections, in each of which division, one judge is +elected by the people; the circuit judges for eight years, the judges of +the supreme court of appeals for twelve years. A circuit judge holds +circuit courts in the several counties composing his district. The +judges of the circuits constituting a section, and the judge of the +supreme court of appeals for that section, hold district courts in such +section. The supreme court of appeals consists of the five judges +elected in the sections, and three of whom may hold a court. Judges may +be removed by the legislature. + +A county court is held monthly in each county, by not less than three, +nor more than five justices of the peace, except when the law requires a +greater number. Each county is divided into districts, in each of which +four justices are elected for four years. The justices so elected choose +one of their own body as presiding justice of the county court. + +In each county are elected, a clerk of the county court and a surveyor, +for six years; an attorney for four years; a sheriff for two years: and +constables and overseers of the poor as may be prescribed by law. + +_Amendments._ The constitution does not provide for its amendment. The +last two constitutions were framed by conventions authorized by acts of +the legislature, and ratified by the electors. + + + +North Carolina. + + +This state adopted a constitution in 1776, which was amended in 1835. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of commons, called the _general +assembly_. The senate consists of fifty members, chosen biennially, in +single districts, which are laid off in proportion to the average amount +of taxes paid by the citizens during the five years preceding. Senators +must have resided within their respective districts a year, and possess +not less than three hundred acres of land. The house of commons is +composed of one hundred and twenty members, chosen biennially, and +apportioned among the counties, according to population, three-fifths of +the slaves being added to the number of free persons. They must have +resided a year in the counties they represent, and possess one hundred +and twenty acres of land. + +Bills passed by both houses become laws without being presented to the +governor. + +_Executive._ A governor is elected every two years, and is eligible only +four years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age; +must have been a resident of the state five years, and must have in the +state a freehold of the value of £1,000. No lieutenant-governor. + +There is a council of seven persons to advise the governor; a secretary +of state, and a treasurer, all chosen by joint vote of the two houses at +each session, for two years; and an attorney-general for four years, +unless for certain reasons the term shall be altered. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, superior courts, courts of admiralty, and +justices' courts. The judges are appointed by the general assembly, and +hold during good behavior. Justices of the peace, within their +respective counties, are recommended to the governor by the +representatives of the general assembly. They are commissioned by the +governor, and hold during good behavior. + +_Electors._ White freemen, inhabitants of the state one year, who have +paid taxes. Voters for senators are required also to own a freehold of +fifty acres. + +_Amendments._ A convention may be called by a majority of two-thirds of +all the members of each house of the general assembly. Or, amendments +may be proposed by majorities of three-fifths of all the members of both +houses; and they take effect when agreed to by two-thirds majorities of +the whole representation in the next assembly, and ratified by the +qualified voters of the state. + + + +South Carolina. + + +The first constitution of this state was formed in 1775; the present in +1790. Its principal amendments were made in 1808. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives, styled _general +assembly_. The house consists of one hundred and twenty-four members, +elected for two years in districts, and apportioned according to the +number of white inhabitants and the amount of taxes paid therein. +Residence in the state three years: and if a resident of the election +district, a freehold of five hundred acres of land and ten negroes, or a +real estate worth £150 sterling, clear of debt; if a non-resident of the +district, a clear freehold of £500 sterling. Senators, forty-five, +elected by districts, for four years, one-half every two years; each +district, except one, having one senator. Age, thirty years, state +residence, five years. If a resident in the district, a clear freehold +of £300 sterling; if a non-resident, a freehold in the district of +£1,000. + +Bills passed by both houses are laws without being presented to the +governor. + +_Executive._ The governor and lieutenant-governor are chosen by the +legislature for two years. Age, thirty years: state residence, ten +years; a clear freehold in the state of £1,500 sterling. A governor is +ineligible for the next four years. + +Commissioners of the treasury, secretary of state, and surveyor-general, +are elected by joint ballot of both houses for four years, and +ineligible for the next four years. + +_Judiciary._ Such superior and inferior courts of law and equity as the +legislature may establish. The judges are appointed by the legislature +during good behavior. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, resident in the state two years, and +owning a freehold of 50 acres of land, or a town lot, which he has owned +six months; or, not having such freehold, or town lot, resident in the +election district six months, and having paid a tax the preceding year +of three shillings sterling. + +_Amendments_ may be made by a convention called by two-thirds of all the +members of both branches. Alterations may also be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures. + + + +Georgia. + + +The first constitution was formed in 1777; the second in 1785; the +present in 1798, and amended in 1839, and 1844. + +_Legislature._ Senate and house, together styled _general assembly_. The +members of both houses are elected biennially. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to population, including +three-fifths of the slaves. Age, twenty-one years; citizenship, seven +years; state residence, three years; county, one year. Senators are +elected in districts. Age, twenty-five years; citizenship, nine years; +state residence, three years; district, one year. + +Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills not +returned by the governor within five days are laws, unless their return +is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States twelve years, of the +state, six years. No lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and surveyor-general, are elected for two +years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court for the correction of errors, to consist of +three judges chosen by the legislature for six years, one every two +years; a superior court, whose judges are elected in their several +circuits for four years; inferior courts, one in each county, consisting +of five judges, elected by the people; courts held by justices of the +peace elected for four years. + +Sheriffs are elected for two years, but may not be twice elected in four +years. + +_Electors_, white male citizens and inhabitants of the state, having +resided in the county six months, and paid all the taxes required of +them, and which they had an opportunity of paying the preceding year. + +_Amendments_ may be made by two successive legislatures, two-thirds of +both houses concurring. + + + +Florida. + + +This state was admitted into the union with its present constitution, by +act of congress, March 3, 1845. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. Age, thirty years; citizenship; state residence five +years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, elected by the people for four years; a treasurer +and a controller of public accounts for two years. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives, styled, the +_general assembly_. Representatives are apportioned among the counties +according to the number of free whites and three-fifths of the slaves; +the number not to exceed sixty. They are elected biennially. Age, +twenty-one; citizenship; state residence, two years; county, one year. +Senators are elected in districts, at least one in each district, for +four years, one-half every two years; the number to be not less than +one-fourth, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives. +Age, twenty-five years; other qualifications the same as those of +representatives. + +Bills become laws against the veto by majorities of all the members +elected. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, courts of chancery, circuit courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the people for six years. The state is divided into four +circuits, and a judge elected in each judicial circuit for six years, +who presides in the courts held in his circuit. Justices of the peace +for each county are appointed or elected, as the general assembly may +direct. + +An attorney-general is chosen by joint vote of the two houses, for four +years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state two years, of +the county, six months; enrolled in the militia, unless by law exempted +from serving. The general assembly is required to provide for +registering the qualified electors of each county. + +_Amendments._ A convention may be called by the general assembly, +two-thirds of each house concurring. Alterations may be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures. + + + +Alabama. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1819, with its present +constitution. + +_Legislature_--called the _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to the free white population; +chosen biennially; must be twenty-one years of age, residents of the +state two years, and of the county, city or town they represent, one +year. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half +of them every two years; must be twenty-seven years of age; residence +the same as representatives. The number of representatives may not +exceed one hundred; the number of senators may not exceed thirty-three. + +Bills negotiated by the governor, may be passed by majorities of all the +members elected. If not returned within five days, vetoed bills become +laws unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county, city, or town, three months. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years, and eligible four +years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age, a native +citizen of the United States, and have been a resident of the state four +years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state is chosen biennially, and a treasurer and a +controller of public accounts are chosen annually, by joint vote of both +houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court; circuit courts to be held in each county; +and inferior courts of law and equity, to be established by the general +assembly. Judges of the supreme court, and chancellors are chosen by the +legislature for six years; judges of the circuit and inferior courts by +the people for the same term. A competent number of justices of the +peace, and a sheriff, are elected in each county. + +An attorney-general for the state, and the requisite number of +solicitors are elected by joint vote of the general assembly, for four +years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by one legislature, approved by the electors +at the next election for representatives, and ratified by the next +legislature; two-thirds majorities being required in both cases. + + + +Mississippi. + + +In 1817, this state was admitted into the union with a constitution +adopted the same year. The present constitution was formed in 1832. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state one year, of the +county, four months. An elector who happens to be in any county, city, +or town, other than that of his residence, or who may have removed to +any such place within four months preceding an election, may vote for +such officers as he could have voted for in the county of his residence, +or from which he removed. + +_Legislature._ Representatives, not less than thirty-six, nor more than +one hundred, are elected for two years in the several counties, among +which they are apportioned according to the number of white inhabitants. +They must have been residents of the state two years, one of the county. +Senators, not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third of the +number of representatives, are elected by districts for four years. Age, +thirty years; state residence, four years; district one year. + +Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills must +be returned within six days, or they become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment. + +_Judiciary._ A high court of errors and appeals, consisting of three +judges, one in each district, elected for six years; a circuit court to +be held in each county at least twice a year, the judges to be elected +in their respective judicial districts for four years; a superior court +of chancery, the chancellor to be elected by the electors of the whole +state for six years; a court of probate in each county, the judge to be +elected for two years; a competent number of justices of the peace and +constables, chosen in each county for two years. Other inferior courts +may be established by the legislature. + +An attorney-general is chosen by the electors of the state, and a +competent number of district-attorneys in their respective districts. A +sheriff and one or more coroners are elected in each county for two +years. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen twenty years, a resident of the state five +years; and may not hold the office more than four years in six. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of both branches of the +legislature, and ratified by the people at the next election. + + + +Louisiana. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1812, with a constitution +formed the same year. In 1845, a second, and in 1852 the present +constitution was adopted. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the several parishes, (corresponding to counties in +other states,) and are elected for two years; the number not to exceed +one hundred, nor to be less than seventy. Senators, in number +thirty-two, are apportioned among the districts according to population, +and are elected for four years, one-half every two years. Every +qualified elector is eligible to a seat in either house. + +Vetoed bills are passed by majorities of two-thirds of all the members. +They become laws if not returned within ten days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment; in which case they will become laws if not +sent back within three days after the commencement of the next session. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, twenty-eight years; citizenship, and residence in +the state four years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state and a treasurer are elected by the electors, the +former for four years, the latter for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed +of a chief-justice and four associate justices; the former elected by +the electors of the state at large, the latter in their respective +districts. They are elected for ten years, one of the five every two +years. Judges of the inferior courts are elected in their respective +parishes or districts. Justices of the peace are elected for two years +by the electors in each parish, district, or ward. + +An attorney-general and a requisite number of district-attorneys, are +elected for four years; the former by the electors of the whole state, +the latter in their respective districts. + +A sheriff and a coroner are elected in each parish for two years. + +_Electors._ White males, having been citizens two years, residents of +the state one year, and of the parish six months. An elector removing +from one parish to another, may vote in the former until he shall have +become a voter in the latter. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +house, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election. + + + +Texas. + + +Texas, formerly a part of Mexico, declared itself independent in 1835. +By a joint resolution of congress, approved December 29, 1845, this +independent republic was admitted as a state into the union. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and the last six months in the district, city, or town in which they +offer to vote. If an elector happens to be in any other county within +his district, he may there vote for any district officer; and he may +vote any where in the state for state officers. + +_Legislature._ Representatives, not less than forty-five, nor more than +ninety, are apportioned among the counties according to the free +population, and are elected for two years. They must have been residents +of the state two years, of the county, city, or town they represent, one +year. Senators, no less than nineteen, nor more than thirty-three, are +elected in districts for four years, one-half every two years; must be +thirty years of age; inhabitants of the state three years, of the +district one year. + +Bills negatived by the governor become laws when passed by two-thirds of +both houses; bills not returned within five days become laws. Two-thirds +of each house constitutes a quorum. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, and has appellate jurisdiction +chiefly. It holds sessions once a year in not more than three places in +the state. District courts are held by the judge of each judicial +district at one place in each county at least twice a year. The judges +of both the supreme and district courts are elected by the people for +six years. + +A convenient number of justices of the peace, one sheriff, one coroner, +and a sufficient number of constables, are elected in each county for +two years. The sheriff is eligible only four years in six. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; is eligible four +years in every six. Age, thirty years; state residence, three years; a +citizen of the United States, or a citizen of the state of Texas at the +time of the adoption of the constitution. A lieutenant-governor. + +A treasurer, a controller of public accounts, and an attorney-general +are elected by the people for two years. A secretary of state is +appointed by the governor and senate, to hold during the official term +of the governor. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds majorities of the legislature, +approved by the electors, and ratified by majorities of two-thirds of +the next legislature. + + + +Arkansas. + + +In 1836, this state was admitted into the union with its present +constitution, which was slightly amended in 1845. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state six months, and +actual residents of the county. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives, not more than +one hundred, nor less than fifty-four, are apportioned among the +counties according to the number of free white male inhabitants, and are +elected for two years. Age, twenty-five years; residents of the counties +they represent. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, +one-half every two years; the number to be not less than seventeen, nor +more than thirty-three. Age, thirty years, inhabitants of the state one +year, and actual residents of the district they represent. + +General elections are _viva voce_, until otherwise directed by law. +Bills are passed against the veto by majorities of all the members. +Bills not returned within three days become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligble +more than eight in twelve years. Age, thirty years; residence in the +state four years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state for four years, and an auditor and a treasurer for +two years, are elected by a joint vote of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, county courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed of three judges, +elected by the legislature for eight years; one every four years, one +every six, and one every eight years. In each circuit a judge is elected +by the legislature for four years. There is in each county a county +court held by justices of the peace. Justices are elected in the +townships for two years. + +An attorney of state is elected in each judicial district for two years. + +A sheriff, a coroner, a treasurer and a county-surveyor, are elected in +each county for two years. + +_Amendments_ may be made by two successive legislatures, by two-thirds +majorities. + + + +Missouri. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1821. The present constitution +was adopted in 1820, and has been several times amended. + +_Legislature_--styled the _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties on the basis of the white population, and +are elected for two years. Age, twenty-four years; state residence, two +years; county or district one year; payment of state or county tax. +Senators, not to be less than twenty-five, nor more than thirty-three, +are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half every two +years. Age, thirty years; residence in the state, four years; in the +district, one year; payment of a state or county tax. + +Sessions of the legislature are limited to sixty days. Bills vetoed by +the governor must be passed by majorities of all the members to become +laws. Bills not returned by the governor within four days become laws, +unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county or district three months. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen of the +United States ten years, and of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, and a register of lands, are elected by the people for +four years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, justices of the peace, and +such other tribunals as the general assembly shall establish. The three +judges of the supreme court are elected by the electors of the state for +six years. A judge in each of the circuits is elected by the electors +thereof for six years. Justices of the peace are elected in the +townships. + +_Amendments_ may be proposed every fourth year by a majority of the +whole of each house; and they take effect when ratified by the electors +of the state. + + + +Tennessee. + + +This state was admitted into the union with its first constitution in +1796. The present one was formed in 1835. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties or districts according to the number of +qualified voters in each, and are not to exceed seventy-five until the +population of the state shall be 1,500,000, and may never exceed +ninety-nine. They must be citizens of the state three years, and +residents of the county they represent one year. Senators are +apportioned as representatives; the number not to exceed one-third of +the number of representatives; must be thirty years of age; in other +respects qualified as representatives. Both are elected biennially. + +Bills passed by both houses are laws without having been presented to +the governor. _Quorum_, two-thirds of each house. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; and may not hold the +office more than six in any term of eight years. He must be thirty years +of age, and have been a citizen of the state seven years. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state for four years, and a treasurer for two years, are +chosen by joint vote of the general assembly. + +_Electors._ White males having been citizens of the county six months; +also male persons of color, twenty-one years of age, who are competent +witnesses in a court of justice against a white man. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices' courts. The supreme court consists of three +judges, one in each of the grand divisions of the state, elected for +twelve years. Judges of inferior courts are elected for eight years. For +the election of justices of the peace, each county is divided into +districts of convenient size, in each of which are elected two justices +and one constable. A district containing a county town, may elect three +justices and two constables. + +Attorneys for the state are elected by joint assembly for six years. + +In each county are elected one sheriff, and one trustee for two years; +and one register for four years. The justices of the peace of each +county elect one coroner and one ranger for two years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by majorities of all the members elected, +approved by two-thirds of all the members of the next legislature, and +ratified by the people. + + + +Kentucky. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1790; and the state +was admitted with the same in 1792. Another was adopted in 1799; and the +present in 1850. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The house of representatives +consists of one hundred members, elected for two years; apportioned +among the counties in proportion to the qualified voters. Age, +twenty-four years; state residence, two years; county, one year. When a +city or town has a sufficient number of voters, it may elect one or more +representatives. Senate, thirty-eight members, one elected in each +district for four years; one-half every two years. Age, thirty years; +residence in the state six years, in the district, one year. + +Bills vetoed by the governor, if again passed by majorities of all the +members elected, are laws; also if not returned by him within ten days, +unless the return is prevented by adjournment; in which case they become +laws, unless sent back within three days after the commencement of the +next session. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, thirty-five years; residence in the state six years. +A lieutenant-governor. + +A treasurer for two years; and an auditor of public accounts, a register +of the land-office, and an attorney-general for four years, are chosen +by the electors. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, styled court of appeals, consisting of +four judges, one to be elected in each district for eight years, in such +rotation that one may be elected every two years. Should the number be +changed, the principle of electing one every two years is to be +preserved. A circuit court to be held in each county by a district +judge, one to be elected in each of the twelve judicial districts, for +six years. The number of districts may be increased, but may not exceed +sixteen until the population shall exceed 1,500,000. A county court in +each county, consisting of a presiding judge and two associates, elected +for four years. Other inferior courts may be established by law. + +Justices of the peace in each county are elected in districts, two in +each district for four years, and a constable for four years. A state's +attorney for each judicial district; a sheriff in each county, for two +years, and several other county officers. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state two years; +in the county, town, or city, one year; and in the precinct in which +they offer to vote, sixty days. + +_Amendments_ by conventions only are provided for. No convention may be +called by the legislature, until a majority of all the voters of the +state shall have voted at two successive elections in favor of calling a +convention. + + + +Ohio. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1802, preparatory to +her admission into the union; the present one, in 1851. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Senators and representatives +are elected biennially in their respective counties or districts, in +which they must have resided a year. The ratio of representation in the +house is ascertained by dividing the whole population of the state by +the number one hundred; the quotient being the ratio for the next ten +years. The ratio for a senator is ascertained by dividing the whole +population by thirty-five. Senators are elected in districts. The +representation of fractions of population is provided for. + +Bills are not submitted to the governor. Quorum, not less than a +majority. + +_Executive._ A governor, a lieutenant-governor, a secretary of state, a +treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected for two years; and an +auditor for four years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court consisting of five judges chosen by the +electors of the state at large for five years, one, every year. The +number may be altered by law. A district court in each of the nine +common pleas districts, composed of a supreme court judge and the judges +of the court of common pleas of the respective districts, and held in +each county within a district, or in at least three places in each +district. One or more of these judges hold a court of common pleas in +every county in the district. A county probate judge is elected for +three years. + +Justices of the peace, a competent number, are elected in each township +for three years. + +A sheriff is elected in each county for two years, but may hold only +four years in any period of six years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and in the county, township, or ward, such time as the law shall +prescribe. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by three-fifths of all the members elected to +each house, and ratified by a majority of the voters who vote thereon at +an election. Or a majority of two-thirds of all the members of each +house may submit to the electors the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors vote for a convention, the legislature +shall provide for calling the same. Every twentieth year, the question +of calling a convention is to be submitted to the electors. + + + +Indiana. + + +This state formed a constitution and was admitted into the union, in +1816. The present constitution was adopted in 1851. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state six months. +Also foreigners who have resided in the United States one year, in the +state six months, and have declared their intention to become citizens. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The number of senators may not +exceed fifty; the number of representatives may not exceed one hundred; +both to be chosen in their respective counties or districts, senators +for four years, one-half every two years; representatives for two years. +Both are apportioned according to the number of white male inhabitants +twenty-one years of age, every six years. They must have been citizens +of the state two years; of the county or district, one year. Senators +must be twenty-five years of age. + +Quorum, two-thirds. Bills must be finally passed by majorities of all +the members elected. The same majorities enact a bill disapproved by the +governor. If he does not return a bill within three days, it is a law, +unless its return is prevented by adjournment; in which case it will be +a law, unless he shall, within five days after the adjournment, file the +bill, with his objections, in the office of the secretary of state, who +shall lay the same before the general assembly at the next session, as +if it had been returned by the governor. Bids may not be presented to +the governor within two days previous to the adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; and is eligible +only four years in eight. Age, thirty years; citizenship, five years; +state residence, five years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, an auditor, and a treasurer, are elected for two +years, and are eligible four years in six. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, and such inferior courts +as the general assembly may establish. Judges of the supreme court, not +less than three nor more than five, one in each district, are elected by +the electors of the state at large, for six years. Circuit courts +consist of a judge for each judicial circuit, chosen by the electors +thereof, for six years; and a prosecuting attorney for the circuit, for +two years. Justices of the peace are elected for four years in the +townships. + +There are elected in each county, a clerk of the circuit court, an +auditor, a recorder, a treasurer, a sheriff, a coroner, and a surveyor; +the first three for four years; the others for two years. The sheriff +and treasurer are eligible only four years in eight; the first three +eight years in twelve. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members of each house concurring, and ratified by +the electors of the state. + + + +Illinois. + + +Illinois was admitted into the union in 1818. The present constitution +is dated August 31, 1847. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are elected +for two years; must be twenty-five years of age; inhabitants of the +state three years, and of the county or district, one year; and have +paid a state or county tax. The number is never to exceed one hundred. +The districts are not limited to a single representative. The senate +consists of twenty-five members, elected in single districts, for four +years, one-half every two years; must be thirty years of age; citizens +of the United States; inhabitants of the state five years, of the county +or district, one year; and have paid a county or state tax. +Apportionments of senators and representatives are made after each +census, taken in 1855, and every ten years thereafter. + +Quorum, two-thirds. Bills passed against the veto by a majority of all +the members elected to each house. If not returned within ten days, they +are laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment; in which case +they must be returned on the first day of the next legislative session, +or they will be laws. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is eligible +four years in eight. Age, thirty-five years; citizenship, fourteen +years; state residence, ten years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state and an auditor of public accounts are elected for +four years, and a treasurer for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court of three judges, one to be chosen in each +of the three grand divisions, for nine years, one every three years; the +one oldest in commission to be chief-justice. The legislature may +provide for their election by the whole state. Circuit judges are +elected for six years, one in each of the nine judicial districts, the +number of which may be increased, if necessary. A circuit court is to be +held two or more terms annually in each county. A judge of the county +court is elected in each county for four years, and has also probate +jurisdiction. + +Justices of the peace are elected in each county by districts for four +years. Inferior local courts may be established in the cities by the +legislature. + +A state's attorney is elected in each judicial circuit, for four years; +or in each county, if the legislature shall so direct. In each county a +clerk of the circuit court is elected for four years and a sheriff for +two years, who is eligible only once in four years; a supreme court +clerk by the electors of each grand division. + +_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the state one year. A +poll or capitation-tax of not less than fifty cents, nor more than a +dollar, may, in case of necessity, be laid upon every voter under sixty +years of age. + +_Amendments_ must be proposed by two-thirds majorities of all the +members of one legislature, approved by majorities of all the members of +the next legislature, and ratified by the electors at the next general +election. Or, the legislature, by two-thirds majorities of all the +members, may submit to the people the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors voting for representatives shall vote +for a convention, an act for calling one shall be passed. + + + +Michigan. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1836. The present constitution +was adopted in 1850. + +_Legislature._ The senate has thirty-two members, elected in single +districts, for two years. Representatives, not less than sixty-four, nor +more than one hundred, are elected also in single districts, for two +years. An apportionment of members is made every ten years. Any +qualified elector holding no other office, is eligible to either house. + +The final passage of bills requires a majority of all the members +elected to each house. Majorities of two-thirds of all the members pass +bills against the veto. Bills not returned within ten days, are laws +unless their return is prevented by adjournment. Bills passed within +the last five days of a session, may be signed by the governor and filed +by him in the office of the secretary of state within five days after +the adjournment; and the same become laws. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States five years, and a +resident of the state two years. A lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, a probate court, and +justices of the peace. For six years, and until the legislature shall +otherwise provide, the circuit judges are to be judges of the supreme +court. After six years, a supreme court may be organized, consisting of +a chief-justice and three associate justices, chosen by the electors for +eight years, and so classed that only one of them shall go out of office +at a time. A circuit judge is elected in each of the eight judicial +circuits for six years. The number of circuits may be increased. The +probate judge of each county is elected for four years. + +Justices of the peace, not exceeding four, are elected in each township, +for four years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state three +months, and in the township or ward ten days; also foreigners after a +residence of two and a half years in the state, and a declaration of +their intention to become citizens; and civilized males of Indian +descent. + +A secretary of state, a superintendent of public instruction, a +treasurer, a commissioner of the land-office, an auditor-general, and +attorney-general, are elected for two years. + +In each county are elected a sheriff, a county clerk, a county +treasurer, a register of deeds, and a prosecuting attorney, all for two +years. The sheriff can hold only four years in six. The board of +supervisors may unite the offices of clerk and register in one office. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +branch, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election. Every sixteenth year the question of a general +revision of the constitution by a convention shall be submitted to the +electors of the state. + + + +Wisconsin. + + +This state was admitted into the union by an act of congress, May 29, +1848. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, or foreigners who have declared their +intention to become citizens, having resided in the state one year; also +civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe. + +_Legislature._ A senate and an assembly. Members of the assembly are +elected annually; the number not to be less than fifty-four, nor greater +than one hundred. The number of senators may not be less than +one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the number of members of +assembly. Senators are chosen for two years, half every year. Members of +both houses are elected in single districts, apportioned every five +years; and must have resided in the state a year, and be qualified +electors of the districts. + +Bills are passed over the veto by majorities of two-thirds. Quorum, a +majority. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years. Any citizen of the +United States and qualified elector of the state, is eligible to the +office of governor or lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years. + +Sheriffs, coroners, registers of deeds, and district-attorneys, are +elected in counties, for two years. Sheriffs are ineligible for the next +two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, courts of probate, and +justices of the peace. Inferior courts, with limited civil jurisdiction, +may be established by law in the several counties. By the constitution, +the judges of the circuit courts were to be judges of the supreme court +for five years, and until the legislature should otherwise provide. A +separate supreme court may be organized, to consist of a chief-justice +and two associate justices elected by the electors of the state for six +years; one only to be elected at a time. The circuit judges also, one in +each judicial circuit, are elected for six years. The supreme court +shall hold at least one term annually at the seat of government, and at +such other places as the legislature may provide. A circuit court is to +be held at least twice a year in each county. + +A judge of probate is chosen in each county for two years; but the +office may be abolished, and probate powers conferred on inferior county +courts. Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns, cities, +and villages, for two years. + +_Amendments_ are to be approved by a majority of the whole of each house +of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. Also the +legislature may submit to the people the question of calling a +convention to revise or change the constitution. + + + +Iowa. + + +The state of Iowa was admitted into the union by an act of congress +approved December 28, 1846. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, resident in the state six months, and +in the county twenty days. + +_Legislature._ The two houses are called the _general assembly_. +Representatives are elected in their respective districts for two years; +their number to be not less than thirty-nine, nor exceed seventy-two. +They must be inhabitants of the state one year, and residents of the +county or district thirty days. Senators, in number not less than +one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-four +years; otherwise qualified as representatives. + +Two-thirds majorities of the members present, pass bills vetoed by the +governor. Bills not returned within three days also become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; must have been a +citizen of the United States and a resident of the state, two years; and +must be thirty years of age. No lieutenant-governor. In case of vacancy +in the office of governor, the office devolves upon the secretary of +state until the vacancy is filled. + +A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, and a treasurer, +are elected for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, elected by joint vote of the two +branches, for six years. It has appellate jurisdiction only in all cases +of chancery, and constitutes a court for the correction of errors at +law. Each district court consists of a judge elected by the voters of +the district, for five years, at the township elections. A prosecuting +attorney and a clerk of the district court, are elected in each county +at the general election, for two years. + +_Amendments_ are provided for only by a convention. The legislature may +provide for a vote of the people, and if a majority of the votes are in +favor of a convention, an election of delegates is to be held within six +months. + + + +California. + + +The constitution of this state was adopted November 13, 1849; and the +state was admitted by act of congress, September 9, 1850. + +_Electors._ White male citizens of the United States, and white male +citizens of Mexico having elected to become citizens of the United +States under the treaty of peace, who have resided in the state six +months, and in the county or district thirty days. + +_Legislature._ Senate and assembly. Members of assembly, the number to +be not less than thirty, nor greater than eighty, are chosen annually by +districts. Senators, not to be less than one-third nor more than +one-half of the number of members of assembly, are elected by districts +for two years, one-half every year. Members of both houses must have +resided in the state two years, and in their respective districts one +year, and be qualified voters. They are apportioned every five years. + +Bills, rejected by the governor, must be passed by a majority of +two-thirds of each house, to become a law. Bills become laws if not +returned by the governor within ten days, unless the legislature shall +sooner adjourn. + +_Executive._ A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years. Age, twenty-five years, and two years' residence in the state. + +A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a surveyor-general, are elected for two years, by joint vote of the +two houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, county courts, justices +of the peace, and such municipal and other inferior courts as the +legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the electors of the state for six years, one every two years; +the senior justice in commission to be chief-justice. District judges +are elected in their respective districts for six years. A judge of the +county court is elected in each county for four years, and performs also +the duties of judge of probate. The number of justices of the peace +elected in each county, city, town, or village, is fixed by law. + +The election of sheriffs, coroners, county clerks and certain other +officers, is provided for by law. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of the +two houses of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. +The legislature may, by two-thirds majorities, submit to the people the +question of calling a convention for a general revision of the +constitution. + + + +Minnesota. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1858. + +_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the United States one +year, and in the state four months. Also foreigners who have so resided, +and declared their intention to become citizens; and persons of mixed +white and Indian blood, and of Indian blood, under certain regulations. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives. The first +legislature consisted of thirty-seven senators and eighty +representatives. + +_Executive._ A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years, and a state auditor for three years. + +_Judiciary._ The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, district +courts, courts of probate, justices of the peace, and such other courts +inferior to the supreme court, as the legislature may establish by a +two-thirds vote. + + + + +Constitution of the United States. + + +We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect +union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the +common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of +liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this +Constitution for the United States of America. + + +Article I. + +Section. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested +in a congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and +house of representatives. + +Sec. 2. The house of representatives shall be composed of +members chosen every second year, by the people of the several states; +and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requiste +for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. + +No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the +age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United +States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state +in which he shall be chosen. + +Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states which may be included within this union, according to their +respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole +number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of +years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other +persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after +the first meeting of the congress of the United States, and within every +subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law +direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every +thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative; +and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire +shall be entitled to choose _three_; Massachusetts, _eight_; Rhode +Island and Providence Plantations, _one_; Connecticut, _five_; New York, +_six_; New Jersey, _four_; Pennsylvania, _eight_; Delaware, _one_; +Maryland, _six_; Virginia, _ten_; North Carolina, _five_; South +Carolina, _five_; and Georgia, _three_. + +When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the +executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such +vacancies. + +The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other +officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. + +Sec. 3. The senate of the United States shall be composed of +two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six +years; and each senator shall have one vote. + +Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first +election, they shall be divided as equally as may be, into three +classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated +at the expiration of the second year; of the second class at the +expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class at the expiration +of the sixth year; so that one-third may be chosen every second year; +and if vacancies happen, by resignation or otherwise, during the recess +of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make +temporary appointments, until the next meeting of the legislature, which +shall then fill such vacancies. + +No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and +who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he +shall be chosen. + +The vice-president of the United States shall be president of the +senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. + +The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro +tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise +the office of president of the United States. + +The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments: when +sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the +president of the United States is tried, the chief-justice shall +preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of +two-thirds of the members present. + +Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to +removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office +of honor, trust, or profit, under the United States; but the party +convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, +trial, judgment and punishment, according to law. + +Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for +senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the +legislature thereof; but the congress may at any time, by law, make or +alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. + +The congress shall assemble at least once in every year; and such +meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall, by +law, appoint a different day. + +Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns +and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall +constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn +from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of +absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as each house +may provide. + +Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its +members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of +two-thirds, expel a member. + +Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to +time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, +require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, +on any question, shall at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be +entered on the journal. + +Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the +consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other +place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. + +Sec. 6. The senators and representatives shall receive a +compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out +of the treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except +treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest +during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and +in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in +either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place. + +No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was +elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the +United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof +shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any +office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during +his continuance in office. + +Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the +house of representatives; but the senate may propose, or concur with, +amendments, as on other bills. + +Every bill which shall have passed the house of representatives and the +senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the president of +the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not he shall +return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have +originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, +and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, two-thirds +of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together +with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be +reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall +become a law. But, in all such cases, the votes of both houses shall be +determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and +against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house +respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the president within +ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, +the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless +the congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it +shall not be a law. + +Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the senate +and house of representatives may be necessary, (except on a question of +adjournment,) shall be presented to the president of the United States, +and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, +being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the senate +and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations +prescribed in the case of a bill. + +Sec. 8. The congress shall have power: + +To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay the debts +and provide for the common defense, and general welfare of the United +States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout +the United States: + +To borrow money on the credit of the United States: + +To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, +and with the Indian tribes: + +To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the +subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States: + +To coin money; to regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin; and +fix the standard of weights and measures: + +To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and +current coin of the United States: + +To establish post offices and post roads: + +To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for +limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their +respective writings and discoveries: + +To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court: + +To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, +and offenses against the law of nations: + +To declare war; grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules +concerning captures on land and water: + +To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to that use +shall be for a longer term than two years: + +To provide and maintain a navy: + +To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval +forces: + +To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the +union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions: + +To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for +governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the +United States; reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of +the officers, and the authority of training the militia, according to +the discipline prescribed by congress: + +To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such +district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of +particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of +the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over +all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in +which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, +dock-yards, and other needful buildings: And, + +To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into +execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this +constitution in the government of the United States, or in any +department or officer thereof. + +Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of +the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be +prohibited by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred +and eight; but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not +exceeding ten dollars for such person: + +The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless +when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require +it. + +No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. + +No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to +the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. + +No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No +preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to +the ports of one state, over those of another; nor shall vessels bound +to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in +another. + +No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of +appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the +receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from +time to time. + +No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no +person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without +the consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, +or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. + +Sec. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or +confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit +bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law +impairing the obligation of contracts; or grant any title of nobility. + +No state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any imposts or +duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary +for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and +imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of +the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to +the revision and control of the congress. No state shall, without the +consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of +war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another +state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war unless actually +invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay. + + +Article II. + +Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a president +of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the +term of four years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for +the same term, be elected as follows: + +Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may +direct, a number of electors equal to the whole number of senators and +representatives to which the state may be entitled in the congress; but +no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or +profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. + +The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot +for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the +same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the +persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each, which list they +shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the +government of the United States, directed to the president of the +senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate +and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes +shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes +shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole number +of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such +majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the house of +representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for +president; and if no person have a majority, then, from the five highest +on the list, the said house shall, in like manner, choose the president. +But in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the +representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this +purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the +states, and a majority of the states shall be necessary to a choice. In +every case, after the choice of the president, the person having the +greatest number of votes of the electors, shall be the vice-president. +But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the senate +shall choose from them, by ballot, the vice-president. + +[By the 12th article of amendment, the above clause has been repealed.] + +The congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the +day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the same +throughout the United States. + +No person, except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United +States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be +eligible to the office of president; neither shall any person be +eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United +States. + +In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, +resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said +office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president, and the congress +may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or +inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring what +officer shall then act as president; and such officer shall act +accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be +elected. + +The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a +compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the +period for which he shall have been elected; and he shall not receive, +within that period, any other emolument from the United States, or any +of them. + +Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the +following oath or affirmation: + +"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the +office of President of the United States; and will, to the best of my +ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United +States. + +Sec. 2. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army +and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, +when called into the actual service of the United States; he may 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; and he shall have power to grant reprieves and +pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of +impeachment. + +He shall have power by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to +make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur: and +he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, +shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of +the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States whose +appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be +established by law: but the congress may, by law, vest the appointment +of such inferior officers as they think proper, in the president alone, +in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. + +The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen +during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which shall +expire at the end of their next session. + +Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the congress +information of the state of the union; and recommend to their +consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. +He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of +them; and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time +of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think +proper. He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers. He +shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed; and shall +commission all the officers of the United States. + +Sec. 4. The president, vice-president, and all civil officers +of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, +and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and +misdemeanors. + + +Article III. + +Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be +vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress +may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges both of the +supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good +behavior; and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a +compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in +office. + +Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and +equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States +and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all +cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all +cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which +the United States shall be a party, to controversies between two or more +states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens +of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands +under grants of different states; and between a state, or the citizens +thereof; and foreign states, citizens or subjects. + +In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, +and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme court shall +have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the +supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and +fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations, as the congress +shall make. + +The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by +jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes +shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the +trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law have +directed. + +Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in +levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them +aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the +testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in +open court. + +The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason; but +no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, +except during the life of the person attainted. + + +Article IV. + +Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given, in each state, +to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other +state. And the congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in +which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect +thereof. + +Sec. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the +privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. + +A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who +shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall, on demand +of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered +up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime. + +No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, +escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation +therein, be discharged from such service or labor; but shall be +delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be +due. + +Sec. 3. New states may be admitted by the congress into this +union; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the +jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed by the junction +of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the +legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the congress. + +The congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules +and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to +the United States; and nothing in this constitution shall be so +construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any +particular state. + +Sec. 4. The United States shall guaranty to every state in this +union, a republican form of government; and shall protect each of them +against invasion, and on application of the legislature, or of the +executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic +violence. + + + +Article V. + +The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it +necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or on the +application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, +shall call a convention for proposing amendments; which, in either case, +shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this +constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the +several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one +or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress: +Provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one +thousand eight hundred and eight, shall in any manner affect the first +and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that +no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage +in the senate. + + +Article VI. + +All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption +of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under +this constitution, as under the confederation. + +This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made +in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made or which shall be made under +the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the +land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in +the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. + +The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of +the several legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both +of the United States, and of the several states, shall be bound, by oath +or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no religious test +shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust +under the United States. + + + +Article VII. + +The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient +for the establishment of this constitution between the states so +ratifying the same. + +Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present, the +seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven +hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States +of America, the twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed +our names. + +George Washington, +_President, and Deputy from Virginia._ + +_New Hampshire._--John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. + +_Massachusetts._--Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King. + +_Connecticut._--Wm. Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman. + +_New-York._--Alexander Hamilton. + +_New Jersey._--William Livingston, David Brearly, William Paterson, +Jonathan Dayton. + +_Pennsylvania._--Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimmons, +James Wilson, Thomas Mifflin, George Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Gouverneur +Morris. + +_Delaware._--George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard +Bassett, Jacob Broom. + +_Maryland._--James M'Henry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel +Carroll. + +_Virginia._--John Blair, James Madison, Jr. + +_North Carolina._--William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh +Williamson. + +_South Carolina._--John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler, +Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. + +_Georgia._--William Few, Abraham Baldwin. + +_Attest:_ William Jackson, _Secretary_. + + +Amendments. + +Article 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an +establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or +abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the +people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a +redress of grievances. + +Art. II. A well regulated militia being necessary to the +security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms +shall not be infringed. + +Art. III. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in +any house without the consent of the owner, nor in a time of war, but in +a manner to be prescribed by law. + +Art. IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, +houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, +shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable +cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the +place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized. + +Art. V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or +otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a +grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in +the militia when in actual service, in time of war or public danger; nor +shall any person be subject, for the same offense, to be twice put in +jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, +to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty or +property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be +taken for public use, without just compensation. + +Art. VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy +the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the +state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which +district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be +informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted +with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining +witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his +defense. + +Art. VII. In suits at common law, where the value in +controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury +shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reëxamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law. + +Art. VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive +fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. + +Art. IX. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights, +shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the +people. + +Art. X. The powers not delegated to the United States, by the +constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the +states respectively, or to the people. + +Art. XI. The judicial power of the United States shall not be +construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or +prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. + +Art. XII. The electors shall meet in their respective states +and vote by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom, at +least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; +they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as president, and +in distinct ballots the person voted for as vice-president, and they +shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as president, and of +all persons voted for as vice-president, and of the number of votes for +each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to +the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the +president of the senate;--the president of the senate shall, in the +presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the +certificates, and the votes shall then be counted;--the person having +the greatest number of votes for president, shall be the president, if +such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and +if no person have such majority, then, from the persons having the +highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as +president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately, by +ballot, the president. But in choosing the president, the votes shall be +taken by states, the representatives from each state having one vote; a +quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from +two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be +necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not +choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, +before the fourth day of March next following, then the vice-president +shall act as president, as in the case of the death or other +constitutional disability of the president. The person having the +greatest number of votes as vice-president, shall be the vice-president, +if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, +and if no person have a majority, then, from the two highest numbers on +the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president; a quorum for the +purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and +a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no +person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be +eligible to that of vice-president of the United States. + + + + +Index + + + +Academies and colleges, 82 +Accessories to crime, 220 +Actions at law, defined, 64 + how commenced, 64 +Adjutant-general, 92 +Administrators, duties of, 179 +Admission of states, 158 +Agent, responsibilities of, 202-204 +Alabama, constitution of, 259 +Aldermen, duties of, 60 +Aliens, power to pass laws for the naturalization of, 121, 122 + disabilities of, 121 +Alliance, defined, 135 +Alliances, when binding, 230, 231 + by states, prohibited, 135 +Amendments of the constitution, provision for, 160 +Appeals of suits, 68, 69 +Appellant, appellee, defined, 69 +Apellate jurisdiction, defined, 70 +Appointment, power of, (see Governor and President.) +Apprentices and servants, 175, 176 +Aquatic rights, 183, 185 +Aristocracy, defined, 25 +Arkansas, constitution of, 264 +Army, standing, 149 +Arrest and examination of offenders, 69 +Arsenals, use of, 92 +Arson, defined, 217 +Assault and battery, 220 +Assessment and collection of taxes, 76-78 +Assessors, duties of, 77 +Assignments, 197-199 +Assumption of public debt, 160 +Attachment, suit by, 68 +Attainder of treason, 155 +Attorney, defined, 65 +Attorney, county or state's, 51, 56 +Attorney-general, state, 51 + of United States, 151 +Auditor of state, 51 + county, 65 +Auxiliary executive departments, 147-151 + +Bail, defined, how taken, 69, 70 + excessive, forbidden, 165 +Bailment, 200-202 +Ballot, defined, 33 +Bankruptcy, power to pass laws of, 124 +Banks, and their operation, 86-88 +Belligerent, defined 228 +Betting and gaming, 221 +Bigamy, defined, 219 +Bill, defined, 45 +Bills, passage of, 45-43 +Bills of attainder, by congress, prohibited, 133 + by states, prohibited, 137 + of credit, defined, 136 + passage of, prohibited, 136 + of exchange, 213-215 +Blockade, defined, 236 +Body politic, defined, 19, 54 +Bribery, defined, 219 +Broker and brokerage, 204, 205 +Bullion, defined, 125 +Burglary, defined, 218 + +Cabinet, defined, 147 + officers of, and their powers and duties, 147 +California, constitution of 277 +Canals, construction of, 82-84 + tolls on, 84 +Canvassing of votes, 34 +Capital, defined, 41, 216 +Capitation or poll-tax, 76, 77, 133 +Carriers of goods, liability of, 201, 202 +Causes, criminal and civil, defined, 64 +Casting vote, when given, 46 +Challenging voters, 33 +Charges d'affaires, 145 +Charter, defined, 59 +Chattel mortgages, 199 +Cities, villages, &c., 59-62 +Citizens, privileges of, in the several states, 157 +Civil government, defined, 17 + mankind fitted for, 17 +Civil society, 17 +Clearance of vessels, 120 +Codicil, defined, 179 +Coining money, power of, 124 + by states, prohibited, 136 +Collection of taxes, 76-78 +Colony, defined, 95 +Colonies, government of, 95 +Commerce, foreign, regulation of, 114-119 +Commerce, domestic, power of congress to regulate, 121, 122 + with Indians, 122 +Commissary-general, 92 +Commissioners, county, duties of, 54 +Committees, legislative, 44, 45 +Common carriers, responsibilities of, 201, 202 +Common council, 60 +Common law, defined, 167 +Commons, house of, 29 +Common schools, school funds, &c., 79-82 +Commonwealth, defined, 26 +Confederacy, defined, 101 +Confederation, when formed, 97 + nature of, 98, 99, 101, 102 +Confiscate, defined, 230 +Congress, under confederation, how constituted, 97, 102 +Congress under constitution, how constituted, 104-109 +Congress, powers of, (see Powers of Congress,) +Counterfeiting, defined, 218 + United States coin, power to punish, 125 +Connecticut, constitution of, 244 +Constables, duties of, 58 +Constitution, defined, 27 + objects of, 27 + how formed, 27, 28 + of United States, 281 + history of, 100 + nature of, 101-104 + how amended, 160 + supremacy of, 161 + ratification of, by the states, 162 + amendments to, 163-166 +Consuls, appointment of, 144 + duties of, 145, 227, 228 +Contraband goods, 235, 236 +Contracts in general, 189-193 +Contracts of sale, 193-197 +Contracts, obligation of, not to be impaired, 137 +Controller, or auditor, 51 +Convention, defined, 28 +Conventional law of nations, 224 +Copy-rights and patents, power of congress concerning, 126, 127 +Coroners, duties of, 55 +Corporation, defined, 54 +Corporations, how formed, 59 + nature and powers of, 59-62 +Corruption of blood, 155 +Council, legislative, 38 +Counties, origin of, 53, 54 + powers of, 54 +County officers duties of, 54-66 +County commissioners, 54 +Courts, justices, 63-70 + county, 70 + common pleas, 70 + circuit, 70, 71 + oyer and terminer, 71 + supreme, 73 + of appeals, 73 + of chancery or equity, 73, 74 + of probate, 74 + of impeachment, 75, 76 + of United States, 151, 154 + martial, 92 +Crime, infamous, defined, 31 +Crimes and misdemeanors, 216-221 +Criminal suits, defined, 64 +Customs, duties, &c., defined, 113 + collection of, 119 + +Debt, national, at different periods, 114 +Declaration of war, 231 +Deeds and mortgages, 181-183 +Delaware, constitution of, 250 +Delegate, defined, 27 +Democracy, defined, 25, 26 +Deposit fund, U.S., 80 +Deposits in banks, 87 +Depositary, responsibility of, 200 +Descent of property, of intestates, 179, 180 +Despotism, defined, 25 +Devise of property, 177 +Diplomacy, defined, 148 +District of Columbia, power of congress over, 130 +Dividends, defined, 86 +Domestic relations, laws regulating, 171-177 +Dower, defined, and right of, 183 +Drunkards, contracts made by, when binding, 191 +Dueling, defined, 219 +Duties, imposts and excises, defined, 113 + power of congress to lay, 113 + of tunnage, states may not lay, 120 + protective, by what authority laid, 116, 117 + +Easement, defined, (see Right of Way,) 183 +Education, provision for, &c., 79 +Elections, time of, how conducted, &c., 32-35 + by plurality, 34-35 + by majority, 34-35 +Electors, qualifications of, 29-31 + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.) +Electors of president and vice-president, how chosen, 140 +Embassadors, ministers, &c, 144, 145 + their appointment and duties, 144, 145 +Embassadors, rights and powers of, 226, 227 +Embezzlement, defined, 218 +Envoys, (see Embassadors.) +Escapes, persons aiding or permitting, punishable, 220 +Excise, defined, and power to lay, 112, 113 +Execution, issuing and collection of, in justices' courts, 67, 68 + exemption from, 68 +Executive department, state, 36, 48-50 + of the United States, 138-142 + officers of, their appointment and duties, 147-150 +Executors, powers and duties of, 179 +Ex post facto laws, passage of, prohibited, 133,137 + +Factor or agent, powers and responsibilities of, 202, 203 +False imprisonment, defined, 220 +Federal, defined, 101 +Fence-viewers, duties of, 58 +Fee and fee-simple, defined, 182, 186 +Felony, power of congress to define and punish, 128 +Florida, constitution of, 258 +Forgery, defined, 218 +Franchise, defined, 31 +Franking privilege, to whom granted, 151 +Fraudulent sales, assignments, &c., 197, 200 +Freedom of speech and of the press, guarantied, 163 +Freehold, freeholder, defined, 31 +Fugitives from justice, provision for the apprehension of, 157 + from service, apprehension and return of, 157, 158 +Fund, defined, 79 +Funds, various kinds of, 79-81 + +Georgia, constitution of, 257 +Government, civil, defined, 17 + different forms of, 23-26 + division of powers of, 35-37 +Governor and lieutenant-governor, election and duties of, 48-50 +Graves, opening of, punishable, 219 +Great Britain, government of, 28, 29 +Habeas corpus, privilege of writ of, guarantied, 132 +Hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, defined, 183 +Highways, supervision and oversight of, 68 +Homicide, various kinds of, defined, 217 +Husband and wife, laws regulating the relation of, 171-174 + +Idiots and lunatics, contracts by, when binding, 190 +Illinois, constitution of, 272 +Impeachment, trial of, 75 +Imposts, duties, and excises, defined, 113 +Incest, defined, 219 +Incorporated companies, 61 +Independence of the states declared, 97 +Indiana, constitution of, 270 +Indians, power to regulate commerce with, 122 +Indictments, how made, 77 +Innkeepers, liability of, 201 +Insurance companies, 89, 90 +Insurrection and rebellion, defined, 90 +Interest, and rates of, in the different states, 215 +Intestates, descent of property of, 179, 180 +Iowa, constitution of, 276 +Issue, joining of, in justices' courts, 65 +Issues of fact and of law, defined, 71 + +Joining issue in justices' courts, 65 +Judges, appointment of, in the states, 70 + how removable, 76 + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.) + of the United States courts, appointment of, 144, 146 +Judgment, rendering of, 65 + concession and collection of, in justices' courts, 67, 68 +Judicial department, state, 63-76 + of the United States, 151-154 +Jurisdiction, defined, 64 + original and appellate, defined, 70 +Juries in justices' courts, 66, 67 + grand and petit, 71 +Jury, right of trial by, secured, 66, 164, 165 +Justices' courts, proceedings of, 64-70 +Justices of the peace, jurisdiction of, 64 + +Kentucky, constitution of, 268 + +Larceny, grand and petit, defined, 218 +Law, defined, 16 + common and statute, defined, 167 +Laws necessity of, 22 + man fitted for, 17 + political, civil, municipal, defined, 21, 22 + manner of enacting, 43-48 +Laws of nations, defined, 221, 223, 224 +Leases, or estates for life, for years, at will, and by sufferance, rent, &c., 186-189 +Legislatures, state, how formed, 37-40 + meetings of, 40-43 + organization and officers of, 41-43 +Letters testamentary, and by whom issued, 179 + of administration, and by whom issued, 179 +Libel and slander, law concerning, 168, 169 +Liberty, defined, 20, 167 + of speech and of the press, secured, 163 + of conscience, 19, 170 +Lien, law concerning, 203, 205 +Lieutenant-governor, duties of, 49 +Lords, house of, 29 +Louisiana, constitution of, 262 + +Maiming, defined, 217 +Maine, constitution of, 239 +Man, fitted for government and laws, 16, 17 +Mandatary, responsibility of, 200 +Manifest, defined, 121 +Mankind, fitted for society, 15, 17 +Manslaughter, defined, 217 +Marque and reprisal, defined, 129 + power to issue letters of, 129 + states may not issue, 136 +Marriage, law concerning, 171 +Maryland, constitution of, 252 +Massachusetts, constitution of, 242 +Masters, apprentices, and servants, 175-177 +Mayor, election and duties of, 60 +Michigan, constitution of, 273 +Militia, regulation of, 90-92 +Ministers, public, their appointment and duties, 144, 145 + privilege and powers of, 145, 227 +Minors, rights and liabilities of, 175 +Minnesota, constitution of, 278 +Mints of the United States, 125 +Misdemeanors, defined, 64, 221 +Mississippi, constitution of, 260 +Missouri, constitution of, 265 +Monarchy, defined, 24, 25 +Money, power of congress to borrow, 114 + power of congress to coin, 124 + coining of, by states, prohibited, 136 + how borrowed, 84 +Moral, defined, 16 + law, defined, 21 +Mortgages, land, nature of, 182 + chattel, 199 +Murder, defined, 217 + +Nation and state, defined, 17 +Nations, jurisdiction of, 225 + rights and obligations of, 226-228 +Naturalization, power to pass laws concerning, 122, 123 +Navigation, regulation of, 119-121 + acts of Great Britain, 99 +Navy department, when established, 148 +Negative, or veto, defined, 47 +Neutral nations, rights and duties of, 228, 234-237 +New Hampshire, constitution of, 240 +New Jersey, constitution of, 247 +New York, constitution of, 245 +New states, power of congress to admit, 158 +Nonsuit, judgment of, 66 +North Carolina, constitution of, 255 +Notaries public, duties of, 214 +Notes, promissory, 207-212 + +Oaths of office, 161 + test, forbidden, 161 +Obligation of contracts, may not be impaired, 137 +Obligations of nations, 225 +Offenders, arrest of and examination, 69 +Offenses against the law of nations, power to define, 128 +Ohio, constitution of, 269 +Overseers of highways, duties of, 58 + of poor, duties of, 58 + +Pardon and reprieve, power of, 49, 143 +Parent and child, law concerning, 174, 175 +Parliament, how formed, 29 +Parol contracts, defined, 190 +Partnership, law concerning, 205, 207 +Passports, defined, 120, 121 +Patents and copy-rights, how secured, 126, 127 +Patriarch, defined, 23 +Pawnee, liability of, 201 +Peace, treaties of, 237, 238 +Pennsylvania, constitution of, 248 +Pensions, military, 149 +Perjury, defined, 219 +Personal estate, defined, 77 +Piracies and felonies, power of congress concerning, 128 +Pleadings, in justices' courts, 65 +Police courts and justices, 60 +Policy, insurance, defined, 89 +Political law, defined, 21, 27 + power, by whom exercised, 29-31 +Poll, defined, 32, 33 +Poll-list, how and by whom kept, 32 +Poll or capitation tax, 76, 77, 133 +Polygamy, defined, 219 +Poor, overseers of, their duties, 58 +Postmaster-general, power and duties of, 149, 150 +Postmasters, appointment and duties of, 149, 150 + compensation of, 149, 150 +Post-offices and post roads, power to establish, 126 +Power of congress to lay and collect taxes, &c., 112-114 + to borrow money, 114 + to regulate commerce, 114-119 + in relation to naturalization and bankruptcy, 122-124 + to coin money, and regulate weights and measures, 124-125 + to punish counterfeiting, 125 + to establish post-offices, &c., 126 + to secure patents and copy-rights, 126, 127 + to define and punish piracies, felonies, &c., 128 + to declare war, 128 + to issue letters of marque and reprisal, 129 + to provide for the national defense, generally, 129,130 + to legislate over the District of Columbia, 130 + to make all necessary and proper laws, 130, 131 +Power of congress to declare punishment of treason, 155 + to admit new states, 158 + to dispose of and regulate territory and other public property, 159 +Powers prohibited to congress, (see prohibitions on congress.) +Premium, defined, 89 +Prescription, right by, 183, 184 +President and vice-president, how chosen, 139-141 +President, powers and duties of, 143-147 + vacancy in office, how filled, 142 + power of, to fill vacancies, 146 +Principal and agent, responsibility of, 202, 205 +Printing, public, by whom and how done, 52 +Privateering, in what cases authorized, 233, 234 +Prizes in war, how disposed of, 234 +Prohibition on congress-- + to abolish the slave trade, 131, 132 + to suspend habeas corpus, 132, 133 + to pass bills of attainder, 133 + to pass ex post facto laws, 133 + in relation to taxation and commerce, 133, 134 + to grant titles of nobility, 135 +Prohibition on the states-- + to form treaties, alliances, &c., 135 + to grant letters of marque and reprisal, 136 + to coin money, 136 + to emit bills of credit, 136 + to make anything but coin a tender, 136 + to impair the obligation of contracts, 137 + to pass bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, 137 + to grant titles of nobility, 137 + to lay duties, 137, 138 +Promissory notes, rules concerning, 207-212 +Protective duties, nature of described, 116, 117 + +Quarantine regulations, 121 +Quorum, defined, 42 + +Rail-roads, by what authority and how made, 84, 85 +Ratification of constitution by states, 162 + of treaties, 144 +Ratio of representation in congress, how ascertained, &c., 105, 106 +Real estate, defined, 77 + of intestates, descent of, 179, 180 +Rebellion, defined, 90, 91 +Recognizance, defined, 69 +Recorder or register, county, duties of, 55 +Records, public, proving and effect of, 156, 157 +Registry of vessels, 120 +Religion, freedom in matters of, secured, 163 +Representative, defined, 27, 28 +Representatives, state, how apportioned and elected, 37-39 + qualifications of, 40 +Representatives in congress, how apportioned, 105 + qualifications of, 104, 105 +Reprieve and pardon, defined, and power to grant, 49, 143 +Reprisals, power to make, forbidden to states, 136 +Reprisals in war, 229, 230 +Republic, defined, 26 +Republican government, guarantied to the states, 159 +Respondent, defined, 69 +Revenue, defined, 80 + national, how raised, 112-114 +Revolution, causes of, 94-97 +Rhode Island, constitution of, 243 +Rights and liberty, defined, 18-20 +Rights of person and property, defined, 18, 19, 167 +Right of property, how acquired, 16, 177 +Right by prescription, 184-186 +Right of way, law concerning, 183, 184 +Right of waters, 183, 185 +Right of search, 236 +Riot, defined, and how suppressed, 220 +Roads, (see Highways.) +Robbery, defined, 218 + +School funds, schools, &c., 79-82 +Sealer of weights and measures, duty of, 59 +Secretary of state, of state government, 50 +Secretary of state of the United States, duties of, 148 + of the treasury, 148 + of the interior, 149 + of war, 149 + of the navy, 149 +Selectmen, duties of, 57 +Senate, state, how constituted, 38-40 +Senators and representatives, qualifications of, 40 + (See State Constitutions.) +Senate of the United States, how formed, 108, 109 + qualifications of members of, 111 + vacancies in, how filled, 110, 111 +Sergeant-at-arms, appointment and duties of, 42 +Servants, rights and liabilities of, 176, 177 +Sheriff and shire, origin of, 53, 54 + powers and duties of, 55 +Slander and libel, law concerning, 168, 169 +Slave trade, not to be prohibited before 1808, 131, 132 + declared piracy, 132 +Society, civil, defined, 17 + mankind fitted for, 15-17 +South Carolina, constitution of, 256 +Sovereignty, defined, 24 +Speaker of house and senate, 41 +Specialty, defined, 283 +Spies in war, 233 +State and nation, defined, 17 +State constitutions, synopsis of, 239-280 +State officers, executive, 50-52 +State records, effect and proof of, 156, 157 +State printer, appointment and business of, 52 +Statute law, defined, 167 +Stocks, public, defined, 84 +Stratagems in war, 233 +SubpÅ“na, nature and service of, 65 +Summons, suits commenced by, 64-66 +Superintendent of schools, duties of, 52, 81 +Supervisors, board of, of whom composed, 54 + of towns, duties of, 54, 57 + of highways, duties of, 58 +Surveyor of county, 56 +Surveyor-general, duties of, 52 +Swearing, profane, unlawful, 221 +Synopsis of the state constitutions, 239-280 + +Taxation, power of congress in relation to, 112-114 +Taxes, assessment and collection of, 76-78 + how apportioned among the states, 106-107 +Tender, what lawful, 136 +Tennessee, constitution of, 266 +Testament, (see Wills and Testaments.) +Texas, constitution of, 263 +Theocracy, defined, and government of, 24 +Town clerk, duties of, 57 +Town officers, election and duties of, 56-59 +Towns and townships, organization and powers of, 53, 56 +Treason against states, defined, 217 + power of congress concerning, 155, 156 + attainder of, 155 +Treasurer, of state, duties of, 51 + of county, 54, 55 + of towns, 58 +Treaties, how and by whom made, 244 + by states prohibited, 135 + of peace, 237, 238 +Treaty, defined, 144 +Truces in war, 237 +Trustees of townships, power and duties of, 57 +Tunnage, duties, states prohibited to lay, 119, 120 + +Union, nature of the, 101-104 +Usury, defined, and forfeiture in case of, 215 + +Vacancy, in legislature, how filled, 40 + in United States senate, how filled, 110, 111 +Venire issuing of, 67 +Verdict, defined, and how rendered, 67 +Vermont, constitution of, 241 +Vessels, registry, and measurement of, 120 +Veto, defined, 47 +Veto, in different states, (see State Constitutions.) +Villages, incorporation and government of, 61 +Virginia, constitution of, 253 +Viva voce, voting by, 34 +Voters, qualifications of, in different states, (see State Constitutions.) + +War, power of congress to declare, 128 + offensive and defensive, 228, 231 + causes and objects of, 228, 229 + reprisals in, 229, 230 + alliances in, 230, 231 + how declared, 231 + effect of, on the enemy's subjects, 232 + stratagems in, 233 + privateering and prizes, 233, 234 + truces in, 237 +Warrant, prosecution by, 69 +Weights and measures, 59, 125 +Wills and testaments, 177, 179 +Wisconsin, constitution of, 275 + + + + +Questions + + + +Chapter I. + + +§1. What is the natural state of mankind? + +§2. What renders them mutually dependent? By what means are they enabled +to supply their wants? + +§3. Why should every man labor for himself? + +§4. What comes from this arrangement? + +§5. How are the rights of men secured to them? + +§6. What is _law_? + +§7. For what else than society are mankind fitted by nature? Define +_moral_. + +§8. What is implied in man's having a moral nature? + +§9. What qualities or faculties in mankind fit them for government and +law? + +§10. What is a state or nation? + +§11. What is the object of forming state associations? What is meant by +_civil government_? + + + +Chapter II. + + +§2. Define the word _right_. May we do whatever we please? + +§3. Why are rights called _natural_? Why _inalienable_? How may they be +lost? + +§4. What are _personal_ rights? Define rights of person and right of +property. State the distinction between personal rights and the rights +of person. + +§5. Define _political_ rights. What particular rights are political? + +§6. What are _civil_ rights? + +§7. _Religious_ rights? What else are they called? + +§8. Under what general term are the different rights embraced? + +§9. What is _liberty_? Political, civil, and religious liberty? + +§10. What is the difference between _right_ and _liberty_? + +§11. What does this example further explain? + + + +Chapter III. + + +§1. Define _law_. By what names are laws distinguished? + +§2. Define the _law of nature_. + +§3. From what does the law of nature arise? + +§4. What is meant by the _moral law_? + +§5. Define _political law_. + +§6. Define _municipal_. How are municipal or civil laws distinguished +from political? + +§7. Ought the divine law in all cases to be obeyed? + +§8. Why then are human laws necessary? + +§9. Can you give any other reason? + +§10. What measure of love is due to the Creator and our fellow men +respectively? + +§11. What are the characteristics of this law of love? + + + +Chapter IV. + + +§1. What were the earliest governments? Define _patriarch_. + +§2. What was the government of the Hebrews called? Define _theocracy_. + +§3. What is _sovereign_ or _supreme power_? + +§4. What is a _monarchy_? An absolute monarchy? A limited monarchy? + +§5. A hereditary monarchy? An elective monarchy? + +§6. A _despotism_? Define _despot_ and _tyrant_. + +§7. What is an _aristocracy_? Define the word + +§8. What is a _democracy_? Define the word. + +§9. What is a _republic_? Wherein do a democracy and a republic differ? + +§10. What is a _commonwealth_? + + + +Chapter V. + + +§1. What is the object of civil government? How is this object best +secured? + +§2. What is a constitution? By what name is it called? + +§3. What is it's nature? + +§4. By what authority is a constitution made? + +§5. By whom is a constitution formed? What is the assembly called? + +§6. How is a constitution adopted? + +§7. How are the rights of the people secured by a constitution? + +§8. What is the condition of the people in an absolute monarchy? + +§9. Describe briefly the government of Great Britain. What political +rights have the people? + +§10. Of what does the constitution of Great Britain consist? + + + +Chapter VI. + + +§1. By what are the qualifications of voters prescribed? + +§2. Who are freemen? + +§3. Why should none but freemen vote? + +§4. Why is a term of residence required? + +§5. Why are not aliens immediately allowed to vote? + +§6. In what state do colored men vote? + +§7. How are electors sometimes disfranchised? What is an infamous crime? + +§8. What is said of property as a qualification? + + + +Chapter VII. + + +§1. For what purpose is the territory of a state divided? + +§2. What are the territorial divisions of a state called? + +§3. When are state elections generally held? + +§4. By whom are elections conducted? Define _poll_. + +§5. Describe the manner of voting. Define _ballot_. + +§6. Who may challenge voters? + +§7. How and why are voters registered? Are they registered in this +state? + +§8. How is it determined what persons are elected? + +§10. What is _viva voce_ voting? + +§11. What is an election by plurality? By majority? + +§12. What objections are there to either of these models? + + + +Chapter VIII. + + +§1, 2. What division of power is first mentioned? Give the distinction +between the political and civil powers. + +§3. What is said of political power in absolute and mixed governments? + +§4. How is the civil power divided? What is the business of the +legislature? How is a legislature constituted? + +§5. What is the executive department? In whom is the power vested? + +§6. What is the business of the judicial department? Of what does it +consist? + +§7. Can you give any reasons for this division of the civil power? + +§8. How is the legislative power divided? + + + +Chapter IX. + + +§1. Of what branches is a legislature composed? + +§2. Why is only one called house of representatives? + +§3. For how long terms are senators chosen? How long in this state? + +§4. Why is the senate called upper house? + +§5. How are senators apportioned? How in this state? + +§6. How are representatives apportioned? For what terms elected? How +apportioned, and for what term elected in this state? + +§7. What is the general object of apportionment? + +§8. How in an equal representation provided for? + +§9. How often are enumerations made? How often in this state? Define +_census_? + +§10. What are the qualifications of senators and representatives in this +state? + +§11. How are vacancies filled in the senate? + + + +Chapter X. + + +§1. How often do legislatures meet? How often in this state? What is +meant by _session_? + +§2. Where do legislatures meet? What is the place called? + +§3. To what are members bound by their oath of office? + +§4. How are the houses organized? What are the presiding officers +called? + +§5. What are their general duties? + +§6. What other officers are chosen? and what are their duties? + +§7. Define _quorum_. What number is a quorum in this state? + +§8. Are the proceedings ever secret? + +§9. What provision is made to prevent interruption? + + + +Chapter XI. + + +§1. When is the governor's message communicated? What does it contain? + +§2. In what other way are measures introduced? + +§3. What is done to expedite business? How are committees appointed? and +what do they do? + +§5. Name some of the committees. + +§6. What are _standing_ committees? _Select_ committees? + +§7. How do committees discharge their duties? + +§8. Wherein does the utility of committees appear? + +§9. What is a bill? + +§10. By whom, and how, are bills introduced? + +§11. How often must a bill be read? When is it amended? + +§12. After the second reading and amendment, what follows? + +§13. Describe the proceedings on the final passage of a bill. + +§14. How is it acted on in the other house? + +§15. Why is a legislature divided into two branches? + +§16. Why are bills submitted to the governor for his approval? Define +_veto_. + +§17. What if a governor refuses to sign a bill? Are bills presented to +the governor in this state? If so, and he disapproves them, by what +majorities must they be again passed? Within how many days is he to +return bills in this state? + + + +Chapter XII. + + +§1. For what terms are governors chosen? For what term in this state? + +§2. What are the qualifications for governor in this state? + +§3. What are his general powers and duties? + +§4. In what cases has he power to grant reprieves and pardons? Define +these words. What is _commute_? + +§5. Are any officers in this state appointed by the governor? Is there a +council? + +§6. What are the duties of a lieutenant-governor? Is there one in this +state? + +§7. When he acts as governor, who takes the chair of the senate? + + + +Chapter XIII. + + +§1. What assistant executive officers are there in this state? Are they +appointed or elected? + +§2. What are the duties of the secretary of state? + +§3. Of an auditor or controller? + +§4. Of a treasurer? + +§5. Of what officers are sureties required? + +§6. What are the duties of an attorney-general? Is there one in this +state? + +§7. The duties of surveyor-general? Is there one in this state? + +§8. A superintendent of schools? + +§9. What is the business of state printer? + +§10. What other state officers are there? + + + +Chapter XIV. + + +§1. For what reasons is a state divided into counties and townships? + +§2. How large are townships? + +§3. From what comes the name of _county_? Of _shire_, and _sheriff_? + +§4. Define _corporation_. What powers have town and county corporations? + +§5. In what officers are these powers vested? In whom in this state? + +§6. What are the duties of a county treasurer? + +§7. Of a register or recorder? Where are deeds, &c., recorded in this +state? + +§8. What are a sheriff's duties? + +§9. What is the business of a coroner? + +§10. Are there state's attorneys in the counties of this state? + +§11. Is there a county surveyor? + +§12. Are county officers elected by the people in this state? + + + +Chapter XV. + + +§1. Into what are counties divided? + +§2. What is done at the annual town meetings? + +§3. What officers are elected? Are all there elected in the towns of +this state? + +§4. What are those officers called who direct town affairs? What in this +state? + +§5. What are the duties of a town clerk? + +§6. What officers in this state have the care of highways? What is a +poll-tax? + +§7. By whom are the poor provided for? Are there county poor-houses in +this state? + +§8. The duties of constables? + +§9. Of treasurer? Are there town treasurers in this state? + +§10. The duties of fence-viewers? + +§11. Of town-sealer? + + + +Chapter XVI. + + +§1. Why is the incorporation of cities, &c., necessary? + +§2. How are city charters obtained? Define _charter_? + +§3. What are the principal city officers called? What inferior officers +are elected? + +§4. Are the citizens governed wholly by their own laws? + +§5. What criminal court is peculiar to cities? + +§6. What are village officers usually called? + +§7. Illustrate, by example, the necessity of a village incorporation? + +§8. Are corporations always formed by special laws? + +§9. What is said of incorporated _companies_? + +§10. What is peculiar in the nature of corporations? + +§11. In what does a state differ from other government corporations? + +§12. Wherein do all government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies? + + + +Chapter XVII. + + +§2. What is the business of the judicial department? + +§3. If there were no courts of justice, what would be the result? + +§4. What are the lowest courts called? Why? Define _jurisdiction_? + +§5. To what extent has a justice jurisdiction? + +§6. What are civil causes? Criminal? Misdemeanors? + +§7. How is a suit in a justice's court commenced? + +§8. How is a summon served? + +§9. Describe the manner of joining issue. + +§10. How are witnesses procured? and how is the issue tried? + +§11. What if a defendant or plaintiff does not appear? + +§12. How is judgment confessed? + + + +Chapter XVIII. + + +§1. Why are juries instituted? + +§2. What is a _jury_? A _verdict_? + +§3. A _venire_? + +§4. How are jurors kept during their deliberations? + +§5. What is done if they agree? If they disagree? + +§6. What is an _execution_? What if it is not satisfied? + +§7. Is all personal property liable to be sold on execution? + +§8. What is an _attachment_? In what cases is it used? + +§9. How is it served? + +§10. What if a party is dissatisfied with a judgment? + +§11. What power have justices in cases of crime? + +§12. How are offenders arrested and examined? + +§13. How is the prisoner disposed of if the justice can not try him? + +§14. Define _recognizance_ and _bail_? + + + +Chapter XIX. + + +§1. How are county courts constituted? How in this state? + +§2. What causes are tried in them? What is _appellate_ and what +_original_ jurisdiction? + +§3. Name the courts of this state. What jurisdiction has a circuit +court? + +§4. What juries have county and circuit courts? What is an issue of +fact? An issue of law? + +§5. How are the jurors selected? + +§6. What is the business of a grand jury? Of what number does it consist +in this state? + +§7. Describe the proceedings of a grand jury. What is an indictment? + +§8. Why are grand juries instituted? + +§9. By what instrument are grand juries required? + +§10. What is the opinion of some on this subject? + +§11. Is there a supreme court in this state? Describe it. Is there a +higher court? + +§12. How are suits commenced in county and other higher courts? + + + +Chapter XX. + + +§1. What is the object of a court of chancery? + +§2. Mention some of its powers. + +§3. Are there separate and distinct chancery courts in this state? + +§4. How are suits commenced and tried in these courts? + +§5. What is the business of a probate court? + +§6. What is a court of impeachment? Its business? What is an +impeachment? By whom made? + +§7. How is it done? + +§8. Describe the mode of trial. What follows conviction? + +§9. By what other modes are judicial officers removed? + + + +Chapter XXI. + + +§1. How is money raised for government purposes? What is a poll-tax? + +§2. What property is exempt from taxation? What is real, and what +personal property? + +§3. By whom, and how, is property valued? How in this state? + +§5. Of what three items does the tax consist? + +§6. How is it ascertained? + +§7. Who in this state cause the tax-list to be made out, and order the +taxes to be collected? + +§8. To whom is the money paid when collected? + + + +Chapter XXII. + + +§1. What is the proper object of government? How is it to be done? + +§2. What is the effect of education upon a people? Of ignorance? + +§3. Why should government provide the means of education? + +§4. To what extent is this done? By what means? + +§5. How is the deficiency in the income of the school fund supplied? + +§6. How, and to what extent, are school funds provided in the new +states? + +§7. In what way, and to what extent, were the school funds increased in +1837? + +§8. How are school moneys from the state treasury apportioned? How is +the deficiency in the public moneys to pay teachers made up? + +§9. Why are schools called _district_ schools, and _common_ schools? +What officers are elected in districts? + +§10. What is the state superintendent in this state called? + + + +Chapter XXIII. + + +§1. What other duty does the government owe to the citizens? + +§2. What portion of the people of a state are most favored? + +§3. By whom are canals made? Is there such a public work in this state? + +§4. Why should not the money to make them be raised by a general tax? + +§5. How are funds sometimes provided for this purpose? + +§6. For the want of such funds, how is the money obtained? How is it to +be repaid? + +§7. How is the business of borrowing done? What are _state stocks_? + +§8. What renders the purchase of state stocks a safe transaction? + +§9. By whom are canal affairs managed? + +§10. What states are most noted for their canals? + +§11. By whom are rail-roads usually constructed? Why is an act of +incorporation necessary? + +§12. What does the act provide? + +§13. How is the capital, or stock, raised? What officers are chosen, and +by whom? + +§14. What is the nature of these certificates of stock? + +§15. How do stockholders expect to be refunded? What are dividends? When +are stocks at par? When above or below par? + + + +Chapter XXIV. + + +§1. Where were the first banks? and whence is the name derived? + +§2. By what authority are our banks established? How is the capital +stock raised? + +§3. How do business men deposit and draw out their money? + +§4. What is a _certificate of deposit_? How is it made transferable? and +convertible into money? + +§5. Describe the manner of transmitting money through banks. + +§6. How are banks repaid? What is saved to business men by this mode of +remittance? + +§7. Describe the operation of lending money by a bank. + +§8. Describe a bank bill. What if a bank is unable to redeem its bills? +How are bill-holders secured against loss? + +§9. What is the nature of the free banking system? + +§10. How does this law provide for the security of bill-holders? + +§11. What is the business of insurance companies? What do they insure? +Define _policy-premium_. + +§12. Of what consist the profits of stock insurance companies? Show this +by an example. + +§13. How are companies enabled to fix proper rates of insurance? Is all +property insured at the same rate? Why not? + +§14. Describe the character of mutual insurance companies. How is money +raised for paying losses? + + + +Chapter XXV. + + +§1. What preparation is made for the public defense? What does the word +_militia_ include? + +§2. For what other purpose may portions of the militia be wanted? Define +_insurrection_ and _rebellion_. + +§3. Who are liable to do military service? Who are exempt by the laws of +the states generally? + +§4. Who by the laws of the United States? + +§5. What military authority have the governors and the president? Why +have they this power? + +§6. How are persons dealt with for non-attendance and delinquency at +parades? + +§7. What are the duties of the adjutant-general? + +§8. What is the business of a commissary-general? Is there one in this +state? Define _arsenal_. + +§9. What is done in the case of persons averse to bearing arms? Are any +exempt in this state without commuting? + +§10. What regulations exist in New York and Ohio? + +§11. For what reasons is the drilling of the whole militia deemed +unnecessary? + +§12. What is your opinion of war? What is a better way of settling +disputes between nations? + + + +Chapter XXVI. + + +§2. What is there in our government that renders a knowledge of it +important to the people? + +§3. To what country were the American colonies subject? What is a +_colony_? + +§4. Whence did the people derive their rights and privileges? What was +the _form_ of the colonial governments? + +§5. From whom did the officers derive their power? Were any elected? On +whose approval did the laws finally depend? + +§6. What was the effect of this upon the colonists? What was the object +of the laws of parliament relating to the colonies? + +§6, 7. What did some of these laws require? + +§8. By what particular means did that government secure the colonial +trade? Define _duty_. + +§9. Explain the nature and effect of these duties. + +§10. What right did parliament claim? What act was accordingly passed? +What did the colonists do? What was the final result? + + + +Chapter XXVII. + + +§1. When did the first continental congress meet? How were its members +chosen? What great act did it do in 1776? + +§2. What did it in November, 1777? When did the confederation go into +effect? + +§3. How did the union formed by it prove? What was the probable cause of +its imperfections? + +§4. What was its leading defect? Mention some instances of its weakness? + +§5. What probably aided in inducng compliance with the ordinances of +congress? + +§6. What new difficulties arose after peace? What difficulty attended +the laying of duties by the states? + +§7. For what other purpose did congress need the power to lay duties? +How had Great Britain secured the carrying trade? + +§8. What other trouble arose from this imperfect union? + +§9. How was this difficulty sought to be remedied? + +§10. What was the result of the meeting at Annapolis? + +§11. In what did the recommending of a convention result? How was the +constitution ratified in the states? + +§12. To give it effect, how many states must ratify? When were +ratifications received from Rhode Island and North Carolina? + + + +Chapter XXVIII. + + +§2. What is a confederacy? Was the confederation a union of people? or a +union of states? From what does this appear? + +§3. What is the union under the constitution? Where is this declared? + +§4. What is said of the former independence of the states? What power +has the general government acquired by the constitution? + +§5. How did the equality of the states in the old congress appear? To +how many delegates were they entitled? How did they vote? + +§6. How are the states now represented? How do representatives vote? + +§7. State the difference between the bodies that framed and ratified the +two instruments respectively. + +§8. Was the government under the confederation properly _national_? How +does it appear that it was not? What change did the constitution effect? + +§9. What early act of the constitutional convention shows the present +government to be national? + +§10. What departments of power were wanting under the confederation? + +§11. Is the present government wholly national? Why not? + + + +Chapter XXIX. + + +§1. Of what does congress consist? For what terms were members of the +old congress appointed? Why has the term of a representative been +extended to two years? + +§2. What qualifications are required for voting for representatives? +What reasons were there for this rule? + +§3. What are the qualifications of a representative? Give the reasons +for these qualifications. + +§4. Give the rule of apportioning representatives and direct taxes. + +§5. What made it difficult to agree upon a rule of apportionment? In +what states did slavery then exist? Name the present slaveholding +states. + +§7. Upon what terms was the question of apportionment settled? + +§8. Illustrate the rule by an example. + +§9. How are the slave states benefited by this arrangement as to taxes? + +§10. What do they gain as to representation? + +§11. How is the number of representatives limited? How often is the +ratio of representation fixed? + +§12. Why has the ratio been from time to time increased? How is a +representation secured to the smallest states? + +§13. State the ratio and the number of representatives after each +census. + +§14. How is a state districted for choosing representatives? When are +they chosen? + +§15. How are territories represented? + + + +Chapter XXX. + + +§1. How is the senate constituted? Upon what points did the convention +differ? How was the matter settled? + +§2. In what provision does the federative principle appear? + +§3. In what is there a difference between the old congress and the +senate? + +§4. What reasons are offered in favor of a short term of office? What in +favor of a long term? + +§6. What is said in favor of the present term? + +§7. Why were not the terms of all the senators made to expire at once? + +§8. How are vacancies in the office of senator filled? + +§9. Can an appointment be made before a vacancy actually happens? State +a case. + +§10. What reasons are there for the required qualifications of senators +as to age, citizenship, and residence in the state? + +§11. How do bills become laws after they have been vetoed by the +president? + + + +Chapter XXXI. + + +§2. What difference is here noticed between the general and state +governments in respect to their powers? + +§3. What is the first in the list of powers given to congress? + +§4. For what purpose was this power necessary? What is _direct_ and what +_indirect_ taxation? + +§5. Define duties, customs, imposts, and excises. + +§6. Define _specific_ and _ad valorem_ duties. + +§7. Why are duties required to be uniform throughout the United States? + +§8. By what means was the old national debt paid? How large was it at +different periods? + +§9. Why is the power to borrow money necessary? + + + +Chapter XXXII. + + +§1. From what arose the necessity of the power to regulate foreign +commerce? What was the British policy? + +§2. In what consisted the inequality of trade between the two countries? + +§3. Show, by example, how Great Britain secured a home market for her +agricultural products. + +§4. What other benefits did she derive from her policy? + +§5. Why were we obliged to submit to the payment of these duties? Why +not manufacture for ourselves? + +§6. Why did not our government retaliate by imposing like duties upon +British goods and vessels? + +§7. What are duties designed to encourage home manufactures called? + +§8. Show, by example, the operation and effect of a protective duty. + +§9. By what other power may this object be partially effected? Show how. + +§10. Why, then, was not one of these powers sufficient? + +§11. Show, by example, why the free importation of foreign goods and +direct taxation are not deemed the better policy. + +§13. How early, and how, was domestic industry encouraged? What rendered +high duties for a time unnecessary? + +§14. What afterwards made it necessary for congress to exercise more +extensively its powers to regulate trade? When did the system of +protection properly commence? Where has since been the principal market +for agricultural products? + +§15. Where, and by whom, are the duties or customs collected? + + + +Chapter XXXIII. + + +§1. What is _navigation_? + +§2. What is _tunnage_? _Tunnage duties_? For what purpose were these +duties laid? Why were they called _discriminating_ duties? + +§3. What has been their effect? What has caused their discontinuance? + +§4. How are vessels registered? + +§5. What is a _manifest_? A _clearance_? + +§6. At whose request are passports furnished to vessels? What is a +_passport_? By whom given? + +§7. How is the safety of passengers and crew provided for? + +§8. Define _quarantine_. What has congress enacted in relation to +quarantines? + +§9. Why was power given to congress to regulate _internal_ commerce, or +commerce among the states? + +§10. Why the power to regulate commerce with the Indian tribes? + + + +Chapter XXXIV. + + +§1. What were the disqualifications of aliens by the common law? Why are +these disqualifications deemed proper? + +§2. When ought they to be removed? Why should the rule of naturalization +be uniform? + +§3. Describe the manner in which an alien is naturalized. + +§4. How do alien minors become citizens? + +§5. What is a _bankrupt_? A bankrupt law? What is the object of such +laws? + +§6. Why is the power to pass them given to congress? Why should they be +uniform? + +§7. Why is the power to coin money and regulate its value given to +congress? What change in the system of reckoning has been effected? + +§8. At what places is money coined? What is _bullion_? + +§9. Why is the power to fix the standard of weights and measures vested +in congress? + +§10. Why has congress the power to provide for punishing the +counterfeiting of the securities and coin of the United States? + + + +Chapter XXXV. + + +§1. Why is the power to establish post-offices given to congress? + +§2. How are useful arts and sciences promoted? + +§3. How does an author of a work proceed in procuring a copy-right? By +whom, and where, is the title recorded? + +§4. What else must the author do? For how many years is the right +obtained? For what term, and how, may the right be continued? + +§5. Where are patents for inventions obtained? How does the inventor +proceed? + +§6. How much must he pay before his petition is considered? For what +term are patents granted? For what term may they be renewed? + + + +Chapter XXXVI. + + +§1. Define _piracy_ and _felony_. Why is the power to define and punish +these crimes given to congress? + +§2. Why also the power to define and punish offenses against the law of +nations? + +§3. Why the power to declare war? Who exercises this power in +monarchies? + +§4. What are letters of marque and reprisal? Why should not an +individual redress his private wrongs? + +§5. Why should not the states authorize reprisals? + +§6. Why has congress the power to make rules concerning captures? How is +captured property distributed? + +§7. Why is the general power to provide for the national defense +intrusted to congress? + +§8. Why was given to congress entire control over the district +containing the seat of government? + +§9. What district is here referred to? Over what other places has +congress exclusive authority? + +§10. What is the last power granted in the list here enumerated? Why is +this general grant of power to make laws deemed necessary? + +§11. What opinion is held by some in regard to this power? On what +reasons is this opinion founded? + + + +Chapter XXXVII. + + +§1. What is the first prohibition on congress? + +§2. To what has this reference? For what reasons was this prohibition +assented to? + +§3. Have men a natural right to buy and sell each other? When was the +foreign slave trade prohibited? How is it now punishable? + +§4. Define _habeas corpus_. What is the privilege of this writ? + +§5. What is a bill of attainder? When is it a bill of pains and +penalties? + +§6. What is an _ex post facto_ law? Give examples of ex post facto laws. + +§7. What is a capitation tax? To what provision of the constitution does +this prohibition refer? What does it mean? + +§8. Why are duties on exports forbidden? How might the interests of the +different states be injuriously affected by taxing exports? + +§9. What further reasons are given for this prohibition? How is freedom +and equality in trade secured to the states? + +§10. By what provision is the proper disposal of the public moneys +secured? + +§11. Why is the granting of titles of nobility forbidden? How are public +officers guarded against corruption from foreign influence? + + + +Chapter XXXVIII. + + +§1. What is a treaty? An alliance? A confederation? Why are states +forbidden to enter into them? + +§2. Why should not states issue letters of marque and reprisal? + +§3. Why should they not coin money? + +§4. Why were they forbidden to emit bills of credit? Does the +prohibition extend to bank bills? + +§5. What is meant by _tender_, usually termed _lawful_ or _legal +tender_? Why should coin only be made tender in payment of debts? + +§6. Why is the passing of bills of attainder and ex post facto laws by +states forbidden? Why are laws impairing the force of contracts +prohibited? + +§7. Do insolvent or bankrupt laws impair the obligation of contracts? +States have passed such laws; were they constitutional? How has the +question been decided? + +§8. Why is the granting of titles forbidden to the states? + +§9. What objections to the general power of the states to tax exports or +imports? What exception is made to the prohibition? + +§10. What is the object of this exception? + +§11. What other restrictions are there upon the power of the states? + + + +Chapter XXXIX. + + +§1. In whom is the executive power of the nation vested? + +§2. For what reasons was this power given to one person only? + +§3. Why were four years agreed on as the official term? + +§4. By whom is the president elected? Has the mode of election ever been +altered? + +§5. By what authority is the manner of choosing the electors prescribed? +By whom are they chosen at present? + +§6. In what manner are they chosen? Describe particularly the election +by general ticket. When are electors chosen? + +§7. Where and when do the electors vote for president? How, when, and to +whom, are certificates of their votes sent? + +§8. When, where, and by whom are the votes counted? How is the election +determined? If no person has a majority of all the votes, by whom is the +election made? How do the members vote? + +§9. Describe the election of president by the house in 1825. + +§10. How is the vice-president elected if there is no choice by the +electors? + +§11. What are the qualifications of the president and vice-president? + +§12. How is a vacancy in the office of president supplied? What further +provision is made for supplying vacancies? + +§13. Why may not the salary of a president be increased or diminished? + +§14. When does the presidential term commence and expire? + + + +Chapter XL. + + +§1. What high military office has the president? Why is the command of +the public forces intrusted to him? + +§2. For what reasons the power to grant reprieves and pardons? + +§3. What other powers has the president? For what purposes are treaties +made? Who exercises this power in monarchies? Why is not the house +associated with the president and senate? + +§4. For what reasons is the senate preferred? Who appoint embassadors? + +§5. By whom and how are treaties negotiated? By whom ratified? + +§6. What is here mentioned as the practice of civilized nations? What +are the duties of the secretary of state in our intercourse with foreign +nations? + +§7. What titles have representatives at foreign courts? Who are +embassadors _in ordinary_ and _extraordinary_? Envoys? Envoys +_plenipotentiary_? + +§8. What are our representatives abroad called? What are _chargès des +affaires_? + +§9. What is the business of consuls? + +§10. Why is the appointment of judges of the supreme court given to the +president and senate? + +§11. For what reason should the president have the right to select the +heads of the departments? + +§12. What power has the president alone in filling vacancies? Why is +such a power necessary? + +§13. What other powers and duties of the president are mentioned in the +constitution? + +§14. What officers are removable by impeachment? and for what offenses? + + + +Chapter XLI. + + +§1. Among what departments is the executive business of the nation +distributed? By what names are the head officers called? How appointed? + +§2. What departments did the first congress establish? What officers +constituted the first cabinet? When were the heads of the navy, +post-office, and interior departments respectively added? + +§3. What are the duties of the secretary of state relating to foreign +affairs? Define diplomacy and diplomatist. + +§4. What are the duties of the secretary in relation to home affairs? + +§5. What are the duties of the secretary of the treasury? + +§6. What are his principal assistants? + +§7. What are the duties of the secretary of the interior? What is a +_pension_? To what classes of persons are pensions allowed? To whom are +bounties of lands allowed? + +§8. To what do the duties of the secretary of war relate? + +§9. What is the business of the secretary of the navy? and of the navy +commissioners? + +§10. What are the principal duties of the postmaster general? Who are +his principal assistants? + +§11. What is the business of postmasters in relation to keeping accounts +of letters, advertising letters, and making returns to the general +post-office? What are _dead_ letters? + +§12. How are postmasters paid for their services? State the rates of +commission. To what amount of compensation are postmasters limited? What +postmasters are appointed by the president and senate? + +§13. Who are entitled to the franking privilege? and to what extent? How +is franking done? What government officers frank matter on official +business? + +§14. What are the duties of the attorney-general? + + + +Chapter XLII. + + +§1. Was there a national judiciary under the confederation? In what +courts is the judicial power of the U.S. vested? + +§2. By whom, and for what term, are the judges appointed? Why is the +term made so long? + +§3. How is the independence of the judges further secured? Why should +congress not have power to reduce their salaries? + +§4. Cases of what nature are tried in the national courts? + +§5. Why is the trial of crimes to be held in the state where committed? + +§6. Which are the lowest national courts? How is a district court +constituted? What cases does it try? + +§7. How many circuits are there? How is a circuit court constituted? +What cases does it try? + +§8. How is the supreme court constituted? Where, and when, does it hold +sessions? What is its principal business? + +§9. What important object is so cared by the supreme court? How are +state laws and the decisions of state courts affected by the decisions +of the supreme court of the United States? + + + +Chapter XLIII. + + +§1. Why was the definition of treason put into the constitution? What is +levying war? + +§2. State more particularly what does and what does not constitute +levying war and treason? + +§3. What proof is required to convict of treason? + +§4. How was treason punished by the common law? How has congress made it +punishable? + +§5. What is attainder? Its meaning here? By the common law, how did the +sentence of death for treason affect the traitor? What has congress +declared concerning conviction for treason? + + + +Chapter XLIV. + + +§1. What is the object of the provision concerning state records? + +§2. In giving effect to this provision, what has congress enacted? In +case of a judicial proceeding, what is required? What in case of an act +of a state legislature? + +§3. What is meant by the clause concerning the privileges of citizens in +the several states? Without such provision, what might a state do? + +§4. How is a fugitive from justice arrested and returned for trial? + +§5. Who are meant by "persons held to service or labor, escaping into +another state?" What provision of the common law induced the adoption of +this clause? + +§6. How are fugitives from slavery apprehended and returned? Is the law +requiring the capture and return of fugitive slaves, in your opinion, +morally binding? + +§7. What induced the provision for admitting new states? What states +have been formed from the north-western territory? + +§8. What unsettled tract was south of the Ohio? Whose consent to the +division of a state does the constitution require? + +§9. In the right to acquire territory, what other right is implied? Had +the old congress this power? What has congress done under the power here +granted? + +§10. How is a republican form of government secured to the states? How +are they to be protected against invasion and domestic violence? What is +meant by domestic violence? + + + +Chapter XLV. + + +§1. How are constitutional amendments proposed? How ratified? + +§2. What good is supposed to have resulted from so difficult a mode of +amendment? + +§3. For what reasons was the new government made to assume the debts of +the old? + +§4. Why is the constitution of the United States, and the laws and +treaties made under it, made binding above all state authority? + +§5. Why are public officers bound by oath to support the constitution, +and to discharge their duties faithfully? + +§6. What is a religious _test_? What was it in England? Why was it +forbidden by the constitution? + +§7. What does the last article declare? Why was not the ratification of +all the states required? Why was the ratification of so many as nine +required? + +§8. When did this state ratify? When did North Carolina and Rhode Island +come into the union? + +§9. When were electors of president chosen? When was the president +elected, and when inaugurated? When did proceedings under the +constitution commence? + + + +Chapter XLVI. + + +§1. How many articles of amendment are there? What is the nature of most +of them? Why then were they added? When were the first ten proposed and +ratified? + +§2. What is forbidden by the first amendment? + +§3. What right is guarantied by the second amendment? Why is this right +necessary? + +§4. What does the third amendment declare? What probably suggested it? + +§5. What right is guarantied by the fourth article? What evil is it +intended to prevent? + +§6. What rights does the fifth article guaranty? Can you give any reason +why a person fairly tried and acquitted should not be tried again? What +does the sixth article require? + +§7. What is secured by the seventh amendment? What is meant by suits at +common law? What are courts of admiralty? How is the latter part of this +article explained? + +§8. What does the eighth article forbid? What evils was it designed to +prevent? + +§9. What is the ninth article? What evil was it designed to prevent? + +§10. What does the tenth amendment declare? Explain it. + +§11. When was the eleventh article proposed and ratified? What is it? +What was it intended to prevent? + +§12. What does the twelfth amendment effect? When was it proposed and +ratified? + + + +Chapter XLVII. + + +§1. How are the municipal or civil laws distinguished from the +fundamental or political law? + +§2. What are statute laws? + +§3. What is the common law? Is it law in this country? + +§4. What are the rights of person? Personal security? Personal liberty? +How are they guarantied? + +§5. How may a man protect himself when in danger of personal injury? +What remedy for violence committed? + +§6. How far may a man go in defending himself or his property? What is +such killing called? + +§7. How are we protected in our good names? What is slander? + +§8. What is libel? Which is considered the greater injury? For which is +a person liable in both a civil and criminal suit? + +§9. What is the rule of the common law in the case of a criminal action +for libel? What is the reason for this principle? + +§10. What distinction do some make between cases of public and private +prosecution for libel? + +§11. Does the common law still prevail in this country? How has it been +modified? + +§12. How is personal liberty secured? What is the nature of the writ of +_habeas corpus_? + +§13. What is liberty of conscience? How is it secured? + +§14. Is this right secured to the same extent in England? + +§15. What is meant by the right of property? By what is it protected? + + + +Chapter XLVIII. + + +§1. What is meant by the age of consent? At what periods of life is it +fixed? At what in this state? + +§2. What three requisites to a lawful marriage are next mentioned? + +§3. May a person remarry who has a wife or husband living? What is the +crime called? What cases are excepted? + +§4. Are the marriages in these excepted cases binding? What is the +common law on the subject? + +§5. How, and by whom are marriages solemnized? What regulations exist in +some states? Is a license or a notice required in this state? + +§6. By common law, what right to the personal property does the husband +acquire by marriage? + +§7. Does he acquire an absolute right also to her real estate? How is +his right limited? + +§8. How has this common law rule been changed? Can you tell what the law +is in this state? + +§9. By common law, what liability does a husband incur by marriage? What +is coverture? Is this now the law in all the states? Is it in this +state? + +§10. How far is a husband bound for the maintenance of his wife? + +§11. May they be witnesses for each other? + + + +Chapter XLIX. + + +§1. What are the obligations of parents? What is the age of majority? In +law, who are infants, or minors? + +§2. How far, or in what cases, is a father liable for the contracts of a +child? + +§3. Can a minor bind himself by contract? In what cases is he bound? + +§4. How in cases of rent? How in cases of contracts which he avoids when +he comes of age? + +§5. Are minors answerable for crimes? How in cases of fraud? + +§6. What right have they to bind themselves as apprentices and servants? +By whose consent? + +§7. Who may bind pauper children? What provision is made for their +education? + +§8. What are the rights of the master and apprentice respectively? + +§9. When may apprenticeships be dissolved? + +§10. How may a hired servant forfeit his wages? For what may he be +dismissed? For what cause released from his service? + +§11. What are the mutual liabilities of master and servant? + + + +Chapter L. + + +§1. By whom, and in what ways, may real estate be taken, held, and +conveyed? Have aliens this right? + +§2. What is it to _devise_ property? What is a or testamen? Define +testator, and intestate. + +§3. Who may bequeath property? What special rights to bequeath property +are given in some states? What is a nuncupative will? + +§4. How has the right of married women to bequeath property been +extended? + +§5. How is a will executed? + +§6. In what different ways may a will be revoked? + +§7. What is the effect of the subsequent birth of a child? What else +have some states provided? + +§8. What is a codicil? Its effect? + +§9. How is a will proved? What are letters testamentary, and letters of +administration? + +§10. What is meant by the _descent_ of property? Is the rule of descent +uniform in the states? To whom, generally, does it descend first? + +§11. If any children of the intestate are dead, how does it descend? +Give an example. + +§12. If all the children are dead, how do the grand-children share? Is +this state an exception to the rule? + +§13. Do real and personal estate generally come under the same rule? + + + +Chapter LI. + + +§1. What is the benefit of a deed of real estate? What is expressed in a +deed? How is it executed? + +§2. What is necessary to secure possession to the purchaser? Where are +conveyances recorded in this state? + +§3. How long, in come states, are first purchasers secure before +recording? What is the law in this state? What claim does a purchaser +thus dispossessed still retain? Can you tell why conveyances are +required to be recorded at all? + +§4. How are deeds proved? Before whom are thoy acknowledged? How are +they recorded? + +§5. What is meant by _fee-simple_? What does the grantor in a warranty +deed bind himself to do? In what does such deed differ from a quit-claim +deed? + +§6. What is a mortgage? How is the balance of the purchase money usually +secured? How is the money raised? + +§7. Why does a wife join with her husband in a conveyance? What is the +interest thus retained by a widow called? In what else must a wife join? +Does a wife acknowledge apart from her husband in this state? + + + +Chapter LII. + + +§1. Define corporeal and incorporeal hereditaments. What are aquatic +rights? + +§2. What is a right of way? How is this right obtained? What is an +easement? + +§3. In what case does a right of way pass with the land? Give an +example. + +§4. In what cases does this right arise from necessity? + +§5. When the use of a thing is granted, what is generally granted with +it? + +§6. How is a temporary right of way acquired? Does the obstruction of a +private way give the same right? + +§7. What is a right by _prescription_? How many years' peaceable use +gives a person such right? What change in this term has been made in +some states? What is it in this state? + +§8. What right have the public to the soil of a highway? Who own the +soil? What right and power concerning it do they retain? + +§9. What are the rights of the owners of lands adjoining a stream? How +is the use of the water restricted? + +§10. How may the right to the use of the water be affected by +prescription? + +§11. What is the general and established doctrine on this subject? Must +the use be enjoyed by one person during the whole period to give a +prescriptive right? + + + +Chapter LIII. + + +§1. What is an estate of inheritance? A _fee_? A _fee-simple_? + +§2. What is the writing which conveys an interest in lands for a limited +period called? What means to lease? Define lessor and lessee. What +lenses must be sealed? + +§3. How are these limited interests in land divided? What is an estate +for life? How, otherwise than by lease, are life estates acquired? + +§4. What is an estate for years? + +§5. May a lessee for years underlet without the lessor's leave? For how +long a time? + +§6. Who is entitled to the growing crop if the lease expires before +harvest? In what case the tenant? + +§7. Does the destruction of rented premises release the tenant from +payment of rent? In what case would he not be liable? + +§8. Can a tenant charge his landlord for repairs? What may he do when +the premises have become unsafe or useless? + +§9. Where and when must payment of rent be made or tendered? + +§10. What is an estate at will? Are such estates common? In what case +are they held to be tenancies from year to year? What if a tenant for +years hold over after his lease? + +§11. What turns leases from uncertain terms into leases from year to +year? Who is strictly a tenant at will? Can he be dispossessed without +previous notice to quit? + +§12. What is an estate at sufferance? What are the rights of a landlord +and a tenant by sufferance, respectively? + + + +Chapter LIV. + + +§1. Define contract. What is an executory contract? An express contract? +An implied contract? + +§2. What is a specialty? A simple or parol contract? Define _parol_. +What effect has parol evidence upon written contracts? + +§3. Who are deemed incapable of contracting? How are contracts made by +such persons voided? How enforced? What is the general rule? + +§4. What is the rule in regard to drunkards? + +§5. What is mentioned as the second requisition to a valid contract? How +must assent be given? + +§6. What is next mentioned as necessary to a valid contract? What is a +consideration? + +§7. What is the effect of mutual promises? How must they be made? How +when the parties are distant? + +§8. Why are gratuitous promises void? In what case are subscriptions +binding? + +§9. Why can not payment be lawfully claimed for gratuitous services? In +what cases is a person bound to pay for unasked labor? + +§10. What else is mentioned as necessary to a valuable consideration? +What kind of impossibility will not void a contract? + +§11. What is said of illegal and immoral considerations? + +§12. To what kind of contracts does the rule that a consideration is +necessary apply? Why not to those under seal? + +§13. What is declared by the English statute of frauds? What do some +states further require? + + + +Chapter LV. + + +§1. What is a sale? What general principles apply to contracts of sale? + +§2. What if a man contracts to sell what has no existence? Give an +example. + +§3. Can he sell what may have a future existence? Give examples. + +§4. What is said about _price_, as essential to a sale? + +§5. What about the mutual consent of parties? + +§6. What is to be done if the goods are not immediately delivered? Below +what price is this unnecessary? What is the sum fixed in this state? + +§7. What is said about delivery to complete a contract? + +§8. When does the buyer acquire the right of property? When the right of +possession? + +§9. In case the goods are sold on credit, when has the buyer a right to +them? In what case has he not? + +§10. What is said about the warranty of title? + +§11. In regard to quality, what? + +§12. To what cases does not this rule apply? Is a seller bound to +disclose hidden defects? + +§13. What is the general rule? + + + +Chapter LVI. + + +§1. For what purposes are fraudulent sales made? + +§2. What is here stated to be a common law rule? Upon what question do +the courts differ? + +§3. What distinction has been made between conditional and unconditional +bills of sale and assignments? + +§4. In different states, what different rules prevail? + +§5. How does the strict rule sometimes operate to the injury of honest +debtors? + +§6. How has this question been settled in some states? What are these +instruments of conveyance called? Must they be recorded in this state? + +§7. In what case, when there is a judgment against the seller, would a +sale of personal property be fraudulent? + +§8. How are assignments made for the benefit of creditors? May such +assignor prefer any of his creditors? + +§9. If he agrees to pay all a certain share, and then privately prefers +some, what is the effect? + +§10. In what cases are gifts valid against creditors? + + + +Chapter LVII. + + +§1. Define bailment. + +§2. For what is a bailee without reward responsible? What is a +depositary? + +§3. A mandatary? For what is he responsible? + +§4. For what is a borrower liable? How is he restricted in the use of +the article? + +§5. In the case of property pledged as security for debt, what are the +liabilities? + +§6. What in case of a hired article? + +§7. What if work or care is to be bestowed upon a thing delivered? + +§8. The liability of innkeepers? + +§9. Of persons carrying goods for hire in a particular case? + +§10. What is a common carrier? To what extent is he liable? + +§11. What are his rights and obligations as to receiving and carrying +goods? + +§12. What are the liabilities of proprietors of stage coaches as to +passengers? What as to the carrying of goods and the baggage of +passengers? + + + +Chapter LVIII. + + +§1. Define agent, principal, factor. What is a factor sometimes called? + +§2. How is a factor secured for money advanced on property? + +§3. What is this right to hold property called? How is he restricted? + +§4. How far is a principal bound by the acts of a general agent? What is +a general agent? + +§5. How far is an agent bound to his principal? In what case may he +depart from his instructions? + +§6. By what rule is he to be governed? + +§7. What degree of diligence and skill must he exercise? What is +ordinary diligence? Reasonable skill? + +§8. In what cases is an agent responsible to the person with whom he +deals? In what case is a principal liable for goods bought by an agent +in his own name? + +§9. What is a broker? His ordinary business? In what does he differ from +a factor? + +§10. What is a lien? For whose benefit is the right intended? How their +right restricted? + + + +Chapter LIX. + + +§1. Define partnership? + +§2. In what cases does the act of one partner bind all, and in what does +it not? + +§3. What cases of association are here mentioned that are not +partnerships? + +§4. How are they to sue and be sued? + +§5. What cannot a partner do without the consent of all? What may +dissolve a partnership at any time? § + +§6. Why should notice of dissolution be published when any partner +withdraws? How else may he become liable? + +§7. How are limited partnerships formed? + +§8. For what amount are the special partners liable? Whose names are +used For what are the general partners liable? If the partnership is to +be dissolved by the act of the parties, what is to be done? + + + +Chapter LX. + + +§1. What is a promissory note? Give a form. + +§2. What is the effect of inserting "or bearer," or, "or order"? If +payable to order, how is it made negotiable? Why is a note called +negotiable? If not negotiable, how is it to be sued? + +§3. What is a blank indorsement? A full indorsement? What is sometimes +done in case of a blank indorsement? + +§4. Show, by example, the benefit of making a note payable to order +instead of to bearer. + +§5. Why are the words "value received" inserted? Is a note without these +words collectable? + +§6. In what different ways may notes signed by two or more persons be +written, to be joint, or joint or several? + +§7. By Whom may a negotiable note be sued? In what case can a holder of +a note recover upon it, though he received it of a person who had stolen +it? + +§8. To what rule is this an exception? Why is this exception? + +§9. On the other hand, what is required to protect the owner? What +should the owner do? + +§10. What is the risk in buying a note after it has become due? How is +it when no day of payment is expressed? What regulation exists in New +Jersey and Pennsylvania? + +§11. What is the law respecting notes payable in some commodity? + +§12. When do notes payable on demand, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, become due and suable? Notes payable at sight, or after +sight? If the words "with interest" are omitted, when does interest +commence? If payable on demand, when? + +§13. What are days of grace? How do they affect a note? + +§14. To bind an indorser, when must payment be demanded? + +§15. If payment is refused, how and when is the indorser to be notified? + +§16. In case the maker's residence is unknown, how is payment to be +demanded? + +§17. State the effect of the different modes of guarantying notes. + + + +Chapter LXI. + + +§1. What is a bill of exchange? Give a form. + +§2. What are foreign bills of exchange? Inland? + +§3. Give an example of its operation and effect? + +§4. How is a bill accepted? How is the acceptor liable? How is payment +demanded? + +§5. When must bills payable at sight, or a certain day after sight, or +after date, be presented for acceptance? When presented for payment? + +§6. What is the nature of a bank check? + +§7. What is the business of a notary public? Define _protest_. + +§8. What is said of protesting inland bills of exchange? + +§9. What is interest? + +§10. Give the rates of interest in the different states. What is it in +this state? + +§11. What is usury? What is the forfeiture for taking usury in this +state? + + + +Chapter LXII. + + +§1. Are the penalties for crimes the same in all the states? Is the +measure of punishment always the same for the same offense, in any +state? Who fixes the measure of punishment? + +§2. What crimes are punishable by death in this state? + +§3. Why are crimes punishable by death called _capital_ crimes? Define +capital. + +§4. Define treason. + +§5. What is murder? Are there different degrees of murder in this state? + +§6. Define manslaughter. How many degrees of manslaughter in this state? + +§7. What is arson? Define arson in the first degree. How is this degree +punishable in this state? + +§8. What is homicide? When is it felonious? What is justifiable and +excusable homicide? + +§9. What is maiming? Kidnapping? What other crimes are here mentioned as +felonies? + +§10. What is burglary? Why is the crime deemed greater when committed in +the night time? + +§11. Define forgery and counterfeiting? + +§12. Define robbery, and an attempt to rob. + +§13. What is embezzlement? How is it punishable? + +§14. What is larceny? What is _grand_, and what is _petit_ larceny? + +§15. What is perjury? What is subornation of perjury? + +§16. Define bribery. + +§17. What is dueling? Is dueling murder in this state? + +§18. Is aiding a prisoner to escape a crime? + +§19. What is bigamy? What is the difference between bigamy and polygamy? + +§20. What is incest? + +§21. In what case is opening a grave a crime? How is it punishable in +this state? + +§22. Who are accessories to crime? + +§23. Define assault and battery. + +§24. What is a riot? How may riots be suppressed? + +§25. What grade of offense is it for an officer to rescue a prisoner or +voluntarily to suffer him to escape? + +§26. What is false imprisonment? + +§27. What grade of offense are the four offenses last named? What other +misdemeanors are mentioned in this section? Can you name any other? + + + +Chapter LXIII. + + +§1. Of what consists the law of nations? What was its early character? + +§2. By what means has it been improved? + +§3. What particular further improvement is desirable? + +§4. What is said of the independence of nations? How, then, is redress +for injuries obtained? + +§5. What right has a nation in respect to its government? To this rule, +what exception do some make? + +§6. In what cases may one nation assist another in changing its +government? + +§7. In what respect are nations mutually dependent? + +§8. By what law ought all nations to be governed? What does this law +require? + +§9. By what names is this law when applied to nations or states called? +Why is it so called? + +§10. For what reasons do some writers divide it into the _natural_ and +_positive_ laws of nations? + +§11. Define the positive law of nations. How is it divided? Define the +customary law of nations. + +§12. What is a conventional law of nations? Define _convention_. + +§13. What is the advantage of conventional law? + +§14. By what consideration is the observance of treaties induced? + +§15. What is a perfect obligation? An imperfect obligation? Why are the +obligations of nations called imperfect? + + + +Chapter LXIV. + + +§1. What rights have nations on the seas? By what laws are persons at +sea governed? + +§2. Over what waters flowing through its territory has a nation +jurisdiction? To what distance on the sea? + +§3. What right have other nations to a passage over its lands and +waters? Why is this an imperfect right? + +§4. What are the mutual rights and duties of a state and foreign +immigrants? + +§5. What is its duty in respect to foreign criminals? + +§6. What is said of the responsibility of embassadors? For bad conduct, +how are they punishable? Why are they not amenable to the laws of the +foreign state? + +§7. What rights have they in countries through which they pass? What is +a passport? + +§8. How are embassadors dealt with for disrespectful conduct at a +foreign court? + +§9. What do ministers do when they are ill-treated? + +§10. If a government, for good cause, refuses to receive a minister, +what is its duty? + +§11. What power has a minister in making treaties? + +§12. To what laws are consuls subject? What is their business? + + + +Chapter LXV. + + +§1. Define offensive and defensive war. What are the contending parties +called? Who are neutrals? + +§2. What are the proper characteristics of a war? + +§3. What are objects of a lawful war? + +§4. When is a personal injury to the citizens of one state by those of +another deemed just cause of war? + +§5. What ought a government to do before resorting to war to redress +injuries? + +§6. How is satisfaction sometimes sought without making war? How are +reprisals made? Define confiscate. + +§7. To justify reprisals, what is necessary? + +§8. How far is a nation bound by a treaty of alliance to assist another +in war? + +§9. In what cases is it not bound to render the aid? + +§10. What if the alliance is defensive? Is the government that first +applies force always the aggressor? + + + +Chapter LXVI. + + +§1. How is war usually announced? By what authority? + +§2. Is a declaration communicated to the enemy? What is deemed +sufficient? + +§3. When war is declared, who are involved in it? + +§4. How does war in a state affect the persons and property of the +enemy's subjects found within such state? + +§5. How is trade between the two countries affected by the war? + +§6. What is necessary to make offensive hostilities lawful? In what case +would such permission be beneficial? + +§7. How far does a just war give the right to take the life of the +enemy? + +§8. How are prisoners of war to be treated? What is said about the +exchange and ransom of prisoners? + +§9. What kinds of property may not, and what may, be destroyed? + +§10. What is said of stratagems? + +§11. Of spies? + +§12. In what kind of war is the destruction of private property lawful? +On what ground? + +§13. What are privateers? What are their owners authorized to do? How is +privateering encouraged? + +§14. How is the abuse of this right prevented? + +§15. State the proceedings of the captors and the court, in cases of +capture? + +§16. Who has the primary right to all prizes? How do the citizens get +any interest in them? + + + +Chapter LXVII. + + +§1. To what is a neutral nation bound? What kind of aid to an enemy is +unlawful? + +§2. How is the trade of a neutral affected by war? With what may she +still supply a belligerent? + +§3. What is said of the right of a neutral to carry the goods in such +cases? + +§4. What are prohibited articles called? What goods are contraband? + +§5. What is done with contraband goods? In what cases is the vessel also +confiscated? + +§6. What is a blockade? Its object? How does it affect neutrals? + +§7. What is necessary to a lawful blockade? In case a place is blockaded +by sea only, how may trade be carried on with it? + +§8. What is the right of search? What vessels are subject to search? + +§9. In what case is the property of an enemy in a neutral vessel liable +to seizure? What is done with the property of neutrals found in an +enemy's vessel? + +§10. What may not a neutral permit in her ports? What may not her +citizens do? + +§11. For what purposes are hostilities sometimes suspended? When is the +suspension called a suspension of arms? In what cases a truce? What is +the difference between a partial and a general truce? + +§12. How are the contracting parties and their citizens affected by a +truce? + +§13. How is peace generally secured? + +§14. When do treaties of peace take effect between the parties? + +§15. How is the service of mediation performed? + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Government Class Book, by Andrew W. Young + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOVERNMENT CLASS BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 15319-0.txt or 15319-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/3/1/15319/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + diff --git a/15319-0.zip b/15319-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a055db --- /dev/null +++ b/15319-0.zip diff --git a/15319-8.txt b/15319-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0de415f --- /dev/null +++ b/15319-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14189 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Government Class Book, by Andrew W. Young + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Government Class Book + Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles + of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of + Citizens. + + +Author: Andrew W. Young + +Release Date: March 10, 2005 [EBook #15319] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOVERNMENT CLASS BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: In the original book, questions appeared at the +bottom of each page. These questions have been compiled at the end of +the text.] + + + + +The Government Class Book; + +Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of +Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. + +By Andrew W. Young, + +Author of "Science of Government," "First Lessons in Civil Government," +"American Statesman," "Citizen's Manual of Government and Law." + + +NEW-YORK: +J. C. DERBY & N. C. MILLER, +5 SPRUCE STREET, TRIBUNE BUILDINGS. +1865. + + + + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by Andrew W. +Young, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Northern District of New York. + + + + +Preface. + + + +The utility of the diffusion of political knowledge among a people +exercising the right of self-government, is universally admitted. The +form of government established by the people of the United States, +though well adapted to promote the general welfare, is highly +complicated; and the knowledge requisite to administer it successfully +can not be acquired without much study. From the fact that a large +portion of the American people are greatly deficient in this knowledge, +we may justly conclude that it will never become general, until it shall +have been made an object of school instruction. + +The administration of the government of this great and rapidly +increasing republic, will, in a few years, devolve upon those who are +now receiving instruction in the public schools. Yet thousands annually +complete their school education, who have never devoted any time to the +study of the principles of the government in which they are soon to take +a part--who become invested with political power without the preparation +necessary to exercise it with discretion. The schools are regarded as +the nurseries of our future statesmen. They share largely in the bounty +of the state; yet few of them render in return even the rudiments of +political science to those who are to become her legislators, and +governors, and judges. Not only in the common schools generally, but in +a large portion of the high schools and seminaries, this science is not +included in the course of instruction. + +To many of the most enlightened friends of education and of our free +institutions, it has long been a matter of surprise as well as regret, +that those to whom the educational interests of the states are more +immediately intrusted, should so long have treated the study in question +as of minor importance, or have suffered it to be excluded by studies of +far less practical utility. The Regents of the University of the State +of New York have repeatedly noticed the neglect of this study in the +academies and seminaries subject to their visitation; and they mention +it as a remarkable fact, that in many of them preference is given to the +study of the Grecian and Roman antiquities. They say: "The +constitutions, laws, manners, and customs of ancient Greece and Rome are +made subjects of regular study, quarter after quarter, while our own +constitutional jurisprudence, and the every day occurring principles of +our civil jurisprudence, are not admitted as a part of the academic +course!" + +To persons who are to engage in any of the industrial or professional +pursuits, a preparatory course of training or discipline is deemed +indispensable to success. Yet many assume the weighty responsibilities +of freemen, and allow their sons to do the same, with scarcely any +knowledge of a freeman's duties. On the intelligent exercise of +political power, the public prosperity and the security of our liberties +mainly depend. Every person, therefore, who is entitled to the rights of +a citizen, is justly held responsible for the proper performance of his +political duties. And any course of popular instruction which fails to +impart a knowledge of our system of government, must be materially +defective. + +With a view to supply this deficiency, the author, many years since, +prepared his "Introduction to the Science of Government." This work soon +attained considerable popularity, both as a class book in schools, and +as a book for private reading and reference for adults. Not being +deemed, however, sufficiently _elementary_ for the children and youth +in most of our common schools, another work, entitled, "_First Lessons +in Civil Government_," was written to meet the capacities of younger or +less advanced scholars than those for whom the previous work was +designed. + +The favorable reception of these works by the public, and the assurances +of their usefulness to thousands who have studied them, are to the +author a source of high gratification, and an ample reward for many +years of arduous labor. The value of these works has, however, been in a +measure impaired by changes in the government and laws since the time of +their first publication. The latter, especially, descending so minutely +into the details of the government of the state for which alone it is +intended, requires frequent revisions. + +It has occurred to the author that a new work, more permanent in the +character of its matter, and adapted for use in all the states, is +demanded to supply the deficiency in the present course of education. +Stimulated by a desire to bear some part in laying a solid foundation +for our republican institutions, and encouraged by the success of his +former labors in this department of education, he has, after a +suspension of several years, resumed his efforts in this enterprise, in +the hope that, with the coöperation of teachers, and those having +official supervision of the schools, it may be carried forward to an +early consummation; when the principles of government shall be made a +subject of regular study in the schools, and the elements of a sound +political education shall be accessible to the mass of American youth. +And he flatters himself, that the attention he has given to this subject +has enabled him to prepare a work adapted, in a good degree, to meet the +existing want of the schools. + +Many words and phrases, as they occur in the course of the work, have +been defined; and an attempt has been made to explain the several +subjects in such a manner as to render them intelligible to youth. + +The object which it is the purpose of this work to aid in effecting, +claims the earnest attention of parents. Every father, at least, is +bound to see that his sons have the means of acquiring a good political +education. He can not innocently suffer them to pass from under his +guardianship unprepared to discharge their political duties. + +The study of this work should not be confined to male pupils. It has +long been considered a striking defect in our system of education, that +females are not more generally instructed in the principles of civil +government, and in matters of business. Although they take no active +part in public affairs, the knowledge here commended would enable them +to exert a far more powerful and salutary influence upon our national +character and destiny. As wives, mothers, teachers, and especially as +counselors of the other sex, they could apply this knowledge to valuable +purposes. And the question is submitted, whether it would not contribute +more to their usefulness than some of those accomplishments which form +so large a part of a modern female education, and which are usually lost +amidst the cares of married life. + +To preserve and transmit the blessings of constitutional liberty, we +need a healthful patriotism. But a genuine love of country is hardly to +be expected where there is not a proper appreciation of our political +institutions, which give it its preeminence among nations. And how can +they be duly appreciated if they are not understood? It has been one of +the objects of the writer to bring to view the chief excellencies of our +system of government, and thus to lay, in the minds of youth, the basis +of an enlightened and conservative patriotism. + +That this work, as an elementary treatise on civil government, is not +susceptible of improvement, is not pretended. Such as it is, it is +submitted to the judgment of a candid public. If it shall prove in any +considerable degree useful, the author's highest expectations will have +been realized. + + + +To Teachers. + + +To the meritorious, though often undervalued labors of the instructors +of American youth, is our country greatly indebted for the successful +working of its system of free government; and upon the labors of their +successors rest, in an equal degree, all well-founded hopes of its +future political prosperity. + +The general introduction and profitable study of this work, depend much +upon a hearty and active coöperation of teachers in the enterprise which +it is intended to promote. From all who desire to make themselves in the +highest degree useful in their profession, such coöperation is +confidently anticipated. + +The advantage of instructing a class in civil government, is not +confined to the pupils. The teacher will find the exercise both +interesting and profitable to himself. Although pains have been taken to +adapt the work to the capacities of youth, the definition of many terms +and phrases, and the further explanation of many subjects, have +necessarily been left to be supplied by teachers. The study and +investigation which may in some cases be required to qualify them for +the task, will be amply rewarded by their own advancement in political +knowledge. + +No intelligent teacher, it is presumed, will object to the introduction +of this study, on the ground that there is not sufficient time or room +for an additional exercise. Useful as all the branches now taught may be +justly deemed, all of them are not, as is a knowledge of government, +indispensable to the security of our liberties. The latter is of far +greater importance to an American citizen, than a knowledge of some +portions of arithmetic and the higher mathematics; and in the opinion of +some distinguished educators the time now devoted to these, in many +schools, is sufficient to acquire a tolerable political education. It is +believed, however, that this study need not exclude, or essentially +interfere with, any of the studies pursued in the schools generally. By +the more advanced scholars in the common schools, the work may be used +as a reading book, and thus a two-fold advantage be gained from its use. + +To assist the more inexperienced teachers in conducting the exercise, a +few questions have been appended to the chapters. Questions may be added +by the teachers at pleasure, or to such extent as may be thought +necessary. And it is believed the recitations may be made more +profitable to pupils, by requiring them, so far as may be, to give +answers in their own words. To some of the printed questions, no answers +are furnished by the chapters and sections referred to, but may be found +in the Synopsis of the State Constitutions, or other parts of the work. +Occasionally questions have been inserted to which no part of the work +furnishes the answers. + + + + +Contents + + + +Principles of Government. + + +Chapter I. + + Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws + +Chapter II. + + Rights and Liberty, defined + +Chapter III. + + Laws defined + +Chapter IV. + + Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; + Republic + + + +State Governments. + + +Chapter V. + + The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the manner in which + it is made + +Chapter VI. + + Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is + exercised in the States of this Union + +Chapter VII. + + Elections + +Chapter VIII. + + Division of the Powers of Government + +Chapter IX. + + States Legislatures--how constituted + +Chapter X. + + Meetings and Organization of the Legislature + +Chapter XI. + + Manner of Enacting Laws + +Chapter XII. + + Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant Governor + +Chapter XIII. + + Assistant Executive State Officers + +Chapter XIV. + + Counties and County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers + +Chapter XV. + + Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers + +Chapter XVI. + + Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c. + +Chapter XVII. + + Judicial Department. Justices' Courts + +Chapter XVIII. + + Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders + +Chapter XIX. + + Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c. + +Chapter XX. + + Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment + +Chapter XXI. + + Assessment and Collection of Taxes + +Chapter XXII. + + Education. School Funds; Schools, &c. + +Chapter XXIII. + + Canals and Railroads + +Chapter XXIV. + + Banks and Insurance Companies + +Chapter XXV. + + The Militia + + + +Government of the United States. + + +Chapter XXVI. + + Causes of the Revolution + +Chapter XXVII. + + Nature of the Union under the Confederation + +Chapter XXVIII. + + Nature of the Union under the Constitution + +Chapter XXIX. + + Legislative Department. House of Representatives + +Chapter XXX. + + The Senate + +Chapter XXXI. + + Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money + +Chapter XXXII. + + Power to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations + +Chapter XXXIII. + + Power to Regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among + the States, and with the Indian Tribes + +Chapter XXXIV. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; + Coining Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting + +Chapter XXXV. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Post-Offices; Copy-Rights and + Patents; Inferior Courts + +Chapter XXXVI. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Piracy and Offenses against the + Law of Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal; Public Defense; District + of Columbia; Implied Powers + +Chapter XXXVII. + + Prohibitions on Congress + +Chapter XXXVIII. + + Prohibition on the States + +Chapter XXXIX. + + Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, + Qualifications, &c. + +Chapter XL. + + Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; + Appointments and Removals + +Chapter XLI. + + Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the + Treasury, of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; + Attorney General + +Chapter XLII. + + Judicial Department. District Courts; Circuit Courts; Supreme Court + +Chapter XLIII. + + Treason Defined, its Punishment + +Chapter XLIV. + + State Records; Privileges of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New + States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government + +Chapter XLV. + + Provision for Amendments; Assumptions of Public Debt; Supremacy of + the Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the + Constitution + +Chapter XLVI. + + Amendments to the Constitution + + + +Common and Statutory Law. + + +Chapter XLVII. + + Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious + Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property + +Chapter XLVIII. + + Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife + +Chapter XLIX. + + Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; + Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants + +Chapter L. + + Rights of Property. How Title to Property is acquired; Wills and + Testaments; Title to Property by Descent + +Chapter LI. + + Deeds and Mortgages + +Chapter LII. + + Incorporeal Hereditaments, Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c. + +Chapter LIII. + + Leases. Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; + Estates by Sufferance; Rent, &c. + +Chapter LIV. + + Contracts in General + +Chapter LV. + + Contracts of Sale + +Chapter LVI. + + Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c. + +Chapter LVII. + + Bailment + +Chapter LVIII. + + Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c. + +Chapter LIX. + + Partnership + +Chapter LX. + + Promissory Notes + +Chapter LXI. + + Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury + +Chapter LXII. + + Crimes and Misdemeanors + + + +Law of Nations. + + +Chapter LXIII. + + Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, + and Conventional Laws of Nations + +Chapter LXIV. + + The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; + the Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c. + +Chapter LXV. + + Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes of War; Reprisals; + Alliances in War + +Chapter LXVI. + + Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the + Enemy's Subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering + +Chapter LXVII. + + Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; + Right of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of + Peace + + +Synopsis of the State Constitutions. + +Maine +New Hampshire +Vermont +Massachusetts +Rhode Island +Connecticut +New York +New Jersey +Pennsylvania +Delaware +Maryland +Virginia +North Carolina +South Carolina +Georgia +Florida +Alabama +Mississippi +Louisiana +Texas +Arkansas +Missouri +Tennessee +Kentucky +Ohio +Indiana +Illinois +Michigan +Wisconsin +Iowa +California +Minnesota + +Constitution of the United States + + + + + +Government Class Book. + + + + + +Principles of Government. + + + + +Chapter I. + +Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws. + + + +§1. Mankind are social beings. They are by nature fitted for society. By +this we mean that they are naturally disposed to associate with each +other. Indeed, such is their nature, that they could not be happy +without such association. Hence we conclude that the Creator has +designed men for society. It can not, therefore, be true, as some say, +that the savage state is the natural state of man. + +§2. Man is so formed that he is dependent upon his fellow men. He has +not the natural strength of other animals. He needs the assistance of +creatures like himself to protect and preserve his own being. We can +hardly imagine how a person could procure the necessaries of life +without such assistance. But men have the gifts of reason and speech. By +conversation they are enabled to improve their reason and increase their +knowledge, and to find methods of supplying their wants, and of +improving their social condition. + +§3. But, although men need the assistance of each other, they are so +formed that each must have the care of himself. If every man were fed +and clothed from a common store, provided by the labor of all, many, +depending upon the labor of others, would be less industrious than they +now are. By the present arrangement in society, which obliges every man +to provide for his own wants, more is earned, a greater number are cared +for, and the general welfare is better promoted than would be done if +each labored for the benefit of all. + + +§4. From this arrangement comes the right of property. If each man's +earnings should go into a common stock for the use of all, there would +be nothing that any one could call his own. But if each is to provide +for himself, he must have a right to use and enjoy the fruits of his own +labor. + +§5. But all men in society have the same rights. Therefore, in laboring +to supply our wants, and to gratify our desires, we can not rightfully +do so any further than is consistent with the rights of others. Hence we +see the necessity of some established rules for securing to every member +of society the free enjoyment of what justly belongs to him, and for +regulating his conduct toward his fellow-members. + +§6. These rules for regulating the social actions of men, are called +laws. _Law_, in a general sense, is a rule of action, and is applied to +all kinds of action. But in its limited and proper sense, it denotes the +rules of human action prescribing what men are to do, and forbidding +what they are not to do. + +§7. We have seen that man is fitted for society, and that laws are +necessary to govern the conduct of men in the social state. We see also +that mankind are fitted by nature for government and laws. Man is also a +moral being. The word _moral_ has various significations. Sometimes it +means only virtuous, or just; as, a moral man; that is, a man of moral +character, or who lives a moral life; by which is meant that the conduct +of the man is just and right. + +§8. But in a wider sense, the word moral relates to the social actions +of men, both right and wrong. Thus, in speaking of the character of a +man, we say, his morals are good, or his morals are bad. And of an +action, we say, it is morally right, or it is morally wrong. Man's +having a moral nature implies that he has a sense of right and wrong, or +at least the power or faculty of acquiring it; and, being a moral agent, +he is accountable for his actions. + +§9. Thus we have seen that men are social, reasonable, and moral beings. +They have power to discern their own wants and the wants of their fellow +men; to perceive what is right and what is wrong; and to know that they +ought to do what is right and to forbear to do what is wrong. Their +reason enables them to understand the meaning of laws, and to discover +what laws are necessary to regulate the social actions of men. Hence we +conclude that they are fitted and designed for society, and for +government and law. + +§10. The youngest reader probably knows, that in speaking of society, we +do not refer to any of those associations usually called societies, but +to _civil_ society, composed of the people of a state or nation. A +_nation_, or _state_, is a large number of persons united under some +form of government; as, the French nation; the British nation; or the +state of New-York; the state of Virginia. Sometimes it signifies the +ruling or governing power of a state or nation, as, the state has +provided for educating its citizens, and for supporting the poor. + +§11. The object of the people in forming a state association, or, as is +sometimes said, of entering into civil society, is to promote their +mutual safety and happiness. In uniting for this purpose, they agree to +be governed by certain established rules and principles; and the +governing of the people of a state or nation according to these rules, +is called _civil government_. The word _government_ also signifies the +rules and principles themselves by which the people are governed; and +sometimes the persons who administer the government--that is those who +make the laws of a state and carry them into effect--are called _the +government_. + + + + +Chapter II. + +Rights and Liberty, defined. + + + +§1. We have spoken of the rights of men, and of laws as designed to +secure to men the free enjoyment of their rights. But a more particular +definition of rights and laws will be useful to young persons just +commencing the study of civil government. + +§2. A _right_ means ownership, or the just claim or lawful title which a +person has to anything. What we have acquired by honest labor, or other +lawful means, is rightfully our own; and we are justly entitled to the +free use and enjoyment of it. We have a right also to be free in our +actions. We may go where we please, and do what ever we think necessary +for our own safety and happiness; provided we do not trespass upon the +rights of others; for it must be remembered that others have the same +rights as ourselves. + +§3. The rights here mentioned are _natural_ rights. They are so called +because they are ours by nature or by birth; and they can not be justly +taken from us or alienated. Hence they are also called _inalienable_. We +may, however, forfeit them by some offense or crime. If, for example, a +man is fined for breaking a law, he loses his right to the money he is +obliged to pay. By stealing, he forfeits his liberty, and may be justly +imprisoned. By committing murder, he forfeits his right to life, and may +be hanged. + +§4. Rights are also called personal, political, civil, and religious. +_Personal rights_, or the _rights of persons_, are rights belonging to +persons as individuals, and consist of the right of _personal security_, +or the right to be secure from injury to our bodies, or persons, or our +good names; the right of _personal liberty_, or the liberty of moving, +acting, or speaking without unjust restraint; and the _right of +property_, or the right to acquire and enjoy property. The terms +_rights of person_ and _rights of persons_, or _personal rights_, have +not the same meaning. The rights of person, as the term is generally +used, does not include the right of property; personal rights include +both the right of property and the rights of person. + +§5. _Political rights_ are those which belong to the people in their +political capacity. The word _political_, in a general sense, relates to +government. The whole body of the people united under one government, is +called the political body, or body politic. The right of the people to +choose and establish for themselves a form of government, or +constitution, and the right to elect persons to make and execute the +laws, are political rights. The right of voting at elections is +therefore a political right. + +§6. _Civil rights_ are those which are secured to the citizens by the +laws of the state. Some make no distinction between civil rights and +political rights. In a proper sense--that in which the terms are here +used--there is this difference: political rights are those secured by +the political or fundamental law, called the constitution; civil rights +are more properly those which are secured by the civil or municipal +laws. The difference will more clearly appear from the definition +elsewhere given of the political and civil laws. (Chap. III. §5, 6.) + +§7. _Religious rights_ consist in the right of a man to make known and +maintain his religious opinions, and to worship God in that way and +manner which he believes in his conscience to be most acceptable to his +Maker. This right is called also the _right of conscience_. But in +exercising this right, a man may not abuse it by violating the rights of +others, or disturbing the peace and order of society. + +§8. Now, although human rights are thus divided into classes and +differently defined, they are all natural rights. It is generally held +in this country as a truth, that "all men are created equal;" that is, +born with the same rights. And if men, as social and moral beings, are +fitted by _nature_ and designed for government and laws, we conclude +that their political, civil, and religious rights, and all other rights +to which they are entitled by the law of nature, are natural rights. + +§9. _Liberty_ is the being free to exercise and enjoy our rights, and is +called natural, political, civil, or religious, according to the +particular class of rights referred to. Thus the exercise of rights +guarantied by the constitution or political law, is called political +liberty. The free enjoyment of rights secured by the civil or municipal +laws, is called civil liberty. And freedom of religious opinion and +worship is called religious liberty. + +§10. Hence liberty itself is a natural right. The words _right_ and +_liberty_, however, have not the same meaning. We may have a right to a +thing when we have not the liberty of using it. John has a pencil which +is justly his own; but James takes it from him by force. John's liberty +to enjoy the use of his pencil is lost, but his right to it remains. +James has no right to the use of the pencil, though he enjoys the use of +it. + +§11. This example serves also to explain further the use of the +different terms applied to rights and liberty. John's right to his +pencil, being guarantied to him by the laws of civil society, is a +_civil_ right. It is with equal propriety called a _natural_ right, +because, by the law of nature, he has a right to the use of his pencil. + + + + +Chapter III. + +Laws, defined. + + + +§1. Law has been briefly defined. (Chap. 1. §6.) As in the case of +rights and liberty, laws are distinguished by different names; as, the +law of nature, or natural law; the moral law; the law of revelation, or +revealed law; the political law; the civil or municipal law. + +§2. The _law of nature_, is of the highest possible authority, being +established by the supreme Lawgiver himself. It is called the law of +nature, because it is right in itself--right in the nature of things, +and ought to be obeyed, though no positive command had ever been given +to men. It is a perfect rule of right for all moral and social beings. +It is that eternal rule of right to which God himself conforms. + +§3. The law of nature, as a rule of human action, arises out of man's +relation to his Maker and to his fellow men. As a creature, he must be +subject to the laws of his Creator, on whom he is dependent. He is also +in a measure dependent upon his fellow beings. All being created equal, +each is bound by the principles of natural justice to render to others +that assistance which is necessary to make them as happy as himself, or +which they justly owe to him in return. + +§4. The _moral law_ is that which prescribes to men their duties to God +and to each other. As a rule of human conduct therefore, it corresponds +exactly to the law of nature. The moral law is briefly expressed in the +decalogue or ten commandments, and is still more briefly summed up in +the two great commandments, to love God with all our heart and to love +our neighbor as ourselves. God being its author, it is called the +_divine law_; and, being found in the Holy Scriptures, in which his will +is revealed to mankind, it is called the _revealed law_, or _law of +revelation_. + +§5. _Political law_, as has been observed, is that system or form of +fundamental rules, called the constitution, by which the people in their +political capacity, or as a body politic, agree to be governed. The +nature of this law will more clearly appear from a more particular +definition of constitution, and from a description of the manner in +which a constitution is made. (Chap. V.) + +§6. The word _municipal_ was used by the Romans to designate that which +related to a _municipium_, which was a free town, or city. The rights of +a citizen of such free city or town were called _municipal rights_, and +its officers were called _municipal officers_. In this country, the word +is not only used in this limited sense, but is extended to what +pertains to a state. Hence the body of laws which prescribe the duties +of the citizens of a state, are called the _municipal_ or _civil law_. +And the term is used to distinguish the laws made by the legislature, or +law-making power of the state, from the constitution, or political law, +adopted by the people in their political capacity. + +§7. If, as has been said, the laws of the Creator form a perfect rule of +conduct for all mankind, and ought in all cases to be obeyed, then all +human law ought to agree with the divine law. If a human law is contrary +to the divine law, or if it requires us to disobey the commands of God, +it is not binding, and should not be obeyed. So the Scriptures teach. +They speak approvingly of men who disobeyed human authority, and who +gave as the reason, that it was their duty to obey God rather than men; +and they furnish many examples of good men who submitted to severe +punishment, even to death, rather than do what they knew to be contrary +to the divine will. + +§8. But although the divine will as revealed in the Scriptures, is a +perfect rule or law for all mankind, and although human laws ought to +conform to the divine law, yet it would be impossible to govern the +people of a state by that law alone. The divine law is broad, and +comprehends rules to teach men their whole duty; but it does not specify +every particular act of duty. Much of it consists of general principles +to which particular acts must be made to conform. It requires men to +deal justly with each other; but men do not always agree as to what is +right. Human laws, therefore, become necessary to declare what shall be +considered just and right between man and man. + +§9. It may be observed, further, that all the divine precepts could not +be carried into effect in civil government. They are spiritual, and +reach to the thoughts and intents of the heart. They require us to love +our Creator supremely, and our neighbor as ourselves; in other words, to +do to others as we would that they should do to us. But as the +omniscient God only knows when men fail in these duties, no human +authority could enforce such a law. Human laws, therefore, have respect +chiefly to the outward acts of men, and are designed to regulate their +intercourse with each other. + +§10. Although the laws of the state can not compel men to fulfill the +great law of love, it is nevertheless morally binding upon all. A +perfectly holy Creator could consistently require of his moral and +accountable creatures nothing less than supreme love to himself, and +equal love to one another. This, as has been remarked, is in accordance +with the law of nature, which is right in the nature of things. (Chap. +III. §2, 3.) + +§11. While the divine law accords perfectly with the principles of +natural justice, the giving of it to mankind manifests the wisdom and +benevolence of the supreme Lawgiver. Man is so formed, that it is for +his highest happiness strictly to obey this law. The generous man, in +relieving the wants of others, contributes to his own happiness. The boy +who divides an apple with his fellow, is more happy than he would be if +he retained the whole to himself. It is generally true, that, in +performing acts of kindness and charity to others, we most effectually +promote our own happiness, and feel the saying to be true, "It is more +blessed to give than to receive." + + + + +Chapter IV. + +Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; +Republic. + + + +§1. Governments have existed in a great variety of forms. The earliest +governments of which we have any knowledge, are the patriarchal. +_Patriarch_, from the Greek, _pater_, father, and _arkos_, chief, or +head, means the father and ruler of a family. This kind of government +prevailed in the early ages of the world, and in a state of society in +which the people dwelt together in families or tribes, and were not yet +formed into states or nations. The patriarchal government existed before +the flood, and for a long period afterward. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, +the fathers of the Hebrew race, as also the sons of Jacob, the heads of +the twelve tribes, were called patriarchs. + +§2. After their departure from Egypt, the government of the Hebrews was +a _theocracy_. This word is from _theos_, God, and _kratos_, power, and +signifies a government by the immediate direction of God. The laws by +which they were governed were given to them on Mount Sinai by God +himself, their leader and king. This theocratic form of government, with +some changes, existed until the coming of the Messiah. + +§3. But the forms of government which have most prevailed, are +designated by the terms, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, or +republic. These words severally indicate by what persons, and in what +manner, the governing power of a state is exercised. This power is +usually called the _sovereign_, or _supreme_ power. Where kings rule, +they are called sovereign; and where the power is in the hands of the +people, the people are sovereign. In the strict sense of the term, +however, entire sovereignty, or supreme power, exists only where power +is exercised by one man, or a single body of men, uncontrolled or +unrestrained by laws or by any other power. But in a more general sense, +it is that power in a state which is superior to all other powers within +the same. + +§4. A form of government in which the supreme power is in the hands of +one person, is called a monarchy. The word _monarch_ is from two Greek +words, _monos_ sole or only, and _arkos_, a chief; and is a general name +for a single ruler, whether he is called king, emperor, or prince. A +government in which all power resides in or proceeds from one person, is +an _absolute_ monarchy. If the power of the monarch is restrained by +laws or by some other power, it is called a _limited_ monarchy. + +§5. A monarchy is called _hereditary_ in which the throne passes from +father to son, or from the monarch to his successor, by inheritance. On +the death of a sovereign, the eldest son is usually heir to the crown; +or if there is no son, it falls to the daughter, or some other relative. +A monarchy is _elective_, where, on the death of the ruler, his +successor is appointed by an election. A few such monarchies have +existed. + +§6. An absolute monarchy is sometimes called _despotism_. The word +_despot_ is from the Greek, and means _master_, or _lord_. It has nearly +the same meaning as _tyrant_, which also is from the Greek, and +signifies _king_. These words at first meant simply a single ruler. They +are now applied, for the most part, to rulers who exercise authority +over their subjects with severity. In an absolute despotism, the monarch +has entire control over his subjects. They have no law but the will of +the ruler, who has at command a large force of armed men to keep his +people in subjection. The governments of Russia and Turkey are highly +despotic. + +§7. An _aristocracy_ is a form of government in which the power is +exercised by a privileged order of men, distinguished for their rank and +wealth. The word _aristocracy_ is from the Greek word _aristos_, best, +and _kratos_, power, or _krateo_, to govern; and means a government of +the best. It is also used for the nobility of a country under a +monarchical government. _Nobles_ are persons of rank above the common +people, and bear some title of honor. The titles of the English nobility +are those of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. These titles are +hereditary, being derived from birth. In some cases they are conferred +upon persons by the king. + +§8. A _democracy_ is a government of the people; the word democracy +being from the Greek _demos_, the people, and _krateo_, to govern. In a +government purely democratic, the great body of freemen meet in one +assembly to make and execute the laws. There were some such governments +in ancient Greece; but they necessarily comprised small territories, +scarcely more than a single town. The freemen of a state could not all +meet in a single assembly. + +§9. The government of this country, though a government of the people, +is not one of the kind just described; it is a republic. A _republic_ is +a government in which the power to enact and execute the laws is +exercised by representatives, who are persons elected by the people to +act for them. Yet, as not only the election of representatives, but the +adoption of the constitution or form of government itself is the act of +the people; and as, therefore, all power comes from the people, the +government is also democratic; and is properly called a _democratic +republic_, or a _representative democracy_. + +§10. A republic is sometimes also called a _commonwealth_. _Common_ +signifies general, and is applied to what belongs to or is used by the +people generally. _Weal_ means welfare or happiness. _Wealth_ also was +formerly sometimes used for weal. Hence _commonwealth_ means strictly +the _common good_, or the _common happiness_. In a general sense it +signifies a state; but it is properly applied to a free state, one in +which the people enjoy common rights and privileges. Hence every state +in the union is a commonwealth or republic. + + + + + +State Governments. + + + + +Chapter V. + +The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the Manner in which it is +made. + + + +§1. Of all the different forms of government which have existed, a +republican government, on the plan of that which has been established in +this country, is believed to be best adapted to secure the liberties of +a people, and to promote the general welfare. Under the reign of a wise +and virtuous ruler, the rights of person and property may be fully +enjoyed, and the people may be in a good degree prosperous. But the +requisite virtue and wisdom have seldom been found in any one man or a +few men. And experience has proved that the objects of civil government +may be best secured by a written constitution founded upon the will or +consent of the people. + +§2. The word _constitute_ is from the Latin, and signifies _to set_, to +fix, to establish. _Constitution_, when used in a political sense, means +the established form of government of a state. In a free government, +like ours, it is properly called the _political law_, being established +by the people as a body politic, or political body. (Chap. III, +§5.) It is also called the _fundamental law_, because it is the +_foundation_ of all other laws of the state, which are enacted by the +legislature for regulating intercourse between the citizens, and are +called the _municipal_ or _civil_ law, and must conform to the +fundamental, or political law. + +§3. A constitution is in the nature of an agreement between a whole +community or body politic and each of its members. This agreement or +contract implies, that each one binds himself to the whole, and the +whole bind themselves to each one, that all shall be governed by certain +laws and regulations for the common good. + +§4. The nature of a constitution will further appear from the manner in +which it is made. It is evident that a people, in establishing a +constitution, must have some right or authority to act in the business. +Whence this right is derived, we will not now stop to inquire. There is, +however, somewhere power to enact a law authorizing the people to make a +constitution and prescribing the manner in which it is to be made. + +§5. In forming a constitution, the people must act collectively. But +their number is too large to meet in a single assembly. Therefore they +choose a small number to act for them. One or more are chosen in each +county, or smaller district, and are called delegates. A _delegate_ is a +person appointed by another with power to transact business as his +representative. The assembly composed of the delegates so elected, is +called _convention_; a name given to most public meetings other than +legislative assemblies. Delegate and representative are words of nearly +the same meaning. The latter, however, usually designates a person +chosen to assist in making the laws of the state. + +§6. The rules agreed upon by the convention as a basis of government, +are arranged in proper form. The several portions relating to the +different subjects are called articles, and numbered; and the articles +are divided into sections, which also are numbered. But what has been +thus prepared by the convention is not yet a constitution. It is only a +draft of one, and can not become a constitution without the consent of +the people to be given at an election. If a majority of the persons +voting at such election vote in favor of the proposed constitution, it +is adopted, and becomes the constitution of the state. + +§7. One of the most valuable rights of the people under a free +government, is the right to have a constitution of their own choice. +Indeed it is in this right that their freedom principally consists. It +is by the constitution that their rights are secured. All the people +join in establishing the constitution; but they do not all unite in +making and executing the laws; in other words, they do not themselves +administer the government; this is done by their representatives. But if +these should enact unjust and oppressive laws; the people, having by +their constitution reserved the right to displace them, may do so by +electing others in their stead. + +§8. In an absolute monarchy the people have no political rights--the +right to establish a form of government for themselves, and the right to +elect those who are to make and administer the laws. The monarch has +entire control over his subjects. He can take their lives and property +when he pleases. His will is their law; and he has at command a large +force of armed men to keep his people in subjection. + +§9. In a limited monarchy, the people have some political rights. Such a +monarchy is Great Britain. The king or sovereign is in a measure +restrained by laws; and he can not make laws alone. The laws are framed +and agreed to by parliament, and must be approved by the king or queen. +Parliament consists of two bodies of men, the house of lords and the +house of commons. The members of the latter are elected by the people, +who, in such election, exercise a political right. + +§10. But the political right of establishing a constitution or form of +government, is not enjoyed by the people of that country. They have no +written instrument, like ours, called constitution, adopted by the +people. What is there called the constitution, is the aggregate or sum +of laws, principles, and customs, which have been formed in the course +of centuries. There is therefore no restraint upon the power of +parliament; hence no law which may be enacted is contrary to the +constitution; and the people have not the same security against the +enactment of unjust laws as the people of the United States. + + + + +Chapter VI. + +Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is exercised in +the States of this Union. + + + +§1. One of the first provisions usually inserted in a constitution of a +free state, is that which declares who shall be allowed to take a part +in the government; that is, to whom the political power shall be +intrusted. As this power is exercised by voting at elections, the +constitution very properly prescribes the qualifications of electors, +or, in other words, declares what shall be necessary to entitle a man to +the right of voting, or the right of suffrage. When, therefore, we speak +of the people politically, we mean those only who are qualified +electors. + +§2. To be competent to exercise the right of suffrage, a person must be +a freeman, or, as we sometimes say, he should be his own master. While +under the control of a parent or guardian, he might be constrained to +act contrary to his own judgment. All our state constitutions, +therefore, give this right only to free male citizens of the age of +twenty-one years and upwards; twenty-one years being the age at which +young men become free to act for themselves. + +§3. But even if this freedom were obtained at an earlier age, it would +not be expedient to bestow this right upon persons so young. They have +not the necessary knowledge and judgment to act with discretion. Some +are competent at an earlier age; but a constitution can make no +distinction between citizens. It has therefore, in accordance with the +general opinion, fixed the time at the age of twenty-one, when men shall +be deemed capable of exercising the rights and performing the duties of +freemen. + +§4. That a man may vote understandingly, he must have resided long +enough in the state to have become acquainted with its government and +laws, and to have learned the character and qualifications of the +persons for whom he votes. State constitutions therefore require, that +electors shall have resided in the state for a specified period of time, +varying, however, in the different states from three months to two +years. In most of the states, they must also have resided for some +months in the county or district, and be residents of the town in which +they offer to vote. + +§5. But in giving the right of suffrage to all free male citizens +twenty-one years of age, it is not given to every _man_, because all +_men_ of that age are not citizens. Persons born in foreign countries +and residing here are _aliens_, and are not entitled to the political +rights of persons born in this country. They are presumed to have too +little knowledge of our government, and to feel too little interest in +public affairs, on their first coming hither, to be duly qualified for +the exercise of political power. Laws, however, have been enacted for +naturalizing aliens after they shall have resided here long enough to +become acquainted with and attached to our government. By naturalization +they become citizens, entitled to all the privileges of native or +natural born citizens, (Chap. XXXIV, §3, 4.) + +§6. The constitutions of most of the states confer the rights of an +elector on _white_ male citizens only. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, +Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, are the only states in which colored +men have the same electoral rights as white citizens. In New York, men +of color owning a freehold estate (an estate in lands) of the value of +$250, are qualified voters. + +§7. It is provided also in state constitutions, that electors committing +infamous crimes are disfranchised. _Franchise_ is a right or privilege +enjoyed by the citizens of a state. Hence the right of voting at +elections is called the _elective franchise_; and an elector, when +deprived of this privilege, is _disfranchised_. An _infamous crime_ is +one which is punishable by imprisonment in a state prison. Men guilty of +high crimes are deemed unfit to be intrusted with so important a duty as +that of electing the persons who are to make and execute the laws of the +state. It is provided, however, that if such persons are pardoned before +the expiration of the term for which they were sentenced to be +imprisoned, their forfeited rights are restored. + +§8. By the earliest constitutions of many of the old states, electors +were required to own property, or to have paid rents or taxes, to a +certain amount. In the election of the higher officers, freeholders only +were entitled to vote. A _freeholder_ is an owner of real estate, +(property in lands,) which he holds in his own right, and may transmit +to his heirs. In the constitutions of the newer states, property has not +been made a qualification of an elector; and in the amended +constitutions of the old states this restriction upon the elective +franchise has been removed, until it has nearly ceased to exist in the +United States. It is now enjoyed by all white male freemen, with few +exceptions, in almost every state of the Union. + + + + +Chapter VII. + +Elections. + + + +§1. For the convenient exercise of political power, as well as for the +purposes of government generally, the territory of a state is divided +into districts of small extent. It has been remarked, that the people of +a state, being too numerous to meet in one assembly to make laws and +transact the public business, elect a small number to represent them. +But to elect these representatives and other officers, and to adopt the +constitution, or fundamental law of the state, are political duties, +which must be performed by the people in person, and in a _collective_ +capacity. Hence the necessity of small territorial divisions, in which +the people may assemble for political purposes. + +§2. A state is divided into counties, and these are divided into towns +or townships. The people of every county and every town have power to +manage their local concerns. The corporate powers of counties and towns, +and the election and the powers and duties of county and town officers, +will be given in subsequent chapters. + +§3. The electors of the state meet every year in their respective towns +for the election of officers. Meetings for electing town officers are, +in a majority of the states, held in the earlier part of the year. Most +officers elected by the people, other than town officers, are chosen at +the general state election, which, in most of the states, is held in +October or November. + +§4. Elections are conducted by persons designated by law, or chosen by +the electors of the town for that purpose. It is their duty to preserve +order, and to see that the business is properly done. They are usually +called _judges of elections_, or _inspectors of elections_. Persons +also, (usually two,) serve as clerks. Each clerk keeps a list of the +names of the persons voting, which is called a _poll-list. Poll_, which +is said to be a Saxon word, signifies _head_, and has come to mean +person. Thus, so much a head means so much for every _person_ By a +further change it has been made to signify an election, because the +persons there voting are numbered. Hence, "going to the polls" has +obtained the same meaning as going to an election. + +§5. When the inspectors are ready to receive votes, one of them makes it +known by proclaiming with a loud voice, that "the polls are now open." +The inspectors receive from each voter a ballot, which is a piece of +paper containing the names of the persons voted for, and the title of +the office to which each of them is to be elected. _Ballot_, from the +French, means a little ball, and is used in voting. Ballots are of +different colors; those of one color signifying an affirmative vote, or +_yes_; those of another color a negative vote, or _no_. From this has +come the application of the word ballot to the written or printed ticket +now used in voting. + +§6. If no objection is made to an elector's voting, the ballot is put +into the box, and the clerks enter his name on the poll-list. If the +inspectors suspect that a person offering to vote is not a qualified +elector, they may question him upon his oath in respect to his +qualifications as to age, the term of his residence in the state and +county, and citizenship. Any bystander also may question his right to +vote. This is called _challenging_. A person thus challenged is not +allowed to vote until the challenge is withdrawn, or his qualifications +are either proved by the testimony of other persons, or sworn to by +himself. + +§7. In a few states, the voters are registered. A list is kept of the +names of all who have, upon examination, been ascertained to be +qualified electors; and those only whose names are on the register are +allowed to vote. Thus many interruptions to voting by the examination of +voters at the polls, and much illegal voting, are prevented. Voters in +some states are also required to take what is called the "elector's +oath," in which they promise to be true and faithful to the state and +its government, and to the constitution of the United States; and to +give their votes as they shall judge will conduce to the best good of +the same. + +§8. After the polls are closed, the box is opened, and the ballots are +counted. If the number of ballots agrees with the number of names on the +poll-lists, it is presumed no mistake has been made, either in voting or +in keeping the lists. If the election is one for the choosing of town +officers, it is there determined who are elected, and their election is +publicly declared. + +§9. The election of county and state officers can not be determined by +the town canvassers. A statement of the votes given in each town for the +persons voted for, is sent to the county canvassers, who, from the +returns of votes from all the towns, determine and declare the election +of the officers chosen for the county. To determine the election of +state officers, and of such others as are elected for districts +comprising more than one county, a statement of the votes given for the +several candidates, is sent by the several boards of county canvassers +to the state canvassers, who, from the returns of votes from the several +counties, determine the election of the state officers. + +§10. In a few states, voting at elections is done _viva voce_. These +words mean by word of mouth. In voting in this manner, the elector +speaks the name of the person for whom he votes. + +§11. In most of the states, persons are elected by a plurality of votes. +An election by _plurality_ is when the person elected has received a +higher number of votes than any other, though such number be less than a +majority of all the votes given. Suppose, for example, three candidates +receive 1000 votes: One receives 450; another, 300; the third, 250 +votes. The first, having the highest number, though not a majority, is +elected. In the New England, or eastern states, a _majority_, that is, +more than one-half of all the votes given, is necessary to the election +of many of the higher officers. The least number of votes out of 1000, +by which a person can be elected by this rule, is 501. + +§12. Either of these modes is liable to objection. When a simple +plurality effects an election, 1,000 votes may be so divided upon three +candidates as to elect one by 334 votes; or of four candidates, one may +be elected by 251 votes, and against the wishes of nearly three-fourths +of the electors. An objection to the other mode is, that if no person +receives a majority of all the votes, another election must be held. +Numerous trials have, in some instances, been necessary to effect a +choice; and the people of a district have remained for a time without a +representative in the state or national legislature. + + + + +Chapter VIII. + +Division of the Powers of Government. + + + +§1. Having shown the nature of a constitution and the manner in which it +is made and adopted, it will next be shown how the powers of government +under a state constitution are divided. As the excellence of a form of +government consists much in a proper separation and distribution of +power, this subject deserves special attention. + +§2. We notice first the separation of the political and civil powers. +The words _political_ and _civil_ are often used as having the same +meaning. Thus, speaking of the system of government and laws of a +country, we use the general term, "political institutions," or "civil +institutions;" either of which is deemed correct. But these words have +also a particular signification, as has already been shown in the +distinction made in preceding chapters between political rights and +civil rights, and between the political law and the municipal or civil +laws. (Chap. II, and III.) Hence it appears, that what we mean by +political power is the power exercised by the people in their political +capacity, in adopting their constitution and electing the officers of +the government; and that, by the civil power is meant the power +exercised by these officers in administering the government. + +§3. In an absolute government, no such distinction exists; all power is +centered in the supreme ruler. There is no political law binding on him. +Being himself restrained by no positive laws or regulations that have +been adopted by the people, or that may be altered by them, the people +have no political rights. In a mixed government, or limited monarchy, +political power is exercised to some extent. Although there is no +written constitution adopted by the people, as in a republic, the +members of one branch of the law-making power are elected by the people. +In such election they are said to exercise political power. + +§4. We notice next the division of the civil power. This power, in well +constructed governments, is divided into three departments, the +legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative department +is that by which the laws of the state are made. The legislature is +composed of two bodies, the members of which are elected by the people. +In limited monarchies where one branch of the legislature is elective, +the other is an aristocratic body, composed of men of wealth and +dignity, as the British house of lords. + +§5. The executive department is intrusted with the power of executing, +or carrying into effect, the laws of the state. There is in this +department a governor, assisted by a number of other officers, some of +whom are elected by the people; others are appointed in such manner as +the constitution or laws prescribe. The powers and duties of the +governor of a state will be more particularly described in another +place. + +§6. The judicial department is that by which justice is administered to +the citizens. It embraces the several courts of the state. All judges +and justices of the peace are judicial officers; and they have power, +and it is their business to judge of and apply the law in cases brought +before them for trial. A more particular description of the powers and +duties of judicial officers, and the manner of conducting trials in +courts of justice, will be given elsewhere. (Chap. XVII-XX.) + +§7. Experience has shown the propriety of dividing the civil power into +these three departments, and of confining the officers of each +department to the powers and duties belonging to the same. Those who +make the laws should not exercise the power of executing them; nor +should they who either make or execute the laws sit in judgment over +those who are brought before them for trial. A government in which the +different powers of making, executing, and applying the laws should be +united in a single body of men, however numerous, would be little better +than an absolute despotism. + +§8. Again, the legislative department of the civil power is divided. +Under all our state constitutions, the legislature consists of two +branches, both of which must agree to a proposed measure before it +becomes a law; and in many of the states, it must also be approved by +the governor. This is making the chief executive officer a third branch +of the law-making power; and is not in accordance with the principle of +keeping the several departments of the civil power separate and distinct +from each other. The reason for this departure from the general +principle mentioned, will be stated in another chapter. (Chap. XI. §16.) + + + + +Chapter IX. + +State Legislatures--how constituted. + + + +§1. The legislature of every state in the union is composed of two +houses--a senate and a house of representatives. The latter, or, as it +is sometimes called, the lower house, in the states of New York, +Wisconsin, and California, is called the assembly; in Maryland and +Virginia, the house of delegates; in North Carolina, the house of +commons; and in New Jersey, the general assembly. In most of the +states, the two houses together are called _general assembly_. + +§2. The senate, as well as the other house, is a representative body; +its members being elected by the people to represent them. Why, then, is +only one of the two branches called the house of representatives? +Perhaps for this reason: Under the governments of the colonies, while +yet subject to Great Britian, there was but one representative assembly. +The other branch of the legislature was called a _council_, consisting +of a small number of men who were appointed by the king. After the +colonies became free and independent states, a senate was substituted +for the old council, and although it is an elective body, the other +house, being much more numerous, is called, by way of distinction, the +_house of representatives_. + +§3. Senators are chosen annually in the six New England states, namely, +Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and +Connecticut. In the other states they are elected for terms of two, +three, or four years. In most of the states in which senators are +elected for longer terms than one year, they are not all elected at the +same time. They are divided into classes; and those of one class go out +of office one year, and those of another class another year; so that +only a part of the senators are elected every year, or every two, or +three, or four years. + +§4. The senate, as distinguished from the house of representatives, is +sometimes called the upper house. It was designed to be a more select +body, composed of men chosen with reference to their superior ability, +or their greater experience in public affairs. + +§5. Senators are differently apportioned in different states. In some +states they are apportioned among the several counties, so that the +number to be elected in each county shall be in proportion to the number +of its inhabitants. In others they are elected by districts, equal in +number to the number of senators to be chosen in the state, and a +senator is elected in each district. The districts are to contain, as +nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants; and sometimes they +comprise several counties. + +§6. Representatives are apportioned among the counties in proportion to +the population in each. In some states they are elected in districts of +equal population, counties being sometimes divided in the formation of +districts. In the New England states, representatives are apportioned +among the towns. In about one-half of the states, they are elected +annually; in the others, (including-most of the southern and western +states,) they are elected every two years. + +§7. The different modes of apportioning members of the legislature have +in view the same object--equal representation; that is, giving a member +to the same number of inhabitants in one county or district as to an +equal number in another. But in some counties the population increases +more rapidly than in others. The representation then becomes unequal, +being no longer in proportion to population. + +§8. In order to keep the representation throughout the state as nearly +equal as possible; in other words, to secure to the people of every +county or district their just proportion of the representatives, the +constitution requires that, at stated times, the people of the state +shall be numbered, and a new apportionment of senators and +representatives be made among the several counties according to the +number of inhabitants in each county; or if the state is one in which +members of the legislature are chosen in districts, a new division of +the state is made into districts. + +§9. But the periods of time between the enumerations of the people, are +not the same in all the states. In some states the enumerations are made +every ten years; in others, shorter periods have been fixed, from eight +down to four years. This enumeration or numbering of the people is +called taking the census. _Census_ is from the Latin, and was used by +the ancient Romans to signify a declaration or statement made before the +censors by the citizens, containing an enumeration or register of +themselves, their wives, children, servants, and their property and its +valuation. In the United States, although the census sometimes includes +a similar register, the word usually means simply an enumeration of the +people. + +§10. The constitution also prescribes the qualifications of senators and +representatives. If, as qualifications for an elector, full age, +citizenship, and a considerable term of residence in the state and +county, are properly required, as we have seen, (Chap. VI. §2-5,) they +must be at least equally necessary for those who make the laws. In no +state, therefore, are any but qualified electors eligible to the office +of senator or representative. In some states, greater age and longer +residence are required; and in some, the age and term of residence have +been still further increased in the case of senators. The property +qualification formerly necessary for members of the legislature, as well +as for voters, has been almost entirely abolished. (Chap. VI. §8.) + +§11. If a member of the legislature dies, or resigns his office before +the expiration of the term for which he was chosen, the vacancy is +filled by the election of another person at the next general election, +or at a special election called for that purpose, or in such other +manner as the constitution may provide. But a person chosen to fill a +vacancy, holds the office only for the remainder of the term of him +whose place he was chosen to supply. + + + + +Chapter X. + +Meetings and Organization of the Legislature. + + + +§1. The legislature meets as often as the constitution requires, to +enact such laws as may be necessary to promote the public welfare, and +to perform such other duties as are assigned to it by the constitution +and the laws. In about half of the states, sessions are held annually; +in the others biennially, or once in two years. A legislative session +includes the daily meetings of a legislature from the time of its first +assembling, to the day of final adjournment. Thus we say the session +commenced in January and ended in March. The word _session_ has +reference also to a single sitting, from the hour at which the members +assemble on any day, to the time of adjournment on the same day. Thus we +say, the legislature holds a daily session of four hours; or, it holds +two sessions a day, as the case may be. + +§2. Meetings of the legislature are held at a place permanently fixed by +the constitution; at which place the principal state officers keep their +offices. Hence it is called the _seat of government_, or perhaps more +frequently, the _capital_ of the state. _Capital_ is from the Latin +_caput_, the head, and has come to mean chief, or the highest. A capital +city is therefore the chief city of a state or kingdom. But the word +_capital_, applied to a city, now generally indicates the seat of +government. + +§3. When the two houses have assembled in their respective chambers, +some person designated for that purpose administers to the members of +each house the oath of office, in which they solemnly swear (or affirm,) +that they will support the constitution of the United States, and the +constitution of the state, and faithfully discharge the duties of their +office. + +§4. Each house then proceeds to _organize_ for business, by appointing +proper officers, and determining the right of members to seats in the +house. In organizing a legislative body, the first thing done is the +election of a presiding officer, or chairman, who is usually called +_speaker_. The lieutenant-governor, in states in which there is one, +presides in the senate, and is called _president of the senate_. In the +absence of the presiding officer, a temporary speaker or president is +chosen, who is called speaker or president _pro tempore_, commonly +abbreviated, _pro tem._, which is a Latin phrase, meaning _for the +time_. + +§5. The duty of the person presiding is to keep order, and to see that +the business of the house is conducted according to certain established +rules. When a vote is to be taken, he puts the question, which is done +by requesting all who are in favor of a proposed measure, to say _aye_, +and those opposed to say _no_. And, when a vote has been taken, he +declares the question to be carried or lost. This part of a speaker's +business is similar to that of the chairman of an ordinary public +meeting. + +§6. The other officers chosen by each house are, a _clerk_ to keep a +record or journal of its proceedings; to take charge of papers, and to +read such as are to be read to the house; and to do such other things as +may be required of him; a _sergeant-at-arms_, to arrest members and +other persons guilty of disorderly conduct, to compel the attendance of +absent members, and to do other business of a like nature: also one or +more _door-keepers_. The officers mentioned in this section are not +chosen from the members of the house. + +§7. The constitution does not prescribe to either house the order of +business, or the particular manner in which it shall be done; but +authorizes each house to determine for itself the rules of its +proceedings. But there are sundry things which it expressly enjoins. It +determines what portion of the members shall constitute a quorum to do +business. _Quorum_ is the Latin of the English words, _of whom_, and has +strangely come to signify the _number_ or _portion_ of any body of men +who have power to act for the whole. Thus with reference to a +legislative body consisting of a certain number of members, instead of +saying, A majority _quorum_ shall have power to act; or, A majority _of +whom_ shall have power to act, our constitutions generally say, A +majority shall constitute a quorum to do business. In some states, more +than a bare majority is required for a quorum. + +§8. Constitutions generally require also that the proceedings of +legislative bodies shall be open to public inspection. The doors may be +closed against spectators only when the public good shall require +secrecy. And that the people may be fully informed of what is done, each +house is required to keep and publish a journal of its proceedings. + +§9. Provision is also made, either by the constitution or by laws +against injury or interruption to the business of the legislature. +Members may not, by any prosecution at law, except for crimes and +misdemeanors, be hindered during their attendance at the sessions of the +legislature, nor in going to or returning from the same. Each house may +compel the attendance of absent members. It may for good cause expel a +member, and punish, not only its members and officers, but other +persons, for disorderly conduct, or for obstructing its proceedings. + + + + +Chapter XI. + +Manner of Enacting Laws. + + + +§1. When the two houses are duly organized and ready for business, the +governor sends to both houses a written communication called _message_, +in which, as the constitution requires, he gives to the legislature +information of the condition of the affairs of the state, and recommends +such measures as he judges necessary and expedient. The message is read +to each house by its clerk. + +§2. But the measures to which the governor calls the attention of the +legislature, are but a small portion of those which are considered and +acted upon. Many are introduced by individual members. Others are +brought into notice by the petitions of the people in different parts of +the state. _Petition_ generally signifies a request or prayer. As here +used, it means a written request to the legislature for some +favor--generally for a law granting some benefit or relief to the +petitioners. Petitions are sent to members, usually to those who +represent the counties or districts in which the petitioners live, and +are by these members presented to the house. + +§3. Now it is evident, that a proper consideration of the numerous +subjects pressed upon the attention of the legislature--some of them of +very great importance--must require much labor. If the necessary +investigation of so many subjects should occupy the time of the whole +house, there would not be time enough to act upon one-half of them. +Therefore, in order to dispatch business, the labor of the house must be +divided, that the investigation of all the different subjects may be +going on at the same time. + +§4. Hence arises the practice which prevails in all legislative bodies, +of the appointment of committees. As soon as may be, after a house is +organized, committees are appointed on all subjects usually acted on in +the legislature. A legislative committee is generally composed of three, +five, or seven members, who examine the subjects referred to them, and +report the result of their examination to the house. Committees are +appointed by the presiding officer of each house. Occasionally, though +very rarely, they are elected by the house itself. + +§5. Some or all of the following committees are appointed in every +legislature: a committee on finance, or the funds, income, and other +money matters of the state, sometimes called the committee of ways and +means; a committee on agriculture; a committee on manufactures; +committees on the incorporation of cities and villages; on banks and +insurance companies; on railroads; on canals; on education; on +elections; on public printing, besides many others. So numerous are +these subjects, that in constituting the committees, every member may be +put on some committee. + +§6. All matters relating to these subjects of a general nature, which +arise during the session, are referred to their appropriate committees. +Thus, a question or proposition relating to banks, is referred to the +committee on banks; matters relating to rail-roads, are referred to the +committee on rail-roads; those relating to schools, are referred to the +committee on education, &c. As these committees continue during the +session, they are called _standing_ committees. When a question arises +having no relation to any subject on which there is a standing +committee, it is usually referred to a _special_ or _select_ committee +appointed to consider this particular matter. + +§7. Committees meet in private rooms, during hours when the house is not +in session; and any person wishing to be heard in favor of or against a +proposed measure, may appear before the committee having it in charge. +Having duly considered the subject, the committee reports to the house +the information it has obtained, with the opinion whether the measure +ought or ought not to become a law. Measures reported against by +committees, seldom receive any further notice from the house. + +§8. From what has been said, the utility of committees is readily seen. +Although no proposed measure can become a law unless acted on and +approved by the two houses, its necessity may be inquired into, and the +information necessary to enable the house to act understandingly upon +the question, may be obtained, as well by a few members as by the whole +house. By the daily examination of so many subjects in committee, a +large amount of business is soon prepared for the house to act upon, and +much of its time is saved. + +§9. If a committee reports favorably upon a subject, it usually brings +in a bill with its report. A _bill_ is the form or draft of a law. Not +all bills, however, are reported by committees. Any member of the house +desiring the passage of a law, may give notice that he will, on some +future day, ask leave of the house to introduce a bill for that purpose; +and if, at the time specified, the house shall grant leave, he may +introduce the bill. But at least one day's previous notice must be given +of his intention to ask leave, before it can be granted. + +§10. The different steps in the progress of a bill, or the different +forms of action through which it has to pass, are numerous. A minute +description of them in a work designed chiefly for youth, will scarcely +be expected. A thorough knowledge of the proceedings of legislative +assemblies, can be practically beneficial, in after life, to but few of +those who shall study this elementary treatise. Those who shall +hereafter have occasion for this knowledge, will find works adapted to a +more mature age, in which the subject is fully treated. + +§11. A bill, before it is passed, must be read three times; but it may +not be read twice on any one day without unanimous consent, that is, the +consent of the whole house; or, as is believed to be the rule in some +bodies, the consent of three-fourths, or two-thirds of the house. In +some legislatures, the rule allows the first and second readings to be +on the same day. A bill is not to be amended until it shall have been +twice read. Nor is it usual for it to be opposed until then; but it may +be opposed and rejected at the first reading. + +§12. After a bill has been twice read, and fully debated and amended, it +is proposed to be read on a future day the third time. If the question +on ordering the bill to a third reading is not carried, the bill is +lost, unless revived by a vote of the house to reconsider. But if the +question to read the third time is carried, the bill is accordingly read +on a future day, and the question taken on its final passage. + +§13. When the final vote is to be taken, the speaker puts the question: +"Shall the bill pass?" If a majority of the members present vote in the +affirmative, (the speaker also voting,) the bill is passed; if a +majority vote in the negative, the bill is lost. Also if the ayes and +noes are equal, it is lost, because there is not a majority in its +favor. In a senate where a lieutenant-governor presides, not being +properly a member, he does not vote, except when the ayes and noes are +equal; in which case there is said to be a _tie_; and he determines the +question by his vote, which is called the _casting_ vote. In some +states, on the final passage of a bill, a bare majority of the members +present is not sufficient to pass it, in case any members are absent. +The constitutions of those states require the votes of a majority of +_all the members elected_ to each house. + +§14. When a bill has passed one house it is sent to the other, where it +must pass through the same forms of action; that is, it must be referred +to a committee; reported by the committee to the house; and be read +three times before a vote is taken on its passage. This vote having +been taken, the bill is returned to the house from which it was +received. If it has been amended, the amendments must be agreed to by +the first house, or the second must recede from their amendments, or the +amendments must be so modified as to secure the approval of both houses, +before the bill can become a law. + +§15. Some young reader may inquire why a bill should take so long and +slow a course through two different houses; and why one body of +representatives is not sufficient. The object is to secure the enactment +of good laws. Notwithstanding bills go through the hands of a committee +and three different readings in the house; yet through undue haste, +wrong information, or from other causes, a house may, and often does, +commit serious errors. Legislatures are therefore divided into two +branches; and a bill having passed one house is sent to the other where +the mistakes of the former may be corrected, or the bill wholly +rejected. + +§16. But in many of the states, a bill, when passed by both houses, is +not yet a law. As the two houses may concur in adopting an unwise +measure, an additional safeguard is provided against the enactment of +bad laws, by requiring all bills to be sent to the governor for +examination and approval. If he approves a bill, he signs it, and it is +a law; if he does not sign it, it is not a law. In refusing to sign a +bill, he is said to _negative_, or _veto_ the bill. _Veto_, Latin, +means, _I forbid_. + +§17. But no governor has full power to prevent the passage of a law. If +he does not approve a bill, he must return it to the house in which it +originated, stating his objections to it; and if it shall be again +passed by both houses, it will be a law without the governor's assent +But in such cases greater majorities are generally required to pass a +law. In some states, a majority of two-thirds of the members present is +necessary; in others, a majority of _all the members elected_. In a few +states, only the same majorities are required to pass a bill against +the veto as in the first instance. Or if the governor does not return a +bill within a certain number of days, it becomes a law without his +signature, or without being considered a second time. In some states, +bills are not sent to the governor, but are laws when passed by both +houses and signed by their presiding officers. + + + + +Chapter XII. + +Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. + + + +§1. The chief executive power of a state is, by the constitution, vested +in a governor. The governor is chosen by the people at the general +election; in South Carolina by the legislature. The term of office is +not the same in all the states. In the six New England states, the +governors are chosen annually; in the other states, for the different +terms of two, three, and four years. + +§2. The qualifications for the office of governor are also different in +the different states. To be eligible to the office of governor, a person +must have been for a certain number of years a citizen of the United +States, and for a term of years preceding his election a resident of the +state. He must also be above a certain age, which, in a majority of the +states, is at least thirty years; and in some states he must be a +freeholder. + +§3. The powers and duties of a governor are numerous. He communicates by +message to the legislature, at every session, information of the +condition of the state of its affairs generally, and recommends such +measures as he judges necessary and expedient. He is to take care that +the laws be faithfully executed, and to transact all necessary business +with the officers of the government. He may convene the legislature on +extraordinary occasions: that is, if, at a time when the legislature is +not in session, a matter should arise requiring immediate attention, the +governor may call a special meeting of the legislature, or as it is +usually termed, an extra session. + +§4. A governor has power to grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases +of impeachment, and, in some states, of treason. To _reprieve_ is to +postpone or delay for a time the execution of the sentence of death upon +a criminal. To _pardon_ is to annul the sentence by forgiving the +offense and releasing the offender. A governor may also _commute_ a +sentence; which is to exchange one penalty or punishment for another of +less severity; as, when a person sentenced to suffer death, is ordered +to be imprisoned. + +§5. The governor has power also, in some of the states, with the consent +of the senate, to appoint the higher officers of the militia of the +state, and the higher civil officers in the executive and judicial +departments. In a few of the states, there are executive councils whose +advice and consent are required in such cases. In making such +appointments, the governor nominates, that is, he _names_ to the senate, +in writing, the persons to be appointed. If a majority of the senators +consent, the persons so nominated are appointed. Many other duties are +by the constitution devolved upon the governor. + +§6. A lieutenant-governor has few duties to perform. He presides in the +senate, in which he has only a casting vote. In the state of New York, +he serves in some of the boards of executive officers. In nearly +one-half of the states the office of lieutenant-governor does not exist. +The chief object of electing this officer seems to be to provide a +suitable person to fill the vacancy in the office of governor in case +the latter should die, resign, be removed, or otherwise become +incompetent. + +§7. When the lieutenant-governor acts as governor, the senate chooses +from its own number a president. If the offices of both the governor and +lieutenant-governor should become vacant, the president of the senate +must act as governor. If there should be neither a governor, a +lieutenant-governor, nor a president or speaker of the senate, then, the +speaker of the house of representatives would become the acting +governor. This is believed to be the rule for supplying vacancies in +most if not all of the states. + + + + +Chapter XIII. + +Assistant Executive State Officers. + + + +§1. Among the executive officers who assist in the administration of the +government, there are in every state, some or all of the following: a +secretary of state, a controller or auditor, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, a surveyor-general. The mode of their appointment and +the terms of their respective offices, are prescribed by the +constitution or by law. In some states they are appointed by the +governor and senate; in others by the legislature; and in others they +are elected by the people. They keep their offices at the seat of +government of the state. + +§2. The _secretary of state_ keeps a record of the official acts and +proceedings of the legislature and of the executive departments, and has +the care of the books, records, deeds of the state, parchments, the laws +enacted by the legislature, and all other papers and documents required +by law to be kept in his office. He causes the laws passed by the +legislature to be published in one or more newspapers, as directed by +law; and also to be printed and bound in a volume, and distributed among +the state officers for their use, and among the county and town clerks, +to be kept in their offices for the use of the people who wish to +examine the laws. Also one or more copies are exchanged with each of the +other states for copies of their laws to be kept in the state library. +Various other duties are performed by the secretary. + +§3. The _state auditor_, in some states called _controller_, manages +the financial concerns of the state; that is, the business relating to +the money, debts, land and other property of the state. He examines and +adjusts accounts and claims against the state, and superintends the +collection of moneys due the state. When money is to be paid out of the +treasury, he draws a warrant (a written order,) on the treasurer for the +money, and keeps a regular account with the treasurer of all moneys +received into and paid out of the treasury. And he reports to the +legislature or other proper officers, a statement of the funds of the +state, and of its income and expenditures during each year. + +§4. The _treasurer_ has charge of all the public moneys that are paid +into the treasury, and pays out the same as directed by law; and he +keeps an accurate account of such moneys, specifying the names of the +persons from whom they are received, to whom paid, and for what +purposes. He also exhibits annually a statement of moneys received and +paid out by him during the year, and of the balance in the treasury. + +§5. Auditors, treasurers, and other officers intrusted with the care and +management of money or other property, are generally required, before +they enter on the duties of their offices, to give bonds, in sums of +certain amount specified in the law, with sufficient sureties, for the +faithful performance of their duties. The sureties are persons who bind +themselves to pay the state all damages arising from neglect of duty on +the part of the officers, not exceeding the sum mentioned in the bond. + +§6. The _attorney-general_ is a person learned in the law, appointed to +act for the state in law-suits in which the state is a party. He +prosecutes persons indebted to the state, and causes to be brought to +trial persons charged with certain crimes. He also gives his opinion on +questions of law submitted to him by the governor, the legislature, and +the executive officers. In some states there is no attorney-general. In +such states prosecutions in behalf of the state are conducted by the +state's attorney for each county. + +§7. The _surveyor-general_ superintends the surveying of the lands +belonging to the state. He keeps in his office maps of the state, +describing the bounds of the counties and townships; and when disputes +arise respecting the boundaries, he causes surveys to be made, if +necessary, to ascertain such bounds. He performs certain other duties of +a similar nature. In many of the states there is no surveyor-general, +the duties of that office being done by a county surveyor in each +county. + +§8. There is also, in many of the states, a _superintendent of schools_, +called in some states, _superintendent of public instruction_, whose +principal duties are described in a subsequent chapter. (Chap. XXII, +§10.) + +§9. There is also a printer to the state, or _state printer_, whose +business it is to print the journal, bills, reports, and other papers +and documents of the two houses of the legislature, and all the laws +passed at each session. State printers are either chosen by the +legislature, or employed by persons authorized to make contracts for the +public printing; or the printing is let to the lowest bidder. + +§10. There are other officers employed by the state, among whom are the +following: a _state librarian_, who has charge of the state library, +consisting of books containing matter of a public nature, such as the +laws of all the states, and of the United States, with a large +collection of miscellaneous books; persons having the care of the public +buildings and other property of the state; superintendents of state +prisons, lunatic asylums, and other state institutions, whose duties are +indicated by their titles, and need no particular description. + + + + +Chapter XIV. + +Counties ind County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers. + + + +§1. Some of the purposes for which a state is divided into small +districts have been mentioned. (Chap. VII, §1.) There are other reasons, +equally important, for these territorial divisions. Laws for the whole +state are made by the legislature; but certain regulations may be +necessary for the people in some parts of the state which are not needed +in others, and which the people of these places can better make for +themselves. It is the business of the governor and his assistant +executive state officers to execute or carry into effect the laws of the +state; but they could not see this done in every place, or in every +minute portion of the state. Again, for the convenience of those who may +be obliged to go to law to obtain redress for injuries, courts of +justice must be established near the residence of every citizen. + +§2. But in order to carry out these objects, a state must be divided +into small districts with fixed boundaries, that it may be known what +persons come under certain regulations, and over whom these local +officers are to exercise authority. The smallest territorial divisions +of a state are called _townships_, or _towns_, which contain generally +from twenty-five to one hundred square miles, and which, if in a square +form, would be from five to ten miles square. But for certain purposes +larger districts than townships have been found necessary. These are +formed by the union of several townships, and are called _counties_. +These divisions are the same as those of England, the country from which +the colonies (now states) were chiefly settled. + +§3. Counties in England were formerly districts governed by _counts_ or +earls; from which comes the name of _county_. A county was also called +_shire_; and an officer was appointed by the count or earl to perform +certain acts in the principal town in the county, which was called +_shire town_, and the officer was called _shire-reeve_, or _sheriff_, +whose powers and duties were similar to those of the sheriff of a county +in this country. The shire town is that in which the court-house and +other county buildings are situate, and where the principal officers of +the county transact their business. In a few counties there are two +towns in which the courts are held alternately. Hence each division is +called a _half-shire_. + +§4. Counties and towns are bodies politic, or bodies corporate. +_Corporate_ is from the Latin, _corpus_, which means _body_. A +_corporation_, or body politic, is an association of persons authorized +by law to transact business under a common name, and as a single person. +The laws of the state give such authority to the inhabitants of counties +and towns. The people of a town or county have power, to some extent, to +manage their own internal affairs, and to make rules and regulations for +their government; and they may buy, hold, and sell property, and sue and +be sued, as an individual. Similar powers are given to rail-road, +banking, insurance, and other incorporated companies. But there is in +some respects a difference between these corporations and those which +are created for purposes of government, as states, counties, towns, +cities, and villages, which will be noticed in another place. (Chap. +XVI.) + +§5. As a county possesses various corporate powers, there must be among +its officers some in whose name these powers are to be exercised. In +some states there is a board of _county commissioners_, (usually three,) +who exercise corporate powers. In a few, these powers are exercised by +and in the name of the _board of supervisors_, which is composed of the +supervisors of the several towns in the county, of whom there is one +supervisor in each town. These boards, or such officers in other states +as exercise these powers, have generally the power also to examine and +settle the accounts against the county, and to make orders and contracts +in relation to the building or repairing of the court-house, jail, and +other county buildings; and to perform such other acts as the laws +require. + +§6. There is in each county a _treasurer_ to receive and pay out the +moneys required to be collected and paid out in the county. There is +also, in some states, a county _auditor_ to examine and adjust the +accounts and debts of the county, and to perform certain other duties. +The business of county treasurers and auditors in their respective +counties, is of the same nature as that of state auditors and +treasurers. In states in which there is no county auditor, the duties of +auditor are performed by the treasurer, and some other county officer or +officers. + +§7. There is also in each county a _register_ or _recorder_, who records +in books provided for that purpose, all deeds, mortgages, and other +instruments of writing required by law to be recorded. In New York, and +perhaps in some other states, the business of a register or recorder is +done by a county clerk, who is also clerk of the several courts held in +the county, and of certain boards of county officers. In some states, +deeds, mortgages, and other written instruments, are recorded by the +town clerks of the several towns. + +§8. Another county officer is a _sheriff_, whose duty it is to attend +all the courts held in the county; to execute all warrants, writs, and +other process directed to him by the courts; to apprehend persons +charged with crime; and to take charge of the jail and of the prisoners +therein. It is his duty, also, to preserve the public peace; and he may +cause all persons who break the public peace within his knowledge or +view, to give bonds, with sureties, for keeping the peace, and for +appearing at the next court to be held in the county, and to commit them +to jail if they refuse to give such bonds. A sheriff is assisted by +deputies. + +§9. There are in each county one or more _coroners_, whose principal +duty is, to inquire into the cause of the death of persons who have died +by violence, or suddenly, and by means unknown. Notice of the death of a +person having so died is given to a coroner, who goes to the place of +such dead person. A jury is summoned to attend the examination; +witnesses are examined; and the jury give their opinion in writing as to +the cause and manner of the death. Such inquiry is called a _coroner's +inquest_. In one or two states, the office of coroner, it is believed, +does not exist; in which case the inquest is held by a justice of the +peace, or some other officer. + +§10. An attorney, elected or appointed for that purpose, attends all +courts in which persons are tried in the county for crimes committed +therein, and conducts the prosecutions in the trial of the offenders. In +states where there is no attorney-general for the state, the prosecuting +attorney for each county serves in this capacity, in trials in which the +state is a party. As all crimes and breaches of the peace are considered +as committed against the state, and prosecuted in its name, this +attorney is sometimes called _state's attorney_. + +§11. In some states there is a _county-surveyor_, whose duties within +his county are similar in their nature to those of a state +surveyor-general. + +§12. County officers are generally elected by the people of the county. +Some of them are, in some of the states, appointed by some authority +prescribed by the constitution or laws of the state. + + + + +Chapter XV. + +Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers. + + + +§1. The districts of territory into which counties are divided, are, in +some states, called _towns_. In others they are called, and perhaps more +properly, _townships_; and the name of _town_ is given to an +incorporated village, or a city. We shall, however, in this work, apply +to these territorial divisions the shorter name of _towns_, as they are +called in most of the old states. + +§2. The electors of the several towns meet once a year for the election +of town officers, and for certain other business purposes. The electors +of a town have power, at their annual town meetings, to order money to +be raised for the support of the poor, for the building and repairing of +bridges, and for other town purposes; to make regulations concerning +fences; to fix the compensation of town officers in certain cases; and +to perform such other duties as come within the usual powers of towns. +The powers of towns, however, are not precisely the same in all the +states. + +§3. Among the town officers elected at town meetings, are the following; +not all of them, however, are elected in any one state: One or more +persons who have the general oversight and direction of town affairs, +called by some name corresponding to the nature of their duties; a town +clerk; one or more assessors; justices of the peace; overseers of +highways; overseers of the poor; school officers; constables; a +collector of taxes; a treasurer; fence-viewers; pound-keepers, &c. In +some states there are also sealers of weights and measures; persons to +measure and inspect wood, lumber, bark, and other commodities. + +§4. The officers first mentioned in the preceding section, are, in the +New England states, called _selectmen_, of whom there are at least +three, and may in no state be more than nine, in each town. In a few +states they are called _trustees of townships_, and are three in number. +In a few other states, there is in each town one such officer, called +_supervisor_. The powers and duties of these officers are more numerous +in some states than in others. They have power to lay out roads, and lay +out and alter road districts; to do certain acts relating to roads, +bridges, taxes, common schools, the support of the poor, &c.; and to +examine and settle all demands against the town. In some of the states, +some of these duties are performed by other officers. + +§5. The _town-clerk_ keeps the records, books, and papers of the town. +He records in a book the proceedings of town meetings, the names of the +persons elected, and such other papers as are required by law to be +recorded. In some states, deeds and other conveyances are required to be +recorded by the clerks of towns. + +[For a description of the duties of _assessors_ and _justices of the +peace_, see Assessment and Collection of Taxes, and Justices' Courts.] + +§6. For the repairing of _highways_, a town is divided by the proper +officers into as many road districts as may be judged convenient; and a +person residing in each district is chosen, called _overseer_ or +_supervisor_, or _surveyor_ of _highways_, whose duty it is to see that +the roads are repaired and kept in order in his district. In some states +a tax is laid and collected for this purpose; and each person assessed +may perform labor or furnish materials to the amount of his tax. In +other states, road taxes are assessed upon the citizens in days' labor, +according to the value of their property; every man, however, being +first assessed one day for his head, which is called a _poll-tax_. +Persons not wishing to labor, may pay an equivalent in money, which is +called _commuting_. + +§7. _Overseers of the poor_ provide for the support of the poor +belonging to the town who need relief, and have no near relations who +are able to support them. In some states there is in each county a +poor-house, to which the poor of the several towns are sent to be +provided for; the expense to be charged to the towns to which such poor +persons belonged. + +§8. The principal duties of a _constable_ are, to serve all processes +issued by justices of the peace in suits at law for collecting debts, +and for arresting persons charged with crimes. The business of a +constable in executing the orders of a justice of the peace, is similar +to that of a sheriff in relation to the county courts. + +§9. The town _treasurer_ receives all moneys belonging to the town, and +pays them out as they may be wanted for town-purposes; and accounts +yearly to the proper officers. The office of town treasurer does not +exist in all the states. + +§10. The duties of _fence-viewers_ relate chiefly to the settling of +disputes between the owners of adjoining lands concerning division +fences, the examining or viewing of fences when damage has been done by +trespassing animals; and the estimating of damages in such cases. + +§11. The town _sealer_ keeps correct copies of the standard of weights +and measures established by the state. Standard copies are furnished by +the state sealer to each county sealer, at the expense of the county, +and the county sealer furnishes each town sealer a copy at the expense +of the town. The town sealer compares the weights and measures brought +to him with the copy in his possession, and sees that they are made to +agree with it, and seals and marks them. A person selling by a weight or +measure that does not agree with the standard, is liable to the +purchaser for damages--generally to several times the amount of the +injury. + +For a particular description of the duties of town officers, reference +must be had to the laws of the several states. + + + + +Chapter XVI. + +Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c. + + + +§1. Cities and incorporated villages have governments peculiar to +themselves. Places containing a large and close population need a +different government from that of ordinary towns or townships. Many of +the laws regulating the affairs of towns thinly inhabited, are not +suited to a place where many thousand persons are closely settled. +Besides, the electors in such a place would be too numerous to meet in a +single assembly for the election of officers or the transaction of other +public business. + +§2. Whenever, therefore, the inhabitants of any place become so numerous +as to require a city government, they petition the legislature for a law +incorporating them into a city. The law or act of incorporation is +usually called a _charter_. The word _charter_ is from the Latin +_charta_, which means paper. The instruments of writing by which kings +or other sovereign powers granted rights and privileges to individuals +or corporations, were written on paper or parchment, and called +_charters_. In this country, it is commonly used to designate an act of +the legislature conferring privileges and powers upon cities, villages, +and other corporations. + +§3. The chief executive officer of a city is a _mayor_. A city is +divided into wards of convenient size, in each of which are chosen one +or more _aldermen_, (usually two,) and such other officers as are named +in the charter. The mayor and aldermen constitute the _common council_, +which is a kind of legislature, having the power to pass such laws, +(commonly called _ordinances_,) and to make such orders and regulations, +as the government of the city requires. The mayor presides in meetings +of the common council, and performs also certain judicial and other +duties. There are also elected in the several wards, assessors, +constables, collectors, and other necessary officers, whose duties in +their respective wards are similar to those of like named officers in +country towns, or townships. + +§4. The inhabitants of cities, however, are not wholly governed by laws +made by the common council. Most of the laws enacted by the legislature +are of general application, and have the same effect in cities as +elsewhere. Thus the laws of the state require, that taxes shall be +assessed and levied upon the property of the citizens of the state to +defray the public expenses; and the people of the cities are required to +pay their just proportion of the same; but the city authorities lay and +collect additional taxes for city purposes. + +§5. In cities there are also courts of justice other than those which +are established by the constitution or general laws of the state. There +is a court for the trial of persons guilty of disturbing the peace, and +of such other minor offenses as are usually punishable by imprisonment +in the county jail, called _police court_. It is held by a _police +justice_, elected by the people, or appointed in such manner as the law +prescribes. In some of the larger cities, there are courts of _civil_ as +well as criminal jurisdiction, differing from those which are common to +counties generally. + +§6. The government of incorporated _villages_ is not in all respects +like that of cities. The chief executive officer of such a village is, +in some states, called _president_. The village is not divided into +wards; the number of its inhabitants being too small to require such +division. Instead of a board of aldermen, there is a board of _trustees_ +or _directors_, who exercise similar powers. The president of a village +is generally chosen by the trustees from their own number. In some +states, incorporated villages are called _towns_; and their chief +executive officer is called _mayor_. + +§7. The necessity and effect of incorporating a village may not yet +clearly appear to every reader. Let us illustrate. By a general law of +the state, or by a vote of the electors of a township in pursuance of +such law, cattle may run at large in the highways. This might be to many +persons in a village, a great annoyance, which can be prevented or +abated only by confining the cattle. Or, sidewalks may need to be made. +Or, it may be deemed necessary to provide means for extinguishing fires, +by purchasing fire-engines and organizing fire companies. In an +unincorporated village there is no power to compel the citizens to do +these things. Those, therefore, who desire that the citizens should have +power to make all needful regulations for the government of the village, +petition the legislature for an act of incorporation granting the +necessary powers. + +§8. The constitutions of some states require the legislature to pass a +general law prescribing the manner in which the people of any village +may form themselves into a corporation, with the necessary powers of +government, with out a special law for that purpose. + +§9. Besides these _territorial_ corporations for purposes of government, +as counties, towns, cities, &c., there are _incorporated companies_ for +carrying on business of various kinds, as turnpike and rail-road +companies, and companies for the purposes of banking, insurance, +manufacturing, &c. These kinds of business, to be carried on +successfully, sometimes require a larger amount of money than one man +possesses. A number of persons, therefore, unite their capital under an +act of incorporation granting them power to manage their business which +they could not have in an ordinary business partnership. Besides, a +common partnership must end on the death of any one of the partners; but +an incorporated company is not thus affected by the death of its +members. + +§10. It is in the nature of corporations to have a perpetual existence. +A corporation may live after the persons who first composed it are all +dead; for those who come after them have the same powers and privileges. +A town or city incorporated a hundred years ago, is the same town or +city still, although none of its first inhabitants are living. So a +railroad or banking corporation may exist after the death of many, or +even all of the original corporators. + +§11. But there are certain particulars in which all corporations are not +the same. A state has been defined to be a body politic, or corporation. +(Chap. I. §10; III, §5.) But it differs from other government +corporations, as counties, towns, cities, &c., in this: the latter are +formed by acts of the legislature; but a state is formed by the people +in their political capacity in establishing the constitution. + +§12. Again, all these government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies. In forming a town or city, many persons are brought +into the corporation against their wishes or consent; because, in +governments, all who live within certain prescribed bounds must come +under the same laws; but of an incorporated business association, as of +a common business partnership, none become members but by their own act +or choice. There is another difference: The latter are what are called +_stock_ companies; and although they may be continued after the death of +the first corporators, those who afterward come into the association, do +so by becoming owners of the capital stock of those who preceded them. +This latter difference will more clearly appear from the more particular +description, elsewhere given, of the incorporated companies, and of the +manner in which the stock is transferred. (Chap. XXIII, §11--15.) + + + + +Chapter XVII. + +Judicial Department. Justices' Courts. + + + +§1. Having seen how the legislative and executive departments of a state +government are constituted, and how the laws are made and executed, the +manner in which the local affairs of counties and towns are conducted, +and the powers and duties of their respective officers; we proceed to +describe the _judicial_ department, the powers and duties of judicial +officers, and the manner in which justice is administered. + +§2. It is the business of the legislature to determine what acts shall +be deemed public offenses, or crimes, and to make laws for securing +justice to the citizens in their dealings and general intercourse with +each other; but to judge of and apply the laws; that is, to determine +what the law is and whether it has been broken, and to fix the just +measure of damage or of punishment, and to order such decision to be +carried into effect, are duties which, as has been observed, have been +wisely assigned to a separate and distinct department. (Chap. VIII. §7.) + +§3. A government without some power to decide disputes, to award +justice, and to punish crime according to the laws of the state, would +not be complete. To allow every man to be his own judge in cases of +supposed injury, and to redress his own wrongs, would endanger the +rights of others. Justice is best secured to the citizens by +establishing courts for the redress of injuries and the punishment of +crimes; and that no person may suffer unjustly, it is provided that +every person charged with crime or any other wrong, is entitled to a +fair and impartial trial. + +§4. For the convenience of persons who may be compelled to seek relief +at law, courts are established in every town. These are courts of the +lowest grade, and are called _justices' courts_, being held by justices +of the peace who are, in most of the states, elected by the people of +the several towns. They are called the lowest courts, because they have +jurisdiction only in cases in which the smallest sums or damages are +claimed, or in which only the lowest offenses are tried. The word +_jurisdiction_ is from the Latin _jus_, law, or _juris_, of the law, and +_dictio_, a pronouncing or speaking. Hence the _jurisdiction_ of a court +means its power to pronounce the law. + +§5. Although justices of the peace are generally elected in the towns, +their jurisdiction extends over the county; that is, they have power to +try causes arising in any part of the county, or between citizens +residing in other towns. The jurisdiction of justices of the peace is +generally prescribed by law. The law prescribes the sum that may be sued +for, or the amount of damage that may be recovered in a justice's court, +and the grade of offenses that may be tried in it. In some states +justices of the peace may try suits only in which the sum in controversy +does not exceed $50; but in most of them, the jurisdiction of a justice +extends, it is believed, to sums of $100 or more. + +§6. Causes, in which money is claimed for damage or for debt, are called +_civil_ causes; those for the trial of persons charged with crime, or +some misdemeanor, are called _criminal_ causes. All crimes, strictly +speaking, are misdemeanors. In common usage, however, the word +_misdemeanor_ denotes a smaller offense, such as is usually punishable +by fine, or by imprisonment in a county jail, and not in a state prison. +Causes, actions, and suits, are words of similar meaning in law +language, being generally used to signify prosecutions at law, or +lawsuits. The party that sues is called _plaintiff_; the party sued is +the _defendant_. + +§7. Prosecutions at law are conducted in nearly the same manner in the +different states. The following is a sketch of the proceedings in an +ordinary civil suit in a justice's court: The justice, at the request of +the plaintiff, issues a _summons_, which is a writ or precept addressed +to a constable of the town, in some states to any constable of the +county, commanding him to summon the defendant to appear before the +justice on a day and at an hour specified, to answer the plaintiff +(naming him) in a suit, the nature of which is stated in the summons. + +§8. The constable serves the summons by reading it or stating the +substance of it to the defendant; and if requested, gives him a copy of +it. If he does not find the defendant, he leaves a copy at his place of +residence with some one of the family of proper age. At or before the +time named for trial, the constable returns to the justice the summons +with an indorsement stating the day on which it was served, and whether +served personally or by copy. If served by copy, and the defendant does +not appear at the time named for trial, a new summons is issued, as the +practice is in some states--perhaps all of them; and the trial may not +proceed unless a summons has been personally served. + +§9. The parties may appear in person, or by attorney. An _attorney_ is +any person lawfully appointed to transact business for another; hence +the word attorney does not always mean an attorney at law, or lawyer, +who is properly an officer of a court of law. When the parties have +appeared and answered to their names, they make their _pleadings_; that +is, the plantiff declares for what he brings his suit; and the defendant +states the nature of what he has to _offset_ against the demand of the +plaintiff, or denies the demand altogether. These acts of the parties +are called _joining issue_. + +§10. If the parties are ready for trial, the justice proceeds to try the +issue. If the witnesses have not been subpoened and are not in +attendance, the cause is adjourned to a future day; and the justice, at +the request of either party, issues a _subpoena_, which is a writ +commanding persons to attend in court as witnesses. The witnesses on +both sides are examined by the justice, who decides according to law and +equity, as the right of the case may appear, in which he is said to +_give judgment_. To the amount of the judgment, whether against the +plaintiff or the defendant, are added the costs; for it is considered to +be just that the party in default shall pay the expense of the suit. +The costs consist of the _fees_ or compensation to be paid the justice, +constable and witnesses for their services. + +§11. If a defendant does not appear at the time of trial, the justice +may proceed to try the cause, and decide upon the testimony of the +plaintiff's witnesses. If a plaintiff does not answer or appear when his +name is called in court, the justice enters judgment of _nonsuit_. A +plaintiff may, at any time before judgment is rendered, discontinue or +withdraw his action, in which case also judgment of nonsuit is given. In +cases of nonsuit, and also when no cause of action is found, judgment is +rendered against the plantiff for the costs. + +§12. A debtor may avoid the expense of a lawsuit by _confessing +judgment_. The parties go before a justice, and the debtor acknowledges +or confesses the claim of the creditor, and consents that the justice +enter judgment accordingly. In some states, the confession and consent +must be in writing, and signed by the debtor. The amount for which +judgment may be confessed is limited by law, but is, in some states at +least, and perhaps in most if not all of them, larger than the sum to +which the jurisdiction of a justice is limited in ordinary suits. + + + + +Chapter XVIII. + +Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders. + + + +§1. The administration of justice in courts of law is not left entirely +to the justices and judges. Parties may not always have sufficient +confidence in the ability, honesty, and impartiality of the justice by +whom a suit is to be tried, to intrust their interests to his judgment. +Therefore the constitutions of all the states guaranty to every person +the right of trial by a jury. This right has been enjoyed in England +many centuries. It was established here by our ancestors, who were +principally from that country. + +§2. A _jury_ is a number of men qualified and selected as the law +prescribes, and sworn to try a matter of fact, and to declare the truth +on the evidence given in the case. This declaring of the truth is called +a _verdict_, which is from the Latin _verum dictum_, a true declaration +or saying. A jury in a justice's court consists in most or all of the +states, as is believed, of six men; in the higher courts, of twelve men, +who are generally required to be freeholders. The manner of selecting +the jurors is not the same in all the states. + +§3. After issue has been joined, and before testimony has been heard, +either party may demand that the cause be tried by a jury. Whereupon the +justice issues a _venire_, which is a writ or precept directing a +constable to summon the required number of duly qualified men to appear +before the justice, to make a jury to try the cause. + +§4. The testimony and arguments on both sides having been heard, the +jurors are put under the charge of the constable, who is sworn to keep +them in some convenient place, without meat or drink, except such as the +justice may order, until they shall have agreed on their verdict, or +have been discharged by the justice; and not to allow any person to +speak to them during such time, nor to speak to them himself, except by +order of the justice, unless to ask them whether they have agreed on +their verdict. + +§5. All the jurors must agree in a verdict; and when so agreed, they +return in charge of the constable, and, in open court, deliver their +verdict to the justice, who enters judgment according to the finding of +the jury. If the jurors, after having been out a reasonable time, do not +all agree upon a verdict, the justice may discharge them, and issue a +new venire, unless the parties consent to submit the cause to the +justice. + +§6. If a judgment is not paid within the time prescribed by law, the +justice issues an _execution_, which is a precept directing a constable +to collect the amount of the judgment; and authorizing him to take and +sell the goods and chattels of the debtor, and to make his returns to +the justice within the time required. _Goods_ and _chattels_ are +personal or movable property, or property other than freehold, or real +estate. If the money can not be collected, the execution is returned as +not satisfied. If a constable does not faithfully obey the directions +contained in the execution, he and his sureties become liable to pay the +judgment. + +§7. Laws have been passed in all the states for the benefit of poor men, +who are allowed to retain, for the use and comfort of themselves and +their families, certain articles of personal property, which may not be +sold on execution; such as necessary household furniture, apparel, beds, +tools and implements of trade, &c. The practice which formerly +prevailed, of imprisoning debtors who were unable to satisfy executions, +has been abolished, except for fines and penalties. + +§8. The foregoing description of the proceedings of a justice's court is +that of a prosecution in ordinary cases. But there are other modes of +prosecution in certain cases, one of which is by attachment. An +_attachment_ is a writ directing the property of a debtor to be taken, +and kept till a trial can be had, and judgment obtained. This mode of +proceeding is adopted when the plaintiff has reason to believe that a +debtor conceals himself to avoid being prosecuted by summons, or is +about to remove his property or himself from the county, or intends in +some other way to defraud his creditors. + +§9. In case of an absent or concealed debtor, the constable, (as is +supposed to be the common practice,) leaves a copy of the attachment, +with an inventory or list of the articles of property attached, at the +defendant's last place of abode, or, if he had none in the county, the +copy and inventory are to be left with the person in whose possession +the property is found. If the defendant does not appear on the day of +trial, the plaintiff may proceed to prove his demand and take judgment. +An execution is then issued against the property attached. + +§10. If either party is dissatisfied with a judgment rendered in a +justice's court, he may _appeal_ to a higher court for trial, or for a +review of the judgment. The party appealing is called _appellant_; the +adverse party is the _appellee_ or _respondent_. + +§11. An important part of the duties of a justice of the peace relates +to the arrest and trial of persons charged with crimes and misdemeanors. +Although they have not power to try high offenses usually called crimes, +they may order the apprehension of persons charged with such offenses, +and cause them to be committed for trial. + +§12. A person knowing or suspecting another to have committed an +offense, may make complaint to a judge or justice of the peace, who +examines the complainant on oath, and witnesses, if any appear; and if +he is satisfied that an offense has been committed, he issues a +_warrant_, directing the person accused to be brought before him. The +complainant and witnesses for the prosecution, and next the prisoner and +his witnesses, are examined. If the offense is one of which the +magistrate has jurisdiction, he may proceed to try the prisoner, who, it +will be recollected, is entitled to be tried by a jury. + +§13. If the offense is one which the magistrate has not power to try, he +binds the prosecutor or complainant and all material witnesses to appear +and testify against the prisoner at the next court having power to +indict and try him. And if the offense is one for which the prisoner may +be bailed, the magistrate takes bail for his appearance at court. If the +offense is not bailable, or if no satisfactory bail is offered, the +magistrate orders him to be committed to jail to await his trial. But, +as will be seen hereafter, he must be indicted by a grand jury before he +can be tried. (Chap. XIX., §7-9.) And were there no danger of an +offender's escape before he could be brought to trial, his previous +arrest and examination might be unnecessary. + +§14. The obligation or bond given by a prosecutor and witnesses for +their appearance at court, is sometimes called a _recognizance_. They +bind themselves, with sureties, to forfeit and pay a certain sum of +money in case of their non-appearance. A similar bond or recognizance is +given in case of bail. The person accused binds himself, with sureties, +in such sum as the justice requires, which is to be paid if he shall not +appear for trial. The word _bail_ is from a French word meaning _to +deliver_, or _to release_. Hence, the justice _bails_, sets free, or +delivers to his sureties, the party arrested. Also the sureties are said +to bail a person when they procure his liberation. + + + + +Chapter XIX. + +Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c. + + + +§1. The court next higher than a justice's court, is a court held in +each county, generally called a _county court_, or _court of common +pleas_. This court is usually held by a county judge elected by the +electors of the county in most of the states; in some, appointed by the +legislature; and in others, by the governor, with the advice and consent +of the senate. In a few of the states this court consists of more than +one judge. In some states, county courts are held by judges of the +circuit courts. + +§2. In this court are tried civil causes in which are claimed sums of +greater amount than a justice of the peace has jurisdiction of, and +criminal causes in which are charged the lower crimes committed in the +county. Also causes removed by appeal from a justice's court are tried +in this court; in which cases it is said to have _appellate_ +jurisdiction. Courts are also said to have _original_ jurisdiction; +which means that suits may _originate_ or commence in such courts. + +§3. There is in every state at least one court, and in most of the +states there are two or more courts of higher grade than a county court. +They are called in the different states by different names; as _circuit +court_, _superior court_, _supreme court_, and _court of appeals_. A +_circuit_ court probably obtains its name thus: A state is divided into +judicial districts, in each of which one or more judges are elected, +who go around holding a court once a year or oftener in each of the +counties composing a judicial district. This court usually has both +original and appellate jurisdiction; it being a part of its business to +try appeals from the county courts. It also tries such of the higher +crimes as a county court has not the power to try. Courts in which +crimes are tried are sometimes called courts of _oyer and terminer_. + +§4. Every county court, and every circuit having like jurisdiction, has +a jury to try issues of fact, and a grand jury. An _issue of fact_ is +when the _fact_ as to the indebtedness or the guilt of the party charged +is to be determined from the testimony. An _issue of law_ is one in +which it is to be determined what is the _law_ in the case, which is +done by the judge instead of the jury. The jury by which issues of fact +are tried, as distinguished from a grand jury, is called a _petty_ or +_petit jury_. It consists of twelve men, all of whom must agree in a +verdict. + +§5. The manner of selecting grand and petit jurors is prescribed by law. +A number of judicious men in each town are selected by some person or +persons lawfully authorized; and the names of the men so selected are +written on separate pieces of paper, and put into a box in each town, +and kept by the town clerk; or as is the practice in some states, the +names of the men designated as jurors in the several towns are sent to +the county clerk, and by him kept in a box. Previous to the sitting of +the court, the requisite number is drawn out the box; and the men whose +names are drawn, are summoned to attend as jurors. + +§6. It is the business of a _grand jury_ to inquire concerning crimes +and misdemeanors committed in the county; and if there appear just +grounds of accusation against any person, they make to the court a +presentment or formal charge against him, upon which he is to be put +upon trial. The number of grand jurors is not always the same. In some +states there may not be more than twenty-three nor less than twelve. It +is not required that they shall all agree in order to put a person upon +trial. + +§7. On the opening of the court, the grand jurors are sworn to make a +true presentment of all things given them in charge. The judge then +gives them a charge, and appoints one of them foreman; and the jurors +retire to a private apartment to attend to their duties. They hear all +complaints brought before them against persons for crimes and breaches +of the peace, and examine witnesses who appear to testify; and when it +is requested, they have the assistance and advice of the state's +attorney; or as he is called in some states, the _district attorney_, or +_prosecuting attorney_. If they think any person complained of ought to +be tried, they draw up a writing, in which they charge him with the +offense of which they think him guilty. This is called an _indictment_. +It is signed by the foreman, indorsed "a true bill," and carried by the +jury into court. If the person accused has not before been arrested, he +may now be arrested, and put upon trial. (See Chap. XVIII, §12-14.) + +§8. As grand juries do not try crimes, but merely make inquiry into +them, some may not readily perceive the necessity of such juries. +Innocent persons might be subjected to great inconvenience and expense +in defending themselves in court against the slanderous reports or false +accusations of evil minded persons. It is to prevent this that grand +juries are instituted, who make careful examinations into the cases +brought before them, and do not often charge persons with crime unless +there is a strong probability of their being found guilty on trial. + +§9. So important was the institution of grand juries considered, that +the constitution of the United States, to which the constitutions and +laws of the states must conform, was made to provide, that "no person +shall be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime, unless on +a presentment or indictment of a grand jury," except in certain cases. +(Con. U.S., Amend. Art. V. For the definition of "infamous crime," see +Chap. VI., §7.) + +§10. It is the opinion of many that this requirement of a previous +indictment by a grand jury has reference only to the courts of the +United States; and that the states may dispense with it. Hence, efforts +are now making in some states to abolish grand juries. It is supposed +that an examination at all times before a justice or a judge, when the +prisoner can be present with his witnesses, is more likely to protect +him against being unnecessarily subjected to the trouble and expense of +a trial, than before a grand jury, where complaints are often made by +malicious persons, and sustained by the testimony of partial or corrupt +witnesses. + +§11. The _supreme court_ is generally the next higher, and in most of +the states, the highest state court. This court differs somewhat in the +different states, both in the manner of its formation and in its +jurisdiction. It is believed, however, to have, in the states generally, +both original and appellate jurisdiction, civil and criminal. In the +state of New York and a few other states, there is one higher court, +called _court of appeals_, which has appellate power only. Its business +is to review cases from the supreme court. + +§12. Suits in the county, circuit, and supreme courts, are commenced by +a _writ_, (in some states a summons or a declaration,) which is served +by the sheriff of the county in which the suit is to be tried. He also +serves warrants and executions issued by these courts. A sheriff is to +these courts what a constable is to a justice's court. His powers and +duties have been elsewhere described. (Chap. XIV., §8.) + + + + +Chapter XX. + +Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment. + + + +§1. It might be supposed, that in instituting the courts which have been +described, all necessary provision had been made for securing justice to +the citizens. But many cases arise in which justice and equity can not +be obtained in these courts. To afford relief in such cases, a court +has been established called a _court of equity_, or _court of chancery_. +What often renders it impossible to get justice in ordinary courts of +law, is the want of witnesses; but in a court of equity the parties may +themselves be put on oath. + +§2. A debtor, to avoid the payment of his debts, may conceal his +property or his money; but this court may compel him to disclose and +give up the same to satisfy an execution; and it may prevent persons +indebted to him from making payment to him. A person refusing to fulfill +a contract may, in courts of common law, only be sued for damage; but +this court may in certain cases compel him to fulfill the contract +itself. It may also restrain individuals and corporations from +committing fraudulent acts, and prevent persons from committing wastes +on land and certain other injuries, until the right at law can be tried. + +§3. Courts of chancery were established, it is believed, in a majority +of the old states. But separate and distinct organizations called +chancery courts, now exist in but a few states; the power to try suits +in equity having been given to the judges of the common law courts. + +§4. Suits _in equity_ are not commenced as suits _at law_. The plaintiff +prepares a bill of complaint, the facts stated in which are sworn to by +himself. The bill, which contains a petition or prayer that the +defendant may be summoned to make answer on oath, is filed with the +clerk of the court, who issues a subpoena commanding the defendant to +appear before the court on a day named. A trial may be had on the +complaint and answer alone; or witnesses may be introduced by the +parties. The case is argued by counsel, and a _decree_ is pronounced by +the court, which the court has power to carry into effect. + +§5. There is another kind of courts which are in their nature different +from ordinary law courts, and are called _probate courts_. There is in +every county a probate court held by a _judge of probate_, whose duties +relate to the proving of wills and the settling of the estates of +persons deceased. A _will_ is a writing in which a person gives +directions concerning the disposal of his property after his death. The +Latin word _probatus_ means proof; from which _probate_ has come to be +applied to the proving of a will. (See Wills and Testaments.) In the +state of New York the judge of this court is called _surrogate_, and the +court is called _surrogate's court_. + +§6. There is still another court in every state, which is not a common +law court. It is the _court of impeachment_. The name is applied to the +senate when sitting on a trial of impeachment. An _impeachment_ is a +charge or accusation against a public officer for corrupt conduct in his +office; as if a governor, for money offered him, should approve and sign +a law; or a judge should, for money or from some other selfish or +personal motive, give a wrong judgment. The constitution gives to the +house of representatives the power to impeach, and to the senate the +power to try the persons impeached. This practice has come from Great +Britain, where the impeachment is made by the house of commons, and the +house of lords is the high court of impeachment. + +§7. The house of representatives, in a case of impeachment, acts in +nearly the same manner as a grand jury in a court of law. A complaint is +made to the house; and if, upon examination, there appear to a majority +of the members present sufficient grounds for the charge, an accusation +in writing is prepared, called _articles of impeachment_, and delivered +to the senate. In some states, a majority of the members elected is +necessary to impeach. The president of the senate orders the court to be +summoned. The accused is brought before the court to answer to the +charge, and has counsel assigned him. The senators are sworn truly to +try and determine the impeachment according to evidence; and a day is +fixed for trial. + +§8. The house of representatives usually choose from their number a +committee of managers to conduct the trial, the proceedings in which are +the same as in law courts. The senators retire and deliberate as jurors +in such courts. Two-thirds of the senators--in some states two-thirds of +all the senators elected--must concur in order to convict the person +accused. If a person is convicted, the court may remove him from +office, or disqualify him to hold any office in the state, for a time, +or for life; or may both remove and disqualify him. This court can +pronounce no other sentence. But if the act committed is a crime, the +offender may also be indicted, tried, and punished in a court of +justice. + +§9. Judicial officers may also be removed by the governor on address of +the legislature. If a judge is suspected of corrupt conduct in his +office, or of being incompetent to discharge its duties, complaint is +made to the legislature, and the party complained of is notified, and an +opportunity is given him of being heard in his defense. If both +branches, by the required majorities, concur in the opinion that he +ought to be removed, they address the governor, setting forth their +reasons for the removal. If the governor considers the reasons +sufficient, the officer is removed. This mode of removal does not exist +in all the states. In New York, and perhaps in a few other states, the +legislature makes the removal without the concurrence of the governor; +and in that state some of the lower judicial officers may be removed by +the senate on the recommendation of the governor. In a few states, +judges are not removable by impeachment. + + + + +Chapter XXI. + +Assessment and Collection of Taxes. + + + +§1. Every government must have the power of providing means for its +support. The money which is needed to pay the expenses of administering +the government, if the state has no permanent source of revenue, or +income, must be raised by taxation. A _tax_ is a rate or sum of money +assessed upon the person or property of a citizen for the use of the +state. When assessed upon the person, it is called a _poll-tax_, or +_capitation tax_, being a certain sum on every poll, or head. But as +persons ought generally to contribute to the public expenses according +to their ability, taxes are more just and equal when laid upon the +property of the citizens. Few poll-taxes are levied in this country. + +§2. There are certain kinds of property which are exempt from taxation; +such as the corporate property of the state, of counties, and of towns, +including the buildings in which the public business is done, the +prisons, jails, asylums, &c., and the lands attached to them; +school-houses and meeting-houses, with the lands attached; +burying-grounds, and the property of literary and charitable +institutions. But the property of business corporations, as rail-road, +banking, insurance, manufacturing, and other stock companies, like that +of individuals, is liable to taxation. _Real estate_, or _real +property_, is land with the buildings and other articles erected or +growing thereon. _Personal estate_, or _personal property_, consists of +movables, as goods, chattels, money, and debts due from solvent debtors. + +§3. As the property of every person is to be assessed in proportion to +its value, it is necessary, first, to make a correct valuation of all +the taxable property. For this purpose, the assessor or assessors pass +through the town, and make a list of the names of all the taxable +inhabitants, and the estimated value of the property, real and personal, +of each; and returns of the same are made to the proper county officers, +who cause the tax-list for each town to be made out, and order the taxes +to be collected. + +§4. In some states, persons liable to taxation are themselves required +to furnish lists of all their taxable property, printed blank lists +having been previously distributed among them for this purpose. To +secure an accurate valuation, the assessors, (called also _listers_,) +may require persons to make oath that they have made a true statement of +their property and its value. In states where the polls of the +tax-payers are assessed, these also are set down in the lists at such +sums as the law directs to be affixed to each poll. + +§5. Before a tax-list can be made out, it must be known what amount is +to be collected in each town. This amount is made up of three parts: +First, the sum wanted to pay the expenses of the town for the preceding +year; secondly, the town's share of the county expenses; and thirdly, +its proportional share of the expenses of the state government, or of +what is to be raised for state purposes. + +§6. The apportionment of the amount of the state and county expenses +among the several towns, is made according to the amount of property in +each as valued by the assessors. The state auditor or controller, having +received from the several counties returns of the value of the property +in each county, is enabled to determine its quota of the amount to be +raised for state purposes. To each county's share of the state expenses +is added the sum to be raised in the county for county purposes; and the +amount is apportioned among the towns in proportion to the value of the +assessed property of each. Then adding to each town's share of the +amount of the state and county expenses, the amount to be raised for +town purposes, gives the sum to be collected in the town. + +§7. Having thus ascertained the sum to be raised in each town, the +officers whose duty it is, cause a tax-list to be made out, in which the +amount of each person's tax is set opposite his name and the estimated +value of his property. The tax-list of each town, certified and signed +by the proper persons, is put into the hands of the collector, with a +warrant ordering the same to be collected. + +§8. The money collected for county and state purposes is paid to the +county treasurer, who pays to the state treasurer the amount raised in +the county for state expenses, and retains the remainder to be expended +in the county. The money collected for town purposes is paid to such +persons in the town as are by law authorized to receive the same. + + + + +Chapter XXII. + +Education. School Funds; Schools, &c. + + + +§1. The proper object of government is to promote the welfare and +happiness of its citizens. For this purpose, it must provide for making +and properly administering laws to protect the people in the enjoyment +of life and the fruits of their labor. But it should go further, and +make express provision for improving the condition of the people, +especially the less fortunate portions of them. + +§2. The prosperity of a state or nation depends essentially upon the +education of its citizens. This is seen by comparing the condition of +the people of this country with the condition of the people of those +countries where the benefits of education are not enjoyed. Ignorance +tends to make men idle, vicious, and miserable. On the other hand, +learning is not only a means of enjoyment in itself, but of improving +the social condition of a people. + +§3. Again, a free government is better adapted than any other to promote +the welfare of a nation. But if the people are not properly educated, +they are incapable of self-government. And as many persons are unable to +pay for the tuition of their children, the safety of the government +itself requires the establishment of a system of education, by which the +great body of the people may be fitted to discharge their social and +political duties. The states have accordingly instituted school systems +for the instruction of children and youth of all classes at the public +expense. + +§4. In most of the states, the schools are supported only in part, in a +few of them wholly, at the expense of the states. Some states have +provided funds, the income of which is annually applied to this object. +_Fund_ generally signifies the money or capital stock employed in +carrying on trade or any other business operation. _State funds_ are the +moneys and other property of the state which are set apart for paying +the expenses of the government, or for the construction of canals, +roads, and other public improvements. The interest of these funds, and +the income from other sources, are called the _revenue_. + +§5. In some states, school funds are created by appropriating the public +lands, which are lands owned by the state as a body corporate. The +proceeds of these lands, from sales or rents, constitute a part or the +whole of the school fund, the interest of which is annually applied to +the support of schools. If the income from the school fund is +insufficient for this purpose, the deficiency may, as is done in some +states, be supplied, in whole or in part, by taxation, or from the state +treasury. + +§6. Many of the new states have large school funds. At an early period, +while most of the territory from which these states have been formed was +yet the property of the United States, and uninhabited, Congress passed +an act by which a particular section of land (number sixteen) in every +township is reserved for the support of schools therein. By this act, +one thirty-sixth part of the lands within each of these states has been +thus appropriated, besides smaller portions granted for the benefit of a +university in each state. These lands are in the charge of proper +officers, who dispose of them, and apply the proceeds as the law +directs. + +§7. The school funds of many of the states have been largely increased +by certain moneys received from the United States. In 1837, there had +accumulated in the national treasury about thirty millions of dollars +over and above what was needed for the support of the government. By an +act of congress, this surplus revenue was distributed among the states +then existing, to be kept by them until called for by congress. Although +congress reserved the right to recall the money, it was presumed that it +would never be demanded. That it never will be, is now almost certain. +Many of the states have appropriated large portions of their respective +shares for school purposes. From its having been said to be only +_deposited_ with the states, this fund is sometimes called the _United +States deposit fund_. + +§8. School moneys coming from the state treasury, or state fund, are +usually apportioned among the several towns of the state; and each +town's share of such moneys, together with what may come to the town by +taxation or from its school lands, is divided among the several +districts according to the number of children between certain ages in +each district, or in such other manner as may be directed by law. If the +moneys thus received are insufficient to pay the wages of teachers, a +rate bill is made out in each district for the deficiency, and collected +from the persons whose children have been taught in the schools. + +§9. The towns, or townships, are divided into districts of suitable size +for schools, which are called _district schools_. From their being +supported by a common fund, and designed for the common benefit, or from +the lower or more common branches being taught in them, they are also +called _common schools_. One or more _trustees_ or _directors_ are +chosen in each district to manage its affairs; a _clerk_ to notify +meetings and record the proceedings of the same; and a _collector_ to +collect taxes for building and repairing school-houses, and all rate +bills for the payment of teachers. + +§10. The highest school officer is the _state superintendent of common +schools_, or, as he is sometimes called, _superintendent of public +instruction_. The superintendent collects information relating to the +schools; the number of children residing in each district, and the +number taught; the amount paid for tuition; the number of school-houses, +and the amount yearly expended in erecting school-houses; and other +matters concerning the operation and effects of the common school +system. If there is no other officer whose duty it is, the +superintendent also apportions the money arising from the state funds +among the several counties. He reports to the legislature at every +session the information he has collected, and suggests such improvements +in the school system as he thinks ought to be made. + +§11. There is in every county an officer who receives from the state +superintendent the money apportioned to the county, and apportions the +same among the towns; reports to the state superintendent the number of +children in the county; and performs such other duties as the law +requires. In some states, there is no such county officer; but the money +is apportioned by the state superintendent among the towns; and the +reports from the towns are made directly to the state superintendent. + +§12. In the towns are officers whose duties are to examine teachers, +visit schools, apportion the school moneys among the districts, and to +collect the lists of the number of children in the several districts, +with such other information as the law requires, and report the same to +the county officer, or, if there is none, to the state superintendent. +In some states, there is in each county an officer or a board of +officers, for examining teachers, and performing certain other duties +relating to the schools of the county. + +§13. Academies and colleges also receive aid from the state, to a +limited extent. A distinct fund is created in some states for their +benefit; in others, they are aided by special appropriations from the +state treasury. + + + + +Chapter XXIII. + +Canals and Rail-Roads. + + + +§1. In carrying out the purposes of government, provision ought also to +be made to secure to the people the means of obtaining a suitable reward +for their industry, and to render the labor of all, as nearly as may be, +equally profitable. + +§2. The people of some states do not possess the same advantage as those +of others; nor do all the people of the same state enjoy equal +advantages. Those who reside at a great distance from market, or from +navigable waters and good roads, are not so well rewarded for their +labor as those who reside near them, because of the greater cost of the +transportation, both of what they have to sell, and of the goods they +buy. Hence the necessity of good roads, canals, or other means of +facilitating trade between the different parts of the state. + +§3. Among the works intended to effect this object, _canals_ are perhaps +the most useful, and are to be preferred wherever their construction is +practicable. Canals are sometimes constructed by incorporated companies; +but generally these works, especially those of great magnitude, are made +by the state, and are the property of the state. Although there are some +states in which are no canals of this kind, it may be interesting to +young persons generally to know how so important a state work is made. + +§4. To raise the money necessary to make a canal, the legislature might +levy a general tax upon the property of the citizens. But this would not +be expedient or just; because, first, the payment of so large a sum by +the people within the time in which it would be desirable to complete +the work, would be inconvenient and burdensome; and secondly, the +expense must fall alike upon the people of all parts of the state: +whereas, those residing most remotely from the line of the work, would +derive from it little or no benefit. + +§5. When, therefore, a great enterprise of this kind is undertaken by a +state, the law authorizing the work usually provides a _fund_, the +income of which is to be applied to this object. This fund consists of +such lands, property, and moneys as the legislature may grant for this +purpose. Funds were thus constituted in some of the western states, to +which funds congress made grants of the public lands of the United +States lying within those states. + +§6. These funds, however, furnish but a part, some of them but a small +portion of the money necessary to complete the work; and some states +undertaking public improvements may not have the lands or other property +to constitute such a fund. The state therefore borrows the money for a +long term of years, and depends upon the income of the canal fund and +the tolls to be collected on the canals, for the repayment of the money +borrowed. Should the revenues of the canal and of the canal fund be +insufficient, the deficiency may be supplied by taxation. + +§7. The business of borrowing the money is done on the part of the +state, by persons duly authorized, who give for the money borrowed the +bonds of the state, which are written promises to pay the money at the +times specified, with interest at the rate agreed on; the interest +generally to be paid semi-annually. These bonds are usually given in +sums of $1,000 each, or less. The debts of a state thus contracted by +issuing bonds, are called _state stocks_, as the capital, or stock +required to construct a state work is obtained by the sale of its bonds. +These bonds, like the certificates of stock in a rail-road or other +corporate business company, are transferable, and may be bought and sold +as promissory notes, and constitute an important article of trade. + +§8. These stocks are taken by men who have large sums of money to lend, +and who consider the state a responsible debtor; because, if it has no +other sufficient means of paying its bonds, the legislature has power to +raise the money by taxation. Most of the states have contracted debts in +this manner for various purposes. State stocks are purchased and held +not only by capitalists in this country, but by many in Europe. + +§9. Officers are appointed to manage the canal fund, and others to +superintend the canals. There are also officers, called _canal +collectors_, at suitable distances along the canals, to collect the +_tolls_, which are charges paid by the masters or owners of boats for +the use of the canal. + +§10. The states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and some other western +states, have prosecuted the canal enterprise on a large scale. Although +large debts have been contracted for the construction of canals in these +states, the benefits derived from them more than compensate for the vast +expense of their construction. + +§11. _Rail-roads_, although they are of public utility, are not +properly public works, being constructed by companies incorporated for +that purpose. The necessity for an act of incorporation is readily seen. +Rail-roads pass through the lands of private individuals; and without +the authority of law, the land of no person can be taken for such +purpose; nor can a law authorize it to be taken, unless the work is one +of general advantage; nor even in such case, without compensation to the +owner for his land; for it is declared by the state constitutions, that +"private property shall not be taken for public use without just +compensation." + +§12. If, therefore, the legislature deem a proposed railroad to be of +public utility, they pass an act to incorporate a company with the +requisite powers to construct the road, on making compensation for the +land, the value of which is to be estimated in such manner as the law +prescribes. The law also prescribes the manner in which the affairs of +the road are to be conducted. + +§13. The amount of capital to be employed by the company, is mentioned +in the act of incorporation, or charter, and is raised in this way: The +amount of the capital, or stock, is divided into shares of $100, or +less. Persons wishing to invest money in the road, subscribe the number +of shares they will respectively take. When all the shares are thus sold +and the money is paid in, the company is ready to proceed to the +construction of the road. The owners of these shares are called +_stockholders_, who choose from among themselves such number of +_directors_ as the charter authorizes. The directors elect from their +number a _president_. + +§14. Persons buying shares receive certificates signed by the proper +officers, stating the number of shares for which each certificate is +given. The holders of these certificates, if they wish to make other use +of the money they have invested in the business, may sell their stock to +others, to whom they pass their certificates, which are evidence of the +amount of stock purchased. Thus these certificates are bought and sold +as promissory notes. + +§15. Stockholders depend, for the reimbursement of their capital, upon +the money to be received for the transportation of passengers and +freight. Such portion of the income of the road as remains after paying +all expenses of running and repairs, is divided semi-annually among the +stockholders. Hence the sums thus divided are called _dividends_. The +earnings of some roads are so large as to make the investment a +profitable one; so that the holder of shares is enabled to sell them at +an advance. When shares in the stock of any institution are sold at +their nominal value, the price named in the certificates, the stock is +said to be at _par_. When they are sold for more or less than their +nominal value, they are said to be above or below _par_. In large +commercial cities, as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and others, the +purchase and sale of state stocks, and stocks in rail-roads, banks, &c., +is a regular and extensive business of capitalists. + + + + +Chapter XXIV. + +Banks and Insurance Companies. + + + +§1. Banks, we are told, were first instituted in Italy, where certain +Jews assembled, seated on benches, ready to lend money, and to exchange +money and bills; and _banco_ being the Italian name for bench, banks +took their title from this word. The first banks are said to have been +only places where money was laid up or deposited for safe-keeping. But +banks at the present day are not used for depositing alone. + +§2. Banks in this country can be established only by authority of law. +They are incorporated by an act of the legislature. The capital stock is +raised by the sale of shares, and issue of certificates, as in the case +of rail-roads. (Chap. XXIII., §13.) The stockholders elect of their +number (usually) thirteen _directors_, who choose one of themselves as +_president_. The president and directors choose a cashier and clerks. + +§3. Merchants and others in commercial places, deposit in banks, for +safe-keeping, the money they receive in the course of business, and then +draw it out on their written orders as they have occasion to use it. An +order of this kind is called a _check_. + +§4. Persons depositing money only once, or very seldom, and intending to +draw for the same at once, usually receive from the cashier a +_certificate of deposit_, which states the name of the depositor, the +sum deposited, and to whose order it is to be paid. For the use of money +deposited for any considerable period, banks agree to pay interest, +usually less, however, than the rate established by law. Certificates of +deposit may, by indorsement, be made transferable as promissory notes +and other negotiable paper, (Chap. LX., §2,) and are often remitted, +instead of money, to distant places, where, by presenting them at a +bank, they may, for a trifling compensation, be converted into money. + +§5. A material part of the business of banks is to assist merchants and +others in transmitting money to distant places. Thus: A, in New York, +wishing to send $1,000 to B, in Philadelphia, puts the money into a bank +in New York, takes for it an order, called _draft_, on a bank in +Philadelphia, for that amount, to be paid to B. The draft is sent by +mail to B, who presents his draft at the bank, and receives the money; +and the bank charges the amount to the New York bank. + +§6. But persons unacquainted with commercial business, especially young +persons, may not know how the bank in Philadelphia is to be repaid. In +the course of trade between the two cities, business men are constantly +remitting money both ways through the banks, which thus receive the +money and draw upon each other. Thus millions of dollars may be annually +transmitted between the two cities, without any expense except the small +charge of the banks for doing the business, and without the risk of loss +by accident or robbery which attends the conveyance of money in person. + +§7. Banks also lend money. The borrower gives a note for the sum +wanted, signed by himself, and indorsed by one or more others as +sureties. The cashier pays the money for the note, retaining out of it +the interest on the sum lent, instead of waiting for it until the note +becomes due. This is called _discounting_ a note. + +§8. The bills of banks pass as money. A bank bill or note is a promise +of the bank to pay the bearer a certain sum on demand, signed by the +president and cashier. It passes as money, because the bank is bound to +pay it in specie if it is demanded. Paying notes thus is _redeeming_ +them. When a bank is unable to redeem all its bills, it is said to have +failed, or to be broken; and the bill holders suffer loss, unless some +security has been provided. This has been done in some states by making +the stockholders individually liable for the redemption of the bills; +that is, the property owned by them as individuals may be taken and sold +on execution for that purpose. Such security, however, has never been +generally provided. + +§9. But a system of banking, sometimes called _free banking_, has more +recently been adopted in some states. It is so called, because the +business of banking is thrown open to all by a _general law_. Any +person, or any number of persons, may, by complying with the provisions +of this general law, establish a bank without a special law for this +purpose. Hence it is also called the _general banking_ system. + +§10. Persons, before commencing business under this law, must put into +the hands of the proper state officers ample securities for the +redemption of their bills; and they may not issue bills to a greater +amount than the amount of their securities. These securities must +consist of approved state stocks, or United States stocks, or partly of +public stocks, and partly of real estate. When a bank fails, the lands +and stocks held in pledge by the state are sold, and the avails are +applied to the redemption of the bills. This system of banking seems to +be growing into public favor. + +§11. _Insurance companies_ also are authorized by law. Their business is +to insure persons against loss by fire. The corporators, on being paid a +small sum, consisting generally of a certain percentage on the amount +for which the property is insured, promise to pay such amount if the +property shall be destroyed by fire. There are companies also for +insuring vessels at sea; and _life_ insurance companies, that agree to +pay, in case of the death of the person insured, a certain sum for the +benefit of his family, or of some other person named in the policy. The +word _policy_ as here used, means the writing containing the terms or +conditions on which the company agrees to indemnify the person insured +in case of loss. The money paid to obtain insurance, is called +_premium_. + +§12. The profits of the stockholders consist of the excess of money +received for premiums over the amount paid out for losses. Thus, if a +company has issued 2,000 policies, each covering property of an average +amount of $1,000, the amount of risk is $2,000,000; and if the rate of +insurance is one per cent., the amount received in premiums is $20,000. +Hence, if none of the 2,000 buildings is burned within the time the +insurance is to run, the $20,000 are gained. If ten of them should be +burned, there would still be a gain of $10,000. If twenty should be +destroyed, there would be no gain, but an actual loss to the amount of +the expenses of the concern. + +§13. But from the average number and amount of losses annually for many +years, companies are enabled so to fix the rates of insurance as to give +the stockholders a fair profit on their capital. The rates are not the +same on all kinds of property; a higher per centage is charged on that +which is deemed hazardous, or more exposed to fire, than on that which +is less exposed. The profits on the business of the company, or the +_dividends_, as they are called, are annually or semi-annually divided +among the stockholders, in proportion to the amount of their respective +shares. + +§14. There is another kind of insurance companies, which differ +materially from the _stock_ companies described in the preceding +sections. They are _mutual_ insurance companies. They are so called +because the members unite in insuring each other. Every person having +his property insured by such a company is a member of it. He has his +buildings and the property in them valued; and pays a certain rate per +cent. on such valuation. A fund is thus raised out of which any member +suffering loss by fire is paid the amount for which the property was +insured. When the fund is exhausted, it is again supplied by a tax +assessed upon the members in proportion to the amounts for which they +are respectively insured. + + + + +Chapter XXV. + +The Militia. + + + +§1. It is the practice of governments to keep their respective countries +prepared to defend themselves against foreign enemies. For this purpose +all men liable to do military duty are enrolled, and are required to +meet on certain days every year for instruction in the art of war, in +order to be ready for actual service whenever it shall be required. The +body of soldiers thus enrolled are called the _militia_. There are other +words which are sometimes applied to bodies of soldiers; as _infantry_, +which means the soldiers or troops who serve on foot; _cavalry_, the +troops on horses; _artillery_, those who manage the cannon and other +heavy weapons of war. But all troops are comprehended in the general +term, _militia_. + +§2. The militia of a state, or a portion of them, may also be needed to +aid in executing the laws of the state, and in suppressing insurrection +or rebellion. An _insurrection_ is a rising against the public +authority, or the attempt of persons to prevent the execution of a law. +_Rebellion_ generally means nearly the same as _insurrection_; but more +properly it signifies a revolt, or an attempt to overthrow the +government to establish a different one. As it is the duty of an +executive to see the laws executed, power is given by the constitution +to the governor to call out a sufficient military force for this +purpose. + +§3. All able-bodied white male citizens of the United States, between +the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, are liable to perform +military service in the states in which they reside, except such as are +exempt by the laws of the states and of the United States. Persons +exempt by the laws of the states are generally the following: Ministers +of the gospel; commissioned officers of the militia having served a +certain number of years; members of uniformed companies having served +for a specified time; members of fire companies; certain public officers +while in office; and in some states teachers and students of colleges, +academies, and common schools; and a few others. + +§4. Persons exempt by the laws of the United States are the +vice-president, the subordinate executive and all the judicial officers +of the government of the United States; members of congress and its +officers; custom-house officers and their clerks; post-officers and +drivers of mail stages; ferrymen employed at ferries on post-roads; +pilots and mariners. + +§5. By the constitutions of the several states, the governors are made +the commanders-in-chief of the militia of their respective states; and +by the constitution of the United States, the president is made +commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and also +of the militia of the states when called out into actual service. It has +already been remarked, (§2,) that the military force of the state is at +the command of the executive to protect the government and its citizens. +So the president was thought the proper person to have command of the +public forces, to execute the laws of the United States, to repel +invasion, and to carry on war. Hence the governors and the president are +not among the public officers who are exempt from military duty. + +§6. Persons who, having been duly notified, refuse to appear at +military parades, or, appearing without being equipped as the law +directs, are tried by a military court, called _court martial_, +consisting usually of three military officers, or of such other persons +as may be appointed according to the law of the state. If the persons +tried do not show good cause for their delinquency, they are fined in +such sums as the law prescribes. In certain cases courts may consist of +more than three members. + +§7. The highest militia officer, except the governor, is the +_adjutant-general_ of the state; who keeps a list of all the higher +commissioned officers, containing the dates of their commissions, their +rank, the corps (pronounced _core_) they belong to, the division, +brigade, and regiment, and their places of residence. He distributes all +orders from the commander-in-chief (the governor,) to the several +divisions; attends public reviews where the commander-in-chief reviews +the militia; and obeys all orders from him relative to carrying into +execution the system of military discipline established by law. + +§8. There is also in some states a _commissary-general_, who has the +care of the arsenals and magazines, and the articles deposited in them. +An _arsenal_ is a building in which are kept cannon, muskets, powder, +balls, and other warlike stores; all of which are to be kept in repair +and ready for use. + +§9. There are persons who, believing all wars to be wrong, can not +conscientiously do military service. As it is the object of our +government to secure to every person the liberty of conscience as well +as other rights, the constitutions of many of the states provide, that +those who are averse to bearing arms, may be excused by paying annually +a sum of money instead of rendering the service. But it may well be +doubted whether compelling a man to pay the money is not itself a +violation of the right of conscience. Many persons conceive it to be no +less morally wrong to commute for the service than to perform it. In +some states, all persons belonging to the society of Friends, usually +called Quakers, are exempt without the payment of an equivalent in +money. + +§10. In the states of New York and Ohio, the rank and file of the +militia are not required to train in time of peace. Persons liable to +perform military service, except those connected with the uniformed +companies, are enrolled in the militia; but instead of doing duty, they +pay annually a small tax, which is in New York fifty cents, and in Ohio +fifty cents, or a day's highway labor. + +§11. Laws abolishing trainings and musters of the great body of the +militia, are, it is believed, growing into favor, and for these among +other reasons: First, the militia system produces no material +improvement in discipline; secondly, the expenditure of time and money +in these useless exercises, and for arms and equipments, are burdensome +to many citizens; and thirdly, there is no probability of an occasion +requiring a large portion of the militia to be so suddenly called into +service as to allow no time for preparation. Volunteer companies like +those kept up and disciplined in the states above named, and the +standing army of the nation, are deemed sufficient for any supposable +emergency. + +§12. Happily the practice of settling disputes between nations by war, +is becoming less popular in civilized and Christian communities. War is +a dreadful evil, and ought to be discouraged, and, if possible, avoided. +Were governments so disposed, they might in most cases settle their +differences as individuals do, by submitting them to the judgment of a +third party. If the love of military honor were less encouraged, and the +principles of peace duly inculcated, the time would be hastened when +"nations shall learn war no more." + + + + + +Government of the United States. + + + + +Chapter XXVI. + +Causes of the Revolution. + + + +§1. The plan of government in this country is peculiar. To a person +previously unacquainted with our political institutions, it might seem +strange, after having read the foregoing description of the state +governments, to be told that there is still another and a different +government to which the people are subject. How the people of more than +thirty states, all having complete and distinct governments, can at the +same time be subject to another government, also complete in all its +parts, he would not immediately understand. He would not know what is +meant by the government of the United States. How the states, all having +governments of their own, can be _united_ in one government, he would +not readily perceive. + +§2. We shall therefore proceed to a description of the government of the +United States, from which will appear the relation between that +government and the state governments. It will also appear that the state +governments, each of which has in itself a great deal of machinery, all +move in harmony with the great political machine--the government of the +United States. It is easy to see that a knowledge of these governments +is important to the people who live under them, as every freeman +exercises a part of the governing power, both in the government of his +own state, and in the general government. + +§3. To assist the reader in understanding the constitution and +government of the United States, we shall first give a sketch of the +governments which preceded, and of the principal causes which led to the +revolution in the government of this country. Most of the youth who are +of sufficient age to study this work, probably know that our present +forms of government were not established by the early settlers in this +country. The first inhabitants were _colonists_. A _colony_ is a +settlement of persons in a distant place or country, who remain subject +to the government of the state or country from which they removed. The +American colonies which have become the "United States," were chiefly +settled from Great Britain, and were under her jurisdiction. + +§4. The political rights and privileges enjoyed by the colonists as +British subjects, were very limited, and were conferred by the charters +of the king. The people had not then, as now, constitutions of their own +choice. There were colonial governments; but they were such as the king +was pleased to establish, and might be changed at his pleasure. These +governments were in _form_ somewhat similar to that of our state +governments. There was what might be called a legislature; also an +executive or governor; and there were judges. + +§5. But of the officers of these departments of the government, only the +members of one branch of the law-making power were elected by the +people. The other branch was composed of a small number of men, called a +council; but they were appointed by the king and subject to his control, +as was also the governor, who had the power of an absolute negative or +veto to any proposed law. And laws after having received the assent of +the governor, must be sent to England and approved by the king, before +they could go into effect. + +§6. Hence we see that the colonists had no security for the passage of +such laws as they wanted. And the consequence was, that they were often +denied good and wholesome laws, by the refusal of the king to sanction +them. Not only so; many laws enacted by parliament were very unjust and +oppressive. The object of these laws was to secure to Great Britain +alone the trade of the colonies. One law declared that no goods should +be imported by the colonists but in English vessels; if brought in +other vessels, both the goods and vessels were to be forfeited to the +British government. + +§7. Another law required such articles as England wanted, to be +transported to that country and other countries belonging to Great +Britain. The colonists were permitted to ship to foreign markets such +products only as English merchants did not want. They were prohibited +from selling abroad any wool, yarn, or woolen manufactured goods. This +was done to keep the markets open for British wool and manufactures. +Another law declared that no iron wares of any kind should be +manufactured here. Thus was it attempted to suppress manufactures in the +colonies. + +§8. Hence we see that it was the policy of the British government to +compel the colonists to buy of England all the goods they wanted which +they did not themselves produce, and to sell to England the surplus +productions of the colonies. For this purpose, heavy duties were laid +upon goods imported into the colonies from other countries than Great +Britain and her possessions. These duties were taxes levied upon goods +brought into the colonies from abroad, and were collected by officers +here from the persons importing the goods. + +§9. The following facts will explain to the young reader more clearly +the nature and effects of these duties: The colonists traded with the +West India islands, some of which belonged to Great Britain, some to +France, and some to Spain. To secure the whole trade, the British +government imposed high duties upon the molasses, sugar and other +articles imported into the colonies from the French and Spanish islands. +The people of the colonies could therefore avoid the payment of these +duties only by importing the above mentioned goods from the British +islands. + +§10. Not satisfied with these acts, parliament claimed the right to tax +the colonies, "in all cases whatsoever;" and an act was passed +accordingly, laying duties upon all tea, glass, paper, &c., imported +into the colonies; and the money thus collected was put into the British +treasury. The colonists petitioned the king and parliament to repeal +these obnoxious laws; but their petitions were denied. Having given up +all hope of relief, congress, which was a body of delegates from the +several colonies, declared the colonies to be free and independent +states, no longer subject to the government of Great Britain. This +declaration was maintained by a war which lasted about seven years, when +Great Britain gave up the contest, and acknowledged the independence of +the states; and the _revolution_ was accomplished. + + + + +Chapter XXVII. + +Nature of the Union under the Confederation. + + + +§1. As early as the year 1774, the colonies united in the plan of a +congress, to be composed of delegates chosen in all the colonies, for +the purpose of consulting on the common good and of adopting measures of +resistance to the claims of the British government. The first great +continental congress met on the 4th of September, 1774. Another congress +assembled in May, 1775. This congress adopted sundry measures having +reference to war, and finally made the declaration of independence, July +4th, 1776. The continental congress, the members of which were chosen by +the state legislatures, conducted the affairs of the nation until near +the close of the war. + +§2. With a view to a permanent union of the colonies under a general +government, the congress, in November, 1777, agreed upon a frame of +government, contained in certain articles, called, "Articles of +Confederation and perpetual Union between the States." These articles +were to go into effect when they should have received the assent of all +the states. But as the consent of the last state (Maryland) was not +obtained until March, 1781, they went into operation only about two +years before the close of the war. + +§3. As a plan of national government, the confederation was soon found +to be very defective. The union formed under it was a very imperfect +one. Having been framed in time of war, it had respect to the operations +of war rather than to a state of peace. Although it answered some good +purpose in carrying on the war, it was not well adapted oven to the +condition of the country then existing. Its defects appeared almost as +soon as it went into effect; and after the return of peace, it was found +that the union, instead of being strengthened and perpetuated by it, +could be preserved only by a radical change in the system of government. + +§4. The leading defect of the confederation was its weakness. Congress +could do little more than to recommend measures. As it could not +legislate directly upon persons, its measures were to be carried into +effect by the states; but the states were not in all cases willing, and +some of them did at times refuse to do so, and congress could not compel +them. It belonged to congress to determine the number of troops and the +sums of money necessary to carry on the war, and to call on each state +to raise its share; but congress could not enforce its demands. It +borrowed money in its own name, but it had not the means of paying it. +It had no power to lay and collect taxes; this power was reserved to the +states. + +§5. Hence we see that congress was dependent for every thing upon the +good will of thirteen independent states. It is a wonder that a +government of such inherent weakness should bring the war to a +successful issue. It was a sense of danger from abroad, rather than any +power in the government, that induced a sufficient compliance with the +ordinances of congress to achieve the independence of the states. + +§6. On the restoration of peace, new difficulties arose. We have already +spoken of the want of power in congress to lay and collect taxes for +war purposes. Money was now wanted to discharge the public debt, and to +pay the current expenses of the government; yet congress had no power to +raise it, either by a _direct tax_ upon the persons or property of the +citizens, or _indirectly_ by duties on goods imported, as at present +under the constitution. The power to lay and collect duties was with the +states; but it was of little use so long as each state could impose such +duties as it chose. The states being unable to agree upon a uniform rate +of duties, the goods would be imported into states which levied the +lowest duties. It was expedient, if it had been possible, to borrow more +money on the credit of the union, as the heavy debt contracted during +the war remained unpaid, and congress had no means of paying it. + +§7. But the inability to raise money was not the only difficulty that +attended the want of power by congress to lay duties. This power was +necessary also to regulate the foreign trade. We have already remarked, +that it was the policy of Great Britain before the revolution to secure +in the colonies a market for her manufactures. (Chap. XXVI.) Not only +so; she had by her navigation acts, for more than a hundred years, +imposed heavy duties upon foreign vessels coming into her ports, in +order to secure the carrying trade to her own shipping. In addition to +this, she also levied high duties upon the produce of the states sent to +pay for the goods we were obliged to buy of her, our own people not +having as yet the means, nor having had time, to establish +manufactories, and to manufacture for themselves. + +§8. Another of the numerous troubles which arose from this imperfect +union was the want of peace and harmony between the states. Laws were +enacted in some states with a view to their own interests, which +operated injuriously upon other states. This induced the latter states +to retaliate, by passing laws partial to themselves and injurious to the +former. The states soon became disaffected toward each other; and their +mutual jealousies and rivalries and animosities at length became so +great as to cause fears that some of the states would become involved +in war among themselves, and that the union would be broken up. + +§9. In the hope of remedying the difficulty last mentioned, an attempt +was made to procure the insertion, into the articles of confederation, +of a provision giving to congress the power to regulate trade; but the +attempt failed. In January, 1786, the legislature of Virginia proposed a +convention of commissioners from all the states, to take into +consideration the situation and trade of the United States, and the +necessity of a uniform system of commercial regulations. + +§10. A meeting was accordingly held at Annapolis, in September, 1786; +but as commissioners from only five states attended, viz., New York, New +Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia, the commissioners deemed +it unadvisable to proceed to business relating to an object in which all +the states were concerned; but they united in a report to the several +states and to congress, in which they recommended the calling of a +general convention of delegates from all the states, to meet in +Philadelphia on the 2d Monday of May, 1787, with a view not only to the +regulation of commerce, but to such other amendments of the articles of +confederation as were necessary to render them "adequate to the +exigencies of the union." + +§11. In pursuance of this recommendation, congress, in February, 1787, +passed a resolution for assembling a convention. All the states, except +Rhode Island, appointed delegates, who met pursuant to appointment; and +framed the present constitution of the United States. They also +recommended it to be laid by congress before the several states, to be +by them considered and ratified in conventions of representatives of the +people. Conventions were accordingly called for this purpose in all the +states, except Rhode Island, and the constitution was ratified by all of +them in which conventions had been called, except North Carolina. + +§12. The constitution was to go into effect if ratified by nine states. +The ninth state, New Hampshire, sent its ratification to congress in +July, 1788; and measures were taken by congress to put the new +constitution into operation. Ratifications were received from North +Carolina and Rhode Island the year after the organization of the new +government. + + + + +Chapter XXVIII. + +Nature of the Union under the Constitution. + + + +§1. Having given, in the preceding chapter, a sketch of the union under +the confederation, we shall next show the nature of the union under the +present constitution, commencing with a brief comparison of the leading +features of the two systems of government. + +§2. The former union was a mere confederacy. A _confederacy_ is a +league, a federal compact. The word _federal_ is from the Latin _fadus_, +a league, or alliance. Hence a confederacy is a combination or union of +two or more parties, whether persons or states, for their mutual benefit +and assistance. And let it be here particularly noted, that this union +was a union of states, _as states_. The articles of confederation were +framed by congress, whose members were appointed by the state +legislatures, and, when framed, were submitted to the state legislatures +for ratification. + +§3. On the other hand, the union under the constitution is a union, not +of the states, as such, but of the _people of the states_. Thus it is +expressed in the preamble to the constitution: "We, the people of the +United States, in order to form a more perfect union, ... do ordain and +establish this constitution for the United States of America." And the +constitution was submitted for ratification, not to the state +legislatures, but to conventions whose members were elected by the +people for that purpose. + +§4. The states under the confederation were independent, not only of +each other, but of the general government. True, they agreed, for their +common defense and mutual welfare, to do certain things; and certain +other things they agreed not to do, but delegated to congress the power +to do them; but, as we have seen, congress had not the power to compel +the states to obey its requisitions. By the constitution, the states +have given up a greater portion of their sovereignty to the general +government, which has power, in certain cases, to control the state +governments, and to enforce its laws upon them and upon individuals. + +§5. Again, under the confederation, as in confederacies generally, the +states were equal. They were entitled to an equal number of delegates in +the congress, in which they voted by states, each state having one vote; +that is, if a majority of the delegates of a state voted in favor of or +against a proposed measure, the vote of the state was so counted; and a +proposition having in its favor a majority of the states, was carried. +Every state was entitled to seven delegates; but there must be at least +two delegates present and voting, in order to give a state vote; and if +an equal number of the delegates of a state voted for and against a +proposition, the state was said to be divided, and to have no vote. + +§6. Under the constitution there are two branches of congress, in one of +which the number of representatives of each state is in proportion to +its population; in the other, (the senate,) the states are equally +represented, on the principle of the confederation, though by two +senators only. But the vote in both is taken, not by states as under the +confederation, but _per capita_, that is, by the head or poll, the vote +of each member counting one. + +§7. The articles of confederation were framed by congress, the members +of which were appointed by the state legislatures; and the articles, +when framed, were submitted for ratification to the state legislatures. +The constitution was framed by a convention of delegates from the +states appointed for that purpose; and was ratified, not by the state +legislatures, but by state conventions whose members were elected by the +people of the several states. + +§8. The former union, as has been remarked, was a mere Confederacy, +composed of independent states, and united simply for purposes of +defense and their mutual safety. In most respects they had no more +political connection than so many different nations. The people of a +state were not, properly speaking, citizens of the United States, but +only citizens of the state in which they lived. But by the constitution, +the people of the states were incorporated into a nation; and a citizen +of a state is also a citizen of the United States. The government of the +confederation, although sometimes called the national government, was +not really such, nor was it generally so regarded, as appears from the +proceedings of the convention that framed the constitution. + +§9. Among the earliest proceedings of the convention was the offering of +a resolution, declaring that "a national government ought to be formed, +consisting of legislative, judiciary, and executive." This resolution +was strongly opposed by a large portion of the delegates, because it +proposed to establish a _national_ government. They were in favor of +continuing the confederation with a slight enlargement of the powers of +congress, so as to give that body the power to lay and collect taxes, +and to regulate commerce. But the friends of a national government +prevailed; and we have now a complete government, consisting of the +three departments, legislative, executive, and judicial. + +§10. Under the confederation, there was no executive to execute the +ordinances of congress; nor a national judiciary, the state courts being +used for all judicial purposes. There was only a legislature; and that +consisted of a single body, called the congress, appointed by the state +legislatures, and having scarcely power enough to entitle it to the name +of legislature. + +§11. But, although the present government, with these three departments +of power, and controlling, in matters of general concern, the action of +the state governments and of individuals, is properly a national +government; yet it is not wholly such, but partly national and partly +federal; some of the federal features of the confederation having been +retained in the constitution, as will appear on a further examination of +this instrument. Hence the union is still called, with propriety, the +_federal union_, and the government the _federal government_. + + + + +Chapter XXIX. + +Legislative Department. House of Representatives. + + + +§1. The first article of the constitution describes the manner in which +the legislature is formed, and prescribes its principal powers. It +declares, "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a +congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and house +of representatives." Members of the old congress were appointed by the +state legislatures for one year, and might be recalled by them at any +time. Representatives are now chosen for two years. It was thought that +a single session was too short a term for men in general to acquire the +knowledge and experience necessary to a right performance of the +responsible duties of a representative. Besides, measures are often left +unfinished at the close of a session; and those who have once examined +their merits and demerits, can dispose of them more promptly than new +members. + +§2. The same clause declares that "the electors in each state shall have +the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of +the state legislature." The qualifications of electors were various in +the different states. (Chap. VI, §8.) In some of them, owners of +property, or tax-payers, in others, freeholders only, were voters. In +some, only the latter voted for the higher officers; in a few, suffrage +was almost universal. It was presumed that no state would object to its +own rule for electing the popular branch of its legislature. It is +proper that a representative should be chosen directly by those whose +wants he is to make known, and whose rights he is to guard. + +§3. A representative must, at the time of his election, "have attained +the age of twenty-five years; and have been seven years a citizen of the +United States;" and he must "be an inhabitant of the state in which he +is chosen." Few young men, on attaining the age of majority, have the +knowledge, or experience, or wisdom, which is requisite to qualify them +for the responsible duties of a representative. Nor is it to be presumed +that an alien, at the earliest period at which he may become a +naturalized citizen, would be sufficiently familiar with our +institutions and the wants of our people to be a competent +representative. + +§4. The next clause prescribes the rule of apportionment. +"Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined +by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to +service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, +three-fifths of all other persons." To the younger class of readers, +this part of the clause needs explanation. + +§5. The convention found it very difficult to agree upon a rule of +apportionment. In the first place, the states, as will be recollected, +were entitled to an equal number of delegates in the old congress; and +each state had one vote. But as each member of the house of +representatives was to have a vote, the small states opposed a +representation according to numbers, while the large states as +strenuously insisted upon it. + +§6. In the next place, the slaveholding states claimed a representation +according to numbers including slaves; the non-slaveholding states +insisted on a representation according to the number of free persons. It +may here be observed, that slavery then existed in all the states except +Massachusetts; but as the slaves were so few in the northern states, in +which slavery has been since abolished, the latter are generally spoken +of as if they were at that time non-slaveholding states. The controversy +on this point rose so high, and the parties were for a long time so +unyielding, that fears were entertained of a sudden dissolution of the +convention. + +§7. It became evident that the question could be settled only by +compromise. The northern states consented that in ascertaining the +number of persons to be taken as the basis of apportionment, +three-fifths of the slaves should be added to the number of free +persons. And as these states had opposed the computation of any slaves +in fixing a rule of apportionment, on the ground that slaves are +property, and that no property in these states entitled its owners to +representation, the southern states consented, on their part, that +_direct taxes_ should be apportioned on the same basis as +representatives. + +§8. To illustrate this rule by an example: Suppose a state to contain +600,000 free persons, and 500,000 slaves. Adding three-fifths of the +number of slaves, (300,000) to the number of free persons, gives 900,000 +as the number of the representative population: and the state would be +entitled to _three_ representatives for every _two_ that a state would +have which contained 600,000 free inhabitants and no slaves. So in +apportioning taxes according to population, the state in the case we +have supposed, would have to raise _three_ dollars for every _two_ that +it would raise if no slaves were counted. + +§9. But the advantages of this arrangement are more unequal than may at +first sight appear, or than was anticipated by the framers of the +constitution. The benefits are chiefly on the side of the slaveholding +states. In the first place, two-fifths of a large class of property in +these states is exempt from taxation, while _all_ the property in the +free states is liable to taxation. Of this the framers were aware. But +they did not foresee the fact, that the laying of direct taxes would be +unnecessary, and that the slave states would consequently escape +taxation for their slaves. Only three direct taxes have been laid; and +it is not probable that another will become necessary; the treasury +being supplied from other sources, chiefly by duties on imports. + +§10. Now, although nothing is gained by the slave states, nor is +anything lost by the free states, by the exemption of the two-fifths of +the slaves from taxation, since direct taxes are unnecessary; there is a +great gain to the slave states, which have between thirty and forty +representatives for what their laws hold to be "property to all intents +and purposes whatsoever," for which the free states have nothing in +return. + +§11. The constitution does not limit the house to any definite number of +representatives; it only declares that the number shall not exceed one +for every 30,000 inhabitants. It requires an enumeration of the +inhabitants every ten years; and the next congress thereafter determines +the ratio of representation and the number of representatives, and +apportions them among the states. The word _ratio_ signifies rate, or +proportion. It here means the number or portion of the inhabitants +entitled to a representative. + +§12. But as a representative for every 30,000 inhabitants, after the +population became very numerous, would have made the house too large to +transact business with due dispatch, and would have unnecessarily +increased the public expense, the ratio of representation has from time +to time been increased. But to whatever number the ratio may be raised, +the constitution expressly declares, that "each state shall have at +least one representative." Neither Delaware nor Florida had, in 1850, a +population equal to the present ratio; and without the above +constitutional provision, these states would have been deprived of a +representation in the house, unless congress had adopted a smaller +ratio. + +§13. It will be seen by reference to the constitution, that the number +of representatives was for the time fixed at sixty-five. After the first +census, taken in 1790, the ratio was fixed at 33,000, which gave the +house 106 members. After the census of 1800, the same ratio was +adopted, and the number of members was 142. + +After 1810, the ratio was 35,000; number of members 182. +After 1820, the ratio was 40,000; number of members 213. +After 1830, the ratio was 47,700; number of members 240. +After 1840, the ratio was 70,680; number of members 233. + +After 1850, the ratio was 93,000 and a fraction, making the number of +members 233, of which California had one; but in view of her rapid +increase in population, she was allowed an additional member, making, in +all, 234. Minnesota has since been admitted into the Union (1858) with +two members, and Oregon (1859) with one member. + +§14. Representatives are chosen by districts. Each state is divided by +the legislature into as many districts as there are representatives to +be elected in the state; and one representative is chosen in each +district. In most of the states, representatives are chosen at the +general state election; in the others, there are special elections for +choosing representatives. + +§15. By an act of congress, every territory belonging to the United +States in which a government has been established, is entitled to send a +delegate to congress, who has a right to take a part in the debates of +the house, but not the right of voting. + + + + +Chapter XXX. + +The Senate. + + + +§1. "The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators +from each state; chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and +each senator shall have one vote." (Art. I, sec. 3.) The convention +readily agreed upon dividing congress into two branches; but, as has +been observed, it was difficult to settle the mode of representation. +The delegates from the large states insisted upon a representation in +proportion to numbers, in the senate as well as in the house; and the +small states contended for equality in both branches. The debate was +long and animated; and it became apparent that, as in the case of slave +representation in the house, there must be a compromise. This was at +length effected; the small states consenting to a proportional +representation in the house, and the large states to an equal +representation in the senate. + +§2. It has been remarked, that the federative principle of the old +system has been to some extent retained in the constitution. Both the +equality of representation in the senate, and the election of senators +by the state legislatures, are in strict conformity with the plan of the +confederation, and of simple confederacies generally. Different modes of +electing senators were proposed; but the one adopted by the convention +seems preferable to any other. + +§3. There is, however, in one particular, a material difference between +the plan of the old congress and that of the senate. It is in the manner +of voting. In the former, the vote was taken by states, each state +having but one vote; (Chap. XXVIII, §5,) in the latter, the senators +vote separately, the vote of each senator counting one, as in the house; +and a question is decided by the united votes of a majority of the +members, and not by the vote of a majority of the states. Nor is the +vote of a state lost if but one of its senators is present, as formerly. +If, however, the two senators vote on different sides of a question, the +effect is the same as when, in the old congress, the members from a +state were equally divided. + +§4. There were also various opinions as to the proper term of office of +senators. Terms were proposed differing in length from three to nine +years; and a proposition was even made by one distinguished member to +make the term continue during good behavior, which is practically for +life. There appear to be sound objections both to long and short terms. +It is urged by those in favor of the latter, that an officer elected for +a short term, especially if he desires a reëlection, will have a strong +inducement to please and faithfully serve those who are to elect or +appoint him. + +§5. Others, however, while they admit that short terms tend to insure +responsibility on the part of a representative, consider this argument +more than counterbalanced by the objections to which a short term is +liable. Looking to a reëlection, he may act with a view to his +popularity rather than to the public good. Again, the oftener a +legislature is changed, the more changeable and uncertain will be the +laws. Men having invested their capital in a business enterprise, and +made a successful beginning under existing laws, may be ruined by a +sudden and unexpected change of governmental policy. + +§6. In view of these objections to both long and short terms, a medium +term of six years was adopted. This was believed to be short enough to +keep up in a senator a feeling of responsibility, and yet long enough to +insure his acting independently and with a regard to the general +interests of the nation. Although a bad senator may occasionally be kept +too long in office by a six years' term, cases also occur in which the +act of a senator, especially in time of public excitement, is strongly +condemned, but upon calm and mature reflection meets the public +approbation. + +§7. The next clause of the third section provides for the gradual change +of the senate. One-third of the senators go out of office every two +years. In favor of this arrangement are two important considerations. +First, it secures to the public at all times the benefit of the +experience of at least two-thirds of the body. Whereas, if the terms of +all the senators expired at once, their places might be supplied mainly +by new members without the requisite knowledge and experience. Secondly, +while a long term is intended to guard against the too frequent changes +in the laws, it may also prevent, for too long a time, the amendment or +the repeal of bad laws. Such amendment or repeal may be hastened by the +election of new members in the place of the one-third who retire every +two years. + +§8. Vacancies which happen in the representation of any state in the +senate during the recess of its legislature, may be filled by the +governor until the next meeting of the legislature. Without this +provision, either the legislature must be assembled immediately to fill +the vacancy, or the state must remain in part, or perhaps wholly +unrepresented in the senate, until the next regular session of the +legislature. + +§9. But an appointment may not be made by an executive before the +vacancy actually happens. In 1825, the term of a senator was about to +expire during the recess of the legislature of his state, which had +failed at its previous session to appoint a successor. As a special +session of the senate was to be held immediately after the expiration of +the senator's term, the governor, a few days before the term expired, in +anticipation of the vacancy, reappointed the senator. But the senate +decided that, as the appointment had been made _before the vacancy +happened_, the senator was not entitled to a seat. + +§10. The next clause prescribes the qualifications of senators. A +senator must have attained the age of thirty years, and been nine years +a citizen of the United States; and he must, when elected, be an +inhabitant of the state for which he is chosen. As many of the duties of +a senator require more knowledge, experience, and stability of character +than those of a representative, greater age and longer citizenship are +required. The nature of these duties will be noticed in subsequent +chapters. + +§11. The seventh section of the first article provides for the passage +of bills negatived, or vetoed, by the president. Bills returned by him +with his objections, become laws when passed by majorities of two-thirds +of both houses; that is, by two-thirds of the members present. They also +become laws if not returned by him within ten days (Sundays excepted) +after they have been presented to him, unless their return is prevented +by the adjournment of congress. + +§12. We have passed over several sections and clauses of this article +without remark. Most of them are similar to some in the state +constitutions, which we have noticed; and the propriety of others is so +readily perceived, that any comment upon them is deemed unnecessary. + + + + +Chapter XXXI. + +Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money. + + + +§1. Having shown how the legislative department of the general +government is constituted, we proceed to consider its powers. It is +thought proper, however, first to notice one important characteristic of +the general government, in which it differs from the state governments, +and the knowledge of which is necessary to a right understanding of the +powers of the state and national governments respectively. + +§2. The general government is a government of _delegated_ powers; that +is, powers which have been intrusted or _delegated_ to it by the states, +or the people of the states. Having derived its powers from the states, +or the people, it has such powers only as have been conferred by the +constitution. Hence it is called a government of _limited_ powers. The +states, on the other hand, existing before the general government, and +possessing entire sovereignty or supreme power, may exercise all powers +which they have not surrendered to the general government. In other +words, their powers are _unlimited_, except so far as they have parted +with any of their original powers. + +§3. Most of the powers of congress are enumerated in the eighth section +of the first article of the constitution. The first in the list is in +these words: "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, +duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the +common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, +imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the U. States." + +§4. We have already noticed the want of such a power in the old +congress. The debt which had been contracted to carry on the war +remained unpaid; and congress, as we have seen, had no power to raise +money either to pay debts or to defray the current expenses of the +government. (Chap. XXVII: §4, 6.) It could neither raise money by +_direct_ taxation; that is, by taxing the persons and property of the +citizens, nor by _indirect_ taxation, which is by duties. + +§5. _Duties_, or _customs_, are taxes on goods imported from, or +exported to, a foreign country. _Imposts_ are taxes on imported goods +only. Duties on exports, however, being deemed inexpedient, are not laid +by our government. An _excise_ is a tax neither on imports nor exports, +but on articles produced and consumed in the country, and on licenses to +deal in certain commodities. The money paid for license to sell +spirituous liquors is an _excise_ tax. + +§6. Duties are _specific_ and _ad valorem_. A _specific_ duty is a +specified sum of money charged upon every yard, pound, or gallon of any +commodity. Thus, a duty of ten cents on a pound of tea, or of one dollar +on a yard of cloth, or of fifty cents on a gallon of wine, is a specific +duty. _Ad valorem_ is a Latin phrase, signifying _according to the +value_. An _ad valorem_ duty is a certain _per centage_ on the value or +price. Thus, thirty per cent, on a yard of cloth costing two dollars, is +sixty cents; on a yard costing three dollars, ninety cents; the sum +charged being varied by the difference in the price or value. + +§7. The power to lay duties is very properly qualified by the provision +that "all duties shall be uniform throughout the United States." This +was intended to prevent the giving of unjust preference to any one or +more states over others. Without this restriction upon the exercise of +this power, the representatives of a part of the states might combine, +and by laying higher duties upon goods imported into other states, than +upon those imported into their own, might turn the trade chiefly into +the latter. Or they might in laying duties on exports, impose high +duties upon the productions of other states, and low duties, or none at +all, upon the products of their own. + +§8. Although Congress has power to lay direct taxes, it has seldom been +exercised. The duties on foreign goods and on the vessels in which they +were imported, have been found sufficient for the payment of the public +debt, and for other government purposes. The national debt in 1791 was +about $75,000,000, and, in 1804, had risen to $86,000,000; yet chiefly +by duties was this debt reduced nearly one-half by the year 1812. By the +war which commenced that year, the debt was again increased, being in +1816, $127,000,000. In 1835, this large debt had been, in the manner +stated, entirely extinguished. + +§9. The next power mentioned is the "power to borrow money on the credit +of the United States." Although Congress may, under the power to lay +taxes and duties, raise money to any extent, a large amount may +sometimes be wanted before it can be raised from the regular income or +revenue of the nation, or even before it could be raised by a direct +tax, which would be burdensome to the people. Hence the utility of the +power to borrow money until it can be reimbursed from the national +revenues. + + + + +Chapter XXXII. + +Power of Congress to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations. + + + +§1. Next in the list of powers is "the power to regulate commerce with +foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian +tribes." The need of no power under the confederation was more deeply +felt than the power to regulate foreign trade. It was the want of this +power, as we have seen, which was the more immediate cause of calling +the convention that framed the constitution. (Chap. XXVII: §7-11.) The +necessity of this power arose mainly from the policy of Great Britain, +by which she had secured to herself undue advantages in her foreign +commerce, especially in her trade with this country. + +§2. During the war of the revolution, the direct trade with Great +Britain was interrupted. But when peace was restored, our markets were +again open to British goods and vessels, while upon American produce and +American vessels entering British ports, heavy duties were levied. To +enable some young readers more clearly to understand the objects and the +unequal operation of the policy of the British government, the subject +may need some further illustration. + +§3. One object was, to secure a market at home for the products of +agricultural labor. How this is done by taxing foreign products, will +appear from the following example: Suppose the market value of a bushel +of wheat in Great Britain to be one dollar a bushel, and the cost of +raising the article here and carrying it to that market to be the same. +If now a duty of 40 cents a bushel is laid upon wheat from abroad, the +English consumer, instead of buying it with this duty added, will buy of +the English producer. But more wheat is produced here than there is a +market for; and the American farmer must find a market abroad. But in +order to sell it in the English market, he must pay 40 cents on every +bushel to the British government; or, which is the same thing in effect, +he must sell it for 40 cents a bushel less than its value to the British +purchaser, who pays the duty to that government. + +§4. Now, as much less American wheat will be sent to Great Britain than +if it were free from duty, a better market is secured to the English +farmer. Besides this, of the value of every bushel which Great Britain +may please to admit, or which the people of other countries maybe +obliged to sell to her, 40 per cent, is paid into her treasury. Thus by +one operation, are two benefits secured, namely, the reward of +agricultural labor at home, and the raising of revenue. So by the duties +imposed upon foreign vessels entering her ports, the national revenue +was to some extent increased, and great advantages were secured to her +citizens engaged in the carrying trade. + +§5. The people of this country being nearly all employed in agriculture, +and consequently dependent upon foreign markets for the sale of the +surplus products of their labor, they were obliged to submit to the +payment of these duties. And not possessing at that time the means of +manufacturing to any considerable extent for themselves, goods in large +quantities came in from Great Britain, for which they must pay in +produce heavily burdened with duties, or with money obtained for the +produce subject to these heavy duties. + +§6. To remove the inequality in the trade between the two countries, it +was thought necessary to retaliate upon Great Britain by subjecting her +goods and vessels coming into our ports to the payment of duties similar +to those imposed on our produce and vessels in her ports. But the power +to lay duties was with the states; and, as we have seen, the states +could not agree upon any effectual system; for, in order to make any +system effectual, the duties must be uniform throughout the United +States. + +§7. It was intended, in regulating trade, to render our own country less +dependent upon foreign nations for manufactured goods, by encouraging +domestic or home manufactures by duties on goods imported. Duties laid +for this purpose are called _protective_ duties, being designed to +_protect_ our manufacturers against loss from the competition of +foreigners. The nature and operation of a protective duty may be thus +illustrated: + +§8. Suppose foreign broadcloth of a certain quality is sold in this +country for $2.50 a yard, and cloth of the same quality manufactured +here can not be afforded for less than $3 a yard. There would now be no +encouragement to any one to engage in the manufacture of such cloth; +because in order to sell it, he must reduce the price to that of the +foreign article, which would subject him to a loss of fifty cents a +yard. Let now a duty of $1 a yard be laid upon the foreign cloth, and +the price would be $3.50, and preference would be given to the domestic +article, unless the importer should reduce the price of his foreign +cloth to $3; in which case, it is to be presumed, about an equal +quantity of each would be consumed, and the duty of $1 a yard on the +foreign cloth would go into the United States' treasury. + +§9. The same objects may, to some extent, be effected by the first +mentioned power, "to lay taxes, duties," &c. In laying duties for +revenue, that is, raising money to pay the debts and other expenses of +the government, congress may lay the duties upon those kinds of goods +which it wishes to protect; and thus _indirectly_ both encourage +domestic industry and regulate commerce. From this it appears that the +three objects mentioned may be accomplished under the grant of either +one of the two general powers, to lay duties, and to regulate commerce. + +§10. Why, then, it may be asked, were both these powers inserted in the +constitution? The first _expressly_ authorizes the laying of duties only +to raise money for paying debts and government expenses; and protection +and the regulation of commerce can only be effected _indirectly_. Hence, +if our arrangements with foreign nations should be such as to render it +unnecessary to lay duties to regulate commerce, or encourage domestic +industry, money could not be raised without the _express_ power to lay +taxes, duties, &c. And such might be the state of things, that rates of +duties sufficient for revenue would be insufficient for the purposes of +protection and regulating trade. Therefore, both powers are properly +granted to congress. + +§11. Again, it may be asked, if foreign goods without duty can be had at +lower prices than domestic, why is it not better for us to buy them than +to force the manufacture and sale of our own at higher prices? and, if +there is no other way of raising money, why not do it by direct +taxation? Suppose, for example, as in a preceding section, (§8,) the +price of foreign cloth to be $2.50 a yard, for which the farmer has to +pay in wheat, or in cash received for it. But as the wheat has to be +shipped to a foreign market, the merchant who takes it in exchange for +the cloth, or the cash purchaser, deducts from the foreign market price +the cost of transportation and the foreign duty, which, together, let us +suppose to be fifty cents a bushel, or one-half of the foreign market +price. A yard of cloth would then cost five bushels of wheat. + +§12. Let us now suppose a domestic article at $3 a yard to take the +place of the foreign. A large portion of the laborers formerly employed +in agriculture, are now engaged in building factories and in +manufacturing. These, instead of being producers, have become only +consumers of the wheat of the farmers, who now have a market at home, +thus saving the duties and the cost of transportation. As there are now +fewer producers, the price of wheat would probably be not less than $1 a +bushel. Therefore a yard of domestic cloth would cost only _three_ +bushels of wheat, instead of _five_ paid for the foreign cloth. And as +there would be a corresponding rise in the price of labor, more cloth at +$3 a yard could be bought for the avails of a day's labor than formerly. + +§13. The protection of domestic industry received the early attention of +congress. The second law passed by the first congress under the +constitution, authorized "duties to be laid on goods, wares, and +merchandises imported;" and among the objects of the law expressed in a +preamble one was "the encouragement and protection of domestic +manufactures." For a long time, however, little was done in the way of +protection. The principal nations of Europe, England included, became +involved in war. A large portion of their laboring population having +been called from agricultural pursuits into the armies, a foreign demand +was created for American produce; and we were enabled to supply +ourselves at less disadvantage with foreign manufactures. + +§14. But after peace had been restored in Europe, and people had +returned to their usual employments, the foreign demand for our +breadstuffs nearly ceased; and large quantities of foreign goods were +again imported, for which our people were unable to pay. Congress now +found it necessary to exercise, to a greater extent, its power to +regulate trade, by discouraging importations, and encouraging domestic +manufactures, and, in 1816, commenced an effective system of +protection. Laws have from time to time been passed to favor +manufactures from cotton, wool, iron, and other materials; and +manufacturing is now carried on extensively in this country. By thus +drawing a large portion of the people into manufacturing and mechanical +employments, a market has been created at home for more grain, meat, and +other agricultural products, than is required to supply all foreign +demand. + +§15. The laws relating to foreign commerce prescribe the manner of +collecting the revenue. There is in every port of entry a _collector_ of +_customs_, who superintends the collection of duties. When a vessel +arrives it is submitted, with the cargo and all papers and invoices, to +the inspection of the proper officers; and the goods subject to duty are +weighed and measured, and the duties estimated according to law. + + + + +Chapter XXXIII. + +Power to regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among the +States, and with the Indian Tribes. + + + +§1. In regulating foreign commerce, congress has also passed navigation +laws. _Navigation_ is the art of conducting ships and other vessels. It +has reference also to the rules to be observed by owners and masters +engaged in the shipping trade. We have noticed the navigation acts of +Great Britain by which she built up her shipping interest; (Chap. XXVII, +§7,) and we have stated that one object of the power to regulate +commerce was to countervail the effects of those acts upon our shipping. + +§2. To encourage and promote domestic navigation, an act was passed by +the first congress conferring special privileges upon vessels built and +owned by citizens of the United States. This was done by laying _duties +on tunnage_. _Tunnage_ means the content of a ship, or the burden that +it will carry, which is ascertained by measurement, 42 cubic feet being +allowed to a tun. This act imposed a duty of fifty cents a tun on +foreign vessels, and upon our own a duty of only six cents a tun. As +such a law discriminates, or makes a distinction or difference between +domestic and foreign vessels, these duties are also called +_discriminating_ duties. + +§3. By the aid of these protective duties, slightly changed from time to +time, our shipping interest acquired great strength. But the necessity +of discriminating duties no longer exists. By the stipulations of +existing treaties between the principal commercial nations, each is to +admit into her ports the vessels of the others on equal terms with her +own. Our government having become a party to this agreement, +discriminating tunnage duties have been abolished. + +§4. The registry, however, of vessels of the United States, and other +regulations concerning them, are for the most part continued. A vessel +is measured by a surveyor to ascertain her tunnage, and the collector +records or registers in a book her name, the port to which she belongs, +her burden or tunnage, and the name of the place in which she was built, +and gives to the owner or commander a certificate of such registry. + +§5. The master of a vessel departing from the United States, bound to a +foreign port, must deliver to the collector of the district, a +_manifest_, which is an invoice, or account of the particulars of a +cargo of goods, and of their prices or value. This statement is +subscribed by the master, and sworn by him to be true. The collector +then grants a _clearance_, for the vessel, which is a certificate +stating that the commander has cleared his vessel according to law. + +§6. Vessels of the United States going to foreign countries, are, at the +request of the masters, furnished with passports. A _passport_ is a +writing from the proper authority of a state or kingdom, granting +permission to pass from place to place, or to navigate some sea without +hinderance or molestation. It contains the name of the vessel and that +of her master, her tunnage, and the number of her crew, certifying that +she belongs to the subjects of a particular state, and requiring all +persons at peace with that state, to suffer her to proceed on her voyage +without interruption. In this country the form of a passport is prepared +by the secretary of state, and approved by the president. + +§7. The navigation laws also provide for the safety of passengers and +the crews of vessels, limiting the number of passengers on passenger +vessels, and prescribing the quantity of water and certain kinds of +provisions which merchant vessels are required to have for each person +on board. They also declare what persons may be employed on board, and +how funds shall be provided for sick and disabled seamen. + +§8. Under the power to regulate commerce, congress has also passed laws +relating to quarantines. The word _quarantine_, from the Latin +_quarantina_, signifies the space of forty days. Originally vessels +suspected of having contagious sickness on board, or of being infected +with malignant, contagious disease, were forbidden, for forty days, to +have intercourse with the place or port at which they arrived. The +period for which ships are now detained is not defined, but is fixed by +the proper officers at their discretion, according to circumstances. +Quarantines are required by the health laws of the states; and by the +laws of congress, vessels are to be subject to the health laws of the +state at whose ports they arrive. + +§9. In connection with the power to regulate foreign commerce, power is +given to regulate "commerce among the several states," or _internal_ +commerce. We have noticed the difficulties which attended the different +commercial regulations of the states, and the necessity of a uniform +system, which could be had only by giving congress alone the power to +regulate commerce. (Chap. XXXI., §7.) Without the power to regulate +_internal_ commerce, congress could not give effect to the power to +regulate foreign commerce. One state might impose unjust and oppressive +duties upon goods imported or exported through it by another state. But +in the hands of congress, the power to regulate internal as well as +foreign commerce, secures to all the states the benefits of a free and +uninterrupted trade. + +§10. In granting to congress the power to regulate commerce "with the +Indian tribes," it was intended to lessen the dangers of war. Murders +and war had been provoked by the improper conduct of some of the states. +It was believed, that, by a uniform policy, difficulties would be more +likely to be prevented; and that if they should occur, they would be +more likely to be amicably settled by the general government than by a +state, which, being an interested party, would be more liable to +misjudge the matter in dispute, and more rigid in demanding satisfaction +for injuries, as well as more severe in redressing them. + + + + +Chapter XXXIV. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; Coining +Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting. + + + +§1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to establish a uniform +rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies +throughout the United States." We have already noticed some of the +disqualifications of aliens. (Chap. VI, §5.) By the common law of +England and this country, aliens were not only politically disqualified, +but they could not in their own name lawfully hold and sell real estate. +To admit aliens to all the rights and privileges of citizens immediately +on their arrival in this country, and before they shall have acquired a +knowledge of our government and laws, and of the duties of citizens, +would be expedient. Educated under monarchical governments, many of +them, it is to be presumed, have little respect for our republican +institutions, or at most but an imperfect knowledge of them. + +§2. But to deny foreigners the rights of citizens after they shall have +acquired a fixed residence here, and a knowledge of their civil and +political duties, would be illiberal and unjust. Provision has therefore +been made for removing their disqualifications, or for _naturalizing_ +them; that is, for investing them with the rights and privileges of +_natural_ born citizens. But if different rules were established by the +different states, a person, having become naturalized in one state, +would, on removing into another state, be deprived of the rights of +citizenship, until he should have been naturalized by the laws of such +state. Besides, by the constitution, a person, on becoming a citizen of +any state, is a citizen of the United States, and entitled to the +privileges of a citizen in any other state. (Art. IV., §2.) As, +therefore, there should be one uniform rule, the power of naturalization +is properly given to congress. + +§3. An alien, to become a citizen, must declare on oath before a state +court or a circuit court of the United States, or before a clerk of +either of said courts, after having resided three years in the United +States, that it is his intention to become a citizen, and to renounce +his allegiance to all foreign governments, and particularly that under +which he formerly lived, and that he will support the constitution of +the United States. Then after two years, the court, if satisfied that he +has resided five years in the United States, and one year in the state +in which the court is held, and that during that time he has behaved as +a man of good moral character, and is attached to the principles of the +constitution, may admit him as a citizen. + +§4. An alien minor who has resided in the United States at least three +years before he was twenty-one years of age, may, at any time after that +age and five years' residence in the United States, be admitted as a +citizen, without having previously declared his intention to become a +citizen. Also the minor children of a naturalized citizen, if dwelling +in the United States at the time of his naturalization, become +citizens. + +§5. A _bankrupt_ is an insolvent debtor; that is, a person who is unable +to pay all his just debts. A _bankrupt law_ is a law which, upon an +insolvent's giving up all his property to his creditors, discharges him +from the payment of his debts. Such laws are designed for the benefit of +honest and unfortunate debtors, who, by having the enjoyment of their +future earnings secured to them, are encouraged to engage anew in +industrial pursuits. But these laws, intended for the benefit of the +unfortunate poor, have enabled dishonest and fraudulent debtors to +procure a release from their debts. + +§6. Experience had shown the propriety of intrusting to congress the +power to make these laws. The dissimilar and conflicting laws of the +different states, and the entire want of them in others, had caused +great inconvenience. A debtor, though discharged from debt by the laws +of one state, was liable to be prosecuted on removing into another +state. Important as such laws were deemed, there is no existing law on +the subject. A bankrupt law was passed in April, 1800, and repealed in +December, 1803. Another was passed in 1841, which was of still shorter +duration. + +§7. The next power mentioned is the power "to coin money and regulate +the value thereof." As a consequence of giving this power to Congress, +we have a uniform currency throughout the union. We have also, instead +of the awkward system of reckoning by pounds, shillings, and pence, the +more convenient decimal mode of calculation by dollars and cents. The +old system was rendered the more inconvenient by the difference in the +value of a pound, shilling, and penny in the different states. A +merchant in a New England state, buying goods in New York or +Philadelphia, must, in order to put prices upon them, reduce the +currency of the state in which he bought them to New England currency. +Thus, the cost of an article being in New York two shillings and four +pence a pound, would be in Connecticut one shilling and nine pence. One +shilling and six pence in New York would be in any New England state +one shilling and a penny and a half. + +§8. The place where money is coined is called _mint_. The principal mint +in the United States, and the first that was established in this +country, is at Philadelphia. The business of coining is under the +superintendence of a director. Under him are a treasurer, an assayer, a +chief coiner, an engraver, and a melter and refiner. The gold and +silver, before it is coined, is called _bullion_. There is a branch mint +in New Orleans, one at Charlotte, in North Carolina, one at Dahlonega, +in Georgia, one in California, and one in the city of New York. At the +place last mentioned, gold is assayed, but not coined. + +§9. The clause containing the power last quoted, gives power also to +"fix the standard of weights and measures." For the convenience of trade +between the states, the standard of weights and measures should be the +same in all the states. Without such uniformity, commerce among the +states would meet with embarrassments scarcely less than those +experienced from the want of a uniform currency. To effect the desired +object, this power was given to congress. + +§10. The next power in the list is the power "to provide for the +punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the +United States." By securities here are meant bonds and other evidences +of debt. As the general government has the power to borrow money and to +coin money, it is proper that it should also have the power to provide +for punishing those who forge its written obligations for the payment of +the money borrowed, and who counterfeit its coin. These offenses are +tried in the courts of the United States. + + + + +Chapter XXXV. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Post-Offices, Copy-Rights, and +Patents, and Inferior Courts. + + + +§1. Congress has power "to establish post-offices and post-roads." The +post-office department, from the facilities which it affords for the +circulation of intelligence and the transaction of business, is an +institution of incalculable value to the union. It is impossible to +conceive all the difficulties which would attend the exercise of this +power by the different states. A uniform system of regulations is +indispensable to the efficiency of this department, and could be secured +only by placing this power in the hands of congress. + +§2. Congress has power "to promote the progress of science and the +useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, +the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." +Useful sciences and arts are promoted by new books and new inventions. +But if every man had the right to print and sell every book or writing, +without compensation to the author, there would be little to encourage +men of ability to spend, as is often done, years of labor in preparing +new and useful works. Nor would men of genius be likely to spend their +time and money in inventing and constructing expensive machinery, if +others had an equal right to make and sell the same. In pursuance of the +power here given, congress has enacted laws for the benefit of authors +and inventors. + +§3. The exclusive right of an author to the benefits of the sale of his +books or writings, is called _copy-right_, and is obtained thus: The +author sends a printed copy of the title of his book to the clerk of the +district court of the United States of the district in which the author +resides. The clerk records the title in a book, for which he receives +fifty cents, and gives the author, under the seal of the court, a copy +of the record, for which also he receives fifty cents. + +§4. The author must also, within three months after the first +publication of the work, deliver a copy of the same to the clerk of the +district court. And he must cause to be printed on the title page or +page immediately following, of every copy of the book, words showing +that the law has been complied with. This secures to the author the sole +right to print and sell his work for twenty-eight years, at the +expiration of which time, he may have his right continued for fourteen +years longer, by again complying with the requirements of the law as +before, provided it be done within six months before the expiration of +the first term, and a copy of the record published in a newspaper for +the space of four weeks. + +§5. _Patents_ for new inventions are obtained at the patent office at +the seat of government. This office is connected with the department of +the interior. (Chap. XLI, §7.) The commissioner of patents superintends +the granting of patents under the direction of the secretary of the +interior. To secure an exclusive right to an invention, the inventor +must deliver to the commissioner of patents, a written description of +his invention, and specify the improvement which he claims as his own +discovery; and he must make oath that he believes he is the discoverer +thereof. + +§6. Before the petition of an inventor is considered, he must pay the +sum of thirty dollars. If the commissioner, upon examination, does not +find that the invention had been before discovered, he issues a patent +therefor. Patents are granted for the term of fourteen years, and may be +renewed for a further term of seven years, if the inventor has not been +able to obtain a reasonable profit from his invention. + +§7. Congress has power "to constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme +court." As the first section of the third article of the constitution, +in providing for a national judiciary, authorizes congress to ordain and +establish such inferior courts, the insertion of the power in this place +seems to have been unnecessary, (Chap. XLII, §1.) + + + + +Chapter XXXVI. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Piracy and Offenses against the Law of +Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal, Public Defense, District of Columbia; +Implied Powers. + + + +§1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to define and punish +piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against +the law of nations." _Piracy_ is commonly defined to be forcible robbery +or depredation upon the high seas. But the term _felony_ was not exactly +defined by the laws of England, whence the common law of this country +was derived; consequently its meaning was not the same in all the +states. It was sometimes applied to capital offenses only; at other +times, to all crimes above misdemeanors. For the sake of uniformity, the +power to define these offenses is given to congress: and as the states +have no jurisdiction beyond their own limits, it is proper that congress +should have the power to punish as well as define crimes committed on +the high seas. + +§2. Nor were offenses against the law of nations more clearly defined: +therefore the power to define these are with equal propriety given to +congress. As our citizens are regarded by foreign nations as citizens of +the United States and not as citizens of their respective states; and as +the general government alone is responsible to foreign nations for +injuries committed on the high seas by citizens of the United States, +this power is vested in congress. + +§3. Congress is also properly intrusted with the power "to declare war; +grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules concerning captures +on land and water." It is very evident that a single state ought not to +be allowed to make war. As the people of all the states become involved +in the evils of war, the power to declare it is justly given to the +representatives of the whole nation. In monarchical governments this +power is exercised by the king, or supreme ruler. But so important a +power should not be intrusted to a single individual. The framers of +the constitution have wisely intrusted it to the representatives of +those who have to bear the burdens of the war. + +§4. _Marque_ means passing the frontier or limits of a country; +_reprisal_, taking in return. _Letters of marque and reprisal_ authorize +persons injured by citizens or subjects of another nation to seize the +bodies or goods of any of the citizens of such nation, and detain them +until satisfaction shall be made. To permit an individual to act as +judge in his own case in redressing his private wrongs would increase +the dangers of war. + +§5. Nor should a state be permitted to authorize its citizens to make +reprisals; for, although such authority is designed to enable the +citizens of one country to obtain redress for injuries committed by +those of another, without a resort to war, the tendency of reprisals is +to provoke rather than to prevent war; and as the whole nation becomes +involved in a war, the power to authorize reprisals properly belongs to +the general government. Indeed it is not clear that such license ought +ever to be given. It does not appear strictly just to capture the bodies +or goods of unoffending persons, especially before war has been declared +between the two countries. But if the power to grant such license is +ever to be exercised, it ought to be vested in congress. + +§6. As congress has the power to declare war, it ought to have power to +make rules concerning the property captured in time of war. The general +practice is to distribute the proceeds of the property among the captors +as a reward for bravery and a stimulus to exertion. But proof must be +made in a court of the United States that the property was taken from +the enemy, before it is condemned by the court as a prize. + +§7. The next five clauses provide for the security and defense of the +nation. The power to declare war would be of little use in the hands of +congress, without power over the army, navy and militia. This had been +proved by experience Congress had power under the confederation to +declare war; but, as we have seen, it could not raise troops, nor compel +the states to raise them. To guard against similar difficulties in +future, power to control the public forces was placed where it can be +promptly and effectively exercised. + +§8. The next power of congress is, "to exercise exclusive legislation +over such district, not exceeding ten miles square, as may, by cession +of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of +government of the United States." If the seat of the general government +were within the jurisdiction of a state, congress and other public +officers would be dependent on the state authority for protection in the +discharge of their duties. To guard the public business more effectually +against the danger of interruption, complete and exclusive power at the +seat of government is given to congress. The old congress had once, near +the close of the Revolution, been treated with insult and abuse while +sitting at Philadelphia; and the executive authority of Pennsylvania +having failed to afford protection, congress adjourned to Princeton in +the State of New Jersey. + +§9. It appears that the cession of this territory to the general +government had not yet been made; but it was in contemplation by the +states of Virginia and Maryland to cede it. It is called the _District +of Columbia_. Its inhabitants are subject to the laws of congress. That +part of the district which was ceded by Virginia, was in 1846, +retroceded _by_ congress to that state. To congress is given, with equal +propriety, exclusive authority over all places purchased "for the +erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful +buildings." + +§10. The last power granted in this section, is the power "to make all +laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the +foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in +the government of the United States, or in any department or officer +thereof." As it was impossible to enumerate in the constitution every +particular act which congress might find it necessary to perform, +certain powers were expressly granted; and to these powers was added +this general grant of power to pass laws for carrying them into effect. + +§11. It is the opinion of eminent statesmen that this clause confers no +additional power. They hold that the power therein granted is +necessarily _implied_ or included in the foregoing powers. For example: +The power "to regulate commerce" includes the power to cause the +construction of break-waters and light-houses, the removal of +obstructions from navigable rivers, and the improvement of harbors; for +in regulating and facilitating commerce, these works and improvements +are absolutely necessary. So the power "to establish post-offices" +implies the power to punish persons for robbing the mail. The doctrine +is, "that wherever a general power to do a thing is given, every +particular power for doing it is included." Hence it is inferred that +congress would have had the power to pass the laws here authorized, +though no express power for that purpose had been given. + +§12. Besides the long list of powers contained in the eighth section of +the first article of the constitution, and considered in preceding +chapters, there are sundry other powers of congress in subsequent +articles, which will be noticed in their order. + + + + +Chapter XXXVII. + +Prohibitions on Congress. + + + +§1. While the constitution confers on congress all the powers deemed +necessary to be exercised for the general welfare, it imposes on +congress certain restrictions, the most of which are contained in the +next section. (Art. I, sec. 9.) The first prohibition is in these words: +"The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states, now +existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the +congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a +tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten +dollars for each person." + +§2. It is generally known that, from an early period, slaves had been +imported into the colonies from Africa. At the time when the +constitution was formed, laws prohibiting the foreign slave trade had +been passed in all the states except North Carolina, South Carolina, and +Georgia. The delegates from these states in the convention insisted on +having the privilege of importing slaves secured, by withholding from +congress the power to prohibit the importation. A majority of the +convention were in favor of leaving congress free to prohibit the trade +at any time. But as it was doubtful whether these states would in such +case accede to the constitution; and as it was desirable to bring as +many states as possible into the union; it was at length agreed that the +trade should be left open, and free to all the states choosing to +continue it, until 1808, (twenty years;) congress being allowed, +however, to lay a duty or tax of ten dollars on every slave imported. + +§3. It has ever been a cause of wonder and regret to many, that the +traffic in human beings should have been permitted by the constitution, +even for the most limited period. It is, however, a gratifying fact, +that congress exercised its power for terminating the foreign slave +trade, at the earliest possible period. A law was passed in 1807, to go +into effect in January, 1808, making it unlawful, under severe +penalties, to import slaves into the United States; and in 1820, the +African slave trade was by law declared _piracy_, and made punishable by +death. + +§4. The next clause is, "The privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ +shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, +the public safety may require it." _Habeas corpus_, (Latin,) signifies, +_have the body_. A person deprived of his liberty, may, before the final +judgment of a court is pronounced against him, petition a court or +judge, who issues a writ commanding the party imprisoning or detaining +him, to produce his body and the cause of his detention before the judge +or court. If the imprisonment or detention is found to be illegal, or +without sufficient cause, the prisoner is set at liberty. + +§5. The next clause declares, "No bill of attainder or _ex post facto_ +law shall be passed." A _bill of attainder_ is an act of the legislature +by which the punishment of death is inflicted upon a person for some +crime, without any trial. If it inflicts a milder punishment, it is +usually called a bill of pains and penalties. Such laws are inconsistent +with the principles of republican government, and are therefore properly +prohibited. + +§6. An _ex post facto_ law is literally a law made after an act is done, +or which has effect upon an act after it is done. But it here means a +law that makes punishable as a _crime_, an act which was not criminal +when done. A law is also an _ex post facto_ law that increases the +punishment of a crime after it has been committed. If, for example, a +law should be passed by which a person, having previously killed another +in lawfully defending his own life, should be made to suffer death, it +would be an _ex post facto_ law, because killing in self-defense, before +the passage of the law, was not punishable as a crime. Such also would +be a law that should require all persons now charged with stealing, to +be imprisoned for life, if found guilty; because the crime, when +committed, was punishable by a shorter imprisonment. + +§7. The next prohibition is, "No capitation or other direct tax shall be +laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before +directed to be taken." The words _capitation_ and _capital_ are from the +Latin _caput_, the head, or poll. Hence a _capitation-tax_ or a +_poll-tax_, is a tax upon each head or person. (Chap. VII. §4.) The +above clause means, that poll-taxes, if laid, must be laid in conformity +to article 1st, section 2d, clause 3d, of the constitution, which +requires three-fifths of the slaves to be counted in apportioning taxes +among the states according to population. + +§8. The next prohibition is, "No tax or duty shall be laid on articles +exported from any state." Probably no law for taxing exports could be +devised which would operate equally upon the interests of the different +states. Or some states the principal product is cotton, rice, or +tobacco; of others, grain; and of others, manufactures; and some of +these products might not bear the same rates of duties as others. But +though it were possible to devise a plan which would be equal in its +operation, a majority of the representatives might be opposed to it. The +representatives of the grain producing, and those of the planting +states, might combine in imposing excessive taxes upon the productions +of the manufacturing states. Or the manufacturing and the grain +producing states might, with the same intent, combine against the +planting states. + +§9. As it was the purpose of the framers of the constitution to make +taxation, as nearly as possible, equal in the different states, by +uniform duties; and as every necessary object of indirect taxation may +be attained by duties on imports; duties on exports are properly +prohibited. And to secure to all the states freedom and equality in +trade, it is expressly provided in the same clause, that "no preference +shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to the ports +of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from +one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another." + +§10. The next clause provides that "no money shall be drawn from the +treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." This places +the public money beyond the reach or control of the executive or any +other officer, and secures it in the hands of the representatives of the +people. In pursuance of this provision, congress, at every session, +passes laws specifying the objects for which money is to be +appropriated. The latter part of the clause requires, that "a regular +statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public +money shall be published from time to time." And it is by law made the +duty of the secretary of the treasury to make to congress annually such +statement, which is published by order of congress; so that the people +may know for what purposes the public money is expended. + +§11. It is next declared, that "no title of nobility shall be granted by +the United States." Although the bare titles of lord, duke, &c., which +are conferred upon citizens in monarchical governments, could not add to +the political power of any person under our constitution; yet, as it is +desirable that there should be equality of rank as well as of political +rights, it is proper that congress should be prohibited from creating +titles of nobility. And to guard public officers against being corrupted +by foreign influence, they are forbidden to "accept of any present, +emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, +or foreign state." + + + + +Chapter XXXVIII. + +Prohibitions on the States. + + + +§1. The next section contains restrictions on the powers of the states. +"No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation." [For +the definition of _treaty_ and the manner in which a treaty is made, see +Chapter XL: §3-5.] An _alliance_ is a union between two or more nations, +by a treaty, or contract, for their mutual benefit. _Confederation_ and +_alliance_, have nearly the same meaning. If the states, separately, +were allowed to make treaties or form alliances with foreign powers, the +rights and interests of one state might be injured by the treaties made +by another state. As the states united constitute but one nation, it is +obvious that the power to treat with other nations properly belongs to +the general government. If the states also had the power, they might +counteract the policy of the national government. + +§2. Nor may a state "grant letters of marque and reprisal." If, as has +been shown, this power is properly given to congress, it could not be +safely intrusted to the states. (Chap. XXXVI, §5.) + +§3. The power to "coin money" is also prohibited to the states. It was +given to the general government to secure a uniform currency. (Chap. +XXXIV, §7.) But this object would not be likely to be attained, if the +power to coin money were exercised by the states. + +§4. A state may not "emit bills of credit." _Bills of credit_, to a vast +amount, were issued by the states during the war, and for some time +thereafter. They were in the nature of promissory notes, issued by the +authority of the state, and on the credit of the state, and put in +circulation by the continental congress and the states as money. This +paper money, having no funds set apart to redeem it, became almost +worthless. Bank bills issued upon the credit of private individuals, do +not come under the prohibition. It is also held that the prohibition +does not apply to the notes or bills of a _state_ bank, drawn on the +credit of a particular fund set apart for that purpose. + +§5. No state shall "make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts." _Tender_ signifies an offer, or to offer. In law, it +is an offer of something in payment of a debt, or the thing itself which +is offered in payment. Some of the states had declared their +irredeemable paper money a lawful tender. But paper money and property +of all kinds are continually liable to fluctuation in value, and might +subject those who should be compelled to receive it to great +inconvenience and loss. But although no person is obliged to take in +payment any thing but coin, bank bills are by common consent taken in +the course of business and in payment of debts, because they may be +converted into specie by presenting them at the bank by which they are +issued. + +§6. Nor may a state "pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or +law impairing the obligation of contracts." Bills of attainder and ex +post laws have been defined and considered. (Chap. XXXVII, §5.) If these +laws are in their nature wrong, the states as well as congress should be +prohibited from passing them. Not less unjust are laws impairing the +obligation of contracts. Laws that should weaken the force of contracts, +or that would release men from their obligations, would be contrary to +the principles of justice, and destroy all security to the rights of +property. + +§7. As bankrupt laws release debtors from the payment of their debts, +and consequently impair the obligation of contracts, the question has +arisen whether the states have power to pass insolvent or bankrupt laws. +From decisions of the supreme court of the United States, which is the +highest judicial authority, it appears, that a state may not pass a +bankrupt law discharging a debtor from the obligation of a contract made +before such law was passed. But it was not to be considered a law +impairing the obligation of a contract, if it existed before the +contract was made; because the parties, who are presumed to know that +such law exists, may guard themselves against loss. + +§8. The last thing prohibited in this clause, is, "to grant any title of +nobility." This is forbidden to the states for the same reason as it is +prohibited to congress. (Chap. XXXVII, §11.) + +§9. The first prohibition to the states in the next clause is to "lay +any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be +absolutely necessary for executing their inspection laws." The +objections to the power of the states to lay duties have been +considered. They are founded upon the same reasons as have been given +for intrusting congress with this power; one of which is to secure +uniformity throughout the United States. (Chap. XXXII, §6.) And as +congress is properly prohibited from laying duties on exports, (Chap. +XXXVI, §8, 9,) there can be no good reason for allowing it to be done +by the states. + +§10. The exception allowing a state to lay duties necessary to execute +its inspection laws was deemed proper. Laws are passed by the states for +the inspection or examination of flour and meat in barrels, leather, and +sundry other commodities in commercial cities, to ascertain their +quality and quantity, and to be marked accordingly. By this means the +states are enabled to improve the quality of articles produced by the +labor of the country, and the articles are better fitted for sale, as +the purchaser is thereby guarded against deception. A small tax is laid +upon the goods inspected, to pay for their inspection. But, lest the +states should carry this power so far as to injure other states, these +"laws are to be subject to the revision and control of congress." + +§11. The last restrictions upon the power of the states contained in +this section, are: "No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay +any duty of tunnage; keep troops or ships of war in time of peace; enter +into any agreement or compact with any other state, or with a foreign +power; or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent +danger as will not admit of delay." Some of the prohibitions here +enumerated have been noticed in this and preceding chapters; and the +reasons of the others are so obvious as to render any remarks upon them +unnecessary. + + + + +Chapter XXXIX. + +Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, +Qualifications, &c. + + + +§1. The second article of the constitution relates to the executive +department. Of the necessity of a separate and distinct power to execute +the laws, we have already spoken. (Chap. VIII, §7.) Under the +confederation, as will be recollected, there was no national executive. +This defect has been supplied by the constitution. "The executive power +shall be vested in a president of the United States of America. He shall +hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the +vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows." (Art. +2, §1.) + +§2. In regard to the organization and powers of the executive +department, there was a great diversity of opinion. Ought the chief +executive power to be vested in one person, or a number of persons? Laws +should be executed with promptness and energy. This is more likely to be +done by one man than by a number. If several were associated in the +exercise of this power, disagreement and discord would be likely to +happen, and to cause frequent and injurious delays. Unity being deemed +favorable to energetic and prompt action, the chief executive power of +the nation was given to a single person. + +§3. Secondly, as to the duration of the office. Much of what has been +said in relation to the term of office of senators, will apply to that +of president. (Chap. XXX, §4-6.) His term of office should not be so +short as to induce him to act more with a view to his re-election than +to the public good; yet it should be short enough to make him feel his +responsibility. And it should be long enough to insure a due degree of +independence, and to enable him to carry out his system of public +policy. The term of four years was accordingly adopted. + +§4. Thirdly, the mode of election. Among the various modes proposed, the +one adopted was that of electing the president by electors chosen in the +several states for that purpose; the number of the electors chosen in +each state to be equal to the number of its senators and representatives +in congress. A material alteration in the mode of election has been made +since the adoption of the constitution, as will be seen by examining the +two modes. (Art. 2, §1; and Art. 12 of Amendments.) This amendment does +not change the manner of choosing the electors, but the manner of +choosing the president by the electors. + +§5. The constitution does not prescribe the manner in which the +electors shall be appointed or chosen; it only declares that each state +shall appoint them "in such manner as the legislature thereof shall +direct." No uniform mode was adopted by the different states. In some +states the electors were appointed by the legislature; in others, by the +people. At present the latter mode prevails in all the states except +South Carolina, where presidential electors are still chosen by the +legislature. + +§6. The electors are, by the laws of the several states, chosen by +_general ticket_. The names of two men, corresponding to the number of +senators to which a state is entitled in congress, together with the +names of as many others as there are representatives of the state in the +lower house of congress, one to reside in each congressional district, +are all placed on the same ballot; so that every voter votes for the +whole number of presidential electors to be chosen in the state. And, by +a law of congress, the electors are required to be chosen in all the +states on the same day, which is the Tuesday next after the first Monday +of November. + +§7. The electors so chosen are required by a law of congress, to meet in +their respective states on the first Wednesday of December, and vote for +president and vice-president; and to make and sign three certificates of +all the votes given by them, and seal up the same. One of these is to be +sent by a person duly appointed by them, to the president of the senate +at the seat of government, before the first of January next ensuing; +another is to be forwarded by mail, also directed to the president of +the senate; and the third is to be delivered to the United States judge +of the district in which the electors are assembled. + +§8. On the second Wednesday of February, the president of the senate, in +presence of all the senators and representatives, opens the certificates +from all the states, and the votes are counted. The person having a +majority of all the electoral votes for president is elected. If no +person has a majority of all the electoral votes, the house of +representatives must choose the president from those candidates, not +exceeding three, who had the highest numbers of the electoral votes. But +in so doing, the members do not all vote together; but those of each +state vote by themselves; and the candidate who receives the votes of a +majority of the representatives of a state, has but one presidential +vote for such majority; and the person who receives the votes of a +majority of the states, is elected. Thus in the election of president by +the house of representatives, voting is done _by states_, as was done in +passing laws by the old congress. (Chap. XXVIII, §5.) + +§9. There have been two elections by the house of representatives. The +second was 1825. The votes of the electoral colleges (assemblies) had in +December, 1824, been divided upon four candidates. Andrew Jackson had +received 99 electoral votes; John Quincy Adams, 84; William H. Crawford, +41; and Henry Clay, 37. Neither having received a majority of all the +electoral votes, the election devolved upon the house of +representatives. Of the three candidates who had received the highest +numbers of the electoral votes, Mr. Adams received in the house of +representatives the votes of thirteen states; Gen. Jackson, the votes of +seven states; and Mr. Crawford, the votes of four states. Mr. Adams +having received the votes of a majority of all the states, he was +elected. + +§10. By the 12th article of amendments, if there is no election of +vice-president by a majority of the electors, then, from the two highest +numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president. +Two-thirds of the whole number of senators shall constitute a quorum for +such election; and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to +a choice. + +§11. To be eligible to the office of president or vice-president, a +person must be a natural born citizen of the United States, thirty-five +years of age, and must have been fourteen years a resident within the +United States. The reasons for requiring long terms of citizenship and +residence, and mature age and experience, in the case of senators, apply +with equal force in the case of president. + +§12. In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the vice-president +becomes the president. The power of making further provision for +supplying vacancies is, by the constitution, given to congress. (Art. 2, +§1.) Congress has accordingly enacted, that, when there is neither +president nor vice-president, the president _pro tempore_ shall act as +president; and if there should be none, the speaker of the house of +representatives would assume the duties of the office. + +§13. The same section declares that the salary of the president shall +neither be increased nor diminished during the time for which he shall +have been elected. It would be improper to allow congress to reduce his +salary at pleasure. This would make the executive dependent upon the +legislature for his support. On the other hand, if his compensation +could be increased during his official term, he might be tempted to use +undue influence to procure a needless increase of his salary. + +§14. The presidential term commences the 4th of March next after the +election, and ends the 3d day of March four years thereafter. Each +successive congress also commences and ends its term every two years, on +the same days of that month; and it is called a new congress, although +only one-third of the senators go out of office when a congress is said +to expire, and are succeeded by new ones when the next congress is said +to commence its official term. + + + + +Chapter XL. + +Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; +Appointments and Removals. + + + +§1. The powers and duties of the president are next given. "The +president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United +States, and of the militia of the several states when called into the +actual service of the United States." (Art. 2, §2.) Some of the reasons +for giving to the executive the command of the public forces, have been +given. (Chap. XXV, §2, 5.) It has also been observed, that a prompt and +effectual execution of the laws is best secured by intrusting this power +to a single individual. (Chap. XXXVIII, §2.) The constitution, (Art. I, +§8, clauses 12-16,) give congress power over the army, navy, and +militia, and "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the +laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions." As this +power is to be exercised upon sudden emergencies, congress has by law +authorized the president to call out the militia for these purposes. And +as the direction of the public forces is a power of an executive nature, +it is intrusted to the executive. + +§2. The president has also "power to grant reprieves and pardons for +offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." The +same power is exercised by the governors of the several states. (Chap. +XII, §4.) Through partial or false testimony, or the mistakes of judges +or juries, an innocent person may be convicted of crime; or facts may +subsequently come to light showing the offense to be one of less +aggravation than appeared on the trial. There should therefore be +somewhere a power to remit the punishment, or to mitigate the sentence, +or postpone its execution, as the case may seem to require; and by no +other person or persons, it is presumed, would this power be more +judiciously exercised than by the executive. + +§3. The president has "power, by and with the advice and consent of the +senate, to make treaties, to appoint embassadors, other public ministers +and consuls, judges of the supreme court," and other officers, "provided +two-thirds of the senators concur." A _treaty_ is an agreement or +contract between two or more nations, for regulating trade, or for +restoring or preserving peace. This power ought therefore to be in the +national government. In monarchical governments it belongs to the king. +To confide so important a trust to the president alone, would be +imprudent. To associate the house of representatives with the president +and senate, as in making laws, would render it impossible to act with +the decision, secrecy, and dispatch, which are sometimes necessary in +making treaties. + +§4. As the treaty-making power appears to be in its nature neither +wholly executive nor wholly legislative, but to partake of the nature of +both, a _part_ of the legislature is properly associated with the +president. As the senate, being less numerous than the house, is capable +of acting more promptly as well as more easily convened and at less +expense, that body is more properly united with the executive in the +exercise of this power. And it is equally proper that the power to +appoint embassadors and others by whom treaties are negotiated, should +be placed in the same hands. + +§5. Treaties are negotiated; that is, the provisions or terms are +arranged and agreed upon, by the agents of the two governments; and a +copy of the articles of agreement is sent to each government to be +approved and confirmed, or, as it is usually expressed, to be +_ratified_. Both governments must ratify, or the treaty fails. Treaties +are ratified, on the part of our government, by the president and +senate. This is what is meant by their making treaties. The persons by +whom treaties are negotiated are sometimes appointed by their +governments for that special purpose; but the business is perhaps more +frequently done by the permanent representatives or ministers of the +respective governments. + +§6. Each of the principal civilized nations has some officer at home +who acts as agent in negotiating treaties and transacting business with +foreign governments, and has also a representative at the seat of each +foreign government for this purpose, and for keeping his government, +apprised of what is done abroad. Our government has a minister in Great +Britain, one in Russia, one in France, one in Spain, and one in each of +the other principal commercial nations; and each of these nations has a +minister residing at the city of Washington, the seat of government of +the United States. The officer of our government who corresponds with +foreign ministers here, and with our ministers abroad, is the secretary +of state. The negotiation of treaties at home with the ministers of +foreign governments residing here, is done by him. + +§7. Representatives at foreign courts have different names or titles: +embassadors, envoys, ministers, and chargès des affaires. An embassador +who is intrusted with the ordinary business of a minister at a foreign +court, is called an _embassador in ordinary_. An _embassador +extraordinary_ is a person sent on a particular occasion, who returns as +soon as the business on which he was sent is done. He is sometimes +called _envoy_; and when he has power to act as he may deem expedient, +he is called _envoy plenipotentiary_; the latter word signifying full +power. An ordinary embassador or minister resides abroad, and acts in +obedience to instructions sent him from time to time. + +§8. Agents or representatives sent by our government to reside at +foreign courts, are called _ministers_. Formerly those sent to the less +important countries, were called _chargès des affaires_, who are +ministers of a lower grade. The name, usually written chargès +d'affaires, is French, and is pronounced _shar-zha-daf-fair_, accented +on the first and last syllables. It means a person having charge of the +affairs of his nation. It is not at present applied to any of our +representatives abroad, all being called by the common name of minister. + +§9. _Consuls_ are agents of inferior grade. They reside in foreign +seaports. Their business is to aid their respective governments in their +commercial transactions with the countries in which they reside, and to +protect the rights, commerce, merchants, and seamen of their own nation. +Hence much of their business is with masters of vessels, and with +merchants. They also dispose of the personal estate of citizens of their +own nation who die within their consulates, leaving no representative or +partner in trade to take care of their effects. + +§10. The appointment of judges of the supreme court by the president and +senate, seems to be proper. Their election by the people, most of whom +could have little or no knowledge of the persons who should be chosen, +would be injudicious. Besides, the mass of the voters are not so +competent to judge of the qualifications necessary for so important a +judicial office, as those to whom the constitution has given the power +of appointment. + +§11. The power of appointing the head officers of the several executive +departments, is with equal propriety given to the president and senate. +As the president is in a measure responsible for the acts of his +subordinates who conduct the business of these departments, and as, +without their coöperation, he could scarcely carry out his own measures, +it is proper that he should have the right of selecting them; and by +being required to submit his choice to the body of senators for their +approval, a sufficient safeguard is provided against the appointment of +unworthy or incompetent men. + +§12. "The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may +happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which +shall expire at the end of the next session." (Art. 2, sec. 2, clause +3.) Without such a power somewhere, the public interests would often +suffer serious injury before the senate should again be in session to +act upon a nomination by the president. As it is his duty to see that +the business of the executive offices is faithfully done, he seems to +be the proper person to make such temporary appointment. + +§13. The powers and duties of the president enumerated in the next +section of the constitution, are all necessary to insure a successful +administration of the government; and they are so clearly of an +executive nature, that they could not with any degree of propriety have +been devolved upon any other officer or department of the government. + +§14. The last section of this article of the constitution enumerates the +persons liable to be removed from office by impeachment, and the +offenses for which they are thus removable. As in the state governments, +so in the general government, impeachments are made by the house of +representatives, and tried by the senate. (Chap. XX, §6-8; Cons. U.S., +art. I, §2, 3.) + + + + +Chapter XLI. + +Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the Treasury, +of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; +Attorney-General. + + + +§1. The great amount and variety of the executive business of the +nation, requires the division of this department into several +subordinate departments, and the distribution among them of the +different kinds of public business. At the head of each of these +departments is a chief officer. These chief officers, sometimes called +_heads of departments_, with the attorney general, being private +advisors or counselors of the president, are called the _cabinet_. They +are appointed by the president and senate. + +§2. By the first congress under the constitution, were established the +state, treasury, and war departments, whose head officers, called +secretaries, and the attorney-general, constituted the first cabinet. +In 1798, the navy department was established. During president Jackson's +term of office, the postmaster-general was made a cabinet officer. And +the establishment, in 1849, of the department of the interior, added to +the cabinet the seventh member. + +§3. The _secretary of state_ performs such duties as are committed to +him by the president relating to foreign intercourse. Some of these +duties have been mentioned. (Chap. XXXIX, §6.) He conducts all our +diplomatic correspondence, being the official organ of communication +with the ministers of foreign governments sent to this country, and with +our ministers abroad. _Diplomacy_ signifies the rules and customs which +govern the intercourse of nations through their ministers or agents; +also the management of the business of a nation by its minister at a +foreign court. And such minister, especially if he manages with ability +and skill, is called a _diplomatist_. + +§4. The secretary of state keeps the seal of the United States; and he +makes out, records, and seals all civil commissions to officers +appointed by the president and senate, or by the president. His duties +in relation to the publishing and distributing the laws, and certain +other matters, are similar to the duties of a secretary of state of a +state government. + +§5. The _secretary of the treasury_ has charge of the finances of the +nation. He superintends the collection of the revenue, and performs +certain other duties of the nature of the controller or auditor of a +state. (Chap. XIII, §3.) He lays before congress annually a report of +the finances, containing a statement of the public revenue and +expenditure during the past year, the value of the imports and exports, +and estimates of the revenue and expenditures for succeeding years, and +plans for improving the revenues. He also makes annually a statement of +appropriations of money, and of sums remaining, in the treasury. + +§6. The vast amount of business in this department requires a great +number of assistants; among whom are several controllers and auditors of +accounts; a treasurer, a register, who keeps the accounts of goods +imported and exported, and of the shipping employed in our foreign +trade; a solicitor; a recorder; and numerous clerks. + +§7. The _secretary of the interior_ superintends the business relating +to the public lands, public buildings, the lead mines and other mines of +the United States, Indian affairs, patents, and pensions. A _pension_ is +a yearly allowance to a person by the government for past services. In +this country pensions are granted for services in war. They were at +first allowed only to such as had been disabled in the war of the +revolution and in the war of 1812; and subsequently to all who had +served at least six months in the revolutionary war, and to their widows +during their lives. Those disabled in the late war with Mexico have also +been added to the pension list. And by recent acts of congress, bounties +of lands were to be allowed to all the surviving soldiers of the war of +1812, who had served one month therein. + +§8. The _secretary of war_ performs duties relating to military +commissions, or to the land forces and warlike stores of the United +States. The standing army of the nation consists at present of about +15,000 men, who are distributed among the several military stations, +armed and ready for service. He reports annually a statement of the +expenditure and application of moneys drawn from the treasury for his +department, and makes such suggestions relative to its condition as he +thinks proper. He is assisted by subordinate officers and clerks. + +§9. The _secretary of the navy_ executes the orders of the president for +procuring naval stores and materials, and for equipping and employing +vessels of war, and performs such other duties pertaining to the naval +establishment as are required of him. Three officers are appointed by +the president and senate, who constitute a board of _commissioners for +the navy_, and discharge the ministerial duties of the office of the +secretary, and furnish estimates of the expenditures of the department. + +§10. The _postmaster-general_ establishes post-offices, appoints +postmasters and other persons employed in the general post-office, and +provides for carrying the mails. He is assisted by three assistant +post-masters-general, an auditor of the post-office treasury, to audit +and settle the accounts of the department, and to superintend the +collection of the debts due the department. The business of this +department requires a large number of clerks. He reports annually all +contracts made for the transportation of the mail, and a statement of +the receipts and expenditures of the department. + +§11. Postmasters keep an account of all letters sent from and received +at their respective offices, stating the names of the offices from which +letters are received, and of those to which letters are sent, and +whether they are post paid or sent free. Postmasters, at stated periods, +(in most places quarterly,) advertise all letters remaining in their +offices; and they send quarterly to the general post-office accounts of +letters sent and received, and of moneys received for postage, and of +those paid out on orders of the department. Letters also which have lain +in their offices during the time for which they were required to be +advertised, are sent as _dead_ letters to the general post-office, where +they are opened; and such as contain money or other valuable matter are +returned by mail to the writers. + +§12. Postmasters are allowed for their services a commission on the +amount of postage received by them quarterly. Those at whose offices the +sums received are small, are allowed a greater per centage than those +where the receipts are large. Thus, the commission at present (1859) is, +on the first $100 received, sixty per cent.; on the next $300, fifty per +cent.; on the next $2,000, forty per cent.; on all over 2,400, fifteen +per cent. Stamped letters are considered as paid in cash. On newspaper +postages, fifty per cent, on all sums, large or small. If a postmaster's +commission exceeds $2,000 a year, besides the expenses of the office, +the excess is paid to the general post office. Postmasters may also +receive for pigeon-holes or boxes, not exceeding $2,000, the excess, if +any, to be paid to the general post-office. Postmasters whose +compensation amounts to $1,000 or more in a year, are appointed by the +president and senate. + +§13. Postmasters whose commission on postages has been less than $200 +during the preceding year, may receive and send, free of postage, +letters on their own private business, weighing not more than half an +ounce. And members of congress, during their term of office, and until +the first of December after its expiration, may send and receive letters +and packages weighing not more than two ounces, and all public documents +free. A person to be entitled to send matter free, must write on the +outside his name and the title of his office. This is called _franking_. +Civil officers at the seat of government also may frank matter relating +to the business of their offices, by marking it outside, "official +business." + +§14. The _attorney-general_ attends to all suits in the supreme court of +the United States in which the United States is a party or is concerned, +and gives his opinions on questions of law when requested by the +president or heads of departments. + + + + +Chapter XLII. + +Judicial Department. + + + +§1. We come now to the third article of the constitution. The first two +sections provide for the organization, and prescribe the powers, of the +courts of the United States. The want of a national judiciary was a +material defect of the confederation. Dependence upon the state courts +to enforce the laws of the union, subjected the government to great +inconvenience and embarrassment. A government that has a legislature +and an executive, should also have a judiciary to judge of and interpret +the laws. The constitution declares that "the judicial power of the +United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior +courts as the congress may ordain and establish." Under the authority +here given, congress passed the judiciary act of 1789, by which the +several courts of the United States were established. + +§2. The same section declares, "The judges of both the supreme and +inferior courts shall hold their offices during good behavior." In no +other department of the general government are offices held for so long +a term, which is virtually for life, unless removed on impeachment, or +for inability. To insure a correct and impartial administration of +justice, the judges should be independent. If they could be displaced at +the pleasure of the appointing power, or by frequent elections, they +might be tempted to conform their opinions and decisions to the wishes +of those on whom they were dependent for continuance in office. The +object of the framers was to remove them as far as possible from party +influence. + +§3. It is further provided, with a view to the independence of the +judges, that their "compensation shall not be diminished during their +continuance in office." Salaries are fixed by congress. To give congress +power over the purse of an officer, is to give it power over his will. +Dependence upon the legislature would be as great an evil as dependence +upon the appointing power. Besides, men generally selected for high +judicial offices are eminent lawyers, pursuing a lucrative professional +business; and, without a liberal salary, men of the greatest ability +would not accept these offices; or if in office, an essential reduction +of their compensation might induce them to resign their offices. + +§4. The next section enumerates the cases to be tried in these courts. +It is evident from their nature that state courts are not the proper +tribunals to try them. Also all violations of the laws of the United +States are tried in the national courts. Thus, the counterfeiting of +United States coin, murder and other crimes committed on the sea, beyond +the jurisdiction of a state, smuggling goods, that is, secretly +importing dutiable goods without paying the duties, infringements of +patent rights, &c., are prosecuted in courts of the United States. + +§5. The third clause of this section declares, that "the trial of all +crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial +shall be held in the same state where the said crimes shall have been +committed." This is intended to secure the trial of the accused among +his friends and acquaintances, and near the residence of his witnesses, +whose attendance in a distant state could not be had without great +inconvenience and expense, which might deprive him of the benefit of an +important witness. + +§6. There are three kinds of national courts: the supreme court, circuit +courts, and district courts. Every state constitutes at least one +district. The larger states are divided into two or more districts. In +each district is a _district judge_, who holds a court four times a +year. There are also in each district, a _district attorney_, to conduct +suits on the part of the United States, and a _marshal_, whose business +is similar to that of a sheriff. This court tries the more common civil +cases, arising under the laws of the United States, and the lower crimes +against the laws of the United States, committed on land and sea. This +court has in some cases a jury. + +§7. There are nine _circuits_, each embracing several states. In each +circuit is a justice or a judge, who holds a court in his circuit twice +a year. The district judge of the district in which a circuit court is +held, sits with the circuit judge in holding a circuit court. This court +tries causes between citizens of different states, between aliens and +citizens, and those in which the United States are a party. It also +tries some cases in appeal from the district courts. It tries matters +relating to affairs on the high seas, and all felonies punishable with +death. It has a grand and a petit jury. + +§8. The _supreme court_ is composed of the nine judges of the circuit +courts, one of whom is chief-justice, the others are called associate +justices. It holds one session annually at the seat of government, +commencing in January or February, and continuing about two months. It +will be seen from this section of the constitution, that this court has +_original_ jurisdiction in but few cases. Its principal business is to +rejudge cases brought up from the circuit courts. + +§9. An important object of a supreme court of the United States, is to +secure a correct and uniform interpretation of the constitution and laws +of the United States. State laws and decisions of state courts, are +sometimes made which are supposed to be repugnant to the constitution +and laws of the United States. What may be pronounced constitutional in +one state, may be declared unconstitutional in another. Therefore it is +provided that when an act or judgment in a case tried in the highest or +last court in a state is deemed inconsistent with the constitution or +laws of the United States, such case may be removed to the supreme court +of the United States, whose decision governs the judgment of all +inferior courts throughout the union. + + + + +Chapter XLIII. + +Treason, defined; its Punishment. + + + +§1. The constitution defines treason, as follows: "Treason against the +United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in +adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Art. 3, sec. 3. +A proneness to construe less aggravated crimes into acts of treason, +made it proper that the constitution should define the crime. The term +_levying war_ has the sense here which it was understood to have in the +English statute, from which it was adopted. An assemblage of men for a +treasonable purpose, such as war against the government, or a revolution +of any of its territories, and in a condition to make such war, +constitutes a levying of war. + +§2. War can be levied only by the employment of force; troops must be +embodied; men must be openly raised; but there may be treason without +arms, or without the application of force to the object. When war is +levied, all who perform a part, however remote from the scene of action, +being leagued in the conspiracy, commit treason. But a mere conspiracy +to levy war is not treason. A secret, unarmed meeting of conspirators, +not in force, nor in warlike form, though met for a treasonable purpose, +is not treason; but these offenses are high misdemeanors. + +§3. The constitution also prescribes the proof necessary for the +conviction of treason. "No person shall be convicted of treason, unless +on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on +confession in open court." No evidence less than this should be +considered sufficient to convict a person of a crime for which he is to +suffer death. + +§4. "Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason." +Art. 3, sec. 3. By the common law, the punishment of treason was of a +savage and disgraceful nature. The offender was drawn to the gallows on +a hurdle; hanged by the neck and cut down alive; his entrails taken out +and burned while he was yet alive; his head cut off; and his body +quartered. Congress, in pursuance of the power here granted, has very +properly abolished this barbarous practice, and confined the punishment +to simple death by hanging. + +§5. But the same clause provides, that "no attainder of treason shall +work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the +person attainted." _Attainder_ literally signifies a staining, or +rendering impure; but it here means a conviction and judgment in court +against the offender. By the common law, the sentence of death for +treason was made to affect the _blood_ of the traitor; so that he could +neither inherit property nor transmit it to heirs; but his estate was +forfeited. This practice, so unjust to the innocent relatives of an +offender, is properly abolished by the constitution; and congress has +declared that "no conviction or judgment shall work corruption of blood, +or any forfeiture of estate." So that while this law continues, there is +no forfeiture, even during the life of the person attainted. + + + + +Chapter XLIV. + +State Records; Privilege of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New +States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government. + + + +§1. "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public +acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the +congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, +records, and proceedings shall be proved and the effect thereof." Art. +4, sec. 1. Without this provision, a person against whom a judgment has +been obtained, might remove with his property into another state, where +the property could not be taken on execution without a new trial and +judgment; which, at so great a distance from the residence of the +creditor and his witnesses, would be very difficult and expensive, and +perhaps impossible. Now, the proceedings of the court in which a +judgment is obtained, if sent to the place where the debtor resides, +have the same effect as in the state in which such proceedings were +taken. + +§2. There are several other cases which this provision is intended to +meet. But, as is seen, the effect of these acts, records, and judicial +proceedings, and the manner of proving them are to be prescribed by +congress. In pursuance of the power here granted, congress has enacted, +that a certificate under seal of the clerk of a court of record, +transmitted to any state of the union, shall there be deemed evidence +of the facts therein stated. But if the thing certified is a judicial +proceeding, such sealed certificate must be accompanied by the +certificate of the presiding judge or justice, that the attestation of +the clerk is in due form. Acts of a state legislature, to be entitled to +credit in another state, must have the seal of the state affixed to +them. + +§3. The next section of this article provides, that "the citizens of +each state shall be entitled to all the immunities and privileges of +citizens in the several states." This means that the citizens of any +state going into other states, shall not, by the laws of those states, +be deprived of any of the privileges of citizens; but shall be entitled +to the privileges which are enjoyed by persons of the same description +in the states to which they remove. Without such a provision, any state +might deny to citizens coming into it from other states, the right to +buy and hold real estate, or to become voters, or to enjoy equal +privileges in trade or business. A state may, however, prescribe a +certain term of residence therein as a qualification for voting at +elections. + +§4. The next clause of this section provides for apprehending "a person +charged with crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another +state." The governor of the state from which such person has fled, sends +a requisition to the governor of the state in which he is found, +demanding his delivery to the proper officers, to be conveyed back for +trial. Without such authority to apprehend criminals, they might escape +justice by taking shelter in another state. + +§5. In the same section it is provided, that "no person held to service +or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, +shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged +from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the +party to whom such service or labor may be due." This clause was +intended for the benefit of the slaveholding states. By the common law, +a slave escaping into a non-slaveholding state became free. As it was +presumed that other northern states would follow Massachusetts in +abolishing slavery, the southern states wanted some provision to enable +them to reclaim their fugitive slaves. + +§6. The manner in which slaves are to be reclaimed, is prescribed by an +act of congress. The owner of a runaway slave, finding him in a free +state, arrests him and brings him before a magistrate; and if he proves +his title to the slave to the satisfaction of the magistrate, the slave +is delivered to the owner or claimant. Free colored persons have +sometimes been arrested, and, on false testimony, delivered to +claimants, taken to slave states and held as slaves. Hence the opinion +prevails extensively that a person claimed as a slave should be entitled +to trial by a jury; and that the fact of his being a slave should be +proved to the satisfaction of a jury before his delivery to a claimant. +Many persons, believing freedom to be the natural right of all men, hold +that all laws for returning fugitive slaves are wrong, and ought not to +be obeyed. + +§7. The first clause of the next section provides, that "new states may +be admitted into this union," and requires the consent of congress and +of the states concerned, to the formation of new states from old ones. A +provision of this kind was deemed necessary in view of the large extent +of vacant lands within the United States, and of the inconvenient size +of some of the states then existing. The territory north-west of the +Ohio river had been ceded to the general government by the states +claiming the same; and a territorial government had already been +established therein by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. From this +territory have since been formed and admitted, the states of Ohio, +Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. + +§8. South of the Ohio river also was a large tract, principally +unsettled, within the chartered limits of Virginia, North Carolina and +Georgia, extending west to the Mississippi river, from which, it was +presumed, new states would be formed. Justice, however, to these states, +as well as to others in all future time, required the general provision +above mentioned, that "no state should be divided without the consent of +its legislature and of congress." + +§9. The next clause authorizes congress "to dispose of and make all +needful rules and regulations respecting the territory and other +property of the United States." If the general government has power to +acquire territory, it must have the right to exercise authority over it. +This express grant establishes beyond doubt a power which had been +questioned under the confederation. In pursuance of the power here +granted, congress has made rules and regulations for governing the +people of different portions of such territory previously to their +admission as states into the union. + +§10. The next section declares, that "the United States shall guaranty +to every state in this union a republican form of government; and shall +protect each of them against invasion, and on the application of the +legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be +convened,) against domestic violence." Art. 4, sec. 4. The propriety of +a power to prevent a state from changing its government to any other +than a republican form, is evident. It is equally proper that a state, +when invaded by a foreign enemy, or in case of an insurrection within +its own borders, should have protection and aid from the general +government; especially as the states have surrendered to it the right to +keep troops or ships of war in time of peace. (Art. 1, sec. 10.) + + + + +Chapter XLV. + +Provision for Amendments; Assumption of Public Debts; Supremacy of the +Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the Constitution. + + + +§1. The 5th article provides for amending the constitution. It +prescribes two different modes for proposing amendments, and two modes +of ratifying them. Amendments may be proposed by two-thirds of both +houses of congress; or, on the application or request of two-thirds of +the states, congress shall call a convention for proposing amendments. +Proposed in either of these modes, amendments, to become valid as parts +of the constitution, must be ratified by the legislatures of +three-fourths of the states, or by conventions in three-fourths of them; +the mode of ratification, whether by the legislatures or by conventions, +to be proposed by congress. + +§2. As the best human government is imperfect, and as all the future +wants and necessities of a people can not be foreseen and provided for, +it is obvious that every constitution should contain some provision for +its amendment. But if amendments could be made whenever desired by a +bare majority of the states, the strength and efficiency of the +constitution might be greatly impaired by frequent alterations. It is +therefore wisely provided, that a mere proposition to amend cannot be +made but by a majority of at least two-thirds of congress, or of the +legislatures of at least of two-thirds of the states; and that such +proposition must be ratified by a still larger majority (three-fourths) +of the states. It was thought better to submit occasionally to some +temporary inconvenience, than to indulge in frequent amendments of the +constitution. + +§3. The 6th article acknowledges the obligation of the general +government to pay "all debts contracted before the adoption of the +constitution." As has been observed, congress had borrowed money for the +payment of which it was unable to provide; and one object of a change +of government was to make provision for fulfilling the engagements of +the nation. This clause, it is said, was also intended to allay the +fears of public creditors, who apprehended that a change in the +government would release the nation from its obligations. + +§4. The next clause declares, "This constitution, and the laws made in +pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of the +United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in +every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or +laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding." If all state +authorities were not bound by the constitution and laws of the United +States, nothing would have been gained by the union. If the laws and +treaties made by the general government could be disregarded or +nullified by any power in a state, why was power to make them given to +the general government? + +§5. The last clause of the 4th article requires certain officers, both +of the United States and of the several states to be "bound by oath or +affirmation to support this constitution." Binding the conscience of +public officers by oath or solemn affirmation, has ever been considered +necessary to secure a faithful performance of their duties. They are +generally required to swear not only to support the constitution, but +also to discharge the duties of their offices to the best of their +ability. + +§6. The same clause declares that "no religious test shall ever be +required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the +United States." _Test_ here means an oath or a declaration in favor of +or against certain religious opinions, as a qualification for office. In +England, all officers, civil and military, were formerly obliged to make +a declaration against transubstantiation, and to assent to the doctrines +and conform to the rules of the established church. Desirous of securing +to every citizen the full enjoyment of religious liberty, the +introduction of tests was prohibited by the constitution. + +§7. The 7th and last article declares: "The ratification of the +conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of +this constitution between the states so ratifying the same." The +immediate ratification of the constitution by all the states was hardly +to be expected; a unanimous ratification, therefore, was not required. +But a union of less than nine states was deemed inexpedient. The framers +concluded their labors on the 17th of September, 1787; and in July, +1788, the ratification of New Hampshire, the ninth state, was received +by congress. + +§8. The dates of the ratifications of the several states are as follows: +Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, +December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, +1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South +Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 26, +1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode +Island, May 29, 1790. The two last named states did not accede to the +constitution until after proceedings under it had commenced. The +ratification of North Carolina was received by congress in January, +1790; that of Rhode Island in June following. + +§9. The first Wednesday of January, 1789, was appointed by congress for +choosing electors of president in the several states, and the first +Wednesday of February for the electors to meet in their respective +states to elect the president. Gen. Washington was unanimously elected, +and on the 30th of April was inaugurated president. Proceedings under +the constitution, however, had commenced on the 4th of March preceding. + + + + +Chapter XLVI. + +Amendments to the Constitution. + + + +§1. It is remarkable that, during a period of seventy years, the +constitution has received so few alterations. Although twelve articles +of amendment, so called, have been adopted, only two, (the 11th and +12th,) have in any manner or degree changed any of its original +provisions. Most of them, it will be seen, are merely declaratory and +restrictive. As the principles which they declare were so generally +acknowledged, and as the general government was a government of limited +powers, having such only as were expressly authorized by the +constitution, the framers deemed these declarations and restrictions +unnecessary. But as several of the state conventions had, at the time of +adopting the constitution, expressed a desire that declarations and +guaranties of certain rights should be added, in order to prevent +misconstruction and abuse, the first congress, at its first session, +proposed twelve amendments, ten of which were ratified by the requisite +number of states. Virginia, the last state necessary to make up such +number, ratified December 15, 1791. + +§2. Freedom in matters of religion, freedom of speech and of the press, +and the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances, +guarantied in the first article, are rights so essential to civil +liberty, and so evidently just, that it can hardly be presumed that +congress would ever have passed laws directly violating these rights, +even though such laws had not been prohibited. + +§3. The second article guaranties "the right of people to bear arms." +Without this right, ambitious men might, by the aid of the regular army, +overthrow the liberties of the people, and usurp the powers of +government. + +§4. The third article declares, that "no soldier shall, in time of +peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor +in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." It is a +principle of the common law, that "a man's house is his own castle." +Among the grievances enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, was +one "for quartering large bodies of armed troops" among the people of +the colonies. To secure the people against intrusions of this kind, is +the object of this prohibition. + +§5. The fourth article guaranties "the right of the people to be secure +in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable +searches and seizures." But there could be no such security, if every +man could, on mere pretense or suspicion of injury, obtain a warrant for +arresting his neighbor or searching his premises and seizing his +property. Innocent men would often be subjected to much trouble and +perplexity; and unjust suspicions would be thrown upon their characters. +It is proper, therefore, that a magistrate shall not issue a warrant, +unless it shall be made to appear, by the oath of the applicant or of +some other person that there is probable cause. + +§6. The rights guarantied by the fifth article are common law rights, +and founded upon just principles. We have elsewhere stated the object of +grand juries, and noticed the opinion of some, that this object is +sufficiently secured by the examination before the magistrate; and, +consequently, that grand juries are unnecessary. (See Chap. XIX, §8-10.) +But while this article continues to be a part of the constitution, grand +juries in courts of the United States can not be dispensed with. It is +quite proper, as is provided in this article, that, after a fair and +impartial trial and an acquittal, a person should not be tried a second +time. The provisions of the next article (6th) are also necessary to +secure the same object--the rights of liberty and life to every citizen. + +§7. The seventh article of amendment secures, in courts of the United +States, "in suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall +exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury." By suits at common +law are meant those tried in the ordinary courts, as distinguished from +those tried in courts of equity and courts of admiralty. This article +further declares, that "no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reëxamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law." That is, if a fact tried by a jury in a lower +court, is carried up to a higher court for reëxamination, such +reëxamination or new trial shall also be by jury. + +§8. "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, +nor unusual punishments inflicted." Amend. art. 8. The object of bail +and the manner in which it is given, have been stated. (Chap. XVIII.) +Without the above restriction, the sum might be fixed so high as to +prevent persons accused of crime from procuring the necessary sureties; +whereby innocent persons might be subjected to long imprisonment before +the time of trial. It is therefore properly left to the court to fix the +sum, which should correspond to the aggravation of the offense. Courts +have the same discretion as to the measure of punishment to be inflicted +in each particular case of crime. + +§9. The ninth amendment is, "The enumeration in the constitution of +certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others +retained by the people." There were persons who feared that, because the +constitution mentioned certain rights as belonging to the people, those +not mentioned might be considered as having been surrendered to the +general government. This article was therefore inserted to prevent such +a misconstruction of the constitution. + +§10. The tenth amendment is similar to the preceding. "The powers not +delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it +to the states are reserved to the states respectively, or to the +people." In other words the powers which the constitution has not given +to the general government, nor prohibited the states from exercising, +the states or the people have reserved to themselves. So clear is it, +that they retain all power which they have not in words parted with, +that it seems strange to many that the insertion of such a provision +should ever have been thought necessary. + +§11. The eleventh amendment was proposed at the first session of the +third congress, March 5, 1794, and its ratification by the +constitutional number of states was announced to congress by the +president in a message dated January 8, 1798. This article prohibits a +court of the United States from trying "any suit in law or equity +commenced or prosecuted against one of the states by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state." This is +intended to prevent a state from being sued in an original suit, by a +private person, the citizen of another state. + +§12. The twelfth and last amendment effects a change in the mode of +electing the president and vice-president, and has been considered. +(Chap. XXXIX, §4.) This amendment was proposed at the first session of +the eighth congress, December 12, 1803, and was adopted by the requisite +number of states in 1804, according to a public notice by the secretary +of state, dated the 25th of September of the same year. + + + + + +Common and Statutory Law. + + + + +Chapter XLVII. + +Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious +Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property. + + + +§1. Having taken a general view of the state governments and the +government of the United States, and seen how wisely they are adapted to +promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty; we +proceed to give a digest of the laws which more particularly define the +rights and prescribe the duties of citizens, or by which their social +and civil intercourse is to be regulated. These laws, it will be +recollected, we have elsewhere called the _municipal_ or _civil_ laws, +as distinguished from the _political_ or _fundamental_ law of the state. +(Chap. III, §6.) + +§2. These laws are of two kinds, the written or statute law, and the +unwritten or common law. _Statute laws_ are those which are enacted by +the legislature, and recorded in writing, and are usually collected and +published in books. The word _statute_ is from the Latin _statuo_, to +set, fix, or establish. + +§3. The _common law_ is not a code of written laws enacted by a +legislature, but consists of rules of action which have become binding +from long usage and established custom. It is said to be founded in +reason and the principles of justice. The common law of England was +brought over by our ancestors, and established here before the +revolution. Some of the states, in their constitutions, adopted after +the revolution, declared it to be the law of their respective states; +and it has continued to be law in all the states, and is still so +considered, except such parts as have been altered or repealed by +constitutional or legislative enactments, or by usage. + +§4. The most valuable rights protected by law are the rights of personal +security and personal liberty. The right of _personal security_ is the +right to be secure from injury to our persons or good names. By +_personal liberty_ is meant the freedom of our bodies or persons from +restraint or confinement. Provisions guarantying these rights have been +incorporated into our national constitution, and the constitutions of +the several states. + +§5. The right of personal security is also protected by the law, by +which a man, on showing reasonable cause of danger of personal injury, +may require his adversary to be bound with sureties to keep the peace. +And for violence committed, the offender may be prosecuted in behalf of +the state and punished, and is liable also to the party aggrieved in a +civil suit for damages. + +§6. This right is further protected by the law which permits a man to +exercise the natural right of self-defense. In defending his person in +case of a felonious assault, he may lawfully take the life of his +assailant. This is by law pronounced justifiable homicide, and is +allowed also in defense of one's property against felonious and violent +injury. But homicide (man-killing) is not justifiable in case of a +private injury, nor upon the pretense of necessity when the party is not +free from fault in bringing that necessity upon himself. + +§7. The right to be secure in our good names, which is included in the +right of personal security, is protected by the law against slander and +libel. A _slander_ is a false and malicious report or statement tending +to injure another in his reputation or business, and which, if true, +would render him unworthy of confidence or employment; or it is the +maliciously charging of another with anything by which he sustains +special injury. The slander of a person by words spoken, is a civil +injury, that is, an injury for which redress is to be obtained in a +civil suit for damages. + +§8. A slander written or printed, is called _libel_. A libel is a +malicious publication in print or writing, signs or pictures, tending to +expose a person to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule. And it is +considered in law a publication of such defamatory writing, though +communicated to a single person. A slander written or printed is likely +to have a wider circulation, to make a deeper impression, and to become +more injurious. A person may therefore be liable in damages for words in +print or writing, for which he would not be liable if merely spoken. In +case of libel, a person is not only liable to a private suit for +damages, but may be indicted and tried as for other public offenses. + +§9. It is a principle of English common law, that in a criminal action +for libel it is immaterial whether the matter of it is true or false; +and a person prosecuted for libel is not allowed, in justification, to +prove to the jury the truth of his statement, since the provocation, not +the falsity, is to be punished. And, whether true or false, the libelous +publication is equally dangerous to the public peace, and is presumed to +have been made with malicious intent. + +§10. It is held--and perhaps it is the prevailing opinion--that in a +civil action for damages, a libel must be false as well as scandalous, +and, consequently, that the truth may be pleaded in justification. This +point, however, is not fully settled. The reason for this distinction +between cases of public and private prosecution, it is not easy to +perceive. If it is just to inquire into the good or bad intentions of +the publisher in one case, it would seem to be equally so in the other. + +§11. But the common law has been materially modified and relaxed in this +country. In most of the states it is provided by their constitutions or +by law, that the truth may be given in evidence, and if it shall appear +to the jury "that the matter charged as libelous is true, and was +published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be +acquitted." As it may sometimes be proper to speak or publish an +unfavorable truth concerning others, the principle of the above +provision would seem to be founded in justice. In the state of Vermont, +and perhaps in a few other states, if the party prosecuted proves the +truth of his statement in any case, he is acquitted. + +§12. The right of _personal liberty_ is secured by express provision of +the national constitution, which guaranties to every citizen "the +privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_." (Cons. U.S. art. 1, sec. 9.) +The nature of this writ has been explained. (Chap. XXXVI, §4.) The same +provision has been inserted in the state constitutions. This was a +common law privilege, independently of any constitutional enactment. The +principal object of the provision seems to be to take from congress and +the state legislatures the power to abolish this privilege, or even to +suspend it for any time, or in any case, except the particular cases +mentioned. + +§13. Freedom of religious opinion and worship, or liberty of +conscience, is a valuable personal right, included in the term, personal +liberty, and is effectually secured in this country. In England, the +country of our ancestors, there is a church established and supported by +the government. This is sometimes called "union of church and state." +The American people, from their love of religious freedom, have, in +their constitutions, expressly prohibited congress from making laws +"respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free +exercise thereof." (Amend. art. 1.) And the state constitutions have +adopted similar provisions. + +§14. Another important personal right comprehended in the term personal +liberty, and guarantied in the same article of the national +constitution, and in the state constitutions, is the liberty of speech +and of the press. Some of the monarchical governments of Europe +prohibited the people from speaking against the sovereign or his +government. Books and papers could not be published until they had been +examined and approved. The persons authorized to examine the +manuscripts, were called _censors_. Hence the expression sometimes +heard, "censorship of the press." To secure the liberty of speaking and +publishing their sentiments freely up on all subjects, the people of +this country have made express provision in their constitutions; which, +however, while they properly guaranty this right, leave men "responsible +for its abuse," and liable to prosecution for slander or libel. (§7, 8.) + +§15. The _right of property_ is the right to acquire property, and to be +free in the use and enjoyment of it. To protect men in the enjoyment of +this right, is one of the principal objects of constitutions and laws. +The rights of property will constitute the subject matter of several +subsequent chapters of this digest of "common and statutory law." (Chap. +L, and onward.) + + + + +Chapter XLVIII. + +Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife. + + + +§1. To render a marriage contract lawful, the parties must be of +sufficient age, called the age of consent; which, by the common law of +the land, is fourteen years in males, and twelve in females. In some +states the age of consent has been altered by statute. In Ohio, Indiana, +and Michigan, it has been raised to eighteen years in males, and +fourteen in females; in Illinois to seventeen and fourteen; in +Wisconsin, to eighteen and fifteen. + +§2. The parties must also have sufficient understanding to transact the +ordinary business of life. Idiots and lunatics cannot legally contract +marriage. Persons must also act freely. If the consent of either party +has been obtained by force or fraud, the marriage may be declared void. +The parties must not be nearly related. The degrees of relationship at +which they are forbidden to marry are in some states fixed by law; but +the laws of these states on the subject are not uniform. Some states +have forbidden marriages which come within what is called the Levitical +degrees; but these degrees have received different interpretations. +According to the interpretation of some, the relation of uncle and niece +and aunt and nephew, come within this rule. + +§3. No person can lawfully remarry who has a wife or husband living. +Such second marriage is, by the common law, null and void. In some of +the states, perhaps in most of them, it is declared _polygamy_, and a +state prison offense, except in certain cases; as when the husband or +wife of the party who remarries has been long absent, and the party +re-marrying does not know the other to have been living within the time; +or when the former husband or wife of the party remarrying has been +sentenced to imprisonment for life; or when the former marriage has been +lawfully annulled or dissolved. If, however, a marriage has been +annulled or dissolved for the cause of adultery, the criminal party is, +in some states at least, not allowed to remarry. + +§4. In some of the cases excepted in the preceding section, the second +marriage is merely excusable. Although the party to such marriage is +exempt from the _penalty_, yet if the former wife or husband is living, +though the fact is unknown, and no divorce has been duly announced, or +the first marriage has not been duly annulled; the second marriage is +void. Where there is no statute regulation, the common law governs, +which is, that nothing but death, or a decree of a competent court, can +dissolve the marriage tie. + +§5. The manner in which marriages are to be solemnized, and by whom, and +the manner in which marriage licenses are to be obtained, or notices of +marriage published, (which are required in some states,) are prescribed +by the laws of the states in which such regulations exist. Marriages may +usually be solemnized by ministers of the gospel, judges, justices of +the peace, and certain other officers. But by the common law, a marriage +is rendered valid by a simple consent of the parties declared before +witnesses, or subsequently acknowledged; or such consent may be inferred +from continual cohabitation and reputation as husband and wife. + +§6. In law, the husband and wife are regarded as one person. By the +common law, the husband, by marriage, acquires a right to the property +of the wife which she had before marriage, and which she may acquire +after marriage. To her personal property, including debts due her by +bond, note, or otherwise, he has an absolute right, and may use and +dispose of the same as he pleases. Her chattels real, however, which are +leases of land for years, though personal property, he can not dispose +of by will; and if he makes no disposition of them during his life time, +and she outlives him, she takes them in her own right. If he survives +his wife, he acquires an absolute right to them. + +§7. But to the real estate of the wife, the husband does not acquire an +absolute right. He has only a right to the use, rents, and profits +thereof during his life, if he shall die before his wife; and in that +event she takes the estate again in her own right. If the wife dies +first, and there are no children, her heirs immediately take the estate. +If there are children living, the husband holds the estate for life, and +on his death it goes to the wife or her heirs. + +§8. But this rule of the common law which gives to the husband the +possession and disposal of the property of the wife, has been repealed +by special enactments in most of the states. By these state laws, the +real and personal property of the wife owned by her before marriage, or +conveyed to her by any other person than her husband after marriage, +with the rents and profits of such property, is declared to be her own, +and at her disposal, and not liable for the debts of her husband, except +in a few cases specified in the law of each state. In some of these +states, although the property of the wife is not liable for the +husband's debts, he has the control and management, and the rents and +profits of it. + +§9. As the husband, by common law, acquires, by marriage, an interest in +the property of his wife, he becomes liable for her debts contracted +before marriage; but if they are not recovered of him during coverture, +he is discharged _Coverture_, in law, is the state of a married woman, +considered as under _cover_, or under the power of her husband. Some of +the states which have abolished the common law right of the husband to +the property of the wife acquired before marriage, have also abolished +the common law obligation of the husband to pay the debts of the wife +contracted before marriage; her property alone being liable for such +debts. + +§10. The husband is bound to maintain his wife, and is liable for debts +which she may contract for necessaries, but for nothing more. If he +refuses to provide for her wants, or if, through other ill treatment or +fault on his part, they become separate, he is liable to fulfill her +contracts for necessaries, even though he has forbidden persons to trust +her. If they part by consent, and he secures to her a separate +maintenance, and pays it according to agreement, he is not liable, even +for necessaries. + +§11. The husband and wife can not be witnesses for or against each +other; but any declarations made by a wife when acting as agent for her +husband, may be admitted in evidence against him. In a few states, laws +have been proposed, and, it is believed, in some they have been passed, +removing, to some extent, this restriction upon the right of a husband +or wife to the testimony of the other. + + + + +Chapter XLIX. + +Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; +Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants. + + + +§1. Parents, as the natural guardians of their children, are obliged to +provide for their support and education during their minority, or while +they are under twenty-one years of age. At twenty-one they attain the +age of majority, when they are said to be _of age_. Under this age they +are, in law, _infants_, or _minors_. The father, if he is able, is bound +to support his minor children, even if they have property of their own; +but in such case the mother is not so bound. But a husband is not +obliged to maintain the child of his wife by a former husband. If, +however, he takes the child into his family, he is responsible for its +maintenance and education while it lives with him. + +§2. A father may be liable for necessaries sold to a child. But to be so +liable, it must be proved that the contract for the articles was made by +his actual authority, or the circumstances must be sufficient to imply +authority; or that neglect to provide for the child, or some other fault +on the part of the father, rendered assistance to the child necessary. +Being bound to provide for his children, the father has a right to their +labor or service; and he may recover their wages from any person +employing them without his consent. + +§3. In general, a minor cannot bind himself by contract. If he lives +with his father or guardian, by whom he is properly supplied, he can not +bind himself even for necessaries. But if, on contracting a debt, he +agrees to pay it after he shall have become of age, he will then become +liable. If a minor has no father or other guardian, his contracts for +necessaries are binding upon him. + +§4. If a minor takes an estate and agrees to pay rent, he will be liable +for its payment after he shall have become of age. If he receives rents, +he can not demand them again when of age. If he pays money on a +contract, and enjoys the benefit of the contract and then avoids it when +he comes of age, he can not recover back the consideration paid. And if +he avoids an executed contract when he comes of age, on the grounds of +infancy, he must restore the consideration. + +§5. Minors are answerable for crimes, and may be indicted and tried, +and, on conviction, be fined and imprisoned. They are responsible also +for acts of fraud. Their age and the peculiar circumstances in which +they were placed, might be such as to exempt them from liability; but in +cases of gross and palpable fraud committed by minors who have arrived +at the age of discretion, they would be bound by a contract. + +§6. In general, male infants and unmarried females under eighteen years, +may, of their own free will, bind themselves, in writing, to serve as +_apprentices_ and servants, in any trade or employment; males until the +age of twenty-one, and females until the age of eighteen years, or for a +shorter time. But the minor must have the consent of the father; or if +the father is dead, or disqualified by law, or neglects to provide for +his family, consent must be had of the mother; or, if the mother is dead +or disqualified, then of the guardian. + +§7. Pauper children may be bound out by the officers having charge of +the poor. And the laws of many of the states, perhaps of most or all of +them, very properly require, that a person, to whom a poor child is +bound, shall agree to cause such child to be taught to read and write, +and, if a male, to be also instructed in the general rules of +arithmetic. + +§8. Masters have a right to correct their apprentices with moderation +for negligence and misbehavior; and they may recover damage at law of +their apprentices for willful absence. On the other hand, a master may +be prosecuted for ill usage to his apprentice, and for a breach of his +covenant. A master is liable to pay for necessaries for his apprentice, +and for medical attendance, but he is not so liable in the case of a +hired servant. + +§9. When an apprentice becomes immoral and disobedient, an investigation +of the matter may be had by the proper authorities; and for good cause +the indenture may be annulled, and the parties discharged from their +obligations. Upon the death of a master, an apprenticeship is dissolved. + +§10. There is, it is believed, no statute law in any state, particularly +defining the rights and obligations of _hired servants_ and the persons +employing them. Both are obliged to fulfill their agreement. If a hired +servant leaves the service of his employer, without good cause, before +he has worked out the time for which he was hired, he cannot recover his +wages. And for immoral conduct, willful disobedience, or habitual +neglect, he may be dismissed. On the other hand, ill usage, or any +failure on the part of the employer to fulfill his engagement, releases +the laborer from his service. + +§11. How far a master is answerable for the acts of his hired servant, +is not clear. As a general rule, the master is bound for contracts +made, and liable for injuries done, by a servant actually engaged in the +business of his master, whether the injury proceeds from negligence or +from want of skill. But for an injury done by a willful act of the +servant, it is considered that the master is not liable. If the servant +employs another to do his business, the master is liable for the injury +done by the person so employed. But a servant is accountable to his +master for a breach of trust, or for negligence in business, or for +injuring another person in his master's business. + + + + +Chapter L. + +Right of Property. How Title to property is acquired; Wills and +Testaments Title to Property by Descent. + + + +§1. Every citizen of the United States is capable of holding lands, or +real estate, and of taking them by devise, descent, or purchase, and of +selling and conveying away such estate. Aliens, by common law, have not +this power. In many of the states, however, this disability has been +removed by statute. On declaring their intention to become citizens, and +complying with certain regulations, aliens acquire the right to take and +hold real estate to themselves and their heirs. But they may hold and +dispose of personal property without any special enactment. + +§2. To _devise_ property is to give or bequeath it by will. A _will_ is +a written instrument in which a person declares his will concerning the +disposal of his property after his death. It is also called _testament_. +This word is from the Latin _testis_, meaning witness. Hence the word +has come to be applied to this instrument, which is the witness or proof +of a person's will. A person making a will is called _testator_; one who +dies without making a will or testament, is called _intestate_. + +§3. All persons of full age and sound mind, except married women, may +give and bequeath real and personal estate by a last will and testament. +In many of the states, personal estate may be willed at an earlier age. +In a few states, females at eighteen may make a will of real and +personal estate. In a few states, personal estate may be willed +verbally, if the will is within a specified time reduced to writing, and +subscribed by disinterested witnesses. In Ohio such will must be written +within ten days after the speaking of the testamentary words. A will of +this kind is called a _nuncupative_ will. + +§4. In most of the states, laws have been enacted, allowing married +women to hold, in their own exclusive right, all the property, real and +personal, which they owned at the time of marriage, and which they may +acquire after marriage. (Chap. XLVIII, §8.) With the right of possession +is also given, it is presumed, the power of disposing of the property by +will. + +§5. A will devising real estate must be subscribed by at least two, in +some slates three, attending witnesses, in whose presence the testator +must subscribe the will, or acknowledge that he subscribed it, and +declare it to be his last will and testament. If the testator is unable +to sign his will, another person may write the testator's name by his +direction; but he should sign his own name as witness to the will. + +§6. A testator may revoke or alter his will by a later will or writing, +executed in the same manner. But the second will, to revoke the former, +must contain words expressly revoking it, or directing a different +disposal of the property. A will may also be revoked by a sale of the +property. And any alteration of the estate or interest of the testator +in lands devised, is held to be an implied revocation of the will. Lands +purchased after a will has been made, are not conveyed by it. As a +general rule, a will is also revoked by the subsequent marriage of the +testator and birth of a child, unless the wife and child have been +otherwise provided for. The will of an unmarried woman is revoked by her +marriage. + +§7. By the statutes of some states, a child born after the death of the +testator, or born in his lifetime and after the making of the will, +inherits a share of the estate, as if the father had died intestate. In +some other states, the statute goes further, and gives the same relief +to all the children who are not provided for in the will, and who have +not had their portion in the parent's lifetime. + +§8. A _codicil_ is an addition or a supplement to a will, and must be +executed with the same solemnity. It is no revocation of a will, except +in the precise degree in which it is inconsistent with it. + +§9. After the death of a testator, the will is brought before the court +of probate to be proved. (Chap. XX, §5.) When a will has been duly +proved and allowed, the court issues letters testamentary to the +executor. An _executor_ is a person named in the will of a testator to +carry the will into effect. _Letters testamentary_ give him the power to +act in settling the estate of the deceased. If he refuses to act, or is +not lawfully qualified, the court appoints a person, who, in that case, +is called _administrator_; and the court issues _letters of +administration_ with the will annexed. Letters of administration are +also issued in case of a person dying intestate. They give to the +administrator the requisite authority to settle the estate. + +§10. Taking property by _descent_, is the receiving of it from an +ancestor or other relative dying intestate. If a person dies without +making a will, his property falls, or _descends_ to his lawful heirs. +The order or rule of descent is not uniform in this country, being +determined, to a great extent, by the laws of the states. In general, +however, the real estate of an intestate descends, first to his lineal +descendants, that is, persons descending in a direct line, as from +parents to children, and from children to grand-children. The lineal +descendants most nearly related to the intestate, however distant the +relation may be, takes the estate. + +§11. If any children of an intestate are dead, and any are living, the +inheritance descends to the children living, and to the descendants of +the children dead, so that each child living shall receive such share as +he would receive if all were living, and the children of those who are +dead such share as the parents would receive if living. Thus, suppose an +intestate had three sons, one of whom is dead, but has left children. In +this case, each of the sons living would share one-third of the +property, and the children of the deceased son the remaining third. + +§12. But if the children are all dead, and there are grand-children +living, the grand-children share equally, though not an equal number are +children of each parent. If, for example, an intestate dies leaving no +children, but having had two sons, one of whom had left three children, +and the other two, the five share equally in the estate. The laws of +Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, +Louisiana, and Alabama, unless recently altered, are exceptions to this +rule. In these states, and perhaps in a few others, though the children +of the intestate are all dead, the grand-children do not share equally, +but those of each stock, or family, take the portion which their parent +would have taken if living. + +§13. The order of descent is so different in the states, especially when +there are no lineal descendants of an intestate, that it can be +ascertained only by reference to the laws of each state. As a general +rule, real estate passes, (1.) to the lineal descendants; (2.) to the +father; (3.) to the mother; (4.) to the collateral or _side_ relatives, +as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, &c. But even to this general rule +there are exceptions in the laws of some states. + +§14. The rule of descent given in the preceding sections, it will be +seen, relates to _real_, and not to personal estate. The rule in regard +to real estate, and that relating to personal estate, are generally +somewhat different in the same state. + + + + +Chapter LI. + +Deeds and Mortgages. + + + +§1. In whatever manner a person acquires possession of real estate, +whether by devise, descent, purchase, or gift, evidence of possession +consists, usually, in a _deed_, which is a written instrument conveying +real estate to an heir, a purchaser, or a donee. A deed of land sold, +contains the names of the seller and the purchaser, the consideration, +or sum paid for it, and a description of it; and in express words grants +and conveys all the interest of the seller or grantor to the purchaser +and his heirs forever: and the seller affixes his name and seal to the +instrument, usually in the presence of one or more subscribing +witnesses. + +§2. But a deed thus executed does not give to the purchaser sure +possession of the land, until it has been duly recorded in the office of +the proper recording officer of the county in which the land lies; or in +the office of the town clerk, in those states in which conveyances are +required to be there recorded. If the land should be conveyed by the +seller to a subsequent purchaser who should get his deed first on +record, such purchaser would hold the land, unless, before purchasing, +he had had notice of a sale and deed to a prior purchaser. + +§3. In some states, a reasonable time is allowed a purchaser to get his +deed recorded before he loses his right of possession by the earlier +recording of another's deed. In some other states, the time is fixed by +law, and varies in these different states from fifteen days to two +years. But a deed, though not recorded in season to secure the title +against a second purchaser, or though not recorded at all, is good +against the sellor or grantor; and the dispossessed purchaser has a +lawful claim against him for the value of the land. + +§4. A recorder or register may not record a conveyance of land without +proof that it was executed by the person named in it as the maker or +grantor. This proof consists, usually, in a certificate of a proper +officer, on the back or margin of the deed, stating that the person so +named appeared before him, and, being duly sworn, acknowledged that he +was the person who had executed the deed. In every state, judges of +courts and justices of the peace, mayors of cities and aldermen, +notaries public, or some of these officers, and commissioners of deeds +appointed for that special purpose may take acknowledgments. In New York +and a few other states, the acknowledgment may be dispensed with, and +the execution of the deed may be proved by the subscribing witnesses. +Deeds duly acknowledged, are, with the acknowledgments, copied by the +recorder, word for word, in books provided for that purpose. + +§5. As a person can not give a good title unless he has one himself, the +seller or grantor covenants and agrees that he is seized of the premises +in _fee-simple_, (meaning that he is the absolute owner,) and that he +will _warrant and defend_ the premises in the quiet and peaceable +possession of the purchaser and his heirs forever. Hence such deed is +called a _warranty deed_, [For definition of _fee_ and _fee-simple_, see +Chap. LIII, §1.] A _quit-claim_ deed merely conveys the interest or +claim of the grantor. It contains no warranty of title against any other +claimant. + +§6. A _mortgage_ is a grant of land as security for the payment of +money, on condition that, if the money shall be paid according to +contract, the grant shall be void. When only a part of the purchase +money is paid on receiving a deed, the purchaser usually executes a +mortgage to the seller, pledging the land as security for the remainder +of the purchase money. And if the money shall not be paid as agreed, the +land may be sold; but if sold for more than the amount due, the overplus +is to be paid to the mortgager. + +§7 To effect a full conveyance of real estate, a wife must join with +her husband by signing the deed with him; or, in case of the husband's +death in her lifetime, she would be entitled, for life, to the use of +one-third of the estate. This interest of a widow in the estate of a +deceased husband, is called _dower_. It is necessary also for the wife +to acknowledge, before the officer taking the acknowledgment, and apart +from her husband, that she signed the deed freely, and without +compulsion of her husband. In some states, the acknowledgment of the +wife out of the presence of her husband is not required. + + + + +Chapter LII. + +Incorporeal Hereditaments. Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c. + + + +§1. The term _incorporeal hereditaments_ may, to some readers, need +explanation. A _hereditament_ is a thing capable of being inherited. +Land, and all things attached to it by the course of nature or the hands +of men, as trees, herbage, water, buildings, &c., which are comprehended +in the term real estate, are _corporeal_ hereditaments. _Incorporeal_ +hereditaments are inheritable rights which grow out of corporeal +inheritances, or which consist in their enjoyment; as the right of +pasturing a common; a right of passage over the land of another; a right +to the use of waters, sometimes called _aquatic rights_, &c. + +§2. A _right of way_ is a right of private passage over another man's +ground. This right is sometimes granted by the owner of the soil; and to +make it a freehold right, it must be created by deed, though it be only +an easement upon the land of another, and not an interest in the land +itself. An _easement_ is, in general, an accommodation. In law, it is +any privilege or convenience which one has of another, by grant or +otherwise, as a right of way, &c. By the grant of an easement, the +grantee acquires no other right than what is necessary to the fair +enjoyment of the privilege. + +§3. If it is a mere personal right, it can be enjoyed only by the owner +of the right, and when he dies, the right dies with him. But a right of +way belonging to an estate may be conveyed when the land is sold. Thus, +if a man owns lot A and lot B, and he used a way from lot A, over lot B, +to a mill, or to a river; and if he sells lot A with all ways and +easements, the grantee will have the same privilege of passing over lot +B as the grantor had. + +§4. A right of way may arise from necessity. If a man sells a part of +his land, and there is no other way to the remaining part, he is +entitled to a right of way to it over the land sold. And if a man sells +land wholly surrounded by his own land, the purchaser is entitled to a +right of way to it over the other's ground, even though no such right is +reserved. The right of way passes to the purchaser, as necessarily +incident to the grant, or included in it. + +§5. A man having license to conduct lead pipes through the land of +another, may enter on the land, and dig therein, to mend the pipes. The +general rule is, that when the use of a thing is granted, every thing is +granted which is necessary to the enjoyment of its use. + +§6. A person has a temporary right of way over land adjoining a public +highway, if the highway is out of repair, or is obstructed by snow, a +flood, or otherwise. But the right of going upon adjoining lands does +not apply to private ways. A person having a right to a private way over +another's land, has no right to go upon adjoining land, even though the +private way is impassable. + +§7. A right of way sometimes arises by _prescription_; which is the +right or title to a thing derived from long use and enjoyment. Such is +the right which, by common law, a man acquires to land which has been +peaceably held by himself, or by himself and preceding owners, for +twenty years. Although the first occupancy was obtained without grant, +the long free use of the land is, in law, equivalent to a grant, and +implies a valid title. In some states, shorter periods have been fixed +by statute in which a right by prescription may be obtained. In +Pennsylvania, and Ohio, the period is fixed at twenty-one years. + +§8. The owners of land adjoining highways, have a right to the soil to +the centre of the road: the public have only a right of passage while +the road is continued. The owners of the soil may maintain a suit +against any person who encroaches upon the road, or digs up the soil, or +cuts down trees growing on the side of the road. They may carry water in +pipes under it, and have every use of it that does not interfere with +the rights of the public. + +§9. Every proprietor of lands adjoining a stream, has naturally an equal +right to the use of the water that flows in the stream adjacent to his +lands, "as it was wont to run." Each may use the water while it runs +upon his own land; but he can not unreasonably detain it, or give it +another direction; and he must return it to its ordinary channel when it +leaves his estate. He can not, by dams or any obstruction, cause the +water injuriously to overflow the grounds of the neighbor above him, nor +so use or apply it as materially to injure his neighbor below him. + +§10. But this right to the use of waters, as an easement to the land, +may be acquired and lost, or enlarged and abridged, by prescription. A +man may diminish the quantity of the water, or corrupt its quality, by +the exercise of certain trades; and by such use of the water for a +sufficient length of time, he is in law _presumed_ to have acquired it +by grant: and this presumption is the foundation of his right by +prescription. The time of such use and enjoyment of water necessary to +establish such right is twenty years, except in states in which a +different period is fixed by statute. (§7.) + +§11. It is a general and established doctrine, that an exclusive and +uninterrupted enjoyment of water, or of light, or of any other easement, +in any particular way, for twenty years, or for any other period which +in any particular state is the established period of limitation, is a +sufficient enjoyment to raise a presumption of title as against the +right of any other person. The enjoyment is deemed to have been +uninterrupted, whether it has been continued from ancestor to heir, and +from seller to buyer; or whether the use has been enjoyed during the +entire period by one person. + +§12. As a right may be acquired by use, so it may be lost by disuse; and +as an enjoyment for twenty years, or such other period as is prescribed +by statute, is necessary to establish a right; an absolute +discontinuance of the use for such period will raise the presumption +that the right has been released or extinguished. Thus a title to land +may pass from its actual owner by non-occupancy for the period above +stated; and a title to it may be acquired by an undisturbed occupant who +shall hold it in peaceable and uninterrupted possession for the same +period. + + + + +Chapter LIII. + +Leases:--Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; Estates +by Sufferance; Rent, &c. + + + +§1. Real estate, the title to which is conveyed by deed, as +distinguished from other estates in land, is called an _estate of +inheritance_. An estate of inheritance, that is, an estate in lands that +may be transmitted by the owner to his heirs, is a _fee_. No estate is +deemed a fee unless it may continue forever. When it is a pure and +absolute inheritance, clear of any qualification or condition, it is +called a _fee-simple_. + +§2. An interest in lands which is to continue for a limited period, is +usually conveyed by a written instrument called lease. _To lease_, means +to let; but generally to grant the temporary possession of real estate +to another for rent or reward. Sometimes the word _demise_ is used for +ease. The landlord, or person letting the estate, is called _lessor_; +and the tenant, or person to whom the land is leased, is called +_lessee_. Leases for a term longer than one year, are usually required +to be sealed, and in some states, proved and recorded also, as deeds and +mortgages. + +§3. These limited interests in land are divided into estates for life, +estates for years, estates at will, and estates by sufferance. An +_estate for life_ is an estate conveyed to a person for the term of his +natural life. Life estates held by lease, however, are not common in +this country. Another kind of life estate is that which is acquired, not +by the acts of the parties, as by lease, but by the operation of law. +Such is the right of a husband to the real estate of his wife acquired +by her before or after marriage. Such also is the right of dower. (Chap. +XLVIII, §6, 7. Chap. LI, §7.) + +§4. An _estate for years_ is a right to the possession and profits of +land for a determinate period, for compensation, called rent; and it is +deemed an estate for years, though the number of years should exceed the +ordinary limit of human life. And if a lease should be for a less time +than a year, the lessee would be ranked among tenants for years. Letting +land upon shares for a single crop is not considered a lease; and +possession remains in the owner. + +§5. A lessee for years may assign over his whole interest to another, +unless restrained by agreement not to assign without leave of the +lessor. And he may underlet for any less number of years than he himself +holds; but he is himself liable to the landlord. + +§6. A tenant for years, whose lease expires after the land is sown or +planted, and before harvest, is not entitled to the crop, if the lease +is for a certain period; for, knowing that his lease would expire before +harvest time, he might have avoided the loss of his labor. But if the +lease for years depends upon an uncertain event, the occurring of which +would terminate the lease before the expiration of the term, the tenant +would be entitled to the crop, if there were time to reap what has been +sown, in case he should live. It is believed that, in a few states, the +tenant has a right to the crop from grain sown in the autumn before the +expiration of the lease, and cut the next summer after its expiration. + +§7. Where there is an express agreement to pay rent, the tenant can not +avoid payment even if the premises are destroyed by fire or flood, or if +he is in any other manner deprived of their enjoyment and use, even +without any default on his part. Hence, if land should be leased with a +flock of sheep, and the sheep should die, the full rent must be paid. +But if the land should be recovered from the tenant by a person having a +better title than that derived from his landlord, he is not liable for +rent after his use of the land has ceased. + +§8. A tenant can not make repairs at the expense of the landlord, or +deduct the cost of them out of the rent, unless by special agreement. +But if the premises, from want of repair, have become unsafe or useless, +the tenant from year to year may quit without notice; and he would not +be liable for rent after the use had ceased to be beneficial. + +§9. When rent is due, payment may be made or tendered upon the premises; +and if no place of payment has been agreed on, a personal tender off the +land is also good. As to the time of payment, where there is no special +agreement to the contrary, rent is due yearly, half-yearly, or +quarterly, according to the usage of the country. Where there is no +particular usage, the rent is due at the end of the year. + +§10. An _estate at will_ is where land is let to another, to hold at the +will of the lessor. Tenancies at will, strictly such, are not common. +Such estates, when no certain term is agreed on, are construed to be +tenancies from year to year, and each party is bound to give reasonable +notice of an intention to terminate the lease. If the tenant holds over +after the expiration of a lease for years, either by express consent, or +under circumstances implying consent, it is held to be evidence of a new +contract without any definite period, and is construed to be a tenancy +from year to year: and in those states where the old English rule +prevails, six months' notice must be given the tenant to quit. + +§11. What turns leases for uncertain terms into leases from year to +year, is the landlord's reserving annual rent. A tenant placed on land +without any terms prescribed or rent reserved, is strictly a tenant at +will; and it has been held that such tenant is not entitled to notice to +quit; but the general rule now seems to be, that even in such case the +six months' notice is necessary; or, as in some states, a reasonable +notice. + +§12. An _estate at sufferance_ is that which is acquired by a tenant who +has come into lawful possession of land, but who holds over by wrong +after his interest has ceased. He is not entitled to notice to quit; and +where there is no special statute, he is not liable for rent; and the +landlord may enter, and remove the tenant and his goods with such gentle +force as may be necessary. If undue force is used, the landlord would be +liable to an action for forcible entry and detainer. + + + + +Chapter LIV. + +Contracts in General. + + + +§1. A _contract_ is an agreement between two or more persons, by which +the parties agree to do, or not to do, a particular thing. Contracts are +_executory_, when the stipulations remain to be executed, or when one +party agrees to sell and deliver, at a future time, for a stipulated +price, and the other agrees to accept and pay. Contracts are _express_, +when the parties contract in express words, or by writing; _implied_, +when an act has been done which shows that the parties must have +intended to contract; as, when a person employs another to do some +service, it is presumed that the party employing intended to pay for the +labor performed. + +§2. Contracts are also distinguished as specialties and simple +contracts. A _specialty_ is a contract under seal; as a deed, or a bond. +But we shall here consider chiefly that common class of contracts called +_simple contracts_, or _contracts by parol_. _Parol_ signifies by word +of mouth. Applied to contracts, however, it not only means verbal +contracts, but includes written contracts not under seal. Both are +simple contracts; the distinction between them is in the mode of proof. +The mutual understanding of the parties to a verbal contract may be +proved by parol evidence. But as the real intention of parties is more +likely to be expressed in a written contract, the rule of law is, that +parol evidence may not be admitted to contradict or vary the terms of a +written instrument. It may however be admitted to explain what is +doubtful, or to supply some deficiency. + +§3. To make a valid contract, _the parties must be capable of +contracting_. They must be of sound mind. Hence idiots and lunatics are +generally incompetent to make contracts. Contracts by lunatics and +idiots are not necessarily void, but only _voidable_; the validity or +invalidity depending upon facts to be proved. To avoid a contract on the +ground of mental imbecility, it must be proved that the party +contracting was at the time incompetent. But if a general derangement is +once established or conceded, the person is presumed to be incompetent; +and the party seeking to enforce the contract must prove the other to +have been sane. The general rule in the case of idiots is, that if the +party is incapable of acting in the ordinary affairs of life, or in the +particular contract, his idiocy will annul the contract. + +§4. Drunkards also are incompetent to contract while in a state of +intoxication, provided the drunkenness is such as to deprive them of +reason for a time, and create impotence of mind. But for absolute +necessaries, if the drunkard consumes them during his drunkenness, or +keeps them after becoming sober, he is liable. Intoxication only renders +a contract voidable, not void, as the party intoxicated may adopt it on +recovering his understanding. + +§5. Another requisition to a valid contract, is the _mutual assent of +the parties_. A mere offer by one party not assented to or accepted by +the other, constitutes no contract. Assent must also be given freely. A +contract entered into under duress, or compulsion, is not binding; as +where assent is extorted by threats of personal injury. Assent must also +be given with a knowledge of facts. A contract made under an injurious +mistake, or ignorance of a material fact, may be avoided, even though +the fact is not fraudulently concealed. But a mistake made through +ignorance of the law, will not render a contract void. + +§6. A _valuable consideration_ also is necessary to a valid contract. A +_consideration_ is what is given or done, or to be given or done, as the +cause or reason for which a person enters into an agreement. Thus, the +money given or offered, for which a man agrees to perform certain labor, +is the consideration of the agreement. So the money or other thing for +which a promissory note is given, is the consideration. A valuable +consideration is any thing that is either a benefit to the party +promising, or some trouble or injury to the party to whom the promise is +made. + +§7. Mutual promises are sufficient considerations to make a contract +binding; but they must be made at the same time. Such promises support +each other. The promise of one party constitutes a sufficient +consideration for a promise by the other party. In case the parties are +distant from each other, if the proposition is made in writing and sent +by mail, and a letter of acceptance is written and put in the mail, the +contract is complete, unless, before mailing the letter of acceptance, +a second letter has been received containing a retraction of the +proposal. + +§8. Promises which are wholly gratuitous are void; because, being +neither a benefit to the promiser, nor an injury to the promisee, they +are not regarded in law as a valuable consideration. Hence, +subscriptions to public works and charitable, literary, and religious +institutions, if they are merely gratuitous, can not be collected, +unless they have operated to induce others to advance money, make +engagements, or do other acts to their own injury. + +§9. As gratuitous promises are void for want of consideration, so merely +gratuitous services, as voluntarily assisting to save property from +fire, or securing beasts found straying, or paying another's debts +without request, afford no consideration upon which payment for their +value can be lawfully claimed; there being no promise of compensation. +But if a person knowingly permits another to do certain work, as plowing +his field, or hoeing his corn, although the work may have been commenced +without his order or request, his consent will be regarded in law as an +_implied promise_ to pay for the value of the labor, unless the +circumstances of the case are such as to forbid the presumption. + +§10. A consideration must also be _possible_, and in accordance with +law, sound policy, and good morals. A contract founded upon an +impossible consideration is void. No man can be lawfully bound to do +what is not in the power of man to do. But it is otherwise, if the thing +to be done is only at the time impossible in fact, but not impossible in +its nature. Hence, inability from sickness to fulfill an agreement, or +the impossibility of procuring an article of a certain kind or quality +which a person has agreed to deliver, would not exempt him from +liability in damages for the non-performance of his contract. + +§11. A contract, the consideration of which is _illegal_ or _immoral_, +may be avoided by either party. A man can not be held to an agreement to +do acts forbidden by the law of God or by the laws of the state. But if +an illegal contract has been executed; in other words, if the wrong has +been done, the party in the wrong can not renounce the contract; for the +general rule is, that no man can take advantage of his own wrong; and +the innocent party alone has the privilege of avoiding the contract. If +both parties are guilty, neither can, in ordinary cases, obtain relief +on a contract that has been executed. + +§12. The rule that a consideration is necessary to a valid contract +applies to all contracts and engagements not under seal, except bills of +exchange and negotiable notes after they have passed into the hands of +an innocent indorsee. (See Promissory Notes.) In contracts under seal, a +consideration is necessarily _implied_ in the solemnity of the +instrument. + +§13. It is declared by the English statute of frauds, which prevails +generally in the United States, that an agreement which is not to be +performed within one year from the time of making it, shall not be +valid, unless such agreement, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in +writing, and signed by the party to be charged. The statutes of some of +the states have adopted this provision of the English statute, and +require further, that a special promise to answer for the debt, default, +or misdoing of another person, and an agreement or promise upon +consideration of marriage, (except mutual promises to marry,) shall +likewise be void without such writing, in which the consideration shall +be expressed. + + + + +Chapter LV. + +Contracts of Sale. + + + +§1. A Sale is a transfer of the title to property to another person for +a certain price; or the exchange of a commodity for its equivalent value +in money. The exchange of one commodity for another, is _barter_. +Unless the absolute title is conveyed, the contract is merely a +mortgage. The same general principles of law which apply to contracts in +general, are applicable to contracts of sale, viz.: the competency of +the parties to contract; the sufficiency of the consideration; its +legality and morality; the assent of the parties; and the absence of +fraud. + +§2. To make a sale valid, the thing to be sold must have an _actual or a +possible existence_, and be _capable of delivery_. Thus, if A sells a +horse or certain goods to B; and if, at the time of the sale, the horse +is dead, or the good? are destroyed; the sale is void. If the goods are +partially destroyed, the buyer may either take them at a proportionate +reduction of the price, or abandon the contract. + +§3. But, although the thing to be sold has no actual and present +existence; yet if its future existence is possible, and if it is the +product or increase of something to which the seller has a present +right, it is the subject of sale. Thus, a man may sell the wool that may +grow on his sheep, the fruit that may grow on his trees, or the future +increase of his cattle. But he cannot sell the products of the sheep or +cattle which he may hereafter buy. A man may, however, agree to procure +goods which he has not, and to furnish at a future time, for a certain +price; and his contract will be good; though this is not strictly a +sale, but an agreement to sell. + +§4. There can be no sale without a _price_; and the price must be fixed +and definite, or susceptible of being ascertained by reference to some +criterion prescribed in the contract, so as to render any further +negotiation of the parties unnecessary. Thus, a man may agree to pay +what shall be the market price at a particular time, or a price to be +fixed by a third person. The price must also be payable in money or its +negotiable representative, as notes or bills. One article given for +another is merely _barter_. The same principles of law, however, govern +in both cases. + +§5. There must be a _mutual consent of the parties_, and the contract is +binding when a proposition made by one party is accepted by the other. +The negotiation may be carried on by letter, as before stated. (Chap. +LIV, §7.) + +§6. In contracts of sale which are not perfected at once by payment and +delivery, certain formalities are to be observed. These forms generally +are prescribed by what is called the English statute of frauds, which +requires, (1.) that the buyer shall accept and receive part of the goods +sold; or (2.) give something in earnest to bind the bargain, or in part +payment; or (3.) that some note or memorandum in writing of the bargain +shall be made and signed by the party to be charged, or by his +authorized agent. These provisions, however, apply only to cases in +which the price of the goods sold is ten pounds sterling, or more. The +same rule prevails generally in this country, with slight variations in +some states. The price of the goods sold, in cases to which the +provisions of that statute apply, is fixed by law in many of the states, +and varies from $30 to $200. + +§7. To complete a contract of sale, and pass the title to the property +to the buyer, there must be a _delivery of the goods sold_. When the +goods are such as cannot be manually or immediately delivered, or are +not in the actual custody of the seller, the law does not require an +actual delivery. But they must be placed in the power of the purchaser; +or there must be such acts and declarations of the parties as imply a +change of ownership. When the right of property has been transferred to +the buyer, whether by an actual or only a constructive delivery, he +immediately assumes the risk of the goods; so that if they shall be +afterward injured or destroyed, he must bear the loss. + +§8. When nothing is said at the sale as to the time of delivery, or the +time of payment, the buyer is entitled to the goods on payment or tender +of the price, and not other wise; for, though he acquires the _right of +property_ by the contract of sale, he does not acquire the _right of +possession_, until he pays or tenders the price. But if the seller +delivers the goods absolutely, and without fraudulent contrivance on +the part of the buyer, the buyer will hold possession of them. + +§9. But when goods are sold on credit, and nothing is said as to the +time of delivery, the buyer is immediately entitled to the possession. +If, however, it is ascertained, before the buyer obtains possession of +the goods, that he is insolvent, or so embarrassed as to disable him +from meeting the demands of his creditors, the seller may stop the goods +as a security for the price. But if they are stopped without good cause, +or through misinformation, the buyer is entitled to the goods, and to +damages which he may have sustained in consequence of their stoppage. + +§10. In the sale of a chattel, if the seller has possession of the +article, and sells it as his own, he is understood to _warrant the +title_. A fair price implies a warranty of title; and the purchaser may +have satisfaction from the seller, if he sells goods as his own, and the +title proves deficient. But if the possession is at the time in another, +and there is no covenant or warranty of title, the party buys at his +peril. It is thought, however, if the seller affirms that the property +is his own, he warrants the title, though it is not in his possession. + +§11. With regard to the _quality_ of the thing, the seller is not bound +to make good any deficiency, except under special circumstances, unless +be expressly warranted the goods to be sound and good, or unless he made +a fraudulent representation or concealment concerning them. The rule is, +if there is no express warranty by the seller, nor fraud on his part, +and if the article is equally open to the inspection of both parties, +the buyer who examines the article for himself, must abide by all losses +arising from latent defects equally unknown to both parties. + +§12. But this rule does not reasonably apply to cases in which the +purchaser has ordered goods of a certain character, or in which goods of +a certain described quality are offered for sale, and, when delivered, +they do not answer the description. There being no opportunity of +examining them, there is an _implied_ warranty of the quality. An +intentional concealment or suppression of a material fact, when both +parties have not equal access to means of information, is unfair +dealing, and renders the contract void. + +§13. As a general rule, each party is bound to communicate to the other +his knowledge of material facts, provided he knows the other to be +ignorant of them, and they are not open and naked, or equally within the +reach of his observation. Surely the _moral law_ and fair dealing +require, in all cases, a full disclosure of all defects within the +knowledge of the contracting parties. + + + + +Chapter LVI. + +Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c. + + + +§1. The title to property is sometimes transferred with fraudulent +intent. A debtor, to place his property beyond the reach of his +creditors, sells or assigns it to others by way of mortgage, under the +false pretense of securing the payment of a debt; the property to remain +in the possession and use of the assignor. + +§2. Any agreement which operates as a fraud upon third persons, is void. +It is a rule of common law, that all deeds of gift, and all transfers of +goods and chattels made by any person to secure them for his future use, +shall be void as against creditors; and that if property assigned or +sold remains with the seller or assignor, the transaction is to be +presumed fraudulent. But whether such conveyance of goods is only _prima +facie_ (at first view) evidence of fraud, which the vendee or assignee +may rebut by proving the sale or assignment to have been made honestly +and in good faith; or whether the transaction is fraudulent in point of +_law_, and void, is a question upon which the decisions of the courts +in England as well as those in this country differ, and which, +therefore, may be considered as not conclusively settled. + +§3. Some have made a distinction between bills of sale and assignments +that are absolute and those that are conditional. The supreme court of +the United States has affirmed the doctrine that an absolute and +_unconditional_ bill of sale or conveyance, when the property is +retained in possession, is of itself conclusive evidence of fraud; in +other words, it is presumed to be fraud in point of law, whatever it may +be in fact. It has been held by the same court, that a conveyance with a +_condition_ that the property is to remain with the vendor until the +condition shall be performed, or a conveyance in the nature of a +mortgage or security, expressing an agreement between the parties, that +the mortgager shall retain possession, is valid. + +§4. In some states, the doctrine established by the courts is, that a +continuance of possession is only _prima facie_ evidence of fraud; in +which case the mortgagee or assignee is allowed to show by proof, that +the conveyance was made in good faith and for a valuable consideration. +In other states, the strict rule prevails, that, without a change of +possession, the transaction is fraudulent _in law_; in which case the +assignee, or person claiming the property under the assignment, is not +permitted to show that, in point of _fact_, the transaction was _bona +fide_, (in good faith.) + +§5. The rule that holds every conveyance to be fraudulent unless the +property immediately changes hands, often operates to inconvenience and +even injury of honest debtors. A debtor may be obliged to part with +property, however convenient or needful its present use may be to him, +when, but for this stringent rule of law, he might borrow the money to +pay a debt, or procure a postponement of payment, and retain the use of +the property pledged. + +§6. In many of the states, this perplexing question has been settled by +statute. In the state of New-York, the law expressly declares, that a +sale or an assignment without immediate delivery and a change of +possession, shall be presumed to be fraudulent and void as against +creditors, unless the party claiming the property under the assignment +shall make it appear that the same was made in good faith, and without +any attempt to defraud. Laws more or less similar to this, and securing +to the assignor the use of the mortgaged property, are believed to exist +in a majority of the states. The instruments conveying the property are +usually called _chattel mortgages_, and are required to be recorded as +deeds; in New-York, and perhaps a few other states, only filed in the +town or county clerk's office. + +§7. In the sale of personal property, though there should be a judgment +against the vendor, and the purchaser should have notice of it, that +fact would not of itself render the sale fraudulent. But if the +purchaser, knowing of the judgment, purchases with the view or purpose +to defeat the creditor's execution, the transaction is fraudulent. The +question of fraud depends upon the motive. + +§8. Assignments are sometimes made by debtors for the benefit of their +creditors. A person deeply indebted, or in embarrassed circumstances, +assigns his property, in trust, to one or more persons, who are to +dispose of it, and to apply the avails to the payment of his creditors, +or a part of them; for the law does not forbid a debtor's giving a +preference to one or more creditors over others, provided the assignment +is for a sufficient consideration. A debtor may directly assign or +transfer all his property to a single creditor, and the assignment be +valid; but if the value of the property is manifestly excessive, and +disproportionate to the debt which it is intended to cover, the other +creditors have a right to the surplus. + +§9. When an embarrassed debtor agrees to pay his creditors a certain +proportion of their claims in consideration of a discharge of their +demands, if he privately agrees to give a better or further security to +one than to others, the contract is void; because the condition upon +which they agree to discharge the debtor is, that they shall share +equally. + +§10. A gift, or conveyance founded merely upon a consideration of +affection, or blood, or consanguinity, may be set aside by creditors, if +the grantor was in embarrassed circumstances when he made it; for a man +is bound, both legally and morally, to pay his debts before giving away +his property. But if he is indebted to only a small amount in proportion +to the value of his property, and wholly unembarrassed, the gift is not +rendered voidable by his indebtedness, even though he should afterwards +become insolvent. + + + + +Chapter LVII. + +Bailment. + + + +§1. The word _bailment_ is from _bail_, French, to deliver. (Chap. +XVIII, §14.) Bailment, in law, is a delivery of goods, in trust, upon +agreement that the trust shall be executed, and the goods restored by +the bailee, when the purpose of the bailment shall have been, answered. + +§2. A person who receives goods to be kept and returned without reward, +must keep them with reasonable care, or, if they receive injury, he will +be liable for the damage: in other words, he is responsible only for +gross neglect. Gross neglect is a want of that care which every man of +common sense takes of his own property. A _depositary_, who is a person +with whom goods are deposited, has no right to use the goods intrusted +to him. + +§3. A _mandatary_, or one who undertakes to do an act for another +without recompense, in respect to the thing bailed to him, is +responsible for gross neglect, if he undertakes and does the work amiss; +but it is thought that for agreeing to do, and not undertaking or doing +at all, he is not liable for damage. + +§4. The borrower of an article, as a horse, carriage, or book, without +reward, is liable for damage in case of slight neglect. But if the +article is applied only to the use for which it is borrowed, is used +carefully by the borrower only, and returned within the time for which +it was borrowed, he is not liable. + +§5. Property taken in pledge as security for a debt or an engagement, +must be kept with ordinary care; in other words, the pawnee is +answerable only for ordinary neglect; and if the goods should then be +lost or destroyed, the pawner is still liable for the debt. If the +pawnee derives any profit from the use of the property, he must apply +the profits, after deducting necessary expenses, toward the debt. + +§6. Another kind of bailment is the hiring of property for a reward. If +an article is injured or destroyed without any fault on the part of the +hirer, the loss falls on the owner, for the risk is with him. + +§7. If work or care is to be bestowed for a recompense on the thing +delivered, the workman is liable for ordinary neglect; and the work must +be performed with proper skill, or he is answerable for damage. If a +tailor receives cloth to be made into a coat, he is bound to do it in a +workmanlike manner. + +§8. Innkeepers are in general responsible for all injuries to the goods +and baggage of their guests, even for thefts. But for loss caused by +unavoidable accident, or by superior force, as robbery, they are not +liable. + +§9. A person who carries goods for hire in a particular case, and not as +a common carrier, is answerable only for ordinary neglect, unless he +expressly takes the risk of a common carrier. + +§10. A common carrier is one who carries goods for hire as a common +business, whether by land or by water, and is responsible to the owner +of the goods, even if robbed of them. He is in the nature of an insurer, +and is answerable for all losses, except in cases of the act of God, as +by lightning, storms, floods, &c. and public enemies, as in time of war. + +§11. A common carrier is bound to receive from any person paying or +tendering the freight charges, such goods as he is accustomed to carry, +and as are offered for the place to which he carries. But he may refuse +to receive them if he is full, or if they are dangerous to be carried, +or for other good reasons. He may refuse to take them unless the charges +are paid; but if he agrees to take payment at the end of the route, he +may retain them there until the freight is paid. A carrier must deliver +freight in a reasonable time; but he is not liable for loss by the +freezing of a river or canal during his voyage, if he has used due +diligence. + +§12. Proprietors of a stage coach do not warrant the safety of +passengers as common carriers; and they are not responsible for mere +accidents to the persons of the passengers, but only for the want of due +care. Slight fault, unskillfulness, or negligence, either as to the +sufficiency of the carriage, or to the driving of it, may render the +owner responsible in damages for injury to passengers. But as public +carriers, they are answerable for the loss of a box or parcel of goods, +though ignorant of its contents, unless the owner fraudulently conceals +the value or nature of the article, or deludes the carrier by treating +it as of little or no value. Public carriers are responsible for the +baggage of their passengers, though they advertise it as being at the +risk of the owners. + + + + +Chapter LVIII. + +Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c. + + + +§1. An _agent_, or factor, is a person intrusted with the management of +the business of another, who is called _principal_. The words _agent_ +and _factor_ both signify a deputy, a substitute, or a person acting +for another; but _agent_ seems to be the more comprehensive term, being +applied to one who is intrusted by another with any kind of business; +_factor_ more properly denotes an agent employed by merchants residing +in other places to buy and sell, and transact certain other business on +their account. A factor, from his being commissioned or authorized to +act for his principal, and especially if allowed a commission, or a +certain rate per cent, of the value of the goods bought or sold, is +called a _commission merchant_. + +§2. If a factor advances money on property intrusted to him, he can hold +it until the money shall be refunded, and all charges paid. If the +actual owner of the property is unknown to the factor, the person in +whose name the goods were shipped, is to be deemed the owner. + +§3. The right of a factor to hold property against the owner in +satisfaction of a demand, is called _lien_; and the factor may sell the +goods to satisfy his claim; but he must pay the surplus, if any, to the +principal or owner. A factor can not pledge goods intrusted to him for +sale, as security for his own debts. If he disposes of merchandise +intrusted or consigned to him, and applies the avails to his own use, +with intent to defraud the owner, he may be punished by fine and +imprisonment. + +§4. How far, in ordinary business, a principal is bound by the acts of +an agent, it is not easy to determine. As a general rule the acts of a +general agent; that is, one who either transacts all kinds of business +for his employer, or who does all acts connected with a particular +business or transaction, or which relate to some particular department +of business, bind his principal, so long as he keeps within the general +scope of his authority, though he may in some special cases act contrary +to his private instructions. But an agent employed for a particular +purpose, if he goes beyond the limits of his power, does not bind his +principal. + +§5. An agent is bound, in ordinary cases, to observe the instructions of +his principal, even though an act contrary to such instructions should +be intended for the benefit of the principal. The agent must bear, +personally, all losses growing out of a non-compliance with his orders; +and the profit accruing therefrom goes to the benefit of the principal. +An agent, however, is excused from a strict compliance with his orders, +if, after receiving them, some sudden and unforeseen emergency has +arisen, in consequence of which such compliance would operate as an +injury to the principal, and frustrate his intention. + +§6. When an agent receives no instructions, he must conform to the usage +of trade, or to the custom applicable to the particular agency; and any +deviation therefrom, unless justified by the necessity of the case, +renders him solely liable for any loss or injury resulting from it. + +§7. An agent is bound to exercise ordinary diligence and reasonable +skill; and he is responsible only for the want thereof. Ordinary +diligence is that which persons of common prudence use in conducting +their own affairs. Reasonable skill is that usually possessed by persons +of common capacity employed in the same business. + +§8. If an agent exceed the limits of his authority, he becomes +personally responsible to the person with whom he deals, if the +limitations of his authority are unknown to such person. He is in like +mariner responsible, if he makes a contract in his own name; or if he +does not disclose the name of the principal, so as to enable the party +with whom he deals to have recourse to the principal in case the agent +had authority to bind him. And if the agent even buys in his own name, +but for the principal, and without disclosing his name, the principal +also is bound, provided the goods come to his use. Also if the principal +is under age, or a lunatic, or otherwise incompetent to contract, the +agent is liable. + +§9. A _broker_ is an agent employed to negotiate sales between parties +for a compensation in the form of a commission, which is commonly called +_brokerage_. His business consists chiefly in negotiating exchanges; or +in buying and selling stocks, goods, ships, or cargoes; or in procuring +insurances and settling losses; and as he confines himself to one or the +other of these branches, he is called an exchange broker, stock broker, +insurance broker, &c. A broker differs from a factor. He has not the +custody of the goods of his principal. He is merely empowered to effect +the contract of sale; and when this is done, his agency ends. If a +broker executes his duties in such a manner that no benefit results from +them, or is guilty of gross misconduct in selling goods, he is not +entitled to a commission or compensation. + +§10. A _lien_, as the claim of a factor upon goods intrusted to him for +sale, has been noticed. (§3.) The right of lien extends to others than +factors. It is intended also for the benefit of manufacturers, +mechanics, and other persons carrying on business for the accommodation +of the public. A tailor has a lien upon the garment made from another's +cloth until he is paid for the making; a shoemaker upon the shoes made +from another's leather; a blacksmith upon the horse he has shod; an +innkeeper upon the horse or goods of his guest; and common carriers upon +the goods they transport. But they cannot hold the property for any +other debt; nor can they sell it to satisfy their claim. Whenever a +person allows property to go out of his possession, he loses his lien. + + + + +Chapter LIX. + +Partnership. + + + +§1. A partnership is an association formed by contract between two or +more persons, for joining their money, labor, or skill, in lawful +business, the profits to be divided and the loss to be borne by the +partners in certain proportions. It is a partnership if one furnishes +the funds and the other performs the labor; or if, when no money is +necessary, each agrees to do his share of the labor. A partnership or +association of this kind is denominated a _firm_, or _house_. + +§2. The act of any one of the firm is considered the act of all, and +binds all; and either of them is liable for all the debts. But if a bill +or note is drawn by one partner in his own name only, without appearing +to be on partnership account, he alone is bound, though it were made for +a partnership purpose. A partner buying goods on his own account for his +individual use, is alone liable; but if they afterward go to the use of +the partnership, all become responsible. + +§3. Sometimes a person agrees to receive, by way of rent, a portion of +the profits of a farm, a tavern, or a manufactory; or an agent or a +clerk receives a share of the profits for his labor. But as there is in +these cases no partnership, the persons who buy the stock and hire the +labor are alone responsible. + +§4. All the partners must unite in suing and being sued. One who should +conceal his name so as not to be known when the debt is contracted, may +be sued when discovered to be a partner, if he shares in the profits of +the trade. + +§5. A partner cannot sell his interest to another person, who is to take +his place in the partnership, without the consent of all the partners: +nor can a partner, without such consent, withdraw when he pleases, and +dissolve the partnership, except in cases in which the partnership is +without any definite term. A partnership is dissolved by the death, +insanity, bankruptcy, or other inability of one of the parties. + +§6. When a partnership is dissolved by the withdrawal of any of the +partners, notice of dissolution ought to be duly published, or a firm +may be bound by a contract made by one partner in the usual course of +business and in the name of the firm, with a person who contracted on +the faith of the partnership, and who had no notice of the dissolution. +The same notice is necessary to protect a retiring partner from +continued responsibility. And even if due notice is given, yet, if he +willingly suffers his name to continue in the firm, or in the title of +the firm over the door of the shop or store, he may in certain cases be +liable. + +§7. In some of the states, a partnership may be formed by a number of +persons, some of whom are to be responsible only to a limited amount; +and their names are not to be used in the firm. Before a partnership of +this kind can do business, a writing and certificate signed by the +parties stating the terms of partnership, and the amount for which the +_special partners_ (as they are called) are to be responsible must be +recorded. The terms of partnership must also be published in a +newspaper. + +§8. In these _limited_ partnerships, as they are termed, the special +partners are liable only to the amount stated in the terms of +partnership. The other partners, called _general partners_, whose names +only are used, and who transact the business, are liable for all the +debts contracted, as in ordinary partnerships. If such partnership is to +be dissolved by act of the parties before the expiration of the term for +which it is formed, notice of dissolution must be filed and recorded, +and published in a newspaper. Such is the law in the state of New York; +and it is presumed to agree, in its most essential provisions, with the +laws of the other states in which these partnerships are authorized. + + + + +Chapter LX. + +Promissory Notes. + + + +§1. A promissory _note_ is a written promise to pay a specified sum at a +certain time, to a person named, or to his order, or to the bearer. A +common form of a note is the following: + + $100. Albany, June 9, 1859. + + Three months after date, I promise to pay to James Smith, or + bearer, one hundred dollars, value received. + + John Brown. + +§2. A note thus payable to Smith or bearer, or to him or his order, is +called _negotiable_, because it may be sold or transferred to any other +person, who has the same power to sue for and collect the money, as +Smith, the original promisee. If it were made payable to Smith _or +order_, he must indorse it by writing his name on the back of it, before +it would pass as a negotiable note. The indorsement is considered as the +order of Smith to the maker to pay it to any other person. But, though +not negotiable, it might be transferred; but the holder must sue in the +name of Smith, and Brown might offset any demands which he has against +Smith. + +§3. An indorsement, made by writing the name only on the back of a note, +is called a _blank_ indorsement. A full indorsement is one which points +out the person to whom the note is to be paid. A blank indorsement may +be filled up at any time by the holder. For example: A note is payable +to "John Jay or order," or to "the order of John Jay," who indorses it +in blank which makes it payable to any other holder. Now if any holder +or indorsee wishes it paid to any particular person, he fills up the +blank by writing a request to that effect above the name of the +indorser, thus: "Pay to George Bruce," or "Pay to George Bruce or +order;" who, again, may by indorsement order it paid to some particular +person. Or, if he should indorse it in blank, or order it paid "to the +_bearer_," it would again pass, as at first, by mere delivery. + +§4. In common business transactions in the country, notes intended to be +negotiable are usually made payable to bearer, as in the form given. +(§1.) The young reader, or other person inexperienced in business, may +not know why they are not always so written. The making of a note +payable to order protects the holder or owner in case the note should be +lost. Take, for example, the note supposed in the preceding section, +indorsed in blank. Suppose the owner resides in Buffalo, and the maker +in Detroit. The owner writes over the name of John Jay, "Pay to George +Bruce," also residing in Detroit, to whom it is sent by mail, to be by +him presented to the maker for payment. And should the note by accident +or fraud fall into the hands of another, it being payable to Bruce only, +or to his order, the parties are protected from loss. + +§5. As a contract is not binding without a valuable consideration, +(Chap. LIV, §6,) the words "value received" are inserted in notes, as +evidence of such consideration. But where there is no statute requiring +the insertion of these words, a note is good without them. Whether they +are inserted or not, the note is presumed to have been given for a +valuable consideration; and the maker, to avoid his obligation to pay +it, must make it appear that no value was received. + +§6. A note made by two or more persons may be joint or joint or several. +When it is written, "We promise to pay," it is only a joint note, and +all must be sued together. If written, "We jointly and severally promise +to pay," they may be sued either jointly or separately. Also if written +"I promise to pay," it is treated as a joint and several note. A note +written, "We promise," and signed, A. B., principal, and C. D., +security, is the joint note of both; and if written, "I promise," and +signed in the same manner, it is the joint and several note of both. + +§7. Any person having in possession a negotiable note, though a mere +agent, is deemed the true owner, and may sue it in his own name, without +showing title. The _bona fide_ holder can recover upon the paper, though +it came to him from a person who had stolen or robbed it from the true +owner; provided he took it innocently in the course of trade for a +valuable consideration before it was due, and with due caution. But if +suspicion is cast upon the title of the holder, by showing that the +instrument has got into circulation by force or fraud, then the holder +must show the consideration he gave for it. + +§8. Ordinarily, a person can not convey to another a valid title to +property which is not lawfully his own; and hence the purchaser of +stolen goods must give them up to the lawful owner. The exception to +this rule, in the case of promissory notes, seems to be founded in +reason and good policy. The use of negotiable paper in commercial +transactions is of great public convenience; and it is proper that, for +the sake of trade, protection should be given to the holder of such +paper who receives it fairly in the way of business, though it has been +paid, if he received it before it fell due. + +§9. But it is equally material for the interests of trade, that the +owner should have due protection. Hence if a person takes a note from a +stranger without inquiring how he came by it; or does not take it in the +usual course of business, or for some responsibility incurred on the +credit of the note, he takes it at his peril. But the owner, in order to +place his right to relief beyond question, ought to use diligence in +apprising the public of the loss of the note. + +§10. A person buying a note after it has become due, takes it at his +peril. Although the holder may sue it in his own name, the maker may +offset any demands which he had against the promisee before it was +transferred, as in the case of notes not negotiable. (§2.) But when +notes in which no day of payment is expressed comes under this rule, is +a question to be determined by circumstances. In New Jersey and +Pennsylvania, the words "without defalcation or discount," or words to +that effect, must be inserted in notes, or they may be met by offsets as +notes that are bought after due. + +§11. A note made payable in some commodity is not negotiable. If it is +not paid according to the conditions therein expressed, the maker +becomes liable to pay in cash. But in either case, if it passes to a +third person, he can sue it only in the name of the promisee or payee; +and it may be met by offsets as other notes not negotiable, (§2,) and +notes bought after due. (§10.) + +§12. Notes payable _on demand_, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, are due immediately, and no demand of payment is necessary. +But a note payable _at sight_, or at a specified time after sight, must +be presented for payment before it can be sued. If the words "with +interest" are omitted, interest commences at the time the note becomes +due. If payable on demand, it will draw interest from the time when +payment is demanded. + +§13. After the day on which a note is made payable, the maker has three +days in which to make payment, which are called _days of grace_. Hence, +a note payable on the first day of the month is not due and suable until +the fourth. If, however, the last day of grace falls on Sunday, or the +fourth of July, or any other day recognized by law as a holiday, or day +of public rest, the last day of grace would be a day earlier. If the +fourth of July or any other holiday should come on Saturday, the note +would be due on Friday. Or if such day should fall on Monday, the last +day of grace would be Saturday. + +§14. To hold the indorser of a note responsible, payment must be +demanded of the maker on the last day of grace. As to the time of day +when the demand should be made, it is considered that the maker is +entitled to the latest convenient time within the customary business +hours of the place where the note is presented. + +§15. If payment has been demanded and refused, notice thereof must be +given to the indorser; and one entire day is allowed the holder to give +the notice. If the demand is made on Saturday, it is sufficient to give +notice on Monday. If the indorser resides in the same town, he may be +notified personally by the holder, or by a messenger sent to his +dwelling-house, where notice may be given personally, or left in a way +likely to bring it to his knowledge. If the parties reside in different +towns, notice may be sent by mail; in which case, the notice must be +put into the post-office, as early as the next day after the last day of +grace, so as to be forwarded as soon as possible thereafter: or notice +may be sent by a private conveyance or a special messenger. + +§16. If, in consequence of the removal of the maker before the note +becomes due, or from any other cause, his residence is unknown, the +holder must make endeavors to find it, and make the demand there; +though, if he has removed out of the state, it is sufficient to present +the note at his former place of residence. If the maker has absconded, +that will, as a general rule, excuse the demand. + +§17. Notes, on being transferred, are guarantied by indorsement. If a +person simply writes his name on the back, he is liable as indorser +only. If he guarantees "the payment of the note," he is generally +considered liable as an original promisor. If he guaranties the note +"good," or "collectable," the maker, and the indorsers also, if any, +must be sued, before the guarantor is liable. Strict notice to a +guarantor is not required to bind him, as in the case of an indorser. +But to hold him liable in case immediate notice is not given, or the +note is not immediately sued, it must be shown that he has not suffered +injury from want of notice, or that the note was not collectable of the +maker or indorsers when due. But the kind of liability incurred, whether +that of indorser, original promisor, or surety, by indorsing a note or +guarantying payment, is not the same in all the states. There are sundry +other points in the law relating to promissory notes, on which the +statutes and judicial decisions are not uniform in all the states. + + + + +Chapter LXI. + +Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury. + + + +§1. A bill _of exchange_ is a written order or request to a person in a +distant place, to pay a third person a certain sum of money. The +following is a common form: + + $1,000. New-York, August 10, 1859. + + Twenty days after date, (or at sight, or ten days after sight,) pay + to the order of John Stiles, one thousand dollars, value received, + and charge the same to account of + + To George Scott, Thomas Jones. + + New Orleans, La. + +§2. Bills drawn on persons in foreign countries, are called _foreign_ +bills of exchange; those drawn on persons in distant places in our own +country, are called _inland_ bills of exchange. To persons in mercantile +business they are of great convenience, as will be seen from the +following example of their nature and operation. + +§3. A, in New-York, has $1,000 due him from B, in New Orleans. A draws +an order on B for that sum, and C, who is going to New Orleans, pays A +the money, takes the order, and receives his money again of B. Thus A is +accommodated by receiving his debt against B, and O has avoided the risk +of carrying the money from place to place. A, who draws the order, or +bill, is called the _drawer_. B, to whom it is addressed, is the +_drawee_; C, to whom it is made payable, is the _payee_. As the bill is +payable to C, or his order, he may, by indorsment, direct the bill to be +paid to D; in which case C becomes the _indorser_, and D, to whom the +bill is indorsed, is called the _indorsee_ or _holder_. + +§4. If, when a bill is presented to the drawee, he agrees to pay it, he +is said to _accept_ the bill, and writes his acceptance upon it. An +acceptance may, however, be by parol. The acceptor of a bill is the +principal debtor; the drawer, the surety. The acceptor is bound, though +he accepted without consideration, and for the sole accommodation of +the drawer. But payment must be demanded on the last day of grace; and, +if refused, notice of non-payment must be given to the drawer, as in the +case of an indorsed promissory note. (Chap. LX, §15.) + +§5. No precise time is fixed by law at which bills payable at sight or a +certain number of days after sight, must be presented to the drawee for +acceptance; though an unreasonable delay might discharge the drawer. A +bill payable on a certain day after date, need not be presented before +the day of payment, but if presented before due, and acceptance is +refused, it is dishonored; and notice must be given immediately to the +drawer. If a bill has been accepted, payment must be demanded of the +acceptor, when the bill falls due; and if no place is appointed for +payment, the demand must be made at his house or residence, or upon him +personally. + +§6. A check upon a bank, (Chap. XXIV, §3,) is another kind of negotiable +paper. It partakes more of the nature of a bill of exchange than of a +promissory note. It is not a direct promise to pay; but it is an +undertaking, by the drawer, that the drawee shall accept and pay; and +the drawer is answerable only when the drawee fails to pay. A check +payable to bearer passes by delivery; and the bearer may sue on it as on +an inland bill of exchange. + +§7. When a foreign bill of exchange is to be presented for acceptance or +payment, demand is usually made by a _notary public_; and in case of +refusal, his certificate of the presentment of the bill and of the +refusal, is legal proof of the fact in any court. This certificate is +called _protest_, which means, _for proof_. A protest may be noted on +the day of the demand; though it may be drawn up in form at a future +period. Notaries are appointed in all towns and cities of commercial +importance. + +§8. A protest of an inland bill of exchange is not generally deemed +necessary in this country; though it is the practice to have bills, +drawn in one state on persons in another, protested by a notary. No +protest is legal evidence in court, except in the case of a foreign +bill. Yet it is expedient, in many cases of inland bills, to employ +notaries when evidence is to be preserved, because they are easily found +when wanted as witnesses. In some states, bills drawn in one state and +payable in another, are deemed foreign bills; and their protest as such +is required. Notes payable at banks are also protested for non-payment. + +§9. _Interest_ is a premium paid for the use of money, or a profit per +cent, received for money lent, or on an unpaid demand. Thus a person +lends $1,000 to another person, who pays for the use of it six per cent, +a year, or $6 for every hundred, as interest. The rate of interest is +fixed by a law of the state. + +§10. The established lawful rates of interest in the several states are +as follows: _Six_ per cent, in all but the following: In New-York, +Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, _seven_ per cent.; in Alabama and Texas +_eight_ per cent.; in Louisiana, _five_ per cent.; bank interest _six_; +in California, _ten_ per cent. But there may be taken by special +agreement, in Florida and Louisiana, _eight_ per cent.; in Mississippi, +Arkansas, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, _ten_; in Texas and Wisconsin, _twelve_; +in Minnesota and California, any rate. In Illinois and Michigan, for +money loaned, it may be _ten_. In Mississippi, for the _bona fide_ use +of money _eight_ per cent. + +§11. A rate of interest beyond that which is established by law, is +_usury_. Not only can no more be collected on any contract or obligation +than the legal rate, but in most of the states there is some forfeiture +for taking usurious interest. In a few, the obligation is void, and the +payment of no part of the debt can be enforced by law; in others, twice +or thrice the excess above the lawful interest is forfeited; and in +some, only the excess paid can be recovered. + + + + +Chapter LXII. + +Crimes and Misdemeanors. + + + +§1. The statutes of each state define the crimes of which its laws take +cognizance. The definitions given in this chapter, agree substantially, +it is presumed, with those of similar crimes in every state in the +union. The statutes also prescribe the penalties, which are not +precisely the same in all the states. Nor is there in any state an equal +measure of punishment inflicted in all cases for the same offense. The +laws usually declare the longest and the shortest terms of imprisonment, +and the highest and lowest fines, leaving the exact measure of +punishment, except for crimes punishable by death, to the discretion of +the judges, to be fixed according to the aggravation of the offense. + +§2. The laws of the several states differ in respect to the number of +crimes made punishable by death. In some states the penalty of death is +annexed to the crime of murder only. Treason is punishable by death; but +as this offense is defined and made punishable by the laws of the United +States, not all the states take cognizance of it. If committed in such +states, it is tried in the courts of the United States. In New York, +murder, treason, and arson in the first degree, are punishable by death. +Few states make more than these crimes thus punishable. In two or three +states, the penalty of death has been abolished, and imprisonment for +life substituted. + +§3. Crimes punishable by death, are called _capital_ crimes, and their +punishment is called _capital_ punishment. The word capital is from the +Latin _caput_, which means head; and so has come to signify the highest +or principal. Hence, probably, the application of the word capital to +the principal crimes receiving the highest punishment, which was +formerly practiced extensively in other countries by beheading or +_decapitating_ the criminals. + +§4. _Treason_ is defined by statute to be, levying war in any state +against the people of the state; or a combination of two or more +persons, attempting by force to usurp or overturn the government of the +state; or in adhering to enemies of the state while separately engaged +in war with a foreign enemy, and giving them aid and comfort. + +§5. _Murder_ is the killing of a person deliberately and maliciously, +and with intent to effect death; or killing a person in committing some +other crime, though not with a design to effect death; or in killing a +person purposely and without previous deliberation. The less aggravated +cases of murder, are in some states distinguished as murder in the +second degree, and punished by imprisonment for a long term, or for +life. + +§6. _Manslaughter_ is killing a person either upon a sudden quarrel, or +unintentionally while committing some unlawful act. The statutes of New +York define four different degrees of manslaughter. + +§7. _Arson_ is maliciously burning any dwelling-house, shop, barn, or +any other building, the property of another. Arson in the first degree, +which is burning an inhabited dwelling _in the night time_, is in some +states punishable with death. + +§8. _Homicide_ signifies mankilling. It is of three kinds: felonious, +justifiable, and excusable. When felonious, it is either murder or +manslaughter. _Justifiable_ homicide is that which is committed in the +necessary defense of one's person, house, or goods, or of the person of +another when in danger of injury; or that which is committed in lawfully +attempting to take a person for felony committed, or to suppress a riot, +or to keep the peace. _Excusable_ homicide is the killing of a person by +accident, or while lawfully employed, without any design to do wrong. In +the two last cases there is no punishment. + +§9. Intentionally _maiming_ another by cutting out or disabling the +tongue or any other member or limb; inveigling or _kidnapping_; +_decoying_ and taking away children; _exposing children_ in the street +to abandon them; committing or attempting an assault with _intent to +kill_, or to commit any other felony, or in resisting the execution of a +legal process; _administering poison_ without producing death; +_poisoning any well_ or spring of water; are all felonies, and +punishable as such. + +§10. _Burglary_ is maliciously and forcibly breaking into and entering +in the night time, any dwelling-house or other building, with intent to +commit a crime. Breaking into and entering a house by day, is considered +a minor degree of burglary. + +§11. _Forgery_ consists in falsely making, counterfeiting, or altering +any instrument of writing, with intent to defraud. The word +_counterfeiting_ is generally applied to making false coin or bank +notes, or in passing them; or in having in possession any engraved +plate, or bills unsigned, which are intended to be used for these +purposes. + +§12. _Robbery_ is the taking of personal property from another in his +presence and against his will, by violence, or by putting him in fear of +immediate injury to his person. Knowingly to send or deliver, or to make +for the purpose of being sent, a letter or writing, threatening to +accuse any one of crime, or to do him some injury, with intent to extort +or gain from him any money or property, is considered an _attempt to +rob_, for which the offender may be imprisoned. + +§13. _Embezzlement_ is fraudulently putting to one's own use what is +intrusted to him by another. To buy or receive property knowing it to +have been embezzled, is to be guilty of the same offense. Embezzling is +usually punishable in the same manner as larceny of the same amount. + +§14. _Larceny_ is theft or stealing. The stealing of property above a +certain amount in value is called _grand larceny_, and is a state prison +offense. If the value of the property stolen is of less amount, the +offense is called _petit larceny_, and is punished by fine or +imprisonment in jail or both. + +§15. _Perjury_ is willfully swearing or affirming falsely to any +material matter, upon an oath legally administered. _Subornation of +perjury_ is procuring another to swear falsely; punishable as perjury. + +§16. _Bribery_ is promising or giving a reward to a public officer, to +influence his opinion, vote or judgment. A person _accepting_ such +bribe, is punishable in the same manner, and forfeits his office, and, +in some states, may never hold another public trust. This offense is not +in all the states punishable by imprisonment in the state prison. + +§17. _Dueling_ is a combat between two persons with deadly weapons. +Killing another in a duel is murder, and punishable with death. If death +does not ensue, imprisonment. Challenging, or accepting a challenge to +fight, or to be present as a second, imprisonment. Dueling is not a +punishable offense in every state. + +§18. Aiding or attempting to aid a prisoner committed for felony, to +_escape from confinement_, or forcibly rescuing a prisoner charged with +crime, from the custody of a public officer, is a crime. If the offense +for which the prisoner is committed is less than felony, the punishment +is imprisonment in jail, or fine, or both. + +§19. _Bigamy_ is the crime of having two or more wives, and is also +called _polygamy_. But bigamy literally signifies having _two_ wives, +and polygamy any number more than one. These words, in law, are applied +also to women having two or more husbands. A person having a lawful +husband or wife living, and marrying another person, is guilty of +bigamy. An unmarried person, also, who shall marry the husband or wife +of another, is punishable in like manner. + +§20. _Incest_ is the marrying or cohabiting together as husband and +wife, of persons related to each other within certain degrees. + +§21. _Opening a grave_ and removing a dead body for any unlawful +purpose, or purchasing such body knowing it to have been unlawfully +disinterred, is a crime. This offense is in some states punishable by +imprisonment in a county jail, or by fine, and not in a state prison. + +§22. Persons sometimes advise or are knowing to the commission of +felonies, but are not actually engaged in committing them. Such are +_accessories_. He who advises or commands another to commit a felony, is +called an _accessory before the fact_, and is punished in the same +manner as the principal. If he conceals the offender after the offense +has been committed, or gives him any aid to prevent his being brought to +punishment, he is an _accessory after the fact_, and may be imprisoned +or fined. + +§23. _Assault and Battery_ is unlawfully to assault or threaten, or to +strike or wound another. Besides being liable to fine and imprisonment, +the offender is liable also to the party injured for damages. + +§24. A _riot_ is the assembling together of three or more persons, with +intent forcibly to injure the person or property of another, or to break +the peace; or agreeing with each other to do such unlawful act, and +making any movement or preparation therefor, though lawfully assembled. +When riotous persons are thus assembled, and are proceeding to commit +offenses, any judge, justice, sheriff, or other ministerial officer, may +in the name of the state, command them to disperse. If they refuse, the +peace officers are required to call upon all persons near to aid in +taking the rioters into custody. Persons refusing to assist may be +fined. + +§25. A sheriff or other officer voluntarily suffering a prisoner charged +with or convicted of an offense, to _escape_, from his custody, is +guilty of a misdemeanor. To _rescue_ a prisoner thus charged or +convicted, is punishable in a similar manner. It is also a misdemeanor +to assist a criminal, with a view to effect his escape, though he does +not escape from jail. + +§26. A person taking upon himself to act as a public officer, and taking +or keeping a person in custody unlawfully or without authority, is +_false imprisonment_; for which the offender may be fined or imprisoned. + +§27. The offenses mentioned in the last four sections, being of a lower +grade than those defined in the preceding sections, and not being +punishable in a state prison, are usually called _misdemeanors_, and are +punishable by fine or imprisonment in a county jail. There are numerous +other misdemeanors and immoralities, as profane cursing and swearing, +betting and gaming, horse racing, disturbing religious meetings, +sabbath-breaking, trespasses and injury to property, and many disorderly +practices, all of which are punishable in a like manner. + + + + + +Law of Nations. + + + + +Chapter LXIII. + +Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, and +Conventional Laws of Nations. + + + +§1. The _law of nations_ consists of those rules by which intercourse +between nations is regulated. In its present improved state, the law of +nations has not long existed. Ancient nations were little governed by +the principles of natural justice. Little respect was paid by one nation +to the persons and property of the citizens of another. Robbery on land +and sea was not only tolerated, but esteemed honorable; and prisoners of +war were either put to death, or reduced to slavery. By this rule of +national law, commerce was destroyed, and perpetual enmity kept up +between nations. + +§2. Within the last three or four centuries, essential improvement in +the law of nations has been made. By the light of science and +Christianity, the rights and obligations of nations have come to be +better understood, and more generally regarded. Commerce also has done +much to improve the law, by showing that the true interests of a nation +are promoted by peace and friendly intercourse. + +§3. Hence we find the nations of Europe and America recognizing the same +rules of international law. And as the light and power of Christianity +shall increase, the law of nations will undergo still further +improvements. And it is to be hoped, that, as one of these improvements, +the practice of settling national disputes by war will be abolished, and +the more rational and humane course be adopted, of referring +difficulties which the parties are incapable of adjusting, to some +disinterested power for adjudication. + +§4. There are, in every nation or state, courts of justice to try and +punish offenders; but there is no tribunal before which one nation can +be brought to answer for the violation of the rights of another. Every +nation, however small and weak, is independent of every other. +Therefore, when injuries are committed by one upon another, the offended +party, unless it chooses quietly to endure the wrong must seek redress, +either by appealing to the sense of justice of the party offending, or +by a resort to force. + +§5. Every nation has a right to establish such government as it thinks +proper; and no other nation has a right to interfere with its internal +policy. To this rule, however, some writers make an exception. They hold +that the natural right of a state to provide for its own safety, gives +it the right to interfere where its security is seriously endangered by +the internal transactions of another state. But it is admitted that such +cases are so very rare, that it would be dangerous to reduce them to a +rule. + +§6. So cases seldom arise in which one nation has a right to assist the +subjects of another in overturning or changing their government. It is +generally agreed, that such assistance may be afforded consistently with +the law of nations, in extreme cases; as when the tyranny of a +government becomes so oppressive, as to compel the people to rise in +their defense, and call for assistance. When the subjects of any +government have carried their revolt so far as to have established a new +state, and to give reasonable evidence of their ability to maintain a +government, the right of assistance is unquestionable. But it is not +clear that, prior to this state of progress in a revolution, the right +to interpose would be justifiable. + +§7. There is a sense, however, in which nations are not wholly +independent. Mankind in the social state, as we have seen, are dependent +upon each other for assistance. (Chap. I, §2.) Such is, in a measure, +the mutual dependence of nations. Although the people of every nation +have within themselves the means of maintaining their individual and +national existence, their prosperity and happiness are greatly promoted +by commerce with other nations. And as laws are necessary to govern the +conduct of the individual citizens of a state, so certain rules are +necessary to regulate the intercourse of nations. + +§8. It has been observed, also, that the law of nature is a perfect rule +for all moral and social beings, and ought to be universally obeyed. +Equally binding is this law upon nations. It requires each nation to +respect the rights of all others, and to do for them what their +necessities demand, and what it is capable of doing, consistently with +the duties it owes to itself. And the general good of mankind is as +really promoted by the application of this law to the affairs of +nations, as by its application to the affairs of individuals. + +§9. The law of nature applied to nations or states as moral persons, is +called the _natural law of nations_. It is also called the _necessary +law of nations_, because nations are morally bound to observe it; and +sometimes the _internal law of nations_, from its being binding on the +conscience. + +§10. Although the law of nature, as expressed in the law of revelation, +is a correct rule of human conduct; yet, as much of this law consists of +general principles from which particular duties can not always be +deduced, positive human enactments are necessary to define the law of +nature and revelation. So an important part of the law of nations +necessarily consists of positive institutions. Hence some writers have +divided international law under these two principal heads: the _natural_ +law of nations, and the _positive_. + +§11. The _positive law of nations_ is founded on usage or custom and +agreement, and may be considered as properly divided into the +_customary_ law of nations, and the _conventional_. The _customary law +of nations_ consists of certain maxims, or is founded on customs and +usages which have been long observed and tacitly consented to by +nations, and have thereby become binding upon all who have adopted them, +so far as their observance does not require a violation of the law of +nature. + +§12. A _conventional law of nations_ is one that has been established by +a treaty or league. The word _convention_ usually signifies an assembly +of persons met for some benevolent, political, or ecclesiastical +purpose. It also signifies a treaty, or agreement between nations; and +such agreement or contract, though made without a formal meeting, is +deemed conventional. + +§13. As the law of nature is liable to misconstruction, and as the law +of usage or custom is vague and uncertain, _conventional_ law, because +more definite, has been found to afford greater security to the rights +of commerce. Hence the practice, now so common among nations, of +regulating their intercourse by negotiation. By treaties, the rights of +the contracting parties are placed beyond dispute. + +§14. But it may be said, if each nation is independent of every other, +and if there is no constituted authority to enforce the fulfillment of +treaty stipulations, the rights guarantied by treaties are still +insecure. But few governments are so devoid of a sense of honor as, by a +palpable violation of treaty obligations, to incur the odium and +condemnation of all mankind. Self-respect and the fear of provoking a +war, have generally proved sufficient incentives to the observance of +treaties. + +§15. The obligations of nations are sometimes called _imperfect_. A +_perfect obligation_ is one that can be enforced--one that exists where +there is a right to compel the party on whom the obligation rests to +fulfill it. An _imperfect obligation_ gives only the right to demand the +fulfillment, leaving the party pledged to judge what his duty requires, +and to do as he chooses, without being constrained by another to do +otherwise. + + + + +Chapter LXIV. + +The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; the +Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c. + + + +§1. The seas are regarded as the common highway of nations. The main +ocean, for navigation and fishing, is open to all mankind. Every state, +however, has jurisdiction at sea over its own subjects in its own public +and private vessels. The persons on board such vessels are protected and +governed by the laws of the country to which they belong, and may be +punished by these laws for offenses committed on board of its public +vessels in foreign ports. + +§2. The question how far a nation has jurisdiction over the seas +adjoining its lands, is not clearly settled. It appears to be generally +conceded, that a nation has a right of exclusive dominion over navigable +rivers flowing through its territory; the harbors, bays, gulfs, and arms +of the sea; and such extent of sea adjoining its territories as is +necessary to the safety of the nation, which is considered by some to be +as far as a cannon shot will reach, or about a marine league. + +§3. It is the duty of a nation in time of peace, to allow the people of +other states a passage over its lands and waters, so far as it can be +permitted without inconvenience, and with safety to its own citizens. Of +this the nation is to be its own judge. The right of passage is only an +_imperfect right_, because the obligation to grant the right is an +_imperfect obligation_. (Chap. LXIII, §15.) + +§4. In general, it is the duty of a nation to allow foreigners to enter +and settle in the country. On being admitted into a state, the state +becomes pledged for their protection, and they become subject to its +laws; and in consideration of the protection they receive, they are +obliged to aid in defending it, and in supporting its government, even +before they are admitted to all the rights of citizens. + +§5. But no state is bound to shelter criminals fleeing into it from a +foreign state. They can be tried only in the state whose laws they have +violated. It is therefore the duty of the government to surrender a +fugitive on demand of the proper authorities of the state from which he +fled, if, after due examination by a civil magistrate, there shall +appear sufficient grounds for the charge. The surrender of criminals is +sometimes provided for in treaties. + +§6. The rule which makes foreigners amenable to the laws of the state in +which they remove, does not apply to embassadors. They are not +responsible to the laws of the country to which they are sent, even when +guilty of crime. When their conduct is dangerous to the government and +its citizens, all that can be done is, either to deprive them of liberty +by confinement, or to send them home and demand their punishment. As +every nation has a right to treat and communicate with all others, it +ought not to be deprived of the services of its representative. Hence, +the persons and property of all public ministers are held sacred and +inviolable. + +§7. Embassadors are entitled to the same protection in the countries +through which they pass in going to, and returning from the government +to which they are sent. And to insure them a safe passage, some +governments have given them passports to be shown if required. A +_passport_ is a written license from the authority of a state granting +permission or safe conduct for one to pass through its territory. +Passports, though named in our law, are not known in practice, being +deemed unnecessary. + +§8. If a minister at a foreign court treats the sovereign with +disrespect, the fact is sometimes communicated to the government that +sent him, with a request for his recall. Or, if the offense is a more +serious one, the offended sovereign refuses intercourse with him while +his master's answer is awaited. Or, if the case is an aggravated one, he +expels him from the country. + +§9. Ministers at foreign governments, in their negotiations or business +correspondence with those governments, sometimes consider themselves ill +treated, and their own nation dishonored, and take their leave and +return home; or the minister informs his sovereign, who either recalls +him, or takes such other measure as he thinks the honor and interest of +his nation demand. + +§10. The peculiar condition of a country, the nature of the business +upon which an embassador is sent, or the personal character of the +embassador, may be such as to justify a government in refusing to +receive him. But to preserve the friendly relations of the two +countries, satisfactory explanations ought to be made, or good reasons +offered for the refusal. + +§11. A minister can not bind his sovereign to any treaty or agreement, +conclusively, under the authority of an ordinary credential, or letter +of attorney. He can not do so without a special power, containing +express authority so to bind his principal. Ministers act under secret +instructions which they are not bound to disclose. Even the treaties +signed by plenipotentiaries, (a word signifying full power,) are, +according to present usage, of no force, until ratified by their +governments. + +§12. Consuls are not entitled to the privilege enjoyed by ministers, +but are subject to the laws of the country in which they reside. Their +principal duties have been described. (Chap. XL, §9.) The office of +consul has been found to be one of great utility; hence, every trading +nation has a consul in every considerable commercial port in the world. +As in the case of ministers, consuls carry a certificate of their +appointment, and must be acknowledged as consuls by the government of +the country in which they reside, before they can perform any duties +pertaining to their office. + + + + +Chapter LXV. + +Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes and Objects of War; Reprisals; +Alliances in War. + + + +§1. Wars are offensive and defensive. The use of force to obtain justice +for injuries done, is _offensive war_. The making use of force against +any power that attacks a nation or its privileges, is _defensive war_. A +war may be defensive in its principles, though offensive in its +operation. For example: one nation is preparing to invade another; but +before the threatened invasion takes place, the latter attacks the +former as the best mode of repelling the invasion. In this case, the +party making the attack acts on the _defensive_. (§10.) The contending +parties are called _belligerents_. The word _belligerent_ is from the +Latin _bellum_, war, and _gero_, to wage or carry on. Nations that take +no part in the contest, are called _neutrals_. + +§2. War ought never to be undertaken without the most cogent reasons. In +the first place, there must be a _right_ to make war, and _just grounds_ +for making it. Nations have no right to employ force any further than is +necessary for their own defense, and for the maintenance of their +rights. Secondly, it should be made from _proper motives_, the good of +the state, and the safety and common advantage of the citizens. Hence, +there may be, according to the law of nations, just cause of war, when +it would be inexpedient to involve the nation in such a calamity. + +§3. The numerous objects of a lawful war may be reduced to these three: +(1.) To recover what belongs to us, or to obtain satisfaction for +injuries. (2.) To provide for our future safety by punishing the +offender. (3.) To defend or protect ourselves from injury by repelling +unjust attacks. The first and second are objects of an _offensive_ war; +the third is that of a _defensive_ war. + +§4. Injury to an individual citizen of a state, by the subjects of +another state, is deemed a just cause of war, if the persons offending, +or the government of the state to which they belong, do not make +reparation for the injury; for every nation is responsible for the good +behavior of its subjects. But, although this would, according to the law +of nations, afford justifiable cause of war, neither the honor nor the +true interest of a nation requires that war should always be made for so +slight a cause. + +§5. Generally, the injury sought to be redressed should be serious, and +satisfaction be demanded and refused, before recourse should be had to +arms. Where there is a question of right between the parties, the +government making war should have no reasonable doubt of the justice of +its claim. And even when no such doubt exists, it would be the duty of +such government to prevent a war, if possible, by proposals of +compromise. It is believed that war ought in no case to be made, until +attempts have been made to effect an adjustment of difficulties by +compromise, or by offers to submit them for arbitration. + +§6. One of the means by which satisfaction is sought without making war, +is that of _reprisals_. (Chap. XXXVI, §4, 5.) If a nation has taken what +belongs to another, or refuses to pay a debt, or to make satisfaction +for an injury, the offended nation seizes something belonging to the +former or to her citizens, and retains it, or applies it to her own +advantage, till she obtains satisfaction: and when there shall be no +longer any hope of satisfaction, the effects thus seized are +confiscated. To _confiscate_ is to adjudge property to be forfeited, and +to appropriate it to the use and benefit of the state. But as the loss +in this case would fall upon unoffending citizens, it is the duty of +their government to grant them indemnity. + +§7. But to justify reprisals by the law of nations, the grounds upon +which they are authorized must be just and well ascertained. If the +right of the party demanding satisfaction is doubtful, he must first +demand an equitable examination of his claim, and next be able to show +that justice has been refused, before he can justly take the matter into +his own hands. He has no right to disturb the peace and safety of +nations on a doubtful pretension. But if the other party refuses to have +the matter brought to the proof, or to accede to any proposition to +terminate the dispute in a peaceable manner, reprisals become lawful. + +§8. By treaties of alliance, nations sometimes agree to assist each +other in case of war with a third power. It is a question not clearly +settled, whether the government that is to afford the aid is bound to do +so when it deems the war to be unjust. The reasonable conclusion seems +to be, that, in cases simply doubtful, the justice of the war is to be +presumed; and the government pledging its aid is bound to fulfill its +engagement. The contrary doctrine would furnish a nation with too ready +a pretext for violating its pledge. In cases only of the clearest +injustice on the part of its ally, can a nation rightfully avoid a +positive engagement to afford assistance. + +§9. But when the object of the war is hopeless, or when the state under +such engagement would, by furnishing the assistance, endanger its own +safety, it is not bound to render the aid. But the danger must not be +slight, remote, or uncertain. None but extreme cases would afford +sufficient cause for withholding the promised assistance. + +§10. When the alliance is defensive, the treaty binds each party to +assist the other only when engaged in a defensive war, and unjustly +attacked. By the conventional law of nations, the government that first +declares, or actually begins the war, is considered as making +_offensive_ war; and though it should not be the first actually to apply +force, yet if it first renders the application of force necessary, it is +the aggressor; and the other party, though the first to apply force, is +engaged in a _defensive_ war. (§1.) + + + + +Chapter LXVI. + +Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the +Enemy's subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering. + + + +§1. When a nation has resolved on making war, it is usual to announce +the fact by a public declaration. In monarchical governments, the power +to declare war, which of course includes the right of determining the +question whether it shall be made, is vested in the king. In the United +States, this power is, by the constitution, given to the representatives +of the people, for reasons elsewhere stated. (Chap. XXXVI, §3.) + +§2. It was usual, formerly, to communicate a declaration of war to the +enemy. According to modern practice, a formal declaration to the enemy +is not required. Any manifesto or paper from an official source, +announcing that the country is in a state of war, is considered +sufficient. The recalling of a minister has alone been regarded as a +hostile act, and followed by war, without any other declaration. But +such cases have not been frequent. Under ordinary circumstances, the +recall of a minister is not an offensive act. + +§3. The government of a state acts for and in behalf of all its +citizens; and its acts are binding upon all. Hence, when war is +declared, it is not merely a war between the two governments; all the +subjects of the government declaring it become enemies to all the +subjects of that against which it is declared. + +§4. Whether, on the occurrence of a war in any state, the subjects of +the enemy found within the state may be detained as prisoners of war, +and their movable property confiscated; or whether they are entitled to +a reasonable time to retire with their effects, is a question upon which +writers of public law are not agreed. Few civilized nations, at the +present day, would deny such persons a reasonable time to retire with +their property. Of houses and lands, all admit that only the income is +subject to confiscation. The privilege spoken of, instead of being left +to uncertainty, is now, with great propriety, generally secured by +treaty. + +§5. When war is declared, all intercourse between the two countries at +once ceases. All trade between the citizens, directly or indirectly, is +strictly forbidden; and all contracts with the enemy made during the war +are void. + +§6. Although a state of war makes all the subjects of one nation enemies +of all those of the other, they cannot lawfully engage in offensive +hostilities without permission of their government. If they have no +written commission as evidence of such permission, and if they should be +taken by the enemy, they would not be entitled to the usual mild +treatment which other prisoners of war receive, but might be treated +without mercy as lawless robbers and banditti. + +§7. As the object of a just war is to obtain justice, a nation, when it +has declared war, has a right to use all necessary means, and no other, +for attaining that end. A just war gives the right to take the life of +the enemy; but there are limits to this right. If an enemy submits, and +lays down his arms, we can not justly take his life. And justice and +humanity forbid that women, children, feeble old men, and sick persons, +who make no resistance, should be maltreated. + +§8. Prisoners of war are not to be treated with cruelty. They may be +confined, and even fettered, if there is reason to apprehend that they +will rise against their captors, or make their escape. Prisoners of war +are detained to prevent their returning to join the enemy, or to obtain +from their government a just satisfaction as the price of their liberty. +Prisoners may be kept till the end of the war. Then, or at any time +during the war, the government may exchange them for its own soldiers +taken prisoner by the enemy; or a ransom may be required for their +release. It is the duty of the government to procure, at its own +expense, the release of its citizens. + +§9. Ravaging a country, burning private dwellings, or otherwise wantonly +destroying property, is not justifiable, except in cases of absolute +necessity. But all fortresses, ramparts, and the like, being +appropriated to the purposes of war, may be destroyed. + +§10. Stratagems and deceit to obtain advantage of an enemy, are, to some +extent, justified by the law of nations; but in general they are +dishonorable and wrong. + +§11. Spies are sometimes sent among an enemy, to discover the state of +his affairs, to pry into his designs, and carry back information. This +is a dishonorable office; spies, if detected, are condemned to death. + +§12. The rights of a nation in war at sea are essentially different from +those in war upon land. The object of a maritime war is to destroy the +commerce and navigation of the enemy, with a view of weakening his naval +power. To this end, the capture or destruction of private property is +necessary, and is justified by the law of nations. Hence, for the +purpose of attack as well as defense, every nation of considerable power +or commercial importance, keeps a _navy_, consisting of a number of war +vessels, ready for service. + +§13. Besides these national ships of war, there are armed vessels owned +by private citizens, and called _privateers_. Their owners receive from +the government a commission to go on the seas, and to capture any vessel +of the enemy, whether it is owned by the government or by private +citizens, or whether it is armed or not. And to encourage privateering, +the government allows the owner and crew of a privateer to keep the +property captured as their own. + +§14. To prevent the abuse of this right, the owners are required to give +security, that the cruise shall be conducted according to instructions +and the usages of war; that the rights of neutral nations shall not be +violated; and that the captured property shall be brought in for +adjudication. + +§15. When a prize is brought into a port, the captors make a writing, +called _libel_, stating the facts of the capture, and praying that the +property may be condemned; and this paper is filed in the proper court. +If it shall be made to appear that the property was taken from the +enemy, the court condemns the property as _prize_, which is then sold, +and the proceeds are distributed among the captors. + +§16. All prizes, whether taken by a public or private armed vessel, +primarily belong to the sovereign; and no person has any interest in a +prize, except what he receives from the state: and due proof must in all +cases be made before the proper court, that the seizure was lawfully +made. In this country, prizes are proved and condemned in a district +court of the United States, which, when sitting that purpose, is called +a _prize court_. + + + + +Chapter LXVII. + +Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; Right +of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of Peace. + + + +§1. A neutral nation is bound to observe a strict impartiality toward +the parties at war. If she should aid one party to the injury of the +other, she would be liable to be herself treated as an enemy. A loan of +money to one of the belligerents, or supplying him with other means of +carrying on a war, if done with the view of aiding him in the war, would +be a violation of neutrality. But an engagement made in time of peace to +furnish a nation a certain number of ships, or troops, or other articles +of war, may afterward, in time of war, be fulfilled. + +§2. A nation is not bound, however, on the occurrence of a war, to +change its customary trade, and to cease supplying a belligerent with +articles of trade which such belligerent was wont to receive from her, +although the goods may afford him the means of carrying on the war. So +if a nation has been accustomed to lend money to another for interest, +and the latter should become engaged in war with a third power, the +neutral would not break her neutrality if she should continue to lend +her money. The wrong in any case lies in the _intention_ to aid one to +the detriment of the other. + +§3. This rule, it is believed, is universally admitted in cases of +belligerents going themselves to a neutral country to make their +purchases. But whether a neutral nation is at full liberty to _carry the +goods_ in the cases mentioned, is not so certain. A nation in a just war +has a right to deprive her enemy of the means of resisting or injuring +her, and therefore may lawfully intercept every thing of a warlike +nature which a neutral is carrying to such enemy. + +§4. Articles which a neutral nation is not allowed to carry to an enemy, +are called contraband goods. What these are, it is impossible to say +with precision, as some articles may in certain cases be lawfully +carried, which would be justly prohibited under other circumstances. +Among the articles usually contraband, are arms, ammunition, materials +for ship-building, naval stores, horses, and sometimes even provisions. + +§5. Contraband goods, when ascertained to be such, are confiscated to +the captors as lawful prize. Formerly the vessel also was liable to be +condemned and confiscated; but the modern practice, it is said, exempts +the ship, unless it belongs to the owner of the contraband articles, or +the carrying of them is connected with aggravating circumstances. + +§6. One of the rights of a belligerent nation which a neutral is bound +to regard, is the right of blockade. _Blockade_ is a blocking up. A war +blockade is the stationing of ships of war at the entrance of an enemy's +ports, to prevent all vessels from coming out or going in. The object of +a blockade is to hinder supplies of arms, ammunition, and provisions +from entering, with a view to compel a surrender by hunger and want, +without an attack. A neutral vessel attempting to enter or depart, +becomes liable to be seized and condemned. Towns and fortresses also may +be shut up by posting troops at the avenues. + +§7. A simple decree or order declaring a certain coast or country in a +state of blockade, does not constitute a blockade. A force must be +stationed there, competent to maintain the blockade, and to make it +dangerous to enter. And it is necessary that the neutral should have due +notice of the blockade, in order to subject his property to condemnation +and forfeiture. According to modern usage, if a place is blockaded by +sea only, trade with it by a neutral nation may be carried on by inland +communication. And a neutral vessel, loaded before the blockade was +established, has a right to leave the port with her cargo. + +§8. To prevent the conveyance of contraband goods, the law of nations +gives a belligerent nation the _right of search_; that is, the right, in +time of war, to search neutral vessels, to ascertain their character, +and what articles are on board. A neutral vessel refusing to be searched +by a lawful cruiser, would thereby render herself liable to condemnation +as a prize. Private merchant vessels only are subject to search; the +right does not extend to public ships of war. + +§9. The property of an enemy found on board of a neutral vessel, may be +seized, if the vessel is beyond the limits of the jurisdiction of the +nation to which she belongs; but the vessel is not confiscated; and the +master is entitled to freight for the carriage of the goods. The +_property of neutrals_ found in an enemy's vessels, is to be restored to +the owners. + +§10. A neutral is forbidden by the law and practice of nations, to +permit a belligerent to arm and equip vessels of war within her forts. +Nor may the citizens of a nation fit out any vessel, or enlist, to go +beyond the limits of their own country to assist any people in war +against another with whom they are at peace. + +§11. It is sometimes agreed to suspend hostilities for a time. If the +agreement is only for a short period, for the purpose of burying the +dead after battle, or for a parley between the hostile generals; or if +it regards only some particular place, it is called a cessation or +_suspension of arms_; if for a considerable time, and especially if +general, it is called a _truce_. By a partial truce, hostilities are +suspended in certain places, as between a town and the general besieging +it; and generals have power to make such truces. By a general truce, +hostilities are to cease generally, and in all places, and are made by +the governments or sovereigns. Such truces afford opportunities for +nations to settle their disputes by negotiation. + +§12. A truce binds the contracting parties from the time it is made; but +individuals of the nation are not responsible for its violation before +they have had due notice of it. And for all prizes taken after the time +of its commencement, the government is bound to make restitution. During +the cessation of hostilities, each party may, within his own +territories, continue his preparations for war, without being charged +with a breach of good faith. + +§13. War is generally terminated, and peace secured, by _treaties of +peace_. The manner of making treaties has been described. (Chap. XL, +§5.) A treaty of peace puts an end to the war, and leaves the +contracting parties no right to take up arms for the same cause. + +§14. The parties to a treaty of peace are bound by it from the time of +its conclusion, which is the day on which it is signed; but, as in the +case of a truce, persons are not held responsible for any hostile acts +committed before the treaty was known; and their government is bound to +order and enforce the restitution of property captured subsequently to +the conclusion of the treaty. + +§15. War is sometimes terminated by _mediation_. A friend to both +parties, desirous of stopping the destruction of human life, kindly +endeavors to reconcile the parties. The friendly sovereign who thus +interposes, is called _mediator_. Many desolating wars might have been +early arrested in this way, or wholly prevented, had there always been +among friendly powers a disposition to reconcile contending nations. + + + + +Synopsis of the State Constitutions. + + + +Maine. + + +The District of Maine, formerly belonging to the state of Massachusetts, +adopted in convention, October 29, 1819, the present constitution, and +was admitted into the Union as a state, March 15, 1820. The constitution +has received several alterations. + +_Electors._ All male citizens, having had a residence in the state three +months, except paupers, persons under guardianship, and Indians not +taxed. + +_Legislature._ The house of representatives consists of one hundred and +fifty-one members, apportioned among the counties according to +population; and the number apportioned to each county are apportioned +among the towns according to the population. A representative must have +been a citizen of the United States five years, resided in the state one +year, and in the town or district he is chosen to represent, three +months. Senate, not less than twenty, nor more than thirty-one members, +elected in districts by majority. If a senator is not elected by the +electors, the house and the senators elected choose one from the two +candidates having the highest numbers of votes. Age, twenty-five years, +otherwise qualified as representatives. + +A majority constitutes a _quorum_. Bills vetoed by the governor become +laws when re-passed by two-thirds majorities. Also bills become laws if +not returned by the governor within five days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment, in which case they will become laws unless +returned within three days after the next meeting. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually, by majority. If no person +has a majority, the house, from those voted for (not exceeding four) +having the highest numbers of votes, elects two, of whom the senate +elects a governor. Age, thirty years, a native citizen, resident of the +state five years. An executive council of seven, chosen annually by the +legislature on joint ballot. Power of appointment is exercised by the +governor and council. No lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and attorney-general, are chosen annually +by joint ballot of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme judicial court, and such other courts as the +legislature may establish. Judges of the judicial court are appointed by +the governor and council for seven years; judges and registers of +probate are elected in the counties for four years. + +Officers may be removed by impeachment, and by the governor and council +on address of both houses of the legislature. + +Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by two-thirds of both +branches, and ratified by the electors at the next annual election. + + + +New Hampshire. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1784; the present +one in 1792, and has been amended. + +_Electors._ All male citizens, except paupers and persons excused from +paying taxes at their own request, resident in the state six months, and +in the town three months. + +_Legislature_--called _general court_. Senate, twelve members, elected +annually in single districts; thirty years of age; inhabitants of the +state seven years, and inhabitants of their respective districts. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns according to ratable +male polls, (male tax-payers;) state residence, two years. Senators and +representatives must be of the Protestant religion. _Quorum_, a +majority. + +Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--also become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the return is prevented by +adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually by majority. If no person +has a majority, the two houses elect one of the two highest. Age, thirty +years; inhabitant of the state, seven years, and a Protestant. Council +of five, one in each district, elected annually by majority. Power of +appointment and of pardon exercised by the governor and council. No +lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and commissary-general appointed by joint +ballot of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ Judicial officers are appointed by the governor and +council; justices of the peace for five years, judges of the higher +courts during good behavior. Judges disqualified at seventy years of +age. + +Attorney-general, solicitors, sheriffs, coroners, registers of probate, +and naval and the higher militia officers, are appointed by the governor +and council. County treasurers and registers of deeds are elected in the +counties. + +_Amendments._ The sense of the people is taken every seven years; and if +a majority favor a revision, the legislature calls a convention; and any +alterations proposed by the convention must be approved by two-thirds of +the qualified electors who vote thereon. + + + +Vermont. + + +This state was admitted into the Union in 1791, with a constitution +formed in 1777; the present one was adopted in 1793, and has been +several times amended. + +_Electors._ Citizens having resided in the state one year, of quiet and +peaceable behavior, are entitled to all the privileges of freemen, by +taking an oath that, in giving their votes, they will so do it as they +believe will conduce to the best good of the state. + +_Legislature._ Senate, thirty members, elected annually; apportioned +among the counties according to population, each county to have at least +one senator; age, thirty years; freemen of the county. Representatives +are elected in towns, each town being entitled to at least one +representative; resident of the state two years, of the town one year. + +_Quorum_, a majority. For raising a tax, two-thirds of the members +elected must be present. + +Bills vetoed by the governor may be again passed by simple majorities. +Bills not returned by the governor within five days become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually by majority. If no person +has a majority, the legislature chooses one of the three highest. +Resident of the state four years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, chosen by the two houses; a treasurer, elected as +governor and lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and county courts; the judges chosen +annually by the senate and house; justices of the peace are elected in +the towns; judges of probate in districts; assistant judges of county +courts, sheriffs, high bailiffs, and state's attorneys, in their +respective counties. + +_Amendments._ A council of thirteen censors, chosen every seven years, +examines into the different departments, and have power to call a +convention to amend the constitution. + + + +Massachusetts. + + +The constitution of this state was formed in 1780. It has been several +times amended. + +_Electors._ Every male citizen, except paupers and persons under +guardianship, having resided in the state one year, in the town or +district six months; and having paid a tax within two years, or is +legally exempt from taxation. + +_Legislature_--styled _general court_. Senate, forty members, chosen in +districts, and apportioned according to population; residents of the +state five years, and inhabitants of the districts they represent. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns and cities. Every town +or city containing 1,200 inhabitants, is entitled to one, and an +additional one for every 2,400 additional inhabitants. Residence one +year in the towns they represent. + +Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--or become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the legislature by adjournment, +prevent their return. + +_Executive._ The governor is chosen annually, by majority. If no +candidate has a majority, the house elects two of those voted for, (not +exceeding four,) having the highest numbers of votes, of which two the +senate elects a governor. He must have resided in the state seven years, +and declare himself to be of the Christian religion. A council of nine, +elected annually by joint ballot of the two houses, act with the +governor in pardons and appointments, and in directing the affairs of +state generally. Counselors must have resided in the state five years. + +The secretary, treasurer, receiver-general, commissary-general, notaries +public, and naval officers, are chosen annually by the legislature. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme judicial court and a court of common pleas, held +in every county of the state, and courts held by justices of the peace. +All judicial officers are appointed by the governor and council; +justices of the higher courts during good behavior, justices of the +peace for seven years. The former are removable by the governor and +council, or address of the legislature. + +The attorney-general, the solicitor-general, sheriffs, coroners, and +registers of probate, are appointed as justices. + +_Amendments_ agreed to by a majority of the senators and two-thirds of +the representatives at two successive sessions, are submitted to the +qualified voters of the state for ratification. + + + +Rhode Island. + + +A charter granted in 1663, by Charles II, to the Rhode Island and +Providence Plantations, continued, with some modifications, the basis of +government of this state, until 1842, when the present constitution was +adopted. + +_Electors._ Every male _native_ citizen, resident in the state two +years, in the town or city six months, and having within a year paid a +tax of $1, or has done military duty. Also every naturalized citizen, +resident in the state one year, in the town or city six months, owning +real estate worth $134 above all incumbrances, or which rents for $7 a +year. Voters in this state must be registered in the town clerk's +office, at least seven days before they offer their votes. + +_Legislature_ styled _general assembly_. Representatives, not to exceed +seventy-two, are apportioned among the towns, no town to have more than +one-sixth of the whole house. The senate consists of the +lieutenant-governor and one senator from each town or city. The +governor, and in his absence, the lieutenant-governor, presides in the +senate, and in grand committee, (the two houses united.) _Quorum_, a +majority. + +Bills when passed by both houses are laws. + +_Executive._ The governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually +by majority. If no candidate has a majority, the two houses in joint +assembly (grand committee) elect from the two having the highest numbers +of votes. + +A secretary, an attorney-general, and a general treasurer, are elected +in the same manner as the governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +shall establish. Judges of the supreme court are elected by the two +houses in grand committee. The judges hold their offices until their +places shall be declared vacant by the general assembly. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, (a +majority of all the members elected to each house voting in their +favor,) and approved by three-fifths of the electors of the state voting +thereon. + + + +Connecticut. + + +This state was governed under a charter granted by Charles II, in 1662, +until 1818, when the present constitution was adopted. This constitution +has received numerous amendments. + +_Electors._ Every white male citizen, who has resided in the state a +year, and in the town six months, who sustains a good moral character, +and is able to read any section of the constitution of the state and of +the constitution of the United States. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the towns according to population. Any elector is +eligible to either house. Senators, not less than eighteen, nor more +than twenty-four, are chosen in districts, the number of which is not to +be less than eight, nor more than twenty-four. _Quorum_, a majority. + +Bills rejected by the governor may be again passed by a majority of each +house. Bills become laws also if not returned by the governor within +three days, unless the legislature sooner adjourn. + +_Executive._ A governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually. +Any qualified elector thirty years of age is eligible. Election by +majority. In case of a failure to elect, the general assembly chooses a +governor from the two having the highest numbers of votes. + +A treasurer, a secretary, and a controller of public accounts, are +elected as the governor and lieutenant-governor. A sheriff is elected in +each county for three years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, a superior court, and such inferior courts +as the legislature shall establish. The judges are appointed by the +general assembly; the judges of the supreme and superior courts for +eight years; removable by the governor on address of two-thirds of each +house. Judges of probate are chosen annually by the electors in +districts; justices of the peace in the towns. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by a majority of the house of representatives, +approved by two-thirds of both houses of the next legislature and a +majority of the electors at an election. + + + +New York. + + +The first constitution of this state was formed in 1777; the second in +1821, and adopted in 1822; the present was formed and adopted in 1846. + +_Electors._ Every white male citizen, resident in the state a year, and +in the county four months, and thirty days in the district which the +person voted for is to represent. Naturalized persons must have been +admitted as citizens ten days before voting. Colored men must have +resided in the state three years, own a freehold of $250 in value over +incumbrances, and have paid a tax thereon. + +_Legislature._ Senate, thirty-two members elected in single districts +for two years. Assembly, one hundred and twenty-eight members, +apportioned among the counties. Counties entitled to more than one +member are divided into districts and a member is elected in each +district. A census is taken, and a new apportionment made every ten +years. A majority is a quorum to do business. The final passage of bills +requires a majority of all the members. Bills may be passed against the +veto by two-thirds majorities. They become laws if not returned within +ten days, unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ A governor is elected for two years; a citizen, thirty +years of age; a resident of the state five years. A lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A court of appeals, a supreme court, county courts, and +courts held by justices of the peace. There are eight judicial +districts, in each of which four justices of the supreme court are +elected for eight years, two of them every two years. The court of +appeals is composed of eight judges, four of whom are elected by the +electors of the state for eight years, one every two years, and the +other four are of the class of justices of the supreme court whose term +has most nearly expired. In each county are held circuit courts and +special terms of the supreme court, by one or more justices of the +supreme court. General terms of the supreme court are held in the +several districts by three or more of the justices. A county court is +held by a county judge elected for four years, who is also _surrogate_, +called in other states, _judge of probate_. In counties having more than +40,000 inhabitants, a separate officer may be chosen as surrogate. +Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns for four years. + +Judges of the court of appeals and justices of the supreme court may be +removed by the legislature; county judges by the senate on +recommendation of the governor. + +A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a state engineer and surveyor, are chosen for two years; three canal +commissioners and three inspectors of state prisons, for three years, +one of each every year. + +Sheriffs, clerks of counties, coroners, and district attorneys, are +elected for three years in the several counties. Sheriffs are ineligible +for the next three years. + +_Amendments_ must receive the sanction of two successive legislatures, +and of a majority of the electors voting thereon at an election. + + + +New Jersey. + + +New Jersey, as a colony, adopted a constitution in 1776, under which the +state was governed until the present constitution, framed in 1844, was +adopted. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, who have resided in the state a year, +and in the county five months. + +_Legislature._ A senate and general assembly. The senate consists of one +senator from each county, elected for three years; one-third of the +senators elected every year. Age, thirty years; residence in the state +four years, and in the county one year. Members of the general assembly, +not to exceed sixty, are apportioned among the counties according to +population. Residence in the state two years, in the county one year. A +majority is a _quorum_. + +The final passage of bills requires a majority of the members elected. +The same majorities may pass bills disapproved by the governor. Bills +become laws if not returned by the governor within five days, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for three years, and is ineligible +for the next three years. He must be thirty years of age; have been +twenty years a citizen, seven years a resident of the state. The +pardoning power is exercised by the governor in conjunction with the +chancellor and the judges of the court of errors and appeals. No +lieutenant-governor. + +The state treasurer, and the keeper and inspectors of the state prison +are appointed annually by joint assembly of the two houses. The +secretary of state, attorney-general, and prosecutors of the pleas, are +appointed by the governor and senate, for five years. + +_Judiciary._ A court of errors and appeals; a court of chancery; a +prerogative court; a supreme court; circuit courts; and inferior courts. +The court of errors and appeals consists of the chancellor, the justice +of the supreme court, and six judges, or a majority of them. The court +of chancery consists of the chancellor, who is also the ordinary, or +surrogate-general, and judge of the prerogative court, to which appeals +are made from the orphans' court. The supreme court consists of a chief +justice and four associates. The circuit courts are held in every county +by one or more justices of the supreme court, or a judge appointed for +that purpose. Chancellor and justices of the supreme court hold for +seven years; judges of the court of errors and appeals for six years; +and all are appointed by the governor and senate. The inferior court of +common pleas shall not have more than five judges, one to be appointed +every year by the senate and assembly. + +Justices of the peace, from two to five, are elected in each township +and city ward, for five years. + +Sheriffs and coroners are elected annually in their respective counties, +and may be re-elected until they shall have served three years; after +which they are ineligible for three years. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members elected to each house concurring, and be +ratified by the electors at an election held for that purpose. +Amendments, (if more than one,) must be submitted separately; and not +oftener than once in five years. + + + +Pennsylvania. + + +A Constitution was adopted in 1776; another in 1790; the present one in +1838. + +_Electors._ White freemen, having resided in the state one year, in the +election district ten days, and paid a tax within two years; if between +twenty-one and twenty-two years, they need not have paid the tax. An +elector having removed from the state and returned, may vote after six +months residence in the state, and ten days in the district, and the +payment of taxes. + +_Legislature_--called _general assembly_. Representatives are chosen +annually, and apportioned every seven years among the counties according +to the number of taxable inhabitants; number not less than sixty, nor +more than one hundred. Age, twenty-one; residence in the state three +years, one in the district. Senators are chosen for three years, +(one-third every year,) in districts, not more than two in any district, +unless the taxable inhabitants in any city or county entitle it to elect +more; but no city or county may elect more than four. The whole number +may not be less than one-fourth nor greater than one-third of the number +of representatives. Twenty-five years; state residence, four years; +district, one year. + +_Quorum_, a majority of each house. Bills passed against the veto by +two-thirds majorities. Bills not returned by the governor within ten +days, become laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for three years, and may not hold +the office more than six years in nine Age, thirty years; a citizen and +inhabitant of the state, seven years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary is appointed by the governor during pleasure. A treasurer is +chosen annually by joint assembly. + +_Judiciary._ Supreme court, the judges elected for fifteen years; courts +of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery in the counties, held by +judges of the supreme court and court of common pleas; a court of common +pleas in each judicial district, which may not include more than five +counties, the presiding judge to hold his office for ten years, the +associates for five years; a court of quarter sessions and orphans' +court for each county, held by judges of the common pleas; a register's +court for each county, composed of the register of wills and judges of +the common pleas; and courts held in the several townships, wards, and +boroughs, by justices of the peace or aldermen elected by the voters +therein, for five years. Judges of the supreme court are elected by the +people of the state at large; others are chosen in the districts or +counties over which they preside. + +Sheriffs and coroners are elected in their counties for three years. +Sheriffs may not be twice chosen in any term of six years. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of two +successive legislatures, and ratified by a majority of the electors +voting thereon. Amendments must be voted on separately; and none may be +submitted to the electors oftener than once in five years. + + + +Delaware. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1776; the present, +in 1831, and has been amended. + +_Electors._ White males twenty-two years of age, having resided in the +state one year, in the county one month, and within two years paid a +county tax assessed at least six months before the election. If +twenty-one, and under twenty-two years of age, they may vote without +having paid any tax. + +_Legislature_--called _general assembly_. Representatives are chosen in +counties for two years; must be twenty-four years of age; have been +citizens and inhabitants of the state three years, of the county one +year. Senators are elected in the counties for four years; the number +not to be greater than one-half, nor less than one-third of the number +of representatives. A senator must be twenty-seven years of age; have +been a citizen and an inhabitant of the state three years, of the +county, one year; and possess a freehold estate in the county of two +hundred acres of land, or real and personal property, or either, worth +£1,000, at least. + +A majority of each house is a quorum. Bills are not submitted to the +governor. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is not +eligible a second time. Thirty years of age; a citizen and inhabitant of +the United States twelve years, of the state, six years. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, appointed by the governor during his continuance +in office; a state treasurer, biennially, by a concurrent vote of the +two houses. [By this mode of election, the two houses do not meet and +vote jointly, but they vote separately, as in passing laws.] + +_Judiciary._ Five judges appointed by the governor, of whom one is +chancellor, and holds the court of chancery. Of the other four, one is +chief-justice, and the other three are associate justices, of whom one +resides in each county. + +The superior court, and the court of general sessions of the peace and +jail delivery, consist of the chief-justice and two associates. The +court of oyer and terminer consists of all the judges except the +chancellor. The court of errors and appeals issues writs of error to the +superior court, receives appeals from the court of chancery, and +determines finally all matters in error in the judgments and proceedings +of the superior court; and when thus acting, it consists of the +chancellor and two of the other judges. In other cases, it is +differently constituted. The orphans' court in each county is held by +the chancellor and the associate judge residing in the county. The +register's court in each county is held by the register of the county. + +Judges of the courts are appointed by the governor during good behavior; +and they may be removed by him on the address of two-thirds of all the +members of each branch of the general assembly. + +In pursuance of the power vested in the legislature to establish +inferior courts, a court of common pleas is established in each county. + +Justices of the peace in each county are appointed by the governor for +seven years, and may be removed as the judges. + +The attorney-general, registers, and prothonotaries are appointed for +five years, removable in like manner. + +The sheriff and the coroner of each county are elected by the citizens +thereof; but the legislature may vest their appointment in the governor. +The sheriff may not be chosen twice in any term of six years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of each house, with the +approbation of the governor, and ratified by three-fourths of each +branch of the next general assembly. Or, a convention to amend may be +called by the legislature, in pursuance of the sense of the people +expressed at a previous election. + + + +Maryland. + + +The constitution of this state adopted in 1776, continued until 1851, +when the present one was adopted. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided a year in the state, and +six months in the county. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; must be thirty +years of age; have been a citizen five years, a resident of the state +five years, and for three years a resident of the district from which he +is elected. In case of vacancy, the general assembly elects a resident +of the same district for the residue of the term. If the vacancy happens +during the recess of the legislature, the president of the senate serves +until the next session. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state is appointed by the governor and senate during the +official term of the governor. A controller of the treasury is elected +by the electors of the state for two years; and a treasurer and a state +librarian are chosen by the legislature on joint ballot at each session. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of delegates, styled _general +assembly_. Senators, one from each county and the city of Baltimore, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-five +years; residence, three years in the state, one in the county. Delegates +are eligible at twenty-one; otherwise qualified as senators; elected for +two years, apportioned among the counties according to population; the +city of Baltimore to have four more delegates than the most populous +county, and no county to have less than two delegates; the whole number +not to be more than eighty, nor less than sixty-five. + +A majority constitutes a quorum. Bills must pass by majorities of all +the members elected; and when so passed and sealed with the great seal, +the governor is required to sign them in the presence of the presiding +officers and chief clerks of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A court of appeals, consisting of four judges, one of whom +is elected in each judicial district for ten years. One is designated by +the governor and senate as chief-justice. They must be thirty years of +age, and have been citizens of the state five years. They are +disqualified at seventy. There are eight judicial circuits, in each of +which, except the fifth, is elected a judge, for ten years, who holds +circuit courts in the counties within his circuit. + +There are, in the city of Baltimore, courts peculiar to that city. + +Justices of the peace and constables, are elected for two years in each +ward of the city of Baltimore, and in each election district in the +several counties. + +A sheriff and a state's attorney are elected in each county and the city +of Baltimore, the former for two, and the latter for four years. +Sheriffs are ineligible for the next two years. + +_Amendments_ may be made only by a convention, called by the legislature +in pursuance of a vote of the people to be taken after each United +States census. + + + +Virginia. + + +A constitution was adopted in 1716; another in 1830; the present in +1851. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state two years, +and in the county, city or town where they offer to vote, one year. +Votes are given openly, or _viva voce_. Dumb persons only vote by +ballot. + +_Legislature._ Senate and house of delegates. Delegates, one hundred and +fifty-two in number, are elected biennially, and apportioned among the +several counties and election districts according to population. The +senate consists of fifty members, elected in single districts for four +years, one-half every two years. Apportionments are made every ten +years. Delegates are eligible at the age of twenty-one years; senators +at the age of twenty-five. + +_Quorum_, a majority. Bills to become laws, do not require the +governor's approval. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. He must be thirty years of age, a native citizen of +the United States, and have been a citizen of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years in joint assembly; an attorney general is +elected for four years by the people at every election for governor. + +_Judiciary._ The state is divided into twenty-one judicial circuits, ten +districts, and five sections, in each of which division, one judge is +elected by the people; the circuit judges for eight years, the judges of +the supreme court of appeals for twelve years. A circuit judge holds +circuit courts in the several counties composing his district. The +judges of the circuits constituting a section, and the judge of the +supreme court of appeals for that section, hold district courts in such +section. The supreme court of appeals consists of the five judges +elected in the sections, and three of whom may hold a court. Judges may +be removed by the legislature. + +A county court is held monthly in each county, by not less than three, +nor more than five justices of the peace, except when the law requires a +greater number. Each county is divided into districts, in each of which +four justices are elected for four years. The justices so elected choose +one of their own body as presiding justice of the county court. + +In each county are elected, a clerk of the county court and a surveyor, +for six years; an attorney for four years; a sheriff for two years: and +constables and overseers of the poor as may be prescribed by law. + +_Amendments._ The constitution does not provide for its amendment. The +last two constitutions were framed by conventions authorized by acts of +the legislature, and ratified by the electors. + + + +North Carolina. + + +This state adopted a constitution in 1776, which was amended in 1835. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of commons, called the _general +assembly_. The senate consists of fifty members, chosen biennially, in +single districts, which are laid off in proportion to the average amount +of taxes paid by the citizens during the five years preceding. Senators +must have resided within their respective districts a year, and possess +not less than three hundred acres of land. The house of commons is +composed of one hundred and twenty members, chosen biennially, and +apportioned among the counties, according to population, three-fifths of +the slaves being added to the number of free persons. They must have +resided a year in the counties they represent, and possess one hundred +and twenty acres of land. + +Bills passed by both houses become laws without being presented to the +governor. + +_Executive._ A governor is elected every two years, and is eligible only +four years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age; +must have been a resident of the state five years, and must have in the +state a freehold of the value of £1,000. No lieutenant-governor. + +There is a council of seven persons to advise the governor; a secretary +of state, and a treasurer, all chosen by joint vote of the two houses at +each session, for two years; and an attorney-general for four years, +unless for certain reasons the term shall be altered. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, superior courts, courts of admiralty, and +justices' courts. The judges are appointed by the general assembly, and +hold during good behavior. Justices of the peace, within their +respective counties, are recommended to the governor by the +representatives of the general assembly. They are commissioned by the +governor, and hold during good behavior. + +_Electors._ White freemen, inhabitants of the state one year, who have +paid taxes. Voters for senators are required also to own a freehold of +fifty acres. + +_Amendments._ A convention may be called by a majority of two-thirds of +all the members of each house of the general assembly. Or, amendments +may be proposed by majorities of three-fifths of all the members of both +houses; and they take effect when agreed to by two-thirds majorities of +the whole representation in the next assembly, and ratified by the +qualified voters of the state. + + + +South Carolina. + + +The first constitution of this state was formed in 1775; the present in +1790. Its principal amendments were made in 1808. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives, styled _general +assembly_. The house consists of one hundred and twenty-four members, +elected for two years in districts, and apportioned according to the +number of white inhabitants and the amount of taxes paid therein. +Residence in the state three years: and if a resident of the election +district, a freehold of five hundred acres of land and ten negroes, or a +real estate worth £150 sterling, clear of debt; if a non-resident of the +district, a clear freehold of £500 sterling. Senators, forty-five, +elected by districts, for four years, one-half every two years; each +district, except one, having one senator. Age, thirty years, state +residence, five years. If a resident in the district, a clear freehold +of £300 sterling; if a non-resident, a freehold in the district of +£1,000. + +Bills passed by both houses are laws without being presented to the +governor. + +_Executive._ The governor and lieutenant-governor are chosen by the +legislature for two years. Age, thirty years: state residence, ten +years; a clear freehold in the state of £1,500 sterling. A governor is +ineligible for the next four years. + +Commissioners of the treasury, secretary of state, and surveyor-general, +are elected by joint ballot of both houses for four years, and +ineligible for the next four years. + +_Judiciary._ Such superior and inferior courts of law and equity as the +legislature may establish. The judges are appointed by the legislature +during good behavior. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, resident in the state two years, and +owning a freehold of 50 acres of land, or a town lot, which he has owned +six months; or, not having such freehold, or town lot, resident in the +election district six months, and having paid a tax the preceding year +of three shillings sterling. + +_Amendments_ may be made by a convention called by two-thirds of all the +members of both branches. Alterations may also be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures. + + + +Georgia. + + +The first constitution was formed in 1777; the second in 1785; the +present in 1798, and amended in 1839, and 1844. + +_Legislature._ Senate and house, together styled _general assembly_. The +members of both houses are elected biennially. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to population, including +three-fifths of the slaves. Age, twenty-one years; citizenship, seven +years; state residence, three years; county, one year. Senators are +elected in districts. Age, twenty-five years; citizenship, nine years; +state residence, three years; district, one year. + +Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills not +returned by the governor within five days are laws, unless their return +is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States twelve years, of the +state, six years. No lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and surveyor-general, are elected for two +years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court for the correction of errors, to consist of +three judges chosen by the legislature for six years, one every two +years; a superior court, whose judges are elected in their several +circuits for four years; inferior courts, one in each county, consisting +of five judges, elected by the people; courts held by justices of the +peace elected for four years. + +Sheriffs are elected for two years, but may not be twice elected in four +years. + +_Electors_, white male citizens and inhabitants of the state, having +resided in the county six months, and paid all the taxes required of +them, and which they had an opportunity of paying the preceding year. + +_Amendments_ may be made by two successive legislatures, two-thirds of +both houses concurring. + + + +Florida. + + +This state was admitted into the union with its present constitution, by +act of congress, March 3, 1845. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. Age, thirty years; citizenship; state residence five +years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, elected by the people for four years; a treasurer +and a controller of public accounts for two years. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives, styled, the +_general assembly_. Representatives are apportioned among the counties +according to the number of free whites and three-fifths of the slaves; +the number not to exceed sixty. They are elected biennially. Age, +twenty-one; citizenship; state residence, two years; county, one year. +Senators are elected in districts, at least one in each district, for +four years, one-half every two years; the number to be not less than +one-fourth, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives. +Age, twenty-five years; other qualifications the same as those of +representatives. + +Bills become laws against the veto by majorities of all the members +elected. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, courts of chancery, circuit courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the people for six years. The state is divided into four +circuits, and a judge elected in each judicial circuit for six years, +who presides in the courts held in his circuit. Justices of the peace +for each county are appointed or elected, as the general assembly may +direct. + +An attorney-general is chosen by joint vote of the two houses, for four +years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state two years, of +the county, six months; enrolled in the militia, unless by law exempted +from serving. The general assembly is required to provide for +registering the qualified electors of each county. + +_Amendments._ A convention may be called by the general assembly, +two-thirds of each house concurring. Alterations may be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures. + + + +Alabama. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1819, with its present +constitution. + +_Legislature_--called the _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to the free white population; +chosen biennially; must be twenty-one years of age, residents of the +state two years, and of the county, city or town they represent, one +year. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half +of them every two years; must be twenty-seven years of age; residence +the same as representatives. The number of representatives may not +exceed one hundred; the number of senators may not exceed thirty-three. + +Bills negotiated by the governor, may be passed by majorities of all the +members elected. If not returned within five days, vetoed bills become +laws unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county, city, or town, three months. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years, and eligible four +years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age, a native +citizen of the United States, and have been a resident of the state four +years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state is chosen biennially, and a treasurer and a +controller of public accounts are chosen annually, by joint vote of both +houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court; circuit courts to be held in each county; +and inferior courts of law and equity, to be established by the general +assembly. Judges of the supreme court, and chancellors are chosen by the +legislature for six years; judges of the circuit and inferior courts by +the people for the same term. A competent number of justices of the +peace, and a sheriff, are elected in each county. + +An attorney-general for the state, and the requisite number of +solicitors are elected by joint vote of the general assembly, for four +years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by one legislature, approved by the electors +at the next election for representatives, and ratified by the next +legislature; two-thirds majorities being required in both cases. + + + +Mississippi. + + +In 1817, this state was admitted into the union with a constitution +adopted the same year. The present constitution was formed in 1832. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state one year, of the +county, four months. An elector who happens to be in any county, city, +or town, other than that of his residence, or who may have removed to +any such place within four months preceding an election, may vote for +such officers as he could have voted for in the county of his residence, +or from which he removed. + +_Legislature._ Representatives, not less than thirty-six, nor more than +one hundred, are elected for two years in the several counties, among +which they are apportioned according to the number of white inhabitants. +They must have been residents of the state two years, one of the county. +Senators, not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third of the +number of representatives, are elected by districts for four years. Age, +thirty years; state residence, four years; district one year. + +Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills must +be returned within six days, or they become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment. + +_Judiciary._ A high court of errors and appeals, consisting of three +judges, one in each district, elected for six years; a circuit court to +be held in each county at least twice a year, the judges to be elected +in their respective judicial districts for four years; a superior court +of chancery, the chancellor to be elected by the electors of the whole +state for six years; a court of probate in each county, the judge to be +elected for two years; a competent number of justices of the peace and +constables, chosen in each county for two years. Other inferior courts +may be established by the legislature. + +An attorney-general is chosen by the electors of the state, and a +competent number of district-attorneys in their respective districts. A +sheriff and one or more coroners are elected in each county for two +years. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen twenty years, a resident of the state five +years; and may not hold the office more than four years in six. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of both branches of the +legislature, and ratified by the people at the next election. + + + +Louisiana. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1812, with a constitution +formed the same year. In 1845, a second, and in 1852 the present +constitution was adopted. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the several parishes, (corresponding to counties in +other states,) and are elected for two years; the number not to exceed +one hundred, nor to be less than seventy. Senators, in number +thirty-two, are apportioned among the districts according to population, +and are elected for four years, one-half every two years. Every +qualified elector is eligible to a seat in either house. + +Vetoed bills are passed by majorities of two-thirds of all the members. +They become laws if not returned within ten days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment; in which case they will become laws if not +sent back within three days after the commencement of the next session. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, twenty-eight years; citizenship, and residence in +the state four years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state and a treasurer are elected by the electors, the +former for four years, the latter for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed +of a chief-justice and four associate justices; the former elected by +the electors of the state at large, the latter in their respective +districts. They are elected for ten years, one of the five every two +years. Judges of the inferior courts are elected in their respective +parishes or districts. Justices of the peace are elected for two years +by the electors in each parish, district, or ward. + +An attorney-general and a requisite number of district-attorneys, are +elected for four years; the former by the electors of the whole state, +the latter in their respective districts. + +A sheriff and a coroner are elected in each parish for two years. + +_Electors._ White males, having been citizens two years, residents of +the state one year, and of the parish six months. An elector removing +from one parish to another, may vote in the former until he shall have +become a voter in the latter. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +house, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election. + + + +Texas. + + +Texas, formerly a part of Mexico, declared itself independent in 1835. +By a joint resolution of congress, approved December 29, 1845, this +independent republic was admitted as a state into the union. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and the last six months in the district, city, or town in which they +offer to vote. If an elector happens to be in any other county within +his district, he may there vote for any district officer; and he may +vote any where in the state for state officers. + +_Legislature._ Representatives, not less than forty-five, nor more than +ninety, are apportioned among the counties according to the free +population, and are elected for two years. They must have been residents +of the state two years, of the county, city, or town they represent, one +year. Senators, no less than nineteen, nor more than thirty-three, are +elected in districts for four years, one-half every two years; must be +thirty years of age; inhabitants of the state three years, of the +district one year. + +Bills negatived by the governor become laws when passed by two-thirds of +both houses; bills not returned within five days become laws. Two-thirds +of each house constitutes a quorum. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, and has appellate jurisdiction +chiefly. It holds sessions once a year in not more than three places in +the state. District courts are held by the judge of each judicial +district at one place in each county at least twice a year. The judges +of both the supreme and district courts are elected by the people for +six years. + +A convenient number of justices of the peace, one sheriff, one coroner, +and a sufficient number of constables, are elected in each county for +two years. The sheriff is eligible only four years in six. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; is eligible four +years in every six. Age, thirty years; state residence, three years; a +citizen of the United States, or a citizen of the state of Texas at the +time of the adoption of the constitution. A lieutenant-governor. + +A treasurer, a controller of public accounts, and an attorney-general +are elected by the people for two years. A secretary of state is +appointed by the governor and senate, to hold during the official term +of the governor. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds majorities of the legislature, +approved by the electors, and ratified by majorities of two-thirds of +the next legislature. + + + +Arkansas. + + +In 1836, this state was admitted into the union with its present +constitution, which was slightly amended in 1845. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state six months, and +actual residents of the county. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives, not more than +one hundred, nor less than fifty-four, are apportioned among the +counties according to the number of free white male inhabitants, and are +elected for two years. Age, twenty-five years; residents of the counties +they represent. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, +one-half every two years; the number to be not less than seventeen, nor +more than thirty-three. Age, thirty years, inhabitants of the state one +year, and actual residents of the district they represent. + +General elections are _viva voce_, until otherwise directed by law. +Bills are passed against the veto by majorities of all the members. +Bills not returned within three days become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligble +more than eight in twelve years. Age, thirty years; residence in the +state four years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state for four years, and an auditor and a treasurer for +two years, are elected by a joint vote of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, county courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed of three judges, +elected by the legislature for eight years; one every four years, one +every six, and one every eight years. In each circuit a judge is elected +by the legislature for four years. There is in each county a county +court held by justices of the peace. Justices are elected in the +townships for two years. + +An attorney of state is elected in each judicial district for two years. + +A sheriff, a coroner, a treasurer and a county-surveyor, are elected in +each county for two years. + +_Amendments_ may be made by two successive legislatures, by two-thirds +majorities. + + + +Missouri. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1821. The present constitution +was adopted in 1820, and has been several times amended. + +_Legislature_--styled the _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties on the basis of the white population, and +are elected for two years. Age, twenty-four years; state residence, two +years; county or district one year; payment of state or county tax. +Senators, not to be less than twenty-five, nor more than thirty-three, +are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half every two +years. Age, thirty years; residence in the state, four years; in the +district, one year; payment of a state or county tax. + +Sessions of the legislature are limited to sixty days. Bills vetoed by +the governor must be passed by majorities of all the members to become +laws. Bills not returned by the governor within four days become laws, +unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county or district three months. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen of the +United States ten years, and of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, and a register of lands, are elected by the people for +four years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, justices of the peace, and +such other tribunals as the general assembly shall establish. The three +judges of the supreme court are elected by the electors of the state for +six years. A judge in each of the circuits is elected by the electors +thereof for six years. Justices of the peace are elected in the +townships. + +_Amendments_ may be proposed every fourth year by a majority of the +whole of each house; and they take effect when ratified by the electors +of the state. + + + +Tennessee. + + +This state was admitted into the union with its first constitution in +1796. The present one was formed in 1835. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties or districts according to the number of +qualified voters in each, and are not to exceed seventy-five until the +population of the state shall be 1,500,000, and may never exceed +ninety-nine. They must be citizens of the state three years, and +residents of the county they represent one year. Senators are +apportioned as representatives; the number not to exceed one-third of +the number of representatives; must be thirty years of age; in other +respects qualified as representatives. Both are elected biennially. + +Bills passed by both houses are laws without having been presented to +the governor. _Quorum_, two-thirds of each house. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; and may not hold the +office more than six in any term of eight years. He must be thirty years +of age, and have been a citizen of the state seven years. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state for four years, and a treasurer for two years, are +chosen by joint vote of the general assembly. + +_Electors._ White males having been citizens of the county six months; +also male persons of color, twenty-one years of age, who are competent +witnesses in a court of justice against a white man. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices' courts. The supreme court consists of three +judges, one in each of the grand divisions of the state, elected for +twelve years. Judges of inferior courts are elected for eight years. For +the election of justices of the peace, each county is divided into +districts of convenient size, in each of which are elected two justices +and one constable. A district containing a county town, may elect three +justices and two constables. + +Attorneys for the state are elected by joint assembly for six years. + +In each county are elected one sheriff, and one trustee for two years; +and one register for four years. The justices of the peace of each +county elect one coroner and one ranger for two years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by majorities of all the members elected, +approved by two-thirds of all the members of the next legislature, and +ratified by the people. + + + +Kentucky. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1790; and the state +was admitted with the same in 1792. Another was adopted in 1799; and the +present in 1850. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The house of representatives +consists of one hundred members, elected for two years; apportioned +among the counties in proportion to the qualified voters. Age, +twenty-four years; state residence, two years; county, one year. When a +city or town has a sufficient number of voters, it may elect one or more +representatives. Senate, thirty-eight members, one elected in each +district for four years; one-half every two years. Age, thirty years; +residence in the state six years, in the district, one year. + +Bills vetoed by the governor, if again passed by majorities of all the +members elected, are laws; also if not returned by him within ten days, +unless the return is prevented by adjournment; in which case they become +laws, unless sent back within three days after the commencement of the +next session. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, thirty-five years; residence in the state six years. +A lieutenant-governor. + +A treasurer for two years; and an auditor of public accounts, a register +of the land-office, and an attorney-general for four years, are chosen +by the electors. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, styled court of appeals, consisting of +four judges, one to be elected in each district for eight years, in such +rotation that one may be elected every two years. Should the number be +changed, the principle of electing one every two years is to be +preserved. A circuit court to be held in each county by a district +judge, one to be elected in each of the twelve judicial districts, for +six years. The number of districts may be increased, but may not exceed +sixteen until the population shall exceed 1,500,000. A county court in +each county, consisting of a presiding judge and two associates, elected +for four years. Other inferior courts may be established by law. + +Justices of the peace in each county are elected in districts, two in +each district for four years, and a constable for four years. A state's +attorney for each judicial district; a sheriff in each county, for two +years, and several other county officers. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state two years; +in the county, town, or city, one year; and in the precinct in which +they offer to vote, sixty days. + +_Amendments_ by conventions only are provided for. No convention may be +called by the legislature, until a majority of all the voters of the +state shall have voted at two successive elections in favor of calling a +convention. + + + +Ohio. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1802, preparatory to +her admission into the union; the present one, in 1851. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Senators and representatives +are elected biennially in their respective counties or districts, in +which they must have resided a year. The ratio of representation in the +house is ascertained by dividing the whole population of the state by +the number one hundred; the quotient being the ratio for the next ten +years. The ratio for a senator is ascertained by dividing the whole +population by thirty-five. Senators are elected in districts. The +representation of fractions of population is provided for. + +Bills are not submitted to the governor. Quorum, not less than a +majority. + +_Executive._ A governor, a lieutenant-governor, a secretary of state, a +treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected for two years; and an +auditor for four years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court consisting of five judges chosen by the +electors of the state at large for five years, one, every year. The +number may be altered by law. A district court in each of the nine +common pleas districts, composed of a supreme court judge and the judges +of the court of common pleas of the respective districts, and held in +each county within a district, or in at least three places in each +district. One or more of these judges hold a court of common pleas in +every county in the district. A county probate judge is elected for +three years. + +Justices of the peace, a competent number, are elected in each township +for three years. + +A sheriff is elected in each county for two years, but may hold only +four years in any period of six years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and in the county, township, or ward, such time as the law shall +prescribe. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by three-fifths of all the members elected to +each house, and ratified by a majority of the voters who vote thereon at +an election. Or a majority of two-thirds of all the members of each +house may submit to the electors the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors vote for a convention, the legislature +shall provide for calling the same. Every twentieth year, the question +of calling a convention is to be submitted to the electors. + + + +Indiana. + + +This state formed a constitution and was admitted into the union, in +1816. The present constitution was adopted in 1851. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state six months. +Also foreigners who have resided in the United States one year, in the +state six months, and have declared their intention to become citizens. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The number of senators may not +exceed fifty; the number of representatives may not exceed one hundred; +both to be chosen in their respective counties or districts, senators +for four years, one-half every two years; representatives for two years. +Both are apportioned according to the number of white male inhabitants +twenty-one years of age, every six years. They must have been citizens +of the state two years; of the county or district, one year. Senators +must be twenty-five years of age. + +Quorum, two-thirds. Bills must be finally passed by majorities of all +the members elected. The same majorities enact a bill disapproved by the +governor. If he does not return a bill within three days, it is a law, +unless its return is prevented by adjournment; in which case it will be +a law, unless he shall, within five days after the adjournment, file the +bill, with his objections, in the office of the secretary of state, who +shall lay the same before the general assembly at the next session, as +if it had been returned by the governor. Bids may not be presented to +the governor within two days previous to the adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; and is eligible +only four years in eight. Age, thirty years; citizenship, five years; +state residence, five years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, an auditor, and a treasurer, are elected for two +years, and are eligible four years in six. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, and such inferior courts +as the general assembly may establish. Judges of the supreme court, not +less than three nor more than five, one in each district, are elected by +the electors of the state at large, for six years. Circuit courts +consist of a judge for each judicial circuit, chosen by the electors +thereof, for six years; and a prosecuting attorney for the circuit, for +two years. Justices of the peace are elected for four years in the +townships. + +There are elected in each county, a clerk of the circuit court, an +auditor, a recorder, a treasurer, a sheriff, a coroner, and a surveyor; +the first three for four years; the others for two years. The sheriff +and treasurer are eligible only four years in eight; the first three +eight years in twelve. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members of each house concurring, and ratified by +the electors of the state. + + + +Illinois. + + +Illinois was admitted into the union in 1818. The present constitution +is dated August 31, 1847. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are elected +for two years; must be twenty-five years of age; inhabitants of the +state three years, and of the county or district, one year; and have +paid a state or county tax. The number is never to exceed one hundred. +The districts are not limited to a single representative. The senate +consists of twenty-five members, elected in single districts, for four +years, one-half every two years; must be thirty years of age; citizens +of the United States; inhabitants of the state five years, of the county +or district, one year; and have paid a county or state tax. +Apportionments of senators and representatives are made after each +census, taken in 1855, and every ten years thereafter. + +Quorum, two-thirds. Bills passed against the veto by a majority of all +the members elected to each house. If not returned within ten days, they +are laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment; in which case +they must be returned on the first day of the next legislative session, +or they will be laws. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is eligible +four years in eight. Age, thirty-five years; citizenship, fourteen +years; state residence, ten years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state and an auditor of public accounts are elected for +four years, and a treasurer for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court of three judges, one to be chosen in each +of the three grand divisions, for nine years, one every three years; the +one oldest in commission to be chief-justice. The legislature may +provide for their election by the whole state. Circuit judges are +elected for six years, one in each of the nine judicial districts, the +number of which may be increased, if necessary. A circuit court is to be +held two or more terms annually in each county. A judge of the county +court is elected in each county for four years, and has also probate +jurisdiction. + +Justices of the peace are elected in each county by districts for four +years. Inferior local courts may be established in the cities by the +legislature. + +A state's attorney is elected in each judicial circuit, for four years; +or in each county, if the legislature shall so direct. In each county a +clerk of the circuit court is elected for four years and a sheriff for +two years, who is eligible only once in four years; a supreme court +clerk by the electors of each grand division. + +_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the state one year. A +poll or capitation-tax of not less than fifty cents, nor more than a +dollar, may, in case of necessity, be laid upon every voter under sixty +years of age. + +_Amendments_ must be proposed by two-thirds majorities of all the +members of one legislature, approved by majorities of all the members of +the next legislature, and ratified by the electors at the next general +election. Or, the legislature, by two-thirds majorities of all the +members, may submit to the people the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors voting for representatives shall vote +for a convention, an act for calling one shall be passed. + + + +Michigan. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1836. The present constitution +was adopted in 1850. + +_Legislature._ The senate has thirty-two members, elected in single +districts, for two years. Representatives, not less than sixty-four, nor +more than one hundred, are elected also in single districts, for two +years. An apportionment of members is made every ten years. Any +qualified elector holding no other office, is eligible to either house. + +The final passage of bills requires a majority of all the members +elected to each house. Majorities of two-thirds of all the members pass +bills against the veto. Bills not returned within ten days, are laws +unless their return is prevented by adjournment. Bills passed within +the last five days of a session, may be signed by the governor and filed +by him in the office of the secretary of state within five days after +the adjournment; and the same become laws. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States five years, and a +resident of the state two years. A lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, a probate court, and +justices of the peace. For six years, and until the legislature shall +otherwise provide, the circuit judges are to be judges of the supreme +court. After six years, a supreme court may be organized, consisting of +a chief-justice and three associate justices, chosen by the electors for +eight years, and so classed that only one of them shall go out of office +at a time. A circuit judge is elected in each of the eight judicial +circuits for six years. The number of circuits may be increased. The +probate judge of each county is elected for four years. + +Justices of the peace, not exceeding four, are elected in each township, +for four years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state three +months, and in the township or ward ten days; also foreigners after a +residence of two and a half years in the state, and a declaration of +their intention to become citizens; and civilized males of Indian +descent. + +A secretary of state, a superintendent of public instruction, a +treasurer, a commissioner of the land-office, an auditor-general, and +attorney-general, are elected for two years. + +In each county are elected a sheriff, a county clerk, a county +treasurer, a register of deeds, and a prosecuting attorney, all for two +years. The sheriff can hold only four years in six. The board of +supervisors may unite the offices of clerk and register in one office. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +branch, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election. Every sixteenth year the question of a general +revision of the constitution by a convention shall be submitted to the +electors of the state. + + + +Wisconsin. + + +This state was admitted into the union by an act of congress, May 29, +1848. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, or foreigners who have declared their +intention to become citizens, having resided in the state one year; also +civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe. + +_Legislature._ A senate and an assembly. Members of the assembly are +elected annually; the number not to be less than fifty-four, nor greater +than one hundred. The number of senators may not be less than +one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the number of members of +assembly. Senators are chosen for two years, half every year. Members of +both houses are elected in single districts, apportioned every five +years; and must have resided in the state a year, and be qualified +electors of the districts. + +Bills are passed over the veto by majorities of two-thirds. Quorum, a +majority. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years. Any citizen of the +United States and qualified elector of the state, is eligible to the +office of governor or lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years. + +Sheriffs, coroners, registers of deeds, and district-attorneys, are +elected in counties, for two years. Sheriffs are ineligible for the next +two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, courts of probate, and +justices of the peace. Inferior courts, with limited civil jurisdiction, +may be established by law in the several counties. By the constitution, +the judges of the circuit courts were to be judges of the supreme court +for five years, and until the legislature should otherwise provide. A +separate supreme court may be organized, to consist of a chief-justice +and two associate justices elected by the electors of the state for six +years; one only to be elected at a time. The circuit judges also, one in +each judicial circuit, are elected for six years. The supreme court +shall hold at least one term annually at the seat of government, and at +such other places as the legislature may provide. A circuit court is to +be held at least twice a year in each county. + +A judge of probate is chosen in each county for two years; but the +office may be abolished, and probate powers conferred on inferior county +courts. Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns, cities, +and villages, for two years. + +_Amendments_ are to be approved by a majority of the whole of each house +of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. Also the +legislature may submit to the people the question of calling a +convention to revise or change the constitution. + + + +Iowa. + + +The state of Iowa was admitted into the union by an act of congress +approved December 28, 1846. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, resident in the state six months, and +in the county twenty days. + +_Legislature._ The two houses are called the _general assembly_. +Representatives are elected in their respective districts for two years; +their number to be not less than thirty-nine, nor exceed seventy-two. +They must be inhabitants of the state one year, and residents of the +county or district thirty days. Senators, in number not less than +one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-four +years; otherwise qualified as representatives. + +Two-thirds majorities of the members present, pass bills vetoed by the +governor. Bills not returned within three days also become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; must have been a +citizen of the United States and a resident of the state, two years; and +must be thirty years of age. No lieutenant-governor. In case of vacancy +in the office of governor, the office devolves upon the secretary of +state until the vacancy is filled. + +A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, and a treasurer, +are elected for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, elected by joint vote of the two +branches, for six years. It has appellate jurisdiction only in all cases +of chancery, and constitutes a court for the correction of errors at +law. Each district court consists of a judge elected by the voters of +the district, for five years, at the township elections. A prosecuting +attorney and a clerk of the district court, are elected in each county +at the general election, for two years. + +_Amendments_ are provided for only by a convention. The legislature may +provide for a vote of the people, and if a majority of the votes are in +favor of a convention, an election of delegates is to be held within six +months. + + + +California. + + +The constitution of this state was adopted November 13, 1849; and the +state was admitted by act of congress, September 9, 1850. + +_Electors._ White male citizens of the United States, and white male +citizens of Mexico having elected to become citizens of the United +States under the treaty of peace, who have resided in the state six +months, and in the county or district thirty days. + +_Legislature._ Senate and assembly. Members of assembly, the number to +be not less than thirty, nor greater than eighty, are chosen annually by +districts. Senators, not to be less than one-third nor more than +one-half of the number of members of assembly, are elected by districts +for two years, one-half every year. Members of both houses must have +resided in the state two years, and in their respective districts one +year, and be qualified voters. They are apportioned every five years. + +Bills, rejected by the governor, must be passed by a majority of +two-thirds of each house, to become a law. Bills become laws if not +returned by the governor within ten days, unless the legislature shall +sooner adjourn. + +_Executive._ A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years. Age, twenty-five years, and two years' residence in the state. + +A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a surveyor-general, are elected for two years, by joint vote of the +two houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, county courts, justices +of the peace, and such municipal and other inferior courts as the +legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the electors of the state for six years, one every two years; +the senior justice in commission to be chief-justice. District judges +are elected in their respective districts for six years. A judge of the +county court is elected in each county for four years, and performs also +the duties of judge of probate. The number of justices of the peace +elected in each county, city, town, or village, is fixed by law. + +The election of sheriffs, coroners, county clerks and certain other +officers, is provided for by law. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of the +two houses of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. +The legislature may, by two-thirds majorities, submit to the people the +question of calling a convention for a general revision of the +constitution. + + + +Minnesota. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1858. + +_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the United States one +year, and in the state four months. Also foreigners who have so resided, +and declared their intention to become citizens; and persons of mixed +white and Indian blood, and of Indian blood, under certain regulations. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives. The first +legislature consisted of thirty-seven senators and eighty +representatives. + +_Executive._ A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years, and a state auditor for three years. + +_Judiciary._ The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, district +courts, courts of probate, justices of the peace, and such other courts +inferior to the supreme court, as the legislature may establish by a +two-thirds vote. + + + + +Constitution of the United States. + + +We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect +union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the +common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of +liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this +Constitution for the United States of America. + + +Article I. + +Section. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested +in a congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and +house of representatives. + +Sec. 2. The house of representatives shall be composed of +members chosen every second year, by the people of the several states; +and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requiste +for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. + +No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the +age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United +States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state +in which he shall be chosen. + +Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states which may be included within this union, according to their +respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole +number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of +years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other +persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after +the first meeting of the congress of the United States, and within every +subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law +direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every +thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative; +and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire +shall be entitled to choose _three_; Massachusetts, _eight_; Rhode +Island and Providence Plantations, _one_; Connecticut, _five_; New York, +_six_; New Jersey, _four_; Pennsylvania, _eight_; Delaware, _one_; +Maryland, _six_; Virginia, _ten_; North Carolina, _five_; South +Carolina, _five_; and Georgia, _three_. + +When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the +executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such +vacancies. + +The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other +officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. + +Sec. 3. The senate of the United States shall be composed of +two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six +years; and each senator shall have one vote. + +Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first +election, they shall be divided as equally as may be, into three +classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated +at the expiration of the second year; of the second class at the +expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class at the expiration +of the sixth year; so that one-third may be chosen every second year; +and if vacancies happen, by resignation or otherwise, during the recess +of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make +temporary appointments, until the next meeting of the legislature, which +shall then fill such vacancies. + +No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and +who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he +shall be chosen. + +The vice-president of the United States shall be president of the +senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. + +The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro +tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise +the office of president of the United States. + +The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments: when +sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the +president of the United States is tried, the chief-justice shall +preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of +two-thirds of the members present. + +Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to +removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office +of honor, trust, or profit, under the United States; but the party +convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, +trial, judgment and punishment, according to law. + +Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for +senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the +legislature thereof; but the congress may at any time, by law, make or +alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. + +The congress shall assemble at least once in every year; and such +meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall, by +law, appoint a different day. + +Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns +and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall +constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn +from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of +absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as each house +may provide. + +Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its +members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of +two-thirds, expel a member. + +Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to +time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, +require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, +on any question, shall at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be +entered on the journal. + +Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the +consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other +place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. + +Sec. 6. The senators and representatives shall receive a +compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out +of the treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except +treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest +during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and +in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in +either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place. + +No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was +elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the +United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof +shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any +office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during +his continuance in office. + +Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the +house of representatives; but the senate may propose, or concur with, +amendments, as on other bills. + +Every bill which shall have passed the house of representatives and the +senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the president of +the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not he shall +return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have +originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, +and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, two-thirds +of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together +with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be +reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall +become a law. But, in all such cases, the votes of both houses shall be +determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and +against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house +respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the president within +ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, +the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless +the congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it +shall not be a law. + +Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the senate +and house of representatives may be necessary, (except on a question of +adjournment,) shall be presented to the president of the United States, +and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, +being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the senate +and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations +prescribed in the case of a bill. + +Sec. 8. The congress shall have power: + +To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay the debts +and provide for the common defense, and general welfare of the United +States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout +the United States: + +To borrow money on the credit of the United States: + +To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, +and with the Indian tribes: + +To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the +subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States: + +To coin money; to regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin; and +fix the standard of weights and measures: + +To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and +current coin of the United States: + +To establish post offices and post roads: + +To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for +limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their +respective writings and discoveries: + +To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court: + +To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, +and offenses against the law of nations: + +To declare war; grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules +concerning captures on land and water: + +To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to that use +shall be for a longer term than two years: + +To provide and maintain a navy: + +To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval +forces: + +To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the +union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions: + +To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for +governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the +United States; reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of +the officers, and the authority of training the militia, according to +the discipline prescribed by congress: + +To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such +district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of +particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of +the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over +all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in +which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, +dock-yards, and other needful buildings: And, + +To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into +execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this +constitution in the government of the United States, or in any +department or officer thereof. + +Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of +the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be +prohibited by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred +and eight; but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not +exceeding ten dollars for such person: + +The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless +when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require +it. + +No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. + +No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to +the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. + +No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No +preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to +the ports of one state, over those of another; nor shall vessels bound +to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in +another. + +No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of +appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the +receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from +time to time. + +No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no +person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without +the consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, +or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. + +Sec. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or +confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit +bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law +impairing the obligation of contracts; or grant any title of nobility. + +No state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any imposts or +duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary +for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and +imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of +the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to +the revision and control of the congress. No state shall, without the +consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of +war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another +state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war unless actually +invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay. + + +Article II. + +Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a president +of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the +term of four years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for +the same term, be elected as follows: + +Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may +direct, a number of electors equal to the whole number of senators and +representatives to which the state may be entitled in the congress; but +no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or +profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. + +The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot +for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the +same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the +persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each, which list they +shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the +government of the United States, directed to the president of the +senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate +and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes +shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes +shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole number +of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such +majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the house of +representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for +president; and if no person have a majority, then, from the five highest +on the list, the said house shall, in like manner, choose the president. +But in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the +representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this +purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the +states, and a majority of the states shall be necessary to a choice. In +every case, after the choice of the president, the person having the +greatest number of votes of the electors, shall be the vice-president. +But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the senate +shall choose from them, by ballot, the vice-president. + +[By the 12th article of amendment, the above clause has been repealed.] + +The congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the +day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the same +throughout the United States. + +No person, except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United +States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be +eligible to the office of president; neither shall any person be +eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United +States. + +In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, +resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said +office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president, and the congress +may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or +inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring what +officer shall then act as president; and such officer shall act +accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be +elected. + +The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a +compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the +period for which he shall have been elected; and he shall not receive, +within that period, any other emolument from the United States, or any +of them. + +Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the +following oath or affirmation: + +"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the +office of President of the United States; and will, to the best of my +ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United +States. + +Sec. 2. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army +and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, +when called into the actual service of the United States; he may 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; and he shall have power to grant reprieves and +pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of +impeachment. + +He shall have power by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to +make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur: and +he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, +shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of +the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States whose +appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be +established by law: but the congress may, by law, vest the appointment +of such inferior officers as they think proper, in the president alone, +in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. + +The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen +during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which shall +expire at the end of their next session. + +Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the congress +information of the state of the union; and recommend to their +consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. +He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of +them; and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time +of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think +proper. He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers. He +shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed; and shall +commission all the officers of the United States. + +Sec. 4. The president, vice-president, and all civil officers +of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, +and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and +misdemeanors. + + +Article III. + +Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be +vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress +may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges both of the +supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good +behavior; and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a +compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in +office. + +Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and +equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States +and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all +cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all +cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which +the United States shall be a party, to controversies between two or more +states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens +of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands +under grants of different states; and between a state, or the citizens +thereof; and foreign states, citizens or subjects. + +In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, +and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme court shall +have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the +supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and +fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations, as the congress +shall make. + +The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by +jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes +shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the +trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law have +directed. + +Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in +levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them +aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the +testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in +open court. + +The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason; but +no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, +except during the life of the person attainted. + + +Article IV. + +Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given, in each state, +to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other +state. And the congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in +which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect +thereof. + +Sec. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the +privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. + +A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who +shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall, on demand +of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered +up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime. + +No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, +escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation +therein, be discharged from such service or labor; but shall be +delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be +due. + +Sec. 3. New states may be admitted by the congress into this +union; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the +jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed by the junction +of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the +legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the congress. + +The congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules +and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to +the United States; and nothing in this constitution shall be so +construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any +particular state. + +Sec. 4. The United States shall guaranty to every state in this +union, a republican form of government; and shall protect each of them +against invasion, and on application of the legislature, or of the +executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic +violence. + + + +Article V. + +The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it +necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or on the +application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, +shall call a convention for proposing amendments; which, in either case, +shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this +constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the +several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one +or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress: +Provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one +thousand eight hundred and eight, shall in any manner affect the first +and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that +no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage +in the senate. + + +Article VI. + +All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption +of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under +this constitution, as under the confederation. + +This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made +in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made or which shall be made under +the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the +land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in +the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. + +The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of +the several legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both +of the United States, and of the several states, shall be bound, by oath +or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no religious test +shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust +under the United States. + + + +Article VII. + +The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient +for the establishment of this constitution between the states so +ratifying the same. + +Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present, the +seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven +hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States +of America, the twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed +our names. + +George Washington, +_President, and Deputy from Virginia._ + +_New Hampshire._--John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. + +_Massachusetts._--Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King. + +_Connecticut._--Wm. Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman. + +_New-York._--Alexander Hamilton. + +_New Jersey._--William Livingston, David Brearly, William Paterson, +Jonathan Dayton. + +_Pennsylvania._--Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimmons, +James Wilson, Thomas Mifflin, George Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Gouverneur +Morris. + +_Delaware._--George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard +Bassett, Jacob Broom. + +_Maryland._--James M'Henry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel +Carroll. + +_Virginia._--John Blair, James Madison, Jr. + +_North Carolina._--William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh +Williamson. + +_South Carolina._--John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler, +Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. + +_Georgia._--William Few, Abraham Baldwin. + +_Attest:_ William Jackson, _Secretary_. + + +Amendments. + +Article 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an +establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or +abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the +people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a +redress of grievances. + +Art. II. A well regulated militia being necessary to the +security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms +shall not be infringed. + +Art. III. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in +any house without the consent of the owner, nor in a time of war, but in +a manner to be prescribed by law. + +Art. IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, +houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, +shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable +cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the +place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized. + +Art. V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or +otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a +grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in +the militia when in actual service, in time of war or public danger; nor +shall any person be subject, for the same offense, to be twice put in +jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, +to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty or +property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be +taken for public use, without just compensation. + +Art. VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy +the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the +state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which +district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be +informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted +with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining +witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his +defense. + +Art. VII. In suits at common law, where the value in +controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury +shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reëxamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law. + +Art. VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive +fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. + +Art. IX. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights, +shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the +people. + +Art. X. The powers not delegated to the United States, by the +constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the +states respectively, or to the people. + +Art. XI. The judicial power of the United States shall not be +construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or +prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. + +Art. XII. The electors shall meet in their respective states +and vote by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom, at +least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; +they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as president, and +in distinct ballots the person voted for as vice-president, and they +shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as president, and of +all persons voted for as vice-president, and of the number of votes for +each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to +the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the +president of the senate;--the president of the senate shall, in the +presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the +certificates, and the votes shall then be counted;--the person having +the greatest number of votes for president, shall be the president, if +such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and +if no person have such majority, then, from the persons having the +highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as +president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately, by +ballot, the president. But in choosing the president, the votes shall be +taken by states, the representatives from each state having one vote; a +quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from +two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be +necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not +choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, +before the fourth day of March next following, then the vice-president +shall act as president, as in the case of the death or other +constitutional disability of the president. The person having the +greatest number of votes as vice-president, shall be the vice-president, +if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, +and if no person have a majority, then, from the two highest numbers on +the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president; a quorum for the +purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and +a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no +person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be +eligible to that of vice-president of the United States. + + + + +Index + + + +Academies and colleges, 82 +Accessories to crime, 220 +Actions at law, defined, 64 + how commenced, 64 +Adjutant-general, 92 +Administrators, duties of, 179 +Admission of states, 158 +Agent, responsibilities of, 202-204 +Alabama, constitution of, 259 +Aldermen, duties of, 60 +Aliens, power to pass laws for the naturalization of, 121, 122 + disabilities of, 121 +Alliance, defined, 135 +Alliances, when binding, 230, 231 + by states, prohibited, 135 +Amendments of the constitution, provision for, 160 +Appeals of suits, 68, 69 +Appellant, appellee, defined, 69 +Apellate jurisdiction, defined, 70 +Appointment, power of, (see Governor and President.) +Apprentices and servants, 175, 176 +Aquatic rights, 183, 185 +Aristocracy, defined, 25 +Arkansas, constitution of, 264 +Army, standing, 149 +Arrest and examination of offenders, 69 +Arsenals, use of, 92 +Arson, defined, 217 +Assault and battery, 220 +Assessment and collection of taxes, 76-78 +Assessors, duties of, 77 +Assignments, 197-199 +Assumption of public debt, 160 +Attachment, suit by, 68 +Attainder of treason, 155 +Attorney, defined, 65 +Attorney, county or state's, 51, 56 +Attorney-general, state, 51 + of United States, 151 +Auditor of state, 51 + county, 65 +Auxiliary executive departments, 147-151 + +Bail, defined, how taken, 69, 70 + excessive, forbidden, 165 +Bailment, 200-202 +Ballot, defined, 33 +Bankruptcy, power to pass laws of, 124 +Banks, and their operation, 86-88 +Belligerent, defined 228 +Betting and gaming, 221 +Bigamy, defined, 219 +Bill, defined, 45 +Bills, passage of, 45-43 +Bills of attainder, by congress, prohibited, 133 + by states, prohibited, 137 + of credit, defined, 136 + passage of, prohibited, 136 + of exchange, 213-215 +Blockade, defined, 236 +Body politic, defined, 19, 54 +Bribery, defined, 219 +Broker and brokerage, 204, 205 +Bullion, defined, 125 +Burglary, defined, 218 + +Cabinet, defined, 147 + officers of, and their powers and duties, 147 +California, constitution of 277 +Canals, construction of, 82-84 + tolls on, 84 +Canvassing of votes, 34 +Capital, defined, 41, 216 +Capitation or poll-tax, 76, 77, 133 +Carriers of goods, liability of, 201, 202 +Causes, criminal and civil, defined, 64 +Casting vote, when given, 46 +Challenging voters, 33 +Charges d'affaires, 145 +Charter, defined, 59 +Chattel mortgages, 199 +Cities, villages, &c., 59-62 +Citizens, privileges of, in the several states, 157 +Civil government, defined, 17 + mankind fitted for, 17 +Civil society, 17 +Clearance of vessels, 120 +Codicil, defined, 179 +Coining money, power of, 124 + by states, prohibited, 136 +Collection of taxes, 76-78 +Colony, defined, 95 +Colonies, government of, 95 +Commerce, foreign, regulation of, 114-119 +Commerce, domestic, power of congress to regulate, 121, 122 + with Indians, 122 +Commissary-general, 92 +Commissioners, county, duties of, 54 +Committees, legislative, 44, 45 +Common carriers, responsibilities of, 201, 202 +Common council, 60 +Common law, defined, 167 +Commons, house of, 29 +Common schools, school funds, &c., 79-82 +Commonwealth, defined, 26 +Confederacy, defined, 101 +Confederation, when formed, 97 + nature of, 98, 99, 101, 102 +Confiscate, defined, 230 +Congress, under confederation, how constituted, 97, 102 +Congress under constitution, how constituted, 104-109 +Congress, powers of, (see Powers of Congress,) +Counterfeiting, defined, 218 + United States coin, power to punish, 125 +Connecticut, constitution of, 244 +Constables, duties of, 58 +Constitution, defined, 27 + objects of, 27 + how formed, 27, 28 + of United States, 281 + history of, 100 + nature of, 101-104 + how amended, 160 + supremacy of, 161 + ratification of, by the states, 162 + amendments to, 163-166 +Consuls, appointment of, 144 + duties of, 145, 227, 228 +Contraband goods, 235, 236 +Contracts in general, 189-193 +Contracts of sale, 193-197 +Contracts, obligation of, not to be impaired, 137 +Controller, or auditor, 51 +Convention, defined, 28 +Conventional law of nations, 224 +Copy-rights and patents, power of congress concerning, 126, 127 +Coroners, duties of, 55 +Corporation, defined, 54 +Corporations, how formed, 59 + nature and powers of, 59-62 +Corruption of blood, 155 +Council, legislative, 38 +Counties, origin of, 53, 54 + powers of, 54 +County officers duties of, 54-66 +County commissioners, 54 +Courts, justices, 63-70 + county, 70 + common pleas, 70 + circuit, 70, 71 + oyer and terminer, 71 + supreme, 73 + of appeals, 73 + of chancery or equity, 73, 74 + of probate, 74 + of impeachment, 75, 76 + of United States, 151, 154 + martial, 92 +Crime, infamous, defined, 31 +Crimes and misdemeanors, 216-221 +Criminal suits, defined, 64 +Customs, duties, &c., defined, 113 + collection of, 119 + +Debt, national, at different periods, 114 +Declaration of war, 231 +Deeds and mortgages, 181-183 +Delaware, constitution of, 250 +Delegate, defined, 27 +Democracy, defined, 25, 26 +Deposit fund, U.S., 80 +Deposits in banks, 87 +Depositary, responsibility of, 200 +Descent of property, of intestates, 179, 180 +Despotism, defined, 25 +Devise of property, 177 +Diplomacy, defined, 148 +District of Columbia, power of congress over, 130 +Dividends, defined, 86 +Domestic relations, laws regulating, 171-177 +Dower, defined, and right of, 183 +Drunkards, contracts made by, when binding, 191 +Dueling, defined, 219 +Duties, imposts and excises, defined, 113 + power of congress to lay, 113 + of tunnage, states may not lay, 120 + protective, by what authority laid, 116, 117 + +Easement, defined, (see Right of Way,) 183 +Education, provision for, &c., 79 +Elections, time of, how conducted, &c., 32-35 + by plurality, 34-35 + by majority, 34-35 +Electors, qualifications of, 29-31 + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.) +Electors of president and vice-president, how chosen, 140 +Embassadors, ministers, &c, 144, 145 + their appointment and duties, 144, 145 +Embassadors, rights and powers of, 226, 227 +Embezzlement, defined, 218 +Envoys, (see Embassadors.) +Escapes, persons aiding or permitting, punishable, 220 +Excise, defined, and power to lay, 112, 113 +Execution, issuing and collection of, in justices' courts, 67, 68 + exemption from, 68 +Executive department, state, 36, 48-50 + of the United States, 138-142 + officers of, their appointment and duties, 147-150 +Executors, powers and duties of, 179 +Ex post facto laws, passage of, prohibited, 133,137 + +Factor or agent, powers and responsibilities of, 202, 203 +False imprisonment, defined, 220 +Federal, defined, 101 +Fence-viewers, duties of, 58 +Fee and fee-simple, defined, 182, 186 +Felony, power of congress to define and punish, 128 +Florida, constitution of, 258 +Forgery, defined, 218 +Franchise, defined, 31 +Franking privilege, to whom granted, 151 +Fraudulent sales, assignments, &c., 197, 200 +Freedom of speech and of the press, guarantied, 163 +Freehold, freeholder, defined, 31 +Fugitives from justice, provision for the apprehension of, 157 + from service, apprehension and return of, 157, 158 +Fund, defined, 79 +Funds, various kinds of, 79-81 + +Georgia, constitution of, 257 +Government, civil, defined, 17 + different forms of, 23-26 + division of powers of, 35-37 +Governor and lieutenant-governor, election and duties of, 48-50 +Graves, opening of, punishable, 219 +Great Britain, government of, 28, 29 +Habeas corpus, privilege of writ of, guarantied, 132 +Hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, defined, 183 +Highways, supervision and oversight of, 68 +Homicide, various kinds of, defined, 217 +Husband and wife, laws regulating the relation of, 171-174 + +Idiots and lunatics, contracts by, when binding, 190 +Illinois, constitution of, 272 +Impeachment, trial of, 75 +Imposts, duties, and excises, defined, 113 +Incest, defined, 219 +Incorporated companies, 61 +Independence of the states declared, 97 +Indiana, constitution of, 270 +Indians, power to regulate commerce with, 122 +Indictments, how made, 77 +Innkeepers, liability of, 201 +Insurance companies, 89, 90 +Insurrection and rebellion, defined, 90 +Interest, and rates of, in the different states, 215 +Intestates, descent of property of, 179, 180 +Iowa, constitution of, 276 +Issue, joining of, in justices' courts, 65 +Issues of fact and of law, defined, 71 + +Joining issue in justices' courts, 65 +Judges, appointment of, in the states, 70 + how removable, 76 + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.) + of the United States courts, appointment of, 144, 146 +Judgment, rendering of, 65 + concession and collection of, in justices' courts, 67, 68 +Judicial department, state, 63-76 + of the United States, 151-154 +Jurisdiction, defined, 64 + original and appellate, defined, 70 +Juries in justices' courts, 66, 67 + grand and petit, 71 +Jury, right of trial by, secured, 66, 164, 165 +Justices' courts, proceedings of, 64-70 +Justices of the peace, jurisdiction of, 64 + +Kentucky, constitution of, 268 + +Larceny, grand and petit, defined, 218 +Law, defined, 16 + common and statute, defined, 167 +Laws necessity of, 22 + man fitted for, 17 + political, civil, municipal, defined, 21, 22 + manner of enacting, 43-48 +Laws of nations, defined, 221, 223, 224 +Leases, or estates for life, for years, at will, and by sufferance, rent, &c., 186-189 +Legislatures, state, how formed, 37-40 + meetings of, 40-43 + organization and officers of, 41-43 +Letters testamentary, and by whom issued, 179 + of administration, and by whom issued, 179 +Libel and slander, law concerning, 168, 169 +Liberty, defined, 20, 167 + of speech and of the press, secured, 163 + of conscience, 19, 170 +Lien, law concerning, 203, 205 +Lieutenant-governor, duties of, 49 +Lords, house of, 29 +Louisiana, constitution of, 262 + +Maiming, defined, 217 +Maine, constitution of, 239 +Man, fitted for government and laws, 16, 17 +Mandatary, responsibility of, 200 +Manifest, defined, 121 +Mankind, fitted for society, 15, 17 +Manslaughter, defined, 217 +Marque and reprisal, defined, 129 + power to issue letters of, 129 + states may not issue, 136 +Marriage, law concerning, 171 +Maryland, constitution of, 252 +Massachusetts, constitution of, 242 +Masters, apprentices, and servants, 175-177 +Mayor, election and duties of, 60 +Michigan, constitution of, 273 +Militia, regulation of, 90-92 +Ministers, public, their appointment and duties, 144, 145 + privilege and powers of, 145, 227 +Minors, rights and liabilities of, 175 +Minnesota, constitution of, 278 +Mints of the United States, 125 +Misdemeanors, defined, 64, 221 +Mississippi, constitution of, 260 +Missouri, constitution of, 265 +Monarchy, defined, 24, 25 +Money, power of congress to borrow, 114 + power of congress to coin, 124 + coining of, by states, prohibited, 136 + how borrowed, 84 +Moral, defined, 16 + law, defined, 21 +Mortgages, land, nature of, 182 + chattel, 199 +Murder, defined, 217 + +Nation and state, defined, 17 +Nations, jurisdiction of, 225 + rights and obligations of, 226-228 +Naturalization, power to pass laws concerning, 122, 123 +Navigation, regulation of, 119-121 + acts of Great Britain, 99 +Navy department, when established, 148 +Negative, or veto, defined, 47 +Neutral nations, rights and duties of, 228, 234-237 +New Hampshire, constitution of, 240 +New Jersey, constitution of, 247 +New York, constitution of, 245 +New states, power of congress to admit, 158 +Nonsuit, judgment of, 66 +North Carolina, constitution of, 255 +Notaries public, duties of, 214 +Notes, promissory, 207-212 + +Oaths of office, 161 + test, forbidden, 161 +Obligation of contracts, may not be impaired, 137 +Obligations of nations, 225 +Offenders, arrest of and examination, 69 +Offenses against the law of nations, power to define, 128 +Ohio, constitution of, 269 +Overseers of highways, duties of, 58 + of poor, duties of, 58 + +Pardon and reprieve, power of, 49, 143 +Parent and child, law concerning, 174, 175 +Parliament, how formed, 29 +Parol contracts, defined, 190 +Partnership, law concerning, 205, 207 +Passports, defined, 120, 121 +Patents and copy-rights, how secured, 126, 127 +Patriarch, defined, 23 +Pawnee, liability of, 201 +Peace, treaties of, 237, 238 +Pennsylvania, constitution of, 248 +Pensions, military, 149 +Perjury, defined, 219 +Personal estate, defined, 77 +Piracies and felonies, power of congress concerning, 128 +Pleadings, in justices' courts, 65 +Police courts and justices, 60 +Policy, insurance, defined, 89 +Political law, defined, 21, 27 + power, by whom exercised, 29-31 +Poll, defined, 32, 33 +Poll-list, how and by whom kept, 32 +Poll or capitation tax, 76, 77, 133 +Polygamy, defined, 219 +Poor, overseers of, their duties, 58 +Postmaster-general, power and duties of, 149, 150 +Postmasters, appointment and duties of, 149, 150 + compensation of, 149, 150 +Post-offices and post roads, power to establish, 126 +Power of congress to lay and collect taxes, &c., 112-114 + to borrow money, 114 + to regulate commerce, 114-119 + in relation to naturalization and bankruptcy, 122-124 + to coin money, and regulate weights and measures, 124-125 + to punish counterfeiting, 125 + to establish post-offices, &c., 126 + to secure patents and copy-rights, 126, 127 + to define and punish piracies, felonies, &c., 128 + to declare war, 128 + to issue letters of marque and reprisal, 129 + to provide for the national defense, generally, 129,130 + to legislate over the District of Columbia, 130 + to make all necessary and proper laws, 130, 131 +Power of congress to declare punishment of treason, 155 + to admit new states, 158 + to dispose of and regulate territory and other public property, 159 +Powers prohibited to congress, (see prohibitions on congress.) +Premium, defined, 89 +Prescription, right by, 183, 184 +President and vice-president, how chosen, 139-141 +President, powers and duties of, 143-147 + vacancy in office, how filled, 142 + power of, to fill vacancies, 146 +Principal and agent, responsibility of, 202, 205 +Printing, public, by whom and how done, 52 +Privateering, in what cases authorized, 233, 234 +Prizes in war, how disposed of, 234 +Prohibition on congress-- + to abolish the slave trade, 131, 132 + to suspend habeas corpus, 132, 133 + to pass bills of attainder, 133 + to pass ex post facto laws, 133 + in relation to taxation and commerce, 133, 134 + to grant titles of nobility, 135 +Prohibition on the states-- + to form treaties, alliances, &c., 135 + to grant letters of marque and reprisal, 136 + to coin money, 136 + to emit bills of credit, 136 + to make anything but coin a tender, 136 + to impair the obligation of contracts, 137 + to pass bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, 137 + to grant titles of nobility, 137 + to lay duties, 137, 138 +Promissory notes, rules concerning, 207-212 +Protective duties, nature of described, 116, 117 + +Quarantine regulations, 121 +Quorum, defined, 42 + +Rail-roads, by what authority and how made, 84, 85 +Ratification of constitution by states, 162 + of treaties, 144 +Ratio of representation in congress, how ascertained, &c., 105, 106 +Real estate, defined, 77 + of intestates, descent of, 179, 180 +Rebellion, defined, 90, 91 +Recognizance, defined, 69 +Recorder or register, county, duties of, 55 +Records, public, proving and effect of, 156, 157 +Registry of vessels, 120 +Religion, freedom in matters of, secured, 163 +Representative, defined, 27, 28 +Representatives, state, how apportioned and elected, 37-39 + qualifications of, 40 +Representatives in congress, how apportioned, 105 + qualifications of, 104, 105 +Reprieve and pardon, defined, and power to grant, 49, 143 +Reprisals, power to make, forbidden to states, 136 +Reprisals in war, 229, 230 +Republic, defined, 26 +Republican government, guarantied to the states, 159 +Respondent, defined, 69 +Revenue, defined, 80 + national, how raised, 112-114 +Revolution, causes of, 94-97 +Rhode Island, constitution of, 243 +Rights and liberty, defined, 18-20 +Rights of person and property, defined, 18, 19, 167 +Right of property, how acquired, 16, 177 +Right by prescription, 184-186 +Right of way, law concerning, 183, 184 +Right of waters, 183, 185 +Right of search, 236 +Riot, defined, and how suppressed, 220 +Roads, (see Highways.) +Robbery, defined, 218 + +School funds, schools, &c., 79-82 +Sealer of weights and measures, duty of, 59 +Secretary of state, of state government, 50 +Secretary of state of the United States, duties of, 148 + of the treasury, 148 + of the interior, 149 + of war, 149 + of the navy, 149 +Selectmen, duties of, 57 +Senate, state, how constituted, 38-40 +Senators and representatives, qualifications of, 40 + (See State Constitutions.) +Senate of the United States, how formed, 108, 109 + qualifications of members of, 111 + vacancies in, how filled, 110, 111 +Sergeant-at-arms, appointment and duties of, 42 +Servants, rights and liabilities of, 176, 177 +Sheriff and shire, origin of, 53, 54 + powers and duties of, 55 +Slander and libel, law concerning, 168, 169 +Slave trade, not to be prohibited before 1808, 131, 132 + declared piracy, 132 +Society, civil, defined, 17 + mankind fitted for, 15-17 +South Carolina, constitution of, 256 +Sovereignty, defined, 24 +Speaker of house and senate, 41 +Specialty, defined, 283 +Spies in war, 233 +State and nation, defined, 17 +State constitutions, synopsis of, 239-280 +State officers, executive, 50-52 +State records, effect and proof of, 156, 157 +State printer, appointment and business of, 52 +Statute law, defined, 167 +Stocks, public, defined, 84 +Stratagems in war, 233 +Subpoena, nature and service of, 65 +Summons, suits commenced by, 64-66 +Superintendent of schools, duties of, 52, 81 +Supervisors, board of, of whom composed, 54 + of towns, duties of, 54, 57 + of highways, duties of, 58 +Surveyor of county, 56 +Surveyor-general, duties of, 52 +Swearing, profane, unlawful, 221 +Synopsis of the state constitutions, 239-280 + +Taxation, power of congress in relation to, 112-114 +Taxes, assessment and collection of, 76-78 + how apportioned among the states, 106-107 +Tender, what lawful, 136 +Tennessee, constitution of, 266 +Testament, (see Wills and Testaments.) +Texas, constitution of, 263 +Theocracy, defined, and government of, 24 +Town clerk, duties of, 57 +Town officers, election and duties of, 56-59 +Towns and townships, organization and powers of, 53, 56 +Treason against states, defined, 217 + power of congress concerning, 155, 156 + attainder of, 155 +Treasurer, of state, duties of, 51 + of county, 54, 55 + of towns, 58 +Treaties, how and by whom made, 244 + by states prohibited, 135 + of peace, 237, 238 +Treaty, defined, 144 +Truces in war, 237 +Trustees of townships, power and duties of, 57 +Tunnage, duties, states prohibited to lay, 119, 120 + +Union, nature of the, 101-104 +Usury, defined, and forfeiture in case of, 215 + +Vacancy, in legislature, how filled, 40 + in United States senate, how filled, 110, 111 +Venire issuing of, 67 +Verdict, defined, and how rendered, 67 +Vermont, constitution of, 241 +Vessels, registry, and measurement of, 120 +Veto, defined, 47 +Veto, in different states, (see State Constitutions.) +Villages, incorporation and government of, 61 +Virginia, constitution of, 253 +Viva voce, voting by, 34 +Voters, qualifications of, in different states, (see State Constitutions.) + +War, power of congress to declare, 128 + offensive and defensive, 228, 231 + causes and objects of, 228, 229 + reprisals in, 229, 230 + alliances in, 230, 231 + how declared, 231 + effect of, on the enemy's subjects, 232 + stratagems in, 233 + privateering and prizes, 233, 234 + truces in, 237 +Warrant, prosecution by, 69 +Weights and measures, 59, 125 +Wills and testaments, 177, 179 +Wisconsin, constitution of, 275 + + + + +Questions + + + +Chapter I. + + +§1. What is the natural state of mankind? + +§2. What renders them mutually dependent? By what means are they enabled +to supply their wants? + +§3. Why should every man labor for himself? + +§4. What comes from this arrangement? + +§5. How are the rights of men secured to them? + +§6. What is _law_? + +§7. For what else than society are mankind fitted by nature? Define +_moral_. + +§8. What is implied in man's having a moral nature? + +§9. What qualities or faculties in mankind fit them for government and +law? + +§10. What is a state or nation? + +§11. What is the object of forming state associations? What is meant by +_civil government_? + + + +Chapter II. + + +§2. Define the word _right_. May we do whatever we please? + +§3. Why are rights called _natural_? Why _inalienable_? How may they be +lost? + +§4. What are _personal_ rights? Define rights of person and right of +property. State the distinction between personal rights and the rights +of person. + +§5. Define _political_ rights. What particular rights are political? + +§6. What are _civil_ rights? + +§7. _Religious_ rights? What else are they called? + +§8. Under what general term are the different rights embraced? + +§9. What is _liberty_? Political, civil, and religious liberty? + +§10. What is the difference between _right_ and _liberty_? + +§11. What does this example further explain? + + + +Chapter III. + + +§1. Define _law_. By what names are laws distinguished? + +§2. Define the _law of nature_. + +§3. From what does the law of nature arise? + +§4. What is meant by the _moral law_? + +§5. Define _political law_. + +§6. Define _municipal_. How are municipal or civil laws distinguished +from political? + +§7. Ought the divine law in all cases to be obeyed? + +§8. Why then are human laws necessary? + +§9. Can you give any other reason? + +§10. What measure of love is due to the Creator and our fellow men +respectively? + +§11. What are the characteristics of this law of love? + + + +Chapter IV. + + +§1. What were the earliest governments? Define _patriarch_. + +§2. What was the government of the Hebrews called? Define _theocracy_. + +§3. What is _sovereign_ or _supreme power_? + +§4. What is a _monarchy_? An absolute monarchy? A limited monarchy? + +§5. A hereditary monarchy? An elective monarchy? + +§6. A _despotism_? Define _despot_ and _tyrant_. + +§7. What is an _aristocracy_? Define the word + +§8. What is a _democracy_? Define the word. + +§9. What is a _republic_? Wherein do a democracy and a republic differ? + +§10. What is a _commonwealth_? + + + +Chapter V. + + +§1. What is the object of civil government? How is this object best +secured? + +§2. What is a constitution? By what name is it called? + +§3. What is it's nature? + +§4. By what authority is a constitution made? + +§5. By whom is a constitution formed? What is the assembly called? + +§6. How is a constitution adopted? + +§7. How are the rights of the people secured by a constitution? + +§8. What is the condition of the people in an absolute monarchy? + +§9. Describe briefly the government of Great Britain. What political +rights have the people? + +§10. Of what does the constitution of Great Britain consist? + + + +Chapter VI. + + +§1. By what are the qualifications of voters prescribed? + +§2. Who are freemen? + +§3. Why should none but freemen vote? + +§4. Why is a term of residence required? + +§5. Why are not aliens immediately allowed to vote? + +§6. In what state do colored men vote? + +§7. How are electors sometimes disfranchised? What is an infamous crime? + +§8. What is said of property as a qualification? + + + +Chapter VII. + + +§1. For what purpose is the territory of a state divided? + +§2. What are the territorial divisions of a state called? + +§3. When are state elections generally held? + +§4. By whom are elections conducted? Define _poll_. + +§5. Describe the manner of voting. Define _ballot_. + +§6. Who may challenge voters? + +§7. How and why are voters registered? Are they registered in this +state? + +§8. How is it determined what persons are elected? + +§10. What is _viva voce_ voting? + +§11. What is an election by plurality? By majority? + +§12. What objections are there to either of these models? + + + +Chapter VIII. + + +§1, 2. What division of power is first mentioned? Give the distinction +between the political and civil powers. + +§3. What is said of political power in absolute and mixed governments? + +§4. How is the civil power divided? What is the business of the +legislature? How is a legislature constituted? + +§5. What is the executive department? In whom is the power vested? + +§6. What is the business of the judicial department? Of what does it +consist? + +§7. Can you give any reasons for this division of the civil power? + +§8. How is the legislative power divided? + + + +Chapter IX. + + +§1. Of what branches is a legislature composed? + +§2. Why is only one called house of representatives? + +§3. For how long terms are senators chosen? How long in this state? + +§4. Why is the senate called upper house? + +§5. How are senators apportioned? How in this state? + +§6. How are representatives apportioned? For what terms elected? How +apportioned, and for what term elected in this state? + +§7. What is the general object of apportionment? + +§8. How in an equal representation provided for? + +§9. How often are enumerations made? How often in this state? Define +_census_? + +§10. What are the qualifications of senators and representatives in this +state? + +§11. How are vacancies filled in the senate? + + + +Chapter X. + + +§1. How often do legislatures meet? How often in this state? What is +meant by _session_? + +§2. Where do legislatures meet? What is the place called? + +§3. To what are members bound by their oath of office? + +§4. How are the houses organized? What are the presiding officers +called? + +§5. What are their general duties? + +§6. What other officers are chosen? and what are their duties? + +§7. Define _quorum_. What number is a quorum in this state? + +§8. Are the proceedings ever secret? + +§9. What provision is made to prevent interruption? + + + +Chapter XI. + + +§1. When is the governor's message communicated? What does it contain? + +§2. In what other way are measures introduced? + +§3. What is done to expedite business? How are committees appointed? and +what do they do? + +§5. Name some of the committees. + +§6. What are _standing_ committees? _Select_ committees? + +§7. How do committees discharge their duties? + +§8. Wherein does the utility of committees appear? + +§9. What is a bill? + +§10. By whom, and how, are bills introduced? + +§11. How often must a bill be read? When is it amended? + +§12. After the second reading and amendment, what follows? + +§13. Describe the proceedings on the final passage of a bill. + +§14. How is it acted on in the other house? + +§15. Why is a legislature divided into two branches? + +§16. Why are bills submitted to the governor for his approval? Define +_veto_. + +§17. What if a governor refuses to sign a bill? Are bills presented to +the governor in this state? If so, and he disapproves them, by what +majorities must they be again passed? Within how many days is he to +return bills in this state? + + + +Chapter XII. + + +§1. For what terms are governors chosen? For what term in this state? + +§2. What are the qualifications for governor in this state? + +§3. What are his general powers and duties? + +§4. In what cases has he power to grant reprieves and pardons? Define +these words. What is _commute_? + +§5. Are any officers in this state appointed by the governor? Is there a +council? + +§6. What are the duties of a lieutenant-governor? Is there one in this +state? + +§7. When he acts as governor, who takes the chair of the senate? + + + +Chapter XIII. + + +§1. What assistant executive officers are there in this state? Are they +appointed or elected? + +§2. What are the duties of the secretary of state? + +§3. Of an auditor or controller? + +§4. Of a treasurer? + +§5. Of what officers are sureties required? + +§6. What are the duties of an attorney-general? Is there one in this +state? + +§7. The duties of surveyor-general? Is there one in this state? + +§8. A superintendent of schools? + +§9. What is the business of state printer? + +§10. What other state officers are there? + + + +Chapter XIV. + + +§1. For what reasons is a state divided into counties and townships? + +§2. How large are townships? + +§3. From what comes the name of _county_? Of _shire_, and _sheriff_? + +§4. Define _corporation_. What powers have town and county corporations? + +§5. In what officers are these powers vested? In whom in this state? + +§6. What are the duties of a county treasurer? + +§7. Of a register or recorder? Where are deeds, &c., recorded in this +state? + +§8. What are a sheriff's duties? + +§9. What is the business of a coroner? + +§10. Are there state's attorneys in the counties of this state? + +§11. Is there a county surveyor? + +§12. Are county officers elected by the people in this state? + + + +Chapter XV. + + +§1. Into what are counties divided? + +§2. What is done at the annual town meetings? + +§3. What officers are elected? Are all there elected in the towns of +this state? + +§4. What are those officers called who direct town affairs? What in this +state? + +§5. What are the duties of a town clerk? + +§6. What officers in this state have the care of highways? What is a +poll-tax? + +§7. By whom are the poor provided for? Are there county poor-houses in +this state? + +§8. The duties of constables? + +§9. Of treasurer? Are there town treasurers in this state? + +§10. The duties of fence-viewers? + +§11. Of town-sealer? + + + +Chapter XVI. + + +§1. Why is the incorporation of cities, &c., necessary? + +§2. How are city charters obtained? Define _charter_? + +§3. What are the principal city officers called? What inferior officers +are elected? + +§4. Are the citizens governed wholly by their own laws? + +§5. What criminal court is peculiar to cities? + +§6. What are village officers usually called? + +§7. Illustrate, by example, the necessity of a village incorporation? + +§8. Are corporations always formed by special laws? + +§9. What is said of incorporated _companies_? + +§10. What is peculiar in the nature of corporations? + +§11. In what does a state differ from other government corporations? + +§12. Wherein do all government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies? + + + +Chapter XVII. + + +§2. What is the business of the judicial department? + +§3. If there were no courts of justice, what would be the result? + +§4. What are the lowest courts called? Why? Define _jurisdiction_? + +§5. To what extent has a justice jurisdiction? + +§6. What are civil causes? Criminal? Misdemeanors? + +§7. How is a suit in a justice's court commenced? + +§8. How is a summon served? + +§9. Describe the manner of joining issue. + +§10. How are witnesses procured? and how is the issue tried? + +§11. What if a defendant or plaintiff does not appear? + +§12. How is judgment confessed? + + + +Chapter XVIII. + + +§1. Why are juries instituted? + +§2. What is a _jury_? A _verdict_? + +§3. A _venire_? + +§4. How are jurors kept during their deliberations? + +§5. What is done if they agree? If they disagree? + +§6. What is an _execution_? What if it is not satisfied? + +§7. Is all personal property liable to be sold on execution? + +§8. What is an _attachment_? In what cases is it used? + +§9. How is it served? + +§10. What if a party is dissatisfied with a judgment? + +§11. What power have justices in cases of crime? + +§12. How are offenders arrested and examined? + +§13. How is the prisoner disposed of if the justice can not try him? + +§14. Define _recognizance_ and _bail_? + + + +Chapter XIX. + + +§1. How are county courts constituted? How in this state? + +§2. What causes are tried in them? What is _appellate_ and what +_original_ jurisdiction? + +§3. Name the courts of this state. What jurisdiction has a circuit +court? + +§4. What juries have county and circuit courts? What is an issue of +fact? An issue of law? + +§5. How are the jurors selected? + +§6. What is the business of a grand jury? Of what number does it consist +in this state? + +§7. Describe the proceedings of a grand jury. What is an indictment? + +§8. Why are grand juries instituted? + +§9. By what instrument are grand juries required? + +§10. What is the opinion of some on this subject? + +§11. Is there a supreme court in this state? Describe it. Is there a +higher court? + +§12. How are suits commenced in county and other higher courts? + + + +Chapter XX. + + +§1. What is the object of a court of chancery? + +§2. Mention some of its powers. + +§3. Are there separate and distinct chancery courts in this state? + +§4. How are suits commenced and tried in these courts? + +§5. What is the business of a probate court? + +§6. What is a court of impeachment? Its business? What is an +impeachment? By whom made? + +§7. How is it done? + +§8. Describe the mode of trial. What follows conviction? + +§9. By what other modes are judicial officers removed? + + + +Chapter XXI. + + +§1. How is money raised for government purposes? What is a poll-tax? + +§2. What property is exempt from taxation? What is real, and what +personal property? + +§3. By whom, and how, is property valued? How in this state? + +§5. Of what three items does the tax consist? + +§6. How is it ascertained? + +§7. Who in this state cause the tax-list to be made out, and order the +taxes to be collected? + +§8. To whom is the money paid when collected? + + + +Chapter XXII. + + +§1. What is the proper object of government? How is it to be done? + +§2. What is the effect of education upon a people? Of ignorance? + +§3. Why should government provide the means of education? + +§4. To what extent is this done? By what means? + +§5. How is the deficiency in the income of the school fund supplied? + +§6. How, and to what extent, are school funds provided in the new +states? + +§7. In what way, and to what extent, were the school funds increased in +1837? + +§8. How are school moneys from the state treasury apportioned? How is +the deficiency in the public moneys to pay teachers made up? + +§9. Why are schools called _district_ schools, and _common_ schools? +What officers are elected in districts? + +§10. What is the state superintendent in this state called? + + + +Chapter XXIII. + + +§1. What other duty does the government owe to the citizens? + +§2. What portion of the people of a state are most favored? + +§3. By whom are canals made? Is there such a public work in this state? + +§4. Why should not the money to make them be raised by a general tax? + +§5. How are funds sometimes provided for this purpose? + +§6. For the want of such funds, how is the money obtained? How is it to +be repaid? + +§7. How is the business of borrowing done? What are _state stocks_? + +§8. What renders the purchase of state stocks a safe transaction? + +§9. By whom are canal affairs managed? + +§10. What states are most noted for their canals? + +§11. By whom are rail-roads usually constructed? Why is an act of +incorporation necessary? + +§12. What does the act provide? + +§13. How is the capital, or stock, raised? What officers are chosen, and +by whom? + +§14. What is the nature of these certificates of stock? + +§15. How do stockholders expect to be refunded? What are dividends? When +are stocks at par? When above or below par? + + + +Chapter XXIV. + + +§1. Where were the first banks? and whence is the name derived? + +§2. By what authority are our banks established? How is the capital +stock raised? + +§3. How do business men deposit and draw out their money? + +§4. What is a _certificate of deposit_? How is it made transferable? and +convertible into money? + +§5. Describe the manner of transmitting money through banks. + +§6. How are banks repaid? What is saved to business men by this mode of +remittance? + +§7. Describe the operation of lending money by a bank. + +§8. Describe a bank bill. What if a bank is unable to redeem its bills? +How are bill-holders secured against loss? + +§9. What is the nature of the free banking system? + +§10. How does this law provide for the security of bill-holders? + +§11. What is the business of insurance companies? What do they insure? +Define _policy-premium_. + +§12. Of what consist the profits of stock insurance companies? Show this +by an example. + +§13. How are companies enabled to fix proper rates of insurance? Is all +property insured at the same rate? Why not? + +§14. Describe the character of mutual insurance companies. How is money +raised for paying losses? + + + +Chapter XXV. + + +§1. What preparation is made for the public defense? What does the word +_militia_ include? + +§2. For what other purpose may portions of the militia be wanted? Define +_insurrection_ and _rebellion_. + +§3. Who are liable to do military service? Who are exempt by the laws of +the states generally? + +§4. Who by the laws of the United States? + +§5. What military authority have the governors and the president? Why +have they this power? + +§6. How are persons dealt with for non-attendance and delinquency at +parades? + +§7. What are the duties of the adjutant-general? + +§8. What is the business of a commissary-general? Is there one in this +state? Define _arsenal_. + +§9. What is done in the case of persons averse to bearing arms? Are any +exempt in this state without commuting? + +§10. What regulations exist in New York and Ohio? + +§11. For what reasons is the drilling of the whole militia deemed +unnecessary? + +§12. What is your opinion of war? What is a better way of settling +disputes between nations? + + + +Chapter XXVI. + + +§2. What is there in our government that renders a knowledge of it +important to the people? + +§3. To what country were the American colonies subject? What is a +_colony_? + +§4. Whence did the people derive their rights and privileges? What was +the _form_ of the colonial governments? + +§5. From whom did the officers derive their power? Were any elected? On +whose approval did the laws finally depend? + +§6. What was the effect of this upon the colonists? What was the object +of the laws of parliament relating to the colonies? + +§6, 7. What did some of these laws require? + +§8. By what particular means did that government secure the colonial +trade? Define _duty_. + +§9. Explain the nature and effect of these duties. + +§10. What right did parliament claim? What act was accordingly passed? +What did the colonists do? What was the final result? + + + +Chapter XXVII. + + +§1. When did the first continental congress meet? How were its members +chosen? What great act did it do in 1776? + +§2. What did it in November, 1777? When did the confederation go into +effect? + +§3. How did the union formed by it prove? What was the probable cause of +its imperfections? + +§4. What was its leading defect? Mention some instances of its weakness? + +§5. What probably aided in inducng compliance with the ordinances of +congress? + +§6. What new difficulties arose after peace? What difficulty attended +the laying of duties by the states? + +§7. For what other purpose did congress need the power to lay duties? +How had Great Britain secured the carrying trade? + +§8. What other trouble arose from this imperfect union? + +§9. How was this difficulty sought to be remedied? + +§10. What was the result of the meeting at Annapolis? + +§11. In what did the recommending of a convention result? How was the +constitution ratified in the states? + +§12. To give it effect, how many states must ratify? When were +ratifications received from Rhode Island and North Carolina? + + + +Chapter XXVIII. + + +§2. What is a confederacy? Was the confederation a union of people? or a +union of states? From what does this appear? + +§3. What is the union under the constitution? Where is this declared? + +§4. What is said of the former independence of the states? What power +has the general government acquired by the constitution? + +§5. How did the equality of the states in the old congress appear? To +how many delegates were they entitled? How did they vote? + +§6. How are the states now represented? How do representatives vote? + +§7. State the difference between the bodies that framed and ratified the +two instruments respectively. + +§8. Was the government under the confederation properly _national_? How +does it appear that it was not? What change did the constitution effect? + +§9. What early act of the constitutional convention shows the present +government to be national? + +§10. What departments of power were wanting under the confederation? + +§11. Is the present government wholly national? Why not? + + + +Chapter XXIX. + + +§1. Of what does congress consist? For what terms were members of the +old congress appointed? Why has the term of a representative been +extended to two years? + +§2. What qualifications are required for voting for representatives? +What reasons were there for this rule? + +§3. What are the qualifications of a representative? Give the reasons +for these qualifications. + +§4. Give the rule of apportioning representatives and direct taxes. + +§5. What made it difficult to agree upon a rule of apportionment? In +what states did slavery then exist? Name the present slaveholding +states. + +§7. Upon what terms was the question of apportionment settled? + +§8. Illustrate the rule by an example. + +§9. How are the slave states benefited by this arrangement as to taxes? + +§10. What do they gain as to representation? + +§11. How is the number of representatives limited? How often is the +ratio of representation fixed? + +§12. Why has the ratio been from time to time increased? How is a +representation secured to the smallest states? + +§13. State the ratio and the number of representatives after each +census. + +§14. How is a state districted for choosing representatives? When are +they chosen? + +§15. How are territories represented? + + + +Chapter XXX. + + +§1. How is the senate constituted? Upon what points did the convention +differ? How was the matter settled? + +§2. In what provision does the federative principle appear? + +§3. In what is there a difference between the old congress and the +senate? + +§4. What reasons are offered in favor of a short term of office? What in +favor of a long term? + +§6. What is said in favor of the present term? + +§7. Why were not the terms of all the senators made to expire at once? + +§8. How are vacancies in the office of senator filled? + +§9. Can an appointment be made before a vacancy actually happens? State +a case. + +§10. What reasons are there for the required qualifications of senators +as to age, citizenship, and residence in the state? + +§11. How do bills become laws after they have been vetoed by the +president? + + + +Chapter XXXI. + + +§2. What difference is here noticed between the general and state +governments in respect to their powers? + +§3. What is the first in the list of powers given to congress? + +§4. For what purpose was this power necessary? What is _direct_ and what +_indirect_ taxation? + +§5. Define duties, customs, imposts, and excises. + +§6. Define _specific_ and _ad valorem_ duties. + +§7. Why are duties required to be uniform throughout the United States? + +§8. By what means was the old national debt paid? How large was it at +different periods? + +§9. Why is the power to borrow money necessary? + + + +Chapter XXXII. + + +§1. From what arose the necessity of the power to regulate foreign +commerce? What was the British policy? + +§2. In what consisted the inequality of trade between the two countries? + +§3. Show, by example, how Great Britain secured a home market for her +agricultural products. + +§4. What other benefits did she derive from her policy? + +§5. Why were we obliged to submit to the payment of these duties? Why +not manufacture for ourselves? + +§6. Why did not our government retaliate by imposing like duties upon +British goods and vessels? + +§7. What are duties designed to encourage home manufactures called? + +§8. Show, by example, the operation and effect of a protective duty. + +§9. By what other power may this object be partially effected? Show how. + +§10. Why, then, was not one of these powers sufficient? + +§11. Show, by example, why the free importation of foreign goods and +direct taxation are not deemed the better policy. + +§13. How early, and how, was domestic industry encouraged? What rendered +high duties for a time unnecessary? + +§14. What afterwards made it necessary for congress to exercise more +extensively its powers to regulate trade? When did the system of +protection properly commence? Where has since been the principal market +for agricultural products? + +§15. Where, and by whom, are the duties or customs collected? + + + +Chapter XXXIII. + + +§1. What is _navigation_? + +§2. What is _tunnage_? _Tunnage duties_? For what purpose were these +duties laid? Why were they called _discriminating_ duties? + +§3. What has been their effect? What has caused their discontinuance? + +§4. How are vessels registered? + +§5. What is a _manifest_? A _clearance_? + +§6. At whose request are passports furnished to vessels? What is a +_passport_? By whom given? + +§7. How is the safety of passengers and crew provided for? + +§8. Define _quarantine_. What has congress enacted in relation to +quarantines? + +§9. Why was power given to congress to regulate _internal_ commerce, or +commerce among the states? + +§10. Why the power to regulate commerce with the Indian tribes? + + + +Chapter XXXIV. + + +§1. What were the disqualifications of aliens by the common law? Why are +these disqualifications deemed proper? + +§2. When ought they to be removed? Why should the rule of naturalization +be uniform? + +§3. Describe the manner in which an alien is naturalized. + +§4. How do alien minors become citizens? + +§5. What is a _bankrupt_? A bankrupt law? What is the object of such +laws? + +§6. Why is the power to pass them given to congress? Why should they be +uniform? + +§7. Why is the power to coin money and regulate its value given to +congress? What change in the system of reckoning has been effected? + +§8. At what places is money coined? What is _bullion_? + +§9. Why is the power to fix the standard of weights and measures vested +in congress? + +§10. Why has congress the power to provide for punishing the +counterfeiting of the securities and coin of the United States? + + + +Chapter XXXV. + + +§1. Why is the power to establish post-offices given to congress? + +§2. How are useful arts and sciences promoted? + +§3. How does an author of a work proceed in procuring a copy-right? By +whom, and where, is the title recorded? + +§4. What else must the author do? For how many years is the right +obtained? For what term, and how, may the right be continued? + +§5. Where are patents for inventions obtained? How does the inventor +proceed? + +§6. How much must he pay before his petition is considered? For what +term are patents granted? For what term may they be renewed? + + + +Chapter XXXVI. + + +§1. Define _piracy_ and _felony_. Why is the power to define and punish +these crimes given to congress? + +§2. Why also the power to define and punish offenses against the law of +nations? + +§3. Why the power to declare war? Who exercises this power in +monarchies? + +§4. What are letters of marque and reprisal? Why should not an +individual redress his private wrongs? + +§5. Why should not the states authorize reprisals? + +§6. Why has congress the power to make rules concerning captures? How is +captured property distributed? + +§7. Why is the general power to provide for the national defense +intrusted to congress? + +§8. Why was given to congress entire control over the district +containing the seat of government? + +§9. What district is here referred to? Over what other places has +congress exclusive authority? + +§10. What is the last power granted in the list here enumerated? Why is +this general grant of power to make laws deemed necessary? + +§11. What opinion is held by some in regard to this power? On what +reasons is this opinion founded? + + + +Chapter XXXVII. + + +§1. What is the first prohibition on congress? + +§2. To what has this reference? For what reasons was this prohibition +assented to? + +§3. Have men a natural right to buy and sell each other? When was the +foreign slave trade prohibited? How is it now punishable? + +§4. Define _habeas corpus_. What is the privilege of this writ? + +§5. What is a bill of attainder? When is it a bill of pains and +penalties? + +§6. What is an _ex post facto_ law? Give examples of ex post facto laws. + +§7. What is a capitation tax? To what provision of the constitution does +this prohibition refer? What does it mean? + +§8. Why are duties on exports forbidden? How might the interests of the +different states be injuriously affected by taxing exports? + +§9. What further reasons are given for this prohibition? How is freedom +and equality in trade secured to the states? + +§10. By what provision is the proper disposal of the public moneys +secured? + +§11. Why is the granting of titles of nobility forbidden? How are public +officers guarded against corruption from foreign influence? + + + +Chapter XXXVIII. + + +§1. What is a treaty? An alliance? A confederation? Why are states +forbidden to enter into them? + +§2. Why should not states issue letters of marque and reprisal? + +§3. Why should they not coin money? + +§4. Why were they forbidden to emit bills of credit? Does the +prohibition extend to bank bills? + +§5. What is meant by _tender_, usually termed _lawful_ or _legal +tender_? Why should coin only be made tender in payment of debts? + +§6. Why is the passing of bills of attainder and ex post facto laws by +states forbidden? Why are laws impairing the force of contracts +prohibited? + +§7. Do insolvent or bankrupt laws impair the obligation of contracts? +States have passed such laws; were they constitutional? How has the +question been decided? + +§8. Why is the granting of titles forbidden to the states? + +§9. What objections to the general power of the states to tax exports or +imports? What exception is made to the prohibition? + +§10. What is the object of this exception? + +§11. What other restrictions are there upon the power of the states? + + + +Chapter XXXIX. + + +§1. In whom is the executive power of the nation vested? + +§2. For what reasons was this power given to one person only? + +§3. Why were four years agreed on as the official term? + +§4. By whom is the president elected? Has the mode of election ever been +altered? + +§5. By what authority is the manner of choosing the electors prescribed? +By whom are they chosen at present? + +§6. In what manner are they chosen? Describe particularly the election +by general ticket. When are electors chosen? + +§7. Where and when do the electors vote for president? How, when, and to +whom, are certificates of their votes sent? + +§8. When, where, and by whom are the votes counted? How is the election +determined? If no person has a majority of all the votes, by whom is the +election made? How do the members vote? + +§9. Describe the election of president by the house in 1825. + +§10. How is the vice-president elected if there is no choice by the +electors? + +§11. What are the qualifications of the president and vice-president? + +§12. How is a vacancy in the office of president supplied? What further +provision is made for supplying vacancies? + +§13. Why may not the salary of a president be increased or diminished? + +§14. When does the presidential term commence and expire? + + + +Chapter XL. + + +§1. What high military office has the president? Why is the command of +the public forces intrusted to him? + +§2. For what reasons the power to grant reprieves and pardons? + +§3. What other powers has the president? For what purposes are treaties +made? Who exercises this power in monarchies? Why is not the house +associated with the president and senate? + +§4. For what reasons is the senate preferred? Who appoint embassadors? + +§5. By whom and how are treaties negotiated? By whom ratified? + +§6. What is here mentioned as the practice of civilized nations? What +are the duties of the secretary of state in our intercourse with foreign +nations? + +§7. What titles have representatives at foreign courts? Who are +embassadors _in ordinary_ and _extraordinary_? Envoys? Envoys +_plenipotentiary_? + +§8. What are our representatives abroad called? What are _chargès des +affaires_? + +§9. What is the business of consuls? + +§10. Why is the appointment of judges of the supreme court given to the +president and senate? + +§11. For what reason should the president have the right to select the +heads of the departments? + +§12. What power has the president alone in filling vacancies? Why is +such a power necessary? + +§13. What other powers and duties of the president are mentioned in the +constitution? + +§14. What officers are removable by impeachment? and for what offenses? + + + +Chapter XLI. + + +§1. Among what departments is the executive business of the nation +distributed? By what names are the head officers called? How appointed? + +§2. What departments did the first congress establish? What officers +constituted the first cabinet? When were the heads of the navy, +post-office, and interior departments respectively added? + +§3. What are the duties of the secretary of state relating to foreign +affairs? Define diplomacy and diplomatist. + +§4. What are the duties of the secretary in relation to home affairs? + +§5. What are the duties of the secretary of the treasury? + +§6. What are his principal assistants? + +§7. What are the duties of the secretary of the interior? What is a +_pension_? To what classes of persons are pensions allowed? To whom are +bounties of lands allowed? + +§8. To what do the duties of the secretary of war relate? + +§9. What is the business of the secretary of the navy? and of the navy +commissioners? + +§10. What are the principal duties of the postmaster general? Who are +his principal assistants? + +§11. What is the business of postmasters in relation to keeping accounts +of letters, advertising letters, and making returns to the general +post-office? What are _dead_ letters? + +§12. How are postmasters paid for their services? State the rates of +commission. To what amount of compensation are postmasters limited? What +postmasters are appointed by the president and senate? + +§13. Who are entitled to the franking privilege? and to what extent? How +is franking done? What government officers frank matter on official +business? + +§14. What are the duties of the attorney-general? + + + +Chapter XLII. + + +§1. Was there a national judiciary under the confederation? In what +courts is the judicial power of the U.S. vested? + +§2. By whom, and for what term, are the judges appointed? Why is the +term made so long? + +§3. How is the independence of the judges further secured? Why should +congress not have power to reduce their salaries? + +§4. Cases of what nature are tried in the national courts? + +§5. Why is the trial of crimes to be held in the state where committed? + +§6. Which are the lowest national courts? How is a district court +constituted? What cases does it try? + +§7. How many circuits are there? How is a circuit court constituted? +What cases does it try? + +§8. How is the supreme court constituted? Where, and when, does it hold +sessions? What is its principal business? + +§9. What important object is so cared by the supreme court? How are +state laws and the decisions of state courts affected by the decisions +of the supreme court of the United States? + + + +Chapter XLIII. + + +§1. Why was the definition of treason put into the constitution? What is +levying war? + +§2. State more particularly what does and what does not constitute +levying war and treason? + +§3. What proof is required to convict of treason? + +§4. How was treason punished by the common law? How has congress made it +punishable? + +§5. What is attainder? Its meaning here? By the common law, how did the +sentence of death for treason affect the traitor? What has congress +declared concerning conviction for treason? + + + +Chapter XLIV. + + +§1. What is the object of the provision concerning state records? + +§2. In giving effect to this provision, what has congress enacted? In +case of a judicial proceeding, what is required? What in case of an act +of a state legislature? + +§3. What is meant by the clause concerning the privileges of citizens in +the several states? Without such provision, what might a state do? + +§4. How is a fugitive from justice arrested and returned for trial? + +§5. Who are meant by "persons held to service or labor, escaping into +another state?" What provision of the common law induced the adoption of +this clause? + +§6. How are fugitives from slavery apprehended and returned? Is the law +requiring the capture and return of fugitive slaves, in your opinion, +morally binding? + +§7. What induced the provision for admitting new states? What states +have been formed from the north-western territory? + +§8. What unsettled tract was south of the Ohio? Whose consent to the +division of a state does the constitution require? + +§9. In the right to acquire territory, what other right is implied? Had +the old congress this power? What has congress done under the power here +granted? + +§10. How is a republican form of government secured to the states? How +are they to be protected against invasion and domestic violence? What is +meant by domestic violence? + + + +Chapter XLV. + + +§1. How are constitutional amendments proposed? How ratified? + +§2. What good is supposed to have resulted from so difficult a mode of +amendment? + +§3. For what reasons was the new government made to assume the debts of +the old? + +§4. Why is the constitution of the United States, and the laws and +treaties made under it, made binding above all state authority? + +§5. Why are public officers bound by oath to support the constitution, +and to discharge their duties faithfully? + +§6. What is a religious _test_? What was it in England? Why was it +forbidden by the constitution? + +§7. What does the last article declare? Why was not the ratification of +all the states required? Why was the ratification of so many as nine +required? + +§8. When did this state ratify? When did North Carolina and Rhode Island +come into the union? + +§9. When were electors of president chosen? When was the president +elected, and when inaugurated? When did proceedings under the +constitution commence? + + + +Chapter XLVI. + + +§1. How many articles of amendment are there? What is the nature of most +of them? Why then were they added? When were the first ten proposed and +ratified? + +§2. What is forbidden by the first amendment? + +§3. What right is guarantied by the second amendment? Why is this right +necessary? + +§4. What does the third amendment declare? What probably suggested it? + +§5. What right is guarantied by the fourth article? What evil is it +intended to prevent? + +§6. What rights does the fifth article guaranty? Can you give any reason +why a person fairly tried and acquitted should not be tried again? What +does the sixth article require? + +§7. What is secured by the seventh amendment? What is meant by suits at +common law? What are courts of admiralty? How is the latter part of this +article explained? + +§8. What does the eighth article forbid? What evils was it designed to +prevent? + +§9. What is the ninth article? What evil was it designed to prevent? + +§10. What does the tenth amendment declare? Explain it. + +§11. When was the eleventh article proposed and ratified? What is it? +What was it intended to prevent? + +§12. What does the twelfth amendment effect? When was it proposed and +ratified? + + + +Chapter XLVII. + + +§1. How are the municipal or civil laws distinguished from the +fundamental or political law? + +§2. What are statute laws? + +§3. What is the common law? Is it law in this country? + +§4. What are the rights of person? Personal security? Personal liberty? +How are they guarantied? + +§5. How may a man protect himself when in danger of personal injury? +What remedy for violence committed? + +§6. How far may a man go in defending himself or his property? What is +such killing called? + +§7. How are we protected in our good names? What is slander? + +§8. What is libel? Which is considered the greater injury? For which is +a person liable in both a civil and criminal suit? + +§9. What is the rule of the common law in the case of a criminal action +for libel? What is the reason for this principle? + +§10. What distinction do some make between cases of public and private +prosecution for libel? + +§11. Does the common law still prevail in this country? How has it been +modified? + +§12. How is personal liberty secured? What is the nature of the writ of +_habeas corpus_? + +§13. What is liberty of conscience? How is it secured? + +§14. Is this right secured to the same extent in England? + +§15. What is meant by the right of property? By what is it protected? + + + +Chapter XLVIII. + + +§1. What is meant by the age of consent? At what periods of life is it +fixed? At what in this state? + +§2. What three requisites to a lawful marriage are next mentioned? + +§3. May a person remarry who has a wife or husband living? What is the +crime called? What cases are excepted? + +§4. Are the marriages in these excepted cases binding? What is the +common law on the subject? + +§5. How, and by whom are marriages solemnized? What regulations exist in +some states? Is a license or a notice required in this state? + +§6. By common law, what right to the personal property does the husband +acquire by marriage? + +§7. Does he acquire an absolute right also to her real estate? How is +his right limited? + +§8. How has this common law rule been changed? Can you tell what the law +is in this state? + +§9. By common law, what liability does a husband incur by marriage? What +is coverture? Is this now the law in all the states? Is it in this +state? + +§10. How far is a husband bound for the maintenance of his wife? + +§11. May they be witnesses for each other? + + + +Chapter XLIX. + + +§1. What are the obligations of parents? What is the age of majority? In +law, who are infants, or minors? + +§2. How far, or in what cases, is a father liable for the contracts of a +child? + +§3. Can a minor bind himself by contract? In what cases is he bound? + +§4. How in cases of rent? How in cases of contracts which he avoids when +he comes of age? + +§5. Are minors answerable for crimes? How in cases of fraud? + +§6. What right have they to bind themselves as apprentices and servants? +By whose consent? + +§7. Who may bind pauper children? What provision is made for their +education? + +§8. What are the rights of the master and apprentice respectively? + +§9. When may apprenticeships be dissolved? + +§10. How may a hired servant forfeit his wages? For what may he be +dismissed? For what cause released from his service? + +§11. What are the mutual liabilities of master and servant? + + + +Chapter L. + + +§1. By whom, and in what ways, may real estate be taken, held, and +conveyed? Have aliens this right? + +§2. What is it to _devise_ property? What is a or testamen? Define +testator, and intestate. + +§3. Who may bequeath property? What special rights to bequeath property +are given in some states? What is a nuncupative will? + +§4. How has the right of married women to bequeath property been +extended? + +§5. How is a will executed? + +§6. In what different ways may a will be revoked? + +§7. What is the effect of the subsequent birth of a child? What else +have some states provided? + +§8. What is a codicil? Its effect? + +§9. How is a will proved? What are letters testamentary, and letters of +administration? + +§10. What is meant by the _descent_ of property? Is the rule of descent +uniform in the states? To whom, generally, does it descend first? + +§11. If any children of the intestate are dead, how does it descend? +Give an example. + +§12. If all the children are dead, how do the grand-children share? Is +this state an exception to the rule? + +§13. Do real and personal estate generally come under the same rule? + + + +Chapter LI. + + +§1. What is the benefit of a deed of real estate? What is expressed in a +deed? How is it executed? + +§2. What is necessary to secure possession to the purchaser? Where are +conveyances recorded in this state? + +§3. How long, in come states, are first purchasers secure before +recording? What is the law in this state? What claim does a purchaser +thus dispossessed still retain? Can you tell why conveyances are +required to be recorded at all? + +§4. How are deeds proved? Before whom are thoy acknowledged? How are +they recorded? + +§5. What is meant by _fee-simple_? What does the grantor in a warranty +deed bind himself to do? In what does such deed differ from a quit-claim +deed? + +§6. What is a mortgage? How is the balance of the purchase money usually +secured? How is the money raised? + +§7. Why does a wife join with her husband in a conveyance? What is the +interest thus retained by a widow called? In what else must a wife join? +Does a wife acknowledge apart from her husband in this state? + + + +Chapter LII. + + +§1. Define corporeal and incorporeal hereditaments. What are aquatic +rights? + +§2. What is a right of way? How is this right obtained? What is an +easement? + +§3. In what case does a right of way pass with the land? Give an +example. + +§4. In what cases does this right arise from necessity? + +§5. When the use of a thing is granted, what is generally granted with +it? + +§6. How is a temporary right of way acquired? Does the obstruction of a +private way give the same right? + +§7. What is a right by _prescription_? How many years' peaceable use +gives a person such right? What change in this term has been made in +some states? What is it in this state? + +§8. What right have the public to the soil of a highway? Who own the +soil? What right and power concerning it do they retain? + +§9. What are the rights of the owners of lands adjoining a stream? How +is the use of the water restricted? + +§10. How may the right to the use of the water be affected by +prescription? + +§11. What is the general and established doctrine on this subject? Must +the use be enjoyed by one person during the whole period to give a +prescriptive right? + + + +Chapter LIII. + + +§1. What is an estate of inheritance? A _fee_? A _fee-simple_? + +§2. What is the writing which conveys an interest in lands for a limited +period called? What means to lease? Define lessor and lessee. What +lenses must be sealed? + +§3. How are these limited interests in land divided? What is an estate +for life? How, otherwise than by lease, are life estates acquired? + +§4. What is an estate for years? + +§5. May a lessee for years underlet without the lessor's leave? For how +long a time? + +§6. Who is entitled to the growing crop if the lease expires before +harvest? In what case the tenant? + +§7. Does the destruction of rented premises release the tenant from +payment of rent? In what case would he not be liable? + +§8. Can a tenant charge his landlord for repairs? What may he do when +the premises have become unsafe or useless? + +§9. Where and when must payment of rent be made or tendered? + +§10. What is an estate at will? Are such estates common? In what case +are they held to be tenancies from year to year? What if a tenant for +years hold over after his lease? + +§11. What turns leases from uncertain terms into leases from year to +year? Who is strictly a tenant at will? Can he be dispossessed without +previous notice to quit? + +§12. What is an estate at sufferance? What are the rights of a landlord +and a tenant by sufferance, respectively? + + + +Chapter LIV. + + +§1. Define contract. What is an executory contract? An express contract? +An implied contract? + +§2. What is a specialty? A simple or parol contract? Define _parol_. +What effect has parol evidence upon written contracts? + +§3. Who are deemed incapable of contracting? How are contracts made by +such persons voided? How enforced? What is the general rule? + +§4. What is the rule in regard to drunkards? + +§5. What is mentioned as the second requisition to a valid contract? How +must assent be given? + +§6. What is next mentioned as necessary to a valid contract? What is a +consideration? + +§7. What is the effect of mutual promises? How must they be made? How +when the parties are distant? + +§8. Why are gratuitous promises void? In what case are subscriptions +binding? + +§9. Why can not payment be lawfully claimed for gratuitous services? In +what cases is a person bound to pay for unasked labor? + +§10. What else is mentioned as necessary to a valuable consideration? +What kind of impossibility will not void a contract? + +§11. What is said of illegal and immoral considerations? + +§12. To what kind of contracts does the rule that a consideration is +necessary apply? Why not to those under seal? + +§13. What is declared by the English statute of frauds? What do some +states further require? + + + +Chapter LV. + + +§1. What is a sale? What general principles apply to contracts of sale? + +§2. What if a man contracts to sell what has no existence? Give an +example. + +§3. Can he sell what may have a future existence? Give examples. + +§4. What is said about _price_, as essential to a sale? + +§5. What about the mutual consent of parties? + +§6. What is to be done if the goods are not immediately delivered? Below +what price is this unnecessary? What is the sum fixed in this state? + +§7. What is said about delivery to complete a contract? + +§8. When does the buyer acquire the right of property? When the right of +possession? + +§9. In case the goods are sold on credit, when has the buyer a right to +them? In what case has he not? + +§10. What is said about the warranty of title? + +§11. In regard to quality, what? + +§12. To what cases does not this rule apply? Is a seller bound to +disclose hidden defects? + +§13. What is the general rule? + + + +Chapter LVI. + + +§1. For what purposes are fraudulent sales made? + +§2. What is here stated to be a common law rule? Upon what question do +the courts differ? + +§3. What distinction has been made between conditional and unconditional +bills of sale and assignments? + +§4. In different states, what different rules prevail? + +§5. How does the strict rule sometimes operate to the injury of honest +debtors? + +§6. How has this question been settled in some states? What are these +instruments of conveyance called? Must they be recorded in this state? + +§7. In what case, when there is a judgment against the seller, would a +sale of personal property be fraudulent? + +§8. How are assignments made for the benefit of creditors? May such +assignor prefer any of his creditors? + +§9. If he agrees to pay all a certain share, and then privately prefers +some, what is the effect? + +§10. In what cases are gifts valid against creditors? + + + +Chapter LVII. + + +§1. Define bailment. + +§2. For what is a bailee without reward responsible? What is a +depositary? + +§3. A mandatary? For what is he responsible? + +§4. For what is a borrower liable? How is he restricted in the use of +the article? + +§5. In the case of property pledged as security for debt, what are the +liabilities? + +§6. What in case of a hired article? + +§7. What if work or care is to be bestowed upon a thing delivered? + +§8. The liability of innkeepers? + +§9. Of persons carrying goods for hire in a particular case? + +§10. What is a common carrier? To what extent is he liable? + +§11. What are his rights and obligations as to receiving and carrying +goods? + +§12. What are the liabilities of proprietors of stage coaches as to +passengers? What as to the carrying of goods and the baggage of +passengers? + + + +Chapter LVIII. + + +§1. Define agent, principal, factor. What is a factor sometimes called? + +§2. How is a factor secured for money advanced on property? + +§3. What is this right to hold property called? How is he restricted? + +§4. How far is a principal bound by the acts of a general agent? What is +a general agent? + +§5. How far is an agent bound to his principal? In what case may he +depart from his instructions? + +§6. By what rule is he to be governed? + +§7. What degree of diligence and skill must he exercise? What is +ordinary diligence? Reasonable skill? + +§8. In what cases is an agent responsible to the person with whom he +deals? In what case is a principal liable for goods bought by an agent +in his own name? + +§9. What is a broker? His ordinary business? In what does he differ from +a factor? + +§10. What is a lien? For whose benefit is the right intended? How their +right restricted? + + + +Chapter LIX. + + +§1. Define partnership? + +§2. In what cases does the act of one partner bind all, and in what does +it not? + +§3. What cases of association are here mentioned that are not +partnerships? + +§4. How are they to sue and be sued? + +§5. What cannot a partner do without the consent of all? What may +dissolve a partnership at any time? § + +§6. Why should notice of dissolution be published when any partner +withdraws? How else may he become liable? + +§7. How are limited partnerships formed? + +§8. For what amount are the special partners liable? Whose names are +used For what are the general partners liable? If the partnership is to +be dissolved by the act of the parties, what is to be done? + + + +Chapter LX. + + +§1. What is a promissory note? Give a form. + +§2. What is the effect of inserting "or bearer," or, "or order"? If +payable to order, how is it made negotiable? Why is a note called +negotiable? If not negotiable, how is it to be sued? + +§3. What is a blank indorsement? A full indorsement? What is sometimes +done in case of a blank indorsement? + +§4. Show, by example, the benefit of making a note payable to order +instead of to bearer. + +§5. Why are the words "value received" inserted? Is a note without these +words collectable? + +§6. In what different ways may notes signed by two or more persons be +written, to be joint, or joint or several? + +§7. By Whom may a negotiable note be sued? In what case can a holder of +a note recover upon it, though he received it of a person who had stolen +it? + +§8. To what rule is this an exception? Why is this exception? + +§9. On the other hand, what is required to protect the owner? What +should the owner do? + +§10. What is the risk in buying a note after it has become due? How is +it when no day of payment is expressed? What regulation exists in New +Jersey and Pennsylvania? + +§11. What is the law respecting notes payable in some commodity? + +§12. When do notes payable on demand, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, become due and suable? Notes payable at sight, or after +sight? If the words "with interest" are omitted, when does interest +commence? If payable on demand, when? + +§13. What are days of grace? How do they affect a note? + +§14. To bind an indorser, when must payment be demanded? + +§15. If payment is refused, how and when is the indorser to be notified? + +§16. In case the maker's residence is unknown, how is payment to be +demanded? + +§17. State the effect of the different modes of guarantying notes. + + + +Chapter LXI. + + +§1. What is a bill of exchange? Give a form. + +§2. What are foreign bills of exchange? Inland? + +§3. Give an example of its operation and effect? + +§4. How is a bill accepted? How is the acceptor liable? How is payment +demanded? + +§5. When must bills payable at sight, or a certain day after sight, or +after date, be presented for acceptance? When presented for payment? + +§6. What is the nature of a bank check? + +§7. What is the business of a notary public? Define _protest_. + +§8. What is said of protesting inland bills of exchange? + +§9. What is interest? + +§10. Give the rates of interest in the different states. What is it in +this state? + +§11. What is usury? What is the forfeiture for taking usury in this +state? + + + +Chapter LXII. + + +§1. Are the penalties for crimes the same in all the states? Is the +measure of punishment always the same for the same offense, in any +state? Who fixes the measure of punishment? + +§2. What crimes are punishable by death in this state? + +§3. Why are crimes punishable by death called _capital_ crimes? Define +capital. + +§4. Define treason. + +§5. What is murder? Are there different degrees of murder in this state? + +§6. Define manslaughter. How many degrees of manslaughter in this state? + +§7. What is arson? Define arson in the first degree. How is this degree +punishable in this state? + +§8. What is homicide? When is it felonious? What is justifiable and +excusable homicide? + +§9. What is maiming? Kidnapping? What other crimes are here mentioned as +felonies? + +§10. What is burglary? Why is the crime deemed greater when committed in +the night time? + +§11. Define forgery and counterfeiting? + +§12. Define robbery, and an attempt to rob. + +§13. What is embezzlement? How is it punishable? + +§14. What is larceny? What is _grand_, and what is _petit_ larceny? + +§15. What is perjury? What is subornation of perjury? + +§16. Define bribery. + +§17. What is dueling? Is dueling murder in this state? + +§18. Is aiding a prisoner to escape a crime? + +§19. What is bigamy? What is the difference between bigamy and polygamy? + +§20. What is incest? + +§21. In what case is opening a grave a crime? How is it punishable in +this state? + +§22. Who are accessories to crime? + +§23. Define assault and battery. + +§24. What is a riot? How may riots be suppressed? + +§25. What grade of offense is it for an officer to rescue a prisoner or +voluntarily to suffer him to escape? + +§26. What is false imprisonment? + +§27. What grade of offense are the four offenses last named? What other +misdemeanors are mentioned in this section? Can you name any other? + + + +Chapter LXIII. + + +§1. Of what consists the law of nations? What was its early character? + +§2. By what means has it been improved? + +§3. What particular further improvement is desirable? + +§4. What is said of the independence of nations? How, then, is redress +for injuries obtained? + +§5. What right has a nation in respect to its government? To this rule, +what exception do some make? + +§6. In what cases may one nation assist another in changing its +government? + +§7. In what respect are nations mutually dependent? + +§8. By what law ought all nations to be governed? What does this law +require? + +§9. By what names is this law when applied to nations or states called? +Why is it so called? + +§10. For what reasons do some writers divide it into the _natural_ and +_positive_ laws of nations? + +§11. Define the positive law of nations. How is it divided? Define the +customary law of nations. + +§12. What is a conventional law of nations? Define _convention_. + +§13. What is the advantage of conventional law? + +§14. By what consideration is the observance of treaties induced? + +§15. What is a perfect obligation? An imperfect obligation? Why are the +obligations of nations called imperfect? + + + +Chapter LXIV. + + +§1. What rights have nations on the seas? By what laws are persons at +sea governed? + +§2. Over what waters flowing through its territory has a nation +jurisdiction? To what distance on the sea? + +§3. What right have other nations to a passage over its lands and +waters? Why is this an imperfect right? + +§4. What are the mutual rights and duties of a state and foreign +immigrants? + +§5. What is its duty in respect to foreign criminals? + +§6. What is said of the responsibility of embassadors? For bad conduct, +how are they punishable? Why are they not amenable to the laws of the +foreign state? + +§7. What rights have they in countries through which they pass? What is +a passport? + +§8. How are embassadors dealt with for disrespectful conduct at a +foreign court? + +§9. What do ministers do when they are ill-treated? + +§10. If a government, for good cause, refuses to receive a minister, +what is its duty? + +§11. What power has a minister in making treaties? + +§12. To what laws are consuls subject? What is their business? + + + +Chapter LXV. + + +§1. Define offensive and defensive war. What are the contending parties +called? Who are neutrals? + +§2. What are the proper characteristics of a war? + +§3. What are objects of a lawful war? + +§4. When is a personal injury to the citizens of one state by those of +another deemed just cause of war? + +§5. What ought a government to do before resorting to war to redress +injuries? + +§6. How is satisfaction sometimes sought without making war? How are +reprisals made? Define confiscate. + +§7. To justify reprisals, what is necessary? + +§8. How far is a nation bound by a treaty of alliance to assist another +in war? + +§9. In what cases is it not bound to render the aid? + +§10. What if the alliance is defensive? Is the government that first +applies force always the aggressor? + + + +Chapter LXVI. + + +§1. How is war usually announced? By what authority? + +§2. Is a declaration communicated to the enemy? What is deemed +sufficient? + +§3. When war is declared, who are involved in it? + +§4. How does war in a state affect the persons and property of the +enemy's subjects found within such state? + +§5. How is trade between the two countries affected by the war? + +§6. What is necessary to make offensive hostilities lawful? In what case +would such permission be beneficial? + +§7. How far does a just war give the right to take the life of the +enemy? + +§8. How are prisoners of war to be treated? What is said about the +exchange and ransom of prisoners? + +§9. What kinds of property may not, and what may, be destroyed? + +§10. What is said of stratagems? + +§11. Of spies? + +§12. In what kind of war is the destruction of private property lawful? +On what ground? + +§13. What are privateers? What are their owners authorized to do? How is +privateering encouraged? + +§14. How is the abuse of this right prevented? + +§15. State the proceedings of the captors and the court, in cases of +capture? + +§16. Who has the primary right to all prizes? How do the citizens get +any interest in them? + + + +Chapter LXVII. + + +§1. To what is a neutral nation bound? What kind of aid to an enemy is +unlawful? + +§2. How is the trade of a neutral affected by war? With what may she +still supply a belligerent? + +§3. What is said of the right of a neutral to carry the goods in such +cases? + +§4. What are prohibited articles called? What goods are contraband? + +§5. What is done with contraband goods? In what cases is the vessel also +confiscated? + +§6. What is a blockade? Its object? How does it affect neutrals? + +§7. What is necessary to a lawful blockade? In case a place is blockaded +by sea only, how may trade be carried on with it? + +§8. What is the right of search? What vessels are subject to search? + +§9. In what case is the property of an enemy in a neutral vessel liable +to seizure? What is done with the property of neutrals found in an +enemy's vessel? + +§10. What may not a neutral permit in her ports? What may not her +citizens do? + +§11. For what purposes are hostilities sometimes suspended? When is the +suspension called a suspension of arms? In what cases a truce? What is +the difference between a partial and a general truce? + +§12. How are the contracting parties and their citizens affected by a +truce? + +§13. How is peace generally secured? + +§14. When do treaties of peace take effect between the parties? + +§15. How is the service of mediation performed? + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Government Class Book, by Andrew W. Young + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOVERNMENT CLASS BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 15319-8.txt or 15319-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/3/1/15319/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Young</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + + body { + margin: .5em; + font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; + } + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; + font-weight: bold; + font-variant: small-caps + } + + h1.title { margin-top: 5em; } + + .sc { font-variant: small-caps } + + a { text-decoration: none; } + a:hover { background-color: #ffffcc } + + div.part { + margin-top: 5em; + padding: 5px; + } + + div.chapter, #preface { + margin-top: 4em; + padding: 5px; + } + + div.note { + border-style: dashed; + border-width: 1px; + border-color: #000000; + background-color: #ccffcc; + font-size: .8em; + width: 80%; + margin: auto; + } + + div.note p { + margin: 5px; + } + + hr { + height: 1px; + width: 80%; + } + + p.byline { + text-align: center; + font-variant: small-caps; + } + + .poetry { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; + } + + .stanza { + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + + table { + width: 80%; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + vertical-align: top; + } + + + /* **** Title Page **** */ + + #tp, #verso { + text-align: center; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + } + + #tp hr { + width: 20%; + height: 1px; + } + + /* **** Table of Contents **** */ + + #toc { + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 3em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + text-align: left; + } + + #toc blockquote { + text-align: left; + width: 80%; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + } + + #toc ul { + list-style-type: none; + } + + #toc ul li:hover { + list-style-type: disc; + } +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Government Class Book, by Andrew W. Young + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Government Class Book + Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles + of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of + Citizens. + + +Author: Andrew W. Young + +Release Date: March 10, 2005 [EBook #15319] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOVERNMENT CLASS BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="note"><p>[<span class="sc">Transcriber's Note:</span> In the original book, questions appeared at the +bottom of each page. These questions have been compiled at the <a href="#questions">end of +the text</a>.]</p></div> + + + +<div id="tp"> +<h1 class="title"><a id="p001"></a>The Government Class Book;</h1> + +<h2 class="subtitle">Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of +Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens.</h2> + +<h2 class="author">By Andrew W. Young,</h2> + +<h3>Author of "Science of Government," <br />"First Lessons in Civil Government,"<br /> +"American Statesman," "Citizen's Manual of Government and Law."</h3> + + +<h4> +NEW-YORK:<br /> +J. C. DERBY & N. C. MILLER,<br /> +5 SPRUCE STREET, TRIBUNE BUILDINGS.<br /> +1865. +</h4> +</div> + + +<div id="verso"> +<p><a id="p002"></a>Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by <br /><span class="sc">Andrew W. +Young</span>, <br />in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Northern District of New York.</p> +</div> + + +<div id="preface"> +<h2><a id="p003"></a>Preface.</h2> + + + +<p>The utility of the diffusion of political knowledge among a people +exercising the right of self-government, is universally admitted. The +form of government established by the people of the United States, +though well adapted to promote the general welfare, is highly +complicated; and the knowledge requisite to administer it successfully +can not be acquired without much study. From the fact that a large +portion of the American people are greatly deficient in this knowledge, +we may justly conclude that it will never become general, until it shall +have been made an object of school instruction.</p> + +<p>The administration of the government of this great and rapidly +increasing republic, will, in a few years, devolve upon those who are +now receiving instruction in the public schools. Yet thousands annually +complete their school education, who have never devoted any time to the +study of the principles of the government in which they are soon to take +a part--who become invested with political power without the preparation +necessary to exercise it with discretion. The schools are regarded as +the nurseries of our future statesmen. They share largely in the bounty +of the state; yet few of them render in return even the rudiments of +political science to those who are to become her legislators, and +governors, and judges. Not only in the common schools generally, but in +a large portion of the high schools and seminaries, this science is not +included in the course of instruction.</p> + +<p>To many of the most enlightened friends of education and of our free +institutions, it has long been a matter of <a id="p004"></a>surprise as well as regret, +that those to whom the educational interests of the states are more +immediately intrusted, should so long have treated the study in question +as of minor importance, or have suffered it to be excluded by studies of +far less practical utility. The Regents of the University of the State +of New York have repeatedly noticed the neglect of this study in the +academies and seminaries subject to their visitation; and they mention +it as a remarkable fact, that in many of them preference is given to the +study of the Grecian and Roman antiquities. They say: "The +constitutions, laws, manners, and customs of ancient Greece and Rome are +made subjects of regular study, quarter after quarter, while our own +constitutional jurisprudence, and the every day occurring principles of +our civil jurisprudence, are not admitted as a part of the academic +course!"</p> + +<p>To persons who are to engage in any of the industrial or professional +pursuits, a preparatory course of training or discipline is deemed +indispensable to success. Yet many assume the weighty responsibilities +of freemen, and allow their sons to do the same, with scarcely any +knowledge of a freeman's duties. On the intelligent exercise of +political power, the public prosperity and the security of our liberties +mainly depend. Every person, therefore, who is entitled to the rights of +a citizen, is justly held responsible for the proper performance of his +political duties. And any course of popular instruction which fails to +impart a knowledge of our system of government, must be materially +defective.</p> + +<p>With a view to supply this deficiency, the author, many years since, +prepared his "Introduction to the Science of Government." This work soon +attained considerable popularity, both as a class book in schools, and +as a book for private reading and reference for adults. Not being +deem<a id="p005"></a>ed, however, sufficiently <i>elementary</i> for the children and youth +in most of our common schools, another work, entitled, "<i>First Lessons +in Civil Government</i>," was written to meet the capacities of younger or +less advanced scholars than those for whom the previous work was +designed.</p> + +<p>The favorable reception of these works by the public, and the assurances +of their usefulness to thousands who have studied them, are to the +author a source of high gratification, and an ample reward for many +years of arduous labor. The value of these works has, however, been in a +measure impaired by changes in the government and laws since the time of +their first publication. The latter, especially, descending so minutely +into the details of the government of the state for which alone it is +intended, requires frequent revisions.</p> + +<p>It has occurred to the author that a new work, more permanent in the +character of its matter, and adapted for use in all the states, is +demanded to supply the deficiency in the present course of education. +Stimulated by a desire to bear some part in laying a solid foundation +for our republican institutions, and encouraged by the success of his +former labors in this department of education, he has, after a +suspension of several years, resumed his efforts in this enterprise, in +the hope that, with the coöperation of teachers, and those having +official supervision of the schools, it may be carried forward to an +early consummation; when the principles of government shall be made a +subject of regular study in the schools, and the elements of a sound +political education shall be accessible to the mass of American youth. +And he flatters himself, that the attention he has given to this subject +has enabled him to prepare a work adapted, in a good degree, to meet the +existing want of the schools.</p> + +<p>Many words and phrases, as they occur in the course of <a id="p006"></a>the work, have +been defined; and an attempt has been made to explain the several +subjects in such a manner as to render them intelligible to youth.</p> + +<p>The object which it is the purpose of this work to aid in effecting, +claims the earnest attention of parents. Every father, at least, is +bound to see that his sons have the means of acquiring a good political +education. He can not innocently suffer them to pass from under his +guardianship unprepared to discharge their political duties.</p> + +<p>The study of this work should not be confined to male pupils. It has +long been considered a striking defect in our system of education, that +females are not more generally instructed in the principles of civil +government, and in matters of business. Although they take no active +part in public affairs, the knowledge here commended would enable them +to exert a far more powerful and salutary influence upon our national +character and destiny. As wives, mothers, teachers, and especially as +counselors of the other sex, they could apply this knowledge to valuable +purposes. And the question is submitted, whether it would not contribute +more to their usefulness than some of those accomplishments which form +so large a part of a modern female education, and which are usually lost +amidst the cares of married life.</p> + +<p>To preserve and transmit the blessings of constitutional liberty, we +need a healthful patriotism. But a genuine love of country is hardly to +be expected where there is not a proper appreciation of our political +institutions, which give it its preeminence among nations. And how can +they be duly appreciated if they are not understood? It has been one of +the objects of the writer to bring to view the chief excellencies of our +system of government, and thus to lay, in the minds of youth, the basis +of an enlightened and conservative patriotism.</p> + +<p><a id="p007"></a>That this work, as an elementary treatise on civil government, is not +susceptible of improvement, is not pretended. Such as it is, it is +submitted to the judgment of a candid public. If it shall prove in any +considerable degree useful, the author's highest expectations will have +been realized.</p> + + + +<h3>To Teachers.</h3> + + +<p>To the meritorious, though often undervalued labors of the instructors +of American youth, is our country greatly indebted for the successful +working of its system of free government; and upon the labors of their +successors rest, in an equal degree, all well-founded hopes of its +future political prosperity.</p> + +<p>The general introduction and profitable study of this work, depend much +upon a hearty and active coöperation of teachers in the enterprise which +it is intended to promote. From all who desire to make themselves in the +highest degree useful in their profession, such coöperation is +confidently anticipated.</p> + +<p>The advantage of instructing a class in civil government, is not +confined to the pupils. The teacher will find the exercise both +interesting and profitable to himself. Although pains have been taken to +adapt the work to the capacities of youth, the definition of many terms +and phrases, and the further explanation of many subjects, have +necessarily been left to be supplied by teachers. The study and +investigation which may in some cases be required to qualify them <a id="p008"></a>for +the task, will be amply rewarded by their own advancement in political +knowledge.</p> + +<p>No intelligent teacher, it is presumed, will object to the introduction +of this study, on the ground that there is not sufficient time or room +for an additional exercise. Useful as all the branches now taught may be +justly deemed, all of them are not, as is a knowledge of government, +indispensable to the security of our liberties. The latter is of far +greater importance to an American citizen, than a knowledge of some +portions of arithmetic and the higher mathematics; and in the opinion of +some distinguished educators the time now devoted to these, in many +schools, is sufficient to acquire a tolerable political education. It is +believed, however, that this study need not exclude, or essentially +interfere with, any of the studies pursued in the schools generally. By +the more advanced scholars in the common schools, the work may be used +as a reading book, and thus a two-fold advantage be gained from its use.</p> + +<p>To assist the more inexperienced teachers in conducting the exercise, a +few questions have been appended to the chapters. Questions may be added +by the teachers at pleasure, or to such extent as may be thought +necessary. And it is believed the recitations may be made more +profitable to pupils, by requiring them, so far as may be, to give +answers in their own words. To some of the printed questions, no answers +are furnished by the chapters and sections referred to, but may be found +in the Synopsis of the State Constitutions, or other parts of the work. +Occasionally questions have been inserted to which no part of the work +furnishes the answers.</p> +</div> + + +<div id="toc"> +<h2><a id="p009"></a>Contents</h2> + + + +<h3>Principles of Government.</h3> + + +<h4><a href="#ch1">Chapter I.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch2">Chapter II.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Rights and Liberty, defined +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch3">Chapter III.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Laws defined +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch4">Chapter IV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; + Republic +</p></blockquote> + + + +<h3>State Governments.</h3> + + +<h4><a href="#ch5">Chapter V.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the manner in which + it is made +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch6">Chapter VI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is + exercised in the States of this Union +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch7">Chapter VII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Elections +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch8">Chapter VIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Division of the Powers of Government +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch9">Chapter IX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + States Legislatures--how constituted +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#chX">Chapter X.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Meetings and Organization of the Legislature +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch11">Chapter XI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Manner of Enacting Laws +</p></blockquote> + +<a id="p010"></a><h4><a href="#ch12">Chapter XII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant Governor +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch13">Chapter XIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Assistant Executive State Officers +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch14">Chapter XIV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Counties and County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch15">Chapter XV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch16">Chapter XVI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch17">Chapter XVII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Judicial Department. Justices' Courts +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch18">Chapter XVIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch19">Chapter XIX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#chXX">Chapter XX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch21">Chapter XXI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Assessment and Collection of Taxes +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch22">Chapter XXII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Education. School Funds; Schools, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch23">Chapter XXIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Canals and Railroads +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch24">Chapter XXIV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Banks and Insurance Companies +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch25">Chapter XXV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + The Militia +</p></blockquote> + + + +<h3>Government of the United States.</h3> + + +<h4><a href="#ch26">Chapter XXVI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Causes of the Revolution +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch27">Chapter XXVII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Nature of the Union under the Confederation +</p></blockquote> + +<a id="p011"></a><h4><a href="#ch28">Chapter XXVIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Nature of the Union under the Constitution +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch29">Chapter XXIX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Legislative Department. House of Representatives +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#chXXX">Chapter XXX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + The Senate +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch31">Chapter XXXI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch32">Chapter XXXII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Power to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch33">Chapter XXXIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Power to Regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among + the States, and with the Indian Tribes +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch34">Chapter XXXIV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Powers of Congress in Relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; + Coining Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch35">Chapter XXXV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Powers of Congress in Relation to Post-Offices; Copy-Rights and + Patents; Inferior Courts +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch36">Chapter XXXVI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Powers of Congress in Relation to Piracy and Offenses against the + Law of Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal; Public Defense; District + of Columbia; Implied Powers +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch37">Chapter XXXVII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Prohibitions on Congress +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch38">Chapter XXXVIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Prohibition on the States +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch39">Chapter XXXIX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, + Qualifications, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#chXL">Chapter XL.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; + Appointments and Removals +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch41">Chapter XLI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the + Treasury, of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; + Attorney General +</p></blockquote> + +<a id="p012"></a><h4><a href="#ch42">Chapter XLII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Judicial Department. District Courts; Circuit Courts; Supreme Court +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch43">Chapter XLIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Treason Defined, its Punishment +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch44">Chapter XLIV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + State Records; Privileges of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New + States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch45">Chapter XLV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Provision for Amendments; Assumptions of Public Debt; Supremacy of + the Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the + Constitution +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch46">Chapter XLVI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Amendments to the Constitution +</p></blockquote> + + + +<h3>Common and Statutory Law.</h3> + + +<h4><a href="#ch47">Chapter XLVII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious + Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch48">Chapter XLVIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch49">Chapter XLIX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; + Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#chL">Chapter L.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Rights of Property. How Title to Property is acquired; Wills and + Testaments; Title to Property by Descent +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch51">Chapter LI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Deeds and Mortgages +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch52">Chapter LII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Incorporeal Hereditaments, Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch53">Chapter LIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Leases. Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; + Estates by Sufferance; Rent, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch54">Chapter LIV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Contracts in General +</p></blockquote> + +<a id="p013"></a><h4><a href="#ch55">Chapter LV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Contracts of Sale +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch56">Chapter LVI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch57">Chapter LVII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Bailment +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch58">Chapter LVIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch59">Chapter LIX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Partnership +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#chLX">Chapter LX.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Promissory Notes +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch61">Chapter LXI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch62">Chapter LXII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Crimes and Misdemeanors +</p></blockquote> + + + +<h3>Law of Nations.</h3> + + +<h4><a href="#ch63">Chapter LXIII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, + and Conventional Laws of Nations +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch64">Chapter LXIV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; + the Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c. +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch65">Chapter LXV.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes of War; Reprisals; + Alliances in War +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch66">Chapter LXVI.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the + Enemy's Subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering +</p></blockquote> + +<h4><a href="#ch67">Chapter LXVII.</a></h4> + +<blockquote><p> + Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; + Right of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of + Peace +</p></blockquote> + + +<h3><a id="p014"></a>Synopsis of the State Constitutions.</h3> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#const_Maine">Maine</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_New_Hampshire">New Hampshire</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Vermont">Vermont</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Massachusetts">Massachusetts</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Rhode_Island">Rhode Island</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Connecticut">Connecticut</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_New_York">New York</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_New_Jersey">New Jersey</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Delaware">Delaware</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Maryland">Maryland</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Virginia">Virginia</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_North_Carolina">North Carolina</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_South_Carolina">South Carolina</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Georgia">Georgia</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Florida">Florida</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Alabama">Alabama</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Mississippi">Mississippi</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Louisiana">Louisiana</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Texas">Texas</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Arkansas">Arkansas</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Missouri">Missouri</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Tennessee">Tennessee</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Kentucky">Kentucky</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Ohio">Ohio</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Indiana">Indiana</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Illinois">Illinois</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Michigan">Michigan</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Wisconsin">Wisconsin</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Iowa">Iowa</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_California">California</a></li> +<li><a href="#const_Minnesota">Minnesota</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3><a href="#const_US">Constitution of the United States</a></h3> +</div> + + + + + +<h1 class="title"><a id="p015"></a>Government Class Book.</h1> + + + + +<div class="part" id="part1"> +<h1>Principles of Government.</h1> + + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch1"> +<h2>Chapter I.</h2> + +<h3>Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch1-1">§1. Mankind are social beings. They are by nature fitted for society. By +this we mean that they are naturally disposed to associate with each +other. Indeed, such is their nature, that they could not be happy +without such association. Hence we conclude that the Creator has +designed men for society. It can not, therefore, be true, as some say, +that the savage state is the natural state of man.</p> + +<p id="ch1-2">§2. Man is so formed that he is dependent upon his fellow men. He has +not the natural strength of other animals. He needs the assistance of +creatures like himself to protect and preserve his own being. We can +hardly imagine how a person could procure the necessaries of life +without such assistance. But men have the gifts of reason and speech. By +conversation they are enabled to improve their reason and increase their +knowledge, and to find methods of supplying their wants, and of +improving their social condition.</p> + +<p id="ch1-3">§3. But, although men need the assistance of each other, they are so +formed that each must have the care of him<a id="p016"></a>self. If every man were fed +and clothed from a common store, provided by the labor of all, many, +depending upon the labor of others, would be less industrious than they +now are. By the present arrangement in society, which obliges every man +to provide for his own wants, more is earned, a greater number are cared +for, and the general welfare is better promoted than would be done if +each labored for the benefit of all.</p> + +<p id="ch1-4">§4. From this arrangement comes the right of property. If each man's +earnings should go into a common stock for the use of all, there would +be nothing that any one could call his own. But if each is to provide +for himself, he must have a right to use and enjoy the fruits of his own +labor.</p> + +<p id="ch1-5">§5. But all men in society have the same rights. Therefore, in laboring +to supply our wants, and to gratify our desires, we can not rightfully +do so any further than is consistent with the rights of others. Hence we +see the necessity of some established rules for securing to every member +of society the free enjoyment of what justly belongs to him, and for +regulating his conduct toward his fellow-members.</p> + +<p id="ch1-6">§6. These rules for regulating the social actions of men, are called +laws. <i>Law</i>, in a general sense, is a rule of action, and is applied to +all kinds of action. But in its limited and proper sense, it denotes the +rules of human action prescribing what men are to do, and forbidding +what they are not to do.</p> + +<p id="ch1-7">§7. We have seen that man is fitted for society, and that laws are +necessary to govern the conduct of men in the social state. We see also +that mankind are fitted by nature for government and laws. Man is also a +moral being. The word <i>moral</i> has various significations. Sometimes it +means only virtuous, or just; as, a moral man; that is, a man of moral +character, or who lives a moral life; by which is meant that the conduct +of the man is just and right.</p> + +<p id="ch1-8">§8. But in a wider sense, the word moral relates to the <a id="p017"></a>social actions +of men, both right and wrong. Thus, in speaking of the character of a +man, we say, his morals are good, or his morals are bad. And of an +action, we say, it is morally right, or it is morally wrong. Man's +having a moral nature implies that he has a sense of right and wrong, or +at least the power or faculty of acquiring it; and, being a moral agent, +he is accountable for his actions.</p> + +<p id="ch1-9">§9. Thus we have seen that men are social, reasonable, and moral beings. +They have power to discern their own wants and the wants of their fellow +men; to perceive what is right and what is wrong; and to know that they +ought to do what is right and to forbear to do what is wrong. Their +reason enables them to understand the meaning of laws, and to discover +what laws are necessary to regulate the social actions of men. Hence we +conclude that they are fitted and designed for society, and for +government and law.</p> + +<p id="ch1-10">§10. The youngest reader probably knows, that in speaking of society, we +do not refer to any of those associations usually called societies, but +to <i>civil</i> society, composed of the people of a state or nation. A +<i>nation</i>, or <i>state</i>, is a large number of persons united under some +form of government; as, the French nation; the British nation; or the +state of New-York; the state of Virginia. Sometimes it signifies the +ruling or governing power of a state or nation, as, the state has +provided for educating its citizens, and for supporting the poor.</p> + +<p id="ch1-11">§11. The object of the people in forming a state association, or, as is +sometimes said, of entering into civil society, is to promote their +mutual safety and happiness. In uniting for this purpose, they agree to +be governed by certain established rules and principles; and the +governing of the people of a state or nation according to these rules, +is called <i>civil government</i>. The word <i>government</i> also signifies the +rules and principles themselves by which the people are governed; and +sometimes the persons who administer the government--that is those who +make the laws of a state and carry them into effect--are called <i>the +government</i>.<a id="p018"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch2"> +<h2>Chapter II.</h2> + +<h3>Rights and Liberty, defined.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch2-1">§1. We have spoken of the rights of men, and of laws as designed to +secure to men the free enjoyment of their rights. But a more particular +definition of rights and laws will be useful to young persons just +commencing the study of civil government.</p> + +<p id="ch2-2">§2. A <i>right</i> means ownership, or the just claim or lawful title which a +person has to anything. What we have acquired by honest labor, or other +lawful means, is rightfully our own; and we are justly entitled to the +free use and enjoyment of it. We have a right also to be free in our +actions. We may go where we please, and do what ever we think necessary +for our own safety and happiness; provided we do not trespass upon the +rights of others; for it must be remembered that others have the same +rights as ourselves.</p> + +<p id="ch2-3">§3. The rights here mentioned are <i>natural</i> rights. They are so called +because they are ours by nature or by birth; and they can not be justly +taken from us or alienated. Hence they are also called <i>inalienable</i>. We +may, however, forfeit them by some offense or crime. If, for example, a +man is fined for breaking a law, he loses his right to the money he is +obliged to pay. By stealing, he forfeits his liberty, and may be justly +imprisoned. By committing murder, he forfeits his right to life, and may +be hanged.</p> + +<p id="ch2-4">§4. Rights are also called personal, political, civil, and religious. +<i>Personal rights</i>, or the <i>rights of persons</i>, are rights belonging to +persons as individuals, and consist of the right of <i>personal security</i>, +or the right to be secure from injury to our bodies, or persons, or our +good names; the right of <i>personal liberty</i>, or the liberty of moving, +acting, or speaking without unjust restraint; and the <i>right of +property</i>, <a id="p019"></a>or the right to acquire and enjoy property. The terms +<i>rights of person</i> and <i>rights of persons</i>, or <i>personal rights</i>, have +not the same meaning. The rights of person, as the term is generally +used, does not include the right of property; personal rights include +both the right of property and the rights of person.</p> + +<p id="ch2-5">§5. <i>Political rights</i> are those which belong to the people in their +political capacity. The word <i>political</i>, in a general sense, relates to +government. The whole body of the people united under one government, is +called the political body, or body politic. The right of the people to +choose and establish for themselves a form of government, or +constitution, and the right to elect persons to make and execute the +laws, are political rights. The right of voting at elections is +therefore a political right.</p> + +<p id="ch2-6">§6. <i>Civil rights</i> are those which are secured to the citizens by the +laws of the state. Some make no distinction between civil rights and +political rights. In a proper sense--that in which the terms are here +used--there is this difference: political rights are those secured by +the political or fundamental law, called the constitution; civil rights +are more properly those which are secured by the civil or municipal +laws. The difference will more clearly appear from the definition +elsewhere given of the political and civil laws. (Chap. III. §5, 6.)</p> + +<p id="ch2-7">§7. <i>Religious rights</i> consist in the right of a man to make known and +maintain his religious opinions, and to worship God in that way and +manner which he believes in his conscience to be most acceptable to his +Maker. This right is called also the <i>right of conscience</i>. But in +exercising this right, a man may not abuse it by violating the rights of +others, or disturbing the peace and order of society.</p> + +<p id="ch2-8">§8. Now, although human rights are thus divided into classes and +differently defined, they are all natural rights. It is generally held +in this country as a truth, that "all men are created equal;" that is, +born with the same rights. And if men, as social and moral beings, are +fitted by <i>nature</i> and designed for government and laws, we conclude +<a id="p020"></a>that their political, civil, and religious rights, and all other rights +to which they are entitled by the law of nature, are natural rights.</p> + +<p id="ch2-9">§9. <i>Liberty</i> is the being free to exercise and enjoy our rights, and is +called natural, political, civil, or religious, according to the +particular class of rights referred to. Thus the exercise of rights +guarantied by the constitution or political law, is called political +liberty. The free enjoyment of rights secured by the civil or municipal +laws, is called civil liberty. And freedom of religious opinion and +worship is called religious liberty.</p> + +<p id="ch2-10">§10. Hence liberty itself is a natural right. The words <i>right</i> and +<i>liberty</i>, however, have not the same meaning. We may have a right to a +thing when we have not the liberty of using it. John has a pencil which +is justly his own; but James takes it from him by force. John's liberty +to enjoy the use of his pencil is lost, but his right to it remains. +James has no right to the use of the pencil, though he enjoys the use of +it.</p> + +<p id="ch2-11">§11. This example serves also to explain further the use of the +different terms applied to rights and liberty. John's right to his +pencil, being guarantied to him by the laws of civil society, is a +<i>civil</i> right. It is with equal propriety called a <i>natural</i> right, +because, by the law of nature, he has a right to the use of his pencil.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch3"> +<h2>Chapter III.</h2> + +<h3>Laws, defined.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch3-1">§1. Law has been briefly defined. (Chap. 1. §6.) As in the case of +rights and liberty, laws are distinguished by different names; as, the +law of nature, or natural law; the moral law; the law of revelation, or +revealed law; the political law; the civil or municipal law.</p> + +<p id="ch3-2">§2. The <i>law of nature</i>, is of the highest possible authority, <a id="p021"></a>being +established by the supreme Lawgiver himself. It is called the law of +nature, because it is right in itself--right in the nature of things, +and ought to be obeyed, though no positive command had ever been given +to men. It is a perfect rule of right for all moral and social beings. +It is that eternal rule of right to which God himself conforms.</p> + +<p id="ch3-3">§3. The law of nature, as a rule of human action, arises out of man's +relation to his Maker and to his fellow men. As a creature, he must be +subject to the laws of his Creator, on whom he is dependent. He is also +in a measure dependent upon his fellow beings. All being created equal, +each is bound by the principles of natural justice to render to others +that assistance which is necessary to make them as happy as himself, or +which they justly owe to him in return.</p> + +<p id="ch3-4">§4. The <i>moral law</i> is that which prescribes to men their duties to God +and to each other. As a rule of human conduct therefore, it corresponds +exactly to the law of nature. The moral law is briefly expressed in the +decalogue or ten commandments, and is still more briefly summed up in +the two great commandments, to love God with all our heart and to love +our neighbor as ourselves. God being its author, it is called the +<i>divine law</i>; and, being found in the Holy Scriptures, in which his will +is revealed to mankind, it is called the <i>revealed law</i>, or <i>law of +revelation</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch3-5">§5. <i>Political law</i>, as has been observed, is that system or form of +fundamental rules, called the constitution, by which the people in their +political capacity, or as a body politic, agree to be governed. The +nature of this law will more clearly appear from a more particular +definition of constitution, and from a description of the manner in +which a constitution is made. (Chap. V.)</p> + +<p id="ch3-6">§6. The word <i>municipal</i> was used by the Romans to designate that which +related to a <i>municipium</i>, which was a free town, or city. The rights of +a citizen of such free city or town were called <i>municipal rights</i>, and +its officers were called <i>municipal officers</i>. In this country, the word +is not only used in this limited sense, but is extended to what +<a id="p022"></a>pertains to a state. Hence the body of laws which prescribe the duties +of the citizens of a state, are called the <i>municipal</i> or <i>civil law</i>. +And the term is used to distinguish the laws made by the legislature, or +law-making power of the state, from the constitution, or political law, +adopted by the people in their political capacity.</p> + +<p id="ch3-7">§7. If, as has been said, the laws of the Creator form a perfect rule of +conduct for all mankind, and ought in all cases to be obeyed, then all +human law ought to agree with the divine law. If a human law is contrary +to the divine law, or if it requires us to disobey the commands of God, +it is not binding, and should not be obeyed. So the Scriptures teach. +They speak approvingly of men who disobeyed human authority, and who +gave as the reason, that it was their duty to obey God rather than men; +and they furnish many examples of good men who submitted to severe +punishment, even to death, rather than do what they knew to be contrary +to the divine will.</p> + +<p id="ch3-8">§8. But although the divine will as revealed in the Scriptures, is a +perfect rule or law for all mankind, and although human laws ought to +conform to the divine law, yet it would be impossible to govern the +people of a state by that law alone. The divine law is broad, and +comprehends rules to teach men their whole duty; but it does not specify +every particular act of duty. Much of it consists of general principles +to which particular acts must be made to conform. It requires men to +deal justly with each other; but men do not always agree as to what is +right. Human laws, therefore, become necessary to declare what shall be +considered just and right between man and man.</p> + +<p id="ch3-9">§9. It may be observed, further, that all the divine precepts could not +be carried into effect in civil government. They are spiritual, and +reach to the thoughts and intents of the heart. They require us to love +our Creator supremely, and our neighbor as ourselves; in other words, to +do to others as we would that they should do to us. But as the +omniscient God only knows when men fail in these duties, no human +authority could enforce such a law. <a id="p023"></a>Human laws, therefore, have respect +chiefly to the outward acts of men, and are designed to regulate their +intercourse with each other.</p> + +<p id="ch3-10">§10. Although the laws of the state can not compel men to fulfill the +great law of love, it is nevertheless morally binding upon all. A +perfectly holy Creator could consistently require of his moral and +accountable creatures nothing less than supreme love to himself, and +equal love to one another. This, as has been remarked, is in accordance +with the law of nature, which is right in the nature of things. (Chap. +III. §2, 3.)</p> + +<p id="ch3-11">§11. While the divine law accords perfectly with the principles of +natural justice, the giving of it to mankind manifests the wisdom and +benevolence of the supreme Lawgiver. Man is so formed, that it is for +his highest happiness strictly to obey this law. The generous man, in +relieving the wants of others, contributes to his own happiness. The boy +who divides an apple with his fellow, is more happy than he would be if +he retained the whole to himself. It is generally true, that, in +performing acts of kindness and charity to others, we most effectually +promote our own happiness, and feel the saying to be true, "It is more +blessed to give than to receive."</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch4"> +<h2>Chapter IV.</h2> + +<h3>Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; Republic.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch4-1">§1. Governments have existed in a great variety of forms. The earliest +governments of which we have any knowledge, are the patriarchal. +<i>Patriarch</i>, from the Greek, <i>pater</i>, father, and <i>arkos</i>, chief, or +head, means the father and ruler of a family. This kind of government +prevailed <a id="p024"></a>in the early ages of the world, and in a state of society in +which the people dwelt together in families or tribes, and were not yet +formed into states or nations. The patriarchal government existed before +the flood, and for a long period afterward. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, +the fathers of the Hebrew race, as also the sons of Jacob, the heads of +the twelve tribes, were called patriarchs.</p> + +<p id="ch4-2">§2. After their departure from Egypt, the government of the Hebrews was +a <i>theocracy</i>. This word is from <i>theos</i>, God, and <i>kratos</i>, power, and +signifies a government by the immediate direction of God. The laws by +which they were governed were given to them on Mount Sinai by God +himself, their leader and king. This theocratic form of government, with +some changes, existed until the coming of the Messiah.</p> + +<p id="ch4-3">§3. But the forms of government which have most prevailed, are +designated by the terms, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, or +republic. These words severally indicate by what persons, and in what +manner, the governing power of a state is exercised. This power is +usually called the <i>sovereign</i>, or <i>supreme</i> power. Where kings rule, +they are called sovereign; and where the power is in the hands of the +people, the people are sovereign. In the strict sense of the term, +however, entire sovereignty, or supreme power, exists only where power +is exercised by one man, or a single body of men, uncontrolled or +unrestrained by laws or by any other power. But in a more general sense, +it is that power in a state which is superior to all other powers within +the same.</p> + +<p id="ch4-4">§4. A form of government in which the supreme power is in the hands of +one person, is called a monarchy. The word <i>monarch</i> is from two Greek +words, <i>monos</i> sole or only, and <i>arkos</i>, a chief; and is a general name +for a single ruler, whether he is called king, emperor, or prince. A +government in which all power resides in or proceeds from one person, is +an <i>absolute</i> monarchy. If the power of the monarch is restrained by +laws or by some other power, it is called a <i>limited</i> monarchy.</p> + +<a id="p025"></a><p id="ch4-5">§5. A monarchy is called <i>hereditary</i> in which the throne passes from +father to son, or from the monarch to his successor, by inheritance. On +the death of a sovereign, the eldest son is usually heir to the crown; +or if there is no son, it falls to the daughter, or some other relative. +A monarchy is <i>elective</i>, where, on the death of the ruler, his +successor is appointed by an election. A few such monarchies have +existed.</p> + +<p id="ch4-6">§6. An absolute monarchy is sometimes called <i>despotism</i>. The word +<i>despot</i> is from the Greek, and means <i>master</i>, or <i>lord</i>. It has nearly +the same meaning as <i>tyrant</i>, which also is from the Greek, and +signifies <i>king</i>. These words at first meant simply a single ruler. They +are now applied, for the most part, to rulers who exercise authority +over their subjects with severity. In an absolute despotism, the monarch +has entire control over his subjects. They have no law but the will of +the ruler, who has at command a large force of armed men to keep his +people in subjection. The governments of Russia and Turkey are highly +despotic.</p> + +<p id="ch4-7">§7. An <i>aristocracy</i> is a form of government in which the power is +exercised by a privileged order of men, distinguished for their rank and +wealth. The word <i>aristocracy</i> is from the Greek word <i>aristos</i>, best, +and <i>kratos</i>, power, or <i>krateo</i>, to govern; and means a government of +the best. It is also used for the nobility of a country under a +monarchical government. <i>Nobles</i> are persons of rank above the common +people, and bear some title of honor. The titles of the English nobility +are those of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. These titles are +hereditary, being derived from birth. In some cases they are conferred +upon persons by the king.</p> + +<p id="ch4-8">§8. A <i>democracy</i> is a government of the people; the word democracy +being from the Greek <i>demos</i>, the people, and <i>krateo</i>, to govern. In a +government purely democratic, the great body of freemen meet in one +assembly to make and execute the laws. There were some such governments +in ancient Greece; but they necessarily comprised small territories, +scarcely more than a single town. The freemen of a state could not all +meet in a single assembly.</p> + +<a id="p026"></a><p id="ch4-9">§9. The government of this country, though a government of the people, +is not one of the kind just described; it is a republic. A <i>republic</i> is +a government in which the power to enact and execute the laws is +exercised by representatives, who are persons elected by the people to +act for them. Yet, as not only the election of representatives, but the +adoption of the constitution or form of government itself is the act of +the people; and as, therefore, all power comes from the people, the +government is also democratic; and is properly called a <i>democratic +republic</i>, or a <i>representative democracy</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch4-10">§10. A republic is sometimes also called a <i>commonwealth</i>. <i>Common</i> +signifies general, and is applied to what belongs to or is used by the +people generally. <i>Weal</i> means welfare or happiness. <i>Wealth</i> also was +formerly sometimes used for weal. Hence <i>commonwealth</i> means strictly +the <i>common good</i>, or the <i>common happiness</i>. In a general sense it +signifies a state; but it is properly applied to a free state, one in +which the people enjoy common rights and privileges. Hence every state +in the union is a commonwealth or republic.</p> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="part" id="part2"> +<h1>State Governments.</h1> + + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch5"> +<h2>Chapter V.</h2> + +<h3>The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the Manner in which it is made.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch5-1">§1. Of all the different forms of government which have existed, a +republican government, on the plan of that which has been established in +this country, is believed to be best adapted to secure the liberties of +a people, and to promote the general welfare. Under the reign of a wise +and virtuous ruler, the rights of person and property may be <a id="p027"></a>fully +enjoyed, and the people may be in a good degree prosperous. But the +requisite virtue and wisdom have seldom been found in any one man or a +few men. And experience has proved that the objects of civil government +may be best secured by a written constitution founded upon the will or +consent of the people.</p> + +<p id="ch5-2">§2. The word <i>constitute</i> is from the Latin, and signifies <i>to set</i>, to +fix, to establish. <i>Constitution</i>, when used in a political sense, means +the established form of government of a state. In a free government, +like ours, it is properly called the <i>political law</i>, being established +by the people as a body politic, or political body. (<span class="sc">Chap.</span> III, +§5.) It is also called the <i>fundamental law</i>, because it is the +<i>foundation</i> of all other laws of the state, which are enacted by the +legislature for regulating intercourse between the citizens, and are +called the <i>municipal</i> or <i>civil</i> law, and must conform to the +fundamental, or political law.</p> + +<p id="ch5-3">§3. A constitution is in the nature of an agreement between a whole +community or body politic and each of its members. This agreement or +contract implies, that each one binds himself to the whole, and the +whole bind themselves to each one, that all shall be governed by certain +laws and regulations for the common good.</p> + +<p id="ch5-4">§4. The nature of a constitution will further appear from the manner in +which it is made. It is evident that a people, in establishing a +constitution, must have some right or authority to act in the business. +Whence this right is derived, we will not now stop to inquire. There is, +however, somewhere power to enact a law authorizing the people to make a +constitution and prescribing the manner in which it is to be made.</p> + +<p id="ch5-5">§5. In forming a constitution, the people must act collectively. But +their number is too large to meet in a single assembly. Therefore they +choose a small number to act for them. One or more are chosen in each +county, or smaller district, and are called delegates. A <i>delegate</i> is a +person appointed by another with power to transact business as his +representative. The assembly composed of the <a id="p028"></a>delegates so elected, is +called <i>convention</i>; a name given to most public meetings other than +legislative assemblies. Delegate and representative are words of nearly +the same meaning. The latter, however, usually designates a person +chosen to assist in making the laws of the state.</p> + +<p id="ch5-6">§6. The rules agreed upon by the convention as a basis of government, +are arranged in proper form. The several portions relating to the +different subjects are called articles, and numbered; and the articles +are divided into sections, which also are numbered. But what has been +thus prepared by the convention is not yet a constitution. It is only a +draft of one, and can not become a constitution without the consent of +the people to be given at an election. If a majority of the persons +voting at such election vote in favor of the proposed constitution, it +is adopted, and becomes the constitution of the state.</p> + +<p id="ch5-7">§7. One of the most valuable rights of the people under a free +government, is the right to have a constitution of their own choice. +Indeed it is in this right that their freedom principally consists. It +is by the constitution that their rights are secured. All the people +join in establishing the constitution; but they do not all unite in +making and executing the laws; in other words, they do not themselves +administer the government; this is done by their representatives. But if +these should enact unjust and oppressive laws; the people, having by +their constitution reserved the right to displace them, may do so by +electing others in their stead.</p> + +<p id="ch5-8">§8. In an absolute monarchy the people have no political rights--the +right to establish a form of government for themselves, and the right to +elect those who are to make and administer the laws. The monarch has +entire control over his subjects. He can take their lives and property +when he pleases. His will is their law; and he has at command a large +force of armed men to keep his people in subjection.</p> + +<p id="ch5-9">§9. In a limited monarchy, the people have some political rights. Such a +monarchy is Great Britain. The king <a id="p029"></a>or sovereign is in a measure +restrained by laws; and he can not make laws alone. The laws are framed +and agreed to by parliament, and must be approved by the king or queen. +Parliament consists of two bodies of men, the house of lords and the +house of commons. The members of the latter are elected by the people, +who, in such election, exercise a political right.</p> + +<p id="ch5-10">§10. But the political right of establishing a constitution or form of +government, is not enjoyed by the people of that country. They have no +written instrument, like ours, called constitution, adopted by the +people. What is there called the constitution, is the aggregate or sum +of laws, principles, and customs, which have been formed in the course +of centuries. There is therefore no restraint upon the power of +parliament; hence no law which may be enacted is contrary to the +constitution; and the people have not the same security against the +enactment of unjust laws as the people of the United States.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch6"> +<h2>Chapter VI.</h2> + +<h3>Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is exercised in the States of this Union.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch6-1">§1. One of the first provisions usually inserted in a constitution of a +free state, is that which declares who shall be allowed to take a part +in the government; that is, to whom the political power shall be +intrusted. As this power is exercised by voting at elections, the +constitution very properly prescribes the qualifications of electors, +or, in other words, declares what shall be necessary to entitle a man to +the right of voting, or the right of suffrage. When, therefore, we speak +of the people politically, we mean those only who are qualified +electors.</p> + +<p id="ch6-2">§2. To be competent to exercise the right of suffrage, a person must be +a freeman, or, as we sometimes say, he <a id="p030"></a>should be his own master. While +under the control of a parent or guardian, he might be constrained to +act contrary to his own judgment. All our state constitutions, +therefore, give this right only to free male citizens of the age of +twenty-one years and upwards; twenty-one years being the age at which +young men become free to act for themselves.</p> + +<p id="ch6-3">§3. But even if this freedom were obtained at an earlier age, it would +not be expedient to bestow this right upon persons so young. They have +not the necessary knowledge and judgment to act with discretion. Some +are competent at an earlier age; but a constitution can make no +distinction between citizens. It has therefore, in accordance with the +general opinion, fixed the time at the age of twenty-one, when men shall +be deemed capable of exercising the rights and performing the duties of +freemen.</p> + +<p id="ch6-4">§4. That a man may vote understandingly, he must have resided long +enough in the state to have become acquainted with its government and +laws, and to have learned the character and qualifications of the +persons for whom he votes. State constitutions therefore require, that +electors shall have resided in the state for a specified period of time, +varying, however, in the different states from three months to two +years. In most of the states, they must also have resided for some +months in the county or district, and be residents of the town in which +they offer to vote.</p> + +<p id="ch6-5">§5. But in giving the right of suffrage to all free male citizens +twenty-one years of age, it is not given to every <i>man</i>, because all +<i>men</i> of that age are not citizens. Persons born in foreign countries +and residing here are <i>aliens</i>, and are not entitled to the political +rights of persons born in this country. They are presumed to have too +little knowledge of our government, and to feel too little interest in +public affairs, on their first coming hither, to be duly qualified for +the exercise of political power. Laws, however, have been enacted for +naturalizing aliens after they shall have resided here long enough to +become acquainted with and attached to our government. By naturalization +they <a id="p031"></a>become citizens, entitled to all the privileges of native or +natural born citizens, (Chap. XXXIV, §3, 4.)</p> + +<p id="ch6-6">§6. The constitutions of most of the states confer the rights of an +elector on <i>white</i> male citizens only. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, +Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, are the only states in which colored +men have the same electoral rights as white citizens. In New York, men +of color owning a freehold estate (an estate in lands) of the value of +$250, are qualified voters.</p> + +<p id="ch6-7">§7. It is provided also in state constitutions, that electors committing +infamous crimes are disfranchised. <i>Franchise</i> is a right or privilege +enjoyed by the citizens of a state. Hence the right of voting at +elections is called the <i>elective franchise</i>; and an elector, when +deprived of this privilege, is <i>disfranchised</i>. An <i>infamous crime</i> is +one which is punishable by imprisonment in a state prison. Men guilty of +high crimes are deemed unfit to be intrusted with so important a duty as +that of electing the persons who are to make and execute the laws of the +state. It is provided, however, that if such persons are pardoned before +the expiration of the term for which they were sentenced to be +imprisoned, their forfeited rights are restored.</p> + +<p id="ch6-8">§8. By the earliest constitutions of many of the old states, electors +were required to own property, or to have paid rents or taxes, to a +certain amount. In the election of the higher officers, freeholders only +were entitled to vote. A <i>freeholder</i> is an owner of real estate, +(property in lands,) which he holds in his own right, and may transmit +to his heirs. In the constitutions of the newer states, property has not +been made a qualification of an elector; and in the amended +constitutions of the old states this restriction upon the elective +franchise has been removed, until it has nearly ceased to exist in the +United States. It is now enjoyed by all white male freemen, with few +exceptions, in almost every state of the Union.<a id="p032"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch7"> +<h2>Chapter VII.</h2> + +<h3>Elections.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch7-1">§1. For the convenient exercise of political power, as well as for the +purposes of government generally, the territory of a state is divided +into districts of small extent. It has been remarked, that the people of +a state, being too numerous to meet in one assembly to make laws and +transact the public business, elect a small number to represent them. +But to elect these representatives and other officers, and to adopt the +constitution, or fundamental law of the state, are political duties, +which must be performed by the people in person, and in a <i>collective</i> +capacity. Hence the necessity of small territorial divisions, in which +the people may assemble for political purposes.</p> + +<p id="ch7-2">§2. A state is divided into counties, and these are divided into towns +or townships. The people of every county and every town have power to +manage their local concerns. The corporate powers of counties and towns, +and the election and the powers and duties of county and town officers, +will be given in subsequent chapters.</p> + +<p id="ch7-3">§3. The electors of the state meet every year in their respective towns +for the election of officers. Meetings for electing town officers are, +in a majority of the states, held in the earlier part of the year. Most +officers elected by the people, other than town officers, are chosen at +the general state election, which, in most of the states, is held in +October or November.</p> + +<p id="ch7-4">§4. Elections are conducted by persons designated by law, or chosen by +the electors of the town for that purpose. It is their duty to preserve +order, and to see that the business is properly done. They are usually +called <i>judges of elections</i>, or <i>inspectors of elections</i>. Persons +also, (usually two,) serve as clerks. Each clerk keeps a list of the +names of the persons voting, which is called a <i>poll-list. Poll</i>, which +<a id="p033"></a>is said to be a Saxon word, signifies <i>head</i>, and has come to mean +person. Thus, so much a head means so much for every <i>person</i> By a +further change it has been made to signify an election, because the +persons there voting are numbered. Hence, "going to the polls" has +obtained the same meaning as going to an election.</p> + +<p id="ch7-5">§5. When the inspectors are ready to receive votes, one of them makes it +known by proclaiming with a loud voice, that "the polls are now open." +The inspectors receive from each voter a ballot, which is a piece of +paper containing the names of the persons voted for, and the title of +the office to which each of them is to be elected. <i>Ballot</i>, from the +French, means a little ball, and is used in voting. Ballots are of +different colors; those of one color signifying an affirmative vote, or +<i>yes</i>; those of another color a negative vote, or <i>no</i>. From this has +come the application of the word ballot to the written or printed ticket +now used in voting.</p> + +<p id="ch7-6">§6. If no objection is made to an elector's voting, the ballot is put +into the box, and the clerks enter his name on the poll-list. If the +inspectors suspect that a person offering to vote is not a qualified +elector, they may question him upon his oath in respect to his +qualifications as to age, the term of his residence in the state and +county, and citizenship. Any bystander also may question his right to +vote. This is called <i>challenging</i>. A person thus challenged is not +allowed to vote until the challenge is withdrawn, or his qualifications +are either proved by the testimony of other persons, or sworn to by +himself.</p> + +<p id="ch7-7">§7. In a few states, the voters are registered. A list is kept of the +names of all who have, upon examination, been ascertained to be +qualified electors; and those only whose names are on the register are +allowed to vote. Thus many interruptions to voting by the examination of +voters at the polls, and much illegal voting, are prevented. Voters in +some states are also required to take what is called the "elector's +oath," in which they promise to be true and faithful to the state and +its government, and to the constitution of the United States; and to +give their votes as <a id="p034"></a>they shall judge will conduce to the best good of +the same.</p> + +<p id="ch7-8">§8. After the polls are closed, the box is opened, and the ballots are +counted. If the number of ballots agrees with the number of names on the +poll-lists, it is presumed no mistake has been made, either in voting or +in keeping the lists. If the election is one for the choosing of town +officers, it is there determined who are elected, and their election is +publicly declared.</p> + +<p id="ch7-9">§9. The election of county and state officers can not be determined by +the town canvassers. A statement of the votes given in each town for the +persons voted for, is sent to the county canvassers, who, from the +returns of votes from all the towns, determine and declare the election +of the officers chosen for the county. To determine the election of +state officers, and of such others as are elected for districts +comprising more than one county, a statement of the votes given for the +several candidates, is sent by the several boards of county canvassers +to the state canvassers, who, from the returns of votes from the several +counties, determine the election of the state officers.</p> + +<p id="ch7-10">§10. In a few states, voting at elections is done <i>viva voce</i>. These +words mean by word of mouth. In voting in this manner, the elector +speaks the name of the person for whom he votes.</p> + +<p id="ch7-11">§11. In most of the states, persons are elected by a plurality of votes. +An election by <i>plurality</i> is when the person elected has received a +higher number of votes than any other, though such number be less than a +majority of all the votes given. Suppose, for example, three candidates +receive 1000 votes: One receives 450; another, 300; the third, 250 +votes. The first, having the highest number, though not a majority, is +elected. In the New England, or eastern states, a <i>majority</i>, that is, +more than one-half of all the votes given, is necessary to the election +of many of the higher officers. The least number of votes out of 1000, +by which a person can be elected by this rule, is 501.</p> + +<p id="ch7-12">§12. Either of these modes is liable to objection. When a simple +plurality effects an election, 1,000 votes may be <a id="p035"></a>so divided upon three +candidates as to elect one by 334 votes; or of four candidates, one may +be elected by 251 votes, and against the wishes of nearly three-fourths +of the electors. An objection to the other mode is, that if no person +receives a majority of all the votes, another election must be held. +Numerous trials have, in some instances, been necessary to effect a +choice; and the people of a district have remained for a time without a +representative in the state or national legislature.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch8"> +<h2>Chapter VIII.</h2> + +<h3>Division of the Powers of Government.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch8-1">§1. Having shown the nature of a constitution and the manner in which it +is made and adopted, it will next be shown how the powers of government +under a state constitution are divided. As the excellence of a form of +government consists much in a proper separation and distribution of +power, this subject deserves special attention.</p> + +<p id="ch8-2">§2. We notice first the separation of the political and civil powers. +The words <i>political</i> and <i>civil</i> are often used as having the same +meaning. Thus, speaking of the system of government and laws of a +country, we use the general term, "political institutions," or "civil +institutions;" either of which is deemed correct. But these words have +also a particular signification, as has already been shown in the +distinction made in preceding chapters between political rights and +civil rights, and between the political law and the municipal or civil +laws. (Chap. II, and III.) Hence it appears, that what we mean by +political power is the power exercised by the people in their political +capacity, in adopting their constitution and electing the officers of +the government; and that, by the civil power is meant the power +exercised by these officers in administering the government.</p> + +<a id="p036"></a><p id="ch8-3">§3. In an absolute government, no such distinction exists; all power is +centered in the supreme ruler. There is no political law binding on him. +Being himself restrained by no positive laws or regulations that have +been adopted by the people, or that may be altered by them, the people +have no political rights. In a mixed government, or limited monarchy, +political power is exercised to some extent. Although there is no +written constitution adopted by the people, as in a republic, the +members of one branch of the law-making power are elected by the people. +In such election they are said to exercise political power.</p> + +<p id="ch8-4">§4. We notice next the division of the civil power. This power, in well +constructed governments, is divided into three departments, the +legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative department +is that by which the laws of the state are made. The legislature is +composed of two bodies, the members of which are elected by the people. +In limited monarchies where one branch of the legislature is elective, +the other is an aristocratic body, composed of men of wealth and +dignity, as the British house of lords.</p> + +<p id="ch8-5">§5. The executive department is intrusted with the power of executing, +or carrying into effect, the laws of the state. There is in this +department a governor, assisted by a number of other officers, some of +whom are elected by the people; others are appointed in such manner as +the constitution or laws prescribe. The powers and duties of the +governor of a state will be more particularly described in another +place.</p> + +<p id="ch8-6">§6. The judicial department is that by which justice is administered to +the citizens. It embraces the several courts of the state. All judges +and justices of the peace are judicial officers; and they have power, +and it is their business to judge of and apply the law in cases brought +before them for trial. A more particular description of the powers and +duties of judicial officers, and the manner of <a id="p037"></a>conducting trials in +courts of justice, will be given elsewhere. (Chap. XVII-XX.)</p> + +<p id="ch8-7">§7. Experience has shown the propriety of dividing the civil power into +these three departments, and of confining the officers of each +department to the powers and duties belonging to the same. Those who +make the laws should not exercise the power of executing them; nor +should they who either make or execute the laws sit in judgment over +those who are brought before them for trial. A government in which the +different powers of making, executing, and applying the laws should be +united in a single body of men, however numerous, would be little better +than an absolute despotism.</p> + +<p id="ch8-8">§8. Again, the legislative department of the civil power is divided. +Under all our state constitutions, the legislature consists of two +branches, both of which must agree to a proposed measure before it +becomes a law; and in many of the states, it must also be approved by +the governor. This is making the chief executive officer a third branch +of the law-making power; and is not in accordance with the principle of +keeping the several departments of the civil power separate and distinct +from each other. The reason for this departure from the general +principle mentioned, will be stated in another chapter. (Chap. XI. §16.)</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch9"> +<h2>Chapter IX.</h2> + +<h3>State Legislatures--how constituted.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch9-1">§1. The legislature of every state in the union is composed of two +houses--a senate and a house of representatives. The latter, or, as it +is sometimes called, the lower house, in the states of New York, +Wisconsin, and California, is called the assembly; in Maryland and +Virginia, the house of delegates; in North Carolina, the house of +commons; and in New Jersey, the general assembly. In <a id="p038"></a>most of the +states, the two houses together are called <i>general assembly</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch9-2">§2. The senate, as well as the other house, is a representative body; +its members being elected by the people to represent them. Why, then, is +only one of the two branches called the house of representatives? +Perhaps for this reason: Under the governments of the colonies, while +yet subject to Great Britian, there was but one representative assembly. +The other branch of the legislature was called a <i>council</i>, consisting +of a small number of men who were appointed by the king. After the +colonies became free and independent states, a senate was substituted +for the old council, and although it is an elective body, the other +house, being much more numerous, is called, by way of distinction, the +<i>house of representatives</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch9-3">§3. Senators are chosen annually in the six New England states, namely, +Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and +Connecticut. In the other states they are elected for terms of two, +three, or four years. In most of the states in which senators are +elected for longer terms than one year, they are not all elected at the +same time. They are divided into classes; and those of one class go out +of office one year, and those of another class another year; so that +only a part of the senators are elected every year, or every two, or +three, or four years.</p> + +<p id="ch9-4">§4. The senate, as distinguished from the house of representatives, is +sometimes called the upper house. It was designed to be a more select +body, composed of men chosen with reference to their superior ability, +or their greater experience in public affairs.</p> + +<p id="ch9-5">§5. Senators are differently apportioned in different states. In some +states they are apportioned among the several counties, so that the +number to be elected in each county shall be in proportion to the number +of its inhabitants. In others they are elected by districts, equal in +number to the number of senators to be chosen in the state, and a +senator is elected in each district. The districts are <a id="p039"></a>to contain, as +nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants; and sometimes they +comprise several counties.</p> + +<p id="ch9-6">§6. Representatives are apportioned among the counties in proportion to +the population in each. In some states they are elected in districts of +equal population, counties being sometimes divided in the formation of +districts. In the New England states, representatives are apportioned +among the towns. In about one-half of the states, they are elected +annually; in the others, (including-most of the southern and western +states,) they are elected every two years.</p> + +<p id="ch9-7">§7. The different modes of apportioning members of the legislature have +in view the same object--equal representation; that is, giving a member +to the same number of inhabitants in one county or district as to an +equal number in another. But in some counties the population increases +more rapidly than in others. The representation then becomes unequal, +being no longer in proportion to population.</p> + +<p id="ch9-8">§8. In order to keep the representation throughout the state as nearly +equal as possible; in other words, to secure to the people of every +county or district their just proportion of the representatives, the +constitution requires that, at stated times, the people of the state +shall be numbered, and a new apportionment of senators and +representatives be made among the several counties according to the +number of inhabitants in each county; or if the state is one in which +members of the legislature are chosen in districts, a new division of +the state is made into districts.</p> + +<p id="ch9-9">§9. But the periods of time between the enumerations of the people, are +not the same in all the states. In some states the enumerations are made +every ten years; in others, shorter periods have been fixed, from eight +down to four years. This enumeration or numbering of the people is +called taking the census. <i>Census</i> is from the Latin, and was used by +the ancient Romans to signify a declaration or statement made before the +censors by the citizens, con<a id="p040"></a>taining an enumeration or register of +themselves, their wives, children, servants, and their property and its +valuation. In the United States, although the census sometimes includes +a similar register, the word usually means simply an enumeration of the +people.</p> + +<p id="ch9-10">§10. The constitution also prescribes the qualifications of senators and +representatives. If, as qualifications for an elector, full age, +citizenship, and a considerable term of residence in the state and +county, are properly required, as we have seen, (Chap. VI. §2-5,) they +must be at least equally necessary for those who make the laws. In no +state, therefore, are any but qualified electors eligible to the office +of senator or representative. In some states, greater age and longer +residence are required; and in some, the age and term of residence have +been still further increased in the case of senators. The property +qualification formerly necessary for members of the legislature, as well +as for voters, has been almost entirely abolished. (Chap. VI. §8.)</p> + +<p id="ch9-11">§11. If a member of the legislature dies, or resigns his office before +the expiration of the term for which he was chosen, the vacancy is +filled by the election of another person at the next general election, +or at a special election called for that purpose, or in such other +manner as the constitution may provide. But a person chosen to fill a +vacancy, holds the office only for the remainder of the term of him +whose place he was chosen to supply.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="chX"> +<h2>Chapter X.</h2> + +<h3>Meetings and Organization of the Legislature.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch10-1">§1. The legislature meets as often as the constitution requires, to +enact such laws as may be necessary to promote the public welfare, and +to perform such other duties <a id="p041"></a>as are assigned to it by the constitution +and the laws. In about half of the states, sessions are held annually; +in the others biennially, or once in two years. A legislative session +includes the daily meetings of a legislature from the time of its first +assembling, to the day of final adjournment. Thus we say the session +commenced in January and ended in March. The word <i>session</i> has +reference also to a single sitting, from the hour at which the members +assemble on any day, to the time of adjournment on the same day. Thus we +say, the legislature holds a daily session of four hours; or, it holds +two sessions a day, as the case may be.</p> + +<p id="ch10-2">§2. Meetings of the legislature are held at a place permanently fixed by +the constitution; at which place the principal state officers keep their +offices. Hence it is called the <i>seat of government</i>, or perhaps more +frequently, the <i>capital</i> of the state. <i>Capital</i> is from the Latin +<i>caput</i>, the head, and has come to mean chief, or the highest. A capital +city is therefore the chief city of a state or kingdom. But the word +<i>capital</i>, applied to a city, now generally indicates the seat of +government.</p> + +<p id="ch10-3">§3. When the two houses have assembled in their respective chambers, +some person designated for that purpose administers to the members of +each house the oath of office, in which they solemnly swear (or affirm,) +that they will support the constitution of the United States, and the +constitution of the state, and faithfully discharge the duties of their +office.</p> + +<p id="ch10-4">§4. Each house then proceeds to <i>organize</i> for business, by appointing +proper officers, and determining the right of members to seats in the +house. In organizing a legislative body, the first thing done is the +election of a presiding officer, or chairman, who is usually called +<i>speaker</i>. The lieutenant-governor, in states in which there is one, +presides in the senate, and is called <i>president of the senate</i>. In the +absence of the presiding officer, a temporary speaker or president is +chosen, who is called speaker or president <i>pro tempore</i>, commonly +abbreviated, <i>pro tem.</i>, which is a Latin phrase, meaning <i>for the +time</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch10-5">§5. The duty of the person presiding is to keep order, <a id="p042"></a>and to see that +the business of the house is conducted according to certain established +rules. When a vote is to be taken, he puts the question, which is done +by requesting all who are in favor of a proposed measure, to say <i>aye</i>, +and those opposed to say <i>no</i>. And, when a vote has been taken, he +declares the question to be carried or lost. This part of a speaker's +business is similar to that of the chairman of an ordinary public +meeting.</p> + +<p id="ch10-6">§6. The other officers chosen by each house are, a <i>clerk</i> to keep a +record or journal of its proceedings; to take charge of papers, and to +read such as are to be read to the house; and to do such other things as +may be required of him; a <i>sergeant-at-arms</i>, to arrest members and +other persons guilty of disorderly conduct, to compel the attendance of +absent members, and to do other business of a like nature: also one or +more <i>door-keepers</i>. The officers mentioned in this section are not +chosen from the members of the house.</p> + +<p id="ch10-7">§7. The constitution does not prescribe to either house the order of +business, or the particular manner in which it shall be done; but +authorizes each house to determine for itself the rules of its +proceedings. But there are sundry things which it expressly enjoins. It +determines what portion of the members shall constitute a quorum to do +business. <i>Quorum</i> is the Latin of the English words, <i>of whom</i>, and has +strangely come to signify the <i>number</i> or <i>portion</i> of any body of men +who have power to act for the whole. Thus with reference to a +legislative body consisting of a certain number of members, instead of +saying, A majority <i>quorum</i> shall have power to act; or, A majority <i>of +whom</i> shall have power to act, our constitutions generally say, A +majority shall constitute a quorum to do business. In some states, more +than a bare majority is required for a quorum.</p> + +<p id="ch10-8">§8. Constitutions generally require also that the proceedings of +legislative bodies shall be open to public inspection. The doors may be +closed against spectators only when the public good shall require +secrecy. And that the people may be fully informed of what is done, each +house is required to keep and publish a journal of its proceedings.</p> + +<a id="p043"></a><p id="ch10-9">§9. Provision is also made, either by the constitution or by laws +against injury or interruption to the business of the legislature. +Members may not, by any prosecution at law, except for crimes and +misdemeanors, be hindered during their attendance at the sessions of the +legislature, nor in going to or returning from the same. Each house may +compel the attendance of absent members. It may for good cause expel a +member, and punish, not only its members and officers, but other +persons, for disorderly conduct, or for obstructing its proceedings.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch11"> +<h2>Chapter XI.</h2> + +<h3>Manner of Enacting Laws.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch11-1">§1. When the two houses are duly organized and ready for business, the +governor sends to both houses a written communication called <i>message</i>, +in which, as the constitution requires, he gives to the legislature +information of the condition of the affairs of the state, and recommends +such measures as he judges necessary and expedient. The message is read +to each house by its clerk.</p> + +<p id="ch11-2">§2. But the measures to which the governor calls the attention of the +legislature, are but a small portion of those which are considered and +acted upon. Many are introduced by individual members. Others are +brought into notice by the petitions of the people in different parts of +the state. <i>Petition</i> generally signifies a request or prayer. As here +used, it means a written request to the legislature for some +favor--generally for a law granting some benefit or relief to the +petitioners. Petitions are sent to members, usually to those who +represent the counties or districts in which the petitioners live, and +are by these members presented to the house.</p> + +<a id="p044"></a><p id="ch11-3">§3. Now it is evident, that a proper consideration of the numerous +subjects pressed upon the attention of the legislature--some of them of +very great importance--must require much labor. If the necessary +investigation of so many subjects should occupy the time of the whole +house, there would not be time enough to act upon one-half of them. +Therefore, in order to dispatch business, the labor of the house must be +divided, that the investigation of all the different subjects may be +going on at the same time.</p> + +<p id="ch11-4">§4. Hence arises the practice which prevails in all legislative bodies, +of the appointment of committees. As soon as may be, after a house is +organized, committees are appointed on all subjects usually acted on in +the legislature. A legislative committee is generally composed of three, +five, or seven members, who examine the subjects referred to them, and +report the result of their examination to the house. Committees are +appointed by the presiding officer of each house. Occasionally, though +very rarely, they are elected by the house itself.</p> + +<p id="ch11-5">§5. Some or all of the following committees are appointed in every +legislature: a committee on finance, or the funds, income, and other +money matters of the state, sometimes called the committee of ways and +means; a committee on agriculture; a committee on manufactures; +committees on the incorporation of cities and villages; on banks and +insurance companies; on railroads; on canals; on education; on +elections; on public printing, besides many others. So numerous are +these subjects, that in constituting the committees, every member may be +put on some committee.</p> + +<p id="ch11-6">§6. All matters relating to these subjects of a general nature, which +arise during the session, are referred to their appropriate committees. +Thus, a question or proposition relating to banks, is referred to the +committee on banks; matters relating to rail-roads, are referred to the +committee on rail-roads; those relating to schools, are referred to the +committee on education, &c. As these committees continue during the +session, they are called <i>standing</i> committees. When a question arises +having no relation to any <a id="p045"></a>subject on which there is a standing +committee, it is usually referred to a <i>special</i> or <i>select</i> committee +appointed to consider this particular matter.</p> + +<p id="ch11-7">§7. Committees meet in private rooms, during hours when the house is not +in session; and any person wishing to be heard in favor of or against a +proposed measure, may appear before the committee having it in charge. +Having duly considered the subject, the committee reports to the house +the information it has obtained, with the opinion whether the measure +ought or ought not to become a law. Measures reported against by +committees, seldom receive any further notice from the house.</p> + +<p id="ch11-8">§8. From what has been said, the utility of committees is readily seen. +Although no proposed measure can become a law unless acted on and +approved by the two houses, its necessity may be inquired into, and the +information necessary to enable the house to act understandingly upon +the question, may be obtained, as well by a few members as by the whole +house. By the daily examination of so many subjects in committee, a +large amount of business is soon prepared for the house to act upon, and +much of its time is saved.</p> + +<p id="ch11-9">§9. If a committee reports favorably upon a subject, it usually brings +in a bill with its report. A <i>bill</i> is the form or draft of a law. Not +all bills, however, are reported by committees. Any member of the house +desiring the passage of a law, may give notice that he will, on some +future day, ask leave of the house to introduce a bill for that purpose; +and if, at the time specified, the house shall grant leave, he may +introduce the bill. But at least one day's previous notice must be given +of his intention to ask leave, before it can be granted.</p> + +<p id="ch11-10">§10. The different steps in the progress of a bill, or the different +forms of action through which it has to pass, are numerous. A minute +description of them in a work designed chiefly for youth, will scarcely +be expected. A thorough knowledge of the proceedings of legislative +assemblies, can be practically beneficial, in after life, to but few of +those who shall study this elementary treatise. <a id="p046"></a>Those who shall +hereafter have occasion for this knowledge, will find works adapted to a +more mature age, in which the subject is fully treated.</p> + +<p id="ch11-11">§11. A bill, before it is passed, must be read three times; but it may +not be read twice on any one day without unanimous consent, that is, the +consent of the whole house; or, as is believed to be the rule in some +bodies, the consent of three-fourths, or two-thirds of the house. In +some legislatures, the rule allows the first and second readings to be +on the same day. A bill is not to be amended until it shall have been +twice read. Nor is it usual for it to be opposed until then; but it may +be opposed and rejected at the first reading.</p> + +<p id="ch11-12">§12. After a bill has been twice read, and fully debated and amended, it +is proposed to be read on a future day the third time. If the question +on ordering the bill to a third reading is not carried, the bill is +lost, unless revived by a vote of the house to reconsider. But if the +question to read the third time is carried, the bill is accordingly read +on a future day, and the question taken on its final passage.</p> + +<p id="ch11-13">§13. When the final vote is to be taken, the speaker puts the question: +"Shall the bill pass?" If a majority of the members present vote in the +affirmative, (the speaker also voting,) the bill is passed; if a +majority vote in the negative, the bill is lost. Also if the ayes and +noes are equal, it is lost, because there is not a majority in its +favor. In a senate where a lieutenant-governor presides, not being +properly a member, he does not vote, except when the ayes and noes are +equal; in which case there is said to be a <i>tie</i>; and he determines the +question by his vote, which is called the <i>casting</i> vote. In some +states, on the final passage of a bill, a bare majority of the members +present is not sufficient to pass it, in case any members are absent. +The constitutions of those states require the votes of a majority of +<i>all the members elected</i> to each house.</p> + +<p id="ch11-14">§14. When a bill has passed one house it is sent to the other, where it +must pass through the same forms of action; that is, it must be referred +to a committee; reported by the committee to the house; and be read +three times before <a id="p047"></a>a vote is taken on its passage. This vote having +been taken, the bill is returned to the house from which it was +received. If it has been amended, the amendments must be agreed to by +the first house, or the second must recede from their amendments, or the +amendments must be so modified as to secure the approval of both houses, +before the bill can become a law.</p> + +<p id="ch11-15">§15. Some young reader may inquire why a bill should take so long and +slow a course through two different houses; and why one body of +representatives is not sufficient. The object is to secure the enactment +of good laws. Notwithstanding bills go through the hands of a committee +and three different readings in the house; yet through undue haste, +wrong information, or from other causes, a house may, and often does, +commit serious errors. Legislatures are therefore divided into two +branches; and a bill having passed one house is sent to the other where +the mistakes of the former may be corrected, or the bill wholly +rejected.</p> + +<p id="ch11-16">§16. But in many of the states, a bill, when passed by both houses, is +not yet a law. As the two houses may concur in adopting an unwise +measure, an additional safeguard is provided against the enactment of +bad laws, by requiring all bills to be sent to the governor for +examination and approval. If he approves a bill, he signs it, and it is +a law; if he does not sign it, it is not a law. In refusing to sign a +bill, he is said to <i>negative</i>, or <i>veto</i> the bill. <i>Veto</i>, Latin, +means, <i>I forbid</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch11-17">§17. But no governor has full power to prevent the passage of a law. If +he does not approve a bill, he must return it to the house in which it +originated, stating his objections to it; and if it shall be again +passed by both houses, it will be a law without the governor's assent +But in such cases greater majorities are generally required to pass a +law. In some states, a majority of two-thirds of the members present is +necessary; in others, a majority of <i>all the members elected</i>. In a few +states, only the same major<a id="p048"></a>ities are required to pass a bill against +the veto as in the first instance. Or if the governor does not return a +bill within a certain number of days, it becomes a law without his +signature, or without being considered a second time. In some states, +bills are not sent to the governor, but are laws when passed by both +houses and signed by their presiding officers.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch12"> +<h2>Chapter XII.</h2> + +<h3>Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant-Governor.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch12-1">§1. The chief executive power of a state is, by the constitution, vested +in a governor. The governor is chosen by the people at the general +election; in South Carolina by the legislature. The term of office is +not the same in all the states. In the six New England states, the +governors are chosen annually; in the other states, for the different +terms of two, three, and four years.</p> + +<p id="ch12-2">§2. The qualifications for the office of governor are also different in +the different states. To be eligible to the office of governor, a person +must have been for a certain number of years a citizen of the United +States, and for a term of years preceding his election a resident of the +state. He must also be above a certain age, which, in a majority of the +states, is at least thirty years; and in some states he must be a +freeholder.</p> + +<p id="ch12-3">§3. The powers and duties of a governor are numerous. He communicates by +message to the legislature, at every session, information of the +condition of the state of its affairs generally, and recommends such +measures as he judges necessary and expedient. He is to take care that +the laws be faithfully executed, and to transact all necessary business +with the officers of the government. He may convene the legislature on +extraordinary occasions: <a id="p049"></a>that is, if, at a time when the legislature is +not in session, a matter should arise requiring immediate attention, the +governor may call a special meeting of the legislature, or as it is +usually termed, an extra session.</p> + +<p id="ch12-4">§4. A governor has power to grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases +of impeachment, and, in some states, of treason. To <i>reprieve</i> is to +postpone or delay for a time the execution of the sentence of death upon +a criminal. To <i>pardon</i> is to annul the sentence by forgiving the +offense and releasing the offender. A governor may also <i>commute</i> a +sentence; which is to exchange one penalty or punishment for another of +less severity; as, when a person sentenced to suffer death, is ordered +to be imprisoned.</p> + +<p id="ch12-5">§5. The governor has power also, in some of the states, with the consent +of the senate, to appoint the higher officers of the militia of the +state, and the higher civil officers in the executive and judicial +departments. In a few of the states, there are executive councils whose +advice and consent are required in such cases. In making such +appointments, the governor nominates, that is, he <i>names</i> to the senate, +in writing, the persons to be appointed. If a majority of the senators +consent, the persons so nominated are appointed. Many other duties are +by the constitution devolved upon the governor.</p> + +<p id="ch12-6">§6. A lieutenant-governor has few duties to perform. He presides in the +senate, in which he has only a casting vote. In the state of New York, +he serves in some of the boards of executive officers. In nearly +one-half of the states the office of lieutenant-governor does not exist. +The chief object of electing this officer seems to be to provide a +suitable person to fill the vacancy in the office of governor in case +the latter should die, resign, be removed, or otherwise become +incompetent.</p> + +<p id="ch12-7">§7. When the lieutenant-governor acts as governor, the senate chooses +from its own number a president. If the offices of both the governor and +lieutenant-governor should become vacant, the president of the senate +must act as <a id="p050"></a>governor. If there should be neither a governor, a +lieutenant-governor, nor a president or speaker of the senate, then, the +speaker of the house of representatives would become the acting +governor. This is believed to be the rule for supplying vacancies in +most if not all of the states.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch13"> +<h2>Chapter XIII.</h2> + +<h3>Assistant Executive State Officers.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch13-1">§1. Among the executive officers who assist in the administration of the +government, there are in every state, some or all of the following: a +secretary of state, a controller or auditor, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, a surveyor-general. The mode of their appointment and +the terms of their respective offices, are prescribed by the +constitution or by law. In some states they are appointed by the +governor and senate; in others by the legislature; and in others they +are elected by the people. They keep their offices at the seat of +government of the state.</p> + +<p id="ch13-2">§2. The <i>secretary of state</i> keeps a record of the official acts and +proceedings of the legislature and of the executive departments, and has +the care of the books, records, deeds of the state, parchments, the laws +enacted by the legislature, and all other papers and documents required +by law to be kept in his office. He causes the laws passed by the +legislature to be published in one or more newspapers, as directed by +law; and also to be printed and bound in a volume, and distributed among +the state officers for their use, and among the county and town clerks, +to be kept in their offices for the use of the people who wish to +examine the laws. Also one or more copies are exchanged with each of the +other states for copies of their laws to be kept in the state library. +Various other duties are performed by the secretary.</p> + +<a id="p051"></a><p id="ch13-3">§3. The <i>state auditor</i>, in some states called <i>controller</i>, manages +the financial concerns of the state; that is, the business relating to +the money, debts, land and other property of the state. He examines and +adjusts accounts and claims against the state, and superintends the +collection of moneys due the state. When money is to be paid out of the +treasury, he draws a warrant (a written order,) on the treasurer for the +money, and keeps a regular account with the treasurer of all moneys +received into and paid out of the treasury. And he reports to the +legislature or other proper officers, a statement of the funds of the +state, and of its income and expenditures during each year.</p> + +<p id="ch13-4">§4. The <i>treasurer</i> has charge of all the public moneys that are paid +into the treasury, and pays out the same as directed by law; and he +keeps an accurate account of such moneys, specifying the names of the +persons from whom they are received, to whom paid, and for what +purposes. He also exhibits annually a statement of moneys received and +paid out by him during the year, and of the balance in the treasury.</p> + +<p id="ch13-5">§5. Auditors, treasurers, and other officers intrusted with the care and +management of money or other property, are generally required, before +they enter on the duties of their offices, to give bonds, in sums of +certain amount specified in the law, with sufficient sureties, for the +faithful performance of their duties. The sureties are persons who bind +themselves to pay the state all damages arising from neglect of duty on +the part of the officers, not exceeding the sum mentioned in the bond.</p> + +<p id="ch13-6">§6. The <i>attorney-general</i> is a person learned in the law, appointed to +act for the state in law-suits in which the state is a party. He +prosecutes persons indebted to the state, and causes to be brought to +trial persons charged with certain crimes. He also gives his opinion on +questions of law submitted to him by the governor, the legislature, and +the executive officers. In some states there is no attorney-general. In +such states prosecutions in behalf of the state are conducted by the +state's attorney for each county.</p> + +<a id="p052"></a><p id="ch13-7">§7. The <i>surveyor-general</i> superintends the surveying of the lands +belonging to the state. He keeps in his office maps of the state, +describing the bounds of the counties and townships; and when disputes +arise respecting the boundaries, he causes surveys to be made, if +necessary, to ascertain such bounds. He performs certain other duties of +a similar nature. In many of the states there is no surveyor-general, +the duties of that office being done by a county surveyor in each +county.</p> + +<p id="ch13-8">§8. There is also, in many of the states, a <i>superintendent of schools</i>, +called in some states, <i>superintendent of public instruction</i>, whose +principal duties are described in a subsequent chapter. (Chap. XXII, +§10.)</p> + +<p id="ch13-9">§9. There is also a printer to the state, or <i>state printer</i>, whose +business it is to print the journal, bills, reports, and other papers +and documents of the two houses of the legislature, and all the laws +passed at each session. State printers are either chosen by the +legislature, or employed by persons authorized to make contracts for the +public printing; or the printing is let to the lowest bidder.</p> + +<p id="ch13-10">§10. There are other officers employed by the state, among whom are the +following: a <i>state librarian</i>, who has charge of the state library, +consisting of books containing matter of a public nature, such as the +laws of all the states, and of the United States, with a large +collection of miscellaneous books; persons having the care of the public +buildings and other property of the state; superintendents of state +prisons, lunatic asylums, and other state institutions, whose duties are +indicated by their titles, and need no particular description.<a id="p053"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch14"> +<h2>Chapter XIV.</h2> + +<h3>Counties ind County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch14-1">§1. Some of the purposes for which a state is divided into small +districts have been mentioned. (Chap. VII, §1.) There are other reasons, +equally important, for these territorial divisions. Laws for the whole +state are made by the legislature; but certain regulations may be +necessary for the people in some parts of the state which are not needed +in others, and which the people of these places can better make for +themselves. It is the business of the governor and his assistant +executive state officers to execute or carry into effect the laws of the +state; but they could not see this done in every place, or in every +minute portion of the state. Again, for the convenience of those who may +be obliged to go to law to obtain redress for injuries, courts of +justice must be established near the residence of every citizen.</p> + +<p id="ch14-2">§2. But in order to carry out these objects, a state must be divided +into small districts with fixed boundaries, that it may be known what +persons come under certain regulations, and over whom these local +officers are to exercise authority. The smallest territorial divisions +of a state are called <i>townships</i>, or <i>towns</i>, which contain generally +from twenty-five to one hundred square miles, and which, if in a square +form, would be from five to ten miles square. But for certain purposes +larger districts than townships have been found necessary. These are +formed by the union of several townships, and are called <i>counties</i>. +These divisions are the same as those of England, the country from which +the colonies (now states) were chiefly settled.</p> + +<p id="ch14-3">§3. Counties in England were formerly districts governed by <i>counts</i> or +earls; from which comes the name of <i>county</i>. A county was also called +<i>shire</i>; and an officer was appointed by the count or earl to perform +certain acts in the principal town in the county, which was called +<a id="p054"></a><i>shire town</i>, and the officer was called <i>shire-reeve</i>, or <i>sheriff</i>, +whose powers and duties were similar to those of the sheriff of a county +in this country. The shire town is that in which the court-house and +other county buildings are situate, and where the principal officers of +the county transact their business. In a few counties there are two +towns in which the courts are held alternately. Hence each division is +called a <i>half-shire</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch14-4">§4. Counties and towns are bodies politic, or bodies corporate. +<i>Corporate</i> is from the Latin, <i>corpus</i>, which means <i>body</i>. A +<i>corporation</i>, or body politic, is an association of persons authorized +by law to transact business under a common name, and as a single person. +The laws of the state give such authority to the inhabitants of counties +and towns. The people of a town or county have power, to some extent, to +manage their own internal affairs, and to make rules and regulations for +their government; and they may buy, hold, and sell property, and sue and +be sued, as an individual. Similar powers are given to rail-road, +banking, insurance, and other incorporated companies. But there is in +some respects a difference between these corporations and those which +are created for purposes of government, as states, counties, towns, +cities, and villages, which will be noticed in another place. (Chap. +XVI.)</p> + +<p id="ch14-5">§5. As a county possesses various corporate powers, there must be among +its officers some in whose name these powers are to be exercised. In +some states there is a board of <i>county commissioners</i>, (usually three,) +who exercise corporate powers. In a few, these powers are exercised by +and in the name of the <i>board of supervisors</i>, which is composed of the +supervisors of the several towns in the county, of whom there is one +supervisor in each town. These boards, or such officers in other states +as exercise these powers, have generally the power also to examine and +settle the accounts against the county, and to make orders and contracts +in relation to the building or repairing of the court-house, jail, and +other county buildings; and to perform such other acts as the laws +require.</p> + +<p id="ch14-6">§6. There is in each county a <i>treasurer</i> to receive and <a id="p055"></a>pay out the +moneys required to be collected and paid out in the county. There is +also, in some states, a county <i>auditor</i> to examine and adjust the +accounts and debts of the county, and to perform certain other duties. +The business of county treasurers and auditors in their respective +counties, is of the same nature as that of state auditors and +treasurers. In states in which there is no county auditor, the duties of +auditor are performed by the treasurer, and some other county officer or +officers.</p> + +<p id="ch14-7">§7. There is also in each county a <i>register</i> or <i>recorder</i>, who records +in books provided for that purpose, all deeds, mortgages, and other +instruments of writing required by law to be recorded. In New York, and +perhaps in some other states, the business of a register or recorder is +done by a county clerk, who is also clerk of the several courts held in +the county, and of certain boards of county officers. In some states, +deeds, mortgages, and other written instruments, are recorded by the +town clerks of the several towns.</p> + +<p id="ch14-8">§8. Another county officer is a <i>sheriff</i>, whose duty it is to attend +all the courts held in the county; to execute all warrants, writs, and +other process directed to him by the courts; to apprehend persons +charged with crime; and to take charge of the jail and of the prisoners +therein. It is his duty, also, to preserve the public peace; and he may +cause all persons who break the public peace within his knowledge or +view, to give bonds, with sureties, for keeping the peace, and for +appearing at the next court to be held in the county, and to commit them +to jail if they refuse to give such bonds. A sheriff is assisted by +deputies.</p> + +<p id="ch14-9">§9. There are in each county one or more <i>coroners</i>, whose principal +duty is, to inquire into the cause of the death of persons who have died +by violence, or suddenly, and by means unknown. Notice of the death of a +person having so died is given to a coroner, who goes to the place of +such dead person. A jury is summoned to attend the examination; +witnesses are examined; and the jury give their opinion in writing as to +the cause and manner of the death. Such inquiry is called a <i>coroner's +inquest</i>. In one or two <a id="p056"></a>states, the office of coroner, it is believed, +does not exist; in which case the inquest is held by a justice of the +peace, or some other officer.</p> + +<p id="ch14-10">§10. An attorney, elected or appointed for that purpose, attends all +courts in which persons are tried in the county for crimes committed +therein, and conducts the prosecutions in the trial of the offenders. In +states where there is no attorney-general for the state, the prosecuting +attorney for each county serves in this capacity, in trials in which the +state is a party. As all crimes and breaches of the peace are considered +as committed against the state, and prosecuted in its name, this +attorney is sometimes called <i>state's attorney</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch14-11">§11. In some states there is a <i>county-surveyor</i>, whose duties within +his county are similar in their nature to those of a state +surveyor-general.</p> + +<p id="ch14-12">§12. County officers are generally elected by the people of the county. +Some of them are, in some of the states, appointed by some authority +prescribed by the constitution or laws of the state.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch15"> +<h2>Chapter XV.</h2> + +<h3>Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch15-1">§1. The districts of territory into which counties are divided, are, in +some states, called <i>towns</i>. In others they are called, and perhaps more +properly, <i>townships</i>; and the name of <i>town</i> is given to an +incorporated village, or a city. We shall, however, in this work, apply +to these territorial divisions the shorter name of <i>towns</i>, as they are +called in most of the old states.</p> + +<p id="ch15-2">§2. The electors of the several towns meet once a year for the election +of town officers, and for certain other business purposes. The electors +of a town have power, at their <a id="p057"></a>annual town meetings, to order money to +be raised for the support of the poor, for the building and repairing of +bridges, and for other town purposes; to make regulations concerning +fences; to fix the compensation of town officers in certain cases; and +to perform such other duties as come within the usual powers of towns. +The powers of towns, however, are not precisely the same in all the +states.</p> + +<p id="ch15-3">§3. Among the town officers elected at town meetings, are the following; +not all of them, however, are elected in any one state: One or more +persons who have the general oversight and direction of town affairs, +called by some name corresponding to the nature of their duties; a town +clerk; one or more assessors; justices of the peace; overseers of +highways; overseers of the poor; school officers; constables; a +collector of taxes; a treasurer; fence-viewers; pound-keepers, &c. In +some states there are also sealers of weights and measures; persons to +measure and inspect wood, lumber, bark, and other commodities.</p> + +<p id="ch15-4">§4. The officers first mentioned in the preceding section, are, in the +New England states, called <i>selectmen</i>, of whom there are at least +three, and may in no state be more than nine, in each town. In a few +states they are called <i>trustees of townships</i>, and are three in number. +In a few other states, there is in each town one such officer, called +<i>supervisor</i>. The powers and duties of these officers are more numerous +in some states than in others. They have power to lay out roads, and lay +out and alter road districts; to do certain acts relating to roads, +bridges, taxes, common schools, the support of the poor, &c.; and to +examine and settle all demands against the town. In some of the states, +some of these duties are performed by other officers.</p> + +<p id="ch15-5">§5. The <i>town-clerk</i> keeps the records, books, and papers of the town. +He records in a book the proceedings of town meetings, the names of the +persons elected, and such other papers as are required by law to be +recorded. In some states, deeds and other conveyances are required to be +recorded by the clerks of towns.</p> + +<p>[For a description of the duties of <i>assessors</i> and <i>justices of <a id="p058"></a>the +peace</i>, see Assessment and Collection of Taxes, and Justices' Courts.]</p> + +<p id="ch15-6">§6. For the repairing of <i>highways</i>, a town is divided by the proper +officers into as many road districts as may be judged convenient; and a +person residing in each district is chosen, called <i>overseer</i> or +<i>supervisor</i>, or <i>surveyor</i> of <i>highways</i>, whose duty it is to see that +the roads are repaired and kept in order in his district. In some states +a tax is laid and collected for this purpose; and each person assessed +may perform labor or furnish materials to the amount of his tax. In +other states, road taxes are assessed upon the citizens in days' labor, +according to the value of their property; every man, however, being +first assessed one day for his head, which is called a <i>poll-tax</i>. +Persons not wishing to labor, may pay an equivalent in money, which is +called <i>commuting</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch15-7">§7. <i>Overseers of the poor</i> provide for the support of the poor +belonging to the town who need relief, and have no near relations who +are able to support them. In some states there is in each county a +poor-house, to which the poor of the several towns are sent to be +provided for; the expense to be charged to the towns to which such poor +persons belonged.</p> + +<p id="ch15-8">§8. The principal duties of a <i>constable</i> are, to serve all processes +issued by justices of the peace in suits at law for collecting debts, +and for arresting persons charged with crimes. The business of a +constable in executing the orders of a justice of the peace, is similar +to that of a sheriff in relation to the county courts.</p> + +<p id="ch15-9">§9. The town <i>treasurer</i> receives all moneys belonging to the town, and +pays them out as they may be wanted for town-purposes; and accounts +yearly to the proper officers. The office of town treasurer does not +exist in all the states.</p> + +<p id="ch15-10">§10. The duties of <i>fence-viewers</i> relate chiefly to the settling of +disputes between the owners of adjoining lands concerning division +fences, the examining or viewing of fences when damage has been done by +trespassing animals; and the estimating of damages in such cases.</p> + +<a id="p059"></a><p id="ch15-11">§11. The town <i>sealer</i> keeps correct copies of the standard of weights +and measures established by the state. Standard copies are furnished by +the state sealer to each county sealer, at the expense of the county, +and the county sealer furnishes each town sealer a copy at the expense +of the town. The town sealer compares the weights and measures brought +to him with the copy in his possession, and sees that they are made to +agree with it, and seals and marks them. A person selling by a weight or +measure that does not agree with the standard, is liable to the +purchaser for damages--generally to several times the amount of the +injury.</p> + +<p>For a particular description of the duties of town officers, reference +must be had to the laws of the several states.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch16"> +<h2>Chapter XVI.</h2> + +<h3>Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch16-1">§1. Cities and incorporated villages have governments peculiar to +themselves. Places containing a large and close population need a +different government from that of ordinary towns or townships. Many of +the laws regulating the affairs of towns thinly inhabited, are not +suited to a place where many thousand persons are closely settled. +Besides, the electors in such a place would be too numerous to meet in a +single assembly for the election of officers or the transaction of other +public business.</p> + +<p id="ch16-2">§2. Whenever, therefore, the inhabitants of any place become so numerous +as to require a city government, they petition the legislature for a law +incorporating them into a city. The law or act of incorporation is +usually called a <i>charter</i>. The word <i>charter</i> is from the Latin +<i>charta</i>, which means paper. The instruments of writing by which kings +or other sovereign powers granted rights and privileges to individuals +or corporations, were written on paper or <a id="p060"></a>parchment, and called +<i>charters</i>. In this country, it is commonly used to designate an act of +the legislature conferring privileges and powers upon cities, villages, +and other corporations.</p> + +<p id="ch16-3">§3. The chief executive officer of a city is a <i>mayor</i>. A city is +divided into wards of convenient size, in each of which are chosen one +or more <i>aldermen</i>, (usually two,) and such other officers as are named +in the charter. The mayor and aldermen constitute the <i>common council</i>, +which is a kind of legislature, having the power to pass such laws, +(commonly called <i>ordinances</i>,) and to make such orders and regulations, +as the government of the city requires. The mayor presides in meetings +of the common council, and performs also certain judicial and other +duties. There are also elected in the several wards, assessors, +constables, collectors, and other necessary officers, whose duties in +their respective wards are similar to those of like named officers in +country towns, or townships.</p> + +<p id="ch16-4">§4. The inhabitants of cities, however, are not wholly governed by laws +made by the common council. Most of the laws enacted by the legislature +are of general application, and have the same effect in cities as +elsewhere. Thus the laws of the state require, that taxes shall be +assessed and levied upon the property of the citizens of the state to +defray the public expenses; and the people of the cities are required to +pay their just proportion of the same; but the city authorities lay and +collect additional taxes for city purposes.</p> + +<p id="ch16-5">§5. In cities there are also courts of justice other than those which +are established by the constitution or general laws of the state. There +is a court for the trial of persons guilty of disturbing the peace, and +of such other minor offenses as are usually punishable by imprisonment +in the county jail, called <i>police court</i>. It is held by a <i>police +justice</i>, elected by the people, or appointed in such manner as the law +prescribes. In some of the larger cities, there are courts of <i>civil</i> as +well as criminal jurisdiction, differing from those which are common to +counties generally.</p> + +<a id="p061"></a><p id="ch16-6">§6. The government of incorporated <i>villages</i> is not in all respects +like that of cities. The chief executive officer of such a village is, +in some states, called <i>president</i>. The village is not divided into +wards; the number of its inhabitants being too small to require such +division. Instead of a board of aldermen, there is a board of <i>trustees</i> +or <i>directors</i>, who exercise similar powers. The president of a village +is generally chosen by the trustees from their own number. In some +states, incorporated villages are called <i>towns</i>; and their chief +executive officer is called <i>mayor</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch16-7">§7. The necessity and effect of incorporating a village may not yet +clearly appear to every reader. Let us illustrate. By a general law of +the state, or by a vote of the electors of a township in pursuance of +such law, cattle may run at large in the highways. This might be to many +persons in a village, a great annoyance, which can be prevented or +abated only by confining the cattle. Or, sidewalks may need to be made. +Or, it may be deemed necessary to provide means for extinguishing fires, +by purchasing fire-engines and organizing fire companies. In an +unincorporated village there is no power to compel the citizens to do +these things. Those, therefore, who desire that the citizens should have +power to make all needful regulations for the government of the village, +petition the legislature for an act of incorporation granting the +necessary powers.</p> + +<p id="ch16-8">§8. The constitutions of some states require the legislature to pass a +general law prescribing the manner in which the people of any village +may form themselves into a corporation, with the necessary powers of +government, with out a special law for that purpose.</p> + +<p id="ch16-9">§9. Besides these <i>territorial</i> corporations for purposes of government, +as counties, towns, cities, &c., there are <i>incorporated companies</i> for +carrying on business of various kinds, as turnpike and rail-road +companies, and companies for the purposes of banking, insurance, +manufacturing, &c. These kinds of business, to be carried on +successfully, sometimes require a larger amount of money than one man +possesses. A number of persons, therefore, unite their <a id="p062"></a>capital under an +act of incorporation granting them power to manage their business which +they could not have in an ordinary business partnership. Besides, a +common partnership must end on the death of any one of the partners; but +an incorporated company is not thus affected by the death of its +members.</p> + +<p id="ch16-10">§10. It is in the nature of corporations to have a perpetual existence. +A corporation may live after the persons who first composed it are all +dead; for those who come after them have the same powers and privileges. +A town or city incorporated a hundred years ago, is the same town or +city still, although none of its first inhabitants are living. So a +railroad or banking corporation may exist after the death of many, or +even all of the original corporators.</p> + +<p id="ch16-11">§11. But there are certain particulars in which all corporations are not +the same. A state has been defined to be a body politic, or corporation. +(Chap. I. §10; III, §5.) But it differs from other government +corporations, as counties, towns, cities, &c., in this: the latter are +formed by acts of the legislature; but a state is formed by the people +in their political capacity in establishing the constitution.</p> + +<p id="ch16-12">§12. Again, all these government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies. In forming a town or city, many persons are brought +into the corporation against their wishes or consent; because, in +governments, all who live within certain prescribed bounds must come +under the same laws; but of an incorporated business association, as of +a common business partnership, none become members but by their own act +or choice. There is another difference: The latter are what are called +<i>stock</i> companies; and although they may be continued after the death of +the first corporators, those who afterward come into the association, do +so by becoming owners of the capital stock of those who preceded them. +This latter difference will more clearly appear from the more particular +description, elsewhere given, of the incorporated companies, and of the +manner in which the stock is transferred. (Chap. XXIII, §11--15.)<a id="p063"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch17"> +<h2>Chapter XVII.</h2> + +<h3>Judicial Department. Justices' Courts.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch17-1">§1. Having seen how the legislative and executive departments of a state +government are constituted, and how the laws are made and executed, the +manner in which the local affairs of counties and towns are conducted, +and the powers and duties of their respective officers; we proceed to +describe the <i>judicial</i> department, the powers and duties of judicial +officers, and the manner in which justice is administered.</p> + +<p id="ch17-2">§2. It is the business of the legislature to determine what acts shall +be deemed public offenses, or crimes, and to make laws for securing +justice to the citizens in their dealings and general intercourse with +each other; but to judge of and apply the laws; that is, to determine +what the law is and whether it has been broken, and to fix the just +measure of damage or of punishment, and to order such decision to be +carried into effect, are duties which, as has been observed, have been +wisely assigned to a separate and distinct department. (Chap. VIII. §7.)</p> + +<p id="ch17-3">§3. A government without some power to decide disputes, to award +justice, and to punish crime according to the laws of the state, would +not be complete. To allow every man to be his own judge in cases of +supposed injury, and to redress his own wrongs, would endanger the +rights of others. Justice is best secured to the citizens by +establishing courts for the redress of injuries and the punishment of +crimes; and that no person may suffer unjustly, it is provided that +every person charged with crime or any other wrong, is entitled to a +fair and impartial trial.</p> + +<p id="ch17-4">§4. For the convenience of persons who may be compelled to seek relief +at law, courts are established in every <a id="p064"></a>town. These are courts of the +lowest grade, and are called <i>justices' courts</i>, being held by justices +of the peace who are, in most of the states, elected by the people of +the several towns. They are called the lowest courts, because they have +jurisdiction only in cases in which the smallest sums or damages are +claimed, or in which only the lowest offenses are tried. The word +<i>jurisdiction</i> is from the Latin <i>jus</i>, law, or <i>juris</i>, of the law, and +<i>dictio</i>, a pronouncing or speaking. Hence the <i>jurisdiction</i> of a court +means its power to pronounce the law.</p> + +<p id="ch17-5">§5. Although justices of the peace are generally elected in the towns, +their jurisdiction extends over the county; that is, they have power to +try causes arising in any part of the county, or between citizens +residing in other towns. The jurisdiction of justices of the peace is +generally prescribed by law. The law prescribes the sum that may be sued +for, or the amount of damage that may be recovered in a justice's court, +and the grade of offenses that may be tried in it. In some states +justices of the peace may try suits only in which the sum in controversy +does not exceed $50; but in most of them, the jurisdiction of a justice +extends, it is believed, to sums of $100 or more.</p> + +<p id="ch17-6">§6. Causes, in which money is claimed for damage or for debt, are called +<i>civil</i> causes; those for the trial of persons charged with crime, or +some misdemeanor, are called <i>criminal</i> causes. All crimes, strictly +speaking, are misdemeanors. In common usage, however, the word +<i>misdemeanor</i> denotes a smaller offense, such as is usually punishable +by fine, or by imprisonment in a county jail, and not in a state prison. +Causes, actions, and suits, are words of similar meaning in law +language, being generally used to signify prosecutions at law, or +lawsuits. The party that sues is called <i>plaintiff</i>; the party sued is +the <i>defendant</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch17-7">§7. Prosecutions at law are conducted in nearly the same manner in the +different states. The following is a sketch of the proceedings in an +ordinary civil suit in a justice's court: The justice, at the request of +the plaintiff, issues a <i>summons</i>, which is a writ or precept addressed +to a constable of the town, in some states to any constable of <a id="p065"></a>the +county, commanding him to summon the defendant to appear before the +justice on a day and at an hour specified, to answer the plaintiff +(naming him) in a suit, the nature of which is stated in the summons.</p> + +<p id="ch17-8">§8. The constable serves the summons by reading it or stating the +substance of it to the defendant; and if requested, gives him a copy of +it. If he does not find the defendant, he leaves a copy at his place of +residence with some one of the family of proper age. At or before the +time named for trial, the constable returns to the justice the summons +with an indorsement stating the day on which it was served, and whether +served personally or by copy. If served by copy, and the defendant does +not appear at the time named for trial, a new summons is issued, as the +practice is in some states--perhaps all of them; and the trial may not +proceed unless a summons has been personally served.</p> + +<p id="ch17-9">§9. The parties may appear in person, or by attorney. An <i>attorney</i> is +any person lawfully appointed to transact business for another; hence +the word attorney does not always mean an attorney at law, or lawyer, +who is properly an officer of a court of law. When the parties have +appeared and answered to their names, they make their <i>pleadings</i>; that +is, the plantiff declares for what he brings his suit; and the defendant +states the nature of what he has to <i>offset</i> against the demand of the +plaintiff, or denies the demand altogether. These acts of the parties +are called <i>joining issue</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch17-10">§10. If the parties are ready for trial, the justice proceeds to try the +issue. If the witnesses have not been subpœned and are not in +attendance, the cause is adjourned to a future day; and the justice, at +the request of either party, issues a <i>subpœna</i>, which is a writ +commanding persons to attend in court as witnesses. The witnesses on +both sides are examined by the justice, who decides according to law and +equity, as the right of the case may appear, in which he is said to +<i>give judgment</i>. To the amount of the judgment, whether against the +plaintiff or the defendant, are added the costs; for it is considered to +<a id="p066"></a>be just that the party in default shall pay the expense of the suit. +The costs consist of the <i>fees</i> or compensation to be paid the justice, +constable and witnesses for their services.</p> + +<p id="ch17-11">§11. If a defendant does not appear at the time of trial, the justice +may proceed to try the cause, and decide upon the testimony of the +plaintiff's witnesses. If a plaintiff does not answer or appear when his +name is called in court, the justice enters judgment of <i>nonsuit</i>. A +plaintiff may, at any time before judgment is rendered, discontinue or +withdraw his action, in which case also judgment of nonsuit is given. In +cases of nonsuit, and also when no cause of action is found, judgment is +rendered against the plantiff for the costs.</p> + +<p id="ch17-12">§12. A debtor may avoid the expense of a lawsuit by <i>confessing +judgment</i>. The parties go before a justice, and the debtor acknowledges +or confesses the claim of the creditor, and consents that the justice +enter judgment accordingly. In some states, the confession and consent +must be in writing, and signed by the debtor. The amount for which +judgment may be confessed is limited by law, but is, in some states at +least, and perhaps in most if not all of them, larger than the sum to +which the jurisdiction of a justice is limited in ordinary suits.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch18"> +<h2>Chapter XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch18-1">§1. The administration of justice in courts of law is not left entirely +to the justices and judges. Parties may not always have sufficient +confidence in the ability, honesty, and impartiality of the justice by +whom a suit is to be tried, to intrust their interests to his judgment. +Therefore the constitutions of all the states guaranty to every person +the right of trial by a jury. This right has been enjoyed <a id="p067"></a>in England +many centuries. It was established here by our ancestors, who were +principally from that country.</p> + +<p id="ch18-2">§2. A <i>jury</i> is a number of men qualified and selected as the law +prescribes, and sworn to try a matter of fact, and to declare the truth +on the evidence given in the case. This declaring of the truth is called +a <i>verdict</i>, which is from the Latin <i>verum dictum</i>, a true declaration +or saying. A jury in a justice's court consists in most or all of the +states, as is believed, of six men; in the higher courts, of twelve men, +who are generally required to be freeholders. The manner of selecting +the jurors is not the same in all the states.</p> + +<p id="ch18-3">§3. After issue has been joined, and before testimony has been heard, +either party may demand that the cause be tried by a jury. Whereupon the +justice issues a <i>venire</i>, which is a writ or precept directing a +constable to summon the required number of duly qualified men to appear +before the justice, to make a jury to try the cause.</p> + +<p id="ch18-4">§4. The testimony and arguments on both sides having been heard, the +jurors are put under the charge of the constable, who is sworn to keep +them in some convenient place, without meat or drink, except such as the +justice may order, until they shall have agreed on their verdict, or +have been discharged by the justice; and not to allow any person to +speak to them during such time, nor to speak to them himself, except by +order of the justice, unless to ask them whether they have agreed on +their verdict.</p> + +<p id="ch18-5">§5. All the jurors must agree in a verdict; and when so agreed, they +return in charge of the constable, and, in open court, deliver their +verdict to the justice, who enters judgment according to the finding of +the jury. If the jurors, after having been out a reasonable time, do not +all agree upon a verdict, the justice may discharge them, and issue a +new venire, unless the parties consent to submit the cause to the +justice.</p> + +<p id="ch18-6">§6. If a judgment is not paid within the time prescribed by law, the +justice issues an <i>execution</i>, which is a precept directing a constable +to collect the amount of the judgment; and authorizing him to take and +sell the goods and <a id="p068"></a>chattels of the debtor, and to make his returns to +the justice within the time required. <i>Goods</i> and <i>chattels</i> are +personal or movable property, or property other than freehold, or real +estate. If the money can not be collected, the execution is returned as +not satisfied. If a constable does not faithfully obey the directions +contained in the execution, he and his sureties become liable to pay the +judgment.</p> + +<p id="ch18-7">§7. Laws have been passed in all the states for the benefit of poor men, +who are allowed to retain, for the use and comfort of themselves and +their families, certain articles of personal property, which may not be +sold on execution; such as necessary household furniture, apparel, beds, +tools and implements of trade, &c. The practice which formerly +prevailed, of imprisoning debtors who were unable to satisfy executions, +has been abolished, except for fines and penalties.</p> + +<p id="ch18-8">§8. The foregoing description of the proceedings of a justice's court is +that of a prosecution in ordinary cases. But there are other modes of +prosecution in certain cases, one of which is by attachment. An +<i>attachment</i> is a writ directing the property of a debtor to be taken, +and kept till a trial can be had, and judgment obtained. This mode of +proceeding is adopted when the plaintiff has reason to believe that a +debtor conceals himself to avoid being prosecuted by summons, or is +about to remove his property or himself from the county, or intends in +some other way to defraud his creditors.</p> + +<p id="ch18-9">§9. In case of an absent or concealed debtor, the constable, (as is +supposed to be the common practice,) leaves a copy of the attachment, +with an inventory or list of the articles of property attached, at the +defendant's last place of abode, or, if he had none in the county, the +copy and inventory are to be left with the person in whose possession +the property is found. If the defendant does not appear on the day of +trial, the plaintiff may proceed to prove his demand and take judgment. +An execution is then issued against the property attached.</p> + +<p id="ch18-10">§10. If either party is dissatisfied with a judgment rendered in a +justice's court, he may <i>appeal</i> to a higher court <a id="p069"></a>for trial, or for a +review of the judgment. The party appealing is called <i>appellant</i>; the +adverse party is the <i>appellee</i> or <i>respondent</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch18-11">§11. An important part of the duties of a justice of the peace relates +to the arrest and trial of persons charged with crimes and misdemeanors. +Although they have not power to try high offenses usually called crimes, +they may order the apprehension of persons charged with such offenses, +and cause them to be committed for trial.</p> + +<p id="ch18-12">§12. A person knowing or suspecting another to have committed an +offense, may make complaint to a judge or justice of the peace, who +examines the complainant on oath, and witnesses, if any appear; and if +he is satisfied that an offense has been committed, he issues a +<i>warrant</i>, directing the person accused to be brought before him. The +complainant and witnesses for the prosecution, and next the prisoner and +his witnesses, are examined. If the offense is one of which the +magistrate has jurisdiction, he may proceed to try the prisoner, who, it +will be recollected, is entitled to be tried by a jury.</p> + +<p id="ch18-13">§13. If the offense is one which the magistrate has not power to try, he +binds the prosecutor or complainant and all material witnesses to appear +and testify against the prisoner at the next court having power to +indict and try him. And if the offense is one for which the prisoner may +be bailed, the magistrate takes bail for his appearance at court. If the +offense is not bailable, or if no satisfactory bail is offered, the +magistrate orders him to be committed to jail to await his trial. But, +as will be seen hereafter, he must be indicted by a grand jury before he +can be tried. (Chap. XIX., §7-9.) And were there no danger of an +offender's escape before he could be brought to trial, his previous +arrest and examination might be unnecessary.</p> + +<p id="ch18-14">§14. The obligation or bond given by a prosecutor and witnesses for +their appearance at court, is sometimes called a <i>recognizance</i>. They +bind themselves, with sureties, to forfeit and pay a certain sum of +money in case of their non-appearance. A similar bond or recognizance is +given in case of bail. The person accused binds himself, with <a id="p070"></a>sureties, +in such sum as the justice requires, which is to be paid if he shall not +appear for trial. The word <i>bail</i> is from a French word meaning <i>to +deliver</i>, or <i>to release</i>. Hence, the justice <i>bails</i>, sets free, or +delivers to his sureties, the party arrested. Also the sureties are said +to bail a person when they procure his liberation.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch19"> +<h2>Chapter XIX.</h2> + +<h3>Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch19-1">§1. The court next higher than a justice's court, is a court held in +each county, generally called a <i>county court</i>, or <i>court of common +pleas</i>. This court is usually held by a county judge elected by the +electors of the county in most of the states; in some, appointed by the +legislature; and in others, by the governor, with the advice and consent +of the senate. In a few of the states this court consists of more than +one judge. In some states, county courts are held by judges of the +circuit courts.</p> + +<p id="ch19-2">§2. In this court are tried civil causes in which are claimed sums of +greater amount than a justice of the peace has jurisdiction of, and +criminal causes in which are charged the lower crimes committed in the +county. Also causes removed by appeal from a justice's court are tried +in this court; in which cases it is said to have <i>appellate</i> +jurisdiction. Courts are also said to have <i>original</i> jurisdiction; +which means that suits may <i>originate</i> or commence in such courts.</p> + +<p id="ch19-3">§3. There is in every state at least one court, and in most of the +states there are two or more courts of higher grade than a county court. +They are called in the different states by different names; as <i>circuit +court</i>, <i>superior court</i>, <i>supreme court</i>, and <i>court of appeals</i>. A +<i>circuit</i> court probably obtains its name thus: A state is divided into +judicial districts, in each of which one or more judges are elected, +<a id="p071"></a>who go around holding a court once a year or oftener in each of the +counties composing a judicial district. This court usually has both +original and appellate jurisdiction; it being a part of its business to +try appeals from the county courts. It also tries such of the higher +crimes as a county court has not the power to try. Courts in which +crimes are tried are sometimes called courts of <i>oyer and terminer</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch19-4">§4. Every county court, and every circuit having like jurisdiction, has +a jury to try issues of fact, and a grand jury. An <i>issue of fact</i> is +when the <i>fact</i> as to the indebtedness or the guilt of the party charged +is to be determined from the testimony. An <i>issue of law</i> is one in +which it is to be determined what is the <i>law</i> in the case, which is +done by the judge instead of the jury. The jury by which issues of fact +are tried, as distinguished from a grand jury, is called a <i>petty</i> or +<i>petit jury</i>. It consists of twelve men, all of whom must agree in a +verdict.</p> + +<p id="ch19-5">§5. The manner of selecting grand and petit jurors is prescribed by law. +A number of judicious men in each town are selected by some person or +persons lawfully authorized; and the names of the men so selected are +written on separate pieces of paper, and put into a box in each town, +and kept by the town clerk; or as is the practice in some states, the +names of the men designated as jurors in the several towns are sent to +the county clerk, and by him kept in a box. Previous to the sitting of +the court, the requisite number is drawn out the box; and the men whose +names are drawn, are summoned to attend as jurors.</p> + +<p id="ch19-6">§6. It is the business of a <i>grand jury</i> to inquire concerning crimes +and misdemeanors committed in the county; and if there appear just +grounds of accusation against any person, they make to the court a +presentment or formal charge against him, upon which he is to be put +upon trial. The number of grand jurors is not always the same. In some +states there may not be more than twenty-three nor less than twelve. It +is not required that they shall all agree in order to put a person upon +trial.</p> + +<a id="p072"></a><p id="ch19-7">§7. On the opening of the court, the grand jurors are sworn to make a +true presentment of all things given them in charge. The judge then +gives them a charge, and appoints one of them foreman; and the jurors +retire to a private apartment to attend to their duties. They hear all +complaints brought before them against persons for crimes and breaches +of the peace, and examine witnesses who appear to testify; and when it +is requested, they have the assistance and advice of the state's +attorney; or as he is called in some states, the <i>district attorney</i>, or +<i>prosecuting attorney</i>. If they think any person complained of ought to +be tried, they draw up a writing, in which they charge him with the +offense of which they think him guilty. This is called an <i>indictment</i>. +It is signed by the foreman, indorsed "a true bill," and carried by the +jury into court. If the person accused has not before been arrested, he +may now be arrested, and put upon trial. (See Chap. XVIII, §12-14.)</p> + +<p id="ch19-8">§8. As grand juries do not try crimes, but merely make inquiry into +them, some may not readily perceive the necessity of such juries. +Innocent persons might be subjected to great inconvenience and expense +in defending themselves in court against the slanderous reports or false +accusations of evil minded persons. It is to prevent this that grand +juries are instituted, who make careful examinations into the cases +brought before them, and do not often charge persons with crime unless +there is a strong probability of their being found guilty on trial.</p> + +<p id="ch19-9">§9. So important was the institution of grand juries considered, that +the constitution of the United States, to which the constitutions and +laws of the states must conform, was made to provide, that "no person +shall be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime, unless on +a presentment or indictment of a grand jury," except in certain cases. +(Con. U.S., Amend. Art. V. For the definition of "infamous crime," see +Chap. VI., §7.)</p> + +<p id="ch19-10">§10. It is the opinion of many that this requirement of a previous +indictment by a grand jury has reference only to the courts of the +United States; and that the states <a id="p073"></a>may dispense with it. Hence, efforts +are now making in some states to abolish grand juries. It is supposed +that an examination at all times before a justice or a judge, when the +prisoner can be present with his witnesses, is more likely to protect +him against being unnecessarily subjected to the trouble and expense of +a trial, than before a grand jury, where complaints are often made by +malicious persons, and sustained by the testimony of partial or corrupt +witnesses.</p> + +<p id="ch19-11">§11. The <i>supreme court</i> is generally the next higher, and in most of +the states, the highest state court. This court differs somewhat in the +different states, both in the manner of its formation and in its +jurisdiction. It is believed, however, to have, in the states generally, +both original and appellate jurisdiction, civil and criminal. In the +state of New York and a few other states, there is one higher court, +called <i>court of appeals</i>, which has appellate power only. Its business +is to review cases from the supreme court.</p> + +<p id="ch19-12">§12. Suits in the county, circuit, and supreme courts, are commenced by +a <i>writ</i>, (in some states a summons or a declaration,) which is served +by the sheriff of the county in which the suit is to be tried. He also +serves warrants and executions issued by these courts. A sheriff is to +these courts what a constable is to a justice's court. His powers and +duties have been elsewhere described. (Chap. XIV., §8.)</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="chXX"> +<h2>Chapter XX.</h2> + +<h3>Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch20-1">§1. It might be supposed, that in instituting the courts which have been +described, all necessary provision had been made for securing justice to +the citizens. But many cases arise in which justice and equity can not +be obtained in these courts. To afford relief in such cases, a <a id="p074"></a>court +has been established called a <i>court of equity</i>, or <i>court of chancery</i>. +What often renders it impossible to get justice in ordinary courts of +law, is the want of witnesses; but in a court of equity the parties may +themselves be put on oath.</p> + +<p id="ch20-2">§2. A debtor, to avoid the payment of his debts, may conceal his +property or his money; but this court may compel him to disclose and +give up the same to satisfy an execution; and it may prevent persons +indebted to him from making payment to him. A person refusing to fulfill +a contract may, in courts of common law, only be sued for damage; but +this court may in certain cases compel him to fulfill the contract +itself. It may also restrain individuals and corporations from +committing fraudulent acts, and prevent persons from committing wastes +on land and certain other injuries, until the right at law can be tried.</p> + +<p id="ch20-3">§3. Courts of chancery were established, it is believed, in a majority +of the old states. But separate and distinct organizations called +chancery courts, now exist in but a few states; the power to try suits +in equity having been given to the judges of the common law courts.</p> + +<p id="ch20-4">§4. Suits <i>in equity</i> are not commenced as suits <i>at law</i>. The plaintiff +prepares a bill of complaint, the facts stated in which are sworn to by +himself. The bill, which contains a petition or prayer that the +defendant may be summoned to make answer on oath, is filed with the +clerk of the court, who issues a subpœna commanding the defendant to +appear before the court on a day named. A trial may be had on the +complaint and answer alone; or witnesses may be introduced by the +parties. The case is argued by counsel, and a <i>decree</i> is pronounced by +the court, which the court has power to carry into effect.</p> + +<p id="ch20-5">§5. There is another kind of courts which are in their nature different +from ordinary law courts, and are called <i>probate courts</i>. There is in +every county a probate court held by a <i>judge of probate</i>, whose duties +relate to the proving of wills and the settling of the estates of +persons deceased. A <i>will</i> is a writing in which a person gives +directions concerning the disposal of his property after his <a id="p075"></a>death. The +Latin word <i>probatus</i> means proof; from which <i>probate</i> has come to be +applied to the proving of a will. (See Wills and Testaments.) In the +state of New York the judge of this court is called <i>surrogate</i>, and the +court is called <i>surrogate's court</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch20-6">§6. There is still another court in every state, which is not a common +law court. It is the <i>court of impeachment</i>. The name is applied to the +senate when sitting on a trial of impeachment. An <i>impeachment</i> is a +charge or accusation against a public officer for corrupt conduct in his +office; as if a governor, for money offered him, should approve and sign +a law; or a judge should, for money or from some other selfish or +personal motive, give a wrong judgment. The constitution gives to the +house of representatives the power to impeach, and to the senate the +power to try the persons impeached. This practice has come from Great +Britain, where the impeachment is made by the house of commons, and the +house of lords is the high court of impeachment.</p> + +<p id="ch20-7">§7. The house of representatives, in a case of impeachment, acts in +nearly the same manner as a grand jury in a court of law. A complaint is +made to the house; and if, upon examination, there appear to a majority +of the members present sufficient grounds for the charge, an accusation +in writing is prepared, called <i>articles of impeachment</i>, and delivered +to the senate. In some states, a majority of the members elected is +necessary to impeach. The president of the senate orders the court to be +summoned. The accused is brought before the court to answer to the +charge, and has counsel assigned him. The senators are sworn truly to +try and determine the impeachment according to evidence; and a day is +fixed for trial.</p> + +<p id="ch20-8">§8. The house of representatives usually choose from their number a +committee of managers to conduct the trial, the proceedings in which are +the same as in law courts. The senators retire and deliberate as jurors +in such courts. Two-thirds of the senators--in some states two-thirds of +all the senators elected--must concur in order to convict the person +accused. If a person is convicted, <a id="p076"></a>the court may remove him from +office, or disqualify him to hold any office in the state, for a time, +or for life; or may both remove and disqualify him. This court can +pronounce no other sentence. But if the act committed is a crime, the +offender may also be indicted, tried, and punished in a court of +justice.</p> + +<p id="ch20-9">§9. Judicial officers may also be removed by the governor on address of +the legislature. If a judge is suspected of corrupt conduct in his +office, or of being incompetent to discharge its duties, complaint is +made to the legislature, and the party complained of is notified, and an +opportunity is given him of being heard in his defense. If both +branches, by the required majorities, concur in the opinion that he +ought to be removed, they address the governor, setting forth their +reasons for the removal. If the governor considers the reasons +sufficient, the officer is removed. This mode of removal does not exist +in all the states. In New York, and perhaps in a few other states, the +legislature makes the removal without the concurrence of the governor; +and in that state some of the lower judicial officers may be removed by +the senate on the recommendation of the governor. In a few states, +judges are not removable by impeachment.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch21"> +<h2>Chapter XXI.</h2> + +<h3>Assessment and Collection of Taxes.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch21-1">§1. Every government must have the power of providing means for its +support. The money which is needed to pay the expenses of administering +the government, if the state has no permanent source of revenue, or +income, must be raised by taxation. A <i>tax</i> is a rate or sum of money +assessed upon the person or property of a citizen for the use of the +state. When assessed upon the person, it is called a <i>poll-tax</i>, or +<i>capitation tax</i>, being a certain sum on <a id="p077"></a>every poll, or head. But as +persons ought generally to contribute to the public expenses according +to their ability, taxes are more just and equal when laid upon the +property of the citizens. Few poll-taxes are levied in this country.</p> + +<p id="ch21-2">§2. There are certain kinds of property which are exempt from taxation; +such as the corporate property of the state, of counties, and of towns, +including the buildings in which the public business is done, the +prisons, jails, asylums, &c., and the lands attached to them; +school-houses and meeting-houses, with the lands attached; +burying-grounds, and the property of literary and charitable +institutions. But the property of business corporations, as rail-road, +banking, insurance, manufacturing, and other stock companies, like that +of individuals, is liable to taxation. <i>Real estate</i>, or <i>real +property</i>, is land with the buildings and other articles erected or +growing thereon. <i>Personal estate</i>, or <i>personal property</i>, consists of +movables, as goods, chattels, money, and debts due from solvent debtors.</p> + +<p id="ch21-3">§3. As the property of every person is to be assessed in proportion to +its value, it is necessary, first, to make a correct valuation of all +the taxable property. For this purpose, the assessor or assessors pass +through the town, and make a list of the names of all the taxable +inhabitants, and the estimated value of the property, real and personal, +of each; and returns of the same are made to the proper county officers, +who cause the tax-list for each town to be made out, and order the taxes +to be collected.</p> + +<p id="ch21-4">§4. In some states, persons liable to taxation are themselves required +to furnish lists of all their taxable property, printed blank lists +having been previously distributed among them for this purpose. To +secure an accurate valuation, the assessors, (called also <i>listers</i>,) +may require persons to make oath that they have made a true statement of +their property and its value. In states where the polls of the +tax-payers are assessed, these also are set down in the lists at such +sums as the law directs to be affixed to each poll.</p> + +<p id="ch21-5">§5. Before a tax-list can be made out, it must be known what amount is +to be collected in each town. This amount <a id="p078"></a>is made up of three parts: +First, the sum wanted to pay the expenses of the town for the preceding +year; secondly, the town's share of the county expenses; and thirdly, +its proportional share of the expenses of the state government, or of +what is to be raised for state purposes.</p> + +<p id="ch21-6">§6. The apportionment of the amount of the state and county expenses +among the several towns, is made according to the amount of property in +each as valued by the assessors. The state auditor or controller, having +received from the several counties returns of the value of the property +in each county, is enabled to determine its quota of the amount to be +raised for state purposes. To each county's share of the state expenses +is added the sum to be raised in the county for county purposes; and the +amount is apportioned among the towns in proportion to the value of the +assessed property of each. Then adding to each town's share of the +amount of the state and county expenses, the amount to be raised for +town purposes, gives the sum to be collected in the town.</p> + +<p id="ch21-7">§7. Having thus ascertained the sum to be raised in each town, the +officers whose duty it is, cause a tax-list to be made out, in which the +amount of each person's tax is set opposite his name and the estimated +value of his property. The tax-list of each town, certified and signed +by the proper persons, is put into the hands of the collector, with a +warrant ordering the same to be collected.</p> + +<p id="ch21-8">§8. The money collected for county and state purposes is paid to the +county treasurer, who pays to the state treasurer the amount raised in +the county for state expenses, and retains the remainder to be expended +in the county. The money collected for town purposes is paid to such +persons in the town as are by law authorized to receive the same.<a id="p079"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch22"> +<h2>Chapter XXII.</h2> + +<h3>Education. School Funds; Schools, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch22-1">§1. The proper object of government is to promote the welfare and +happiness of its citizens. For this purpose, it must provide for making +and properly administering laws to protect the people in the enjoyment +of life and the fruits of their labor. But it should go further, and +make express provision for improving the condition of the people, +especially the less fortunate portions of them.</p> + +<p id="ch22-2">§2. The prosperity of a state or nation depends essentially upon the +education of its citizens. This is seen by comparing the condition of +the people of this country with the condition of the people of those +countries where the benefits of education are not enjoyed. Ignorance +tends to make men idle, vicious, and miserable. On the other hand, +learning is not only a means of enjoyment in itself, but of improving +the social condition of a people.</p> + +<p id="ch22-3">§3. Again, a free government is better adapted than any other to promote +the welfare of a nation. But if the people are not properly educated, +they are incapable of self-government. And as many persons are unable to +pay for the tuition of their children, the safety of the government +itself requires the establishment of a system of education, by which the +great body of the people may be fitted to discharge their social and +political duties. The states have accordingly instituted school systems +for the instruction of children and youth of all classes at the public +expense.</p> + +<p id="ch22-4">§4. In most of the states, the schools are supported only in part, in a +few of them wholly, at the expense of the states. Some states have +provided funds, the income of which is annually applied to this object. +<i>Fund</i> generally signifies the money or capital stock employed in +carrying on trade or any other business operation. <i>State funds</i> are the +moneys and other property of the state which <a id="p080"></a>are set apart for paying +the expenses of the government, or for the construction of canals, +roads, and other public improvements. The interest of these funds, and +the income from other sources, are called the <i>revenue</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch22-5">§5. In some states, school funds are created by appropriating the public +lands, which are lands owned by the state as a body corporate. The +proceeds of these lands, from sales or rents, constitute a part or the +whole of the school fund, the interest of which is annually applied to +the support of schools. If the income from the school fund is +insufficient for this purpose, the deficiency may, as is done in some +states, be supplied, in whole or in part, by taxation, or from the state +treasury.</p> + +<p id="ch22-6">§6. Many of the new states have large school funds. At an early period, +while most of the territory from which these states have been formed was +yet the property of the United States, and uninhabited, Congress passed +an act by which a particular section of land (number sixteen) in every +township is reserved for the support of schools therein. By this act, +one thirty-sixth part of the lands within each of these states has been +thus appropriated, besides smaller portions granted for the benefit of a +university in each state. These lands are in the charge of proper +officers, who dispose of them, and apply the proceeds as the law +directs.</p> + +<p id="ch22-7">§7. The school funds of many of the states have been largely increased +by certain moneys received from the United States. In 1837, there had +accumulated in the national treasury about thirty millions of dollars +over and above what was needed for the support of the government. By an +act of congress, this surplus revenue was distributed among the states +then existing, to be kept by them until called for by congress. Although +congress reserved the right to recall the money, it was presumed that it +would never be demanded. That it never will be, is now almost certain. +Many of the states have appropriated large portions of their respective +shares for school purposes. From its having been said to be only +<i>deposited</i> with the states, this fund is sometimes called the <i>United +States deposit fund</i>.</p> + +<a id="p081"></a><p id="ch22-8">§8. School moneys coming from the state treasury, or state fund, are +usually apportioned among the several towns of the state; and each +town's share of such moneys, together with what may come to the town by +taxation or from its school lands, is divided among the several +districts according to the number of children between certain ages in +each district, or in such other manner as may be directed by law. If the +moneys thus received are insufficient to pay the wages of teachers, a +rate bill is made out in each district for the deficiency, and collected +from the persons whose children have been taught in the schools.</p> + +<p id="ch22-9">§9. The towns, or townships, are divided into districts of suitable size +for schools, which are called <i>district schools</i>. From their being +supported by a common fund, and designed for the common benefit, or from +the lower or more common branches being taught in them, they are also +called <i>common schools</i>. One or more <i>trustees</i> or <i>directors</i> are +chosen in each district to manage its affairs; a <i>clerk</i> to notify +meetings and record the proceedings of the same; and a <i>collector</i> to +collect taxes for building and repairing school-houses, and all rate +bills for the payment of teachers.</p> + +<p id="ch22-10">§10. The highest school officer is the <i>state superintendent of common +schools</i>, or, as he is sometimes called, <i>superintendent of public +instruction</i>. The superintendent collects information relating to the +schools; the number of children residing in each district, and the +number taught; the amount paid for tuition; the number of school-houses, +and the amount yearly expended in erecting school-houses; and other +matters concerning the operation and effects of the common school +system. If there is no other officer whose duty it is, the +superintendent also apportions the money arising from the state funds +among the several counties. He reports to the legislature at every +session the information he has collected, and suggests such improvements +in the school system as he thinks ought to be made.</p> + +<p id="ch22-11">§11. There is in every county an officer who receives from the state +superintendent the money apportioned to <a id="p082"></a>the county, and apportions the +same among the towns; reports to the state superintendent the number of +children in the county; and performs such other duties as the law +requires. In some states, there is no such county officer; but the money +is apportioned by the state superintendent among the towns; and the +reports from the towns are made directly to the state superintendent.</p> + +<p id="ch22-12">§12. In the towns are officers whose duties are to examine teachers, +visit schools, apportion the school moneys among the districts, and to +collect the lists of the number of children in the several districts, +with such other information as the law requires, and report the same to +the county officer, or, if there is none, to the state superintendent. +In some states, there is in each county an officer or a board of +officers, for examining teachers, and performing certain other duties +relating to the schools of the county.</p> + +<p id="ch22-13">§13. Academies and colleges also receive aid from the state, to a +limited extent. A distinct fund is created in some states for their +benefit; in others, they are aided by special appropriations from the +state treasury.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch23"> +<h2>Chapter XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>Canals and Rail-Roads.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch23-1">§1. In carrying out the purposes of government, provision ought also to +be made to secure to the people the means of obtaining a suitable reward +for their industry, and to render the labor of all, as nearly as may be, +equally profitable.</p> + +<p id="ch23-2">§2. The people of some states do not possess the same advantage as those +of others; nor do all the people of the same state enjoy equal +advantages. Those who reside at a great distance from market, or from +navigable waters <a id="p083"></a>and good roads, are not so well rewarded for their +labor as those who reside near them, because of the greater cost of the +transportation, both of what they have to sell, and of the goods they +buy. Hence the necessity of good roads, canals, or other means of +facilitating trade between the different parts of the state.</p> + +<p id="ch23-3">§3. Among the works intended to effect this object, <i>canals</i> are perhaps +the most useful, and are to be preferred wherever their construction is +practicable. Canals are sometimes constructed by incorporated companies; +but generally these works, especially those of great magnitude, are made +by the state, and are the property of the state. Although there are some +states in which are no canals of this kind, it may be interesting to +young persons generally to know how so important a state work is made.</p> + +<p id="ch23-4">§4. To raise the money necessary to make a canal, the legislature might +levy a general tax upon the property of the citizens. But this would not +be expedient or just; because, first, the payment of so large a sum by +the people within the time in which it would be desirable to complete +the work, would be inconvenient and burdensome; and secondly, the +expense must fall alike upon the people of all parts of the state: +whereas, those residing most remotely from the line of the work, would +derive from it little or no benefit.</p> + +<p id="ch23-5">§5. When, therefore, a great enterprise of this kind is undertaken by a +state, the law authorizing the work usually provides a <i>fund</i>, the +income of which is to be applied to this object. This fund consists of +such lands, property, and moneys as the legislature may grant for this +purpose. Funds were thus constituted in some of the western states, to +which funds congress made grants of the public lands of the United +States lying within those states.</p> + +<p id="ch23-6">§6. These funds, however, furnish but a part, some of them but a small +portion of the money necessary to complete the work; and some states +undertaking public improvements may not have the lands or other property +to constitute such a fund. The state therefore borrows the <a id="p084"></a>money for a +long term of years, and depends upon the income of the canal fund and +the tolls to be collected on the canals, for the repayment of the money +borrowed. Should the revenues of the canal and of the canal fund be +insufficient, the deficiency may be supplied by taxation.</p> + +<p id="ch23-7">§7. The business of borrowing the money is done on the part of the +state, by persons duly authorized, who give for the money borrowed the +bonds of the state, which are written promises to pay the money at the +times specified, with interest at the rate agreed on; the interest +generally to be paid semi-annually. These bonds are usually given in +sums of $1,000 each, or less. The debts of a state thus contracted by +issuing bonds, are called <i>state stocks</i>, as the capital, or stock +required to construct a state work is obtained by the sale of its bonds. +These bonds, like the certificates of stock in a rail-road or other +corporate business company, are transferable, and may be bought and sold +as promissory notes, and constitute an important article of trade.</p> + +<p id="ch23-8">§8. These stocks are taken by men who have large sums of money to lend, +and who consider the state a responsible debtor; because, if it has no +other sufficient means of paying its bonds, the legislature has power to +raise the money by taxation. Most of the states have contracted debts in +this manner for various purposes. State stocks are purchased and held +not only by capitalists in this country, but by many in Europe.</p> + +<p id="ch23-9">§9. Officers are appointed to manage the canal fund, and others to +superintend the canals. There are also officers, called <i>canal +collectors</i>, at suitable distances along the canals, to collect the +<i>tolls</i>, which are charges paid by the masters or owners of boats for +the use of the canal.</p> + +<p id="ch23-10">§10. The states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and some other western +states, have prosecuted the canal enterprise on a large scale. Although +large debts have been contracted for the construction of canals in these +states, the benefits derived from them more than compensate for the vast +expense of their construction.</p> + +<p id="ch23-11">§11. <i>Rail-roads</i>, although they are of public utility, are <a id="p085"></a>not +properly public works, being constructed by companies incorporated for +that purpose. The necessity for an act of incorporation is readily seen. +Rail-roads pass through the lands of private individuals; and without +the authority of law, the land of no person can be taken for such +purpose; nor can a law authorize it to be taken, unless the work is one +of general advantage; nor even in such case, without compensation to the +owner for his land; for it is declared by the state constitutions, that +"private property shall not be taken for public use without just +compensation."</p> + +<p id="ch23-12">§12. If, therefore, the legislature deem a proposed railroad to be of +public utility, they pass an act to incorporate a company with the +requisite powers to construct the road, on making compensation for the +land, the value of which is to be estimated in such manner as the law +prescribes. The law also prescribes the manner in which the affairs of +the road are to be conducted.</p> + +<p id="ch23-13">§13. The amount of capital to be employed by the company, is mentioned +in the act of incorporation, or charter, and is raised in this way: The +amount of the capital, or stock, is divided into shares of $100, or +less. Persons wishing to invest money in the road, subscribe the number +of shares they will respectively take. When all the shares are thus sold +and the money is paid in, the company is ready to proceed to the +construction of the road. The owners of these shares are called +<i>stockholders</i>, who choose from among themselves such number of +<i>directors</i> as the charter authorizes. The directors elect from their +number a <i>president</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch23-14">§14. Persons buying shares receive certificates signed by the proper +officers, stating the number of shares for which each certificate is +given. The holders of these certificates, if they wish to make other use +of the money they have invested in the business, may sell their stock to +others, to whom they pass their certificates, which are evidence of the +amount of stock purchased. Thus these certificates are bought and sold +as promissory notes.</p> + +<p id="ch23-15">§15. Stockholders depend, for the reimbursement of their capital, upon +the money to be received for the trans<a id="p086"></a>portation of passengers and +freight. Such portion of the income of the road as remains after paying +all expenses of running and repairs, is divided semi-annually among the +stockholders. Hence the sums thus divided are called <i>dividends</i>. The +earnings of some roads are so large as to make the investment a +profitable one; so that the holder of shares is enabled to sell them at +an advance. When shares in the stock of any institution are sold at +their nominal value, the price named in the certificates, the stock is +said to be at <i>par</i>. When they are sold for more or less than their +nominal value, they are said to be above or below <i>par</i>. In large +commercial cities, as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and others, the +purchase and sale of state stocks, and stocks in rail-roads, banks, &c., +is a regular and extensive business of capitalists.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch24"> +<h2>Chapter XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>Banks and Insurance Companies.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch24-1">§1. Banks, we are told, were first instituted in Italy, where certain +Jews assembled, seated on benches, ready to lend money, and to exchange +money and bills; and <i>banco</i> being the Italian name for bench, banks +took their title from this word. The first banks are said to have been +only places where money was laid up or deposited for safe-keeping. But +banks at the present day are not used for depositing alone.</p> + +<p id="ch24-2">§2. Banks in this country can be established only by authority of law. +They are incorporated by an act of the legislature. The capital stock is +raised by the sale of shares, and issue of certificates, as in the case +of rail-roads. (Chap. XXIII., §13.) The stockholders elect of their +number (usually) thirteen <i>directors</i>, who choose one of themselves as +<i>president</i>. The president and directors choose a cashier and clerks.</p> + +<a id="p087"></a><p id="ch24-3">§3. Merchants and others in commercial places, deposit in banks, for +safe-keeping, the money they receive in the course of business, and then +draw it out on their written orders as they have occasion to use it. An +order of this kind is called a <i>check</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch24-4">§4. Persons depositing money only once, or very seldom, and intending to +draw for the same at once, usually receive from the cashier a +<i>certificate of deposit</i>, which states the name of the depositor, the +sum deposited, and to whose order it is to be paid. For the use of money +deposited for any considerable period, banks agree to pay interest, +usually less, however, than the rate established by law. Certificates of +deposit may, by indorsement, be made transferable as promissory notes +and other negotiable paper, (Chap. LX., §2,) and are often remitted, +instead of money, to distant places, where, by presenting them at a +bank, they may, for a trifling compensation, be converted into money.</p> + +<p id="ch24-5">§5. A material part of the business of banks is to assist merchants and +others in transmitting money to distant places. Thus: A, in New York, +wishing to send $1,000 to B, in Philadelphia, puts the money into a bank +in New York, takes for it an order, called <i>draft</i>, on a bank in +Philadelphia, for that amount, to be paid to B. The draft is sent by +mail to B, who presents his draft at the bank, and receives the money; +and the bank charges the amount to the New York bank.</p> + +<p id="ch24-6">§6. But persons unacquainted with commercial business, especially young +persons, may not know how the bank in Philadelphia is to be repaid. In +the course of trade between the two cities, business men are constantly +remitting money both ways through the banks, which thus receive the +money and draw upon each other. Thus millions of dollars may be annually +transmitted between the two cities, without any expense except the small +charge of the banks for doing the business, and without the risk of loss +by accident or robbery which attends the conveyance of money in person.</p> + +<a id="p088"></a><p id="ch24-7">§7. Banks also lend money. The borrower gives a note for the sum +wanted, signed by himself, and indorsed by one or more others as +sureties. The cashier pays the money for the note, retaining out of it +the interest on the sum lent, instead of waiting for it until the note +becomes due. This is called <i>discounting</i> a note.</p> + +<p id="ch24-8">§8. The bills of banks pass as money. A bank bill or note is a promise +of the bank to pay the bearer a certain sum on demand, signed by the +president and cashier. It passes as money, because the bank is bound to +pay it in specie if it is demanded. Paying notes thus is <i>redeeming</i> +them. When a bank is unable to redeem all its bills, it is said to have +failed, or to be broken; and the bill holders suffer loss, unless some +security has been provided. This has been done in some states by making +the stockholders individually liable for the redemption of the bills; +that is, the property owned by them as individuals may be taken and sold +on execution for that purpose. Such security, however, has never been +generally provided.</p> + +<p id="ch24-9">§9. But a system of banking, sometimes called <i>free banking</i>, has more +recently been adopted in some states. It is so called, because the +business of banking is thrown open to all by a <i>general law</i>. Any +person, or any number of persons, may, by complying with the provisions +of this general law, establish a bank without a special law for this +purpose. Hence it is also called the <i>general banking</i> system.</p> + +<p id="ch24-10">§10. Persons, before commencing business under this law, must put into +the hands of the proper state officers ample securities for the +redemption of their bills; and they may not issue bills to a greater +amount than the amount of their securities. These securities must +consist of approved state stocks, or United States stocks, or partly of +public stocks, and partly of real estate. When a bank fails, the lands +and stocks held in pledge by the state are sold, and the avails are +applied to the redemption of the <a id="p089"></a>bills. This system of banking seems to +be growing into public favor.</p> + +<p id="ch24-11">§11. <i>Insurance companies</i> also are authorized by law. Their business is +to insure persons against loss by fire. The corporators, on being paid a +small sum, consisting generally of a certain percentage on the amount +for which the property is insured, promise to pay such amount if the +property shall be destroyed by fire. There are companies also for +insuring vessels at sea; and <i>life</i> insurance companies, that agree to +pay, in case of the death of the person insured, a certain sum for the +benefit of his family, or of some other person named in the policy. The +word <i>policy</i> as here used, means the writing containing the terms or +conditions on which the company agrees to indemnify the person insured +in case of loss. The money paid to obtain insurance, is called +<i>premium</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch24-12">§12. The profits of the stockholders consist of the excess of money +received for premiums over the amount paid out for losses. Thus, if a +company has issued 2,000 policies, each covering property of an average +amount of $1,000, the amount of risk is $2,000,000; and if the rate of +insurance is one per cent., the amount received in premiums is $20,000. +Hence, if none of the 2,000 buildings is burned within the time the +insurance is to run, the $20,000 are gained. If ten of them should be +burned, there would still be a gain of $10,000. If twenty should be +destroyed, there would be no gain, but an actual loss to the amount of +the expenses of the concern.</p> + +<p id="ch24-13">§13. But from the average number and amount of losses annually for many +years, companies are enabled so to fix the rates of insurance as to give +the stockholders a fair profit on their capital. The rates are not the +same on all kinds of property; a higher per centage is charged on that +which is deemed hazardous, or more exposed to fire, than on that which +is less exposed. The profits on the business of the company, or the +<i>dividends</i>, as they are called, are annually or semi-annually divided +among the stockholders, in proportion to the amount of their respective +shares.</p> + +<a id="p090"></a><p id="ch24-14">§14. There is another kind of insurance companies, which differ +materially from the <i>stock</i> companies described in the preceding +sections. They are <i>mutual</i> insurance companies. They are so called +because the members unite in insuring each other. Every person having +his property insured by such a company is a member of it. He has his +buildings and the property in them valued; and pays a certain rate per +cent. on such valuation. A fund is thus raised out of which any member +suffering loss by fire is paid the amount for which the property was +insured. When the fund is exhausted, it is again supplied by a tax +assessed upon the members in proportion to the amounts for which they +are respectively insured.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch25"> +<h2>Chapter XXV.</h2> + +<h3>The Militia.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch25-1">§1. It is the practice of governments to keep their respective countries +prepared to defend themselves against foreign enemies. For this purpose +all men liable to do military duty are enrolled, and are required to +meet on certain days every year for instruction in the art of war, in +order to be ready for actual service whenever it shall be required. The +body of soldiers thus enrolled are called the <i>militia</i>. There are other +words which are sometimes applied to bodies of soldiers; as <i>infantry</i>, +which means the soldiers or troops who serve on foot; <i>cavalry</i>, the +troops on horses; <i>artillery</i>, those who manage the cannon and other +heavy weapons of war. But all troops are comprehended in the general +term, <i>militia</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch25-2">§2. The militia of a state, or a portion of them, may also be needed to +aid in executing the laws of the state, and in suppressing insurrection +or rebellion. An <i>insurrection</i> is a rising against the public +authority, or the attempt of persons to prevent the execution of a law. +<i>Rebellion</i> generally <a id="p091"></a>means nearly the same as <i>insurrection</i>; but more +properly it signifies a revolt, or an attempt to overthrow the +government to establish a different one. As it is the duty of an +executive to see the laws executed, power is given by the constitution +to the governor to call out a sufficient military force for this +purpose.</p> + +<p id="ch25-3">§3. All able-bodied white male citizens of the United States, between +the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, are liable to perform +military service in the states in which they reside, except such as are +exempt by the laws of the states and of the United States. Persons +exempt by the laws of the states are generally the following: Ministers +of the gospel; commissioned officers of the militia having served a +certain number of years; members of uniformed companies having served +for a specified time; members of fire companies; certain public officers +while in office; and in some states teachers and students of colleges, +academies, and common schools; and a few others.</p> + +<p id="ch25-4">§4. Persons exempt by the laws of the United States are the +vice-president, the subordinate executive and all the judicial officers +of the government of the United States; members of congress and its +officers; custom-house officers and their clerks; post-officers and +drivers of mail stages; ferrymen employed at ferries on post-roads; +pilots and mariners.</p> + +<p id="ch25-5">§5. By the constitutions of the several states, the governors are made +the commanders-in-chief of the militia of their respective states; and +by the constitution of the United States, the president is made +commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and also +of the militia of the states when called out into actual service. It has +already been remarked, (§2,) that the military force of the state is at +the command of the executive to protect the government and its citizens. +So the president was thought the proper person to have command of the +public forces, to execute the laws of the United States, to repel +invasion, and to carry on war. Hence the governors and the president are +not among the public officers who are exempt from military duty.</p> + +<a id="p092"></a><p id="ch25-6">§6. Persons who, having been duly notified, refuse to appear at +military parades, or, appearing without being equipped as the law +directs, are tried by a military court, called <i>court martial</i>, +consisting usually of three military officers, or of such other persons +as may be appointed according to the law of the state. If the persons +tried do not show good cause for their delinquency, they are fined in +such sums as the law prescribes. In certain cases courts may consist of +more than three members.</p> + +<p id="ch25-7">§7. The highest militia officer, except the governor, is the +<i>adjutant-general</i> of the state; who keeps a list of all the higher +commissioned officers, containing the dates of their commissions, their +rank, the corps (pronounced <i>core</i>) they belong to, the division, +brigade, and regiment, and their places of residence. He distributes all +orders from the commander-in-chief (the governor,) to the several +divisions; attends public reviews where the commander-in-chief reviews +the militia; and obeys all orders from him relative to carrying into +execution the system of military discipline established by law.</p> + +<p id="ch25-8">§8. There is also in some states a <i>commissary-general</i>, who has the +care of the arsenals and magazines, and the articles deposited in them. +An <i>arsenal</i> is a building in which are kept cannon, muskets, powder, +balls, and other warlike stores; all of which are to be kept in repair +and ready for use.</p> + +<p id="ch25-9">§9. There are persons who, believing all wars to be wrong, can not +conscientiously do military service. As it is the object of our +government to secure to every person the liberty of conscience as well +as other rights, the constitutions of many of the states provide, that +those who are averse to bearing arms, may be excused by paying annually +a sum of money instead of rendering the service. But it may well be +doubted whether compelling a man to pay the money is not itself a +violation of the right of conscience. Many persons conceive it to be no +less morally wrong to commute for the service than to perform it. In +some states, all persons belonging to the society of Friends, <a id="p093"></a>usually +called Quakers, are exempt without the payment of an equivalent in +money.</p> + +<p id="ch25-10">§10. In the states of New York and Ohio, the rank and file of the +militia are not required to train in time of peace. Persons liable to +perform military service, except those connected with the uniformed +companies, are enrolled in the militia; but instead of doing duty, they +pay annually a small tax, which is in New York fifty cents, and in Ohio +fifty cents, or a day's highway labor.</p> + +<p id="ch25-11">§11. Laws abolishing trainings and musters of the great body of the +militia, are, it is believed, growing into favor, and for these among +other reasons: First, the militia system produces no material +improvement in discipline; secondly, the expenditure of time and money +in these useless exercises, and for arms and equipments, are burdensome +to many citizens; and thirdly, there is no probability of an occasion +requiring a large portion of the militia to be so suddenly called into +service as to allow no time for preparation. Volunteer companies like +those kept up and disciplined in the states above named, and the +standing army of the nation, are deemed sufficient for any supposable +emergency.</p> + +<p id="ch25-12">§12. Happily the practice of settling disputes between nations by war, +is becoming less popular in civilized and Christian communities. War is +a dreadful evil, and ought to be discouraged, and, if possible, avoided. +Were governments so disposed, they might in most cases settle their +differences as individuals do, by submitting them to the judgment of a +third party. If the love of military honor were less encouraged, and the +principles of peace duly inculcated, the time would be hastened when +"nations shall learn war no more."</p> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="part" id="part3"> +<h1><a id="p094"></a>Government of the United States.</h1> + + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch26"> +<h2>Chapter XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>Causes of the Revolution.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch26-1">§1. The plan of government in this country is peculiar. To a person +previously unacquainted with our political institutions, it might seem +strange, after having read the foregoing description of the state +governments, to be told that there is still another and a different +government to which the people are subject. How the people of more than +thirty states, all having complete and distinct governments, can at the +same time be subject to another government, also complete in all its +parts, he would not immediately understand. He would not know what is +meant by the government of the United States. How the states, all having +governments of their own, can be <i>united</i> in one government, he would +not readily perceive.</p> + +<p id="ch26-2">§2. We shall therefore proceed to a description of the government of the +United States, from which will appear the relation between that +government and the state governments. It will also appear that the state +governments, each of which has in itself a great deal of machinery, all +move in harmony with the great political machine--the government of the +United States. It is easy to see that a knowledge of these governments +is important to the people who live under them, as every freeman +exercises a part of the governing power, both in the government of his +own state, and in the general government.</p> + +<p id="ch26-3">§3. To assist the reader in understanding the constitution and +government of the United States, we shall first give a sketch of the +governments which preceded, and of the principal causes which led to the +revolution in the gov<a id="p095"></a>ernment of this country. Most of the youth who are +of sufficient age to study this work, probably know that our present +forms of government were not established by the early settlers in this +country. The first inhabitants were <i>colonists</i>. A <i>colony</i> is a +settlement of persons in a distant place or country, who remain subject +to the government of the state or country from which they removed. The +American colonies which have become the "United States," were chiefly +settled from Great Britain, and were under her jurisdiction.</p> + +<p id="ch26-4">§4. The political rights and privileges enjoyed by the colonists as +British subjects, were very limited, and were conferred by the charters +of the king. The people had not then, as now, constitutions of their own +choice. There were colonial governments; but they were such as the king +was pleased to establish, and might be changed at his pleasure. These +governments were in <i>form</i> somewhat similar to that of our state +governments. There was what might be called a legislature; also an +executive or governor; and there were judges.</p> + +<p id="ch26-5">§5. But of the officers of these departments of the government, only the +members of one branch of the law-making power were elected by the +people. The other branch was composed of a small number of men, called a +council; but they were appointed by the king and subject to his control, +as was also the governor, who had the power of an absolute negative or +veto to any proposed law. And laws after having received the assent of +the governor, must be sent to England and approved by the king, before +they could go into effect.</p> + +<p id="ch26-6">§6. Hence we see that the colonists had no security for the passage of +such laws as they wanted. And the consequence was, that they were often +denied good and wholesome laws, by the refusal of the king to sanction +them. Not only so; many laws enacted by parliament were very unjust and +oppressive. The object of these laws was to secure to Great Britain +alone the trade of the colonies. One law declared that no goods should +be imported by the col<a id="p096"></a>onists but in English vessels; if brought in +other vessels, both the goods and vessels were to be forfeited to the +British government.</p> + +<p id="ch26-7">§7. Another law required such articles as England wanted, to be +transported to that country and other countries belonging to Great +Britain. The colonists were permitted to ship to foreign markets such +products only as English merchants did not want. They were prohibited +from selling abroad any wool, yarn, or woolen manufactured goods. This +was done to keep the markets open for British wool and manufactures. +Another law declared that no iron wares of any kind should be +manufactured here. Thus was it attempted to suppress manufactures in the +colonies.</p> + +<p id="ch26-8">§8. Hence we see that it was the policy of the British government to +compel the colonists to buy of England all the goods they wanted which +they did not themselves produce, and to sell to England the surplus +productions of the colonies. For this purpose, heavy duties were laid +upon goods imported into the colonies from other countries than Great +Britain and her possessions. These duties were taxes levied upon goods +brought into the colonies from abroad, and were collected by officers +here from the persons importing the goods.</p> + +<p id="ch26-9">§9. The following facts will explain to the young reader more clearly +the nature and effects of these duties: The colonists traded with the +West India islands, some of which belonged to Great Britain, some to +France, and some to Spain. To secure the whole trade, the British +government imposed high duties upon the molasses, sugar and other +articles imported into the colonies from the French and Spanish islands. +The people of the colonies could therefore avoid the payment of these +duties only by importing the above mentioned goods from the British +islands.</p> + +<p id="ch26-10">§10. Not satisfied with these acts, parliament claimed the right to tax +the colonies, "in all cases whatsoever;" and an act was passed +accordingly, laying duties upon all <a id="p097"></a>tea, glass, paper, &c., imported +into the colonies; and the money thus collected was put into the British +treasury. The colonists petitioned the king and parliament to repeal +these obnoxious laws; but their petitions were denied. Having given up +all hope of relief, congress, which was a body of delegates from the +several colonies, declared the colonies to be free and independent +states, no longer subject to the government of Great Britain. This +declaration was maintained by a war which lasted about seven years, when +Great Britain gave up the contest, and acknowledged the independence of +the states; and the <i>revolution</i> was accomplished.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch27"> +<h2>Chapter XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>Nature of the Union under the Confederation.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch27-1">§1. As early as the year 1774, the colonies united in the plan of a +congress, to be composed of delegates chosen in all the colonies, for +the purpose of consulting on the common good and of adopting measures of +resistance to the claims of the British government. The first great +continental congress met on the 4th of September, 1774. Another congress +assembled in May, 1775. This congress adopted sundry measures having +reference to war, and finally made the declaration of independence, July +4th, 1776. The continental congress, the members of which were chosen by +the state legislatures, conducted the affairs of the nation until near +the close of the war.</p> + +<p id="ch27-2">§2. With a view to a permanent union of the colonies under a general +government, the congress, in November, 1777, agreed upon a frame of +government, contained in certain articles, called, "Articles of +Confederation and perpetual Union between the States." These articles +were to go into effect when they should have received the assent of all +the states. But as the consent of the last state (Maryland) <a id="p098"></a>was not +obtained until March, 1781, they went into operation only about two +years before the close of the war.</p> + +<p id="ch27-3">§3. As a plan of national government, the confederation was soon found +to be very defective. The union formed under it was a very imperfect +one. Having been framed in time of war, it had respect to the operations +of war rather than to a state of peace. Although it answered some good +purpose in carrying on the war, it was not well adapted oven to the +condition of the country then existing. Its defects appeared almost as +soon as it went into effect; and after the return of peace, it was found +that the union, instead of being strengthened and perpetuated by it, +could be preserved only by a radical change in the system of government.</p> + +<p id="ch27-4">§4. The leading defect of the confederation was its weakness. Congress +could do little more than to recommend measures. As it could not +legislate directly upon persons, its measures were to be carried into +effect by the states; but the states were not in all cases willing, and +some of them did at times refuse to do so, and congress could not compel +them. It belonged to congress to determine the number of troops and the +sums of money necessary to carry on the war, and to call on each state +to raise its share; but congress could not enforce its demands. It +borrowed money in its own name, but it had not the means of paying it. +It had no power to lay and collect taxes; this power was reserved to the +states.</p> + +<p id="ch27-5">§5. Hence we see that congress was dependent for every thing upon the +good will of thirteen independent states. It is a wonder that a +government of such inherent weakness should bring the war to a +successful issue. It was a sense of danger from abroad, rather than any +power in the government, that induced a sufficient compliance with the +ordinances of congress to achieve the independence of the states.</p> + +<p id="ch27-6">§6. On the restoration of peace, new difficulties arose. We have already +spoken of the want of power in congress <a id="p099"></a>to lay and collect taxes for +war purposes. Money was now wanted to discharge the public debt, and to +pay the current expenses of the government; yet congress had no power to +raise it, either by a <i>direct tax</i> upon the persons or property of the +citizens, or <i>indirectly</i> by duties on goods imported, as at present +under the constitution. The power to lay and collect duties was with the +states; but it was of little use so long as each state could impose such +duties as it chose. The states being unable to agree upon a uniform rate +of duties, the goods would be imported into states which levied the +lowest duties. It was expedient, if it had been possible, to borrow more +money on the credit of the union, as the heavy debt contracted during +the war remained unpaid, and congress had no means of paying it.</p> + +<p id="ch27-7">§7. But the inability to raise money was not the only difficulty that +attended the want of power by congress to lay duties. This power was +necessary also to regulate the foreign trade. We have already remarked, +that it was the policy of Great Britain before the revolution to secure +in the colonies a market for her manufactures. (Chap. XXVI.) Not only +so; she had by her navigation acts, for more than a hundred years, +imposed heavy duties upon foreign vessels coming into her ports, in +order to secure the carrying trade to her own shipping. In addition to +this, she also levied high duties upon the produce of the states sent to +pay for the goods we were obliged to buy of her, our own people not +having as yet the means, nor having had time, to establish +manufactories, and to manufacture for themselves.</p> + +<p id="ch27-8">§8. Another of the numerous troubles which arose from this imperfect +union was the want of peace and harmony between the states. Laws were +enacted in some states with a view to their own interests, which +operated injuriously upon other states. This induced the latter states +to retaliate, by passing laws partial to themselves and injurious to the +former. The states soon became disaffected toward each other; and their +mutual jealousies and rivalries and animosities at length became so +great as to cause <a id="p100"></a>fears that some of the states would become involved +in war among themselves, and that the union would be broken up.</p> + +<p id="ch27-9">§9. In the hope of remedying the difficulty last mentioned, an attempt +was made to procure the insertion, into the articles of confederation, +of a provision giving to congress the power to regulate trade; but the +attempt failed. In January, 1786, the legislature of Virginia proposed a +convention of commissioners from all the states, to take into +consideration the situation and trade of the United States, and the +necessity of a uniform system of commercial regulations.</p> + +<p id="ch27-10">§10. A meeting was accordingly held at Annapolis, in September, 1786; +but as commissioners from only five states attended, viz., New York, New +Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia, the commissioners deemed +it unadvisable to proceed to business relating to an object in which all +the states were concerned; but they united in a report to the several +states and to congress, in which they recommended the calling of a +general convention of delegates from all the states, to meet in +Philadelphia on the 2d Monday of May, 1787, with a view not only to the +regulation of commerce, but to such other amendments of the articles of +confederation as were necessary to render them "adequate to the +exigencies of the union."</p> + +<p id="ch27-11">§11. In pursuance of this recommendation, congress, in February, 1787, +passed a resolution for assembling a convention. All the states, except +Rhode Island, appointed delegates, who met pursuant to appointment; and +framed the present constitution of the United States. They also +recommended it to be laid by congress before the several states, to be +by them considered and ratified in conventions of representatives of the +people. Conventions were accordingly called for this purpose in all the +states, except Rhode Island, and the constitution was ratified by all of +them in which conventions had been called, except North Carolina.</p> + +<p id="ch27-12">§12. The constitution was to go into effect if ratified by <a id="p101"></a>nine states. +The ninth state, New Hampshire, sent its ratification to congress in +July, 1788; and measures were taken by congress to put the new +constitution into operation. Ratifications were received from North +Carolina and Rhode Island the year after the organization of the new +government.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch28"> +<h2>Chapter XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>Nature of the Union under the Constitution.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch28-1">§1. Having given, in the preceding chapter, a sketch of the union under +the confederation, we shall next show the nature of the union under the +present constitution, commencing with a brief comparison of the leading +features of the two systems of government.</p> + +<p id="ch28-2">§2. The former union was a mere confederacy. A <i>confederacy</i> is a +league, a federal compact. The word <i>federal</i> is from the Latin <i>fadus</i>, +a league, or alliance. Hence a confederacy is a combination or union of +two or more parties, whether persons or states, for their mutual benefit +and assistance. And let it be here particularly noted, that this union +was a union of states, <i>as states</i>. The articles of confederation were +framed by congress, whose members were appointed by the state +legislatures, and, when framed, were submitted to the state legislatures +for ratification.</p> + +<p id="ch28-3">§3. On the other hand, the union under the constitution is a union, not +of the states, as such, but of the <i>people of the states</i>. Thus it is +expressed in the preamble to the constitution: "We, the people of the +United States, in order to form a more perfect union, ... do ordain and +establish this constitution for the United States of America." And the +constitution was submitted for ratification, not to the state +legislatures, but to conventions whose members were elected by the +people for that purpose.</p> + +<p id="ch28-4">§4. The states under the confederation were independent, <a id="p102"></a>not only of +each other, but of the general government. True, they agreed, for their +common defense and mutual welfare, to do certain things; and certain +other things they agreed not to do, but delegated to congress the power +to do them; but, as we have seen, congress had not the power to compel +the states to obey its requisitions. By the constitution, the states +have given up a greater portion of their sovereignty to the general +government, which has power, in certain cases, to control the state +governments, and to enforce its laws upon them and upon individuals.</p> + +<p id="ch28-5">§5. Again, under the confederation, as in confederacies generally, the +states were equal. They were entitled to an equal number of delegates in +the congress, in which they voted by states, each state having one vote; +that is, if a majority of the delegates of a state voted in favor of or +against a proposed measure, the vote of the state was so counted; and a +proposition having in its favor a majority of the states, was carried. +Every state was entitled to seven delegates; but there must be at least +two delegates present and voting, in order to give a state vote; and if +an equal number of the delegates of a state voted for and against a +proposition, the state was said to be divided, and to have no vote.</p> + +<p id="ch28-6">§6. Under the constitution there are two branches of congress, in one of +which the number of representatives of each state is in proportion to +its population; in the other, (the senate,) the states are equally +represented, on the principle of the confederation, though by two +senators only. But the vote in both is taken, not by states as under the +confederation, but <i>per capita</i>, that is, by the head or poll, the vote +of each member counting one.</p> + +<p id="ch28-7">§7. The articles of confederation were framed by congress, the members +of which were appointed by the state legislatures; and the articles, +when framed, were submitted for ratification to the state legislatures. +The constitution was framed by a convention of delegates from the +<a id="p103"></a>states appointed for that purpose; and was ratified, not by the state +legislatures, but by state conventions whose members were elected by the +people of the several states.</p> + +<p id="ch28-8">§8. The former union, as has been remarked, was a mere Confederacy, +composed of independent states, and united simply for purposes of +defense and their mutual safety. In most respects they had no more +political connection than so many different nations. The people of a +state were not, properly speaking, citizens of the United States, but +only citizens of the state in which they lived. But by the constitution, +the people of the states were incorporated into a nation; and a citizen +of a state is also a citizen of the United States. The government of the +confederation, although sometimes called the national government, was +not really such, nor was it generally so regarded, as appears from the +proceedings of the convention that framed the constitution.</p> + +<p id="ch28-9">§9. Among the earliest proceedings of the convention was the offering of +a resolution, declaring that "a national government ought to be formed, +consisting of legislative, judiciary, and executive." This resolution +was strongly opposed by a large portion of the delegates, because it +proposed to establish a <i>national</i> government. They were in favor of +continuing the confederation with a slight enlargement of the powers of +congress, so as to give that body the power to lay and collect taxes, +and to regulate commerce. But the friends of a national government +prevailed; and we have now a complete government, consisting of the +three departments, legislative, executive, and judicial.</p> + +<p id="ch28-10">§10. Under the confederation, there was no executive to execute the +ordinances of congress; nor a national judiciary, the state courts being +used for all judicial purposes. There was only a legislature; and that +consisted of a single body, called the congress, appointed by the state +legislatures, and having scarcely power enough to entitle it to the name +of legislature.</p> + +<p id="ch28-11">§11. But, although the present government, with these three departments +of power, and controlling, in matters of <a id="p104"></a>general concern, the action of +the state governments and of individuals, is properly a national +government; yet it is not wholly such, but partly national and partly +federal; some of the federal features of the confederation having been +retained in the constitution, as will appear on a further examination of +this instrument. Hence the union is still called, with propriety, the +<i>federal union</i>, and the government the <i>federal government</i>.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch29"> +<h2>Chapter XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>Legislative Department. House of Representatives.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch29-1">§1. The first article of the constitution describes the manner in which +the legislature is formed, and prescribes its principal powers. It +declares, "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a +congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and house +of representatives." Members of the old congress were appointed by the +state legislatures for one year, and might be recalled by them at any +time. Representatives are now chosen for two years. It was thought that +a single session was too short a term for men in general to acquire the +knowledge and experience necessary to a right performance of the +responsible duties of a representative. Besides, measures are often left +unfinished at the close of a session; and those who have once examined +their merits and demerits, can dispose of them more promptly than new +members.</p> + +<p id="ch29-2">§2. The same clause declares that "the electors in each state shall have +the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of +the state legislature." The qualifications of electors were various in +the different states. (Chap. VI, §8.) In some of them, owners of +property, or tax-payers, in others, freeholders only, were voters. In +some, only the latter voted for the higher officers; in a <a id="p105"></a>few, suffrage +was almost universal. It was presumed that no state would object to its +own rule for electing the popular branch of its legislature. It is +proper that a representative should be chosen directly by those whose +wants he is to make known, and whose rights he is to guard.</p> + +<p id="ch29-3">§3. A representative must, at the time of his election, "have attained +the age of twenty-five years; and have been seven years a citizen of the +United States;" and he must "be an inhabitant of the state in which he +is chosen." Few young men, on attaining the age of majority, have the +knowledge, or experience, or wisdom, which is requisite to qualify them +for the responsible duties of a representative. Nor is it to be presumed +that an alien, at the earliest period at which he may become a +naturalized citizen, would be sufficiently familiar with our +institutions and the wants of our people to be a competent +representative.</p> + +<p id="ch29-4">§4. The next clause prescribes the rule of apportionment. +"Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined +by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to +service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, +three-fifths of all other persons." To the younger class of readers, +this part of the clause needs explanation.</p> + +<p id="ch29-5">§5. The convention found it very difficult to agree upon a rule of +apportionment. In the first place, the states, as will be recollected, +were entitled to an equal number of delegates in the old congress; and +each state had one vote. But as each member of the house of +representatives was to have a vote, the small states opposed a +representation according to numbers, while the large states as +strenuously insisted upon it.</p> + +<p id="ch29-6">§6. In the next place, the slaveholding states claimed a representation +according to numbers including slaves; the non-slaveholding states +insisted on a representation according to the number of free persons. It +may here be observed, that slavery then existed in all the states except +Massachusetts; but as the slaves were so few in the north<a id="p106"></a>ern states, in +which slavery has been since abolished, the latter are generally spoken +of as if they were at that time non-slaveholding states. The controversy +on this point rose so high, and the parties were for a long time so +unyielding, that fears were entertained of a sudden dissolution of the +convention.</p> + +<p id="ch29-7">§7. It became evident that the question could be settled only by +compromise. The northern states consented that in ascertaining the +number of persons to be taken as the basis of apportionment, +three-fifths of the slaves should be added to the number of free +persons. And as these states had opposed the computation of any slaves +in fixing a rule of apportionment, on the ground that slaves are +property, and that no property in these states entitled its owners to +representation, the southern states consented, on their part, that +<i>direct taxes</i> should be apportioned on the same basis as +representatives.</p> + +<p id="ch29-8">§8. To illustrate this rule by an example: Suppose a state to contain +600,000 free persons, and 500,000 slaves. Adding three-fifths of the +number of slaves, (300,000) to the number of free persons, gives 900,000 +as the number of the representative population: and the state would be +entitled to <i>three</i> representatives for every <i>two</i> that a state would +have which contained 600,000 free inhabitants and no slaves. So in +apportioning taxes according to population, the state in the case we +have supposed, would have to raise <i>three</i> dollars for every <i>two</i> that +it would raise if no slaves were counted.</p> + +<p id="ch29-9">§9. But the advantages of this arrangement are more unequal than may at +first sight appear, or than was anticipated by the framers of the +constitution. The benefits are chiefly on the side of the slaveholding +states. In the first place, two-fifths of a large class of property in +these states is exempt from taxation, while <i>all</i> the property in the +free states is liable to taxation. Of this the framers were aware. But +they did not foresee the fact, that the laying of direct taxes would be +unnecessary, and that the slave states would consequently escape +taxation for their slaves. Only three direct taxes have been laid; and +it is not probable <a id="p107"></a>that another will become necessary; the treasury +being supplied from other sources, chiefly by duties on imports.</p> + +<p id="ch29-10">§10. Now, although nothing is gained by the slave states, nor is +anything lost by the free states, by the exemption of the two-fifths of +the slaves from taxation, since direct taxes are unnecessary; there is a +great gain to the slave states, which have between thirty and forty +representatives for what their laws hold to be "property to all intents +and purposes whatsoever," for which the free states have nothing in +return.</p> + +<p id="ch29-11">§11. The constitution does not limit the house to any definite number of +representatives; it only declares that the number shall not exceed one +for every 30,000 inhabitants. It requires an enumeration of the +inhabitants every ten years; and the next congress thereafter determines +the ratio of representation and the number of representatives, and +apportions them among the states. The word <i>ratio</i> signifies rate, or +proportion. It here means the number or portion of the inhabitants +entitled to a representative.</p> + +<p id="ch29-12">§12. But as a representative for every 30,000 inhabitants, after the +population became very numerous, would have made the house too large to +transact business with due dispatch, and would have unnecessarily +increased the public expense, the ratio of representation has from time +to time been increased. But to whatever number the ratio may be raised, +the constitution expressly declares, that "each state shall have at +least one representative." Neither Delaware nor Florida had, in 1850, a +population equal to the present ratio; and without the above +constitutional provision, these states would have been deprived of a +representation in the house, unless congress had adopted a smaller +ratio.</p> + +<p id="ch29-13">§13. It will be seen by reference to the constitution, that the number +of representatives was for the time fixed at sixty-five. After the first +census, taken in 1790, the ratio was fixed at 33,000, which gave the +house 106 mem<a id="p108"></a>bers. After the census of 1800, the same ratio was +adopted, and the number of members was 142.</p> + +<p> +After 1810, the ratio was 35,000; number of members 182.<br /> +After 1820, the ratio was 40,000; number of members 213.<br /> +After 1830, the ratio was 47,700; number of members 240.<br /> +After 1840, the ratio was 70,680; number of members 233.</p> + +<p>After 1850, the ratio was 93,000 and a fraction, making the number of +members 233, of which California had one; but in view of her rapid +increase in population, she was allowed an additional member, making, in +all, 234. Minnesota has since been admitted into the Union (1858) with +two members, and Oregon (1859) with one member.</p> + +<p id="ch29-14">§14. Representatives are chosen by districts. Each state is divided by +the legislature into as many districts as there are representatives to +be elected in the state; and one representative is chosen in each +district. In most of the states, representatives are chosen at the +general state election; in the others, there are special elections for +choosing representatives.</p> + +<p id="ch29-15">§15. By an act of congress, every territory belonging to the United +States in which a government has been established, is entitled to send a +delegate to congress, who has a right to take a part in the debates of +the house, but not the right of voting.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="chXXX"> +<h2>Chapter XXX.</h2> + +<h3>The Senate.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch30-1">§1. "The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators +from each state; chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and +each senator shall have one vote." (Art. I, sec. 3.) The convention +readily agreed upon dividing congress into two branches; but, as has +been observed, it was difficult to settle the mode of repre<a id="p109"></a>sentation. +The delegates from the large states insisted upon a representation in +proportion to numbers, in the senate as well as in the house; and the +small states contended for equality in both branches. The debate was +long and animated; and it became apparent that, as in the case of slave +representation in the house, there must be a compromise. This was at +length effected; the small states consenting to a proportional +representation in the house, and the large states to an equal +representation in the senate.</p> + +<p id="ch30-2">§2. It has been remarked, that the federative principle of the old +system has been to some extent retained in the constitution. Both the +equality of representation in the senate, and the election of senators +by the state legislatures, are in strict conformity with the plan of the +confederation, and of simple confederacies generally. Different modes of +electing senators were proposed; but the one adopted by the convention +seems preferable to any other.</p> + +<p id="ch30-3">§3. There is, however, in one particular, a material difference between +the plan of the old congress and that of the senate. It is in the manner +of voting. In the former, the vote was taken by states, each state +having but one vote; (Chap. XXVIII, §5,) in the latter, the senators +vote separately, the vote of each senator counting one, as in the house; +and a question is decided by the united votes of a majority of the +members, and not by the vote of a majority of the states. Nor is the +vote of a state lost if but one of its senators is present, as formerly. +If, however, the two senators vote on different sides of a question, the +effect is the same as when, in the old congress, the members from a +state were equally divided.</p> + +<p id="ch30-4">§4. There were also various opinions as to the proper term of office of +senators. Terms were proposed differing in length from three to nine +years; and a proposition was even made by one distinguished member to +make the term continue during good behavior, which is practically for +life. There appear to be sound objections both to long and short terms. +It is urged by those in favor of the latter, that an officer elected for +a short term, especially if he de<a id="p110"></a>sires a reëlection, will have a strong +inducement to please and faithfully serve those who are to elect or +appoint him.</p> + +<p id="ch30-5">§5. Others, however, while they admit that short terms tend to insure +responsibility on the part of a representative, consider this argument +more than counterbalanced by the objections to which a short term is +liable. Looking to a reëlection, he may act with a view to his +popularity rather than to the public good. Again, the oftener a +legislature is changed, the more changeable and uncertain will be the +laws. Men having invested their capital in a business enterprise, and +made a successful beginning under existing laws, may be ruined by a +sudden and unexpected change of governmental policy.</p> + +<p id="ch30-6">§6. In view of these objections to both long and short terms, a medium +term of six years was adopted. This was believed to be short enough to +keep up in a senator a feeling of responsibility, and yet long enough to +insure his acting independently and with a regard to the general +interests of the nation. Although a bad senator may occasionally be kept +too long in office by a six years' term, cases also occur in which the +act of a senator, especially in time of public excitement, is strongly +condemned, but upon calm and mature reflection meets the public +approbation.</p> + +<p id="ch30-7">§7. The next clause of the third section provides for the gradual change +of the senate. One-third of the senators go out of office every two +years. In favor of this arrangement are two important considerations. +First, it secures to the public at all times the benefit of the +experience of at least two-thirds of the body. Whereas, if the terms of +all the senators expired at once, their places might be supplied mainly +by new members without the requisite knowledge and experience. Secondly, +while a long term is intended to guard against the too frequent changes +in the laws, it may also prevent, for too long a time, the amendment or +the repeal of bad laws. Such amendment or repeal may be hastened by the +election of new members in the place of the one-third who retire every +two years.</p> + +<p id="ch30-8">§8. Vacancies which happen in the representation of <a id="p111"></a>any state in the +senate during the recess of its legislature, may be filled by the +governor until the next meeting of the legislature. Without this +provision, either the legislature must be assembled immediately to fill +the vacancy, or the state must remain in part, or perhaps wholly +unrepresented in the senate, until the next regular session of the +legislature.</p> + +<p id="ch30-9">§9. But an appointment may not be made by an executive before the +vacancy actually happens. In 1825, the term of a senator was about to +expire during the recess of the legislature of his state, which had +failed at its previous session to appoint a successor. As a special +session of the senate was to be held immediately after the expiration of +the senator's term, the governor, a few days before the term expired, in +anticipation of the vacancy, reappointed the senator. But the senate +decided that, as the appointment had been made <i>before the vacancy +happened</i>, the senator was not entitled to a seat.</p> + +<p id="ch30-10">§10. The next clause prescribes the qualifications of senators. A +senator must have attained the age of thirty years, and been nine years +a citizen of the United States; and he must, when elected, be an +inhabitant of the state for which he is chosen. As many of the duties of +a senator require more knowledge, experience, and stability of character +than those of a representative, greater age and longer citizenship are +required. The nature of these duties will be noticed in subsequent +chapters.</p> + +<p id="ch30-11">§11. The seventh section of the first article provides for the passage +of bills negatived, or vetoed, by the president. Bills returned by him +with his objections, become laws when passed by majorities of two-thirds +of both houses; that is, by two-thirds of the members present. They also +become laws if not returned by him within ten days (Sundays excepted) +after they have been presented to him, unless their return is prevented +by the adjournment of congress.</p> + +<p id="ch30-12">§12. We have passed over several sections and clauses <a id="p112"></a>of this article +without remark. Most of them are similar to some in the state +constitutions, which we have noticed; and the propriety of others is so +readily perceived, that any comment upon them is deemed unnecessary.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch31"> +<h2>Chapter XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch31-1">§1. Having shown how the legislative department of the general +government is constituted, we proceed to consider its powers. It is +thought proper, however, first to notice one important characteristic of +the general government, in which it differs from the state governments, +and the knowledge of which is necessary to a right understanding of the +powers of the state and national governments respectively.</p> + +<p id="ch31-2">§2. The general government is a government of <i>delegated</i> powers; that +is, powers which have been intrusted or <i>delegated</i> to it by the states, +or the people of the states. Having derived its powers from the states, +or the people, it has such powers only as have been conferred by the +constitution. Hence it is called a government of <i>limited</i> powers. The +states, on the other hand, existing before the general government, and +possessing entire sovereignty or supreme power, may exercise all powers +which they have not surrendered to the general government. In other +words, their powers are <i>unlimited</i>, except so far as they have parted +with any of their original powers.</p> + +<p id="ch31-3">§3. Most of the powers of congress are enumerated in the eighth section +of the first article of the constitution. The first in the list is in +these words: "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, +duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the +common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, +imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the U. States."</p> + +<a id="p113"></a><p id="ch31-4">§4. We have already noticed the want of such a power in the old +congress. The debt which had been contracted to carry on the war +remained unpaid; and congress, as we have seen, had no power to raise +money either to pay debts or to defray the current expenses of the +government. (Chap. XXVII: §4, 6.) It could neither raise money by +<i>direct</i> taxation; that is, by taxing the persons and property of the +citizens, nor by <i>indirect</i> taxation, which is by duties.</p> + +<p id="ch31-5">§5. <i>Duties</i>, or <i>customs</i>, are taxes on goods imported from, or +exported to, a foreign country. <i>Imposts</i> are taxes on imported goods +only. Duties on exports, however, being deemed inexpedient, are not laid +by our government. An <i>excise</i> is a tax neither on imports nor exports, +but on articles produced and consumed in the country, and on licenses to +deal in certain commodities. The money paid for license to sell +spirituous liquors is an <i>excise</i> tax.</p> + +<p id="ch31-6">§6. Duties are <i>specific</i> and <i>ad valorem</i>. A <i>specific</i> duty is a +specified sum of money charged upon every yard, pound, or gallon of any +commodity. Thus, a duty of ten cents on a pound of tea, or of one dollar +on a yard of cloth, or of fifty cents on a gallon of wine, is a specific +duty. <i>Ad valorem</i> is a Latin phrase, signifying <i>according to the +value</i>. An <i>ad valorem</i> duty is a certain <i>per centage</i> on the value or +price. Thus, thirty per cent, on a yard of cloth costing two dollars, is +sixty cents; on a yard costing three dollars, ninety cents; the sum +charged being varied by the difference in the price or value.</p> + +<p id="ch31-7">§7. The power to lay duties is very properly qualified by the provision +that "all duties shall be uniform throughout the United States." This +was intended to prevent the giving of unjust preference to any one or +more states over others. Without this restriction upon the exercise of +this power, the representatives of a part of the states might combine, +and by laying higher duties upon goods imported into other states, than +upon those imported into their own, might turn the trade chiefly into +the latter. Or they might in laying duties on exports, impose high +duties upon the productions of other states, and low duties, or none at +all, upon the products of their own.</p> + +<a id="p114"></a><p id="ch31-8">§8. Although Congress has power to lay direct taxes, it has seldom been +exercised. The duties on foreign goods and on the vessels in which they +were imported, have been found sufficient for the payment of the public +debt, and for other government purposes. The national debt in 1791 was +about $75,000,000, and, in 1804, had risen to $86,000,000; yet chiefly +by duties was this debt reduced nearly one-half by the year 1812. By the +war which commenced that year, the debt was again increased, being in +1816, $127,000,000. In 1835, this large debt had been, in the manner +stated, entirely extinguished.</p> + +<p id="ch31-9">§9. The next power mentioned is the "power to borrow money on the credit +of the United States." Although Congress may, under the power to lay +taxes and duties, raise money to any extent, a large amount may +sometimes be wanted before it can be raised from the regular income or +revenue of the nation, or even before it could be raised by a direct +tax, which would be burdensome to the people. Hence the utility of the +power to borrow money until it can be reimbursed from the national +revenues.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch32"> +<h2>Chapter XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>Power of Congress to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch32-1">§1. Next in the list of powers is "the power to regulate commerce with +foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian +tribes." The need of no power under the confederation was more deeply +felt than the power to regulate foreign trade. It was the want of this +power, as we have seen, which was the more immediate cause of calling +the convention that framed the constitution. (Chap. XXVII: §7-11.) The +necessity of this power arose mainly from the policy of Great Britain, +by which she had secured to herself undue advantages in her foreign +commerce, especially in her trade with this country.</p> + +<a id="p115"></a><p id="ch32-2">§2. During the war of the revolution, the direct trade with Great +Britain was interrupted. But when peace was restored, our markets were +again open to British goods and vessels, while upon American produce and +American vessels entering British ports, heavy duties were levied. To +enable some young readers more clearly to understand the objects and the +unequal operation of the policy of the British government, the subject +may need some further illustration.</p> + +<p id="ch32-3">§3. One object was, to secure a market at home for the products of +agricultural labor. How this is done by taxing foreign products, will +appear from the following example: Suppose the market value of a bushel +of wheat in Great Britain to be one dollar a bushel, and the cost of +raising the article here and carrying it to that market to be the same. +If now a duty of 40 cents a bushel is laid upon wheat from abroad, the +English consumer, instead of buying it with this duty added, will buy of +the English producer. But more wheat is produced here than there is a +market for; and the American farmer must find a market abroad. But in +order to sell it in the English market, he must pay 40 cents on every +bushel to the British government; or, which is the same thing in effect, +he must sell it for 40 cents a bushel less than its value to the British +purchaser, who pays the duty to that government.</p> + +<p id="ch32-4">§4. Now, as much less American wheat will be sent to Great Britain than +if it were free from duty, a better market is secured to the English +farmer. Besides this, of the value of every bushel which Great Britain +may please to admit, or which the people of other countries maybe +obliged to sell to her, 40 per cent, is paid into her treasury. Thus by +one operation, are two benefits secured, namely, the reward of +agricultural labor at home, and the raising of revenue. So by the duties +imposed upon foreign vessels entering her ports, the national revenue +was to some extent increased, and great advantages were secured to her +citizens engaged in the carrying trade.</p> + +<p id="ch32-5">§5. The people of this country being nearly all employed in agriculture, +and consequently dependent upon foreign <a id="p116"></a>markets for the sale of the +surplus products of their labor, they were obliged to submit to the +payment of these duties. And not possessing at that time the means of +manufacturing to any considerable extent for themselves, goods in large +quantities came in from Great Britain, for which they must pay in +produce heavily burdened with duties, or with money obtained for the +produce subject to these heavy duties.</p> + +<p id="ch32-6">§6. To remove the inequality in the trade between the two countries, it +was thought necessary to retaliate upon Great Britain by subjecting her +goods and vessels coming into our ports to the payment of duties similar +to those imposed on our produce and vessels in her ports. But the power +to lay duties was with the states; and, as we have seen, the states +could not agree upon any effectual system; for, in order to make any +system effectual, the duties must be uniform throughout the United +States.</p> + +<p id="ch32-7">§7. It was intended, in regulating trade, to render our own country less +dependent upon foreign nations for manufactured goods, by encouraging +domestic or home manufactures by duties on goods imported. Duties laid +for this purpose are called <i>protective</i> duties, being designed to +<i>protect</i> our manufacturers against loss from the competition of +foreigners. The nature and operation of a protective duty may be thus +illustrated:</p> + +<p id="ch32-8">§8. Suppose foreign broadcloth of a certain quality is sold in this +country for $2.50 a yard, and cloth of the same quality manufactured +here can not be afforded for less than $3 a yard. There would now be no +encouragement to any one to engage in the manufacture of such cloth; +because in order to sell it, he must reduce the price to that of the +foreign article, which would subject him to a loss of fifty cents a +yard. Let now a duty of $1 a yard be laid upon the foreign cloth, and +the price would be $3.50, and preference would be given to the domestic +article, unless the importer should reduce the price of his foreign +cloth to $3; in which case, it is to be presumed, about an equal +quanti<a id="p117"></a>ty of each would be consumed, and the duty of $1 a yard on the +foreign cloth would go into the United States' treasury.</p> + +<p id="ch32-9">§9. The same objects may, to some extent, be effected by the first +mentioned power, "to lay taxes, duties," &c. In laying duties for +revenue, that is, raising money to pay the debts and other expenses of +the government, congress may lay the duties upon those kinds of goods +which it wishes to protect; and thus <i>indirectly</i> both encourage +domestic industry and regulate commerce. From this it appears that the +three objects mentioned may be accomplished under the grant of either +one of the two general powers, to lay duties, and to regulate commerce.</p> + +<p id="ch32-10">§10. Why, then, it may be asked, were both these powers inserted in the +constitution? The first <i>expressly</i> authorizes the laying of duties only +to raise money for paying debts and government expenses; and protection +and the regulation of commerce can only be effected <i>indirectly</i>. Hence, +if our arrangements with foreign nations should be such as to render it +unnecessary to lay duties to regulate commerce, or encourage domestic +industry, money could not be raised without the <i>express</i> power to lay +taxes, duties, &c. And such might be the state of things, that rates of +duties sufficient for revenue would be insufficient for the purposes of +protection and regulating trade. Therefore, both powers are properly +granted to congress.</p> + +<p id="ch32-11">§11. Again, it may be asked, if foreign goods without duty can be had at +lower prices than domestic, why is it not better for us to buy them than +to force the manufacture and sale of our own at higher prices? and, if +there is no other way of raising money, why not do it by direct +taxation? Suppose, for example, as in a preceding section, (§8,) the +price of foreign cloth to be $2.50 a yard, for which the farmer has to +pay in wheat, or in cash received for it. But as the wheat has to be +shipped to a foreign market, the merchant who takes it in exchange for +the cloth, or the cash purchaser, deducts from the foreign market price +the cost of transportation and the foreign duty, which, together, let us +suppose to be fifty cents a bushel, <a id="p118"></a>or one-half of the foreign market +price. A yard of cloth would then cost five bushels of wheat.</p> + +<p id="ch32-12">§12. Let us now suppose a domestic article at $3 a yard to take the +place of the foreign. A large portion of the laborers formerly employed +in agriculture, are now engaged in building factories and in +manufacturing. These, instead of being producers, have become only +consumers of the wheat of the farmers, who now have a market at home, +thus saving the duties and the cost of transportation. As there are now +fewer producers, the price of wheat would probably be not less than $1 a +bushel. Therefore a yard of domestic cloth would cost only <i>three</i> +bushels of wheat, instead of <i>five</i> paid for the foreign cloth. And as +there would be a corresponding rise in the price of labor, more cloth at +$3 a yard could be bought for the avails of a day's labor than formerly.</p> + +<p id="ch32-13">§13. The protection of domestic industry received the early attention of +congress. The second law passed by the first congress under the +constitution, authorized "duties to be laid on goods, wares, and +merchandises imported;" and among the objects of the law expressed in a +preamble one was "the encouragement and protection of domestic +manufactures." For a long time, however, little was done in the way of +protection. The principal nations of Europe, England included, became +involved in war. A large portion of their laboring population having +been called from agricultural pursuits into the armies, a foreign demand +was created for American produce; and we were enabled to supply +ourselves at less disadvantage with foreign manufactures.</p> + +<p id="ch32-14">§14. But after peace had been restored in Europe, and people had +returned to their usual employments, the foreign demand for our +breadstuffs nearly ceased; and large quantities of foreign goods were +again imported, for which our people were unable to pay. Congress now +found it necessary to exercise, to a greater extent, its power to +regulate trade, by discouraging importations, and encouraging domestic +manufactures, and, in 1816, commenced an effective <a id="p119"></a>system of +protection. Laws have from time to time been passed to favor +manufactures from cotton, wool, iron, and other materials; and +manufacturing is now carried on extensively in this country. By thus +drawing a large portion of the people into manufacturing and mechanical +employments, a market has been created at home for more grain, meat, and +other agricultural products, than is required to supply all foreign +demand.</p> + +<p id="ch32-15">§15. The laws relating to foreign commerce prescribe the manner of +collecting the revenue. There is in every port of entry a <i>collector</i> of +<i>customs</i>, who superintends the collection of duties. When a vessel +arrives it is submitted, with the cargo and all papers and invoices, to +the inspection of the proper officers; and the goods subject to duty are +weighed and measured, and the duties estimated according to law.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch33"> +<h2>Chapter XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>Power to regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among the States, and with the Indian Tribes.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch33-1">§1. In regulating foreign commerce, congress has also passed navigation +laws. <i>Navigation</i> is the art of conducting ships and other vessels. It +has reference also to the rules to be observed by owners and masters +engaged in the shipping trade. We have noticed the navigation acts of +Great Britain by which she built up her shipping interest; (Chap. XXVII, +§7,) and we have stated that one object of the power to regulate +commerce was to countervail the effects of those acts upon our shipping.</p> + +<p id="ch33-2">§2. To encourage and promote domestic navigation, an act was passed by +the first congress conferring special privileges upon vessels built and +owned by citizens of the <a id="p120"></a>United States. This was done by laying <i>duties +on tunnage</i>. <i>Tunnage</i> means the content of a ship, or the burden that +it will carry, which is ascertained by measurement, 42 cubic feet being +allowed to a tun. This act imposed a duty of fifty cents a tun on +foreign vessels, and upon our own a duty of only six cents a tun. As +such a law discriminates, or makes a distinction or difference between +domestic and foreign vessels, these duties are also called +<i>discriminating</i> duties.</p> + +<p id="ch33-3">§3. By the aid of these protective duties, slightly changed from time to +time, our shipping interest acquired great strength. But the necessity +of discriminating duties no longer exists. By the stipulations of +existing treaties between the principal commercial nations, each is to +admit into her ports the vessels of the others on equal terms with her +own. Our government having become a party to this agreement, +discriminating tunnage duties have been abolished.</p> + +<p id="ch33-4">§4. The registry, however, of vessels of the United States, and other +regulations concerning them, are for the most part continued. A vessel +is measured by a surveyor to ascertain her tunnage, and the collector +records or registers in a book her name, the port to which she belongs, +her burden or tunnage, and the name of the place in which she was built, +and gives to the owner or commander a certificate of such registry.</p> + +<p id="ch33-5">§5. The master of a vessel departing from the United States, bound to a +foreign port, must deliver to the collector of the district, a +<i>manifest</i>, which is an invoice, or account of the particulars of a +cargo of goods, and of their prices or value. This statement is +subscribed by the master, and sworn by him to be true. The collector +then grants a <i>clearance</i>, for the vessel, which is a certificate +stating that the commander has cleared his vessel according to law.</p> + +<p id="ch33-6">§6. Vessels of the United States going to foreign countries, are, at the +request of the masters, furnished with passports. A <i>passport</i> is a +writing from the proper authority of a state or kingdom, granting +permission to pass <a id="p121"></a>from place to place, or to navigate some sea without +hinderance or molestation. It contains the name of the vessel and that +of her master, her tunnage, and the number of her crew, certifying that +she belongs to the subjects of a particular state, and requiring all +persons at peace with that state, to suffer her to proceed on her voyage +without interruption. In this country the form of a passport is prepared +by the secretary of state, and approved by the president.</p> + +<p id="ch33-7">§7. The navigation laws also provide for the safety of passengers and +the crews of vessels, limiting the number of passengers on passenger +vessels, and prescribing the quantity of water and certain kinds of +provisions which merchant vessels are required to have for each person +on board. They also declare what persons may be employed on board, and +how funds shall be provided for sick and disabled seamen.</p> + +<p id="ch33-8">§8. Under the power to regulate commerce, congress has also passed laws +relating to quarantines. The word <i>quarantine</i>, from the Latin +<i>quarantina</i>, signifies the space of forty days. Originally vessels +suspected of having contagious sickness on board, or of being infected +with malignant, contagious disease, were forbidden, for forty days, to +have intercourse with the place or port at which they arrived. The +period for which ships are now detained is not defined, but is fixed by +the proper officers at their discretion, according to circumstances. +Quarantines are required by the health laws of the states; and by the +laws of congress, vessels are to be subject to the health laws of the +state at whose ports they arrive.</p> + +<p id="ch33-9">§9. In connection with the power to regulate foreign commerce, power is +given to regulate "commerce among the several states," or <i>internal</i> +commerce. We have noticed the difficulties which attended the different +commercial regulations of the states, and the necessity of a uniform +system, which could be had only by giving congress alone the power to +regulate commerce. (Chap. XXXI., §7.) <a id="p122"></a>Without the power to regulate +<i>internal</i> commerce, congress could not give effect to the power to +regulate foreign commerce. One state might impose unjust and oppressive +duties upon goods imported or exported through it by another state. But +in the hands of congress, the power to regulate internal as well as +foreign commerce, secures to all the states the benefits of a free and +uninterrupted trade.</p> + +<p id="ch33-10">§10. In granting to congress the power to regulate commerce "with the +Indian tribes," it was intended to lessen the dangers of war. Murders +and war had been provoked by the improper conduct of some of the states. +It was believed, that, by a uniform policy, difficulties would be more +likely to be prevented; and that if they should occur, they would be +more likely to be amicably settled by the general government than by a +state, which, being an interested party, would be more liable to +misjudge the matter in dispute, and more rigid in demanding satisfaction +for injuries, as well as more severe in redressing them.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch34"> +<h2>Chapter XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>Powers of Congress in relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; Coining Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch34-1">§1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to establish a uniform +rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies +throughout the United States." We have already noticed some of the +disqualifications of aliens. (Chap. VI, §5.) By the common law of +England and this country, aliens were not only politically disqualified, +but they could not in their own name lawfully hold and sell real estate. +To admit aliens to all the rights and privileges of citizens immediately +on their arrival in this country, and before they shall have acquired a +knowledge of our government and laws, and of the duties of citizens, +would be expedient. Educated under monarchical <a id="p123"></a>governments, many of +them, it is to be presumed, have little respect for our republican +institutions, or at most but an imperfect knowledge of them.</p> + +<p id="ch34-2">§2. But to deny foreigners the rights of citizens after they shall have +acquired a fixed residence here, and a knowledge of their civil and +political duties, would be illiberal and unjust. Provision has therefore +been made for removing their disqualifications, or for <i>naturalizing</i> +them; that is, for investing them with the rights and privileges of +<i>natural</i> born citizens. But if different rules were established by the +different states, a person, having become naturalized in one state, +would, on removing into another state, be deprived of the rights of +citizenship, until he should have been naturalized by the laws of such +state. Besides, by the constitution, a person, on becoming a citizen of +any state, is a citizen of the United States, and entitled to the +privileges of a citizen in any other state. (Art. IV., §2.) As, +therefore, there should be one uniform rule, the power of naturalization +is properly given to congress.</p> + +<p id="ch34-3">§3. An alien, to become a citizen, must declare on oath before a state +court or a circuit court of the United States, or before a clerk of +either of said courts, after having resided three years in the United +States, that it is his intention to become a citizen, and to renounce +his allegiance to all foreign governments, and particularly that under +which he formerly lived, and that he will support the constitution of +the United States. Then after two years, the court, if satisfied that he +has resided five years in the United States, and one year in the state +in which the court is held, and that during that time he has behaved as +a man of good moral character, and is attached to the principles of the +constitution, may admit him as a citizen.</p> + +<p id="ch34-4">§4. An alien minor who has resided in the United States at least three +years before he was twenty-one years of age, may, at any time after that +age and five years' residence in the United States, be admitted as a +citizen, without having previously declared his intention to become a +citizen. Also the minor children of a naturalized citizen, if dwelling +<a id="p124"></a>in the United States at the time of his naturalization, become +citizens.</p> + +<p id="ch34-5">§5. A <i>bankrupt</i> is an insolvent debtor; that is, a person who is unable +to pay all his just debts. A <i>bankrupt law</i> is a law which, upon an +insolvent's giving up all his property to his creditors, discharges him +from the payment of his debts. Such laws are designed for the benefit of +honest and unfortunate debtors, who, by having the enjoyment of their +future earnings secured to them, are encouraged to engage anew in +industrial pursuits. But these laws, intended for the benefit of the +unfortunate poor, have enabled dishonest and fraudulent debtors to +procure a release from their debts.</p> + +<p id="ch34-6">§6. Experience had shown the propriety of intrusting to congress the +power to make these laws. The dissimilar and conflicting laws of the +different states, and the entire want of them in others, had caused +great inconvenience. A debtor, though discharged from debt by the laws +of one state, was liable to be prosecuted on removing into another +state. Important as such laws were deemed, there is no existing law on +the subject. A bankrupt law was passed in April, 1800, and repealed in +December, 1803. Another was passed in 1841, which was of still shorter +duration.</p> + +<p id="ch34-7">§7. The next power mentioned is the power "to coin money and regulate +the value thereof." As a consequence of giving this power to Congress, +we have a uniform currency throughout the union. We have also, instead +of the awkward system of reckoning by pounds, shillings, and pence, the +more convenient decimal mode of calculation by dollars and cents. The +old system was rendered the more inconvenient by the difference in the +value of a pound, shilling, and penny in the different states. A +merchant in a New England state, buying goods in New York or +Philadelphia, must, in order to put prices upon them, reduce the +currency of the state in which he bought them to New England currency. +Thus, the cost of an article being in New York two shillings and four +pence a pound, would be in Connecticut one shilling and nine pence. One +shilling and <a id="p125"></a>six pence in New York would be in any New England state +one shilling and a penny and a half.</p> + +<p id="ch34-8">§8. The place where money is coined is called <i>mint</i>. The principal mint +in the United States, and the first that was established in this +country, is at Philadelphia. The business of coining is under the +superintendence of a director. Under him are a treasurer, an assayer, a +chief coiner, an engraver, and a melter and refiner. The gold and +silver, before it is coined, is called <i>bullion</i>. There is a branch mint +in New Orleans, one at Charlotte, in North Carolina, one at Dahlonega, +in Georgia, one in California, and one in the city of New York. At the +place last mentioned, gold is assayed, but not coined.</p> + +<p id="ch34-9">§9. The clause containing the power last quoted, gives power also to +"fix the standard of weights and measures." For the convenience of trade +between the states, the standard of weights and measures should be the +same in all the states. Without such uniformity, commerce among the +states would meet with embarrassments scarcely less than those +experienced from the want of a uniform currency. To effect the desired +object, this power was given to congress.</p> + +<p id="ch34-10">§10. The next power in the list is the power "to provide for the +punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the +United States." By securities here are meant bonds and other evidences +of debt. As the general government has the power to borrow money and to +coin money, it is proper that it should also have the power to provide +for punishing those who forge its written obligations for the payment of +the money borrowed, and who counterfeit its coin. These offenses are +tried in the courts of the United States.<a id="p126"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch35"> +<h2>Chapter XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>Powers of Congress in relation to Post-Offices, Copy-Rights, and Patents, and Inferior Courts.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch35-1">§1. Congress has power "to establish post-offices and post-roads." The +post-office department, from the facilities which it affords for the +circulation of intelligence and the transaction of business, is an +institution of incalculable value to the union. It is impossible to +conceive all the difficulties which would attend the exercise of this +power by the different states. A uniform system of regulations is +indispensable to the efficiency of this department, and could be secured +only by placing this power in the hands of congress.</p> + +<p id="ch35-2">§2. Congress has power "to promote the progress of science and the +useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, +the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." +Useful sciences and arts are promoted by new books and new inventions. +But if every man had the right to print and sell every book or writing, +without compensation to the author, there would be little to encourage +men of ability to spend, as is often done, years of labor in preparing +new and useful works. Nor would men of genius be likely to spend their +time and money in inventing and constructing expensive machinery, if +others had an equal right to make and sell the same. In pursuance of the +power here given, congress has enacted laws for the benefit of authors +and inventors.</p> + +<p id="ch35-3">§3. The exclusive right of an author to the benefits of the sale of his +books or writings, is called <i>copy-right</i>, and is obtained thus: The +author sends a printed copy of the title of his book to the clerk of the +district court of the United States of the district in which the author +resides. The clerk records the title in a book, for which he receives +fifty cents, and gives the author, under the seal of the court, a copy +of the record, for which also he receives fifty cents.</p> + +<a id="p127"></a><p id="ch35-4">§4. The author must also, within three months after the first +publication of the work, deliver a copy of the same to the clerk of the +district court. And he must cause to be printed on the title page or +page immediately following, of every copy of the book, words showing +that the law has been complied with. This secures to the author the sole +right to print and sell his work for twenty-eight years, at the +expiration of which time, he may have his right continued for fourteen +years longer, by again complying with the requirements of the law as +before, provided it be done within six months before the expiration of +the first term, and a copy of the record published in a newspaper for +the space of four weeks.</p> + +<p id="ch35-5">§5. <i>Patents</i> for new inventions are obtained at the patent office at +the seat of government. This office is connected with the department of +the interior. (Chap. XLI, §7.) The commissioner of patents superintends +the granting of patents under the direction of the secretary of the +interior. To secure an exclusive right to an invention, the inventor +must deliver to the commissioner of patents, a written description of +his invention, and specify the improvement which he claims as his own +discovery; and he must make oath that he believes he is the discoverer +thereof.</p> + +<p id="ch35-6">§6. Before the petition of an inventor is considered, he must pay the +sum of thirty dollars. If the commissioner, upon examination, does not +find that the invention had been before discovered, he issues a patent +therefor. Patents are granted for the term of fourteen years, and may be +renewed for a further term of seven years, if the inventor has not been +able to obtain a reasonable profit from his invention.</p> + +<p id="ch35-7">§7. Congress has power "to constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme +court." As the first section of the third article of the constitution, +in providing for a national judiciary, authorizes congress to ordain and +establish such inferior courts, the insertion of the power in this place +seems to have been unnecessary, (Chap. XLII, §1.)<a id="p128"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch36"> +<h2>Chapter XXXVI.</h2> + +<h3>Powers of Congress in relation to Piracy and Offenses against the Law of Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal, Public Defense, District of Columbia; Implied Powers.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch36-1">§1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to define and punish +piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against +the law of nations." <i>Piracy</i> is commonly defined to be forcible robbery +or depredation upon the high seas. But the term <i>felony</i> was not exactly +defined by the laws of England, whence the common law of this country +was derived; consequently its meaning was not the same in all the +states. It was sometimes applied to capital offenses only; at other +times, to all crimes above misdemeanors. For the sake of uniformity, the +power to define these offenses is given to congress: and as the states +have no jurisdiction beyond their own limits, it is proper that congress +should have the power to punish as well as define crimes committed on +the high seas.</p> + +<p id="ch36-2">§2. Nor were offenses against the law of nations more clearly defined: +therefore the power to define these are with equal propriety given to +congress. As our citizens are regarded by foreign nations as citizens of +the United States and not as citizens of their respective states; and as +the general government alone is responsible to foreign nations for +injuries committed on the high seas by citizens of the United States, +this power is vested in congress.</p> + +<p id="ch36-3">§3. Congress is also properly intrusted with the power "to declare war; +grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules concerning captures +on land and water." It is very evident that a single state ought not to +be allowed to make war. As the people of all the states become involved +in the evils of war, the power to declare it is justly given to the +representatives of the whole nation. In monarchical governments this +power is exercised by the king, or supreme ruler. But so important a +power should <a id="p129"></a>not be intrusted to a single individual. The framers of +the constitution have wisely intrusted it to the representatives of +those who have to bear the burdens of the war.</p> + +<p id="ch36-4">§4. <i>Marque</i> means passing the frontier or limits of a country; +<i>reprisal</i>, taking in return. <i>Letters of marque and reprisal</i> authorize +persons injured by citizens or subjects of another nation to seize the +bodies or goods of any of the citizens of such nation, and detain them +until satisfaction shall be made. To permit an individual to act as +judge in his own case in redressing his private wrongs would increase +the dangers of war.</p> + +<p id="ch36-5">§5. Nor should a state be permitted to authorize its citizens to make +reprisals; for, although such authority is designed to enable the +citizens of one country to obtain redress for injuries committed by +those of another, without a resort to war, the tendency of reprisals is +to provoke rather than to prevent war; and as the whole nation becomes +involved in a war, the power to authorize reprisals properly belongs to +the general government. Indeed it is not clear that such license ought +ever to be given. It does not appear strictly just to capture the bodies +or goods of unoffending persons, especially before war has been declared +between the two countries. But if the power to grant such license is +ever to be exercised, it ought to be vested in congress.</p> + +<p id="ch36-6">§6. As congress has the power to declare war, it ought to have power to +make rules concerning the property captured in time of war. The general +practice is to distribute the proceeds of the property among the captors +as a reward for bravery and a stimulus to exertion. But proof must be +made in a court of the United States that the property was taken from +the enemy, before it is condemned by the court as a prize.</p> + +<p id="ch36-7">§7. The next five clauses provide for the security and defense of the +nation. The power to declare war would be of little use in the hands of +congress, without power over the army, navy and militia. This had been +proved by ex<a id="p130"></a>perience Congress had power under the confederation to +declare war; but, as we have seen, it could not raise troops, nor compel +the states to raise them. To guard against similar difficulties in +future, power to control the public forces was placed where it can be +promptly and effectively exercised.</p> + +<p id="ch36-8">§8. The next power of congress is, "to exercise exclusive legislation +over such district, not exceeding ten miles square, as may, by cession +of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of +government of the United States." If the seat of the general government +were within the jurisdiction of a state, congress and other public +officers would be dependent on the state authority for protection in the +discharge of their duties. To guard the public business more effectually +against the danger of interruption, complete and exclusive power at the +seat of government is given to congress. The old congress had once, near +the close of the Revolution, been treated with insult and abuse while +sitting at Philadelphia; and the executive authority of Pennsylvania +having failed to afford protection, congress adjourned to Princeton in +the State of New Jersey.</p> + +<p id="ch36-9">§9. It appears that the cession of this territory to the general +government had not yet been made; but it was in contemplation by the +states of Virginia and Maryland to cede it. It is called the <i>District +of Columbia</i>. Its inhabitants are subject to the laws of congress. That +part of the district which was ceded by Virginia, was in 1846, +retroceded <i>by</i> congress to that state. To congress is given, with equal +propriety, exclusive authority over all places purchased "for the +erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful +buildings."</p> + +<p id="ch36-10">§10. The last power granted in this section, is the power "to make all +laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the +foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in +the government of the United States, or in any department or officer +there<a id="p131"></a>of." As it was impossible to enumerate in the constitution every +particular act which congress might find it necessary to perform, +certain powers were expressly granted; and to these powers was added +this general grant of power to pass laws for carrying them into effect.</p> + +<p id="ch36-11">§11. It is the opinion of eminent statesmen that this clause confers no +additional power. They hold that the power therein granted is +necessarily <i>implied</i> or included in the foregoing powers. For example: +The power "to regulate commerce" includes the power to cause the +construction of break-waters and light-houses, the removal of +obstructions from navigable rivers, and the improvement of harbors; for +in regulating and facilitating commerce, these works and improvements +are absolutely necessary. So the power "to establish post-offices" +implies the power to punish persons for robbing the mail. The doctrine +is, "that wherever a general power to do a thing is given, every +particular power for doing it is included." Hence it is inferred that +congress would have had the power to pass the laws here authorized, +though no express power for that purpose had been given.</p> + +<p id="ch36-12">§12. Besides the long list of powers contained in the eighth section of +the first article of the constitution, and considered in preceding +chapters, there are sundry other powers of congress in subsequent +articles, which will be noticed in their order.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch37"> +<h2>Chapter XXXVII.</h2> + +<h3>Prohibitions on Congress.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch37-1">§1. While the constitution confers on congress all the powers deemed +necessary to be exercised for the general welfare, it imposes on +congress certain restrictions, the most of which are contained in the +next section. (Art. I, sec. 9.) The first prohibition is in these words: +"The mi<a id="p132"></a>gration or importation of such persons as any of the states, now +existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the +congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a +tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten +dollars for each person."</p> + +<p id="ch37-2">§2. It is generally known that, from an early period, slaves had been +imported into the colonies from Africa. At the time when the +constitution was formed, laws prohibiting the foreign slave trade had +been passed in all the states except North Carolina, South Carolina, and +Georgia. The delegates from these states in the convention insisted on +having the privilege of importing slaves secured, by withholding from +congress the power to prohibit the importation. A majority of the +convention were in favor of leaving congress free to prohibit the trade +at any time. But as it was doubtful whether these states would in such +case accede to the constitution; and as it was desirable to bring as +many states as possible into the union; it was at length agreed that the +trade should be left open, and free to all the states choosing to +continue it, until 1808, (twenty years;) congress being allowed, +however, to lay a duty or tax of ten dollars on every slave imported.</p> + +<p id="ch37-3">§3. It has ever been a cause of wonder and regret to many, that the +traffic in human beings should have been permitted by the constitution, +even for the most limited period. It is, however, a gratifying fact, +that congress exercised its power for terminating the foreign slave +trade, at the earliest possible period. A law was passed in 1807, to go +into effect in January, 1808, making it unlawful, under severe +penalties, to import slaves into the United States; and in 1820, the +African slave trade was by law declared <i>piracy</i>, and made punishable by +death.</p> + +<p id="ch37-4">§4. The next clause is, "The privilege of the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> +shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, +the public safety may require it." <i>Habeas corpus</i>, (Latin,) signifies, +<i>have the body</i>. A person deprived of his liberty, may, before the final +judgment of a <a id="p133"></a>court is pronounced against him, petition a court or +judge, who issues a writ commanding the party imprisoning or detaining +him, to produce his body and the cause of his detention before the judge +or court. If the imprisonment or detention is found to be illegal, or +without sufficient cause, the prisoner is set at liberty.</p> + +<p id="ch37-5">§5. The next clause declares, "No bill of attainder or <i>ex post facto</i> +law shall be passed." A <i>bill of attainder</i> is an act of the legislature +by which the punishment of death is inflicted upon a person for some +crime, without any trial. If it inflicts a milder punishment, it is +usually called a bill of pains and penalties. Such laws are inconsistent +with the principles of republican government, and are therefore properly +prohibited.</p> + +<p id="ch37-6">§6. An <i>ex post facto</i> law is literally a law made after an act is done, +or which has effect upon an act after it is done. But it here means a +law that makes punishable as a <i>crime</i>, an act which was not criminal +when done. A law is also an <i>ex post facto</i> law that increases the +punishment of a crime after it has been committed. If, for example, a +law should be passed by which a person, having previously killed another +in lawfully defending his own life, should be made to suffer death, it +would be an <i>ex post facto</i> law, because killing in self-defense, before +the passage of the law, was not punishable as a crime. Such also would +be a law that should require all persons now charged with stealing, to +be imprisoned for life, if found guilty; because the crime, when +committed, was punishable by a shorter imprisonment.</p> + +<p id="ch37-7">§7. The next prohibition is, "No capitation or other direct tax shall be +laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before +directed to be taken." The words <i>capitation</i> and <i>capital</i> are from the +Latin <i>caput</i>, the head, or poll. Hence a <i>capitation-tax</i> or a +<i>poll-tax</i>, is a tax upon each head or person. (Chap. VII. §4.) The +above clause means, that poll-taxes, if laid, must be laid in conformity +to article 1st, section 2d, clause 3d, of the constitution, which +requires three-fifths of the slaves to be counted in apportioning taxes +among the states according to population.</p> + +<a id="p134"></a><p id="ch37-8">§8. The next prohibition is, "No tax or duty shall be laid on articles +exported from any state." Probably no law for taxing exports could be +devised which would operate equally upon the interests of the different +states. Or some states the principal product is cotton, rice, or +tobacco; of others, grain; and of others, manufactures; and some of +these products might not bear the same rates of duties as others. But +though it were possible to devise a plan which would be equal in its +operation, a majority of the representatives might be opposed to it. The +representatives of the grain producing, and those of the planting +states, might combine in imposing excessive taxes upon the productions +of the manufacturing states. Or the manufacturing and the grain +producing states might, with the same intent, combine against the +planting states.</p> + +<p id="ch37-9">§9. As it was the purpose of the framers of the constitution to make +taxation, as nearly as possible, equal in the different states, by +uniform duties; and as every necessary object of indirect taxation may +be attained by duties on imports; duties on exports are properly +prohibited. And to secure to all the states freedom and equality in +trade, it is expressly provided in the same clause, that "no preference +shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to the ports +of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from +one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another."</p> + +<p id="ch37-10">§10. The next clause provides that "no money shall be drawn from the +treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." This places +the public money beyond the reach or control of the executive or any +other officer, and secures it in the hands of the representatives of the +people. In pursuance of this provision, congress, at every session, +passes laws specifying the objects for which money is to be +appropriated. The latter part of the clause requires, that "a regular +statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public +money shall be published from time to time." And it is by law made the +duty of the sec<a id="p135"></a>retary of the treasury to make to congress annually such +statement, which is published by order of congress; so that the people +may know for what purposes the public money is expended.</p> + +<p id="ch37-11">§11. It is next declared, that "no title of nobility shall be granted by +the United States." Although the bare titles of lord, duke, &c., which +are conferred upon citizens in monarchical governments, could not add to +the political power of any person under our constitution; yet, as it is +desirable that there should be equality of rank as well as of political +rights, it is proper that congress should be prohibited from creating +titles of nobility. And to guard public officers against being corrupted +by foreign influence, they are forbidden to "accept of any present, +emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, +or foreign state."</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch38"> +<h2>Chapter XXXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>Prohibitions on the States.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch38-1">§1. The next section contains restrictions on the powers of the states. +"No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation." [For +the definition of <i>treaty</i> and the manner in which a treaty is made, see +Chapter XL: §3-5.] An <i>alliance</i> is a union between two or more nations, +by a treaty, or contract, for their mutual benefit. <i>Confederation</i> and +<i>alliance</i>, have nearly the same meaning. If the states, separately, +were allowed to make treaties or form alliances with foreign powers, the +rights and interests of one state might be injured by the treaties made +by another state. As the states united constitute but one nation, it is +obvious that the power to treat with other nations properly belongs to +the general government. If the states also <a id="p136"></a>had the power, they might +counteract the policy of the national government.</p> + +<p id="ch38-2">§2. Nor may a state "grant letters of marque and reprisal." If, as has +been shown, this power is properly given to congress, it could not be +safely intrusted to the states. (Chap. XXXVI, §5.)</p> + +<p id="ch38-3">§3. The power to "coin money" is also prohibited to the states. It was +given to the general government to secure a uniform currency. (Chap. +XXXIV, §7.) But this object would not be likely to be attained, if the +power to coin money were exercised by the states.</p> + +<p id="ch38-4">§4. A state may not "emit bills of credit." <i>Bills of credit</i>, to a vast +amount, were issued by the states during the war, and for some time +thereafter. They were in the nature of promissory notes, issued by the +authority of the state, and on the credit of the state, and put in +circulation by the continental congress and the states as money. This +paper money, having no funds set apart to redeem it, became almost +worthless. Bank bills issued upon the credit of private individuals, do +not come under the prohibition. It is also held that the prohibition +does not apply to the notes or bills of a <i>state</i> bank, drawn on the +credit of a particular fund set apart for that purpose.</p> + +<p id="ch38-5">§5. No state shall "make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts." <i>Tender</i> signifies an offer, or to offer. In law, it +is an offer of something in payment of a debt, or the thing itself which +is offered in payment. Some of the states had declared their +irredeemable paper money a lawful tender. But paper money and property +of all kinds are continually liable to fluctuation in value, and might +subject those who should be compelled to receive it to great +inconvenience and loss. But although no person is obliged to take in +payment any thing but coin, bank bills are by common consent taken in +the course of business and in payment of debts, because they may be +converted into specie by presenting them at the bank by which they are +issued.</p> + +<a id="p137"></a><p id="ch38-6">§6. Nor may a state "pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or +law impairing the obligation of contracts." Bills of attainder and ex +post laws have been defined and considered. (Chap. XXXVII, §5.) If these +laws are in their nature wrong, the states as well as congress should be +prohibited from passing them. Not less unjust are laws impairing the +obligation of contracts. Laws that should weaken the force of contracts, +or that would release men from their obligations, would be contrary to +the principles of justice, and destroy all security to the rights of +property.</p> + +<p id="ch38-7">§7. As bankrupt laws release debtors from the payment of their debts, +and consequently impair the obligation of contracts, the question has +arisen whether the states have power to pass insolvent or bankrupt laws. +From decisions of the supreme court of the United States, which is the +highest judicial authority, it appears, that a state may not pass a +bankrupt law discharging a debtor from the obligation of a contract made +before such law was passed. But it was not to be considered a law +impairing the obligation of a contract, if it existed before the +contract was made; because the parties, who are presumed to know that +such law exists, may guard themselves against loss.</p> + +<p id="ch38-8">§8. The last thing prohibited in this clause, is, "to grant any title of +nobility." This is forbidden to the states for the same reason as it is +prohibited to congress. (Chap. XXXVII, §11.)</p> + +<p id="ch38-9">§9. The first prohibition to the states in the next clause is to "lay +any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be +absolutely necessary for executing their inspection laws." The +objections to the power of the states to lay duties have been +considered. They are founded upon the same reasons as have been given +for intrusting congress with this power; one of which is to secure +uniformity throughout the United States. (Chap. XXXII, §6.) And as +congress is properly prohibited from laying duties on exports, (Chap. +XXXVI, §8, 9,) <a id="p138"></a>there can be no good reason for allowing it to be done +by the states.</p> + +<p id="ch38-10">§10. The exception allowing a state to lay duties necessary to execute +its inspection laws was deemed proper. Laws are passed by the states for +the inspection or examination of flour and meat in barrels, leather, and +sundry other commodities in commercial cities, to ascertain their +quality and quantity, and to be marked accordingly. By this means the +states are enabled to improve the quality of articles produced by the +labor of the country, and the articles are better fitted for sale, as +the purchaser is thereby guarded against deception. A small tax is laid +upon the goods inspected, to pay for their inspection. But, lest the +states should carry this power so far as to injure other states, these +"laws are to be subject to the revision and control of congress."</p> + +<p id="ch38-11">§11. The last restrictions upon the power of the states contained in +this section, are: "No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay +any duty of tunnage; keep troops or ships of war in time of peace; enter +into any agreement or compact with any other state, or with a foreign +power; or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent +danger as will not admit of delay." Some of the prohibitions here +enumerated have been noticed in this and preceding chapters; and the +reasons of the others are so obvious as to render any remarks upon them +unnecessary.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch39"> +<h2>Chapter XXXIX.</h2> + +<h3>Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, Qualifications, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch39-1">§1. The second article of the constitution relates to the executive +department. Of the necessity of a separate and distinct power to execute +the laws, we have already spoken. (Chap. VIII, §7.) Under the +confederation, as will be <a id="p139"></a>recollected, there was no national executive. +This defect has been supplied by the constitution. "The executive power +shall be vested in a president of the United States of America. He shall +hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the +vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows." (Art. +2, §1.)</p> + +<p id="ch39-2">§2. In regard to the organization and powers of the executive +department, there was a great diversity of opinion. Ought the chief +executive power to be vested in one person, or a number of persons? Laws +should be executed with promptness and energy. This is more likely to be +done by one man than by a number. If several were associated in the +exercise of this power, disagreement and discord would be likely to +happen, and to cause frequent and injurious delays. Unity being deemed +favorable to energetic and prompt action, the chief executive power of +the nation was given to a single person.</p> + +<p id="ch39-3">§3. Secondly, as to the duration of the office. Much of what has been +said in relation to the term of office of senators, will apply to that +of president. (Chap. XXX, §4-6.) His term of office should not be so +short as to induce him to act more with a view to his re-election than +to the public good; yet it should be short enough to make him feel his +responsibility. And it should be long enough to insure a due degree of +independence, and to enable him to carry out his system of public +policy. The term of four years was accordingly adopted.</p> + +<p id="ch39-4">§4. Thirdly, the mode of election. Among the various modes proposed, the +one adopted was that of electing the president by electors chosen in the +several states for that purpose; the number of the electors chosen in +each state to be equal to the number of its senators and representatives +in congress. A material alteration in the mode of election has been made +since the adoption of the constitution, as will be seen by examining the +two modes. (Art. 2, §1; and Art. 12 of Amendments.) This amendment does +not change the manner of choosing the electors, but the manner of +choosing the president by the electors.</p> + +<a id="p140"></a><p id="ch39-5">§5. The constitution does not prescribe the manner in which the +electors shall be appointed or chosen; it only declares that each state +shall appoint them "in such manner as the legislature thereof shall +direct." No uniform mode was adopted by the different states. In some +states the electors were appointed by the legislature; in others, by the +people. At present the latter mode prevails in all the states except +South Carolina, where presidential electors are still chosen by the +legislature.</p> + +<p id="ch39-6">§6. The electors are, by the laws of the several states, chosen by +<i>general ticket</i>. The names of two men, corresponding to the number of +senators to which a state is entitled in congress, together with the +names of as many others as there are representatives of the state in the +lower house of congress, one to reside in each congressional district, +are all placed on the same ballot; so that every voter votes for the +whole number of presidential electors to be chosen in the state. And, by +a law of congress, the electors are required to be chosen in all the +states on the same day, which is the Tuesday next after the first Monday +of November.</p> + +<p id="ch39-7">§7. The electors so chosen are required by a law of congress, to meet in +their respective states on the first Wednesday of December, and vote for +president and vice-president; and to make and sign three certificates of +all the votes given by them, and seal up the same. One of these is to be +sent by a person duly appointed by them, to the president of the senate +at the seat of government, before the first of January next ensuing; +another is to be forwarded by mail, also directed to the president of +the senate; and the third is to be delivered to the United States judge +of the district in which the electors are assembled.</p> + +<p id="ch39-8">§8. On the second Wednesday of February, the president of the senate, in +presence of all the senators and representatives, opens the certificates +from all the states, and the votes are counted. The person having a +majority of all the electoral votes for president is elected. If no +person <a id="p141"></a>has a majority of all the electoral votes, the house of +representatives must choose the president from those candidates, not +exceeding three, who had the highest numbers of the electoral votes. But +in so doing, the members do not all vote together; but those of each +state vote by themselves; and the candidate who receives the votes of a +majority of the representatives of a state, has but one presidential +vote for such majority; and the person who receives the votes of a +majority of the states, is elected. Thus in the election of president by +the house of representatives, voting is done <i>by states</i>, as was done in +passing laws by the old congress. (Chap. XXVIII, §5.)</p> + +<p id="ch39-9">§9. There have been two elections by the house of representatives. The +second was 1825. The votes of the electoral colleges (assemblies) had in +December, 1824, been divided upon four candidates. Andrew Jackson had +received 99 electoral votes; John Quincy Adams, 84; William H. Crawford, +41; and Henry Clay, 37. Neither having received a majority of all the +electoral votes, the election devolved upon the house of +representatives. Of the three candidates who had received the highest +numbers of the electoral votes, Mr. Adams received in the house of +representatives the votes of thirteen states; Gen. Jackson, the votes of +seven states; and Mr. Crawford, the votes of four states. Mr. Adams +having received the votes of a majority of all the states, he was +elected.</p> + +<p id="ch39-10">§10. By the 12th article of amendments, if there is no election of +vice-president by a majority of the electors, then, from the two highest +numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president. +Two-thirds of the whole number of senators shall constitute a quorum for +such election; and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to +a choice.</p> + +<p id="ch39-11">§11. To be eligible to the office of president or vice-president, a +person must be a natural born citizen of the United States, thirty-five +years of age, and must have been <a id="p142"></a>fourteen years a resident within the +United States. The reasons for requiring long terms of citizenship and +residence, and mature age and experience, in the case of senators, apply +with equal force in the case of president.</p> + +<p id="ch39-12">§12. In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the vice-president +becomes the president. The power of making further provision for +supplying vacancies is, by the constitution, given to congress. (Art. 2, +§1.) Congress has accordingly enacted, that, when there is neither +president nor vice-president, the president <i>pro tempore</i> shall act as +president; and if there should be none, the speaker of the house of +representatives would assume the duties of the office.</p> + +<p id="ch39-13">§13. The same section declares that the salary of the president shall +neither be increased nor diminished during the time for which he shall +have been elected. It would be improper to allow congress to reduce his +salary at pleasure. This would make the executive dependent upon the +legislature for his support. On the other hand, if his compensation +could be increased during his official term, he might be tempted to use +undue influence to procure a needless increase of his salary.</p> + +<p id="ch39-14">§14. The presidential term commences the 4th of March next after the +election, and ends the 3d day of March four years thereafter. Each +successive congress also commences and ends its term every two years, on +the same days of that month; and it is called a new congress, although +only one-third of the senators go out of office when a congress is said +to expire, and are succeeded by new ones when the next congress is said +to commence its official term.<a id="p143"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="chXL"> +<h2>Chapter XL.</h2> + +<h3>Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; Appointments and Removals.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch40-1">§1. The powers and duties of the president are next given. "The +president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United +States, and of the militia of the several states when called into the +actual service of the United States." (Art. 2, §2.) Some of the reasons +for giving to the executive the command of the public forces, have been +given. (Chap. XXV, §2, 5.) It has also been observed, that a prompt and +effectual execution of the laws is best secured by intrusting this power +to a single individual. (Chap. XXXVIII, §2.) The constitution, (Art. I, +§8, clauses 12-16,) give congress power over the army, navy, and +militia, and "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the +laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions." As this +power is to be exercised upon sudden emergencies, congress has by law +authorized the president to call out the militia for these purposes. And +as the direction of the public forces is a power of an executive nature, +it is intrusted to the executive.</p> + +<p id="ch40-2">§2. The president has also "power to grant reprieves and pardons for +offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." The +same power is exercised by the governors of the several states. (Chap. +XII, §4.) Through partial or false testimony, or the mistakes of judges +or juries, an innocent person may be convicted of crime; or facts may +subsequently come to light showing the offense to be one of less +aggravation than appeared on the trial. There should therefore be +somewhere a power to remit the punishment, or to mitigate the sentence, +or postpone its execution, as the case may seem to require; and by no +other person or persons, it is presumed, would this power be more +judiciously exercised than by the executive.</p> + +<a id="p144"></a><p id="ch40-3">§3. The president has "power, by and with the advice and consent of the +senate, to make treaties, to appoint embassadors, other public ministers +and consuls, judges of the supreme court," and other officers, "provided +two-thirds of the senators concur." A <i>treaty</i> is an agreement or +contract between two or more nations, for regulating trade, or for +restoring or preserving peace. This power ought therefore to be in the +national government. In monarchical governments it belongs to the king. +To confide so important a trust to the president alone, would be +imprudent. To associate the house of representatives with the president +and senate, as in making laws, would render it impossible to act with +the decision, secrecy, and dispatch, which are sometimes necessary in +making treaties.</p> + +<p id="ch40-4">§4. As the treaty-making power appears to be in its nature neither +wholly executive nor wholly legislative, but to partake of the nature of +both, a <i>part</i> of the legislature is properly associated with the +president. As the senate, being less numerous than the house, is capable +of acting more promptly as well as more easily convened and at less +expense, that body is more properly united with the executive in the +exercise of this power. And it is equally proper that the power to +appoint embassadors and others by whom treaties are negotiated, should +be placed in the same hands.</p> + +<p id="ch40-5">§5. Treaties are negotiated; that is, the provisions or terms are +arranged and agreed upon, by the agents of the two governments; and a +copy of the articles of agreement is sent to each government to be +approved and confirmed, or, as it is usually expressed, to be +<i>ratified</i>. Both governments must ratify, or the treaty fails. Treaties +are ratified, on the part of our government, by the president and +senate. This is what is meant by their making treaties. The persons by +whom treaties are negotiated are sometimes appointed by their +governments for that special purpose; but the business is perhaps more +frequently done by the permanent representatives or ministers of the +respective governments.</p> + +<a id="p145"></a><p id="ch40-6">§6. Each of the principal civilized nations has some officer at home +who acts as agent in negotiating treaties and transacting business with +foreign governments, and has also a representative at the seat of each +foreign government for this purpose, and for keeping his government, +apprised of what is done abroad. Our government has a minister in Great +Britain, one in Russia, one in France, one in Spain, and one in each of +the other principal commercial nations; and each of these nations has a +minister residing at the city of Washington, the seat of government of +the United States. The officer of our government who corresponds with +foreign ministers here, and with our ministers abroad, is the secretary +of state. The negotiation of treaties at home with the ministers of +foreign governments residing here, is done by him.</p> + +<p id="ch40-7">§7. Representatives at foreign courts have different names or titles: +embassadors, envoys, ministers, and chargès des affaires. An embassador +who is intrusted with the ordinary business of a minister at a foreign +court, is called an <i>embassador in ordinary</i>. An <i>embassador +extraordinary</i> is a person sent on a particular occasion, who returns as +soon as the business on which he was sent is done. He is sometimes +called <i>envoy</i>; and when he has power to act as he may deem expedient, +he is called <i>envoy plenipotentiary</i>; the latter word signifying full +power. An ordinary embassador or minister resides abroad, and acts in +obedience to instructions sent him from time to time.</p> + +<p id="ch40-8">§8. Agents or representatives sent by our government to reside at +foreign courts, are called <i>ministers</i>. Formerly those sent to the less +important countries, were called <i>chargès des affaires</i>, who are +ministers of a lower grade. The name, usually written chargès +d'affaires, is French, and is pronounced <i>shar-zha-daf-fair</i>, accented +on the first and last syllables. It means a person having charge of the +affairs of his nation. It is not at present applied to any of our +representatives abroad, all being called by the common name of minister.</p> + +<a id="p146"></a><p id="ch40-9">§9. <i>Consuls</i> are agents of inferior grade. They reside in foreign +seaports. Their business is to aid their respective governments in their +commercial transactions with the countries in which they reside, and to +protect the rights, commerce, merchants, and seamen of their own nation. +Hence much of their business is with masters of vessels, and with +merchants. They also dispose of the personal estate of citizens of their +own nation who die within their consulates, leaving no representative or +partner in trade to take care of their effects.</p> + +<p id="ch40-10">§10. The appointment of judges of the supreme court by the president and +senate, seems to be proper. Their election by the people, most of whom +could have little or no knowledge of the persons who should be chosen, +would be injudicious. Besides, the mass of the voters are not so +competent to judge of the qualifications necessary for so important a +judicial office, as those to whom the constitution has given the power +of appointment.</p> + +<p id="ch40-11">§11. The power of appointing the head officers of the several executive +departments, is with equal propriety given to the president and senate. +As the president is in a measure responsible for the acts of his +subordinates who conduct the business of these departments, and as, +without their coöperation, he could scarcely carry out his own measures, +it is proper that he should have the right of selecting them; and by +being required to submit his choice to the body of senators for their +approval, a sufficient safeguard is provided against the appointment of +unworthy or incompetent men.</p> + +<p id="ch40-12">§12. "The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may +happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which +shall expire at the end of the next session." (Art. 2, sec. 2, clause +3.) Without such a power somewhere, the public interests would often +suffer serious injury before the senate should again be in session to +act upon a nomination by the president. As it is his duty to see that +the business of the executive offices is <a id="p147"></a>faithfully done, he seems to +be the proper person to make such temporary appointment.</p> + +<p id="ch40-13">§13. The powers and duties of the president enumerated in the next +section of the constitution, are all necessary to insure a successful +administration of the government; and they are so clearly of an +executive nature, that they could not with any degree of propriety have +been devolved upon any other officer or department of the government.</p> + +<p id="ch40-14">§14. The last section of this article of the constitution enumerates the +persons liable to be removed from office by impeachment, and the +offenses for which they are thus removable. As in the state governments, +so in the general government, impeachments are made by the house of +representatives, and tried by the senate. (Chap. XX, §6-8; Cons. U.S., +art. I, §2, 3.)</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch41"> +<h2>Chapter XLI.</h2> + +<h3>Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the Treasury, of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; Attorney-General.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch41-1">§1. The great amount and variety of the executive business of the +nation, requires the division of this department into several +subordinate departments, and the distribution among them of the +different kinds of public business. At the head of each of these +departments is a chief officer. These chief officers, sometimes called +<i>heads of departments</i>, with the attorney general, being private +advisors or counselors of the president, are called the <i>cabinet</i>. They +are appointed by the president and senate.</p> + +<p id="ch41-2">§2. By the first congress under the constitution, were established the +state, treasury, and war departments, whose head officers, called +secretaries, and the attorney-general, <a id="p148"></a>constituted the first cabinet. +In 1798, the navy department was established. During president Jackson's +term of office, the postmaster-general was made a cabinet officer. And +the establishment, in 1849, of the department of the interior, added to +the cabinet the seventh member.</p> + +<p id="ch41-3">§3. The <i>secretary of state</i> performs such duties as are committed to +him by the president relating to foreign intercourse. Some of these +duties have been mentioned. (Chap. XXXIX, §6.) He conducts all our +diplomatic correspondence, being the official organ of communication +with the ministers of foreign governments sent to this country, and with +our ministers abroad. <i>Diplomacy</i> signifies the rules and customs which +govern the intercourse of nations through their ministers or agents; +also the management of the business of a nation by its minister at a +foreign court. And such minister, especially if he manages with ability +and skill, is called a <i>diplomatist</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch41-4">§4. The secretary of state keeps the seal of the United States; and he +makes out, records, and seals all civil commissions to officers +appointed by the president and senate, or by the president. His duties +in relation to the publishing and distributing the laws, and certain +other matters, are similar to the duties of a secretary of state of a +state government.</p> + +<p id="ch41-5">§5. The <i>secretary of the treasury</i> has charge of the finances of the +nation. He superintends the collection of the revenue, and performs +certain other duties of the nature of the controller or auditor of a +state. (Chap. XIII, §3.) He lays before congress annually a report of +the finances, containing a statement of the public revenue and +expenditure during the past year, the value of the imports and exports, +and estimates of the revenue and expenditures for succeeding years, and +plans for improving the revenues. He also makes annually a statement of +appropriations of money, and of sums remaining, in the treasury.</p> + +<p id="ch41-6">§6. The vast amount of business in this department requires a great +number of assistants; among whom are several controllers and auditors of +accounts; a treasurer, <a id="p149"></a>a register, who keeps the accounts of goods +imported and exported, and of the shipping employed in our foreign +trade; a solicitor; a recorder; and numerous clerks.</p> + +<p id="ch41-7">§7. The <i>secretary of the interior</i> superintends the business relating +to the public lands, public buildings, the lead mines and other mines of +the United States, Indian affairs, patents, and pensions. A <i>pension</i> is +a yearly allowance to a person by the government for past services. In +this country pensions are granted for services in war. They were at +first allowed only to such as had been disabled in the war of the +revolution and in the war of 1812; and subsequently to all who had +served at least six months in the revolutionary war, and to their widows +during their lives. Those disabled in the late war with Mexico have also +been added to the pension list. And by recent acts of congress, bounties +of lands were to be allowed to all the surviving soldiers of the war of +1812, who had served one month therein.</p> + +<p id="ch41-8">§8. The <i>secretary of war</i> performs duties relating to military +commissions, or to the land forces and warlike stores of the United +States. The standing army of the nation consists at present of about +15,000 men, who are distributed among the several military stations, +armed and ready for service. He reports annually a statement of the +expenditure and application of moneys drawn from the treasury for his +department, and makes such suggestions relative to its condition as he +thinks proper. He is assisted by subordinate officers and clerks.</p> + +<p id="ch41-9">§9. The <i>secretary of the navy</i> executes the orders of the president for +procuring naval stores and materials, and for equipping and employing +vessels of war, and performs such other duties pertaining to the naval +establishment as are required of him. Three officers are appointed by +the president and senate, who constitute a board of <i>commissioners for +the navy</i>, and discharge the ministerial duties of the office of the +secretary, and furnish estimates of the expenditures of the department.</p> + +<p id="ch41-10">§10. The <i>postmaster-general</i> establishes post-offices, ap<a id="p150"></a>points +postmasters and other persons employed in the general post-office, and +provides for carrying the mails. He is assisted by three assistant +post-masters-general, an auditor of the post-office treasury, to audit +and settle the accounts of the department, and to superintend the +collection of the debts due the department. The business of this +department requires a large number of clerks. He reports annually all +contracts made for the transportation of the mail, and a statement of +the receipts and expenditures of the department.</p> + +<p id="ch41-11">§11. Postmasters keep an account of all letters sent from and received +at their respective offices, stating the names of the offices from which +letters are received, and of those to which letters are sent, and +whether they are post paid or sent free. Postmasters, at stated periods, +(in most places quarterly,) advertise all letters remaining in their +offices; and they send quarterly to the general post-office accounts of +letters sent and received, and of moneys received for postage, and of +those paid out on orders of the department. Letters also which have lain +in their offices during the time for which they were required to be +advertised, are sent as <i>dead</i> letters to the general post-office, where +they are opened; and such as contain money or other valuable matter are +returned by mail to the writers.</p> + +<p id="ch41-12">§12. Postmasters are allowed for their services a commission on the +amount of postage received by them quarterly. Those at whose offices the +sums received are small, are allowed a greater per centage than those +where the receipts are large. Thus, the commission at present (1859) is, +on the first $100 received, sixty per cent.; on the next $300, fifty per +cent.; on the next $2,000, forty per cent.; on all over 2,400, fifteen +per cent. Stamped letters are considered as paid in cash. On newspaper +postages, fifty per cent, on all sums, large or small. If a postmaster's +commission exceeds $2,000 a year, besides the expenses of the office, +the excess is paid to the general post office. <a id="p151"></a>Postmasters may also +receive for pigeon-holes or boxes, not exceeding $2,000, the excess, if +any, to be paid to the general post-office. Postmasters whose +compensation amounts to $1,000 or more in a year, are appointed by the +president and senate.</p> + +<p id="ch41-13">§13. Postmasters whose commission on postages has been less than $200 +during the preceding year, may receive and send, free of postage, +letters on their own private business, weighing not more than half an +ounce. And members of congress, during their term of office, and until +the first of December after its expiration, may send and receive letters +and packages weighing not more than two ounces, and all public documents +free. A person to be entitled to send matter free, must write on the +outside his name and the title of his office. This is called <i>franking</i>. +Civil officers at the seat of government also may frank matter relating +to the business of their offices, by marking it outside, "official +business."</p> + +<p id="ch41-14">§14. The <i>attorney-general</i> attends to all suits in the supreme court of +the United States in which the United States is a party or is concerned, +and gives his opinions on questions of law when requested by the +president or heads of departments.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch42"> +<h2>Chapter XLII.</h2> + +<h3>Judicial Department.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch42-1">§1. We come now to the third article of the constitution. The first two +sections provide for the organization, and prescribe the powers, of the +courts of the United States. The want of a national judiciary was a +material defect of the confederation. Dependence upon the state courts +to enforce the laws of the union, subjected the government to great +inconvenience and embarrassment. A government that <a id="p152"></a>has a legislature +and an executive, should also have a judiciary to judge of and interpret +the laws. The constitution declares that "the judicial power of the +United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior +courts as the congress may ordain and establish." Under the authority +here given, congress passed the judiciary act of 1789, by which the +several courts of the United States were established.</p> + +<p id="ch42-2">§2. The same section declares, "The judges of both the supreme and +inferior courts shall hold their offices during good behavior." In no +other department of the general government are offices held for so long +a term, which is virtually for life, unless removed on impeachment, or +for inability. To insure a correct and impartial administration of +justice, the judges should be independent. If they could be displaced at +the pleasure of the appointing power, or by frequent elections, they +might be tempted to conform their opinions and decisions to the wishes +of those on whom they were dependent for continuance in office. The +object of the framers was to remove them as far as possible from party +influence.</p> + +<p id="ch42-3">§3. It is further provided, with a view to the independence of the +judges, that their "compensation shall not be diminished during their +continuance in office." Salaries are fixed by congress. To give congress +power over the purse of an officer, is to give it power over his will. +Dependence upon the legislature would be as great an evil as dependence +upon the appointing power. Besides, men generally selected for high +judicial offices are eminent lawyers, pursuing a lucrative professional +business; and, without a liberal salary, men of the greatest ability +would not accept these offices; or if in office, an essential reduction +of their compensation might induce them to resign their offices.</p> + +<p id="ch42-4">§4. The next section enumerates the cases to be tried in these courts. +It is evident from their nature that state courts are not the proper +tribunals to try them. Also all violations of the laws of the United +States are tried in the <a id="p153"></a>national courts. Thus, the counterfeiting of +United States coin, murder and other crimes committed on the sea, beyond +the jurisdiction of a state, smuggling goods, that is, secretly +importing dutiable goods without paying the duties, infringements of +patent rights, &c., are prosecuted in courts of the United States.</p> + +<p id="ch42-5">§5. The third clause of this section declares, that "the trial of all +crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial +shall be held in the same state where the said crimes shall have been +committed." This is intended to secure the trial of the accused among +his friends and acquaintances, and near the residence of his witnesses, +whose attendance in a distant state could not be had without great +inconvenience and expense, which might deprive him of the benefit of an +important witness.</p> + +<p id="ch42-6">§6. There are three kinds of national courts: the supreme court, circuit +courts, and district courts. Every state constitutes at least one +district. The larger states are divided into two or more districts. In +each district is a <i>district judge</i>, who holds a court four times a +year. There are also in each district, a <i>district attorney</i>, to conduct +suits on the part of the United States, and a <i>marshal</i>, whose business +is similar to that of a sheriff. This court tries the more common civil +cases, arising under the laws of the United States, and the lower crimes +against the laws of the United States, committed on land and sea. This +court has in some cases a jury.</p> + +<p id="ch42-7">§7. There are nine <i>circuits</i>, each embracing several states. In each +circuit is a justice or a judge, who holds a court in his circuit twice +a year. The district judge of the district in which a circuit court is +held, sits with the circuit judge in holding a circuit court. This court +tries causes between citizens of different states, between aliens and +citizens, and those in which the United States are a party. It also +tries some cases in appeal from the district courts. It tries matters +relating to affairs on the high seas, and all felonies punishable with +death. It has a grand and a petit jury.</p> + +<p id="ch42-8">§8. The <i>supreme court</i> is composed of the nine judges of <a id="p154"></a>the circuit +courts, one of whom is chief-justice, the others are called associate +justices. It holds one session annually at the seat of government, +commencing in January or February, and continuing about two months. It +will be seen from this section of the constitution, that this court has +<i>original</i> jurisdiction in but few cases. Its principal business is to +rejudge cases brought up from the circuit courts.</p> + +<p id="ch42-9">§9. An important object of a supreme court of the United States, is to +secure a correct and uniform interpretation of the constitution and laws +of the United States. State laws and decisions of state courts, are +sometimes made which are supposed to be repugnant to the constitution +and laws of the United States. What may be pronounced constitutional in +one state, may be declared unconstitutional in another. Therefore it is +provided that when an act or judgment in a case tried in the highest or +last court in a state is deemed inconsistent with the constitution or +laws of the United States, such case may be removed to the supreme court +of the United States, whose decision governs the judgment of all +inferior courts throughout the union.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch43"> +<h2>Chapter XLIII.</h2> + +<h3>Treason, defined; its Punishment.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch43-1">§1. The constitution defines treason, as follows: "Treason against the +United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in +adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Art. 3, sec. 3. +A proneness to construe less aggravated crimes into acts of treason, +made it proper that the constitution should define the crime. The term +<i>levying war</i> has the sense here which it was understood to have in the +English statute, from which it was <a id="p155"></a>adopted. An assemblage of men for a +treasonable purpose, such as war against the government, or a revolution +of any of its territories, and in a condition to make such war, +constitutes a levying of war.</p> + +<p id="ch43-2">§2. War can be levied only by the employment of force; troops must be +embodied; men must be openly raised; but there may be treason without +arms, or without the application of force to the object. When war is +levied, all who perform a part, however remote from the scene of action, +being leagued in the conspiracy, commit treason. But a mere conspiracy +to levy war is not treason. A secret, unarmed meeting of conspirators, +not in force, nor in warlike form, though met for a treasonable purpose, +is not treason; but these offenses are high misdemeanors.</p> + +<p id="ch43-3">§3. The constitution also prescribes the proof necessary for the +conviction of treason. "No person shall be convicted of treason, unless +on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on +confession in open court." No evidence less than this should be +considered sufficient to convict a person of a crime for which he is to +suffer death.</p> + +<p id="ch43-4">§4. "Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason." +Art. 3, sec. 3. By the common law, the punishment of treason was of a +savage and disgraceful nature. The offender was drawn to the gallows on +a hurdle; hanged by the neck and cut down alive; his entrails taken out +and burned while he was yet alive; his head cut off; and his body +quartered. Congress, in pursuance of the power here granted, has very +properly abolished this barbarous practice, and confined the punishment +to simple death by hanging.</p> + +<p id="ch43-5">§5. But the same clause provides, that "no attainder of treason shall +work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the +person attainted." <i>Attainder</i> literally signifies a staining, or +rendering impure; but it here means a conviction and judgment in court +against the offender. By the common law, the sentence of death for +treason was made to affect the <i>blood</i> of the traitor; so that <a id="p156"></a>he could +neither inherit property nor transmit it to heirs; but his estate was +forfeited. This practice, so unjust to the innocent relatives of an +offender, is properly abolished by the constitution; and congress has +declared that "no conviction or judgment shall work corruption of blood, +or any forfeiture of estate." So that while this law continues, there is +no forfeiture, even during the life of the person attainted.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch44"> +<h2>Chapter XLIV.</h2> + +<h3>State Records; Privilege of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch44-1">§1. "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public +acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the +congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, +records, and proceedings shall be proved and the effect thereof." Art. +4, sec. 1. Without this provision, a person against whom a judgment has +been obtained, might remove with his property into another state, where +the property could not be taken on execution without a new trial and +judgment; which, at so great a distance from the residence of the +creditor and his witnesses, would be very difficult and expensive, and +perhaps impossible. Now, the proceedings of the court in which a +judgment is obtained, if sent to the place where the debtor resides, +have the same effect as in the state in which such proceedings were +taken.</p> + +<p id="ch44-2">§2. There are several other cases which this provision is intended to +meet. But, as is seen, the effect of these acts, records, and judicial +proceedings, and the manner of proving them are to be prescribed by +congress. In pursuance of the power here granted, congress has enacted, +that a certificate under seal of the clerk of a court of record, +<a id="p157"></a>transmitted to any state of the union, shall there be deemed evidence +of the facts therein stated. But if the thing certified is a judicial +proceeding, such sealed certificate must be accompanied by the +certificate of the presiding judge or justice, that the attestation of +the clerk is in due form. Acts of a state legislature, to be entitled to +credit in another state, must have the seal of the state affixed to +them.</p> + +<p id="ch44-3">§3. The next section of this article provides, that "the citizens of +each state shall be entitled to all the immunities and privileges of +citizens in the several states." This means that the citizens of any +state going into other states, shall not, by the laws of those states, +be deprived of any of the privileges of citizens; but shall be entitled +to the privileges which are enjoyed by persons of the same description +in the states to which they remove. Without such a provision, any state +might deny to citizens coming into it from other states, the right to +buy and hold real estate, or to become voters, or to enjoy equal +privileges in trade or business. A state may, however, prescribe a +certain term of residence therein as a qualification for voting at +elections.</p> + +<p id="ch44-4">§4. The next clause of this section provides for apprehending "a person +charged with crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another +state." The governor of the state from which such person has fled, sends +a requisition to the governor of the state in which he is found, +demanding his delivery to the proper officers, to be conveyed back for +trial. Without such authority to apprehend criminals, they might escape +justice by taking shelter in another state.</p> + +<p id="ch44-5">§5. In the same section it is provided, that "no person held to service +or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, +shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged +from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the +party to whom such service or labor may be due." This clause was +in<a id="p158"></a>tended for the benefit of the slaveholding states. By the common law, +a slave escaping into a non-slaveholding state became free. As it was +presumed that other northern states would follow Massachusetts in +abolishing slavery, the southern states wanted some provision to enable +them to reclaim their fugitive slaves.</p> + +<p id="ch44-6">§6. The manner in which slaves are to be reclaimed, is prescribed by an +act of congress. The owner of a runaway slave, finding him in a free +state, arrests him and brings him before a magistrate; and if he proves +his title to the slave to the satisfaction of the magistrate, the slave +is delivered to the owner or claimant. Free colored persons have +sometimes been arrested, and, on false testimony, delivered to +claimants, taken to slave states and held as slaves. Hence the opinion +prevails extensively that a person claimed as a slave should be entitled +to trial by a jury; and that the fact of his being a slave should be +proved to the satisfaction of a jury before his delivery to a claimant. +Many persons, believing freedom to be the natural right of all men, hold +that all laws for returning fugitive slaves are wrong, and ought not to +be obeyed.</p> + +<p id="ch44-7">§7. The first clause of the next section provides, that "new states may +be admitted into this union," and requires the consent of congress and +of the states concerned, to the formation of new states from old ones. A +provision of this kind was deemed necessary in view of the large extent +of vacant lands within the United States, and of the inconvenient size +of some of the states then existing. The territory north-west of the +Ohio river had been ceded to the general government by the states +claiming the same; and a territorial government had already been +established therein by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. From this +territory have since been formed and admitted, the states of Ohio, +Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.</p> + +<p id="ch44-8">§8. South of the Ohio river also was a large tract, principally +unsettled, within the chartered limits of Virginia, North Carolina and +Georgia, extending west to the Missis<a id="p159"></a>sippi river, from which, it was +presumed, new states would be formed. Justice, however, to these states, +as well as to others in all future time, required the general provision +above mentioned, that "no state should be divided without the consent of +its legislature and of congress."</p> + +<p id="ch44-9">§9. The next clause authorizes congress "to dispose of and make all +needful rules and regulations respecting the territory and other +property of the United States." If the general government has power to +acquire territory, it must have the right to exercise authority over it. +This express grant establishes beyond doubt a power which had been +questioned under the confederation. In pursuance of the power here +granted, congress has made rules and regulations for governing the +people of different portions of such territory previously to their +admission as states into the union.</p> + +<p id="ch44-10">§10. The next section declares, that "the United States shall guaranty +to every state in this union a republican form of government; and shall +protect each of them against invasion, and on the application of the +legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be +convened,) against domestic violence." Art. 4, sec. 4. The propriety of +a power to prevent a state from changing its government to any other +than a republican form, is evident. It is equally proper that a state, +when invaded by a foreign enemy, or in case of an insurrection within +its own borders, should have protection and aid from the general +government; especially as the states have surrendered to it the right to +keep troops or ships of war in time of peace. (Art. 1, sec. 10.)<a id="p160"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch45"> +<h2>Chapter XLV.</h2> + +<h3>Provision for Amendments; Assumption of Public Debts; Supremacy of the Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the Constitution.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch45-1">§1. The 5th article provides for amending the constitution. It +prescribes two different modes for proposing amendments, and two modes +of ratifying them. Amendments may be proposed by two-thirds of both +houses of congress; or, on the application or request of two-thirds of +the states, congress shall call a convention for proposing amendments. +Proposed in either of these modes, amendments, to become valid as parts +of the constitution, must be ratified by the legislatures of +three-fourths of the states, or by conventions in three-fourths of them; +the mode of ratification, whether by the legislatures or by conventions, +to be proposed by congress.</p> + +<p id="ch45-2">§2. As the best human government is imperfect, and as all the future +wants and necessities of a people can not be foreseen and provided for, +it is obvious that every constitution should contain some provision for +its amendment. But if amendments could be made whenever desired by a +bare majority of the states, the strength and efficiency of the +constitution might be greatly impaired by frequent alterations. It is +therefore wisely provided, that a mere proposition to amend cannot be +made but by a majority of at least two-thirds of congress, or of the +legislatures of at least of two-thirds of the states; and that such +proposition must be ratified by a still larger majority (three-fourths) +of the states. It was thought better to submit occasionally to some +temporary inconvenience, than to indulge in frequent amendments of the +constitution.</p> + +<p id="ch45-3">§3. The 6th article acknowledges the obligation of the general +government to pay "all debts contracted before the adoption of the +constitution." As has been observed, congress had borrowed money for the +payment of which it <a id="p161"></a>was unable to provide; and one object of a change +of government was to make provision for fulfilling the engagements of +the nation. This clause, it is said, was also intended to allay the +fears of public creditors, who apprehended that a change in the +government would release the nation from its obligations.</p> + +<p id="ch45-4">§4. The next clause declares, "This constitution, and the laws made in +pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of the +United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in +every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or +laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding." If all state +authorities were not bound by the constitution and laws of the United +States, nothing would have been gained by the union. If the laws and +treaties made by the general government could be disregarded or +nullified by any power in a state, why was power to make them given to +the general government?</p> + +<p id="ch45-5">§5. The last clause of the 4th article requires certain officers, both +of the United States and of the several states to be "bound by oath or +affirmation to support this constitution." Binding the conscience of +public officers by oath or solemn affirmation, has ever been considered +necessary to secure a faithful performance of their duties. They are +generally required to swear not only to support the constitution, but +also to discharge the duties of their offices to the best of their +ability.</p> + +<p id="ch45-6">§6. The same clause declares that "no religious test shall ever be +required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the +United States." <i>Test</i> here means an oath or a declaration in favor of +or against certain religious opinions, as a qualification for office. In +England, all officers, civil and military, were formerly obliged to make +a declaration against transubstantiation, and to assent to the doctrines +and conform to the rules of the established church. Desirous of securing +to every citizen the full enjoyment of religious liberty, the +introduction of tests was prohibited by the constitution.</p> + +<a id="p162"></a><p id="ch45-7">§7. The 7th and last article declares: "The ratification of the +conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of +this constitution between the states so ratifying the same." The +immediate ratification of the constitution by all the states was hardly +to be expected; a unanimous ratification, therefore, was not required. +But a union of less than nine states was deemed inexpedient. The framers +concluded their labors on the 17th of September, 1787; and in July, +1788, the ratification of New Hampshire, the ninth state, was received +by congress.</p> + +<p id="ch45-8">§8. The dates of the ratifications of the several states are as follows: +Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, +December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, +1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South +Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 26, +1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode +Island, May 29, 1790. The two last named states did not accede to the +constitution until after proceedings under it had commenced. The +ratification of North Carolina was received by congress in January, +1790; that of Rhode Island in June following.</p> + +<p id="ch45-9">§9. The first Wednesday of January, 1789, was appointed by congress for +choosing electors of president in the several states, and the first +Wednesday of February for the electors to meet in their respective +states to elect the president. Gen. Washington was unanimously elected, +and on the 30th of April was inaugurated president. Proceedings under +the constitution, however, had commenced on the 4th of March preceding.<a id="p163"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch46"> +<h2>Chapter XLVI.</h2> + +<h3>Amendments to the Constitution.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch46-1">§1. It is remarkable that, during a period of seventy years, the +constitution has received so few alterations. Although twelve articles +of amendment, so called, have been adopted, only two, (the 11th and +12th,) have in any manner or degree changed any of its original +provisions. Most of them, it will be seen, are merely declaratory and +restrictive. As the principles which they declare were so generally +acknowledged, and as the general government was a government of limited +powers, having such only as were expressly authorized by the +constitution, the framers deemed these declarations and restrictions +unnecessary. But as several of the state conventions had, at the time of +adopting the constitution, expressed a desire that declarations and +guaranties of certain rights should be added, in order to prevent +misconstruction and abuse, the first congress, at its first session, +proposed twelve amendments, ten of which were ratified by the requisite +number of states. Virginia, the last state necessary to make up such +number, ratified December 15, 1791.</p> + +<p id="ch46-2">§2. Freedom in matters of religion, freedom of speech and of the press, +and the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances, +guarantied in the first article, are rights so essential to civil +liberty, and so evidently just, that it can hardly be presumed that +congress would ever have passed laws directly violating these rights, +even though such laws had not been prohibited.</p> + +<p id="ch46-3">§3. The second article guaranties "the right of people to bear arms." +Without this right, ambitious men might, by the aid of the regular army, +overthrow the liberties of the people, and usurp the powers of +government.</p> + +<p id="ch46-4">§4. The third article declares, that "no soldier shall, in <a id="p164"></a>time of +peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor +in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." It is a +principle of the common law, that "a man's house is his own castle." +Among the grievances enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, was +one "for quartering large bodies of armed troops" among the people of +the colonies. To secure the people against intrusions of this kind, is +the object of this prohibition.</p> + +<p id="ch46-5">§5. The fourth article guaranties "the right of the people to be secure +in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable +searches and seizures." But there could be no such security, if every +man could, on mere pretense or suspicion of injury, obtain a warrant for +arresting his neighbor or searching his premises and seizing his +property. Innocent men would often be subjected to much trouble and +perplexity; and unjust suspicions would be thrown upon their characters. +It is proper, therefore, that a magistrate shall not issue a warrant, +unless it shall be made to appear, by the oath of the applicant or of +some other person that there is probable cause.</p> + +<p id="ch46-6">§6. The rights guarantied by the fifth article are common law rights, +and founded upon just principles. We have elsewhere stated the object of +grand juries, and noticed the opinion of some, that this object is +sufficiently secured by the examination before the magistrate; and, +consequently, that grand juries are unnecessary. (See Chap. XIX, §8-10.) +But while this article continues to be a part of the constitution, grand +juries in courts of the United States can not be dispensed with. It is +quite proper, as is provided in this article, that, after a fair and +impartial trial and an acquittal, a person should not be tried a second +time. The provisions of the next article (6th) are also necessary to +secure the same object--the rights of liberty and life to every citizen.</p> + +<p id="ch46-7">§7. The seventh article of amendment secures, in courts of the United +States, "in suits at common law, where the <a id="p165"></a>value in controversy shall +exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury." By suits at common +law are meant those tried in the ordinary courts, as distinguished from +those tried in courts of equity and courts of admiralty. This article +further declares, that "no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reëxamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law." That is, if a fact tried by a jury in a lower +court, is carried up to a higher court for reëxamination, such +reëxamination or new trial shall also be by jury.</p> + +<p id="ch46-8">§8. "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, +nor unusual punishments inflicted." Amend. art. 8. The object of bail +and the manner in which it is given, have been stated. (Chap. XVIII.) +Without the above restriction, the sum might be fixed so high as to +prevent persons accused of crime from procuring the necessary sureties; +whereby innocent persons might be subjected to long imprisonment before +the time of trial. It is therefore properly left to the court to fix the +sum, which should correspond to the aggravation of the offense. Courts +have the same discretion as to the measure of punishment to be inflicted +in each particular case of crime.</p> + +<p id="ch46-9">§9. The ninth amendment is, "The enumeration in the constitution of +certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others +retained by the people." There were persons who feared that, because the +constitution mentioned certain rights as belonging to the people, those +not mentioned might be considered as having been surrendered to the +general government. This article was therefore inserted to prevent such +a misconstruction of the constitution.</p> + +<p id="ch46-10">§10. The tenth amendment is similar to the preceding. "The powers not +delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it +to the states are reserved to the states respectively, or to the +people." In other words the powers which the constitution has not given +to the general government, nor prohibited the states from exercising, +<a id="p166"></a>the states or the people have reserved to themselves. So clear is it, +that they retain all power which they have not in words parted with, +that it seems strange to many that the insertion of such a provision +should ever have been thought necessary.</p> + +<p id="ch46-11">§11. The eleventh amendment was proposed at the first session of the +third congress, March 5, 1794, and its ratification by the +constitutional number of states was announced to congress by the +president in a message dated January 8, 1798. This article prohibits a +court of the United States from trying "any suit in law or equity +commenced or prosecuted against one of the states by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state." This is +intended to prevent a state from being sued in an original suit, by a +private person, the citizen of another state.</p> + +<p id="ch46-12">§12. The twelfth and last amendment effects a change in the mode of +electing the president and vice-president, and has been considered. +(Chap. XXXIX, §4.) This amendment was proposed at the first session of +the eighth congress, December 12, 1803, and was adopted by the requisite +number of states in 1804, according to a public notice by the secretary +of state, dated the 25th of September of the same year.</p> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="part" id="part4"> +<h1>Common and Statutory Law.</h1> + + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch47"> +<h2>Chapter XLVII.</h2> + +<h3>Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch47-1">§1. Having taken a general view of the state governments and the +government of the United States, and seen how wisely they are adapted to +promote the general wel<a id="p167"></a>fare and secure the blessings of liberty; we +proceed to give a digest of the laws which more particularly define the +rights and prescribe the duties of citizens, or by which their social +and civil intercourse is to be regulated. These laws, it will be +recollected, we have elsewhere called the <i>municipal</i> or <i>civil</i> laws, +as distinguished from the <i>political</i> or <i>fundamental</i> law of the state. +(Chap. III, §6.)</p> + +<p id="ch47-2">§2. These laws are of two kinds, the written or statute law, and the +unwritten or common law. <i>Statute laws</i> are those which are enacted by +the legislature, and recorded in writing, and are usually collected and +published in books. The word <i>statute</i> is from the Latin <i>statuo</i>, to +set, fix, or establish.</p> + +<p id="ch47-3">§3. The <i>common law</i> is not a code of written laws enacted by a +legislature, but consists of rules of action which have become binding +from long usage and established custom. It is said to be founded in +reason and the principles of justice. The common law of England was +brought over by our ancestors, and established here before the +revolution. Some of the states, in their constitutions, adopted after +the revolution, declared it to be the law of their respective states; +and it has continued to be law in all the states, and is still so +considered, except such parts as have been altered or repealed by +constitutional or legislative enactments, or by usage.</p> + +<p id="ch47-4">§4. The most valuable rights protected by law are the rights of personal +security and personal liberty. The right of <i>personal security</i> is the +right to be secure from injury to our persons or good names. By +<i>personal liberty</i> is meant the freedom of our bodies or persons from +restraint or confinement. Provisions guarantying these rights have been +incorporated into our national constitution, and the constitutions of +the several states.</p> + +<p id="ch47-5">§5. The right of personal security is also protected by the law, by +which a man, on showing reasonable cause of danger of personal injury, +may require his adversary to be bound with sureties to keep the peace. +And for violence <a id="p168"></a>committed, the offender may be prosecuted in behalf of +the state and punished, and is liable also to the party aggrieved in a +civil suit for damages.</p> + +<p id="ch47-6">§6. This right is further protected by the law which permits a man to +exercise the natural right of self-defense. In defending his person in +case of a felonious assault, he may lawfully take the life of his +assailant. This is by law pronounced justifiable homicide, and is +allowed also in defense of one's property against felonious and violent +injury. But homicide (man-killing) is not justifiable in case of a +private injury, nor upon the pretense of necessity when the party is not +free from fault in bringing that necessity upon himself.</p> + +<p id="ch47-7">§7. The right to be secure in our good names, which is included in the +right of personal security, is protected by the law against slander and +libel. A <i>slander</i> is a false and malicious report or statement tending +to injure another in his reputation or business, and which, if true, +would render him unworthy of confidence or employment; or it is the +maliciously charging of another with anything by which he sustains +special injury. The slander of a person by words spoken, is a civil +injury, that is, an injury for which redress is to be obtained in a +civil suit for damages.</p> + +<p id="ch47-8">§8. A slander written or printed, is called <i>libel</i>. A libel is a +malicious publication in print or writing, signs or pictures, tending to +expose a person to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule. And it is +considered in law a publication of such defamatory writing, though +communicated to a single person. A slander written or printed is likely +to have a wider circulation, to make a deeper impression, and to become +more injurious. A person may therefore be liable in damages for words in +print or writing, for which he would not be liable if merely spoken. In +case of libel, a person is not only liable to a private suit for +damages, but may be indicted and tried as for other public offenses.</p> + +<p id="ch47-9">§9. It is a principle of English common law, that in a criminal action +for libel it is immaterial whether the matter of it is true or false; +and a person prosecuted for libel is <a id="p169"></a>not allowed, in justification, to +prove to the jury the truth of his statement, since the provocation, not +the falsity, is to be punished. And, whether true or false, the libelous +publication is equally dangerous to the public peace, and is presumed to +have been made with malicious intent.</p> + +<p id="ch47-10">§10. It is held--and perhaps it is the prevailing opinion--that in a +civil action for damages, a libel must be false as well as scandalous, +and, consequently, that the truth may be pleaded in justification. This +point, however, is not fully settled. The reason for this distinction +between cases of public and private prosecution, it is not easy to +perceive. If it is just to inquire into the good or bad intentions of +the publisher in one case, it would seem to be equally so in the other.</p> + +<p id="ch47-11">§11. But the common law has been materially modified and relaxed in this +country. In most of the states it is provided by their constitutions or +by law, that the truth may be given in evidence, and if it shall appear +to the jury "that the matter charged as libelous is true, and was +published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be +acquitted." As it may sometimes be proper to speak or publish an +unfavorable truth concerning others, the principle of the above +provision would seem to be founded in justice. In the state of Vermont, +and perhaps in a few other states, if the party prosecuted proves the +truth of his statement in any case, he is acquitted.</p> + +<p id="ch47-12">§12. The right of <i>personal liberty</i> is secured by express provision of +the national constitution, which guaranties to every citizen "the +privilege of the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>." (Cons. U.S. art. 1, sec. 9.) +The nature of this writ has been explained. (Chap. XXXVI, §4.) The same +provision has been inserted in the state constitutions. This was a +common law privilege, independently of any constitutional enactment. The +principal object of the provision seems to be to take from congress and +the state legislatures the power to abolish this privilege, or even to +suspend it for any time, or in any case, except the particular cases +mentioned.</p> + +<a id="p170"></a><p id="ch47-13">§13. Freedom of religious opinion and worship, or liberty of +conscience, is a valuable personal right, included in the term, personal +liberty, and is effectually secured in this country. In England, the +country of our ancestors, there is a church established and supported by +the government. This is sometimes called "union of church and state." +The American people, from their love of religious freedom, have, in +their constitutions, expressly prohibited congress from making laws +"respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free +exercise thereof." (Amend. art. 1.) And the state constitutions have +adopted similar provisions.</p> + +<p id="ch47-14">§14. Another important personal right comprehended in the term personal +liberty, and guarantied in the same article of the national +constitution, and in the state constitutions, is the liberty of speech +and of the press. Some of the monarchical governments of Europe +prohibited the people from speaking against the sovereign or his +government. Books and papers could not be published until they had been +examined and approved. The persons authorized to examine the +manuscripts, were called <i>censors</i>. Hence the expression sometimes +heard, "censorship of the press." To secure the liberty of speaking and +publishing their sentiments freely up on all subjects, the people of +this country have made express provision in their constitutions; which, +however, while they properly guaranty this right, leave men "responsible +for its abuse," and liable to prosecution for slander or libel. (§7, 8.)</p> + +<p id="ch47-15">§15. The <i>right of property</i> is the right to acquire property, and to be +free in the use and enjoyment of it. To protect men in the enjoyment of +this right, is one of the principal objects of constitutions and laws. +The rights of property will constitute the subject matter of several +subsequent chapters of this digest of "common and statutory law." (Chap. +L, and onward.)<a id="p171"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch48"> +<h2>Chapter XLVIII.</h2> + +<h3>Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch48-1">§1. To render a marriage contract lawful, the parties must be of +sufficient age, called the age of consent; which, by the common law of +the land, is fourteen years in males, and twelve in females. In some +states the age of consent has been altered by statute. In Ohio, Indiana, +and Michigan, it has been raised to eighteen years in males, and +fourteen in females; in Illinois to seventeen and fourteen; in +Wisconsin, to eighteen and fifteen.</p> + +<p id="ch48-2">§2. The parties must also have sufficient understanding to transact the +ordinary business of life. Idiots and lunatics cannot legally contract +marriage. Persons must also act freely. If the consent of either party +has been obtained by force or fraud, the marriage may be declared void. +The parties must not be nearly related. The degrees of relationship at +which they are forbidden to marry are in some states fixed by law; but +the laws of these states on the subject are not uniform. Some states +have forbidden marriages which come within what is called the Levitical +degrees; but these degrees have received different interpretations. +According to the interpretation of some, the relation of uncle and niece +and aunt and nephew, come within this rule.</p> + +<p id="ch48-3">§3. No person can lawfully remarry who has a wife or husband living. +Such second marriage is, by the common law, null and void. In some of +the states, perhaps in most of them, it is declared <i>polygamy</i>, and a +state prison offense, except in certain cases; as when the husband or +wife of the party who remarries has been long absent, and the party +re-marrying does not know the other to have been living within the time; +or when the former husband or wife of the party remarrying has been +sentenced to imprisonment for life; or when the former marriage has been +<a id="p172"></a>lawfully annulled or dissolved. If, however, a marriage has been +annulled or dissolved for the cause of adultery, the criminal party is, +in some states at least, not allowed to remarry.</p> + +<p id="ch48-4">§4. In some of the cases excepted in the preceding section, the second +marriage is merely excusable. Although the party to such marriage is +exempt from the <i>penalty</i>, yet if the former wife or husband is living, +though the fact is unknown, and no divorce has been duly announced, or +the first marriage has not been duly annulled; the second marriage is +void. Where there is no statute regulation, the common law governs, +which is, that nothing but death, or a decree of a competent court, can +dissolve the marriage tie.</p> + +<p id="ch48-5">§5. The manner in which marriages are to be solemnized, and by whom, and +the manner in which marriage licenses are to be obtained, or notices of +marriage published, (which are required in some states,) are prescribed +by the laws of the states in which such regulations exist. Marriages may +usually be solemnized by ministers of the gospel, judges, justices of +the peace, and certain other officers. But by the common law, a marriage +is rendered valid by a simple consent of the parties declared before +witnesses, or subsequently acknowledged; or such consent may be inferred +from continual cohabitation and reputation as husband and wife.</p> + +<p id="ch48-6">§6. In law, the husband and wife are regarded as one person. By the +common law, the husband, by marriage, acquires a right to the property +of the wife which she had before marriage, and which she may acquire +after marriage. To her personal property, including debts due her by +bond, note, or otherwise, he has an absolute right, and may use and +dispose of the same as he pleases. Her chattels real, however, which are +leases of land for years, though personal property, he can not dispose +of by will; and if he makes no disposition of them during his life time, +and she outlives him, she takes them in her own right. If he survives +his wife, he acquires an absolute right to them.</p> + +<a id="p173"></a><p id="ch48-7">§7. But to the real estate of the wife, the husband does not acquire an +absolute right. He has only a right to the use, rents, and profits +thereof during his life, if he shall die before his wife; and in that +event she takes the estate again in her own right. If the wife dies +first, and there are no children, her heirs immediately take the estate. +If there are children living, the husband holds the estate for life, and +on his death it goes to the wife or her heirs.</p> + +<p id="ch48-8">§8. But this rule of the common law which gives to the husband the +possession and disposal of the property of the wife, has been repealed +by special enactments in most of the states. By these state laws, the +real and personal property of the wife owned by her before marriage, or +conveyed to her by any other person than her husband after marriage, +with the rents and profits of such property, is declared to be her own, +and at her disposal, and not liable for the debts of her husband, except +in a few cases specified in the law of each state. In some of these +states, although the property of the wife is not liable for the +husband's debts, he has the control and management, and the rents and +profits of it.</p> + +<p id="ch48-9">§9. As the husband, by common law, acquires, by marriage, an interest in +the property of his wife, he becomes liable for her debts contracted +before marriage; but if they are not recovered of him during coverture, +he is discharged <i>Coverture</i>, in law, is the state of a married woman, +considered as under <i>cover</i>, or under the power of her husband. Some of +the states which have abolished the common law right of the husband to +the property of the wife acquired before marriage, have also abolished +the common law obligation of the husband to pay the debts of the wife +contracted before marriage; her property alone being liable for such +debts.</p> + +<p id="ch48-10">§10. The husband is bound to maintain his wife, and is liable for debts +which she may contract for necessaries, but for nothing more. If he +refuses to provide for her wants, <a id="p174"></a>or if, through other ill treatment or +fault on his part, they become separate, he is liable to fulfill her +contracts for necessaries, even though he has forbidden persons to trust +her. If they part by consent, and he secures to her a separate +maintenance, and pays it according to agreement, he is not liable, even +for necessaries.</p> + +<p id="ch48-11">§11. The husband and wife can not be witnesses for or against each +other; but any declarations made by a wife when acting as agent for her +husband, may be admitted in evidence against him. In a few states, laws +have been proposed, and, it is believed, in some they have been passed, +removing, to some extent, this restriction upon the right of a husband +or wife to the testimony of the other.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch49"> +<h2>Chapter XLIX.</h2> + +<h3>Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch49-1">§1. Parents, as the natural guardians of their children, are obliged to +provide for their support and education during their minority, or while +they are under twenty-one years of age. At twenty-one they attain the +age of majority, when they are said to be <i>of age</i>. Under this age they +are, in law, <i>infants</i>, or <i>minors</i>. The father, if he is able, is bound +to support his minor children, even if they have property of their own; +but in such case the mother is not so bound. But a husband is not +obliged to maintain the child of his wife by a former husband. If, +however, he takes the child into his family, he is responsible for its +maintenance and education while it lives with him.</p> + +<p id="ch49-2">§2. A father may be liable for necessaries sold to a child. But to be so +liable, it must be proved that the contract for the articles was made by +his actual authority, or the circumstances must be sufficient to imply +authority; or that neglect to provide for the child, or some other fault +<a id="p175"></a>on the part of the father, rendered assistance to the child necessary. +Being bound to provide for his children, the father has a right to their +labor or service; and he may recover their wages from any person +employing them without his consent.</p> + +<p id="ch49-3">§3. In general, a minor cannot bind himself by contract. If he lives +with his father or guardian, by whom he is properly supplied, he can not +bind himself even for necessaries. But if, on contracting a debt, he +agrees to pay it after he shall have become of age, he will then become +liable. If a minor has no father or other guardian, his contracts for +necessaries are binding upon him.</p> + +<p id="ch49-4">§4. If a minor takes an estate and agrees to pay rent, he will be liable +for its payment after he shall have become of age. If he receives rents, +he can not demand them again when of age. If he pays money on a +contract, and enjoys the benefit of the contract and then avoids it when +he comes of age, he can not recover back the consideration paid. And if +he avoids an executed contract when he comes of age, on the grounds of +infancy, he must restore the consideration.</p> + +<p id="ch49-5">§5. Minors are answerable for crimes, and may be indicted and tried, +and, on conviction, be fined and imprisoned. They are responsible also +for acts of fraud. Their age and the peculiar circumstances in which +they were placed, might be such as to exempt them from liability; but in +cases of gross and palpable fraud committed by minors who have arrived +at the age of discretion, they would be bound by a contract.</p> + +<p id="ch49-6">§6. In general, male infants and unmarried females under eighteen years, +may, of their own free will, bind themselves, in writing, to serve as +<i>apprentices</i> and servants, in any trade or employment; males until the +age of twenty-one, and females until the age of eighteen years, or for a +shorter time. But the minor must have the consent of the father; or if +the father is dead, or disqualified by law, or <a id="p176"></a>neglects to provide for +his family, consent must be had of the mother; or, if the mother is dead +or disqualified, then of the guardian.</p> + +<p id="ch49-7">§7. Pauper children may be bound out by the officers having charge of +the poor. And the laws of many of the states, perhaps of most or all of +them, very properly require, that a person, to whom a poor child is +bound, shall agree to cause such child to be taught to read and write, +and, if a male, to be also instructed in the general rules of +arithmetic.</p> + +<p id="ch49-8">§8. Masters have a right to correct their apprentices with moderation +for negligence and misbehavior; and they may recover damage at law of +their apprentices for willful absence. On the other hand, a master may +be prosecuted for ill usage to his apprentice, and for a breach of his +covenant. A master is liable to pay for necessaries for his apprentice, +and for medical attendance, but he is not so liable in the case of a +hired servant.</p> + +<p id="ch49-9">§9. When an apprentice becomes immoral and disobedient, an investigation +of the matter may be had by the proper authorities; and for good cause +the indenture may be annulled, and the parties discharged from their +obligations. Upon the death of a master, an apprenticeship is dissolved.</p> + +<p id="ch49-10">§10. There is, it is believed, no statute law in any state, particularly +defining the rights and obligations of <i>hired servants</i> and the persons +employing them. Both are obliged to fulfill their agreement. If a hired +servant leaves the service of his employer, without good cause, before +he has worked out the time for which he was hired, he cannot recover his +wages. And for immoral conduct, willful disobedience, or habitual +neglect, he may be dismissed. On the other hand, ill usage, or any +failure on the part of the employer to fulfill his engagement, releases +the laborer from his service.</p> + +<p id="ch49-11">§11. How far a master is answerable for the acts of his hired servant, +is not clear. As a general rule, the master <a id="p177"></a>is bound for contracts +made, and liable for injuries done, by a servant actually engaged in the +business of his master, whether the injury proceeds from negligence or +from want of skill. But for an injury done by a willful act of the +servant, it is considered that the master is not liable. If the servant +employs another to do his business, the master is liable for the injury +done by the person so employed. But a servant is accountable to his +master for a breach of trust, or for negligence in business, or for +injuring another person in his master's business.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="chL"> +<h2>Chapter L.</h2> + +<h3>Right of Property. How Title to property is acquired; Wills and Testaments Title to Property by Descent.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch50-1">§1. Every citizen of the United States is capable of holding lands, or +real estate, and of taking them by devise, descent, or purchase, and of +selling and conveying away such estate. Aliens, by common law, have not +this power. In many of the states, however, this disability has been +removed by statute. On declaring their intention to become citizens, and +complying with certain regulations, aliens acquire the right to take and +hold real estate to themselves and their heirs. But they may hold and +dispose of personal property without any special enactment.</p> + +<p id="ch50-2">§2. To <i>devise</i> property is to give or bequeath it by will. A <i>will</i> is +a written instrument in which a person declares his will concerning the +disposal of his property after his death. It is also called <i>testament</i>. +This word is from the Latin <i>testis</i>, meaning witness. Hence the word +has come to be applied to this instrument, which is the witness or proof +of a person's will. A person making a will is called <i>testator</i>; one who +dies without making a will or testament, is called <i>intestate</i>.</p> + +<a id="p178"></a><p id="ch50-3">§3. All persons of full age and sound mind, except married women, may +give and bequeath real and personal estate by a last will and testament. +In many of the states, personal estate may be willed at an earlier age. +In a few states, females at eighteen may make a will of real and +personal estate. In a few states, personal estate may be willed +verbally, if the will is within a specified time reduced to writing, and +subscribed by disinterested witnesses. In Ohio such will must be written +within ten days after the speaking of the testamentary words. A will of +this kind is called a <i>nuncupative</i> will.</p> + +<p id="ch50-4">§4. In most of the states, laws have been enacted, allowing married +women to hold, in their own exclusive right, all the property, real and +personal, which they owned at the time of marriage, and which they may +acquire after marriage. (Chap. XLVIII, §8.) With the right of possession +is also given, it is presumed, the power of disposing of the property by +will.</p> + +<p id="ch50-5">§5. A will devising real estate must be subscribed by at least two, in +some slates three, attending witnesses, in whose presence the testator +must subscribe the will, or acknowledge that he subscribed it, and +declare it to be his last will and testament. If the testator is unable +to sign his will, another person may write the testator's name by his +direction; but he should sign his own name as witness to the will.</p> + +<p id="ch50-6">§6. A testator may revoke or alter his will by a later will or writing, +executed in the same manner. But the second will, to revoke the former, +must contain words expressly revoking it, or directing a different +disposal of the property. A will may also be revoked by a sale of the +property. And any alteration of the estate or interest of the testator +in lands devised, is held to be an implied revocation of the will. Lands +purchased after a will has been made, are not conveyed by it. As a +general rule, a will is also revoked by the subsequent marriage of the +testator and birth of a child, unless the wife and child have been +otherwise provided for. The will of an unmarried woman is revoked by her +marriage.</p> + +<a id="p179"></a><p id="ch50-7">§7. By the statutes of some states, a child born after the death of the +testator, or born in his lifetime and after the making of the will, +inherits a share of the estate, as if the father had died intestate. In +some other states, the statute goes further, and gives the same relief +to all the children who are not provided for in the will, and who have +not had their portion in the parent's lifetime.</p> + +<p id="ch50-8">§8. A <i>codicil</i> is an addition or a supplement to a will, and must be +executed with the same solemnity. It is no revocation of a will, except +in the precise degree in which it is inconsistent with it.</p> + +<p id="ch50-9">§9. After the death of a testator, the will is brought before the court +of probate to be proved. (Chap. XX, §5.) When a will has been duly +proved and allowed, the court issues letters testamentary to the +executor. An <i>executor</i> is a person named in the will of a testator to +carry the will into effect. <i>Letters testamentary</i> give him the power to +act in settling the estate of the deceased. If he refuses to act, or is +not lawfully qualified, the court appoints a person, who, in that case, +is called <i>administrator</i>; and the court issues <i>letters of +administration</i> with the will annexed. Letters of administration are +also issued in case of a person dying intestate. They give to the +administrator the requisite authority to settle the estate.</p> + +<p id="ch50-10">§10. Taking property by <i>descent</i>, is the receiving of it from an +ancestor or other relative dying intestate. If a person dies without +making a will, his property falls, or <i>descends</i> to his lawful heirs. +The order or rule of descent is not uniform in this country, being +determined, to a great extent, by the laws of the states. In general, +however, the real estate of an intestate descends, first to his lineal +descendants, that is, persons descending in a direct line, as from +parents to children, and from children to grand-children. The lineal +descendants most nearly related to the intestate, however distant the +relation may be, takes the estate.</p> + +<p id="ch50-11">§11. If any children of an intestate are dead, and any <a id="p180"></a>are living, the +inheritance descends to the children living, and to the descendants of +the children dead, so that each child living shall receive such share as +he would receive if all were living, and the children of those who are +dead such share as the parents would receive if living. Thus, suppose an +intestate had three sons, one of whom is dead, but has left children. In +this case, each of the sons living would share one-third of the +property, and the children of the deceased son the remaining third.</p> + +<p id="ch50-12">§12. But if the children are all dead, and there are grand-children +living, the grand-children share equally, though not an equal number are +children of each parent. If, for example, an intestate dies leaving no +children, but having had two sons, one of whom had left three children, +and the other two, the five share equally in the estate. The laws of +Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, +Louisiana, and Alabama, unless recently altered, are exceptions to this +rule. In these states, and perhaps in a few others, though the children +of the intestate are all dead, the grand-children do not share equally, +but those of each stock, or family, take the portion which their parent +would have taken if living.</p> + +<p id="ch50-13">§13. The order of descent is so different in the states, especially when +there are no lineal descendants of an intestate, that it can be +ascertained only by reference to the laws of each state. As a general +rule, real estate passes, (1.) to the lineal descendants; (2.) to the +father; (3.) to the mother; (4.) to the collateral or <i>side</i> relatives, +as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, &c. But even to this general rule +there are exceptions in the laws of some states.</p> + +<p id="ch50-14">§14. The rule of descent given in the preceding sections, it will be +seen, relates to <i>real</i>, and not to personal estate. The rule in regard +to real estate, and that relating to personal estate, are generally +somewhat different in the same state.<a id="p181"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch51"> +<h2>Chapter LI.</h2> + +<h3>Deeds and Mortgages.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch51-1">§1. In whatever manner a person acquires possession of real estate, +whether by devise, descent, purchase, or gift, evidence of possession +consists, usually, in a <i>deed</i>, which is a written instrument conveying +real estate to an heir, a purchaser, or a donee. A deed of land sold, +contains the names of the seller and the purchaser, the consideration, +or sum paid for it, and a description of it; and in express words grants +and conveys all the interest of the seller or grantor to the purchaser +and his heirs forever: and the seller affixes his name and seal to the +instrument, usually in the presence of one or more subscribing +witnesses.</p> + +<p id="ch51-2">§2. But a deed thus executed does not give to the purchaser sure +possession of the land, until it has been duly recorded in the office of +the proper recording officer of the county in which the land lies; or in +the office of the town clerk, in those states in which conveyances are +required to be there recorded. If the land should be conveyed by the +seller to a subsequent purchaser who should get his deed first on +record, such purchaser would hold the land, unless, before purchasing, +he had had notice of a sale and deed to a prior purchaser.</p> + +<p id="ch51-3">§3. In some states, a reasonable time is allowed a purchaser to get his +deed recorded before he loses his right of possession by the earlier +recording of another's deed. In some other states, the time is fixed by +law, and varies in these different states from fifteen days to two +years. But a deed, though not recorded in season to secure the title +against a second purchaser, or though not recorded at all, is good +against the sellor or grantor; and the dispossessed purchaser has a +lawful claim against him for the value of the land.</p> + +<a id="p182"></a><p id="ch51-4">§4. A recorder or register may not record a conveyance of land without +proof that it was executed by the person named in it as the maker or +grantor. This proof consists, usually, in a certificate of a proper +officer, on the back or margin of the deed, stating that the person so +named appeared before him, and, being duly sworn, acknowledged that he +was the person who had executed the deed. In every state, judges of +courts and justices of the peace, mayors of cities and aldermen, +notaries public, or some of these officers, and commissioners of deeds +appointed for that special purpose may take acknowledgments. In New York +and a few other states, the acknowledgment may be dispensed with, and +the execution of the deed may be proved by the subscribing witnesses. +Deeds duly acknowledged, are, with the acknowledgments, copied by the +recorder, word for word, in books provided for that purpose.</p> + +<p id="ch51-5">§5. As a person can not give a good title unless he has one himself, the +seller or grantor covenants and agrees that he is seized of the premises +in <i>fee-simple</i>, (meaning that he is the absolute owner,) and that he +will <i>warrant and defend</i> the premises in the quiet and peaceable +possession of the purchaser and his heirs forever. Hence such deed is +called a <i>warranty deed</i>, [For definition of <i>fee</i> and <i>fee-simple</i>, see +Chap. LIII, §1.] A <i>quit-claim</i> deed merely conveys the interest or +claim of the grantor. It contains no warranty of title against any other +claimant.</p> + +<p id="ch51-6">§6. A <i>mortgage</i> is a grant of land as security for the payment of +money, on condition that, if the money shall be paid according to +contract, the grant shall be void. When only a part of the purchase +money is paid on receiving a deed, the purchaser usually executes a +mortgage to the seller, pledging the land as security for the remainder +of the purchase money. And if the money shall not be paid as agreed, the +land may be sold; but if sold for more than the amount due, the overplus +is to be paid to the mortgager.</p> + +<p id="ch51-7">§7 To effect a full conveyance of real estate, a wife <a id="p183"></a>must join with +her husband by signing the deed with him; or, in case of the husband's +death in her lifetime, she would be entitled, for life, to the use of +one-third of the estate. This interest of a widow in the estate of a +deceased husband, is called <i>dower</i>. It is necessary also for the wife +to acknowledge, before the officer taking the acknowledgment, and apart +from her husband, that she signed the deed freely, and without +compulsion of her husband. In some states, the acknowledgment of the +wife out of the presence of her husband is not required.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch52"> +<h2>Chapter LII.</h2> + +<h3>Incorporeal Hereditaments. Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch52-1">§1. The term <i>incorporeal hereditaments</i> may, to some readers, need +explanation. A <i>hereditament</i> is a thing capable of being inherited. +Land, and all things attached to it by the course of nature or the hands +of men, as trees, herbage, water, buildings, &c., which are comprehended +in the term real estate, are <i>corporeal</i> hereditaments. <i>Incorporeal</i> +hereditaments are inheritable rights which grow out of corporeal +inheritances, or which consist in their enjoyment; as the right of +pasturing a common; a right of passage over the land of another; a right +to the use of waters, sometimes called <i>aquatic rights</i>, &c.</p> + +<p id="ch52-2">§2. A <i>right of way</i> is a right of private passage over another man's +ground. This right is sometimes granted by the owner of the soil; and to +make it a freehold right, it must be created by deed, though it be only +an easement upon the land of another, and not an interest in the land +itself. An <i>easement</i> is, in general, an accommodation. In law, it is +any privilege or convenience which one has of <a id="p184"></a>another, by grant or +otherwise, as a right of way, &c. By the grant of an easement, the +grantee acquires no other right than what is necessary to the fair +enjoyment of the privilege.</p> + +<p id="ch52-3">§3. If it is a mere personal right, it can be enjoyed only by the owner +of the right, and when he dies, the right dies with him. But a right of +way belonging to an estate may be conveyed when the land is sold. Thus, +if a man owns lot A and lot B, and he used a way from lot A, over lot B, +to a mill, or to a river; and if he sells lot A with all ways and +easements, the grantee will have the same privilege of passing over lot +B as the grantor had.</p> + +<p id="ch52-4">§4. A right of way may arise from necessity. If a man sells a part of +his land, and there is no other way to the remaining part, he is +entitled to a right of way to it over the land sold. And if a man sells +land wholly surrounded by his own land, the purchaser is entitled to a +right of way to it over the other's ground, even though no such right is +reserved. The right of way passes to the purchaser, as necessarily +incident to the grant, or included in it.</p> + +<p id="ch52-5">§5. A man having license to conduct lead pipes through the land of +another, may enter on the land, and dig therein, to mend the pipes. The +general rule is, that when the use of a thing is granted, every thing is +granted which is necessary to the enjoyment of its use.</p> + +<p id="ch52-6">§6. A person has a temporary right of way over land adjoining a public +highway, if the highway is out of repair, or is obstructed by snow, a +flood, or otherwise. But the right of going upon adjoining lands does +not apply to private ways. A person having a right to a private way over +another's land, has no right to go upon adjoining land, even though the +private way is impassable.</p> + +<p id="ch52-7">§7. A right of way sometimes arises by <i>prescription</i>; which is the +right or title to a thing derived from long use and enjoyment. Such is +the right which, by common law, a man acquires to land which has been +peaceably held by himself, or by himself and preceding owners, for +twenty years. Although the first occupancy was obtained with<a id="p185"></a>out grant, +the long free use of the land is, in law, equivalent to a grant, and +implies a valid title. In some states, shorter periods have been fixed +by statute in which a right by prescription may be obtained. In +Pennsylvania, and Ohio, the period is fixed at twenty-one years.</p> + +<p id="ch52-8">§8. The owners of land adjoining highways, have a right to the soil to +the centre of the road: the public have only a right of passage while +the road is continued. The owners of the soil may maintain a suit +against any person who encroaches upon the road, or digs up the soil, or +cuts down trees growing on the side of the road. They may carry water in +pipes under it, and have every use of it that does not interfere with +the rights of the public.</p> + +<p id="ch52-9">§9. Every proprietor of lands adjoining a stream, has naturally an equal +right to the use of the water that flows in the stream adjacent to his +lands, "as it was wont to run." Each may use the water while it runs +upon his own land; but he can not unreasonably detain it, or give it +another direction; and he must return it to its ordinary channel when it +leaves his estate. He can not, by dams or any obstruction, cause the +water injuriously to overflow the grounds of the neighbor above him, nor +so use or apply it as materially to injure his neighbor below him.</p> + +<p id="ch52-10">§10. But this right to the use of waters, as an easement to the land, +may be acquired and lost, or enlarged and abridged, by prescription. A +man may diminish the quantity of the water, or corrupt its quality, by +the exercise of certain trades; and by such use of the water for a +sufficient length of time, he is in law <i>presumed</i> to have acquired it +by grant: and this presumption is the foundation of his right by +prescription. The time of such use and enjoyment of water necessary to +establish such right is twenty years, except in states in which a +different period is fixed by statute. (§7.)</p> + +<p id="ch52-11">§11. It is a general and established doctrine, that an <a id="p186"></a>exclusive and +uninterrupted enjoyment of water, or of light, or of any other easement, +in any particular way, for twenty years, or for any other period which +in any particular state is the established period of limitation, is a +sufficient enjoyment to raise a presumption of title as against the +right of any other person. The enjoyment is deemed to have been +uninterrupted, whether it has been continued from ancestor to heir, and +from seller to buyer; or whether the use has been enjoyed during the +entire period by one person.</p> + +<p id="ch52-12">§12. As a right may be acquired by use, so it may be lost by disuse; and +as an enjoyment for twenty years, or such other period as is prescribed +by statute, is necessary to establish a right; an absolute +discontinuance of the use for such period will raise the presumption +that the right has been released or extinguished. Thus a title to land +may pass from its actual owner by non-occupancy for the period above +stated; and a title to it may be acquired by an undisturbed occupant who +shall hold it in peaceable and uninterrupted possession for the same +period.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch53"> +<h2>Chapter LIII.</h2> + +<h3>Leases:--Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; Estates by Sufferance; Rent, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch53-1">§1. Real estate, the title to which is conveyed by deed, as +distinguished from other estates in land, is called an <i>estate of +inheritance</i>. An estate of inheritance, that is, an estate in lands that +may be transmitted by the owner to his heirs, is a <i>fee</i>. No estate is +deemed a fee unless it may continue forever. When it is a pure and +absolute inheritance, clear of any qualification or condition, it is +called a <i>fee-simple</i>.</p> + +<a id="p187"></a><p id="ch53-2">§2. An interest in lands which is to continue for a limited period, is +usually conveyed by a written instrument called lease. <i>To lease</i>, means +to let; but generally to grant the temporary possession of real estate +to another for rent or reward. Sometimes the word <i>demise</i> is used for +ease. The landlord, or person letting the estate, is called <i>lessor</i>; +and the tenant, or person to whom the land is leased, is called +<i>lessee</i>. Leases for a term longer than one year, are usually required +to be sealed, and in some states, proved and recorded also, as deeds and +mortgages.</p> + +<p id="ch53-3">§3. These limited interests in land are divided into estates for life, +estates for years, estates at will, and estates by sufferance. An +<i>estate for life</i> is an estate conveyed to a person for the term of his +natural life. Life estates held by lease, however, are not common in +this country. Another kind of life estate is that which is acquired, not +by the acts of the parties, as by lease, but by the operation of law. +Such is the right of a husband to the real estate of his wife acquired +by her before or after marriage. Such also is the right of dower. (Chap. +XLVIII, §6, 7. Chap. LI, §7.)</p> + +<p id="ch53-4">§4. An <i>estate for years</i> is a right to the possession and profits of +land for a determinate period, for compensation, called rent; and it is +deemed an estate for years, though the number of years should exceed the +ordinary limit of human life. And if a lease should be for a less time +than a year, the lessee would be ranked among tenants for years. Letting +land upon shares for a single crop is not considered a lease; and +possession remains in the owner.</p> + +<p id="ch53-5">§5. A lessee for years may assign over his whole interest to another, +unless restrained by agreement not to assign without leave of the +lessor. And he may underlet for any less number of years than he himself +holds; but he is himself liable to the landlord.</p> + +<p id="ch53-6">§6. A tenant for years, whose lease expires after the land is sown or +planted, and before harvest, is not entitled to the crop, if the lease +is for a certain period; for, knowing that his lease would expire before +harvest time, he <a id="p188"></a>might have avoided the loss of his labor. But if the +lease for years depends upon an uncertain event, the occurring of which +would terminate the lease before the expiration of the term, the tenant +would be entitled to the crop, if there were time to reap what has been +sown, in case he should live. It is believed that, in a few states, the +tenant has a right to the crop from grain sown in the autumn before the +expiration of the lease, and cut the next summer after its expiration.</p> + +<p id="ch53-7">§7. Where there is an express agreement to pay rent, the tenant can not +avoid payment even if the premises are destroyed by fire or flood, or if +he is in any other manner deprived of their enjoyment and use, even +without any default on his part. Hence, if land should be leased with a +flock of sheep, and the sheep should die, the full rent must be paid. +But if the land should be recovered from the tenant by a person having a +better title than that derived from his landlord, he is not liable for +rent after his use of the land has ceased.</p> + +<p id="ch53-8">§8. A tenant can not make repairs at the expense of the landlord, or +deduct the cost of them out of the rent, unless by special agreement. +But if the premises, from want of repair, have become unsafe or useless, +the tenant from year to year may quit without notice; and he would not +be liable for rent after the use had ceased to be beneficial.</p> + +<p id="ch53-9">§9. When rent is due, payment may be made or tendered upon the premises; +and if no place of payment has been agreed on, a personal tender off the +land is also good. As to the time of payment, where there is no special +agreement to the contrary, rent is due yearly, half-yearly, or +quarterly, according to the usage of the country. Where there is no +particular usage, the rent is due at the end of the year.</p> + +<p id="ch53-10">§10. An <i>estate at will</i> is where land is let to another, to hold at the +will of the lessor. Tenancies at will, strictly such, are not common. +Such estates, when no certain term is agreed on, are construed to be +tenancies from year <a id="p189"></a>to year, and each party is bound to give reasonable +notice of an intention to terminate the lease. If the tenant holds over +after the expiration of a lease for years, either by express consent, or +under circumstances implying consent, it is held to be evidence of a new +contract without any definite period, and is construed to be a tenancy +from year to year: and in those states where the old English rule +prevails, six months' notice must be given the tenant to quit.</p> + +<p id="ch53-11">§11. What turns leases for uncertain terms into leases from year to +year, is the landlord's reserving annual rent. A tenant placed on land +without any terms prescribed or rent reserved, is strictly a tenant at +will; and it has been held that such tenant is not entitled to notice to +quit; but the general rule now seems to be, that even in such case the +six months' notice is necessary; or, as in some states, a reasonable +notice.</p> + +<p id="ch53-12">§12. An <i>estate at sufferance</i> is that which is acquired by a tenant who +has come into lawful possession of land, but who holds over by wrong +after his interest has ceased. He is not entitled to notice to quit; and +where there is no special statute, he is not liable for rent; and the +landlord may enter, and remove the tenant and his goods with such gentle +force as may be necessary. If undue force is used, the landlord would be +liable to an action for forcible entry and detainer.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch54"> +<h2>Chapter LIV.</h2> + +<h3>Contracts in General.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch54-1">§1. A <i>contract</i> is an agreement between two or more persons, by which +the parties agree to do, or not to do, a particular thing. Contracts are +<i>executory</i>, when the stipula<a id="p190"></a>tions remain to be executed, or when one +party agrees to sell and deliver, at a future time, for a stipulated +price, and the other agrees to accept and pay. Contracts are <i>express</i>, +when the parties contract in express words, or by writing; <i>implied</i>, +when an act has been done which shows that the parties must have +intended to contract; as, when a person employs another to do some +service, it is presumed that the party employing intended to pay for the +labor performed.</p> + +<p id="ch54-2">§2. Contracts are also distinguished as specialties and simple +contracts. A <i>specialty</i> is a contract under seal; as a deed, or a bond. +But we shall here consider chiefly that common class of contracts called +<i>simple contracts</i>, or <i>contracts by parol</i>. <i>Parol</i> signifies by word +of mouth. Applied to contracts, however, it not only means verbal +contracts, but includes written contracts not under seal. Both are +simple contracts; the distinction between them is in the mode of proof. +The mutual understanding of the parties to a verbal contract may be +proved by parol evidence. But as the real intention of parties is more +likely to be expressed in a written contract, the rule of law is, that +parol evidence may not be admitted to contradict or vary the terms of a +written instrument. It may however be admitted to explain what is +doubtful, or to supply some deficiency.</p> + +<p id="ch54-3">§3. To make a valid contract, <i>the parties must be capable of +contracting</i>. They must be of sound mind. Hence idiots and lunatics are +generally incompetent to make contracts. Contracts by lunatics and +idiots are not necessarily void, but only <i>voidable</i>; the validity or +invalidity depending upon facts to be proved. To avoid a contract on the +ground of mental imbecility, it must be proved that the party +contracting was at the time incompetent. But if a general derangement is +once established or conceded, the person is presumed to be incompetent; +and the party seeking to enforce the contract must prove the other to +have been sane. The general rule in the case of idiots is, that if the +party is incapable of acting in the ordinary affairs of life, or in the +particular contract, his idiocy will annul the contract.</p> + +<a id="p191"></a><p id="ch54-4">§4. Drunkards also are incompetent to contract while in a state of +intoxication, provided the drunkenness is such as to deprive them of +reason for a time, and create impotence of mind. But for absolute +necessaries, if the drunkard consumes them during his drunkenness, or +keeps them after becoming sober, he is liable. Intoxication only renders +a contract voidable, not void, as the party intoxicated may adopt it on +recovering his understanding.</p> + +<p id="ch54-5">§5. Another requisition to a valid contract, is the <i>mutual assent of +the parties</i>. A mere offer by one party not assented to or accepted by +the other, constitutes no contract. Assent must also be given freely. A +contract entered into under duress, or compulsion, is not binding; as +where assent is extorted by threats of personal injury. Assent must also +be given with a knowledge of facts. A contract made under an injurious +mistake, or ignorance of a material fact, may be avoided, even though +the fact is not fraudulently concealed. But a mistake made through +ignorance of the law, will not render a contract void.</p> + +<p id="ch54-6">§6. A <i>valuable consideration</i> also is necessary to a valid contract. A +<i>consideration</i> is what is given or done, or to be given or done, as the +cause or reason for which a person enters into an agreement. Thus, the +money given or offered, for which a man agrees to perform certain labor, +is the consideration of the agreement. So the money or other thing for +which a promissory note is given, is the consideration. A valuable +consideration is any thing that is either a benefit to the party +promising, or some trouble or injury to the party to whom the promise is +made.</p> + +<p id="ch54-7">§7. Mutual promises are sufficient considerations to make a contract +binding; but they must be made at the same time. Such promises support +each other. The promise of one party constitutes a sufficient +consideration for a promise by the other party. In case the parties are +distant from each other, if the proposition is made in writing and sent +by mail, and a letter of acceptance is written and put in the mail, the +contract is complete, unless, before <a id="p192"></a>mailing the letter of acceptance, +a second letter has been received containing a retraction of the +proposal.</p> + +<p id="ch54-8">§8. Promises which are wholly gratuitous are void; because, being +neither a benefit to the promiser, nor an injury to the promisee, they +are not regarded in law as a valuable consideration. Hence, +subscriptions to public works and charitable, literary, and religious +institutions, if they are merely gratuitous, can not be collected, +unless they have operated to induce others to advance money, make +engagements, or do other acts to their own injury.</p> + +<p id="ch54-9">§9. As gratuitous promises are void for want of consideration, so merely +gratuitous services, as voluntarily assisting to save property from +fire, or securing beasts found straying, or paying another's debts +without request, afford no consideration upon which payment for their +value can be lawfully claimed; there being no promise of compensation. +But if a person knowingly permits another to do certain work, as plowing +his field, or hoeing his corn, although the work may have been commenced +without his order or request, his consent will be regarded in law as an +<i>implied promise</i> to pay for the value of the labor, unless the +circumstances of the case are such as to forbid the presumption.</p> + +<p id="ch54-10">§10. A consideration must also be <i>possible</i>, and in accordance with +law, sound policy, and good morals. A contract founded upon an +impossible consideration is void. No man can be lawfully bound to do +what is not in the power of man to do. But it is otherwise, if the thing +to be done is only at the time impossible in fact, but not impossible in +its nature. Hence, inability from sickness to fulfill an agreement, or +the impossibility of procuring an article of a certain kind or quality +which a person has agreed to deliver, would not exempt him from +liability in damages for the non-performance of his contract.</p> + +<p id="ch54-11">§11. A contract, the consideration of which is <i>illegal</i> or <i>immoral</i>, +may be avoided by either party. A man can not be held to an agreement to +do acts forbidden by the law of God or by the laws of the state. But if +an illegal contract <a id="p193"></a>has been executed; in other words, if the wrong has +been done, the party in the wrong can not renounce the contract; for the +general rule is, that no man can take advantage of his own wrong; and +the innocent party alone has the privilege of avoiding the contract. If +both parties are guilty, neither can, in ordinary cases, obtain relief +on a contract that has been executed.</p> + +<p id="ch54-12">§12. The rule that a consideration is necessary to a valid contract +applies to all contracts and engagements not under seal, except bills of +exchange and negotiable notes after they have passed into the hands of +an innocent indorsee. (See Promissory Notes.) In contracts under seal, a +consideration is necessarily <i>implied</i> in the solemnity of the +instrument.</p> + +<p id="ch54-13">§13. It is declared by the English statute of frauds, which prevails +generally in the United States, that an agreement which is not to be +performed within one year from the time of making it, shall not be +valid, unless such agreement, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in +writing, and signed by the party to be charged. The statutes of some of +the states have adopted this provision of the English statute, and +require further, that a special promise to answer for the debt, default, +or misdoing of another person, and an agreement or promise upon +consideration of marriage, (except mutual promises to marry,) shall +likewise be void without such writing, in which the consideration shall +be expressed.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch55"> +<h2>Chapter LV.</h2> + +<h3>Contracts of Sale.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch55-1">§1. A Sale is a transfer of the title to property to another person for +a certain price; or the exchange of a commodity for its equivalent value +in money. The exchange of <a id="p194"></a>one commodity for another, is <i>barter</i>. +Unless the absolute title is conveyed, the contract is merely a +mortgage. The same general principles of law which apply to contracts in +general, are applicable to contracts of sale, viz.: the competency of +the parties to contract; the sufficiency of the consideration; its +legality and morality; the assent of the parties; and the absence of +fraud.</p> + +<p id="ch55-2">§2. To make a sale valid, the thing to be sold must have an <i>actual or a +possible existence</i>, and be <i>capable of delivery</i>. Thus, if A sells a +horse or certain goods to B; and if, at the time of the sale, the horse +is dead, or the good? are destroyed; the sale is void. If the goods are +partially destroyed, the buyer may either take them at a proportionate +reduction of the price, or abandon the contract.</p> + +<p id="ch55-3">§3. But, although the thing to be sold has no actual and present +existence; yet if its future existence is possible, and if it is the +product or increase of something to which the seller has a present +right, it is the subject of sale. Thus, a man may sell the wool that may +grow on his sheep, the fruit that may grow on his trees, or the future +increase of his cattle. But he cannot sell the products of the sheep or +cattle which he may hereafter buy. A man may, however, agree to procure +goods which he has not, and to furnish at a future time, for a certain +price; and his contract will be good; though this is not strictly a +sale, but an agreement to sell.</p> + +<p id="ch55-4">§4. There can be no sale without a <i>price</i>; and the price must be fixed +and definite, or susceptible of being ascertained by reference to some +criterion prescribed in the contract, so as to render any further +negotiation of the parties unnecessary. Thus, a man may agree to pay +what shall be the market price at a particular time, or a price to be +fixed by a third person. The price must also be payable in money or its +negotiable representative, as notes or bills. One article given for +another is merely <i>barter</i>. The same principles of law, however, govern +in both cases.</p> + +<p id="ch55-5">§5. There must be a <i>mutual consent of the parties</i>, and the contract is +binding when a proposition made by one party <a id="p195"></a>is accepted by the other. +The negotiation may be carried on by letter, as before stated. (Chap. +LIV, §7.)</p> + +<p id="ch55-6">§6. In contracts of sale which are not perfected at once by payment and +delivery, certain formalities are to be observed. These forms generally +are prescribed by what is called the English statute of frauds, which +requires, (1.) that the buyer shall accept and receive part of the goods +sold; or (2.) give something in earnest to bind the bargain, or in part +payment; or (3.) that some note or memorandum in writing of the bargain +shall be made and signed by the party to be charged, or by his +authorized agent. These provisions, however, apply only to cases in +which the price of the goods sold is ten pounds sterling, or more. The +same rule prevails generally in this country, with slight variations in +some states. The price of the goods sold, in cases to which the +provisions of that statute apply, is fixed by law in many of the states, +and varies from $30 to $200.</p> + +<p id="ch55-7">§7. To complete a contract of sale, and pass the title to the property +to the buyer, there must be a <i>delivery of the goods sold</i>. When the +goods are such as cannot be manually or immediately delivered, or are +not in the actual custody of the seller, the law does not require an +actual delivery. But they must be placed in the power of the purchaser; +or there must be such acts and declarations of the parties as imply a +change of ownership. When the right of property has been transferred to +the buyer, whether by an actual or only a constructive delivery, he +immediately assumes the risk of the goods; so that if they shall be +afterward injured or destroyed, he must bear the loss.</p> + +<p id="ch55-8">§8. When nothing is said at the sale as to the time of delivery, or the +time of payment, the buyer is entitled to the goods on payment or tender +of the price, and not other wise; for, though he acquires the <i>right of +property</i> by the contract of sale, he does not acquire the <i>right of +possession</i>, until he pays or tenders the price. But if the seller +delivers the goods absolutely, and without fraudulent con<a id="p196"></a>trivance on +the part of the buyer, the buyer will hold possession of them.</p> + +<p id="ch55-9">§9. But when goods are sold on credit, and nothing is said as to the +time of delivery, the buyer is immediately entitled to the possession. +If, however, it is ascertained, before the buyer obtains possession of +the goods, that he is insolvent, or so embarrassed as to disable him +from meeting the demands of his creditors, the seller may stop the goods +as a security for the price. But if they are stopped without good cause, +or through misinformation, the buyer is entitled to the goods, and to +damages which he may have sustained in consequence of their stoppage.</p> + +<p id="ch55-10">§10. In the sale of a chattel, if the seller has possession of the +article, and sells it as his own, he is understood to <i>warrant the +title</i>. A fair price implies a warranty of title; and the purchaser may +have satisfaction from the seller, if he sells goods as his own, and the +title proves deficient. But if the possession is at the time in another, +and there is no covenant or warranty of title, the party buys at his +peril. It is thought, however, if the seller affirms that the property +is his own, he warrants the title, though it is not in his possession.</p> + +<p id="ch55-11">§11. With regard to the <i>quality</i> of the thing, the seller is not bound +to make good any deficiency, except under special circumstances, unless +be expressly warranted the goods to be sound and good, or unless he made +a fraudulent representation or concealment concerning them. The rule is, +if there is no express warranty by the seller, nor fraud on his part, +and if the article is equally open to the inspection of both parties, +the buyer who examines the article for himself, must abide by all losses +arising from latent defects equally unknown to both parties.</p> + +<p id="ch55-12">§12. But this rule does not reasonably apply to cases in which the +purchaser has ordered goods of a certain character, or in which goods of +a certain described quality are offered for sale, and, when delivered, +they do not answer the description. There being no opportunity of +examining them, there is an <i>implied</i> warranty of the quality. An +in<a id="p197"></a>tentional concealment or suppression of a material fact, when both +parties have not equal access to means of information, is unfair +dealing, and renders the contract void.</p> + +<p id="ch55-13">§13. As a general rule, each party is bound to communicate to the other +his knowledge of material facts, provided he knows the other to be +ignorant of them, and they are not open and naked, or equally within the +reach of his observation. Surely the <i>moral law</i> and fair dealing +require, in all cases, a full disclosure of all defects within the +knowledge of the contracting parties.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch56"> +<h2>Chapter LVI.</h2> + +<h3>Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch56-1">§1. The title to property is sometimes transferred with fraudulent +intent. A debtor, to place his property beyond the reach of his +creditors, sells or assigns it to others by way of mortgage, under the +false pretense of securing the payment of a debt; the property to remain +in the possession and use of the assignor.</p> + +<p id="ch56-2">§2. Any agreement which operates as a fraud upon third persons, is void. +It is a rule of common law, that all deeds of gift, and all transfers of +goods and chattels made by any person to secure them for his future use, +shall be void as against creditors; and that if property assigned or +sold remains with the seller or assignor, the transaction is to be +presumed fraudulent. But whether such conveyance of goods is only <i>prima +facie</i> (at first view) evidence of fraud, which the vendee or assignee +may rebut by proving the sale or assignment to have been made honestly +and in good faith; or whether the transaction is fraudulent in point of +<i>law</i>, and void, is a question upon which the decisions of <a id="p198"></a>the courts +in England as well as those in this country differ, and which, +therefore, may be considered as not conclusively settled.</p> + +<p id="ch56-3">§3. Some have made a distinction between bills of sale and assignments +that are absolute and those that are conditional. The supreme court of +the United States has affirmed the doctrine that an absolute and +<i>unconditional</i> bill of sale or conveyance, when the property is +retained in possession, is of itself conclusive evidence of fraud; in +other words, it is presumed to be fraud in point of law, whatever it may +be in fact. It has been held by the same court, that a conveyance with a +<i>condition</i> that the property is to remain with the vendor until the +condition shall be performed, or a conveyance in the nature of a +mortgage or security, expressing an agreement between the parties, that +the mortgager shall retain possession, is valid.</p> + +<p id="ch56-4">§4. In some states, the doctrine established by the courts is, that a +continuance of possession is only <i>prima facie</i> evidence of fraud; in +which case the mortgagee or assignee is allowed to show by proof, that +the conveyance was made in good faith and for a valuable consideration. +In other states, the strict rule prevails, that, without a change of +possession, the transaction is fraudulent <i>in law</i>; in which case the +assignee, or person claiming the property under the assignment, is not +permitted to show that, in point of <i>fact</i>, the transaction was <i>bona +fide</i>, (in good faith.)</p> + +<p id="ch56-5">§5. The rule that holds every conveyance to be fraudulent unless the +property immediately changes hands, often operates to inconvenience and +even injury of honest debtors. A debtor may be obliged to part with +property, however convenient or needful its present use may be to him, +when, but for this stringent rule of law, he might borrow the money to +pay a debt, or procure a postponement of payment, and retain the use of +the property pledged.</p> + +<p id="ch56-6">§6. In many of the states, this perplexing question has been settled by +statute. In the state of New-York, the law expressly declares, that a +sale or an assignment without immediate delivery and a change of +possession, shall be pre<a id="p199"></a>sumed to be fraudulent and void as against +creditors, unless the party claiming the property under the assignment +shall make it appear that the same was made in good faith, and without +any attempt to defraud. Laws more or less similar to this, and securing +to the assignor the use of the mortgaged property, are believed to exist +in a majority of the states. The instruments conveying the property are +usually called <i>chattel mortgages</i>, and are required to be recorded as +deeds; in New-York, and perhaps a few other states, only filed in the +town or county clerk's office.</p> + +<p id="ch56-7">§7. In the sale of personal property, though there should be a judgment +against the vendor, and the purchaser should have notice of it, that +fact would not of itself render the sale fraudulent. But if the +purchaser, knowing of the judgment, purchases with the view or purpose +to defeat the creditor's execution, the transaction is fraudulent. The +question of fraud depends upon the motive.</p> + +<p id="ch56-8">§8. Assignments are sometimes made by debtors for the benefit of their +creditors. A person deeply indebted, or in embarrassed circumstances, +assigns his property, in trust, to one or more persons, who are to +dispose of it, and to apply the avails to the payment of his creditors, +or a part of them; for the law does not forbid a debtor's giving a +preference to one or more creditors over others, provided the assignment +is for a sufficient consideration. A debtor may directly assign or +transfer all his property to a single creditor, and the assignment be +valid; but if the value of the property is manifestly excessive, and +disproportionate to the debt which it is intended to cover, the other +creditors have a right to the surplus.</p> + +<p id="ch56-9">§9. When an embarrassed debtor agrees to pay his creditors a certain +proportion of their claims in consideration of a discharge of their +demands, if he privately agrees to give a better or further security to +one than to others, the contract is void; because the condition upon +which they agree to discharge the debtor is, that they shall share +equally.</p> + +<p id="ch56-10">§10. A gift, or conveyance founded merely upon a con<a id="p200"></a>sideration of +affection, or blood, or consanguinity, may be set aside by creditors, if +the grantor was in embarrassed circumstances when he made it; for a man +is bound, both legally and morally, to pay his debts before giving away +his property. But if he is indebted to only a small amount in proportion +to the value of his property, and wholly unembarrassed, the gift is not +rendered voidable by his indebtedness, even though he should afterwards +become insolvent.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch57"> +<h2>Chapter LVII.</h2> + +<h3>Bailment.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch57-1">§1. The word <i>bailment</i> is from <i>bail</i>, French, to deliver. (Chap. +XVIII, §14.) Bailment, in law, is a delivery of goods, in trust, upon +agreement that the trust shall be executed, and the goods restored by +the bailee, when the purpose of the bailment shall have been, answered.</p> + +<p id="ch57-2">§2. A person who receives goods to be kept and returned without reward, +must keep them with reasonable care, or, if they receive injury, he will +be liable for the damage: in other words, he is responsible only for +gross neglect. Gross neglect is a want of that care which every man of +common sense takes of his own property. A <i>depositary</i>, who is a person +with whom goods are deposited, has no right to use the goods intrusted +to him.</p> + +<p id="ch57-3">§3. A <i>mandatary</i>, or one who undertakes to do an act for another +without recompense, in respect to the thing bailed to him, is +responsible for gross neglect, if he undertakes and does the work amiss; +but it is thought that for agreeing to do, and not undertaking or doing +at all, he is not liable for damage.</p> + +<p id="ch57-4">§4. The borrower of an article, as a horse, carriage, or book, without +reward, is liable for damage in case of <a id="p201"></a>slight neglect. But if the +article is applied only to the use for which it is borrowed, is used +carefully by the borrower only, and returned within the time for which +it was borrowed, he is not liable.</p> + +<p id="ch57-5">§5. Property taken in pledge as security for a debt or an engagement, +must be kept with ordinary care; in other words, the pawnee is +answerable only for ordinary neglect; and if the goods should then be +lost or destroyed, the pawner is still liable for the debt. If the +pawnee derives any profit from the use of the property, he must apply +the profits, after deducting necessary expenses, toward the debt.</p> + +<p id="ch57-6">§6. Another kind of bailment is the hiring of property for a reward. If +an article is injured or destroyed without any fault on the part of the +hirer, the loss falls on the owner, for the risk is with him.</p> + +<p id="ch57-7">§7. If work or care is to be bestowed for a recompense on the thing +delivered, the workman is liable for ordinary neglect; and the work must +be performed with proper skill, or he is answerable for damage. If a +tailor receives cloth to be made into a coat, he is bound to do it in a +workmanlike manner.</p> + +<p id="ch57-8">§8. Innkeepers are in general responsible for all injuries to the goods +and baggage of their guests, even for thefts. But for loss caused by +unavoidable accident, or by superior force, as robbery, they are not +liable.</p> + +<p id="ch57-9">§9. A person who carries goods for hire in a particular case, and not as +a common carrier, is answerable only for ordinary neglect, unless he +expressly takes the risk of a common carrier.</p> + +<p id="ch57-10">§10. A common carrier is one who carries goods for hire as a common +business, whether by land or by water, and is responsible to the owner +of the goods, even if robbed of them. He is in the nature of an insurer, +and is answerable for all losses, except in cases of the act of God, as +by lightning, storms, floods, &c. and public enemies, as in time of war.</p> + +<a id="p202"></a><p id="ch57-11">§11. A common carrier is bound to receive from any person paying or +tendering the freight charges, such goods as he is accustomed to carry, +and as are offered for the place to which he carries. But he may refuse +to receive them if he is full, or if they are dangerous to be carried, +or for other good reasons. He may refuse to take them unless the charges +are paid; but if he agrees to take payment at the end of the route, he +may retain them there until the freight is paid. A carrier must deliver +freight in a reasonable time; but he is not liable for loss by the +freezing of a river or canal during his voyage, if he has used due +diligence.</p> + +<p id="ch57-12">§12. Proprietors of a stage coach do not warrant the safety of +passengers as common carriers; and they are not responsible for mere +accidents to the persons of the passengers, but only for the want of due +care. Slight fault, unskillfulness, or negligence, either as to the +sufficiency of the carriage, or to the driving of it, may render the +owner responsible in damages for injury to passengers. But as public +carriers, they are answerable for the loss of a box or parcel of goods, +though ignorant of its contents, unless the owner fraudulently conceals +the value or nature of the article, or deludes the carrier by treating +it as of little or no value. Public carriers are responsible for the +baggage of their passengers, though they advertise it as being at the +risk of the owners.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch58"> +<h2>Chapter LVIII.</h2> + +<h3>Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch58-1">§1. An <i>agent</i>, or factor, is a person intrusted with the management of +the business of another, who is called <i>principal</i>. The words <i>agent</i> +and <i>factor</i> both signify a deputy, a <a id="p203"></a>substitute, or a person acting +for another; but <i>agent</i> seems to be the more comprehensive term, being +applied to one who is intrusted by another with any kind of business; +<i>factor</i> more properly denotes an agent employed by merchants residing +in other places to buy and sell, and transact certain other business on +their account. A factor, from his being commissioned or authorized to +act for his principal, and especially if allowed a commission, or a +certain rate per cent, of the value of the goods bought or sold, is +called a <i>commission merchant</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch58-2">§2. If a factor advances money on property intrusted to him, he can hold +it until the money shall be refunded, and all charges paid. If the +actual owner of the property is unknown to the factor, the person in +whose name the goods were shipped, is to be deemed the owner.</p> + +<p id="ch58-3">§3. The right of a factor to hold property against the owner in +satisfaction of a demand, is called <i>lien</i>; and the factor may sell the +goods to satisfy his claim; but he must pay the surplus, if any, to the +principal or owner. A factor can not pledge goods intrusted to him for +sale, as security for his own debts. If he disposes of merchandise +intrusted or consigned to him, and applies the avails to his own use, +with intent to defraud the owner, he may be punished by fine and +imprisonment.</p> + +<p id="ch58-4">§4. How far, in ordinary business, a principal is bound by the acts of +an agent, it is not easy to determine. As a general rule the acts of a +general agent; that is, one who either transacts all kinds of business +for his employer, or who does all acts connected with a particular +business or transaction, or which relate to some particular department +of business, bind his principal, so long as he keeps within the general +scope of his authority, though he may in some special cases act contrary +to his private instructions. But an agent employed for a particular +purpose, if he goes beyond the limits of his power, does not bind his +principal.</p> + +<p id="ch58-5">§5. An agent is bound, in ordinary cases, to observe the instructions of +his principal, even though an act contrary <a id="p204"></a>to such instructions should +be intended for the benefit of the principal. The agent must bear, +personally, all losses growing out of a non-compliance with his orders; +and the profit accruing therefrom goes to the benefit of the principal. +An agent, however, is excused from a strict compliance with his orders, +if, after receiving them, some sudden and unforeseen emergency has +arisen, in consequence of which such compliance would operate as an +injury to the principal, and frustrate his intention.</p> + +<p id="ch58-6">§6. When an agent receives no instructions, he must conform to the usage +of trade, or to the custom applicable to the particular agency; and any +deviation therefrom, unless justified by the necessity of the case, +renders him solely liable for any loss or injury resulting from it.</p> + +<p id="ch58-7">§7. An agent is bound to exercise ordinary diligence and reasonable +skill; and he is responsible only for the want thereof. Ordinary +diligence is that which persons of common prudence use in conducting +their own affairs. Reasonable skill is that usually possessed by persons +of common capacity employed in the same business.</p> + +<p id="ch58-8">§8. If an agent exceed the limits of his authority, he becomes +personally responsible to the person with whom he deals, if the +limitations of his authority are unknown to such person. He is in like +mariner responsible, if he makes a contract in his own name; or if he +does not disclose the name of the principal, so as to enable the party +with whom he deals to have recourse to the principal in case the agent +had authority to bind him. And if the agent even buys in his own name, +but for the principal, and without disclosing his name, the principal +also is bound, provided the goods come to his use. Also if the principal +is under age, or a lunatic, or otherwise incompetent to contract, the +agent is liable.</p> + +<p id="ch58-9">§9. A <i>broker</i> is an agent employed to negotiate sales between parties +for a compensation in the form of a commission, which is commonly called +<i>brokerage</i>. His business <a id="p205"></a>consists chiefly in negotiating exchanges; or +in buying and selling stocks, goods, ships, or cargoes; or in procuring +insurances and settling losses; and as he confines himself to one or the +other of these branches, he is called an exchange broker, stock broker, +insurance broker, &c. A broker differs from a factor. He has not the +custody of the goods of his principal. He is merely empowered to effect +the contract of sale; and when this is done, his agency ends. If a +broker executes his duties in such a manner that no benefit results from +them, or is guilty of gross misconduct in selling goods, he is not +entitled to a commission or compensation.</p> + +<p id="ch58-10">§10. A <i>lien</i>, as the claim of a factor upon goods intrusted to him for +sale, has been noticed. (§3.) The right of lien extends to others than +factors. It is intended also for the benefit of manufacturers, +mechanics, and other persons carrying on business for the accommodation +of the public. A tailor has a lien upon the garment made from another's +cloth until he is paid for the making; a shoemaker upon the shoes made +from another's leather; a blacksmith upon the horse he has shod; an +innkeeper upon the horse or goods of his guest; and common carriers upon +the goods they transport. But they cannot hold the property for any +other debt; nor can they sell it to satisfy their claim. Whenever a +person allows property to go out of his possession, he loses his lien.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch59"> +<h2>Chapter LIX.</h2> + +<h3>Partnership.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch59-1">§1. A partnership is an association formed by contract between two or +more persons, for joining their money, labor, or skill, in lawful +business, the profits to be divided and the loss to be borne by the +partners in certain proportions. It is a partnership if one furnishes +the funds and <a id="p206"></a>the other performs the labor; or if, when no money is +necessary, each agrees to do his share of the labor. A partnership or +association of this kind is denominated a <i>firm</i>, or <i>house</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch59-2">§2. The act of any one of the firm is considered the act of all, and +binds all; and either of them is liable for all the debts. But if a bill +or note is drawn by one partner in his own name only, without appearing +to be on partnership account, he alone is bound, though it were made for +a partnership purpose. A partner buying goods on his own account for his +individual use, is alone liable; but if they afterward go to the use of +the partnership, all become responsible.</p> + +<p id="ch59-3">§3. Sometimes a person agrees to receive, by way of rent, a portion of +the profits of a farm, a tavern, or a manufactory; or an agent or a +clerk receives a share of the profits for his labor. But as there is in +these cases no partnership, the persons who buy the stock and hire the +labor are alone responsible.</p> + +<p id="ch59-4">§4. All the partners must unite in suing and being sued. One who should +conceal his name so as not to be known when the debt is contracted, may +be sued when discovered to be a partner, if he shares in the profits of +the trade.</p> + +<p id="ch59-5">§5. A partner cannot sell his interest to another person, who is to take +his place in the partnership, without the consent of all the partners: +nor can a partner, without such consent, withdraw when he pleases, and +dissolve the partnership, except in cases in which the partnership is +without any definite term. A partnership is dissolved by the death, +insanity, bankruptcy, or other inability of one of the parties.</p> + +<p id="ch59-6">§6. When a partnership is dissolved by the withdrawal of any of the +partners, notice of dissolution ought to be duly published, or a firm +may be bound by a contract made by one partner in the usual course of +business and in the name of the firm, with a person who contracted on +the faith of the partnership, and who had no notice of the dissolution. +The same notice is necessary to protect a retir<a id="p207"></a>ing partner from +continued responsibility. And even if due notice is given, yet, if he +willingly suffers his name to continue in the firm, or in the title of +the firm over the door of the shop or store, he may in certain cases be +liable.</p> + +<p id="ch59-7">§7. In some of the states, a partnership may be formed by a number of +persons, some of whom are to be responsible only to a limited amount; +and their names are not to be used in the firm. Before a partnership of +this kind can do business, a writing and certificate signed by the +parties stating the terms of partnership, and the amount for which the +<i>special partners</i> (as they are called) are to be responsible must be +recorded. The terms of partnership must also be published in a +newspaper.</p> + +<p id="ch59-8">§8. In these <i>limited</i> partnerships, as they are termed, the special +partners are liable only to the amount stated in the terms of +partnership. The other partners, called <i>general partners</i>, whose names +only are used, and who transact the business, are liable for all the +debts contracted, as in ordinary partnerships. If such partnership is to +be dissolved by act of the parties before the expiration of the term for +which it is formed, notice of dissolution must be filed and recorded, +and published in a newspaper. Such is the law in the state of New York; +and it is presumed to agree, in its most essential provisions, with the +laws of the other states in which these partnerships are authorized.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="chLX"> +<h2>Chapter LX.</h2> + +<h3>Promissory Notes.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch60-1">§1. A promissory <i>note</i> is a written promise to pay a specified sum at a +certain time, to a person named, or to his order, or to the bearer. A +common form of a note is the following:</p> + +<a id="p208"></a><blockquote><p> + $100. <span class="sc">Albany</span>, June 9, 1859.</p> + +<p> Three months after date, I promise to pay to James Smith, or + bearer, one hundred dollars, value received.</p> + +<p> <span class="sc">John Brown.</span> +</p></blockquote> + +<p id="ch60-2">§2. A note thus payable to Smith or bearer, or to him or his order, is +called <i>negotiable</i>, because it may be sold or transferred to any other +person, who has the same power to sue for and collect the money, as +Smith, the original promisee. If it were made payable to Smith <i>or +order</i>, he must indorse it by writing his name on the back of it, before +it would pass as a negotiable note. The indorsement is considered as the +order of Smith to the maker to pay it to any other person. But, though +not negotiable, it might be transferred; but the holder must sue in the +name of Smith, and Brown might offset any demands which he has against +Smith.</p> + +<p id="ch60-3">§3. An indorsement, made by writing the name only on the back of a note, +is called a <i>blank</i> indorsement. A full indorsement is one which points +out the person to whom the note is to be paid. A blank indorsement may +be filled up at any time by the holder. For example: A note is payable +to "John Jay or order," or to "the order of John Jay," who indorses it +in blank which makes it payable to any other holder. Now if any holder +or indorsee wishes it paid to any particular person, he fills up the +blank by writing a request to that effect above the name of the +indorser, thus: "Pay to George Bruce," or "Pay to George Bruce or +order;" who, again, may by indorsement order it paid to some particular +person. Or, if he should indorse it in blank, or order it paid "to the +<i>bearer</i>," it would again pass, as at first, by mere delivery.</p> + +<p id="ch60-4">§4. In common business transactions in the country, notes intended to be +negotiable are usually made payable to bearer, as in the form given. +(§1.) The young reader, or other person inexperienced in business, may +not know why they are not always so written. The making of a note +payable to order protects the holder or owner in case the note should be +lost. Take, for example, the note sup<a id="p209"></a>posed in the preceding section, +indorsed in blank. Suppose the owner resides in Buffalo, and the maker +in Detroit. The owner writes over the name of John Jay, "Pay to George +Bruce," also residing in Detroit, to whom it is sent by mail, to be by +him presented to the maker for payment. And should the note by accident +or fraud fall into the hands of another, it being payable to Bruce only, +or to his order, the parties are protected from loss.</p> + +<p id="ch60-5">§5. As a contract is not binding without a valuable consideration, +(Chap. LIV, §6,) the words "value received" are inserted in notes, as +evidence of such consideration. But where there is no statute requiring +the insertion of these words, a note is good without them. Whether they +are inserted or not, the note is presumed to have been given for a +valuable consideration; and the maker, to avoid his obligation to pay +it, must make it appear that no value was received.</p> + +<p id="ch60-6">§6. A note made by two or more persons may be joint or joint or several. +When it is written, "We promise to pay," it is only a joint note, and +all must be sued together. If written, "We jointly and severally promise +to pay," they may be sued either jointly or separately. Also if written +"I promise to pay," it is treated as a joint and several note. A note +written, "We promise," and signed, A. B., principal, and C. D., +security, is the joint note of both; and if written, "I promise," and +signed in the same manner, it is the joint and several note of both.</p> + +<p id="ch60-7">§7. Any person having in possession a negotiable note, though a mere +agent, is deemed the true owner, and may sue it in his own name, without +showing title. The <i>bona fide</i> holder can recover upon the paper, though +it came to him from a person who had stolen or robbed it from the true +owner; provided he took it innocently in the course of trade for a +valuable consideration before it was due, and with due caution. But if +suspicion is cast upon the title of the holder, by showing that the +instrument has got into <a id="p210"></a>circulation by force or fraud, then the holder +must show the consideration he gave for it.</p> + +<p id="ch60-8">§8. Ordinarily, a person can not convey to another a valid title to +property which is not lawfully his own; and hence the purchaser of +stolen goods must give them up to the lawful owner. The exception to +this rule, in the case of promissory notes, seems to be founded in +reason and good policy. The use of negotiable paper in commercial +transactions is of great public convenience; and it is proper that, for +the sake of trade, protection should be given to the holder of such +paper who receives it fairly in the way of business, though it has been +paid, if he received it before it fell due.</p> + +<p id="ch60-9">§9. But it is equally material for the interests of trade, that the +owner should have due protection. Hence if a person takes a note from a +stranger without inquiring how he came by it; or does not take it in the +usual course of business, or for some responsibility incurred on the +credit of the note, he takes it at his peril. But the owner, in order to +place his right to relief beyond question, ought to use diligence in +apprising the public of the loss of the note.</p> + +<p id="ch60-10">§10. A person buying a note after it has become due, takes it at his +peril. Although the holder may sue it in his own name, the maker may +offset any demands which he had against the promisee before it was +transferred, as in the case of notes not negotiable. (§2.) But when +notes in which no day of payment is expressed comes under this rule, is +a question to be determined by circumstances. In New Jersey and +Pennsylvania, the words "without defalcation or discount," or words to +that effect, must be inserted in notes, or they may be met by offsets as +notes that are bought after due.</p> + +<p id="ch60-11">§11. A note made payable in some commodity is not negotiable. If it is +not paid according to the conditions therein expressed, the maker +becomes liable to pay in cash. But in either case, if it passes to a +third person, he can sue <a id="p211"></a>it only in the name of the promisee or payee; +and it may be met by offsets as other notes not negotiable, (§2,) and +notes bought after due. (§10.)</p> + +<p id="ch60-12">§12. Notes payable <i>on demand</i>, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, are due immediately, and no demand of payment is necessary. +But a note payable <i>at sight</i>, or at a specified time after sight, must +be presented for payment before it can be sued. If the words "with +interest" are omitted, interest commences at the time the note becomes +due. If payable on demand, it will draw interest from the time when +payment is demanded.</p> + +<p id="ch60-13">§13. After the day on which a note is made payable, the maker has three +days in which to make payment, which are called <i>days of grace</i>. Hence, +a note payable on the first day of the month is not due and suable until +the fourth. If, however, the last day of grace falls on Sunday, or the +fourth of July, or any other day recognized by law as a holiday, or day +of public rest, the last day of grace would be a day earlier. If the +fourth of July or any other holiday should come on Saturday, the note +would be due on Friday. Or if such day should fall on Monday, the last +day of grace would be Saturday.</p> + +<p id="ch60-14">§14. To hold the indorser of a note responsible, payment must be +demanded of the maker on the last day of grace. As to the time of day +when the demand should be made, it is considered that the maker is +entitled to the latest convenient time within the customary business +hours of the place where the note is presented.</p> + +<p id="ch60-15">§15. If payment has been demanded and refused, notice thereof must be +given to the indorser; and one entire day is allowed the holder to give +the notice. If the demand is made on Saturday, it is sufficient to give +notice on Monday. If the indorser resides in the same town, he may be +notified personally by the holder, or by a messenger sent to his +dwelling-house, where notice may be given personally, or left in a way +likely to bring it to his knowledge. If the parties reside in different +towns, notice may be sent by <a id="p212"></a>mail; in which case, the notice must be +put into the post-office, as early as the next day after the last day of +grace, so as to be forwarded as soon as possible thereafter: or notice +may be sent by a private conveyance or a special messenger.</p> + +<p id="ch60-16">§16. If, in consequence of the removal of the maker before the note +becomes due, or from any other cause, his residence is unknown, the +holder must make endeavors to find it, and make the demand there; +though, if he has removed out of the state, it is sufficient to present +the note at his former place of residence. If the maker has absconded, +that will, as a general rule, excuse the demand.</p> + +<p id="ch60-17">§17. Notes, on being transferred, are guarantied by indorsement. If a +person simply writes his name on the back, he is liable as indorser +only. If he guarantees "the payment of the note," he is generally +considered liable as an original promisor. If he guaranties the note +"good," or "collectable," the maker, and the indorsers also, if any, +must be sued, before the guarantor is liable. Strict notice to a +guarantor is not required to bind him, as in the case of an indorser. +But to hold him liable in case immediate notice is not given, or the +note is not immediately sued, it must be shown that he has not suffered +injury from want of notice, or that the note was not collectable of the +maker or indorsers when due. But the kind of liability incurred, whether +that of indorser, original promisor, or surety, by indorsing a note or +guarantying payment, is not the same in all the states. There are sundry +other points in the law relating to promissory notes, on which the +statutes and judicial decisions are not uniform in all the states.<a id="p213"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch61"> +<h2>Chapter LXI.</h2> + +<h3>Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch61-1">§1. A bill <i>of exchange</i> is a written order or request to a person in a +distant place, to pay a third person a certain sum of money. The +following is a common form:</p> + +<blockquote><p> + $1,000. <span class="sc">New-York</span>, August 10, 1859.</p> + +<p> Twenty days after date, (or at sight, or ten days after sight,) pay + to the order of John Stiles, one thousand dollars, value received, + and charge the same to account of</p> + +<p> To <span class="sc">George Scott</span>, <span class="sc">Thomas Jones</span>.</p> + +<p> New Orleans, La. +</p></blockquote> + +<p id="ch61-2">§2. Bills drawn on persons in foreign countries, are called <i>foreign</i> +bills of exchange; those drawn on persons in distant places in our own +country, are called <i>inland</i> bills of exchange. To persons in mercantile +business they are of great convenience, as will be seen from the +following example of their nature and operation.</p> + +<p id="ch61-3">§3. A, in New-York, has $1,000 due him from B, in New Orleans. A draws +an order on B for that sum, and C, who is going to New Orleans, pays A +the money, takes the order, and receives his money again of B. Thus A is +accommodated by receiving his debt against B, and O has avoided the risk +of carrying the money from place to place. A, who draws the order, or +bill, is called the <i>drawer</i>. B, to whom it is addressed, is the +<i>drawee</i>; C, to whom it is made payable, is the <i>payee</i>. As the bill is +payable to C, or his order, he may, by indorsment, direct the bill to be +paid to D; in which case C becomes the <i>indorser</i>, and D, to whom the +bill is indorsed, is called the <i>indorsee</i> or <i>holder</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch61-4">§4. If, when a bill is presented to the drawee, he agrees to pay it, he +is said to <i>accept</i> the bill, and writes his acceptance upon it. An +acceptance may, however, be by parol. The acceptor of a bill is the +principal debtor; the drawer, the surety. The acceptor is bound, though +he accepted <a id="p214"></a>without consideration, and for the sole accommodation of +the drawer. But payment must be demanded on the last day of grace; and, +if refused, notice of non-payment must be given to the drawer, as in the +case of an indorsed promissory note. (Chap. LX, §15.)</p> + +<p id="ch61-5">§5. No precise time is fixed by law at which bills payable at sight or a +certain number of days after sight, must be presented to the drawee for +acceptance; though an unreasonable delay might discharge the drawer. A +bill payable on a certain day after date, need not be presented before +the day of payment, but if presented before due, and acceptance is +refused, it is dishonored; and notice must be given immediately to the +drawer. If a bill has been accepted, payment must be demanded of the +acceptor, when the bill falls due; and if no place is appointed for +payment, the demand must be made at his house or residence, or upon him +personally.</p> + +<p id="ch61-6">§6. A check upon a bank, (Chap. XXIV, §3,) is another kind of negotiable +paper. It partakes more of the nature of a bill of exchange than of a +promissory note. It is not a direct promise to pay; but it is an +undertaking, by the drawer, that the drawee shall accept and pay; and +the drawer is answerable only when the drawee fails to pay. A check +payable to bearer passes by delivery; and the bearer may sue on it as on +an inland bill of exchange.</p> + +<p id="ch61-7">§7. When a foreign bill of exchange is to be presented for acceptance or +payment, demand is usually made by a <i>notary public</i>; and in case of +refusal, his certificate of the presentment of the bill and of the +refusal, is legal proof of the fact in any court. This certificate is +called <i>protest</i>, which means, <i>for proof</i>. A protest may be noted on +the day of the demand; though it may be drawn up in form at a future +period. Notaries are appointed in all towns and cities of commercial +importance.</p> + +<p id="ch61-8">§8. A protest of an inland bill of exchange is not generally deemed +necessary in this country; though it is the practice to have bills, +drawn in one state on persons in another, protested by a notary. No +protest is legal evidence <a id="p215"></a>in court, except in the case of a foreign +bill. Yet it is expedient, in many cases of inland bills, to employ +notaries when evidence is to be preserved, because they are easily found +when wanted as witnesses. In some states, bills drawn in one state and +payable in another, are deemed foreign bills; and their protest as such +is required. Notes payable at banks are also protested for non-payment.</p> + +<p id="ch61-9">§9. <i>Interest</i> is a premium paid for the use of money, or a profit per +cent, received for money lent, or on an unpaid demand. Thus a person +lends $1,000 to another person, who pays for the use of it six per cent, +a year, or $6 for every hundred, as interest. The rate of interest is +fixed by a law of the state.</p> + +<p id="ch61-10">§10. The established lawful rates of interest in the several states are +as follows: <i>Six</i> per cent, in all but the following: In New-York, +Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, <i>seven</i> per cent.; in Alabama and Texas +<i>eight</i> per cent.; in Louisiana, <i>five</i> per cent.; bank interest <i>six</i>; +in California, <i>ten</i> per cent. But there may be taken by special +agreement, in Florida and Louisiana, <i>eight</i> per cent.; in Mississippi, +Arkansas, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, <i>ten</i>; in Texas and Wisconsin, <i>twelve</i>; +in Minnesota and California, any rate. In Illinois and Michigan, for +money loaned, it may be <i>ten</i>. In Mississippi, for the <i>bona fide</i> use +of money <i>eight</i> per cent.</p> + +<p id="ch61-11">§11. A rate of interest beyond that which is established by law, is +<i>usury</i>. Not only can no more be collected on any contract or obligation +than the legal rate, but in most of the states there is some forfeiture +for taking usurious interest. In a few, the obligation is void, and the +payment of no part of the debt can be enforced by law; in others, twice +or thrice the excess above the lawful interest is forfeited; and in +some, only the excess paid can be recovered.<a id="p216"></a></p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch62"> +<h2>Chapter LXII.</h2> + +<h3>Crimes and Misdemeanors.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch62-1">§1. The statutes of each state define the crimes of which its laws take +cognizance. The definitions given in this chapter, agree substantially, +it is presumed, with those of similar crimes in every state in the +union. The statutes also prescribe the penalties, which are not +precisely the same in all the states. Nor is there in any state an equal +measure of punishment inflicted in all cases for the same offense. The +laws usually declare the longest and the shortest terms of imprisonment, +and the highest and lowest fines, leaving the exact measure of +punishment, except for crimes punishable by death, to the discretion of +the judges, to be fixed according to the aggravation of the offense.</p> + +<p id="ch62-2">§2. The laws of the several states differ in respect to the number of +crimes made punishable by death. In some states the penalty of death is +annexed to the crime of murder only. Treason is punishable by death; but +as this offense is defined and made punishable by the laws of the United +States, not all the states take cognizance of it. If committed in such +states, it is tried in the courts of the United States. In New York, +murder, treason, and arson in the first degree, are punishable by death. +Few states make more than these crimes thus punishable. In two or three +states, the penalty of death has been abolished, and imprisonment for +life substituted.</p> + +<p id="ch62-3">§3. Crimes punishable by death, are called <i>capital</i> crimes, and their +punishment is called <i>capital</i> punishment. The word capital is from the +Latin <i>caput</i>, which means head; and so has come to signify the highest +or principal. Hence, probably, the application of the word capital to +the principal crimes receiving the highest punishment, which was +<a id="p217"></a>formerly practiced extensively in other countries by beheading or +<i>decapitating</i> the criminals.</p> + +<p id="ch62-4">§4. <i>Treason</i> is defined by statute to be, levying war in any state +against the people of the state; or a combination of two or more +persons, attempting by force to usurp or overturn the government of the +state; or in adhering to enemies of the state while separately engaged +in war with a foreign enemy, and giving them aid and comfort.</p> + +<p id="ch62-5">§5. <i>Murder</i> is the killing of a person deliberately and maliciously, +and with intent to effect death; or killing a person in committing some +other crime, though not with a design to effect death; or in killing a +person purposely and without previous deliberation. The less aggravated +cases of murder, are in some states distinguished as murder in the +second degree, and punished by imprisonment for a long term, or for +life.</p> + +<p id="ch62-6">§6. <i>Manslaughter</i> is killing a person either upon a sudden quarrel, or +unintentionally while committing some unlawful act. The statutes of New +York define four different degrees of manslaughter.</p> + +<p id="ch62-7">§7. <i>Arson</i> is maliciously burning any dwelling-house, shop, barn, or +any other building, the property of another. Arson in the first degree, +which is burning an inhabited dwelling <i>in the night time</i>, is in some +states punishable with death.</p> + +<p id="ch62-8">§8. <i>Homicide</i> signifies mankilling. It is of three kinds: felonious, +justifiable, and excusable. When felonious, it is either murder or +manslaughter. <i>Justifiable</i> homicide is that which is committed in the +necessary defense of one's person, house, or goods, or of the person of +another when in danger of injury; or that which is committed in lawfully +attempting to take a person for felony committed, or to suppress a riot, +or to keep the peace. <i>Excusable</i> homicide is the killing of a person by +accident, or while lawfully employed, without any design to do wrong. In +the two last cases there is no punishment.</p> + +<p id="ch62-9">§9. Intentionally <i>maiming</i> another by cutting out or dis<a id="p218"></a>abling the +tongue or any other member or limb; inveigling or <i>kidnapping</i>; +<i>decoying</i> and taking away children; <i>exposing children</i> in the street +to abandon them; committing or attempting an assault with <i>intent to +kill</i>, or to commit any other felony, or in resisting the execution of a +legal process; <i>administering poison</i> without producing death; +<i>poisoning any well</i> or spring of water; are all felonies, and +punishable as such.</p> + +<p id="ch62-10">§10. <i>Burglary</i> is maliciously and forcibly breaking into and entering +in the night time, any dwelling-house or other building, with intent to +commit a crime. Breaking into and entering a house by day, is considered +a minor degree of burglary.</p> + +<p id="ch62-11">§11. <i>Forgery</i> consists in falsely making, counterfeiting, or altering +any instrument of writing, with intent to defraud. The word +<i>counterfeiting</i> is generally applied to making false coin or bank +notes, or in passing them; or in having in possession any engraved +plate, or bills unsigned, which are intended to be used for these +purposes.</p> + +<p id="ch62-12">§12. <i>Robbery</i> is the taking of personal property from another in his +presence and against his will, by violence, or by putting him in fear of +immediate injury to his person. Knowingly to send or deliver, or to make +for the purpose of being sent, a letter or writing, threatening to +accuse any one of crime, or to do him some injury, with intent to extort +or gain from him any money or property, is considered an <i>attempt to +rob</i>, for which the offender may be imprisoned.</p> + +<p id="ch62-13">§13. <i>Embezzlement</i> is fraudulently putting to one's own use what is +intrusted to him by another. To buy or receive property knowing it to +have been embezzled, is to be guilty of the same offense. Embezzling is +usually punishable in the same manner as larceny of the same amount.</p> + +<p id="ch62-14">§14. <i>Larceny</i> is theft or stealing. The stealing of property above a +certain amount in value is called <i>grand larceny</i>, and is a state prison +offense. If the value of the property stolen is of less amount, the +offense is called <i>petit larceny</i>, and is punished by fine or +imprisonment in jail or both.</p> + +<a id="p219"></a><p id="ch62-15">§15. <i>Perjury</i> is willfully swearing or affirming falsely to any +material matter, upon an oath legally administered. <i>Subornation of +perjury</i> is procuring another to swear falsely; punishable as perjury.</p> + +<p id="ch62-16">§16. <i>Bribery</i> is promising or giving a reward to a public officer, to +influence his opinion, vote or judgment. A person <i>accepting</i> such +bribe, is punishable in the same manner, and forfeits his office, and, +in some states, may never hold another public trust. This offense is not +in all the states punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.</p> + +<p id="ch62-17">§17. <i>Dueling</i> is a combat between two persons with deadly weapons. +Killing another in a duel is murder, and punishable with death. If death +does not ensue, imprisonment. Challenging, or accepting a challenge to +fight, or to be present as a second, imprisonment. Dueling is not a +punishable offense in every state.</p> + +<p id="ch62-18">§18. Aiding or attempting to aid a prisoner committed for felony, to +<i>escape from confinement</i>, or forcibly rescuing a prisoner charged with +crime, from the custody of a public officer, is a crime. If the offense +for which the prisoner is committed is less than felony, the punishment +is imprisonment in jail, or fine, or both.</p> + +<p id="ch62-19">§19. <i>Bigamy</i> is the crime of having two or more wives, and is also +called <i>polygamy</i>. But bigamy literally signifies having <i>two</i> wives, +and polygamy any number more than one. These words, in law, are applied +also to women having two or more husbands. A person having a lawful +husband or wife living, and marrying another person, is guilty of +bigamy. An unmarried person, also, who shall marry the husband or wife +of another, is punishable in like manner.</p> + +<p id="ch62-20">§20. <i>Incest</i> is the marrying or cohabiting together as husband and +wife, of persons related to each other within certain degrees.</p> + +<p id="ch62-21">§21. <i>Opening a grave</i> and removing a dead body for any unlawful +purpose, or purchasing such body knowing it to have been unlawfully +disinterred, is a crime. This offense <a id="p220"></a>is in some states punishable by +imprisonment in a county jail, or by fine, and not in a state prison.</p> + +<p id="ch62-22">§22. Persons sometimes advise or are knowing to the commission of +felonies, but are not actually engaged in committing them. Such are +<i>accessories</i>. He who advises or commands another to commit a felony, is +called an <i>accessory before the fact</i>, and is punished in the same +manner as the principal. If he conceals the offender after the offense +has been committed, or gives him any aid to prevent his being brought to +punishment, he is an <i>accessory after the fact</i>, and may be imprisoned +or fined.</p> + +<p id="ch62-23">§23. <i>Assault and Battery</i> is unlawfully to assault or threaten, or to +strike or wound another. Besides being liable to fine and imprisonment, +the offender is liable also to the party injured for damages.</p> + +<p id="ch62-24">§24. A <i>riot</i> is the assembling together of three or more persons, with +intent forcibly to injure the person or property of another, or to break +the peace; or agreeing with each other to do such unlawful act, and +making any movement or preparation therefor, though lawfully assembled. +When riotous persons are thus assembled, and are proceeding to commit +offenses, any judge, justice, sheriff, or other ministerial officer, may +in the name of the state, command them to disperse. If they refuse, the +peace officers are required to call upon all persons near to aid in +taking the rioters into custody. Persons refusing to assist may be +fined.</p> + +<p id="ch62-25">§25. A sheriff or other officer voluntarily suffering a prisoner charged +with or convicted of an offense, to <i>escape</i>, from his custody, is +guilty of a misdemeanor. To <i>rescue</i> a prisoner thus charged or +convicted, is punishable in a similar manner. It is also a misdemeanor +to assist a criminal, with a view to effect his escape, though he does +not escape from jail.</p> + +<p id="ch62-26">§26. A person taking upon himself to act as a public officer, and taking +or keeping a person in custody unlawfully or without authority, is +<i>false imprisonment</i>; for which the offender may be fined or imprisoned.</p> + +<a id="p221"></a><p id="ch62-27">§27. The offenses mentioned in the last four sections, being of a lower +grade than those defined in the preceding sections, and not being +punishable in a state prison, are usually called <i>misdemeanors</i>, and are +punishable by fine or imprisonment in a county jail. There are numerous +other misdemeanors and immoralities, as profane cursing and swearing, +betting and gaming, horse racing, disturbing religious meetings, +sabbath-breaking, trespasses and injury to property, and many disorderly +practices, all of which are punishable in a like manner.</p> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="part" id="part5"> +<h1>Law of Nations.</h1> + + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch63"> +<h2>Chapter LXIII.</h2> + +<h3>Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, and Conventional Laws of Nations.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch63-1">§1. The <i>law of nations</i> consists of those rules by which intercourse +between nations is regulated. In its present improved state, the law of +nations has not long existed. Ancient nations were little governed by +the principles of natural justice. Little respect was paid by one nation +to the persons and property of the citizens of another. Robbery on land +and sea was not only tolerated, but esteemed honorable; and prisoners of +war were either put to death, or reduced to slavery. By this rule of +national law, commerce was destroyed, and perpetual enmity kept up +between nations.</p> + +<p id="ch63-2">§2. Within the last three or four centuries, essential improvement in +the law of nations has been made. By the <a id="p222"></a>light of science and +Christianity, the rights and obligations of nations have come to be +better understood, and more generally regarded. Commerce also has done +much to improve the law, by showing that the true interests of a nation +are promoted by peace and friendly intercourse.</p> + +<p id="ch63-3">§3. Hence we find the nations of Europe and America recognizing the same +rules of international law. And as the light and power of Christianity +shall increase, the law of nations will undergo still further +improvements. And it is to be hoped, that, as one of these improvements, +the practice of settling national disputes by war will be abolished, and +the more rational and humane course be adopted, of referring +difficulties which the parties are incapable of adjusting, to some +disinterested power for adjudication.</p> + +<p id="ch63-4">§4. There are, in every nation or state, courts of justice to try and +punish offenders; but there is no tribunal before which one nation can +be brought to answer for the violation of the rights of another. Every +nation, however small and weak, is independent of every other. +Therefore, when injuries are committed by one upon another, the offended +party, unless it chooses quietly to endure the wrong must seek redress, +either by appealing to the sense of justice of the party offending, or +by a resort to force.</p> + +<p id="ch63-5">§5. Every nation has a right to establish such government as it thinks +proper; and no other nation has a right to interfere with its internal +policy. To this rule, however, some writers make an exception. They hold +that the natural right of a state to provide for its own safety, gives +it the right to interfere where its security is seriously endangered by +the internal transactions of another state. But it is admitted that such +cases are so very rare, that it would be dangerous to reduce them to a +rule.</p> + +<p id="ch63-6">§6. So cases seldom arise in which one nation has a right to assist the +subjects of another in overturning or changing their government. It is +generally agreed, that such assistance may be afforded consistently with +the law of nations, in extreme cases; as when the tyranny of a +<a id="p223"></a>government becomes so oppressive, as to compel the people to rise in +their defense, and call for assistance. When the subjects of any +government have carried their revolt so far as to have established a new +state, and to give reasonable evidence of their ability to maintain a +government, the right of assistance is unquestionable. But it is not +clear that, prior to this state of progress in a revolution, the right +to interpose would be justifiable.</p> + +<p id="ch63-7">§7. There is a sense, however, in which nations are not wholly +independent. Mankind in the social state, as we have seen, are dependent +upon each other for assistance. (Chap. I, §2.) Such is, in a measure, +the mutual dependence of nations. Although the people of every nation +have within themselves the means of maintaining their individual and +national existence, their prosperity and happiness are greatly promoted +by commerce with other nations. And as laws are necessary to govern the +conduct of the individual citizens of a state, so certain rules are +necessary to regulate the intercourse of nations.</p> + +<p id="ch63-8">§8. It has been observed, also, that the law of nature is a perfect rule +for all moral and social beings, and ought to be universally obeyed. +Equally binding is this law upon nations. It requires each nation to +respect the rights of all others, and to do for them what their +necessities demand, and what it is capable of doing, consistently with +the duties it owes to itself. And the general good of mankind is as +really promoted by the application of this law to the affairs of +nations, as by its application to the affairs of individuals.</p> + +<p id="ch63-9">§9. The law of nature applied to nations or states as moral persons, is +called the <i>natural law of nations</i>. It is also called the <i>necessary +law of nations</i>, because nations are morally bound to observe it; and +sometimes the <i>internal law of nations</i>, from its being binding on the +conscience.</p> + +<p id="ch63-10">§10. Although the law of nature, as expressed in the law of revelation, +is a correct rule of human conduct; yet, as much of this law consists of +general principles from <a id="p224"></a>which particular duties can not always be +deduced, positive human enactments are necessary to define the law of +nature and revelation. So an important part of the law of nations +necessarily consists of positive institutions. Hence some writers have +divided international law under these two principal heads: the <i>natural</i> +law of nations, and the <i>positive</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch63-11">§11. The <i>positive law of nations</i> is founded on usage or custom and +agreement, and may be considered as properly divided into the +<i>customary</i> law of nations, and the <i>conventional</i>. The <i>customary law +of nations</i> consists of certain maxims, or is founded on customs and +usages which have been long observed and tacitly consented to by +nations, and have thereby become binding upon all who have adopted them, +so far as their observance does not require a violation of the law of +nature.</p> + +<p id="ch63-12">§12. A <i>conventional law of nations</i> is one that has been established by +a treaty or league. The word <i>convention</i> usually signifies an assembly +of persons met for some benevolent, political, or ecclesiastical +purpose. It also signifies a treaty, or agreement between nations; and +such agreement or contract, though made without a formal meeting, is +deemed conventional.</p> + +<p id="ch63-13">§13. As the law of nature is liable to misconstruction, and as the law +of usage or custom is vague and uncertain, <i>conventional</i> law, because +more definite, has been found to afford greater security to the rights +of commerce. Hence the practice, now so common among nations, of +regulating their intercourse by negotiation. By treaties, the rights of +the contracting parties are placed beyond dispute.</p> + +<p id="ch63-14">§14. But it may be said, if each nation is independent of every other, +and if there is no constituted authority to enforce the fulfillment of +treaty stipulations, the rights guarantied by treaties are still +insecure. But few governments are so devoid of a sense of honor as, by a +palpable violation of treaty obligations, to incur the odium and +condemnation of all mankind. Self-respect and the fear of provoking a +war, have generally proved sufficient incentives to the observance of +treaties.</p> + +<a id="p225"></a><p id="ch63-15">§15. The obligations of nations are sometimes called <i>imperfect</i>. A +<i>perfect obligation</i> is one that can be enforced--one that exists where +there is a right to compel the party on whom the obligation rests to +fulfill it. An <i>imperfect obligation</i> gives only the right to demand the +fulfillment, leaving the party pledged to judge what his duty requires, +and to do as he chooses, without being constrained by another to do +otherwise.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch64"> +<h2>Chapter LXIV.</h2> + +<h3>The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; the Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch64-1">§1. The seas are regarded as the common highway of nations. The main +ocean, for navigation and fishing, is open to all mankind. Every state, +however, has jurisdiction at sea over its own subjects in its own public +and private vessels. The persons on board such vessels are protected and +governed by the laws of the country to which they belong, and may be +punished by these laws for offenses committed on board of its public +vessels in foreign ports.</p> + +<p id="ch64-2">§2. The question how far a nation has jurisdiction over the seas +adjoining its lands, is not clearly settled. It appears to be generally +conceded, that a nation has a right of exclusive dominion over navigable +rivers flowing through its territory; the harbors, bays, gulfs, and arms +of the sea; and such extent of sea adjoining its territories as is +necessary to the safety of the nation, which is considered by some to be +as far as a cannon shot will reach, or about a marine league.</p> + +<p id="ch64-3">§3. It is the duty of a nation in time of peace, to allow <a id="p226"></a>the people of +other states a passage over its lands and waters, so far as it can be +permitted without inconvenience, and with safety to its own citizens. Of +this the nation is to be its own judge. The right of passage is only an +<i>imperfect right</i>, because the obligation to grant the right is an +<i>imperfect obligation</i>. (Chap. LXIII, §15.)</p> + +<p id="ch64-4">§4. In general, it is the duty of a nation to allow foreigners to enter +and settle in the country. On being admitted into a state, the state +becomes pledged for their protection, and they become subject to its +laws; and in consideration of the protection they receive, they are +obliged to aid in defending it, and in supporting its government, even +before they are admitted to all the rights of citizens.</p> + +<p id="ch64-5">§5. But no state is bound to shelter criminals fleeing into it from a +foreign state. They can be tried only in the state whose laws they have +violated. It is therefore the duty of the government to surrender a +fugitive on demand of the proper authorities of the state from which he +fled, if, after due examination by a civil magistrate, there shall +appear sufficient grounds for the charge. The surrender of criminals is +sometimes provided for in treaties.</p> + +<p id="ch64-6">§6. The rule which makes foreigners amenable to the laws of the state in +which they remove, does not apply to embassadors. They are not +responsible to the laws of the country to which they are sent, even when +guilty of crime. When their conduct is dangerous to the government and +its citizens, all that can be done is, either to deprive them of liberty +by confinement, or to send them home and demand their punishment. As +every nation has a right to treat and communicate with all others, it +ought not to be deprived of the services of its representative. Hence, +the persons and property of all public ministers are held sacred and +inviolable.</p> + +<p id="ch64-7">§7. Embassadors are entitled to the same protection in the countries +through which they pass in going to, and returning from the government +to which they are sent. And <a id="p227"></a>to insure them a safe passage, some +governments have given them passports to be shown if required. A +<i>passport</i> is a written license from the authority of a state granting +permission or safe conduct for one to pass through its territory. +Passports, though named in our law, are not known in practice, being +deemed unnecessary.</p> + +<p id="ch64-8">§8. If a minister at a foreign court treats the sovereign with +disrespect, the fact is sometimes communicated to the government that +sent him, with a request for his recall. Or, if the offense is a more +serious one, the offended sovereign refuses intercourse with him while +his master's answer is awaited. Or, if the case is an aggravated one, he +expels him from the country.</p> + +<p id="ch64-9">§9. Ministers at foreign governments, in their negotiations or business +correspondence with those governments, sometimes consider themselves ill +treated, and their own nation dishonored, and take their leave and +return home; or the minister informs his sovereign, who either recalls +him, or takes such other measure as he thinks the honor and interest of +his nation demand.</p> + +<p id="ch64-10">§10. The peculiar condition of a country, the nature of the business +upon which an embassador is sent, or the personal character of the +embassador, may be such as to justify a government in refusing to +receive him. But to preserve the friendly relations of the two +countries, satisfactory explanations ought to be made, or good reasons +offered for the refusal.</p> + +<p id="ch64-11">§11. A minister can not bind his sovereign to any treaty or agreement, +conclusively, under the authority of an ordinary credential, or letter +of attorney. He can not do so without a special power, containing +express authority so to bind his principal. Ministers act under secret +instructions which they are not bound to disclose. Even the treaties +signed by plenipotentiaries, (a word signifying full power,) are, +according to present usage, of no force, until ratified by their +governments.</p> + +<p id="ch64-12">§12. Consuls are not entitled to the privilege enjoyed by <a id="p228"></a>ministers, +but are subject to the laws of the country in which they reside. Their +principal duties have been described. (Chap. XL, §9.) The office of +consul has been found to be one of great utility; hence, every trading +nation has a consul in every considerable commercial port in the world. +As in the case of ministers, consuls carry a certificate of their +appointment, and must be acknowledged as consuls by the government of +the country in which they reside, before they can perform any duties +pertaining to their office.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch65"> +<h2>Chapter LXV.</h2> + +<h3>Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes and Objects of War; Reprisals; Alliances in War.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch65-1">§1. Wars are offensive and defensive. The use of force to obtain justice +for injuries done, is <i>offensive war</i>. The making use of force against +any power that attacks a nation or its privileges, is <i>defensive war</i>. A +war may be defensive in its principles, though offensive in its +operation. For example: one nation is preparing to invade another; but +before the threatened invasion takes place, the latter attacks the +former as the best mode of repelling the invasion. In this case, the +party making the attack acts on the <i>defensive</i>. (§10.) The contending +parties are called <i>belligerents</i>. The word <i>belligerent</i> is from the +Latin <i>bellum</i>, war, and <i>gero</i>, to wage or carry on. Nations that take +no part in the contest, are called <i>neutrals</i>.</p> + +<p id="ch65-2">§2. War ought never to be undertaken without the most cogent reasons. In +the first place, there must be a <i>right</i> to make war, and <i>just grounds</i> +for making it. Nations have no right to employ force any further than is +necessary for their own defense, and for the maintenance of their +<a id="p229"></a>rights. Secondly, it should be made from <i>proper motives</i>, the good of +the state, and the safety and common advantage of the citizens. Hence, +there may be, according to the law of nations, just cause of war, when +it would be inexpedient to involve the nation in such a calamity.</p> + +<p id="ch65-3">§3. The numerous objects of a lawful war may be reduced to these three: +(1.) To recover what belongs to us, or to obtain satisfaction for +injuries. (2.) To provide for our future safety by punishing the +offender. (3.) To defend or protect ourselves from injury by repelling +unjust attacks. The first and second are objects of an <i>offensive</i> war; +the third is that of a <i>defensive</i> war.</p> + +<p id="ch65-4">§4. Injury to an individual citizen of a state, by the subjects of +another state, is deemed a just cause of war, if the persons offending, +or the government of the state to which they belong, do not make +reparation for the injury; for every nation is responsible for the good +behavior of its subjects. But, although this would, according to the law +of nations, afford justifiable cause of war, neither the honor nor the +true interest of a nation requires that war should always be made for so +slight a cause.</p> + +<p id="ch65-5">§5. Generally, the injury sought to be redressed should be serious, and +satisfaction be demanded and refused, before recourse should be had to +arms. Where there is a question of right between the parties, the +government making war should have no reasonable doubt of the justice of +its claim. And even when no such doubt exists, it would be the duty of +such government to prevent a war, if possible, by proposals of +compromise. It is believed that war ought in no case to be made, until +attempts have been made to effect an adjustment of difficulties by +compromise, or by offers to submit them for arbitration.</p> + +<p id="ch65-6">§6. One of the means by which satisfaction is sought without making war, +is that of <i>reprisals</i>. (Chap. XXXVI, §4, 5.) If a nation has taken what +belongs to another, or refuses to pay a debt, or to make satisfaction +for an injury, the offended nation seizes something belonging to the +former or to her citizens, and retains it, or applies it to her own +<a id="p230"></a>advantage, till she obtains satisfaction: and when there shall be no +longer any hope of satisfaction, the effects thus seized are +confiscated. To <i>confiscate</i> is to adjudge property to be forfeited, and +to appropriate it to the use and benefit of the state. But as the loss +in this case would fall upon unoffending citizens, it is the duty of +their government to grant them indemnity.</p> + +<p id="ch65-7">§7. But to justify reprisals by the law of nations, the grounds upon +which they are authorized must be just and well ascertained. If the +right of the party demanding satisfaction is doubtful, he must first +demand an equitable examination of his claim, and next be able to show +that justice has been refused, before he can justly take the matter into +his own hands. He has no right to disturb the peace and safety of +nations on a doubtful pretension. But if the other party refuses to have +the matter brought to the proof, or to accede to any proposition to +terminate the dispute in a peaceable manner, reprisals become lawful.</p> + +<p id="ch65-8">§8. By treaties of alliance, nations sometimes agree to assist each +other in case of war with a third power. It is a question not clearly +settled, whether the government that is to afford the aid is bound to do +so when it deems the war to be unjust. The reasonable conclusion seems +to be, that, in cases simply doubtful, the justice of the war is to be +presumed; and the government pledging its aid is bound to fulfill its +engagement. The contrary doctrine would furnish a nation with too ready +a pretext for violating its pledge. In cases only of the clearest +injustice on the part of its ally, can a nation rightfully avoid a +positive engagement to afford assistance.</p> + +<p id="ch65-9">§9. But when the object of the war is hopeless, or when the state under +such engagement would, by furnishing the assistance, endanger its own +safety, it is not bound to render the aid. But the danger must not be +slight, remote, or uncertain. None but extreme cases would afford +sufficient cause for withholding the promised assistance.</p> + +<p id="ch65-10">§10. When the alliance is defensive, the treaty binds <a id="p231"></a>each party to +assist the other only when engaged in a defensive war, and unjustly +attacked. By the conventional law of nations, the government that first +declares, or actually begins the war, is considered as making +<i>offensive</i> war; and though it should not be the first actually to apply +force, yet if it first renders the application of force necessary, it is +the aggressor; and the other party, though the first to apply force, is +engaged in a <i>defensive</i> war. (§1.)</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch66"> +<h2>Chapter LXVI.</h2> + +<h3>Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the Enemy's subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch66-1">§1. When a nation has resolved on making war, it is usual to announce +the fact by a public declaration. In monarchical governments, the power +to declare war, which of course includes the right of determining the +question whether it shall be made, is vested in the king. In the United +States, this power is, by the constitution, given to the representatives +of the people, for reasons elsewhere stated. (Chap. XXXVI, §3.)</p> + +<p id="ch66-2">§2. It was usual, formerly, to communicate a declaration of war to the +enemy. According to modern practice, a formal declaration to the enemy +is not required. Any manifesto or paper from an official source, +announcing that the country is in a state of war, is considered +sufficient. The recalling of a minister has alone been regarded as a +hostile act, and followed by war, without any other declaration. But +such cases have not been frequent. Under ordinary circumstances, the +recall of a minister is not an offensive act.</p> + +<p id="ch66-3">§3. The government of a state acts for and in behalf of all its +citizens; and its acts are binding upon all. Hence, <a id="p232"></a>when war is +declared, it is not merely a war between the two governments; all the +subjects of the government declaring it become enemies to all the +subjects of that against which it is declared.</p> + +<p id="ch66-4">§4. Whether, on the occurrence of a war in any state, the subjects of +the enemy found within the state may be detained as prisoners of war, +and their movable property confiscated; or whether they are entitled to +a reasonable time to retire with their effects, is a question upon which +writers of public law are not agreed. Few civilized nations, at the +present day, would deny such persons a reasonable time to retire with +their property. Of houses and lands, all admit that only the income is +subject to confiscation. The privilege spoken of, instead of being left +to uncertainty, is now, with great propriety, generally secured by +treaty.</p> + +<p id="ch66-5">§5. When war is declared, all intercourse between the two countries at +once ceases. All trade between the citizens, directly or indirectly, is +strictly forbidden; and all contracts with the enemy made during the war +are void.</p> + +<p id="ch66-6">§6. Although a state of war makes all the subjects of one nation enemies +of all those of the other, they cannot lawfully engage in offensive +hostilities without permission of their government. If they have no +written commission as evidence of such permission, and if they should be +taken by the enemy, they would not be entitled to the usual mild +treatment which other prisoners of war receive, but might be treated +without mercy as lawless robbers and banditti.</p> + +<p id="ch66-7">§7. As the object of a just war is to obtain justice, a nation, when it +has declared war, has a right to use all necessary means, and no other, +for attaining that end. A just war gives the right to take the life of +the enemy; but there are limits to this right. If an enemy submits, and +lays down his arms, we can not justly take his life. And justice and +humanity forbid that women, children, feeble old men, and sick persons, +who make no resistance, should be maltreated.</p> + +<a id="p233"></a><p id="ch66-8">§8. Prisoners of war are not to be treated with cruelty. They may be +confined, and even fettered, if there is reason to apprehend that they +will rise against their captors, or make their escape. Prisoners of war +are detained to prevent their returning to join the enemy, or to obtain +from their government a just satisfaction as the price of their liberty. +Prisoners may be kept till the end of the war. Then, or at any time +during the war, the government may exchange them for its own soldiers +taken prisoner by the enemy; or a ransom may be required for their +release. It is the duty of the government to procure, at its own +expense, the release of its citizens.</p> + +<p id="ch66-9">§9. Ravaging a country, burning private dwellings, or otherwise wantonly +destroying property, is not justifiable, except in cases of absolute +necessity. But all fortresses, ramparts, and the like, being +appropriated to the purposes of war, may be destroyed.</p> + +<p id="ch66-10">§10. Stratagems and deceit to obtain advantage of an enemy, are, to some +extent, justified by the law of nations; but in general they are +dishonorable and wrong.</p> + +<p id="ch66-11">§11. Spies are sometimes sent among an enemy, to discover the state of +his affairs, to pry into his designs, and carry back information. This +is a dishonorable office; spies, if detected, are condemned to death.</p> + +<p id="ch66-12">§12. The rights of a nation in war at sea are essentially different from +those in war upon land. The object of a maritime war is to destroy the +commerce and navigation of the enemy, with a view of weakening his naval +power. To this end, the capture or destruction of private property is +necessary, and is justified by the law of nations. Hence, for the +purpose of attack as well as defense, every nation of considerable power +or commercial importance, keeps a <i>navy</i>, consisting of a number of war +vessels, ready for service.</p> + +<p id="ch66-13">§13. Besides these national ships of war, there are armed vessels owned +by private citizens, and called <i>priva<a id="p234"></a>teers</i>. Their owners receive from +the government a commission to go on the seas, and to capture any vessel +of the enemy, whether it is owned by the government or by private +citizens, or whether it is armed or not. And to encourage privateering, +the government allows the owner and crew of a privateer to keep the +property captured as their own.</p> + +<p id="ch66-14">§14. To prevent the abuse of this right, the owners are required to give +security, that the cruise shall be conducted according to instructions +and the usages of war; that the rights of neutral nations shall not be +violated; and that the captured property shall be brought in for +adjudication.</p> + +<p id="ch66-15">§15. When a prize is brought into a port, the captors make a writing, +called <i>libel</i>, stating the facts of the capture, and praying that the +property may be condemned; and this paper is filed in the proper court. +If it shall be made to appear that the property was taken from the +enemy, the court condemns the property as <i>prize</i>, which is then sold, +and the proceeds are distributed among the captors.</p> + +<p id="ch66-16">§16. All prizes, whether taken by a public or private armed vessel, +primarily belong to the sovereign; and no person has any interest in a +prize, except what he receives from the state: and due proof must in all +cases be made before the proper court, that the seizure was lawfully +made. In this country, prizes are proved and condemned in a district +court of the United States, which, when sitting that purpose, is called +a <i>prize court</i>.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="ch67"> +<h2>Chapter LXVII.</h2> + +<h3>Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; Right of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of Peace.</h3> + + + +<p id="ch67-1">§1. A neutral nation is bound to observe a strict impartiality toward +the parties at war. If she should aid one <a id="p235"></a>party to the injury of the +other, she would be liable to be herself treated as an enemy. A loan of +money to one of the belligerents, or supplying him with other means of +carrying on a war, if done with the view of aiding him in the war, would +be a violation of neutrality. But an engagement made in time of peace to +furnish a nation a certain number of ships, or troops, or other articles +of war, may afterward, in time of war, be fulfilled.</p> + +<p id="ch67-2">§2. A nation is not bound, however, on the occurrence of a war, to +change its customary trade, and to cease supplying a belligerent with +articles of trade which such belligerent was wont to receive from her, +although the goods may afford him the means of carrying on the war. So +if a nation has been accustomed to lend money to another for interest, +and the latter should become engaged in war with a third power, the +neutral would not break her neutrality if she should continue to lend +her money. The wrong in any case lies in the <i>intention</i> to aid one to +the detriment of the other.</p> + +<p id="ch67-3">§3. This rule, it is believed, is universally admitted in cases of +belligerents going themselves to a neutral country to make their +purchases. But whether a neutral nation is at full liberty to <i>carry the +goods</i> in the cases mentioned, is not so certain. A nation in a just war +has a right to deprive her enemy of the means of resisting or injuring +her, and therefore may lawfully intercept every thing of a warlike +nature which a neutral is carrying to such enemy.</p> + +<p id="ch67-4">§4. Articles which a neutral nation is not allowed to carry to an enemy, +are called contraband goods. What these are, it is impossible to say +with precision, as some articles may in certain cases be lawfully +carried, which would be justly prohibited under other circumstances. +Among the articles usually contraband, are arms, ammunition, materials +for ship-building, naval stores, horses, and sometimes even provisions.</p> + +<p id="ch67-5">§5. Contraband goods, when ascertained to be such, are confiscated to +the captors as lawful prize. Formerly <a id="p236"></a>the vessel also was liable to be +condemned and confiscated; but the modern practice, it is said, exempts +the ship, unless it belongs to the owner of the contraband articles, or +the carrying of them is connected with aggravating circumstances.</p> + +<p id="ch67-6">§6. One of the rights of a belligerent nation which a neutral is bound +to regard, is the right of blockade. <i>Blockade</i> is a blocking up. A war +blockade is the stationing of ships of war at the entrance of an enemy's +ports, to prevent all vessels from coming out or going in. The object of +a blockade is to hinder supplies of arms, ammunition, and provisions +from entering, with a view to compel a surrender by hunger and want, +without an attack. A neutral vessel attempting to enter or depart, +becomes liable to be seized and condemned. Towns and fortresses also may +be shut up by posting troops at the avenues.</p> + +<p id="ch67-7">§7. A simple decree or order declaring a certain coast or country in a +state of blockade, does not constitute a blockade. A force must be +stationed there, competent to maintain the blockade, and to make it +dangerous to enter. And it is necessary that the neutral should have due +notice of the blockade, in order to subject his property to condemnation +and forfeiture. According to modern usage, if a place is blockaded by +sea only, trade with it by a neutral nation may be carried on by inland +communication. And a neutral vessel, loaded before the blockade was +established, has a right to leave the port with her cargo.</p> + +<p id="ch67-8">§8. To prevent the conveyance of contraband goods, the law of nations +gives a belligerent nation the <i>right of search</i>; that is, the right, in +time of war, to search neutral vessels, to ascertain their character, +and what articles are on board. A neutral vessel refusing to be searched +by a lawful cruiser, would thereby render herself liable to condemnation +as a prize. Private merchant vessels only are subject to search; the +right does not extend to public ships of war.</p> + +<p id="ch67-9">§9. The property of an enemy found on board of a neutral vessel, may be +seized, if the vessel is beyond the limits <a id="p237"></a>of the jurisdiction of the +nation to which she belongs; but the vessel is not confiscated; and the +master is entitled to freight for the carriage of the goods. The +<i>property of neutrals</i> found in an enemy's vessels, is to be restored to +the owners.</p> + +<p id="ch67-10">§10. A neutral is forbidden by the law and practice of nations, to +permit a belligerent to arm and equip vessels of war within her forts. +Nor may the citizens of a nation fit out any vessel, or enlist, to go +beyond the limits of their own country to assist any people in war +against another with whom they are at peace.</p> + +<p id="ch67-11">§11. It is sometimes agreed to suspend hostilities for a time. If the +agreement is only for a short period, for the purpose of burying the +dead after battle, or for a parley between the hostile generals; or if +it regards only some particular place, it is called a cessation or +<i>suspension of arms</i>; if for a considerable time, and especially if +general, it is called a <i>truce</i>. By a partial truce, hostilities are +suspended in certain places, as between a town and the general besieging +it; and generals have power to make such truces. By a general truce, +hostilities are to cease generally, and in all places, and are made by +the governments or sovereigns. Such truces afford opportunities for +nations to settle their disputes by negotiation.</p> + +<p id="ch67-12">§12. A truce binds the contracting parties from the time it is made; but +individuals of the nation are not responsible for its violation before +they have had due notice of it. And for all prizes taken after the time +of its commencement, the government is bound to make restitution. During +the cessation of hostilities, each party may, within his own +territories, continue his preparations for war, without being charged +with a breach of good faith.</p> + +<p id="ch67-13">§13. War is generally terminated, and peace secured, by <i>treaties of +peace</i>. The manner of making treaties has been described. (Chap. XL, +§5.) A treaty of peace puts an <a id="p238"></a>end to the war, and leaves the +contracting parties no right to take up arms for the same cause.</p> + +<p id="ch67-14">§14. The parties to a treaty of peace are bound by it from the time of +its conclusion, which is the day on which it is signed; but, as in the +case of a truce, persons are not held responsible for any hostile acts +committed before the treaty was known; and their government is bound to +order and enforce the restitution of property captured subsequently to +the conclusion of the treaty.</p> + +<p id="ch67-15">§15. War is sometimes terminated by <i>mediation</i>. A friend to both +parties, desirous of stopping the destruction of human life, kindly +endeavors to reconcile the parties. The friendly sovereign who thus +interposes, is called <i>mediator</i>. Many desolating wars might have been +early arrested in this way, or wholly prevented, had there always been +among friendly powers a disposition to reconcile contending nations.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="part" id="part6"> +<h1><a id="p239"></a>Synopsis of the State Constitutions.</h1> + + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Maine"> +<h2>Maine.</h2> + + +<p>The District of Maine, formerly belonging to the state of Massachusetts, +adopted in convention, October 29, 1819, the present constitution, and +was admitted into the Union as a state, March 15, 1820. The constitution +has received several alterations.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> All male citizens, having had a residence in the state three +months, except paupers, persons under guardianship, and Indians not +taxed.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> The house of representatives consists of one hundred and +fifty-one members, apportioned among the counties according to +population; and the number apportioned to each county are apportioned +among the towns according to the population. A representative must have +been a citizen of the United States five years, resided in the state one +year, and in the town or district he is chosen to represent, three +months. Senate, not less than twenty, nor more than thirty-one members, +elected in districts by majority. If a senator is not elected by the +electors, the house and the senators elected choose one from the two +candidates having the highest numbers of votes. Age, twenty-five years, +otherwise qualified as representatives.</p> + +<p>A majority constitutes a <i>quorum</i>. Bills vetoed by the governor become +laws when re-passed by two-thirds majorities. Also bills become laws if +not returned by the governor within five days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment, in which case they will become laws unless +returned within three days after the next meeting.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected annually, by majority. If no person +has a majority, the house, from those voted for (not exceeding four) +having the highest numbers of votes, elects two, of whom the senate +elects a governor. Age, thirty years, a native citizen, resident of the +state five <a id="p240"></a>years. An executive council of seven, chosen annually by the +legislature on joint ballot. Power of appointment is exercised by the +governor and council. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>Secretary of state, treasurer, and attorney-general, are chosen annually +by joint ballot of both houses.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme judicial court, and such other courts as the +legislature may establish. Judges of the judicial court are appointed by +the governor and council for seven years; judges and registers of +probate are elected in the counties for four years.</p> + +<p>Officers may be removed by impeachment, and by the governor and council +on address of both houses of the legislature.</p> + +<p>Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by two-thirds of both +branches, and ratified by the electors at the next annual election.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_New_Hampshire"> +<h2>New Hampshire.</h2> + + +<p>The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1784; the present +one in 1792, and has been amended.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> All male citizens, except paupers and persons excused from +paying taxes at their own request, resident in the state six months, and +in the town three months.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--called <i>general court</i>. Senate, twelve members, elected +annually in single districts; thirty years of age; inhabitants of the +state seven years, and inhabitants of their respective districts. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns according to ratable +male polls, (male tax-payers;) state residence, two years. Senators and +representatives must be of the Protestant religion. <i>Quorum</i>, a +majority.</p> + +<p>Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--also become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the return is prevented by +adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected annually by ma<a id="p241"></a>jority. If no person +has a majority, the two houses elect one of the two highest. Age, thirty +years; inhabitant of the state, seven years, and a Protestant. Council +of five, one in each district, elected annually by majority. Power of +appointment and of pardon exercised by the governor and council. No +lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>Secretary of state, treasurer, and commissary-general appointed by joint +ballot of both houses.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> Judicial officers are appointed by the governor and +council; justices of the peace for five years, judges of the higher +courts during good behavior. Judges disqualified at seventy years of +age.</p> + +<p>Attorney-general, solicitors, sheriffs, coroners, registers of probate, +and naval and the higher militia officers, are appointed by the governor +and council. County treasurers and registers of deeds are elected in the +counties.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments.</i> The sense of the people is taken every seven years; and if +a majority favor a revision, the legislature calls a convention; and any +alterations proposed by the convention must be approved by two-thirds of +the qualified electors who vote thereon.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Vermont"> +<h2>Vermont.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the Union in 1791, with a constitution +formed in 1777; the present one was adopted in 1793, and has been +several times amended.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> Citizens having resided in the state one year, of quiet and +peaceable behavior, are entitled to all the privileges of freemen, by +taking an oath that, in giving their votes, they will so do it as they +believe will conduce to the best good of the state.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> Senate, thirty members, elected annually; apportioned +among the counties according to population, each county to have at least +one senator; age, thirty years; freemen of the county. Representatives +are elected in towns, each town being entitled to at least one +representative; resident of the state two years, of the town one year.</p> + +<p><a id="p242"></a><i>Quorum</i>, a majority. For raising a tax, two-thirds of the members +elected must be present.</p> + +<p>Bills vetoed by the governor may be again passed by simple majorities. +Bills not returned by the governor within five days become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected annually by majority. If no person +has a majority, the legislature chooses one of the three highest. +Resident of the state four years. A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, chosen by the two houses; a treasurer, elected as +governor and lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court and county courts; the judges chosen +annually by the senate and house; justices of the peace are elected in +the towns; judges of probate in districts; assistant judges of county +courts, sheriffs, high bailiffs, and state's attorneys, in their +respective counties.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments.</i> A council of thirteen censors, chosen every seven years, +examines into the different departments, and have power to call a +convention to amend the constitution.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Massachusetts"> +<h2>Massachusetts.</h2> + + +<p>The constitution of this state was formed in 1780. It has been several +times amended.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> Every male citizen, except paupers and persons under +guardianship, having resided in the state one year, in the town or +district six months; and having paid a tax within two years, or is +legally exempt from taxation.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general court</i>. Senate, forty members, chosen in +districts, and apportioned according to population; residents of the +state five years, and inhabitants of the districts they represent. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns and cities. Every town +or city containing 1,200 inhabitants, is entitled to one, and an +additional one for every 2,400 additional inhabitants. Residence one +year in the towns they represent.</p> + +<p>Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--or <a id="p243"></a>become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the legislature by adjournment, +prevent their return.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is chosen annually, by majority. If no +candidate has a majority, the house elects two of those voted for, (not +exceeding four,) having the highest numbers of votes, of which two the +senate elects a governor. He must have resided in the state seven years, +and declare himself to be of the Christian religion. A council of nine, +elected annually by joint ballot of the two houses, act with the +governor in pardons and appointments, and in directing the affairs of +state generally. Counselors must have resided in the state five years.</p> + +<p>The secretary, treasurer, receiver-general, commissary-general, notaries +public, and naval officers, are chosen annually by the legislature.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme judicial court and a court of common pleas, held +in every county of the state, and courts held by justices of the peace. +All judicial officers are appointed by the governor and council; +justices of the higher courts during good behavior, justices of the +peace for seven years. The former are removable by the governor and +council, or address of the legislature.</p> + +<p>The attorney-general, the solicitor-general, sheriffs, coroners, and +registers of probate, are appointed as justices.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> agreed to by a majority of the senators and two-thirds of +the representatives at two successive sessions, are submitted to the +qualified voters of the state for ratification.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Rhode_Island"> +<h2>Rhode Island.</h2> + + +<p>A charter granted in 1663, by Charles II, to the Rhode Island and +Providence Plantations, continued, with some modifications, the basis of +government of this state, until 1842, when the present constitution was +adopted.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> Every male <i>native</i> citizen, resident in the state two +years, in the town or city six months, and having within a year paid a +tax of $1, or has done military duty. <a id="p244"></a>Also every naturalized citizen, +resident in the state one year, in the town or city six months, owning +real estate worth $134 above all incumbrances, or which rents for $7 a +year. Voters in this state must be registered in the town clerk's +office, at least seven days before they offer their votes.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i> styled <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives, not to exceed +seventy-two, are apportioned among the towns, no town to have more than +one-sixth of the whole house. The senate consists of the +lieutenant-governor and one senator from each town or city. The +governor, and in his absence, the lieutenant-governor, presides in the +senate, and in grand committee, (the two houses united.) <i>Quorum</i>, a +majority.</p> + +<p>Bills when passed by both houses are laws.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually +by majority. If no candidate has a majority, the two houses in joint +assembly (grand committee) elect from the two having the highest numbers +of votes.</p> + +<p>A secretary, an attorney-general, and a general treasurer, are elected +in the same manner as the governor.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +shall establish. Judges of the supreme court are elected by the two +houses in grand committee. The judges hold their offices until their +places shall be declared vacant by the general assembly.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, (a +majority of all the members elected to each house voting in their +favor,) and approved by three-fifths of the electors of the state voting +thereon.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Connecticut"> +<h2>Connecticut.</h2> + + +<p>This state was governed under a charter granted by Charles II, in 1662, +until 1818, when the present constitution was adopted. This constitution +has received numerous amendments.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> Every white male citizen, who has resided in the state a +year, and in the town six months, who sustains <a id="p245"></a>a good moral character, +and is able to read any section of the constitution of the state and of +the constitution of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are +apportioned among the towns according to population. Any elector is +eligible to either house. Senators, not less than eighteen, nor more +than twenty-four, are chosen in districts, the number of which is not to +be less than eight, nor more than twenty-four. <i>Quorum</i>, a majority.</p> + +<p>Bills rejected by the governor may be again passed by a majority of each +house. Bills become laws also if not returned by the governor within +three days, unless the legislature sooner adjourn.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> A governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually. +Any qualified elector thirty years of age is eligible. Election by +majority. In case of a failure to elect, the general assembly chooses a +governor from the two having the highest numbers of votes.</p> + +<p>A treasurer, a secretary, and a controller of public accounts, are +elected as the governor and lieutenant-governor. A sheriff is elected in +each county for three years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, a superior court, and such inferior courts +as the legislature shall establish. The judges are appointed by the +general assembly; the judges of the supreme and superior courts for +eight years; removable by the governor on address of two-thirds of each +house. Judges of probate are chosen annually by the electors in +districts; justices of the peace in the towns.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by a majority of the house of representatives, +approved by two-thirds of both houses of the next legislature and a +majority of the electors at an election.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_New_York"> +<h2>New York.</h2> + + +<p>The first constitution of this state was formed in 1777; the second in +1821, and adopted in 1822; the present was formed and adopted in 1846.</p> + +<p><a id="p246"></a><i>Electors.</i> Every white male citizen, resident in the state a year, and +in the county four months, and thirty days in the district which the +person voted for is to represent. Naturalized persons must have been +admitted as citizens ten days before voting. Colored men must have +resided in the state three years, own a freehold of $250 in value over +incumbrances, and have paid a tax thereon.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> Senate, thirty-two members elected in single districts +for two years. Assembly, one hundred and twenty-eight members, +apportioned among the counties. Counties entitled to more than one +member are divided into districts and a member is elected in each +district. A census is taken, and a new apportionment made every ten +years. A majority is a quorum to do business. The final passage of bills +requires a majority of all the members. Bills may be passed against the +veto by two-thirds majorities. They become laws if not returned within +ten days, unless their return is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> A governor is elected for two years; a citizen, thirty +years of age; a resident of the state five years. A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A court of appeals, a supreme court, county courts, and +courts held by justices of the peace. There are eight judicial +districts, in each of which four justices of the supreme court are +elected for eight years, two of them every two years. The court of +appeals is composed of eight judges, four of whom are elected by the +electors of the state for eight years, one every two years, and the +other four are of the class of justices of the supreme court whose term +has most nearly expired. In each county are held circuit courts and +special terms of the supreme court, by one or more justices of the +supreme court. General terms of the supreme court are held in the +several districts by three or more of the justices. A county court is +held by a county judge elected for four years, who is also <i>surrogate</i>, +called in other states, <i>judge of probate</i>. In counties having more than +40,000 inhabitants, a separate officer may be chosen as surrogate. +Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns for four years.</p> + +<p>Judges of the court of appeals and justices of the supreme court may be +removed by the legislature; county judges by the senate on +recommendation of the governor.</p> + +<p><a id="p247"></a>A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a state engineer and surveyor, are chosen for two years; three canal +commissioners and three inspectors of state prisons, for three years, +one of each every year.</p> + +<p>Sheriffs, clerks of counties, coroners, and district attorneys, are +elected for three years in the several counties. Sheriffs are ineligible +for the next three years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> must receive the sanction of two successive legislatures, +and of a majority of the electors voting thereon at an election.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_New_Jersey"> +<h2>New Jersey.</h2> + + +<p>New Jersey, as a colony, adopted a constitution in 1776, under which the +state was governed until the present constitution, framed in 1844, was +adopted.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, who have resided in the state a year, +and in the county five months.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> A senate and general assembly. The senate consists of one +senator from each county, elected for three years; one-third of the +senators elected every year. Age, thirty years; residence in the state +four years, and in the county one year. Members of the general assembly, +not to exceed sixty, are apportioned among the counties according to +population. Residence in the state two years, in the county one year. A +majority is a <i>quorum</i>.</p> + +<p>The final passage of bills requires a majority of the members elected. +The same majorities may pass bills disapproved by the governor. Bills +become laws if not returned by the governor within five days, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for three years, and is ineligible +for the next three years. He must be thirty years of age; have been +twenty years a citizen, seven years a resident of the state. The +pardoning power is exercised by the governor in conjunction with the +chancellor and the judges of the court of errors and appeals. No +lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>The state treasurer, and the keeper and inspectors of the state prison +are appointed annually by joint assembly of the two houses. The +secretary of state, attorney-gen<a id="p248"></a>eral, and prosecutors of the pleas, are +appointed by the governor and senate, for five years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A court of errors and appeals; a court of chancery; a +prerogative court; a supreme court; circuit courts; and inferior courts. +The court of errors and appeals consists of the chancellor, the justice +of the supreme court, and six judges, or a majority of them. The court +of chancery consists of the chancellor, who is also the ordinary, or +surrogate-general, and judge of the prerogative court, to which appeals +are made from the orphans' court. The supreme court consists of a chief +justice and four associates. The circuit courts are held in every county +by one or more justices of the supreme court, or a judge appointed for +that purpose. Chancellor and justices of the supreme court hold for +seven years; judges of the court of errors and appeals for six years; +and all are appointed by the governor and senate. The inferior court of +common pleas shall not have more than five judges, one to be appointed +every year by the senate and assembly.</p> + +<p>Justices of the peace, from two to five, are elected in each township +and city ward, for five years.</p> + +<p>Sheriffs and coroners are elected annually in their respective counties, +and may be re-elected until they shall have served three years; after +which they are ineligible for three years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members elected to each house concurring, and be +ratified by the electors at an election held for that purpose. +Amendments, (if more than one,) must be submitted separately; and not +oftener than once in five years.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Pennsylvania"> +<h2>Pennsylvania.</h2> + + +<p>A Constitution was adopted in 1776; another in 1790; the present one in +1838.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White freemen, having resided in the state one year, in the +election district ten days, and paid a tax <a id="p249"></a>within two years; if between +twenty-one and twenty-two years, they need not have paid the tax. An +elector having removed from the state and returned, may vote after six +months residence in the state, and ten days in the district, and the +payment of taxes.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--called <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are chosen +annually, and apportioned every seven years among the counties according +to the number of taxable inhabitants; number not less than sixty, nor +more than one hundred. Age, twenty-one; residence in the state three +years, one in the district. Senators are chosen for three years, +(one-third every year,) in districts, not more than two in any district, +unless the taxable inhabitants in any city or county entitle it to elect +more; but no city or county may elect more than four. The whole number +may not be less than one-fourth nor greater than one-third of the number +of representatives. Twenty-five years; state residence, four years; +district, one year.</p> + +<p><i>Quorum</i>, a majority of each house. Bills passed against the veto by +two-thirds majorities. Bills not returned by the governor within ten +days, become laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for three years, and may not hold +the office more than six years in nine Age, thirty years; a citizen and +inhabitant of the state, seven years. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary is appointed by the governor during pleasure. A treasurer is +chosen annually by joint assembly.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> Supreme court, the judges elected for fifteen years; courts +of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery in the counties, held by +judges of the supreme court and court of common pleas; a court of common +pleas in each judicial district, which may not include more than five +counties, the presiding judge to hold his office for ten years, the +associates for five years; a court of quarter sessions and orphans' +court for each county, held by judges of the common pleas; a register's +court for each county, composed of the register of wills and judges of +the common pleas; and courts held in the several townships, wards, and +boroughs, by justices of the peace or aldermen elected by the voters +therein, for five years. Judges of the <a id="p250"></a>supreme court are elected by the +people of the state at large; others are chosen in the districts or +counties over which they preside.</p> + +<p>Sheriffs and coroners are elected in their counties for three years. +Sheriffs may not be twice chosen in any term of six years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of two +successive legislatures, and ratified by a majority of the electors +voting thereon. Amendments must be voted on separately; and none may be +submitted to the electors oftener than once in five years.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Delaware"> +<h2>Delaware.</h2> + + +<p>The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1776; the present, +in 1831, and has been amended.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White males twenty-two years of age, having resided in the +state one year, in the county one month, and within two years paid a +county tax assessed at least six months before the election. If +twenty-one, and under twenty-two years of age, they may vote without +having paid any tax.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--called <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are chosen in +counties for two years; must be twenty-four years of age; have been +citizens and inhabitants of the state three years, of the county one +year. Senators are elected in the counties for four years; the number +not to be greater than one-half, nor less than one-third of the number +of representatives. A senator must be twenty-seven years of age; have +been a citizen and an inhabitant of the state three years, of the +county, one year; and possess a freehold estate in the county of two +hundred acres of land, or real and personal property, or either, worth +£1,000, at least.</p> + +<p>A majority of each house is a quorum. Bills are not submitted to the +governor.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is <a id="p251"></a>not +eligible a second time. Thirty years of age; a citizen and inhabitant of +the United States twelve years, of the state, six years. No +lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, appointed by the governor during his continuance +in office; a state treasurer, biennially, by a concurrent vote of the +two houses. [By this mode of election, the two houses do not meet and +vote jointly, but they vote separately, as in passing laws.]</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> Five judges appointed by the governor, of whom one is +chancellor, and holds the court of chancery. Of the other four, one is +chief-justice, and the other three are associate justices, of whom one +resides in each county.</p> + +<p>The superior court, and the court of general sessions of the peace and +jail delivery, consist of the chief-justice and two associates. The +court of oyer and terminer consists of all the judges except the +chancellor. The court of errors and appeals issues writs of error to the +superior court, receives appeals from the court of chancery, and +determines finally all matters in error in the judgments and proceedings +of the superior court; and when thus acting, it consists of the +chancellor and two of the other judges. In other cases, it is +differently constituted. The orphans' court in each county is held by +the chancellor and the associate judge residing in the county. The +register's court in each county is held by the register of the county.</p> + +<p>Judges of the courts are appointed by the governor during good behavior; +and they may be removed by him on the address of two-thirds of all the +members of each branch of the general assembly.</p> + +<p>In pursuance of the power vested in the legislature to establish +inferior courts, a court of common pleas is established in each county.</p> + +<p>Justices of the peace in each county are appointed by the governor for +seven years, and may be removed as the judges.</p> + +<p>The attorney-general, registers, and prothonotaries are appointed for +five years, removable in like manner.</p> + +<p>The sheriff and the coroner of each county are elected by the citizens +thereof; but the legislature may vest their appointment in the governor. +The sheriff may not be chosen twice in any term of six years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by two-thirds of each house, <a id="p252"></a>with the +approbation of the governor, and ratified by three-fourths of each +branch of the next general assembly. Or, a convention to amend may be +called by the legislature, in pursuance of the sense of the people +expressed at a previous election.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Maryland"> +<h2>Maryland.</h2> + + +<p>The constitution of this state adopted in 1776, continued until 1851, +when the present one was adopted.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, having resided a year in the state, and +six months in the county.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years; must be thirty +years of age; have been a citizen five years, a resident of the state +five years, and for three years a resident of the district from which he +is elected. In case of vacancy, the general assembly elects a resident +of the same district for the residue of the term. If the vacancy happens +during the recess of the legislature, the president of the senate serves +until the next session. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state is appointed by the governor and senate during the +official term of the governor. A controller of the treasury is elected +by the electors of the state for two years; and a treasurer and a state +librarian are chosen by the legislature on joint ballot at each session.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> A senate and a house of delegates, styled <i>general +assembly</i>. Senators, one from each county and the city of Baltimore, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-five +years; residence, three years in the state, one in the county. Delegates +are eligible at twenty-one; otherwise qualified as senators; elected for +two years, apportioned among the counties according to population; the +city of Baltimore to have four more delegates than the most populous +county, and no county to have less than two delegates; the whole number +not to be more than eighty, nor less than sixty-five.</p> + +<p><a id="p253"></a>A majority constitutes a quorum. Bills must pass by majorities of all +the members elected; and when so passed and sealed with the great seal, +the governor is required to sign them in the presence of the presiding +officers and chief clerks of both houses.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A court of appeals, consisting of four judges, one of whom +is elected in each judicial district for ten years. One is designated by +the governor and senate as chief-justice. They must be thirty years of +age, and have been citizens of the state five years. They are +disqualified at seventy. There are eight judicial circuits, in each of +which, except the fifth, is elected a judge, for ten years, who holds +circuit courts in the counties within his circuit.</p> + +<p>There are, in the city of Baltimore, courts peculiar to that city.</p> + +<p>Justices of the peace and constables, are elected for two years in each +ward of the city of Baltimore, and in each election district in the +several counties.</p> + +<p>A sheriff and a state's attorney are elected in each county and the city +of Baltimore, the former for two, and the latter for four years. +Sheriffs are ineligible for the next two years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> may be made only by a convention, called by the legislature +in pursuance of a vote of the people to be taken after each United +States census.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Virginia"> +<h2>Virginia.</h2> + + +<p>A constitution was adopted in 1716; another in 1830; the present in +1851.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, having resided in the state two years, +and in the county, city or town where they offer to vote, one year. +Votes are given openly, or <i>viva voce</i>. Dumb persons only vote by +ballot.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> Senate and house of delegates. Delegates, one hundred and +fifty-two in number, are elected biennially, and apportioned among the +several counties and election districts according to population. The +senate consists of <a id="p254"></a>fifty members, elected in single districts for four +years, one-half every two years. Apportionments are made every ten +years. Delegates are eligible at the age of twenty-one years; senators +at the age of twenty-five.</p> + +<p><i>Quorum</i>, a majority. Bills to become laws, do not require the +governor's approval.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. He must be thirty years of age, a native citizen of +the United States, and have been a citizen of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years in joint assembly; an attorney general is +elected for four years by the people at every election for governor.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> The state is divided into twenty-one judicial circuits, ten +districts, and five sections, in each of which division, one judge is +elected by the people; the circuit judges for eight years, the judges of +the supreme court of appeals for twelve years. A circuit judge holds +circuit courts in the several counties composing his district. The +judges of the circuits constituting a section, and the judge of the +supreme court of appeals for that section, hold district courts in such +section. The supreme court of appeals consists of the five judges +elected in the sections, and three of whom may hold a court. Judges may +be removed by the legislature.</p> + +<p>A county court is held monthly in each county, by not less than three, +nor more than five justices of the peace, except when the law requires a +greater number. Each county is divided into districts, in each of which +four justices are elected for four years. The justices so elected choose +one of their own body as presiding justice of the county court.</p> + +<p>In each county are elected, a clerk of the county court and a surveyor, +for six years; an attorney for four years; a sheriff for two years: and +constables and overseers of the poor as may be prescribed by law.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments.</i> The constitution does not provide for its amendment. The +last two constitutions were framed by conventions authorized by acts of +the legislature, and ratified by the electors.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_North_Carolina"> +<h2><a id="p255"></a>North Carolina.</h2> + + +<p>This state adopted a constitution in 1776, which was amended in 1835.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> A senate and a house of commons, called the <i>general +assembly</i>. The senate consists of fifty members, chosen biennially, in +single districts, which are laid off in proportion to the average amount +of taxes paid by the citizens during the five years preceding. Senators +must have resided within their respective districts a year, and possess +not less than three hundred acres of land. The house of commons is +composed of one hundred and twenty members, chosen biennially, and +apportioned among the counties, according to population, three-fifths of +the slaves being added to the number of free persons. They must have +resided a year in the counties they represent, and possess one hundred +and twenty acres of land.</p> + +<p>Bills passed by both houses become laws without being presented to the +governor.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> A governor is elected every two years, and is eligible only +four years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age; +must have been a resident of the state five years, and must have in the +state a freehold of the value of £1,000. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>There is a council of seven persons to advise the governor; a secretary +of state, and a treasurer, all chosen by joint vote of the two houses at +each session, for two years; and an attorney-general for four years, +unless for certain reasons the term shall be altered.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, superior courts, courts of admiralty, and +justices' courts. The judges are appointed by the general assembly, and +hold during good behavior. Justices of the peace, within their +respective counties, are recommended to the governor by the +representatives of the general assembly. They are commissioned by the +governor, and hold during good behavior.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White freemen, inhabitants of the state one year, who have +paid taxes. Voters for senators are required also to own a freehold of +fifty acres.</p> + +<p><a id="p256"></a><i>Amendments.</i> A convention may be called by a majority of two-thirds of +all the members of each house of the general assembly. Or, amendments +may be proposed by majorities of three-fifths of all the members of both +houses; and they take effect when agreed to by two-thirds majorities of +the whole representation in the next assembly, and ratified by the +qualified voters of the state.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_South_Carolina"> +<h2>South Carolina.</h2> + + +<p>The first constitution of this state was formed in 1775; the present in +1790. Its principal amendments were made in 1808.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> A senate and a house of representatives, styled <i>general +assembly</i>. The house consists of one hundred and twenty-four members, +elected for two years in districts, and apportioned according to the +number of white inhabitants and the amount of taxes paid therein. +Residence in the state three years: and if a resident of the election +district, a freehold of five hundred acres of land and ten negroes, or a +real estate worth £150 sterling, clear of debt; if a non-resident of the +district, a clear freehold of £500 sterling. Senators, forty-five, +elected by districts, for four years, one-half every two years; each +district, except one, having one senator. Age, thirty years, state +residence, five years. If a resident in the district, a clear freehold +of £300 sterling; if a non-resident, a freehold in the district of +£1,000.</p> + +<p>Bills passed by both houses are laws without being presented to the +governor.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor and lieutenant-governor are chosen by the +legislature for two years. Age, thirty years: state residence, ten +years; a clear freehold in the state of £1,500 sterling. A governor is +ineligible for the next four years.</p> + +<p>Commissioners of the treasury, secretary of state, and surveyor-general, +are elected by joint ballot of both houses for four years, and +ineligible for the next four years.</p> + +<p><a id="p257"></a><i>Judiciary.</i> Such superior and inferior courts of law and equity as the +legislature may establish. The judges are appointed by the legislature +during good behavior.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, resident in the state two years, and +owning a freehold of 50 acres of land, or a town lot, which he has owned +six months; or, not having such freehold, or town lot, resident in the +election district six months, and having paid a tax the preceding year +of three shillings sterling.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> may be made by a convention called by two-thirds of all the +members of both branches. Alterations may also be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Georgia"> +<h2>Georgia.</h2> + + +<p>The first constitution was formed in 1777; the second in 1785; the +present in 1798, and amended in 1839, and 1844.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> Senate and house, together styled <i>general assembly</i>. The +members of both houses are elected biennially. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to population, including +three-fifths of the slaves. Age, twenty-one years; citizenship, seven +years; state residence, three years; county, one year. Senators are +elected in districts. Age, twenty-five years; citizenship, nine years; +state residence, three years; district, one year.</p> + +<p>Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills not +returned by the governor within five days are laws, unless their return +is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States twelve years, of the +state, six years. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>Secretary of state, treasurer, and surveyor-general, are elected for two +years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court for the correction of errors, to consist of +three judges chosen by the legislature for six <a id="p258"></a>years, one every two +years; a superior court, whose judges are elected in their several +circuits for four years; inferior courts, one in each county, consisting +of five judges, elected by the people; courts held by justices of the +peace elected for four years.</p> + +<p>Sheriffs are elected for two years, but may not be twice elected in four +years.</p> + +<p><i>Electors</i>, white male citizens and inhabitants of the state, having +resided in the county six months, and paid all the taxes required of +them, and which they had an opportunity of paying the preceding year.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> may be made by two successive legislatures, two-thirds of +both houses concurring.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Florida"> +<h2>Florida.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union with its present constitution, by +act of congress, March 3, 1845.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. Age, thirty years; citizenship; state residence five +years. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, elected by the people for four years; a treasurer +and a controller of public accounts for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> A senate and a house of representatives, styled, the +<i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are apportioned among the counties +according to the number of free whites and three-fifths of the slaves; +the number not to exceed sixty. They are elected biennially. Age, +twenty-one; citizenship; state residence, two years; county, one year. +Senators are elected in districts, at least one in each district, for +four years, one-half every two years; the number to be not less than +one-fourth, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives. +Age, twenty-five years; other qualifications the same as those of +representatives.</p> + +<p>Bills become laws against the veto by majorities of all the members +elected.</p> + +<p><a id="p259"></a><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, courts of chancery, circuit courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the people for six years. The state is divided into four +circuits, and a judge elected in each judicial circuit for six years, +who presides in the courts held in his circuit. Justices of the peace +for each county are appointed or elected, as the general assembly may +direct.</p> + +<p>An attorney-general is chosen by joint vote of the two houses, for four +years.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, residents of the state two years, of +the county, six months; enrolled in the militia, unless by law exempted +from serving. The general assembly is required to provide for +registering the qualified electors of each county.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments.</i> A convention may be called by the general assembly, +two-thirds of each house concurring. Alterations may be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Alabama"> +<h2>Alabama.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union in 1819, with its present +constitution.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--called the <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to the free white population; +chosen biennially; must be twenty-one years of age, residents of the +state two years, and of the county, city or town they represent, one +year. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half +of them every two years; must be twenty-seven years of age; residence +the same as representatives. The number of representatives may not +exceed one hundred; the number of senators may not exceed thirty-three.</p> + +<p>Bills negotiated by the governor, may be passed by majorities of all the +members elected. If not returned within five days, vetoed bills become +laws unless their return is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><a id="p260"></a><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county, city, or town, three months.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for two years, and eligible four +years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age, a native +citizen of the United States, and have been a resident of the state four +years. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state is chosen biennially, and a treasurer and a +controller of public accounts are chosen annually, by joint vote of both +houses.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court; circuit courts to be held in each county; +and inferior courts of law and equity, to be established by the general +assembly. Judges of the supreme court, and chancellors are chosen by the +legislature for six years; judges of the circuit and inferior courts by +the people for the same term. A competent number of justices of the +peace, and a sheriff, are elected in each county.</p> + +<p>An attorney-general for the state, and the requisite number of +solicitors are elected by joint vote of the general assembly, for four +years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by one legislature, approved by the electors +at the next election for representatives, and ratified by the next +legislature; two-thirds majorities being required in both cases.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Mississippi"> +<h2>Mississippi.</h2> + + +<p>In 1817, this state was admitted into the union with a constitution +adopted the same year. The present constitution was formed in 1832.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, residents of the state one year, of the +county, four months. An elector who happens to be in any county, city, +or town, other than that of his residence, or who may have removed to +any such place within four months preceding an election, may vote for +such officers as he could have voted for in the county of his residence, +or from which he removed.</p> + +<p><a id="p261"></a><i>Legislature.</i> Representatives, not less than thirty-six, nor more than +one hundred, are elected for two years in the several counties, among +which they are apportioned according to the number of white inhabitants. +They must have been residents of the state two years, one of the county. +Senators, not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third of the +number of representatives, are elected by districts for four years. Age, +thirty years; state residence, four years; district one year.</p> + +<p>Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills must +be returned within six days, or they become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A high court of errors and appeals, consisting of three +judges, one in each district, elected for six years; a circuit court to +be held in each county at least twice a year, the judges to be elected +in their respective judicial districts for four years; a superior court +of chancery, the chancellor to be elected by the electors of the whole +state for six years; a court of probate in each county, the judge to be +elected for two years; a competent number of justices of the peace and +constables, chosen in each county for two years. Other inferior courts +may be established by the legislature.</p> + +<p>An attorney-general is chosen by the electors of the state, and a +competent number of district-attorneys in their respective districts. A +sheriff and one or more coroners are elected in each county for two +years.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen twenty years, a resident of the state five +years; and may not hold the office more than four years in six. No +lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by two-thirds of both branches of the +legislature, and ratified by the people at the next election.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Louisiana"> +<h2><a id="p262"></a>Louisiana.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union in 1812, with a constitution +formed the same year. In 1845, a second, and in 1852 the present +constitution was adopted.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are +apportioned among the several parishes, (corresponding to counties in +other states,) and are elected for two years; the number not to exceed +one hundred, nor to be less than seventy. Senators, in number +thirty-two, are apportioned among the districts according to population, +and are elected for four years, one-half every two years. Every +qualified elector is eligible to a seat in either house.</p> + +<p>Vetoed bills are passed by majorities of two-thirds of all the members. +They become laws if not returned within ten days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment; in which case they will become laws if not +sent back within three days after the commencement of the next session.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, twenty-eight years; citizenship, and residence in +the state four years. A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state and a treasurer are elected by the electors, the +former for four years, the latter for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed +of a chief-justice and four associate justices; the former elected by +the electors of the state at large, the latter in their respective +districts. They are elected for ten years, one of the five every two +years. Judges of the inferior courts are elected in their respective +parishes or districts. Justices of the peace are elected for two years +by the electors in each parish, district, or ward.</p> + +<p>An attorney-general and a requisite number of district-attorneys, are +elected for four years; the former by the electors of the whole state, +the latter in their respective districts.</p> + +<p>A sheriff and a coroner are elected in each parish for two years.</p> + +<p><a id="p263"></a><i>Electors.</i> White males, having been citizens two years, residents of +the state one year, and of the parish six months. An elector removing +from one parish to another, may vote in the former until he shall have +become a voter in the latter.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +house, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Texas"> +<h2>Texas.</h2> + + +<p>Texas, formerly a part of Mexico, declared itself independent in 1835. +By a joint resolution of congress, approved December 29, 1845, this +independent republic was admitted as a state into the union.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and the last six months in the district, city, or town in which they +offer to vote. If an elector happens to be in any other county within +his district, he may there vote for any district officer; and he may +vote any where in the state for state officers.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> Representatives, not less than forty-five, nor more than +ninety, are apportioned among the counties according to the free +population, and are elected for two years. They must have been residents +of the state two years, of the county, city, or town they represent, one +year. Senators, no less than nineteen, nor more than thirty-three, are +elected in districts for four years, one-half every two years; must be +thirty years of age; inhabitants of the state three years, of the +district one year.</p> + +<p>Bills negatived by the governor become laws when passed by two-thirds of +both houses; bills not returned within five days become laws. Two-thirds +of each house constitutes a quorum.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, and <a id="p264"></a>has appellate jurisdiction +chiefly. It holds sessions once a year in not more than three places in +the state. District courts are held by the judge of each judicial +district at one place in each county at least twice a year. The judges +of both the supreme and district courts are elected by the people for +six years.</p> + +<p>A convenient number of justices of the peace, one sheriff, one coroner, +and a sufficient number of constables, are elected in each county for +two years. The sheriff is eligible only four years in six.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for two years; is eligible four +years in every six. Age, thirty years; state residence, three years; a +citizen of the United States, or a citizen of the state of Texas at the +time of the adoption of the constitution. A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A treasurer, a controller of public accounts, and an attorney-general +are elected by the people for two years. A secretary of state is +appointed by the governor and senate, to hold during the official term +of the governor.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by two-thirds majorities of the legislature, +approved by the electors, and ratified by majorities of two-thirds of +the next legislature.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Arkansas"> +<h2>Arkansas.</h2> + + +<p>In 1836, this state was admitted into the union with its present +constitution, which was slightly amended in 1845.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, residents of the state six months, and +actual residents of the county.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives, not more than +one hundred, nor less than fifty-four, are apportioned among the +counties according to the number of free white male inhabitants, and are +elected for two years. Age, twenty-five years; residents of the counties +they represent. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, +one-half every two years; the number to be not less than seventeen, nor +more than thirty-three. Age, thirty years, inhabitants of the state one +year, and actual residents of the district they represent.</p> + +<p><a id="p265"></a>General elections are <i>viva voce</i>, until otherwise directed by law. +Bills are passed against the veto by majorities of all the members. +Bills not returned within three days become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligble +more than eight in twelve years. Age, thirty years; residence in the +state four years. No lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state for four years, and an auditor and a treasurer for +two years, are elected by a joint vote of both houses.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, circuit courts, county courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed of three judges, +elected by the legislature for eight years; one every four years, one +every six, and one every eight years. In each circuit a judge is elected +by the legislature for four years. There is in each county a county +court held by justices of the peace. Justices are elected in the +townships for two years.</p> + +<p>An attorney of state is elected in each judicial district for two years.</p> + +<p>A sheriff, a coroner, a treasurer and a county-surveyor, are elected in +each county for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> may be made by two successive legislatures, by two-thirds +majorities.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Missouri"> +<h2>Missouri.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union in 1821. The present constitution +was adopted in 1820, and has been several times amended.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled the <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties on the basis of the white population, and +are elected for two years. Age, twenty-four years; state residence, two +years; county or district one year; payment of state or county tax. +Senators, not to be less than twenty-five, nor more than thirty-three, +are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half <a id="p266"></a>every two +years. Age, thirty years; residence in the state, four years; in the +district, one year; payment of a state or county tax.</p> + +<p>Sessions of the legislature are limited to sixty days. Bills vetoed by +the governor must be passed by majorities of all the members to become +laws. Bills not returned by the governor within four days become laws, +unless their return is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county or district three months.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen of the +United States ten years, and of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, and a register of lands, are elected by the people for +four years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, circuit courts, justices of the peace, and +such other tribunals as the general assembly shall establish. The three +judges of the supreme court are elected by the electors of the state for +six years. A judge in each of the circuits is elected by the electors +thereof for six years. Justices of the peace are elected in the +townships.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> may be proposed every fourth year by a majority of the +whole of each house; and they take effect when ratified by the electors +of the state.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Tennessee"> +<h2>Tennessee.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union with its first constitution in +1796. The present one was formed in 1835.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties or districts according to the number of +qualified voters in each, and are not to exceed seventy-five until the +population of the state shall be 1,500,000, and may never exceed +ninety-nine. They must be citizens of the state three years, and +residents of the county they represent one year. Senators are +apportioned <a id="p267"></a>as representatives; the number not to exceed one-third of +the number of representatives; must be thirty years of age; in other +respects qualified as representatives. Both are elected biennially.</p> + +<p>Bills passed by both houses are laws without having been presented to +the governor. <i>Quorum</i>, two-thirds of each house.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for two years; and may not hold the +office more than six in any term of eight years. He must be thirty years +of age, and have been a citizen of the state seven years. No +lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state for four years, and a treasurer for two years, are +chosen by joint vote of the general assembly.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White males having been citizens of the county six months; +also male persons of color, twenty-one years of age, who are competent +witnesses in a court of justice against a white man.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices' courts. The supreme court consists of three +judges, one in each of the grand divisions of the state, elected for +twelve years. Judges of inferior courts are elected for eight years. For +the election of justices of the peace, each county is divided into +districts of convenient size, in each of which are elected two justices +and one constable. A district containing a county town, may elect three +justices and two constables.</p> + +<p>Attorneys for the state are elected by joint assembly for six years.</p> + +<p>In each county are elected one sheriff, and one trustee for two years; +and one register for four years. The justices of the peace of each +county elect one coroner and one ranger for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by majorities of all the members elected, +approved by two-thirds of all the members of the next legislature, and +ratified by the people.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Kentucky"> +<h2><a id="p268"></a>Kentucky.</h2> + + +<p>The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1790; and the state +was admitted with the same in 1792. Another was adopted in 1799; and the +present in 1850.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. The house of representatives +consists of one hundred members, elected for two years; apportioned +among the counties in proportion to the qualified voters. Age, +twenty-four years; state residence, two years; county, one year. When a +city or town has a sufficient number of voters, it may elect one or more +representatives. Senate, thirty-eight members, one elected in each +district for four years; one-half every two years. Age, thirty years; +residence in the state six years, in the district, one year.</p> + +<p>Bills vetoed by the governor, if again passed by majorities of all the +members elected, are laws; also if not returned by him within ten days, +unless the return is prevented by adjournment; in which case they become +laws, unless sent back within three days after the commencement of the +next session.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, thirty-five years; residence in the state six years. +A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A treasurer for two years; and an auditor of public accounts, a register +of the land-office, and an attorney-general for four years, are chosen +by the electors.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, styled court of appeals, consisting of +four judges, one to be elected in each district for eight years, in such +rotation that one may be elected every two years. Should the number be +changed, the principle of electing one every two years is to be +preserved. A circuit court to be held in each county by a district +judge, one to be elected in each of the twelve judicial districts, for +six years. The number of districts may be increased, but may not exceed +sixteen until the population shall exceed 1,500,000. A county court in +each county, consisting of a presiding judge and two associates, elected +for four years. Other inferior courts may be established by law.</p> + +<p><a id="p269"></a>Justices of the peace in each county are elected in districts, two in +each district for four years, and a constable for four years. A state's +attorney for each judicial district; a sheriff in each county, for two +years, and several other county officers.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens who have resided in the state two years; +in the county, town, or city, one year; and in the precinct in which +they offer to vote, sixty days.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> by conventions only are provided for. No convention may be +called by the legislature, until a majority of all the voters of the +state shall have voted at two successive elections in favor of calling a +convention.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Ohio"> +<h2>Ohio.</h2> + + +<p>The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1802, preparatory to +her admission into the union; the present one, in 1851.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. Senators and representatives +are elected biennially in their respective counties or districts, in +which they must have resided a year. The ratio of representation in the +house is ascertained by dividing the whole population of the state by +the number one hundred; the quotient being the ratio for the next ten +years. The ratio for a senator is ascertained by dividing the whole +population by thirty-five. Senators are elected in districts. The +representation of fractions of population is provided for.</p> + +<p>Bills are not submitted to the governor. Quorum, not less than a +majority.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> A governor, a lieutenant-governor, a secretary of state, a +treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected for two years; and an +auditor for four years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court consisting of five judges chosen by the +electors of the state at large for five years, one, every year. The +number may be altered by law. A district court in each of the nine +common pleas districts, composed of a supreme court judge and the judges +of the <a id="p270"></a>court of common pleas of the respective districts, and held in +each county within a district, or in at least three places in each +district. One or more of these judges hold a court of common pleas in +every county in the district. A county probate judge is elected for +three years.</p> + +<p>Justices of the peace, a competent number, are elected in each township +for three years.</p> + +<p>A sheriff is elected in each county for two years, but may hold only +four years in any period of six years.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and in the county, township, or ward, such time as the law shall +prescribe.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by three-fifths of all the members elected to +each house, and ratified by a majority of the voters who vote thereon at +an election. Or a majority of two-thirds of all the members of each +house may submit to the electors the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors vote for a convention, the legislature +shall provide for calling the same. Every twentieth year, the question +of calling a convention is to be submitted to the electors.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Indiana"> +<h2>Indiana.</h2> + + +<p>This state formed a constitution and was admitted into the union, in +1816. The present constitution was adopted in 1851.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, having resided in the state six months. +Also foreigners who have resided in the United States one year, in the +state six months, and have declared their intention to become citizens.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. The number of senators may not +exceed fifty; the number of representatives may not exceed one hundred; +both to be chosen in their respective counties or districts, senators +for four years, one-half every two years; representatives for two years. +Both are apportioned according to the number of white male in<a id="p271"></a>habitants +twenty-one years of age, every six years. They must have been citizens +of the state two years; of the county or district, one year. Senators +must be twenty-five years of age.</p> + +<p>Quorum, two-thirds. Bills must be finally passed by majorities of all +the members elected. The same majorities enact a bill disapproved by the +governor. If he does not return a bill within three days, it is a law, +unless its return is prevented by adjournment; in which case it will be +a law, unless he shall, within five days after the adjournment, file the +bill, with his objections, in the office of the secretary of state, who +shall lay the same before the general assembly at the next session, as +if it had been returned by the governor. Bids may not be presented to +the governor within two days previous to the adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years; and is eligible +only four years in eight. Age, thirty years; citizenship, five years; +state residence, five years. A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, an auditor, and a treasurer, are elected for two +years, and are eligible four years in six.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, circuit courts, and such inferior courts +as the general assembly may establish. Judges of the supreme court, not +less than three nor more than five, one in each district, are elected by +the electors of the state at large, for six years. Circuit courts +consist of a judge for each judicial circuit, chosen by the electors +thereof, for six years; and a prosecuting attorney for the circuit, for +two years. Justices of the peace are elected for four years in the +townships.</p> + +<p>There are elected in each county, a clerk of the circuit court, an +auditor, a recorder, a treasurer, a sheriff, a coroner, and a surveyor; +the first three for four years; the others for two years. The sheriff +and treasurer are eligible only four years in eight; the first three +eight years in twelve.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members of each house concurring, and ratified by +the electors of the state.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Illinois"> +<h2><a id="p272"></a>Illinois.</h2> + + +<p>Illinois was admitted into the union in 1818. The present constitution +is dated August 31, 1847.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature</i>--styled <i>general assembly</i>. Representatives are elected +for two years; must be twenty-five years of age; inhabitants of the +state three years, and of the county or district, one year; and have +paid a state or county tax. The number is never to exceed one hundred. +The districts are not limited to a single representative. The senate +consists of twenty-five members, elected in single districts, for four +years, one-half every two years; must be thirty years of age; citizens +of the United States; inhabitants of the state five years, of the county +or district, one year; and have paid a county or state tax. +Apportionments of senators and representatives are made after each +census, taken in 1855, and every ten years thereafter.</p> + +<p>Quorum, two-thirds. Bills passed against the veto by a majority of all +the members elected to each house. If not returned within ten days, they +are laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment; in which case +they must be returned on the first day of the next legislative session, +or they will be laws.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years, and is eligible +four years in eight. Age, thirty-five years; citizenship, fourteen +years; state residence, ten years. A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state and an auditor of public accounts are elected for +four years, and a treasurer for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court of three judges, one to be chosen in each +of the three grand divisions, for nine years, one every three years; the +one oldest in commission to be chief-justice. The legislature may +provide for their election by the whole state. Circuit judges are +elected for six years, one in each of the nine judicial districts, the +number of which may be increased, if necessary. A circuit court is to be +held two or more terms annually in each county. <a id="p273"></a>A judge of the county +court is elected in each county for four years, and has also probate +jurisdiction.</p> + +<p>Justices of the peace are elected in each county by districts for four +years. Inferior local courts may be established in the cities by the +legislature.</p> + +<p>A state's attorney is elected in each judicial circuit, for four years; +or in each county, if the legislature shall so direct. In each county a +clerk of the circuit court is elected for four years and a sheriff for +two years, who is eligible only once in four years; a supreme court +clerk by the electors of each grand division.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens having resided in the state one year. A +poll or capitation-tax of not less than fifty cents, nor more than a +dollar, may, in case of necessity, be laid upon every voter under sixty +years of age.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> must be proposed by two-thirds majorities of all the +members of one legislature, approved by majorities of all the members of +the next legislature, and ratified by the electors at the next general +election. Or, the legislature, by two-thirds majorities of all the +members, may submit to the people the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors voting for representatives shall vote +for a convention, an act for calling one shall be passed.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Michigan"> +<h2>Michigan.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union in 1836. The present constitution +was adopted in 1850.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> The senate has thirty-two members, elected in single +districts, for two years. Representatives, not less than sixty-four, nor +more than one hundred, are elected also in single districts, for two +years. An apportionment of members is made every ten years. Any +qualified elector holding no other office, is eligible to either house.</p> + +<p>The final passage of bills requires a majority of all the members +elected to each house. Majorities of two-thirds of all the members pass +bills against the veto. Bills not returned within ten days, are laws +unless their return is <a id="p274"></a>prevented by adjournment. Bills passed within +the last five days of a session, may be signed by the governor and filed +by him in the office of the secretary of state within five days after +the adjournment; and the same become laws.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States five years, and a +resident of the state two years. A lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, circuit courts, a probate court, and +justices of the peace. For six years, and until the legislature shall +otherwise provide, the circuit judges are to be judges of the supreme +court. After six years, a supreme court may be organized, consisting of +a chief-justice and three associate justices, chosen by the electors for +eight years, and so classed that only one of them shall go out of office +at a time. A circuit judge is elected in each of the eight judicial +circuits for six years. The number of circuits may be increased. The +probate judge of each county is elected for four years.</p> + +<p>Justices of the peace, not exceeding four, are elected in each township, +for four years.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens who have resided in the state three +months, and in the township or ward ten days; also foreigners after a +residence of two and a half years in the state, and a declaration of +their intention to become citizens; and civilized males of Indian +descent.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, a superintendent of public instruction, a +treasurer, a commissioner of the land-office, an auditor-general, and +attorney-general, are elected for two years.</p> + +<p>In each county are elected a sheriff, a county clerk, a county +treasurer, a register of deeds, and a prosecuting attorney, all for two +years. The sheriff can hold only four years in six. The board of +supervisors may unite the offices of clerk and register in one office.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +branch, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election. Every sixteenth year the question of a general +revision of the constitution by a convention shall be submitted to the +electors of the state.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Wisconsin"> +<h2><a id="p275"></a>Wisconsin.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union by an act of congress, May 29, +1848.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, or foreigners who have declared their +intention to become citizens, having resided in the state one year; also +civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> A senate and an assembly. Members of the assembly are +elected annually; the number not to be less than fifty-four, nor greater +than one hundred. The number of senators may not be less than +one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the number of members of +assembly. Senators are chosen for two years, half every year. Members of +both houses are elected in single districts, apportioned every five +years; and must have resided in the state a year, and be qualified +electors of the districts.</p> + +<p>Bills are passed over the veto by majorities of two-thirds. Quorum, a +majority.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for two years. Any citizen of the +United States and qualified elector of the state, is eligible to the +office of governor or lieutenant-governor.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years.</p> + +<p>Sheriffs, coroners, registers of deeds, and district-attorneys, are +elected in counties, for two years. Sheriffs are ineligible for the next +two years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, circuit courts, courts of probate, and +justices of the peace. Inferior courts, with limited civil jurisdiction, +may be established by law in the several counties. By the constitution, +the judges of the circuit courts were to be judges of the supreme court +for five years, and until the legislature should otherwise provide. A +separate supreme court may be organized, to consist of a chief-justice +and two associate justices elected by the electors of the state for six +years; one only to be elected at a time. The circuit judges also, one in +each judicial circuit, are elected for six years. The supreme court +shall hold at least one term annually at the seat of <a id="p276"></a>government, and at +such other places as the legislature may provide. A circuit court is to +be held at least twice a year in each county.</p> + +<p>A judge of probate is chosen in each county for two years; but the +office may be abolished, and probate powers conferred on inferior county +courts. Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns, cities, +and villages, for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are to be approved by a majority of the whole of each house +of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. Also the +legislature may submit to the people the question of calling a +convention to revise or change the constitution.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Iowa"> +<h2>Iowa.</h2> + + +<p>The state of Iowa was admitted into the union by an act of congress +approved December 28, 1846.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens, resident in the state six months, and +in the county twenty days.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> The two houses are called the <i>general assembly</i>. +Representatives are elected in their respective districts for two years; +their number to be not less than thirty-nine, nor exceed seventy-two. +They must be inhabitants of the state one year, and residents of the +county or district thirty days. Senators, in number not less than +one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-four +years; otherwise qualified as representatives.</p> + +<p>Two-thirds majorities of the members present, pass bills vetoed by the +governor. Bills not returned within three days also become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> The governor is elected for four years; must have been a +citizen of the United States and a resident of the state, two years; and +must be thirty years of age. No lieutenant-governor. In case of vacancy +in the office of governor, the office devolves upon the secretary of +state until the vacancy is filled.</p> + +<p><a id="p277"></a>A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, and a treasurer, +are elected for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, elected by joint vote of the two +branches, for six years. It has appellate jurisdiction only in all cases +of chancery, and constitutes a court for the correction of errors at +law. Each district court consists of a judge elected by the voters of +the district, for five years, at the township elections. A prosecuting +attorney and a clerk of the district court, are elected in each county +at the general election, for two years.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> are provided for only by a convention. The legislature may +provide for a vote of the people, and if a majority of the votes are in +favor of a convention, an election of delegates is to be held within six +months.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_California"> +<h2>California.</h2> + + +<p>The constitution of this state was adopted November 13, 1849; and the +state was admitted by act of congress, September 9, 1850.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens of the United States, and white male +citizens of Mexico having elected to become citizens of the United +States under the treaty of peace, who have resided in the state six +months, and in the county or district thirty days.</p> + +<p><i>Legislature.</i> Senate and assembly. Members of assembly, the number to +be not less than thirty, nor greater than eighty, are chosen annually by +districts. Senators, not to be less than one-third nor more than +one-half of the number of members of assembly, are elected by districts +for two years, one-half every year. Members of both houses must have +resided in the state two years, and in their respective districts one +year, and be qualified voters. They are apportioned every five years.</p> + +<p><a id="p278"></a>Bills, rejected by the governor, must be passed by a majority of +two-thirds of each house, to become a law. Bills become laws if not +returned by the governor within ten days, unless the legislature shall +sooner adjourn.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years. Age, twenty-five years, and two years' residence in the state.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a surveyor-general, are elected for two years, by joint vote of the +two houses.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> A supreme court, district courts, county courts, justices +of the peace, and such municipal and other inferior courts as the +legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the electors of the state for six years, one every two years; +the senior justice in commission to be chief-justice. District judges +are elected in their respective districts for six years. A judge of the +county court is elected in each county for four years, and performs also +the duties of judge of probate. The number of justices of the peace +elected in each county, city, town, or village, is fixed by law.</p> + +<p>The election of sheriffs, coroners, county clerks and certain other +officers, is provided for by law.</p> + +<p><i>Amendments</i> must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of the +two houses of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. +The legislature may, by two-thirds majorities, submit to the people the +question of calling a convention for a general revision of the +constitution.</p> +</div> + +<div class="chapter" id="const_Minnesota"> +<h2>Minnesota.</h2> + + +<p>This state was admitted into the union in 1858.</p> + +<p><i>Electors.</i> White male citizens having resided in the United States one +year, and in the state four months. Also foreigners who have so resided, +and declared their intention to become citizens; and persons of mixed +white and Indian blood, and of Indian blood, under certain regulations.</p> + +<p><a id="p279"></a><i>Legislature.</i> A senate and a house of representatives. The first +legislature consisted of thirty-seven senators and eighty +representatives.</p> + +<p><i>Executive.</i> A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years.</p> + +<p>A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years, and a state auditor for three years.</p> + +<p><i>Judiciary.</i> The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, district +courts, courts of probate, justices of the peace, and such other courts +inferior to the supreme court, as the legislature may establish by a +two-thirds vote.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="chapter" id="const_US"> +<h2><a id="p280"></a><a id="p281"></a>Constitution of the United States.</h2> + + +<p>We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect +union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the +common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of +liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this +Constitution for the United States of America.</p> + + +<h3>Article I.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section.</span> All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested +in a congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and +house of representatives.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The house of representatives shall be composed of +members chosen every second year, by the people of the several states; +and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requiste +for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.</p> + +<p>No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the +age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United +States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state +in which he shall be chosen.</p> + +<p>Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states which may be included within this union, according to their +respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole +number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of +years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other +persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after +the first meeting of the congress of the United States, and within every +subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law +direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every +thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one repre<a id="p282"></a>sentative; +and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire +shall be entitled to choose <i>three</i>; Massachusetts, <i>eight</i>; Rhode +Island and Providence Plantations, <i>one</i>; Connecticut, <i>five</i>; New York, +<i>six</i>; New Jersey, <i>four</i>; Pennsylvania, <i>eight</i>; Delaware, <i>one</i>; +Maryland, <i>six</i>; Virginia, <i>ten</i>; North Carolina, <i>five</i>; South +Carolina, <i>five</i>; and Georgia, <i>three</i>.</p> + +<p>When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the +executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such +vacancies.</p> + +<p>The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other +officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> The senate of the United States shall be composed of +two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six +years; and each senator shall have one vote.</p> + +<p>Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first +election, they shall be divided as equally as may be, into three +classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated +at the expiration of the second year; of the second class at the +expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class at the expiration +of the sixth year; so that one-third may be chosen every second year; +and if vacancies happen, by resignation or otherwise, during the recess +of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make +temporary appointments, until the next meeting of the legislature, which +shall then fill such vacancies.</p> + +<p>No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and +who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he +shall be chosen.</p> + +<p>The vice-president of the United States shall be president of the +senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.</p> + +<p>The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro +tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise +the office of president of the United States.</p> + +<p>The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments: when +sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the +president of the United <a id="p283"></a>States is tried, the chief-justice shall +preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of +two-thirds of the members present.</p> + +<p>Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to +removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office +of honor, trust, or profit, under the United States; but the party +convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, +trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The times, places and manner of holding elections for +senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the +legislature thereof; but the congress may at any time, by law, make or +alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.</p> + +<p>The congress shall assemble at least once in every year; and such +meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall, by +law, appoint a different day.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 5.</span> Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns +and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall +constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn +from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of +absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as each house +may provide.</p> + +<p>Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its +members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of +two-thirds, expel a member.</p> + +<p>Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to +time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, +require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, +on any question, shall at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be +entered on the journal.</p> + +<p>Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the +consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other +place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 6.</span> The senators and representatives shall receive a +compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out +of the treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except +treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest +during their attendance at <a id="p284"></a>the session of their respective houses, and +in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in +either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place.</p> + +<p>No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was +elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the +United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof +shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any +office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during +his continuance in office.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 7.</span> All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the +house of representatives; but the senate may propose, or concur with, +amendments, as on other bills.</p> + +<p>Every bill which shall have passed the house of representatives and the +senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the president of +the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not he shall +return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have +originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, +and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, two-thirds +of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together +with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be +reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall +become a law. But, in all such cases, the votes of both houses shall be +determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and +against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house +respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the president within +ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, +the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless +the congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it +shall not be a law.</p> + +<p>Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the senate +and house of representatives may be necessary, (except on a question of +adjournment,) shall be presented to the president of the United States, +and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, +being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the senate +and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations +prescribed in the case of a bill.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 8.</span> The congress shall have power:</p> + +<p><a id="p285"></a>To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay the debts +and provide for the common defense, and general welfare of the United +States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout +the United States:</p> + +<p>To borrow money on the credit of the United States:</p> + +<p>To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, +and with the Indian tribes:</p> + +<p>To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the +subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States:</p> + +<p>To coin money; to regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin; and +fix the standard of weights and measures:</p> + +<p>To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and +current coin of the United States:</p> + +<p>To establish post offices and post roads:</p> + +<p>To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for +limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their +respective writings and discoveries:</p> + +<p>To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court:</p> + +<p>To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, +and offenses against the law of nations:</p> + +<p>To declare war; grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules +concerning captures on land and water:</p> + +<p>To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to that use +shall be for a longer term than two years:</p> + +<p>To provide and maintain a navy:</p> + +<p>To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval +forces:</p> + +<p>To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the +union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions:</p> + +<p>To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for +governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the +United States; reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of +the officers, and the authority of training the militia, according to +the discipline prescribed by congress:</p> + +<p>To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such +district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of +particular states, and the acceptance of con<a id="p286"></a>gress, become the seat of +the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over +all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in +which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, +dock-yards, and other needful buildings: And,</p> + +<p>To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into +execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this +constitution in the government of the United States, or in any +department or officer thereof.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 9.</span> The migration or importation of such persons as any of +the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be +prohibited by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred +and eight; but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not +exceeding ten dollars for such person:</p> + +<p>The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless +when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require +it.</p> + +<p>No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.</p> + +<p>No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to +the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken.</p> + +<p>No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No +preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to +the ports of one state, over those of another; nor shall vessels bound +to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in +another.</p> + +<p>No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of +appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the +receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from +time to time.</p> + +<p>No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no +person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without +the consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, +or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 10.</span> No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or +confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit +bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law +impairing the obligation of contracts; or grant any title of nobility.</p> + +<p><a id="p287"></a>No state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any imposts or +duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary +for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and +imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of +the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to +the revision and control of the congress. No state shall, without the +consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of +war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another +state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war unless actually +invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.</p> + + +<h3>Article II.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The executive power shall be vested in a president +of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the +term of four years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for +the same term, be elected as follows:</p> + +<p>Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may +direct, a number of electors equal to the whole number of senators and +representatives to which the state may be entitled in the congress; but +no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or +profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.</p> + +<p>The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot +for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the +same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the +persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each, which list they +shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the +government of the United States, directed to the president of the +senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate +and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes +shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes +shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole number +of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such +majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the house of +representatives shall immediately choose by ballot <a id="p288"></a>one of them for +president; and if no person have a majority, then, from the five highest +on the list, the said house shall, in like manner, choose the president. +But in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the +representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this +purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the +states, and a majority of the states shall be necessary to a choice. In +every case, after the choice of the president, the person having the +greatest number of votes of the electors, shall be the vice-president. +But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the senate +shall choose from them, by ballot, the vice-president.</p> + +<p>[By the 12th article of amendment, the above clause has been repealed.]</p> + +<p>The congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the +day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the same +throughout the United States.</p> + +<p>No person, except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United +States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be +eligible to the office of president; neither shall any person be +eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United +States.</p> + +<p>In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, +resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said +office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president, and the congress +may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or +inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring what +officer shall then act as president; and such officer shall act +accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be +elected.</p> + +<p>The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a +compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the +period for which he shall have been elected; and he shall not receive, +within that period, any other emolument from the United States, or any +of them.</p> + +<p>Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the +following oath or affirmation:</p> + +<p>"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the +office of President of the United States; and <a id="p289"></a>will, to the best of my +ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United +States.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army +and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, +when called into the actual service of the United States; he may 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; and he shall have power to grant reprieves and +pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of +impeachment.</p> + +<p>He shall have power by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to +make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur: and +he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, +shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of +the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States whose +appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be +established by law: but the congress may, by law, vest the appointment +of such inferior officers as they think proper, in the president alone, +in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.</p> + +<p>The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen +during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which shall +expire at the end of their next session.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> He shall from time to time give to the congress +information of the state of the union; and recommend to their +consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. +He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of +them; and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time +of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think +proper. He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers. He +shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed; and shall +commission all the officers of the United States.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The president, vice-president, and all civil officers +of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, +and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and +misdemeanors.</p> + + +<a id="p290"></a><h3>Article III.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> The judicial power of the United States shall be +vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress +may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges both of the +supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good +behavior; and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a +compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in +office.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and +equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States +and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all +cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all +cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which +the United States shall be a party, to controversies between two or more +states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens +of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands +under grants of different states; and between a state, or the citizens +thereof; and foreign states, citizens or subjects.</p> + +<p>In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, +and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme court shall +have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the +supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and +fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations, as the congress +shall make.</p> + +<p>The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by +jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes +shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the +trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law have +directed.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> Treason against the United States shall consist only in +levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them +aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the +testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in +open court.</p> + +<p><a id="p291"></a>The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason; but +no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, +except during the life of the person attainted.</p> + + +<h3>Article IV.</h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Section 1.</span> Full faith and credit shall be given, in each state, +to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other +state. And the congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in +which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect +thereof.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 2.</span> The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the +privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.</p> + +<p>A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who +shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall, on demand +of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered +up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.</p> + +<p>No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, +escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation +therein, be discharged from such service or labor; but shall be +delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be +due.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 3.</span> New states may be admitted by the congress into this +union; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the +jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed by the junction +of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the +legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the congress.</p> + +<p>The congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules +and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to +the United States; and nothing in this constitution shall be so +construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any +particular state.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sec. 4.</span> The United States shall guaranty to every state in this +union, a republican form of government; and shall protect each of them +against invasion, and on application of the legislature, or of the +executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic +violence.</p> + + + +<a id="p292"></a><h3>Article V.</h3> + +<p>The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it +necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or on the +application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, +shall call a convention for proposing amendments; which, in either case, +shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this +constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the +several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one +or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress: +Provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one +thousand eight hundred and eight, shall in any manner affect the first +and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that +no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage +in the senate.</p> + + +<h3>Article VI.</h3> + +<p>All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption +of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under +this constitution, as under the confederation.</p> + +<p>This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made +in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made or which shall be made under +the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the +land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in +the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.</p> + +<p>The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of +the several legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both +of the United States, and of the several states, shall be bound, by oath +or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no religious test +shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust +under the United States.</p> + + + +<a id="p293"></a><h3>Article VII.</h3> + +<p>The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient +for the establishment of this constitution between the states so +ratifying the same.</p> + +<p>Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present, the +seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven +hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States +of America, the twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed +our names.</p> + +<p> +<span class="sc">George Washington</span>,<br /> +<i>President, and Deputy from Virginia.</i> +</p> + +<p><i>New Hampshire.</i>--John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman.</p> + +<p><i>Massachusetts.</i>--Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King.</p> + +<p><i>Connecticut.</i>--Wm. Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman.</p> + +<p><i>New-York.</i>--Alexander Hamilton.</p> + +<p><i>New Jersey.</i>--William Livingston, David Brearly, William Paterson, +Jonathan Dayton.</p> + +<p><i>Pennsylvania.</i>--Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimmons, +James Wilson, Thomas Mifflin, George Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Gouverneur +Morris.</p> + +<p><i>Delaware.</i>--George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard +Bassett, Jacob Broom.</p> + +<p><i>Maryland.</i>--James M'Henry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel +Carroll.</p> + +<p><i>Virginia.</i>--John Blair, James Madison, Jr.</p> + +<p><i>North Carolina.</i>--William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh +Williamson.</p> + +<p><i>South Carolina.</i>--John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler, +Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.</p> + +<p><i>Georgia.</i>--William Few, Abraham Baldwin.</p> + +<p><i>Attest:</i> <span class="sc">William Jackson</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</p> + + +<h3>Amendments.<a id="p294"></a></h3> + +<p><span class="sc">Article 1.</span> Congress shall make no law respecting an +establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or +abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the +people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a +redress of grievances.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. II.</span> A well regulated militia being necessary to the +security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms +shall not be infringed.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. III.</span> No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in +any house without the consent of the owner, nor in a time of war, but in +a manner to be prescribed by law.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. IV.</span> The right of the people to be secure in their persons, +houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, +shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable +cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the +place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. V.</span> No person shall be held to answer for a capital or +otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a +grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in +the militia when in actual service, in time of war or public danger; nor +shall any person be subject, for the same offense, to be twice put in +jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, +to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty or +property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be +taken for public use, without just compensation.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. VI.</span> In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy +the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the +state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which +district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be +informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted +with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining +<a id="p295"></a>witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his +defense.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. VII.</span> In suits at common law, where the value in +controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury +shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reëxamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. VIII.</span> Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive +fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. IX.</span> The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights, +shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the +people.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. X.</span> The powers not delegated to the United States, by the +constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the +states respectively, or to the people.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. XI.</span> The judicial power of the United States shall not be +construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or +prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.</p> + +<p><span class="sc">Art. XII.</span> The electors shall meet in their respective states +and vote by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom, at +least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; +they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as president, and +in distinct ballots the person voted for as vice-president, and they +shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as president, and of +all persons voted for as vice-president, and of the number of votes for +each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to +the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the +president of the senate;--the president of the senate shall, in the +presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the +certificates, and the votes shall then be counted;--the person having +the greatest number of votes for president, shall be the president, if +such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and +if no person have such majority, then, from the persons having the +highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as +president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately, by +ballot, the president. But in choosing the president, the votes shall be +taken by states, <a id="p296"></a>the representatives from each state having one vote; a +quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from +two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be +necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not +choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, +before the fourth day of March next following, then the vice-president +shall act as president, as in the case of the death or other +constitutional disability of the president. The person having the +greatest number of votes as vice-president, shall be the vice-president, +if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, +and if no person have a majority, then, from the two highest numbers on +the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president; a quorum for the +purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and +a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no +person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be +eligible to that of vice-president of the United States.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div id="index"> +<h2><a id="p297"></a>Index</h2> + + + +<p> +Academies and colleges, <a href="#p082">82</a><br /> +Accessories to crime, <a href="#p220">220</a><br /> +Actions at law, defined, <a href="#p064">64</a><br /> + how commenced, <a href="#p064">64</a><br /> +Adjutant-general, <a href="#p092">92</a><br /> +Administrators, duties of, <a href="#p179">179</a><br /> +Admission of states, <a href="#p158">158</a><br /> +Agent, responsibilities of, <a href="#p202">202</a>-<a href="#p204">204</a><br /> +Alabama, constitution of, <a href="#p259">259</a><br /> +Aldermen, duties of, <a href="#p060">60</a><br /> +Aliens, power to pass laws for the naturalization of, <a href="#p121">121</a>, <a href="#p122">122</a><br /> + disabilities of, <a href="#p121">121</a><br /> +Alliance, defined, <a href="#p135">135</a><br /> +Alliances, when binding, <a href="#p230">230</a>, <a href="#p231">231</a><br /> + by states, prohibited, <a href="#p135">135</a><br /> +Amendments of the constitution, provision for, <a href="#p160">160</a><br /> +Appeals of suits, <a href="#p068">68</a>, <a href="#p069">69</a><br /> +Appellant, appellee, defined, <a href="#p069">69</a><br /> +Apellate jurisdiction, defined, <a href="#p070">70</a><br /> +Appointment, power of, (see Governor and President.)<br /> +Apprentices and servants, <a href="#p175">175</a>, <a href="#p176">176</a><br /> +Aquatic rights, <a href="#p183">183</a>, <a href="#p185">185</a><br /> +Aristocracy, defined, <a href="#p025">25</a><br /> +Arkansas, constitution of, <a href="#p264">264</a><br /> +Army, standing, <a href="#p149">149</a><br /> +Arrest and examination of offenders, <a href="#p069">69</a><br /> +Arsenals, use of, <a href="#p092">92</a><br /> +Arson, defined, <a href="#p217">217</a><br /> +Assault and battery, <a href="#p220">220</a><br /> +Assessment and collection of taxes, <a href="#p076">76</a>-<a href="#p078">78</a><br /> +Assessors, duties of, <a href="#p077">77</a><br /> +Assignments, <a href="#p197">197</a>-<a href="#p199">199</a><br /> +Assumption of public debt, <a href="#p160">160</a><br /> +Attachment, suit by, <a href="#p068">68</a><br /> +Attainder of treason, <a href="#p155">155</a><br /> +Attorney, defined, <a href="#p065">65</a><br /> +Attorney, county or state's, <a href="#p051">51</a>, <a href="#p056">56</a><br /> +Attorney-general, state, <a href="#p051">51</a><br /> + of United States, <a href="#p151">151</a><br /> +Auditor of state, <a href="#p051">51</a><br /> + county, <a href="#p065">65</a><br /> +<a id="p298"></a>Auxiliary executive departments, <a href="#p147">147</a>-<a href="#p151">151</a></p><br /> + +<p>Bail, defined, how taken, <a href="#p069">69</a>, <a href="#p070">70</a><br /> + excessive, forbidden, <a href="#p165">165</a><br /> +Bailment, <a href="#p200">200</a>-<a href="#p202">202</a><br /> +Ballot, defined, <a href="#p033">33</a><br /> +Bankruptcy, power to pass laws of, <a href="#p124">124</a><br /> +Banks, and their operation, <a href="#p086">86</a>-<a href="#p088">88</a><br /> +Belligerent, defined <a href="#p228">228</a><br /> +Betting and gaming, <a href="#p221">221</a><br /> +Bigamy, defined, <a href="#p219">219</a><br /> +Bill, defined, <a href="#p045">45</a><br /> +Bills, passage of, <a href="#p045">45</a>-<a href="#p043">43</a><br /> +Bills of attainder, by congress, prohibited, <a href="#p133">133</a><br /> + by states, prohibited, <a href="#p137">137</a><br /> + of credit, defined, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> + passage of, prohibited, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> + of exchange, <a href="#p213">213</a>-<a href="#p215">215</a><br /> +Blockade, defined, <a href="#p236">236</a><br /> +Body politic, defined, <a href="#p019">19</a>, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> +Bribery, defined, <a href="#p219">219</a><br /> +Broker and brokerage, <a href="#p204">204</a>, <a href="#p205">205</a><br /> +Bullion, defined, <a href="#p125">125</a><br /> +Burglary, defined, <a href="#p218">218</a></p><br /> + +<p>Cabinet, defined, <a href="#p147">147</a><br /> + officers of, and their powers and duties, <a href="#p147">147</a><br /> +California, constitution of <a href="#p277">277</a><br /> +Canals, construction of, <a href="#p082">82</a>-<a href="#p084">84</a><br /> + tolls on, <a href="#p084">84</a><br /> +Canvassing of votes, <a href="#p034">34</a><br /> +Capital, defined, <a href="#p041">41</a>, <a href="#p216">216</a><br /> +Capitation or poll-tax, <a href="#p076">76</a>, <a href="#p077">77</a>, <a href="#p133">133</a><br /> +Carriers of goods, liability of, <a href="#p201">201</a>, <a href="#p202">202</a><br /> +Causes, criminal and civil, defined, <a href="#p064">64</a><br /> +Casting vote, when given, <a href="#p046">46</a><br /> +Challenging voters, <a href="#p033">33</a><br /> +Charges d'affaires, <a href="#p145">145</a><br /> +Charter, defined, <a href="#p059">59</a><br /> +Chattel mortgages, <a href="#p199">199</a><br /> +Cities, villages, &c., <a href="#p059">59</a>-<a href="#p062">62</a><br /> +Citizens, privileges of, in the several states, <a href="#p157">157</a><br /> +Civil government, defined, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> + mankind fitted for, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> +Civil society, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> +Clearance of vessels, <a href="#p120">120</a><br /> +Codicil, defined, <a href="#p179">179</a><br /> +Coining money, power of, <a href="#p124">124</a><br /> + by states, prohibited, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> +Collection of taxes, <a href="#p076">76</a>-<a href="#p078">78</a><br /> +Colony, defined, <a href="#p095">95</a><br /> +Colonies, government of, <a href="#p095">95</a><br /> +Commerce, foreign, regulation of, <a href="#p114">114</a>-<a href="#p119">119</a><br /> +<a id="p299"></a>Commerce, domestic, power of congress to regulate, <a href="#p121">121</a>, <a href="#p122">122</a><br /> + with Indians, <a href="#p122">122</a><br /> +Commissary-general, <a href="#p092">92</a><br /> +Commissioners, county, duties of, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> +Committees, legislative, <a href="#p044">44</a>, <a href="#p045">45</a><br /> +Common carriers, responsibilities of, <a href="#p201">201</a>, <a href="#p202">202</a><br /> +Common council, <a href="#p060">60</a><br /> +Common law, defined, <a href="#p167">167</a><br /> +Commons, house of, <a href="#p029">29</a><br /> +Common schools, school funds, &c., <a href="#p079">79</a>-<a href="#p082">82</a><br /> +Commonwealth, defined, <a href="#p026">26</a><br /> +Confederacy, defined, <a href="#p101">101</a><br /> +Confederation, when formed, <a href="#p097">97</a><br /> + nature of, <a href="#p098">98</a>, <a href="#p099">99</a>, <a href="#p101">101</a>, <a href="#p102">102</a><br /> +Confiscate, defined, <a href="#p230">230</a><br /> +Congress, under confederation, how constituted, <a href="#p097">97</a>, <a href="#p102">102</a><br /> +Congress under constitution, how constituted, <a href="#p104">104</a>-<a href="#p109">109</a><br /> +Congress, powers of, (see Powers of Congress,)<br /> +Counterfeiting, defined, <a href="#p218">218</a><br /> + United States coin, power to punish, <a href="#p125">125</a><br /> +Connecticut, constitution of, <a href="#p244">244</a><br /> +Constables, duties of, <a href="#p058">58</a><br /> +Constitution, defined, <a href="#p027">27</a><br /> + objects of, <a href="#p027">27</a><br /> + how formed, <a href="#p027">27</a>, <a href="#p028">28</a><br /> + of United States, <a href="#p281">281</a><br /> + history of, <a href="#p100">100</a><br /> + nature of, <a href="#p101">101</a>-<a href="#p104">104</a><br /> + how amended, <a href="#p160">160</a><br /> + supremacy of, <a href="#p161">161</a><br /> + ratification of, by the states, <a href="#p162">162</a><br /> + amendments to, <a href="#p163">163</a>-<a href="#p166">166</a><br /> +Consuls, appointment of, <a href="#p144">144</a><br /> + duties of, <a href="#p145">145</a>, <a href="#p227">227</a>, <a href="#p228">228</a><br /> +Contraband goods, <a href="#p235">235</a>, <a href="#p236">236</a><br /> +Contracts in general, <a href="#p189">189</a>-<a href="#p193">193</a><br /> +Contracts of sale, <a href="#p193">193</a>-<a href="#p197">197</a><br /> +Contracts, obligation of, not to be impaired, <a href="#p137">137</a><br /> +Controller, or auditor, <a href="#p051">51</a><br /> +Convention, defined, <a href="#p028">28</a><br /> +Conventional law of nations, <a href="#p224">224</a><br /> +Copy-rights and patents, power of congress concerning, <a href="#p126">126</a>, <a href="#p127">127</a><br /> +Coroners, duties of, <a href="#p055">55</a><br /> +Corporation, defined, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> +Corporations, how formed, <a href="#p059">59</a><br /> + nature and powers of, <a href="#p059">59</a>-<a href="#p062">62</a><br /> +Corruption of blood, <a href="#p155">155</a><br /> +Council, legislative, <a href="#p038">38</a><br /> +Counties, origin of, <a href="#p053">53</a>, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> + powers of, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> +County officers duties of, <a href="#p054">54</a>-<a href="#p066">66</a><br /> +<a id="p300"></a>County commissioners, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> +Courts, justices, <a href="#p063">63</a>-<a href="#p070">70</a><br /> + county, <a href="#p070">70</a><br /> + common pleas, <a href="#p070">70</a><br /> + circuit, <a href="#p070">70</a>, <a href="#p071">71</a><br /> + oyer and terminer, <a href="#p071">71</a><br /> + supreme, <a href="#p073">73</a><br /> + of appeals, <a href="#p073">73</a><br /> + of chancery or equity, <a href="#p073">73</a>, <a href="#p074">74</a><br /> + of probate, <a href="#p074">74</a><br /> + of impeachment, <a href="#p075">75</a>, <a href="#p076">76</a><br /> + of United States, <a href="#p151">151</a>, <a href="#p154">154</a><br /> + martial, <a href="#p092">92</a><br /> +Crime, infamous, defined, <a href="#p031">31</a><br /> +Crimes and misdemeanors, <a href="#p216">216</a>-<a href="#p221">221</a><br /> +Criminal suits, defined, <a href="#p064">64</a><br /> +Customs, duties, &c., defined, <a href="#p113">113</a><br /> + collection of, <a href="#p119">119</a></p><br /> + +<p>Debt, national, at different periods, <a href="#p114">114</a><br /> +Declaration of war, <a href="#p231">231</a><br /> +Deeds and mortgages, <a href="#p181">181</a>-<a href="#p183">183</a><br /> +Delaware, constitution of, <a href="#p250">250</a><br /> +Delegate, defined, <a href="#p027">27</a><br /> +Democracy, defined, <a href="#p025">25</a>, <a href="#p026">26</a><br /> +Deposit fund, U.S., <a href="#p080">80</a><br /> +Deposits in banks, <a href="#p087">87</a><br /> +Depositary, responsibility of, <a href="#p200">200</a><br /> +Descent of property, of intestates, <a href="#p179">179</a>, <a href="#p180">180</a><br /> +Despotism, defined, <a href="#p025">25</a><br /> +Devise of property, <a href="#p177">177</a><br /> +Diplomacy, defined, <a href="#p148">148</a><br /> +District of Columbia, power of congress over, <a href="#p130">130</a><br /> +Dividends, defined, <a href="#p086">86</a><br /> +Domestic relations, laws regulating, <a href="#p171">171</a>-<a href="#p177">177</a><br /> +Dower, defined, and right of, <a href="#p183">183</a><br /> +Drunkards, contracts made by, when binding, <a href="#p191">191</a><br /> +Dueling, defined, <a href="#p219">219</a><br /> +Duties, imposts and excises, defined, <a href="#p113">113</a><br /> + power of congress to lay, <a href="#p113">113</a><br /> + of tunnage, states may not lay, <a href="#p120">120</a><br /> + protective, by what authority laid, <a href="#p116">116</a>, <a href="#p117">117</a></p><br /> + +<p>Easement, defined, (see Right of Way,) <a href="#p183">183</a><br /> +Education, provision for, &c., <a href="#p079">79</a><br /> +Elections, time of, how conducted, &c., <a href="#p032">32</a>-<a href="#p035">35</a><br /> + by plurality, <a href="#p034">34</a>-<a href="#p035">35</a><br /> + by majority, <a href="#p034">34</a>-<a href="#p035">35</a><br /> +Electors, qualifications of, <a href="#p029">29</a>-<a href="#p031">31</a><br /> + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.)<br /> +Electors of president and vice-president, how chosen, <a href="#p140">140</a><br /> +Embassadors, ministers, &c, <a href="#p144">144</a>, <a href="#p145">145</a><br /> + their appointment and duties, <a href="#p144">144</a>, <a href="#p145">145</a><br /> +<a id="p301"></a>Embassadors, rights and powers of, <a href="#p226">226</a>, <a href="#p227">227</a><br /> +Embezzlement, defined, <a href="#p218">218</a><br /> +Envoys, (see Embassadors.)<br /> +Escapes, persons aiding or permitting, punishable, <a href="#p220">220</a><br /> +Excise, defined, and power to lay, <a href="#p112">112</a>, <a href="#p113">113</a><br /> +Execution, issuing and collection of, in justices' courts, <a href="#p067">67</a>, <a href="#p068">68</a><br /> + exemption from, <a href="#p068">68</a><br /> +Executive department, state, <a href="#p036">36</a>, <a href="#p048">48</a>-<a href="#p050">50</a><br /> + of the United States, <a href="#p138">138</a>-<a href="#p142">142</a><br /> + officers of, their appointment and duties, <a href="#p147">147</a>-<a href="#p150">150</a><br /> +Executors, powers and duties of, <a href="#p179">179</a><br /> +Ex post facto laws, passage of, prohibited, <a href="#p133">133</a>,<a href="#p137">137</a></p><br /> + +<p>Factor or agent, powers and responsibilities of, <a href="#p202">202</a>, <a href="#p203">203</a><br /> +False imprisonment, defined, <a href="#p220">220</a><br /> +Federal, defined, <a href="#p101">101</a><br /> +Fence-viewers, duties of, <a href="#p058">58</a><br /> +Fee and fee-simple, defined, <a href="#p182">182</a>, <a href="#p186">186</a><br /> +Felony, power of congress to define and punish, <a href="#p128">128</a><br /> +Florida, constitution of, <a href="#p258">258</a><br /> +Forgery, defined, <a href="#p218">218</a><br /> +Franchise, defined, <a href="#p031">31</a><br /> +Franking privilege, to whom granted, <a href="#p151">151</a><br /> +Fraudulent sales, assignments, &c., <a href="#p197">197</a>, <a href="#p200">200</a><br /> +Freedom of speech and of the press, guarantied, <a href="#p163">163</a><br /> +Freehold, freeholder, defined, <a href="#p031">31</a><br /> +Fugitives from justice, provision for the apprehension of, <a href="#p157">157</a><br /> + from service, apprehension and return of, <a href="#p157">157</a>, <a href="#p158">158</a><br /> +Fund, defined, <a href="#p079">79</a><br /> +Funds, various kinds of, <a href="#p079">79</a>-<a href="#p081">81</a></p><br /> + +<p>Georgia, constitution of, <a href="#p257">257</a><br /> +Government, civil, defined, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> + different forms of, <a href="#p023">23</a>-<a href="#p026">26</a><br /> + division of powers of, <a href="#p035">35</a>-<a href="#p037">37</a><br /> +Governor and lieutenant-governor, election and duties of, <a href="#p048">48</a>-<a href="#p050">50</a><br /> +Graves, opening of, punishable, <a href="#p219">219</a><br /> +Great Britain, government of, <a href="#p028">28</a>, <a href="#p029">29</a><br /> +Habeas corpus, privilege of writ of, guarantied, <a href="#p132">132</a><br /> +Hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, defined, <a href="#p183">183</a><br /> +Highways, supervision and oversight of, <a href="#p068">68</a><br /> +Homicide, various kinds of, defined, <a href="#p217">217</a><br /> +Husband and wife, laws regulating the relation of, <a href="#p171">171</a>-<a href="#p174">174</a></p><br /> + +<p>Idiots and lunatics, contracts by, when binding, <a href="#p190">190</a><br /> +Illinois, constitution of, <a href="#p272">272</a><br /> +Impeachment, trial of, <a href="#p075">75</a><br /> +Imposts, duties, and excises, defined, <a href="#p113">113</a><br /> +Incest, defined, <a href="#p219">219</a><br /> +Incorporated companies, <a href="#p061">61</a><br /> +Independence of the states declared, <a href="#p097">97</a><br /> +Indiana, constitution of, <a href="#p270">270</a><br /> +Indians, power to regulate commerce with, <a href="#p122">122</a><br /> +Indictments, how made, <a href="#p077">77</a><br /> +<a id="p302"></a>Innkeepers, liability of, <a href="#p201">201</a><br /> +Insurance companies, <a href="#p089">89</a>, <a href="#p090">90</a><br /> +Insurrection and rebellion, defined, <a href="#p090">90</a><br /> +Interest, and rates of, in the different states, <a href="#p215">215</a><br /> +Intestates, descent of property of, <a href="#p179">179</a>, <a href="#p180">180</a><br /> +Iowa, constitution of, <a href="#p276">276</a><br /> +Issue, joining of, in justices' courts, <a href="#p065">65</a><br /> +Issues of fact and of law, defined, <a href="#p071">71</a></p><br /> + +<p>Joining issue in justices' courts, <a href="#p065">65</a><br /> +Judges, appointment of, in the states, <a href="#p070">70</a><br /> + how removable, <a href="#p076">76</a><br /> + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.)<br /> + of the United States courts, appointment of, <a href="#p144">144</a>, <a href="#p146">146</a><br /> +Judgment, rendering of, <a href="#p065">65</a><br /> + concession and collection of, in justices' courts, <a href="#p067">67</a>, <a href="#p068">68</a><br /> +Judicial department, state, <a href="#p063">63</a>-<a href="#p076">76</a><br /> + of the United States, <a href="#p151">151</a>-<a href="#p154">154</a><br /> +Jurisdiction, defined, <a href="#p064">64</a><br /> + original and appellate, defined, <a href="#p070">70</a><br /> +Juries in justices' courts, <a href="#p066">66</a>, <a href="#p067">67</a><br /> + grand and petit, <a href="#p071">71</a><br /> +Jury, right of trial by, secured, <a href="#p066">66</a>, <a href="#p164">164</a>, <a href="#p165">165</a><br /> +Justices' courts, proceedings of, <a href="#p064">64</a>-<a href="#p070">70</a><br /> +Justices of the peace, jurisdiction of, <a href="#p064">64</a></p><br /> + +<p>Kentucky, constitution of, <a href="#p268">268</a></p><br /> + +<p>Larceny, grand and petit, defined, <a href="#p218">218</a><br /> +Law, defined, <a href="#p016">16</a><br /> + common and statute, defined, <a href="#p167">167</a><br /> +Laws necessity of, <a href="#p022">22</a><br /> + man fitted for, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> + political, civil, municipal, defined, <a href="#p021">21</a>, <a href="#p022">22</a><br /> + manner of enacting, <a href="#p043">43</a>-<a href="#p048">48</a><br /> +Laws of nations, defined, <a href="#p221">221</a>, <a href="#p223">223</a>, <a href="#p224">224</a><br /> +Leases, or estates for life, for years, at will, and by sufferance, rent, &c., <a href="#p186">186</a>-<a href="#p189">189</a><br /> +Legislatures, state, how formed, <a href="#p037">37</a>-<a href="#p040">40</a><br /> + meetings of, <a href="#p040">40</a>-<a href="#p043">43</a><br /> + organization and officers of, <a href="#p041">41</a>-<a href="#p043">43</a><br /> +Letters testamentary, and by whom issued, <a href="#p179">179</a><br /> + of administration, and by whom issued, <a href="#p179">179</a><br /> +Libel and slander, law concerning, <a href="#p168">168</a>, <a href="#p169">169</a><br /> +Liberty, defined, <a href="#p020">20</a>, <a href="#p167">167</a><br /> + of speech and of the press, secured, <a href="#p163">163</a><br /> + of conscience, <a href="#p019">19</a>, <a href="#p170">170</a><br /> +Lien, law concerning, <a href="#p203">203</a>, <a href="#p205">205</a><br /> +Lieutenant-governor, duties of, <a href="#p049">49</a><br /> +Lords, house of, <a href="#p029">29</a><br /> +Louisiana, constitution of, <a href="#p262">262</a></p><br /> + +<p>Maiming, defined, <a href="#p217">217</a><br /> +Maine, constitution of, <a href="#p239">239</a><br /> +Man, fitted for government and laws, <a href="#p016">16</a>, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> +<a id="p303"></a>Mandatary, responsibility of, <a href="#p200">200</a><br /> +Manifest, defined, <a href="#p121">121</a><br /> +Mankind, fitted for society, <a href="#p015">15</a>, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> +Manslaughter, defined, <a href="#p217">217</a><br /> +Marque and reprisal, defined, <a href="#p129">129</a><br /> + power to issue letters of, <a href="#p129">129</a><br /> + states may not issue, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> +Marriage, law concerning, <a href="#p171">171</a><br /> +Maryland, constitution of, <a href="#p252">252</a><br /> +Massachusetts, constitution of, <a href="#p242">242</a><br /> +Masters, apprentices, and servants, <a href="#p175">175</a>-<a href="#p177">177</a><br /> +Mayor, election and duties of, <a href="#p060">60</a><br /> +Michigan, constitution of, <a href="#p273">273</a><br /> +Militia, regulation of, <a href="#p090">90</a>-<a href="#p092">92</a><br /> +Ministers, public, their appointment and duties, <a href="#p144">144</a>, <a href="#p145">145</a><br /> + privilege and powers of, <a href="#p145">145</a>, <a href="#p227">227</a><br /> +Minors, rights and liabilities of, <a href="#p175">175</a><br /> +Minnesota, constitution of, <a href="#p278">278</a><br /> +Mints of the United States, <a href="#p125">125</a><br /> +Misdemeanors, defined, <a href="#p064">64</a>, <a href="#p221">221</a><br /> +Mississippi, constitution of, <a href="#p260">260</a><br /> +Missouri, constitution of, <a href="#p265">265</a><br /> +Monarchy, defined, <a href="#p024">24</a>, <a href="#p025">25</a><br /> +Money, power of congress to borrow, <a href="#p114">114</a><br /> + power of congress to coin, <a href="#p124">124</a><br /> + coining of, by states, prohibited, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> + how borrowed, <a href="#p084">84</a><br /> +Moral, defined, <a href="#p016">16</a><br /> + law, defined, <a href="#p021">21</a><br /> +Mortgages, land, nature of, <a href="#p182">182</a><br /> + chattel, <a href="#p199">199</a><br /> +Murder, defined, <a href="#p217">217</a></p><br /> + +<p>Nation and state, defined, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> +Nations, jurisdiction of, <a href="#p225">225</a><br /> + rights and obligations of, <a href="#p226">226</a>-<a href="#p228">228</a><br /> +Naturalization, power to pass laws concerning, <a href="#p122">122</a>, <a href="#p123">123</a><br /> +Navigation, regulation of, <a href="#p119">119</a>-<a href="#p121">121</a><br /> + acts of Great Britain, <a href="#p099">99</a><br /> +Navy department, when established, <a href="#p148">148</a><br /> +Negative, or veto, defined, <a href="#p047">47</a><br /> +Neutral nations, rights and duties of, <a href="#p228">228</a>, <a href="#p234">234</a>-<a href="#p237">237</a><br /> +New Hampshire, constitution of, <a href="#p240">240</a><br /> +New Jersey, constitution of, <a href="#p247">247</a><br /> +New York, constitution of, <a href="#p245">245</a><br /> +New states, power of congress to admit, <a href="#p158">158</a><br /> +Nonsuit, judgment of, <a href="#p066">66</a><br /> +North Carolina, constitution of, <a href="#p255">255</a><br /> +Notaries public, duties of, <a href="#p214">214</a><br /> +Notes, promissory, <a href="#p207">207</a>-<a href="#p212">212</a></p><br /> + +<p>Oaths of office, <a href="#p161">161</a><br /> + test, forbidden, <a href="#p161">161</a><br /> +<a id="p304"></a>Obligation of contracts, may not be impaired, <a href="#p137">137</a><br /> +Obligations of nations, <a href="#p225">225</a><br /> +Offenders, arrest of and examination, <a href="#p069">69</a><br /> +Offenses against the law of nations, power to define, <a href="#p128">128</a><br /> +Ohio, constitution of, <a href="#p269">269</a><br /> +Overseers of highways, duties of, <a href="#p058">58</a><br /> + of poor, duties of, <a href="#p058">58</a></p><br /> + +<p>Pardon and reprieve, power of, <a href="#p049">49</a>, <a href="#p143">143</a><br /> +Parent and child, law concerning, <a href="#p174">174</a>, <a href="#p175">175</a><br /> +Parliament, how formed, <a href="#p029">29</a><br /> +Parol contracts, defined, <a href="#p190">190</a><br /> +Partnership, law concerning, <a href="#p205">205</a>, <a href="#p207">207</a><br /> +Passports, defined, <a href="#p120">120</a>, <a href="#p121">121</a><br /> +Patents and copy-rights, how secured, <a href="#p126">126</a>, <a href="#p127">127</a><br /> +Patriarch, defined, <a href="#p023">23</a><br /> +Pawnee, liability of, <a href="#p201">201</a><br /> +Peace, treaties of, <a href="#p237">237</a>, <a href="#p238">238</a><br /> +Pennsylvania, constitution of, <a href="#p248">248</a><br /> +Pensions, military, <a href="#p149">149</a><br /> +Perjury, defined, <a href="#p219">219</a><br /> +Personal estate, defined, <a href="#p077">77</a><br /> +Piracies and felonies, power of congress concerning, <a href="#p128">128</a><br /> +Pleadings, in justices' courts, <a href="#p065">65</a><br /> +Police courts and justices, <a href="#p060">60</a><br /> +Policy, insurance, defined, <a href="#p089">89</a><br /> +Political law, defined, <a href="#p021">21</a>, <a href="#p027">27</a><br /> + power, by whom exercised, <a href="#p029">29</a>-<a href="#p031">31</a><br /> +Poll, defined, <a href="#p032">32</a>, <a href="#p033">33</a><br /> +Poll-list, how and by whom kept, <a href="#p032">32</a><br /> +Poll or capitation tax, <a href="#p076">76</a>, <a href="#p077">77</a>, <a href="#p133">133</a><br /> +Polygamy, defined, <a href="#p219">219</a><br /> +Poor, overseers of, their duties, <a href="#p058">58</a><br /> +Postmaster-general, power and duties of, <a href="#p149">149</a>, <a href="#p150">150</a><br /> +Postmasters, appointment and duties of, <a href="#p149">149</a>, <a href="#p150">150</a><br /> + compensation of, <a href="#p149">149</a>, <a href="#p150">150</a><br /> +Post-offices and post roads, power to establish, <a href="#p126">126</a><br /> +Power of congress to lay and collect taxes, &c., <a href="#p112">112</a>-<a href="#p114">114</a><br /> + to borrow money, <a href="#p114">114</a><br /> + to regulate commerce, <a href="#p114">114</a>-<a href="#p119">119</a><br /> + in relation to naturalization and bankruptcy, <a href="#p122">122</a>-<a href="#p124">124</a><br /> + to coin money, and regulate weights and measures, <a href="#p124">124</a>-<a href="#p125">125</a><br /> + to punish counterfeiting, <a href="#p125">125</a><br /> + to establish post-offices, &c., <a href="#p126">126</a><br /> + to secure patents and copy-rights, <a href="#p126">126</a>, <a href="#p127">127</a><br /> + to define and punish piracies, felonies, &c., <a href="#p128">128</a><br /> + to declare war, <a href="#p128">128</a><br /> + to issue letters of marque and reprisal, <a href="#p129">129</a><br /> + to provide for the national defense, generally, <a href="#p129">129</a>,<a href="#p130">130</a><br /> + to legislate over the District of Columbia, <a href="#p130">130</a><br /> + to make all necessary and proper laws, <a href="#p130">130</a>, <a href="#p131">131</a><br /> +<a id="p305"></a>Power of congress to declare punishment of treason, <a href="#p155">155</a><br /> + to admit new states, <a href="#p158">158</a><br /> + to dispose of and regulate territory and other public property, <a href="#p159">159</a><br /> +Powers prohibited to congress, (see prohibitions on congress.)<br /> +Premium, defined, <a href="#p089">89</a><br /> +Prescription, right by, <a href="#p183">183</a>, <a href="#p184">184</a><br /> +President and vice-president, how chosen, <a href="#p139">139</a>-<a href="#p141">141</a><br /> +President, powers and duties of, <a href="#p143">143</a>-<a href="#p147">147</a><br /> + vacancy in office, how filled, <a href="#p142">142</a><br /> + power of, to fill vacancies, <a href="#p146">146</a><br /> +Principal and agent, responsibility of, <a href="#p202">202</a>, <a href="#p205">205</a><br /> +Printing, public, by whom and how done, <a href="#p052">52</a><br /> +Privateering, in what cases authorized, <a href="#p233">233</a>, <a href="#p234">234</a><br /> +Prizes in war, how disposed of, <a href="#p234">234</a><br /> +Prohibition on congress--<br /> + to abolish the slave trade, <a href="#p131">131</a>, <a href="#p132">132</a><br /> + to suspend habeas corpus, <a href="#p132">132</a>, <a href="#p133">133</a><br /> + to pass bills of attainder, <a href="#p133">133</a><br /> + to pass ex post facto laws, <a href="#p133">133</a><br /> + in relation to taxation and commerce, <a href="#p133">133</a>, <a href="#p134">134</a><br /> + to grant titles of nobility, <a href="#p135">135</a><br /> +Prohibition on the states--<br /> + to form treaties, alliances, &c., <a href="#p135">135</a><br /> + to grant letters of marque and reprisal, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> + to coin money, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> + to emit bills of credit, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> + to make anything but coin a tender, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> + to impair the obligation of contracts, <a href="#p137">137</a><br /> + to pass bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, <a href="#p137">137</a><br /> + to grant titles of nobility, <a href="#p137">137</a><br /> + to lay duties, <a href="#p137">137</a>, <a href="#p138">138</a><br /> +Promissory notes, rules concerning, <a href="#p207">207</a>-<a href="#p212">212</a><br /> +Protective duties, nature of described, <a href="#p116">116</a>, <a href="#p117">117</a></p><br /> + +<p>Quarantine regulations, <a href="#p121">121</a><br /> +Quorum, defined, <a href="#p042">42</a></p><br /> + +<p>Rail-roads, by what authority and how made, <a href="#p084">84</a>, <a href="#p085">85</a><br /> +Ratification of constitution by states, <a href="#p162">162</a><br /> + of treaties, <a href="#p144">144</a><br /> +Ratio of representation in congress, how ascertained, &c., <a href="#p105">105</a>, <a href="#p106">106</a><br /> +Real estate, defined, <a href="#p077">77</a><br /> + of intestates, descent of, <a href="#p179">179</a>, <a href="#p180">180</a><br /> +Rebellion, defined, <a href="#p090">90</a>, <a href="#p091">91</a><br /> +Recognizance, defined, <a href="#p069">69</a><br /> +Recorder or register, county, duties of, <a href="#p055">55</a><br /> +Records, public, proving and effect of, <a href="#p156">156</a>, <a href="#p157">157</a><br /> +Registry of vessels, <a href="#p120">120</a><br /> +Religion, freedom in matters of, secured, <a href="#p163">163</a><br /> +Representative, defined, <a href="#p027">27</a>, <a href="#p028">28</a><br /> +Representatives, state, how apportioned and elected, <a href="#p037">37</a>-<a href="#p039">39</a><br /> + qualifications of, <a href="#p040">40</a><br /> +<a id="p306"></a>Representatives in congress, how apportioned, <a href="#p105">105</a><br /> + qualifications of, <a href="#p104">104</a>, <a href="#p105">105</a><br /> +Reprieve and pardon, defined, and power to grant, <a href="#p049">49</a>, <a href="#p143">143</a><br /> +Reprisals, power to make, forbidden to states, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> +Reprisals in war, <a href="#p229">229</a>, <a href="#p230">230</a><br /> +Republic, defined, <a href="#p026">26</a><br /> +Republican government, guarantied to the states, <a href="#p159">159</a><br /> +Respondent, defined, <a href="#p069">69</a><br /> +Revenue, defined, <a href="#p080">80</a><br /> + national, how raised, <a href="#p112">112</a>-<a href="#p114">114</a><br /> +Revolution, causes of, <a href="#p094">94</a>-<a href="#p097">97</a><br /> +Rhode Island, constitution of, <a href="#p243">243</a><br /> +Rights and liberty, defined, <a href="#p018">18</a>-<a href="#p020">20</a><br /> +Rights of person and property, defined, <a href="#p018">18</a>, <a href="#p019">19</a>, <a href="#p167">167</a><br /> +Right of property, how acquired, <a href="#p016">16</a>, <a href="#p177">177</a><br /> +Right by prescription, <a href="#p184">184</a>-<a href="#p186">186</a><br /> +Right of way, law concerning, <a href="#p183">183</a>, <a href="#p184">184</a><br /> +Right of waters, <a href="#p183">183</a>, <a href="#p185">185</a><br /> +Right of search, <a href="#p236">236</a><br /> +Riot, defined, and how suppressed, <a href="#p220">220</a><br /> +Roads, (see Highways.)<br /> +Robbery, defined, <a href="#p218">218</a></p><br /> + +<p>School funds, schools, &c., <a href="#p079">79</a>-<a href="#p082">82</a><br /> +Sealer of weights and measures, duty of, <a href="#p059">59</a><br /> +Secretary of state, of state government, <a href="#p050">50</a><br /> +Secretary of state of the United States, duties of, <a href="#p148">148</a><br /> + of the treasury, <a href="#p148">148</a><br /> + of the interior, <a href="#p149">149</a><br /> + of war, <a href="#p149">149</a><br /> + of the navy, <a href="#p149">149</a><br /> +Selectmen, duties of, <a href="#p057">57</a><br /> +Senate, state, how constituted, <a href="#p038">38</a>-<a href="#p040">40</a><br /> +Senators and representatives, qualifications of, <a href="#p040">40</a><br /> + (See State Constitutions.)<br /> +Senate of the United States, how formed, <a href="#p108">108</a>, <a href="#p109">109</a><br /> + qualifications of members of, <a href="#p111">111</a><br /> + vacancies in, how filled, <a href="#p110">110</a>, <a href="#p111">111</a><br /> +Sergeant-at-arms, appointment and duties of, <a href="#p042">42</a><br /> +Servants, rights and liabilities of, <a href="#p176">176</a>, <a href="#p177">177</a><br /> +Sheriff and shire, origin of, <a href="#p053">53</a>, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> + powers and duties of, <a href="#p055">55</a><br /> +Slander and libel, law concerning, <a href="#p168">168</a>, <a href="#p169">169</a><br /> +Slave trade, not to be prohibited before 1808, <a href="#p131">131</a>, <a href="#p132">132</a><br /> + declared piracy, <a href="#p132">132</a><br /> +Society, civil, defined, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> + mankind fitted for, <a href="#p015">15</a>-<a href="#p017">17</a><br /> +South Carolina, constitution of, <a href="#p256">256</a><br /> +Sovereignty, defined, <a href="#p024">24</a><br /> +Speaker of house and senate, <a href="#p041">41</a><br /> +Specialty, defined, <a href="#p283">283</a><br /> +Spies in war, <a href="#p233">233</a><br /> +<a id="p307"></a>State and nation, defined, <a href="#p017">17</a><br /> +State constitutions, synopsis of, <a href="#p239">239</a>-<a href="#p280">280</a><br /> +State officers, executive, <a href="#p050">50</a>-<a href="#p052">52</a><br /> +State records, effect and proof of, <a href="#p156">156</a>, <a href="#p157">157</a><br /> +State printer, appointment and business of, <a href="#p052">52</a><br /> +Statute law, defined, <a href="#p167">167</a><br /> +Stocks, public, defined, <a href="#p084">84</a><br /> +Stratagems in war, <a href="#p233">233</a><br /> +Subpœna, nature and service of, <a href="#p065">65</a><br /> +Summons, suits commenced by, <a href="#p064">64</a>-<a href="#p066">66</a><br /> +Superintendent of schools, duties of, <a href="#p052">52</a>, <a href="#p081">81</a><br /> +Supervisors, board of, of whom composed, <a href="#p054">54</a><br /> + of towns, duties of, <a href="#p054">54</a>, <a href="#p057">57</a><br /> + of highways, duties of, <a href="#p058">58</a><br /> +Surveyor of county, <a href="#p056">56</a><br /> +Surveyor-general, duties of, <a href="#p052">52</a><br /> +Swearing, profane, unlawful, <a href="#p221">221</a><br /> +Synopsis of the state constitutions, <a href="#p239">239</a>-<a href="#p280">280</a></p><br /> + +<p>Taxation, power of congress in relation to, <a href="#p112">112</a>-<a href="#p114">114</a><br /> +Taxes, assessment and collection of, <a href="#p076">76</a>-<a href="#p078">78</a><br /> + how apportioned among the states, <a href="#p106">106</a>-<a href="#p107">107</a><br /> +Tender, what lawful, <a href="#p136">136</a><br /> +Tennessee, constitution of, <a href="#p266">266</a><br /> +Testament, (see Wills and Testaments.)<br /> +Texas, constitution of, <a href="#p263">263</a><br /> +Theocracy, defined, and government of, <a href="#p024">24</a><br /> +Town clerk, duties of, <a href="#p057">57</a><br /> +Town officers, election and duties of, <a href="#p056">56</a>-<a href="#p059">59</a><br /> +Towns and townships, organization and powers of, <a href="#p053">53</a>, <a href="#p056">56</a><br /> +Treason against states, defined, <a href="#p217">217</a><br /> + power of congress concerning, <a href="#p155">155</a>, <a href="#p156">156</a><br /> + attainder of, <a href="#p155">155</a><br /> +Treasurer, of state, duties of, <a href="#p051">51</a><br /> + of county, <a href="#p054">54</a>, <a href="#p055">55</a><br /> + of towns, <a href="#p058">58</a><br /> +Treaties, how and by whom made, <a href="#p244">244</a><br /> + by states prohibited, <a href="#p135">135</a><br /> + of peace, <a href="#p237">237</a>, <a href="#p238">238</a><br /> +Treaty, defined, <a href="#p144">144</a><br /> +Truces in war, <a href="#p237">237</a><br /> +Trustees of townships, power and duties of, <a href="#p057">57</a><br /> +Tunnage, duties, states prohibited to lay, <a href="#p119">119</a>, <a href="#p120">120</a></p><br /> + +<p>Union, nature of the, <a href="#p101">101</a>-<a href="#p104">104</a><br /> +Usury, defined, and forfeiture in case of, <a href="#p215">215</a></p><br /> + +<p>Vacancy, in legislature, how filled, <a href="#p040">40</a><br /> + in United States senate, how filled, <a href="#p110">110</a>, <a href="#p111">111</a><br /> +Venire issuing of, <a href="#p067">67</a><br /> +Verdict, defined, and how rendered, <a href="#p067">67</a><br /> +Vermont, constitution of, <a href="#p241">241</a><br /> +Vessels, registry, and measurement of, <a href="#p120">120</a><br /> +Veto, defined, <a href="#p047">47</a><br /> +<a id="p308"></a>Veto, in different states, (see State Constitutions.)<br /> +Villages, incorporation and government of, <a href="#p061">61</a><br /> +Virginia, constitution of, <a href="#p253">253</a><br /> +Viva voce, voting by, <a href="#p034">34</a><br /> +Voters, qualifications of, in different states, (see State Constitutions.)</p><br /> + +<p>War, power of congress to declare, <a href="#p128">128</a><br /> + offensive and defensive, <a href="#p228">228</a>, <a href="#p231">231</a><br /> + causes and objects of, <a href="#p228">228</a>, <a href="#p229">229</a><br /> + reprisals in, <a href="#p229">229</a>, <a href="#p230">230</a><br /> + alliances in, <a href="#p230">230</a>, <a href="#p231">231</a><br /> + how declared, <a href="#p231">231</a><br /> + effect of, on the enemy's subjects, <a href="#p232">232</a><br /> + stratagems in, <a href="#p233">233</a><br /> + privateering and prizes, <a href="#p233">233</a>, <a href="#p234">234</a><br /> + truces in, <a href="#p237">237</a><br /> +Warrant, prosecution by, <a href="#p069">69</a><br /> +Weights and measures, <a href="#p059">59</a>, <a href="#p125">125</a><br /> +Wills and testaments, <a href="#p177">177</a>, <a href="#p179">179</a><br /> +Wisconsin, constitution of, <a href="#p275">275</a></p> +</div> + + +<div id="questions"> +<h2>Questions</h2> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch1">Chapter I.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch1-1">§1.</a> What is the natural state of mankind?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-2">§2.</a> What renders them mutually dependent? By what means are they enabled +to supply their wants?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-3">§3.</a> Why should every man labor for himself?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-4">§4.</a> What comes from this arrangement?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-5">§5.</a> How are the rights of men secured to them?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-6">§6.</a> What is <i>law</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-7">§7.</a> For what else than society are mankind fitted by nature? Define +<i>moral</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-8">§8.</a> What is implied in man's having a moral nature?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-9">§9.</a> What qualities or faculties in mankind fit them for government and +law?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-10">§10.</a> What is a state or nation?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch1-11">§11.</a> What is the object of forming state associations? What is meant by +<i>civil government</i>?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch2">Chapter II.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch2-2">§2.</a> Define the word <i>right</i>. May we do whatever we please?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-3">§3.</a> Why are rights called <i>natural</i>? Why <i>inalienable</i>? How may they be +lost?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-4">§4.</a> What are <i>personal</i> rights? Define rights of person and right of +property. State the distinction between personal rights and the rights +of person.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-5">§5.</a> Define <i>political</i> rights. What particular rights are political?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-6">§6.</a> What are <i>civil</i> rights?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-7">§7.</a> <i>Religious</i> rights? What else are they called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-8">§8.</a> Under what general term are the different rights embraced?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-9">§9.</a> What is <i>liberty</i>? Political, civil, and religious liberty?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-10">§10.</a> What is the difference between <i>right</i> and <i>liberty</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch2-11">§11.</a> What does this example further explain?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch3">Chapter III.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch3-1">§1.</a> Define <i>law</i>. By what names are laws distinguished?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-2">§2.</a> Define the <i>law of nature</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-3">§3.</a> From what does the law of nature arise?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-4">§4.</a> What is meant by the <i>moral law</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-5">§5.</a> Define <i>political law</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-6">§6.</a> Define <i>municipal</i>. How are municipal or civil laws distinguished +from political?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-7">§7.</a> Ought the divine law in all cases to be obeyed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-8">§8.</a> Why then are human laws necessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-9">§9.</a> Can you give any other reason?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-10">§10.</a> What measure of love is due to the Creator and our fellow men +respectively?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch3-11">§11.</a> What are the characteristics of this law of love?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch4">Chapter IV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch4-1">§1.</a> What were the earliest governments? Define <i>patriarch</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-2">§2.</a> What was the government of the Hebrews called? Define <i>theocracy</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-3">§3.</a> What is <i>sovereign</i> or <i>supreme power</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-4">§4.</a> What is a <i>monarchy</i>? An absolute monarchy? A limited monarchy?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-5">§5.</a> A hereditary monarchy? An elective monarchy?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-6">§6.</a> A <i>despotism</i>? Define <i>despot</i> and <i>tyrant</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-7">§7.</a> What is an <i>aristocracy</i>? Define the word</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-8">§8.</a> What is a <i>democracy</i>? Define the word.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-9">§9.</a> What is a <i>republic</i>? Wherein do a democracy and a republic differ?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch4-10">§10.</a> What is a <i>commonwealth</i>?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch5">Chapter V.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch5-1">§1.</a> What is the object of civil government? How is this object best +secured?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-2">§2.</a> What is a constitution? By what name is it called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-3">§3.</a> What is it's nature?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-4">§4.</a> By what authority is a constitution made?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-5">§5.</a> By whom is a constitution formed? What is the assembly called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-6">§6.</a> How is a constitution adopted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-7">§7.</a> How are the rights of the people secured by a constitution?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-8">§8.</a> What is the condition of the people in an absolute monarchy?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-9">§9.</a> Describe briefly the government of Great Britain. What political +rights have the people?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch5-10">§10.</a> Of what does the constitution of Great Britain consist?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch6">Chapter VI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch6-1">§1.</a> By what are the qualifications of voters prescribed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch6-2">§2.</a> Who are freemen?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch6-3">§3.</a> Why should none but freemen vote?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch6-4">§4.</a> Why is a term of residence required?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch6-5">§5.</a> Why are not aliens immediately allowed to vote?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch6-6">§6.</a> In what state do colored men vote?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch6-7">§7.</a> How are electors sometimes disfranchised? What is an infamous crime?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch6-8">§8.</a> What is said of property as a qualification?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch7">Chapter VII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch7-1">§1.</a> For what purpose is the territory of a state divided?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-2">§2.</a> What are the territorial divisions of a state called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-3">§3.</a> When are state elections generally held?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-4">§4.</a> By whom are elections conducted? Define <i>poll</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-5">§5.</a> Describe the manner of voting. Define <i>ballot</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-6">§6.</a> Who may challenge voters?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-7">§7.</a> How and why are voters registered? Are they registered in this +state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-8">§8.</a> How is it determined what persons are elected?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-10">§10.</a> What is <i>viva voce</i> voting?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-11">§11.</a> What is an election by plurality? By majority?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch7-12">§12.</a> What objections are there to either of these models?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch8">Chapter VIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch8-1">§1</a>, <a href="#ch8-2">2.</a> What division of power is first mentioned? Give the distinction +between the political and civil powers.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch8-3">§3.</a> What is said of political power in absolute and mixed governments?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch8-4">§4.</a> How is the civil power divided? What is the business of the +legislature? How is a legislature constituted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch8-5">§5.</a> What is the executive department? In whom is the power vested?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch8-6">§6.</a> What is the business of the judicial department? Of what does it +consist?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch8-7">§7.</a> Can you give any reasons for this division of the civil power?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch8-8">§8.</a> How is the legislative power divided?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch9">Chapter IX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch9-1">§1.</a> Of what branches is a legislature composed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-2">§2.</a> Why is only one called house of representatives?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-3">§3.</a> For how long terms are senators chosen? How long in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-4">§4.</a> Why is the senate called upper house?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-5">§5.</a> How are senators apportioned? How in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-6">§6.</a> How are representatives apportioned? For what terms elected? How +apportioned, and for what term elected in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-7">§7.</a> What is the general object of apportionment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-8">§8.</a> How in an equal representation provided for?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-9">§9.</a> How often are enumerations made? How often in this state? Define +<i>census</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-10">§10.</a> What are the qualifications of senators and representatives in this +state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch9-11">§11.</a> How are vacancies filled in the senate?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#chX">Chapter X.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch10-1">§1.</a> How often do legislatures meet? How often in this state? What is +meant by <i>session</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-2">§2.</a> Where do legislatures meet? What is the place called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-3">§3.</a> To what are members bound by their oath of office?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-4">§4.</a> How are the houses organized? What are the presiding officers +called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-5">§5.</a> What are their general duties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-6">§6.</a> What other officers are chosen? and what are their duties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-7">§7.</a> Define <i>quorum</i>. What number is a quorum in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-8">§8.</a> Are the proceedings ever secret?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch10-9">§9.</a> What provision is made to prevent interruption?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch11">Chapter XI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch11-1">§1.</a> When is the governor's message communicated? What does it contain?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-2">§2.</a> In what other way are measures introduced?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-3">§3.</a> What is done to expedite business? How are committees appointed? and +what do they do?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-5">§5.</a> Name some of the committees.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-6">§6.</a> What are <i>standing</i> committees? <i>Select</i> committees?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-7">§7.</a> How do committees discharge their duties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-8">§8.</a> Wherein does the utility of committees appear?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-9">§9.</a> What is a bill?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-10">§10.</a> By whom, and how, are bills introduced?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-11">§11.</a> How often must a bill be read? When is it amended?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-12">§12.</a> After the second reading and amendment, what follows?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-13">§13.</a> Describe the proceedings on the final passage of a bill.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-14">§14.</a> How is it acted on in the other house?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-15">§15.</a> Why is a legislature divided into two branches?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-16">§16.</a> Why are bills submitted to the governor for his approval? Define +<i>veto</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch11-17">§17.</a> What if a governor refuses to sign a bill? Are bills presented to +the governor in this state? If so, and he disapproves them, by what +majorities must they be again passed? Within how many days is he to +return bills in this state?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch12">Chapter XII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch12-1">§1.</a> For what terms are governors chosen? For what term in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch12-2">§2.</a> What are the qualifications for governor in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch12-3">§3.</a> What are his general powers and duties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch12-4">§4.</a> In what cases has he power to grant reprieves and pardons? Define +these words. What is <i>commute</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch12-5">§5.</a> Are any officers in this state appointed by the governor? Is there a +council?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch12-6">§6.</a> What are the duties of a lieutenant-governor? Is there one in this +state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch12-7">§7.</a> When he acts as governor, who takes the chair of the senate?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch13">Chapter XIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch13-1">§1.</a> What assistant executive officers are there in this state? Are they +appointed or elected?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-2">§2.</a> What are the duties of the secretary of state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-3">§3.</a> Of an auditor or controller?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-4">§4.</a> Of a treasurer?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-5">§5.</a> Of what officers are sureties required?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-6">§6.</a> What are the duties of an attorney-general? Is there one in this +state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-7">§7.</a> The duties of surveyor-general? Is there one in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-8">§8.</a> A superintendent of schools?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-9">§9.</a> What is the business of state printer?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch13-10">§10.</a> What other state officers are there?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch14">Chapter XIV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch14-1">§1.</a> For what reasons is a state divided into counties and townships?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-2">§2.</a> How large are townships?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-3">§3.</a> From what comes the name of <i>county</i>? Of <i>shire</i>, and <i>sheriff</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-4">§4.</a> Define <i>corporation</i>. What powers have town and county corporations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-5">§5.</a> In what officers are these powers vested? In whom in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-6">§6.</a> What are the duties of a county treasurer?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-7">§7.</a> Of a register or recorder? Where are deeds, &c., recorded in this +state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-8">§8.</a> What are a sheriff's duties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-9">§9.</a> What is the business of a coroner?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-10">§10.</a> Are there state's attorneys in the counties of this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-11">§11.</a> Is there a county surveyor?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch14-12">§12.</a> Are county officers elected by the people in this state?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch15">Chapter XV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch15-1">§1.</a> Into what are counties divided?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-2">§2.</a> What is done at the annual town meetings?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-3">§3.</a> What officers are elected? Are all there elected in the towns of +this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-4">§4.</a> What are those officers called who direct town affairs? What in this +state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-5">§5.</a> What are the duties of a town clerk?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-6">§6.</a> What officers in this state have the care of highways? What is a +poll-tax?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-7">§7.</a> By whom are the poor provided for? Are there county poor-houses in +this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-8">§8.</a> The duties of constables?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-9">§9.</a> Of treasurer? Are there town treasurers in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-10">§10.</a> The duties of fence-viewers?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch15-11">§11.</a> Of town-sealer?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch16">Chapter XVI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch16-1">§1.</a> Why is the incorporation of cities, &c., necessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-2">§2.</a> How are city charters obtained? Define <i>charter</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-3">§3.</a> What are the principal city officers called? What inferior officers +are elected?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-4">§4.</a> Are the citizens governed wholly by their own laws?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-5">§5.</a> What criminal court is peculiar to cities?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-6">§6.</a> What are village officers usually called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-7">§7.</a> Illustrate, by example, the necessity of a village incorporation?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-8">§8.</a> Are corporations always formed by special laws?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-9">§9.</a> What is said of incorporated <i>companies</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-10">§10.</a> What is peculiar in the nature of corporations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-11">§11.</a> In what does a state differ from other government corporations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch16-12">§12.</a> Wherein do all government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch17">Chapter XVII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch17-2">§2.</a> What is the business of the judicial department?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-3">§3.</a> If there were no courts of justice, what would be the result?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-4">§4.</a> What are the lowest courts called? Why? Define <i>jurisdiction</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-5">§5.</a> To what extent has a justice jurisdiction?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-6">§6.</a> What are civil causes? Criminal? Misdemeanors?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-7">§7.</a> How is a suit in a justice's court commenced?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-8">§8.</a> How is a summon served?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-9">§9.</a> Describe the manner of joining issue.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-10">§10.</a> How are witnesses procured? and how is the issue tried?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-11">§11.</a> What if a defendant or plaintiff does not appear?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch17-12">§12.</a> How is judgment confessed?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch18">Chapter XVIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch18-1">§1.</a> Why are juries instituted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-2">§2.</a> What is a <i>jury</i>? A <i>verdict</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-3">§3.</a> A <i>venire</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-4">§4.</a> How are jurors kept during their deliberations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-5">§5.</a> What is done if they agree? If they disagree?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-6">§6.</a> What is an <i>execution</i>? What if it is not satisfied?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-7">§7.</a> Is all personal property liable to be sold on execution?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-8">§8.</a> What is an <i>attachment</i>? In what cases is it used?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-9">§9.</a> How is it served?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-10">§10.</a> What if a party is dissatisfied with a judgment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-11">§11.</a> What power have justices in cases of crime?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-12">§12.</a> How are offenders arrested and examined?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-13">§13.</a> How is the prisoner disposed of if the justice can not try him?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch18-14">§14.</a> Define <i>recognizance</i> and <i>bail</i>?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch19">Chapter XIX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch19-1">§1.</a> How are county courts constituted? How in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-2">§2.</a> What causes are tried in them? What is <i>appellate</i> and what +<i>original</i> jurisdiction?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-3">§3.</a> Name the courts of this state. What jurisdiction has a circuit +court?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-4">§4.</a> What juries have county and circuit courts? What is an issue of +fact? An issue of law?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-5">§5.</a> How are the jurors selected?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-6">§6.</a> What is the business of a grand jury? Of what number does it consist +in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-7">§7.</a> Describe the proceedings of a grand jury. What is an indictment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-8">§8.</a> Why are grand juries instituted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-9">§9.</a> By what instrument are grand juries required?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-10">§10.</a> What is the opinion of some on this subject?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-11">§11.</a> Is there a supreme court in this state? Describe it. Is there a +higher court?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch19-12">§12.</a> How are suits commenced in county and other higher courts?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#chXX">Chapter XX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch20-1">§1.</a> What is the object of a court of chancery?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-2">§2.</a> Mention some of its powers.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-3">§3.</a> Are there separate and distinct chancery courts in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-4">§4.</a> How are suits commenced and tried in these courts?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-5">§5.</a> What is the business of a probate court?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-6">§6.</a> What is a court of impeachment? Its business? What is an +impeachment? By whom made?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-7">§7.</a> How is it done?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-8">§8.</a> Describe the mode of trial. What follows conviction?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch20-9">§9.</a> By what other modes are judicial officers removed?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch21">Chapter XXI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch21-1">§1.</a> How is money raised for government purposes? What is a poll-tax?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch21-2">§2.</a> What property is exempt from taxation? What is real, and what +personal property?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch21-3">§3.</a> By whom, and how, is property valued? How in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch21-5">§5.</a> Of what three items does the tax consist?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch21-6">§6.</a> How is it ascertained?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch21-7">§7.</a> Who in this state cause the tax-list to be made out, and order the +taxes to be collected?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch21-8">§8.</a> To whom is the money paid when collected?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch22">Chapter XXII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch22-1">§1.</a> What is the proper object of government? How is it to be done?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-2">§2.</a> What is the effect of education upon a people? Of ignorance?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-3">§3.</a> Why should government provide the means of education?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-4">§4.</a> To what extent is this done? By what means?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-5">§5.</a> How is the deficiency in the income of the school fund supplied?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-6">§6.</a> How, and to what extent, are school funds provided in the new +states?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-7">§7.</a> In what way, and to what extent, were the school funds increased in +1837?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-8">§8.</a> How are school moneys from the state treasury apportioned? How is +the deficiency in the public moneys to pay teachers made up?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-9">§9.</a> Why are schools called <i>district</i> schools, and <i>common</i> schools? +What officers are elected in districts?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch22-10">§10.</a> What is the state superintendent in this state called?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch23">Chapter XXIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch23-1">§1.</a> What other duty does the government owe to the citizens?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-2">§2.</a> What portion of the people of a state are most favored?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-3">§3.</a> By whom are canals made? Is there such a public work in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-4">§4.</a> Why should not the money to make them be raised by a general tax?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-5">§5.</a> How are funds sometimes provided for this purpose?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-6">§6.</a> For the want of such funds, how is the money obtained? How is it to +be repaid?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-7">§7.</a> How is the business of borrowing done? What are <i>state stocks</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-8">§8.</a> What renders the purchase of state stocks a safe transaction?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-9">§9.</a> By whom are canal affairs managed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-10">§10.</a> What states are most noted for their canals?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-11">§11.</a> By whom are rail-roads usually constructed? Why is an act of +incorporation necessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-12">§12.</a> What does the act provide?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-13">§13.</a> How is the capital, or stock, raised? What officers are chosen, and +by whom?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-14">§14.</a> What is the nature of these certificates of stock?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch23-15">§15.</a> How do stockholders expect to be refunded? What are dividends? When +are stocks at par? When above or below par?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch24">Chapter XXIV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch24-1">§1.</a> Where were the first banks? and whence is the name derived?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-2">§2.</a> By what authority are our banks established? How is the capital +stock raised?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-3">§3.</a> How do business men deposit and draw out their money?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-4">§4.</a> What is a <i>certificate of deposit</i>? How is it made transferable? and +convertible into money?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-5">§5.</a> Describe the manner of transmitting money through banks.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-6">§6.</a> How are banks repaid? What is saved to business men by this mode of +remittance?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-7">§7.</a> Describe the operation of lending money by a bank.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-8">§8.</a> Describe a bank bill. What if a bank is unable to redeem its bills? +How are bill-holders secured against loss?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-9">§9.</a> What is the nature of the free banking system?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-10">§10.</a> How does this law provide for the security of bill-holders?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-11">§11.</a> What is the business of insurance companies? What do they insure? +Define <i>policy-premium</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-12">§12.</a> Of what consist the profits of stock insurance companies? Show this +by an example.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-13">§13.</a> How are companies enabled to fix proper rates of insurance? Is all +property insured at the same rate? Why not?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch24-14">§14.</a> Describe the character of mutual insurance companies. How is money +raised for paying losses?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch25">Chapter XXV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch25-1">§1.</a> What preparation is made for the public defense? What does the word +<i>militia</i> include?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-2">§2.</a> For what other purpose may portions of the militia be wanted? Define +<i>insurrection</i> and <i>rebellion</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-3">§3.</a> Who are liable to do military service? Who are exempt by the laws of +the states generally?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-4">§4.</a> Who by the laws of the United States?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-5">§5.</a> What military authority have the governors and the president? Why +have they this power?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-6">§6.</a> How are persons dealt with for non-attendance and delinquency at +parades?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-7">§7.</a> What are the duties of the adjutant-general?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-8">§8.</a> What is the business of a commissary-general? Is there one in this +state? Define <i>arsenal</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-9">§9.</a> What is done in the case of persons averse to bearing arms? Are any +exempt in this state without commuting?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-10">§10.</a> What regulations exist in New York and Ohio?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-11">§11.</a> For what reasons is the drilling of the whole militia deemed +unnecessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch25-12">§12.</a> What is your opinion of war? What is a better way of settling +disputes between nations?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch26">Chapter XXVI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch26-2">§2.</a> What is there in our government that renders a knowledge of it +important to the people?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch26-3">§3.</a> To what country were the American colonies subject? What is a +<i>colony</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch26-4">§4.</a> Whence did the people derive their rights and privileges? What was +the <i>form</i> of the colonial governments?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch26-5">§5.</a> From whom did the officers derive their power? Were any elected? On +whose approval did the laws finally depend?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch26-6">§6.</a> What was the effect of this upon the colonists? What was the object +of the laws of parliament relating to the colonies?</p> + +<p>§6, 7. What did some of these laws require?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch26-8">§8.</a> By what particular means did that government secure the colonial +trade? Define <i>duty</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch26-9">§9.</a> Explain the nature and effect of these duties.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch26-10">§10.</a> What right did parliament claim? What act was accordingly passed? +What did the colonists do? What was the final result?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch27">Chapter XXVII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch27-1">§1.</a> When did the first continental congress meet? How were its members +chosen? What great act did it do in 1776?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-2">§2.</a> What did it in November, 1777? When did the confederation go into +effect?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-3">§3.</a> How did the union formed by it prove? What was the probable cause of +its imperfections?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-4">§4.</a> What was its leading defect? Mention some instances of its weakness?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-5">§5.</a> What probably aided in inducng compliance with the ordinances of +congress?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-6">§6.</a> What new difficulties arose after peace? What difficulty attended +the laying of duties by the states?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-7">§7.</a> For what other purpose did congress need the power to lay duties? +How had Great Britain secured the carrying trade?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-8">§8.</a> What other trouble arose from this imperfect union?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-9">§9.</a> How was this difficulty sought to be remedied?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-10">§10.</a> What was the result of the meeting at Annapolis?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-11">§11.</a> In what did the recommending of a convention result? How was the +constitution ratified in the states?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch27-12">§12.</a> To give it effect, how many states must ratify? When were +ratifications received from Rhode Island and North Carolina?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch28">Chapter XXVIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch28-2">§2.</a> What is a confederacy? Was the confederation a union of people? or a +union of states? From what does this appear?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-3">§3.</a> What is the union under the constitution? Where is this declared?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-4">§4.</a> What is said of the former independence of the states? What power +has the general government acquired by the constitution?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-5">§5.</a> How did the equality of the states in the old congress appear? To +how many delegates were they entitled? How did they vote?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-6">§6.</a> How are the states now represented? How do representatives vote?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-7">§7.</a> State the difference between the bodies that framed and ratified the +two instruments respectively.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-8">§8.</a> Was the government under the confederation properly <i>national</i>? How +does it appear that it was not? What change did the constitution effect?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-9">§9.</a> What early act of the constitutional convention shows the present +government to be national?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch28-10">§10.</a> What departments of power were wanting under the confederation?</p> + + +<p><a href="#ch28-11">§11.</a> Is the present government wholly national? Why not?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch29">Chapter XXIX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch29-1">§1.</a> Of what does congress consist? For what terms were members of the +old congress appointed? Why has the term of a representative been +extended to two years?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-2">§2.</a> What qualifications are required for voting for representatives? +What reasons were there for this rule?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-3">§3.</a> What are the qualifications of a representative? Give the reasons +for these qualifications.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-4">§4.</a> Give the rule of apportioning representatives and direct taxes.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-5">§5.</a> What made it difficult to agree upon a rule of apportionment? In +what states did slavery then exist? Name the present slaveholding +states.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-7">§7.</a> Upon what terms was the question of apportionment settled?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-8">§8.</a> Illustrate the rule by an example.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-9">§9.</a> How are the slave states benefited by this arrangement as to taxes?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-10">§10.</a> What do they gain as to representation?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-11">§11.</a> How is the number of representatives limited? How often is the +ratio of representation fixed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-12">§12.</a> Why has the ratio been from time to time increased? How is a +representation secured to the smallest states?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-13">§13.</a> State the ratio and the number of representatives after each +census.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-14">§14.</a> How is a state districted for choosing representatives? When are +they chosen?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch29-15">§15.</a> How are territories represented?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#chXXX">Chapter XXX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch30-1">§1.</a> How is the senate constituted? Upon what points did the convention +differ? How was the matter settled?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-2">§2.</a> In what provision does the federative principle appear?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-3">§3.</a> In what is there a difference between the old congress and the +senate?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-4">§4.</a> What reasons are offered in favor of a short term of office? What in +favor of a long term?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-6">§6.</a> What is said in favor of the present term?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-7">§7.</a> Why were not the terms of all the senators made to expire at once?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-8">§8.</a> How are vacancies in the office of senator filled?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-9">§9.</a> Can an appointment be made before a vacancy actually happens? State +a case.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-10">§10.</a> What reasons are there for the required qualifications of senators +as to age, citizenship, and residence in the state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch30-11">§11.</a> How do bills become laws after they have been vetoed by the +president?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch31">Chapter XXXI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch31-2">§2.</a> What difference is here noticed between the general and state +governments in respect to their powers?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch31-3">§3.</a> What is the first in the list of powers given to congress?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch31-4">§4.</a> For what purpose was this power necessary? What is <i>direct</i> and what +<i>indirect</i> taxation?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch31-5">§5.</a> Define duties, customs, imposts, and excises.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch31-6">§6.</a> Define <i>specific</i> and <i>ad valorem</i> duties.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch31-7">§7.</a> Why are duties required to be uniform throughout the United States?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch31-8">§8.</a> By what means was the old national debt paid? How large was it at +different periods?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch31-9">§9.</a> Why is the power to borrow money necessary?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch32">Chapter XXXII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch32-1">§1.</a> From what arose the necessity of the power to regulate foreign +commerce? What was the British policy?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-2">§2.</a> In what consisted the inequality of trade between the two countries?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-3">§3.</a> Show, by example, how Great Britain secured a home market for her +agricultural products.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-4">§4.</a> What other benefits did she derive from her policy?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-5">§5.</a> Why were we obliged to submit to the payment of these duties? Why +not manufacture for ourselves?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-6">§6.</a> Why did not our government retaliate by imposing like duties upon +British goods and vessels?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-7">§7.</a> What are duties designed to encourage home manufactures called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-8">§8.</a> Show, by example, the operation and effect of a protective duty.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-9">§9.</a> By what other power may this object be partially effected? Show how.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-10">§10.</a> Why, then, was not one of these powers sufficient?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-11">§11.</a> Show, by example, why the free importation of foreign goods and +direct taxation are not deemed the better policy.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-13">§13.</a> How early, and how, was domestic industry encouraged? What rendered +high duties for a time unnecessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-14">§14.</a> What afterwards made it necessary for congress to exercise more +extensively its powers to regulate trade? When did the system of +protection properly commence? Where has since been the principal market +for agricultural products?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch32-15">§15.</a> Where, and by whom, are the duties or customs collected?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch33">Chapter XXXIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch33-1">§1.</a> What is <i>navigation</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-2">§2.</a> What is <i>tunnage</i>? <i>Tunnage duties</i>? For what purpose were these +duties laid? Why were they called <i>discriminating</i> duties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-3">§3.</a> What has been their effect? What has caused their discontinuance?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-4">§4.</a> How are vessels registered?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-5">§5.</a> What is a <i>manifest</i>? A <i>clearance</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-6">§6.</a> At whose request are passports furnished to vessels? What is a +<i>passport</i>? By whom given?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-7">§7.</a> How is the safety of passengers and crew provided for?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-8">§8.</a> Define <i>quarantine</i>. What has congress enacted in relation to +quarantines?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-9">§9.</a> Why was power given to congress to regulate <i>internal</i> commerce, or +commerce among the states?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch33-10">§10.</a> Why the power to regulate commerce with the Indian tribes?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch34">Chapter XXXIV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch34-1">§1.</a> What were the disqualifications of aliens by the common law? Why are +these disqualifications deemed proper?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-2">§2.</a> When ought they to be removed? Why should the rule of naturalization +be uniform?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-3">§3.</a> Describe the manner in which an alien is naturalized.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-4">§4.</a> How do alien minors become citizens?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-5">§5.</a> What is a <i>bankrupt</i>? A bankrupt law? What is the object of such +laws?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-6">§6.</a> Why is the power to pass them given to congress? Why should they be +uniform?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-7">§7.</a> Why is the power to coin money and regulate its value given to +congress? What change in the system of reckoning has been effected?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-8">§8.</a> At what places is money coined? What is <i>bullion</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-9">§9.</a> Why is the power to fix the standard of weights and measures vested +in congress?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch34-10">§10.</a> Why has congress the power to provide for punishing the +counterfeiting of the securities and coin of the United States?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch35">Chapter XXXV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch35-1">§1.</a> Why is the power to establish post-offices given to congress?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch35-2">§2.</a> How are useful arts and sciences promoted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch35-3">§3.</a> How does an author of a work proceed in procuring a copy-right? By +whom, and where, is the title recorded?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch35-4">§4.</a> What else must the author do? For how many years is the right +obtained? For what term, and how, may the right be continued?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch35-5">§5.</a> Where are patents for inventions obtained? How does the inventor +proceed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch35-6">§6.</a> How much must he pay before his petition is considered? For what +term are patents granted? For what term may they be renewed?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch36">Chapter XXXVI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch36-1">§1.</a> Define <i>piracy</i> and <i>felony</i>. Why is the power to define and punish +these crimes given to congress?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-2">§2.</a> Why also the power to define and punish offenses against the law of +nations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-3">§3.</a> Why the power to declare war? Who exercises this power in +monarchies?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-4">§4.</a> What are letters of marque and reprisal? Why should not an +individual redress his private wrongs?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-5">§5.</a> Why should not the states authorize reprisals?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-6">§6.</a> Why has congress the power to make rules concerning captures? How is +captured property distributed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-7">§7.</a> Why is the general power to provide for the national defense +intrusted to congress?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-8">§8.</a> Why was given to congress entire control over the district +containing the seat of government?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-9">§9.</a> What district is here referred to? Over what other places has +congress exclusive authority?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-10">§10.</a> What is the last power granted in the list here enumerated? Why is +this general grant of power to make laws deemed necessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch36-11">§11.</a> What opinion is held by some in regard to this power? On what +reasons is this opinion founded?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch37">Chapter XXXVII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch37-1">§1.</a> What is the first prohibition on congress?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-2">§2.</a> To what has this reference? For what reasons was this prohibition +assented to?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-3">§3.</a> Have men a natural right to buy and sell each other? When was the +foreign slave trade prohibited? How is it now punishable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-4">§4.</a> Define <i>habeas corpus</i>. What is the privilege of this writ?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-5">§5.</a> What is a bill of attainder? When is it a bill of pains and +penalties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-6">§6.</a> What is an <i>ex post facto</i> law? Give examples of ex post facto laws.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-7">§7.</a> What is a capitation tax? To what provision of the constitution does +this prohibition refer? What does it mean?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-8">§8.</a> Why are duties on exports forbidden? How might the interests of the +different states be injuriously affected by taxing exports?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-9">§9.</a> What further reasons are given for this prohibition? How is freedom +and equality in trade secured to the states?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-10">§10.</a> By what provision is the proper disposal of the public moneys +secured?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch37-11">§11.</a> Why is the granting of titles of nobility forbidden? How are public +officers guarded against corruption from foreign influence?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch38">Chapter XXXVIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch38-1">§1.</a> What is a treaty? An alliance? A confederation? Why are states +forbidden to enter into them?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-2">§2.</a> Why should not states issue letters of marque and reprisal?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-3">§3.</a> Why should they not coin money?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-4">§4.</a> Why were they forbidden to emit bills of credit? Does the +prohibition extend to bank bills?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-5">§5.</a> What is meant by <i>tender</i>, usually termed <i>lawful</i> or <i>legal +tender</i>? Why should coin only be made tender in payment of debts?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-6">§6.</a> Why is the passing of bills of attainder and ex post facto laws by +states forbidden? Why are laws impairing the force of contracts +prohibited?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-7">§7.</a> Do insolvent or bankrupt laws impair the obligation of contracts? +States have passed such laws; were they constitutional? How has the +question been decided?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-8">§8.</a> Why is the granting of titles forbidden to the states?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-9">§9.</a> What objections to the general power of the states to tax exports or +imports? What exception is made to the prohibition?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-10">§10.</a> What is the object of this exception?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch38-11">§11.</a> What other restrictions are there upon the power of the states?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch39">Chapter XXXIX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch39-1">§1.</a> In whom is the executive power of the nation vested?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-2">§2.</a> For what reasons was this power given to one person only?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-3">§3.</a> Why were four years agreed on as the official term?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-4">§4.</a> By whom is the president elected? Has the mode of election ever been +altered?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-5">§5.</a> By what authority is the manner of choosing the electors prescribed? +By whom are they chosen at present?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-6">§6.</a> In what manner are they chosen? Describe particularly the election +by general ticket. When are electors chosen?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-7">§7.</a> Where and when do the electors vote for president? How, when, and to +whom, are certificates of their votes sent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-8">§8.</a> When, where, and by whom are the votes counted? How is the election +determined? If no person has a majority of all the votes, by whom is the +election made? How do the members vote?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-9">§9.</a> Describe the election of president by the house in 1825.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-10">§10.</a> How is the vice-president elected if there is no choice by the +electors?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-11">§11.</a> What are the qualifications of the president and vice-president?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-12">§12.</a> How is a vacancy in the office of president supplied? What further +provision is made for supplying vacancies?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-13">§13.</a> Why may not the salary of a president be increased or diminished?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch39-14">§14.</a> When does the presidential term commence and expire?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#chXL">Chapter XL.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch40-1">§1.</a> What high military office has the president? Why is the command of +the public forces intrusted to him?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-2">§2.</a> For what reasons the power to grant reprieves and pardons?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-3">§3.</a> What other powers has the president? For what purposes are treaties +made? Who exercises this power in monarchies? Why is not the house +associated with the president and senate?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-4">§4.</a> For what reasons is the senate preferred? Who appoint embassadors?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-5">§5.</a> By whom and how are treaties negotiated? By whom ratified?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-6">§6.</a> What is here mentioned as the practice of civilized nations? What +are the duties of the secretary of state in our intercourse with foreign +nations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-7">§7.</a> What titles have representatives at foreign courts? Who are +embassadors <i>in ordinary</i> and <i>extraordinary</i>? Envoys? Envoys +<i>plenipotentiary</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-8">§8.</a> What are our representatives abroad called? What are <i>chargès des +affaires</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-9">§9.</a> What is the business of consuls?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-10">§10.</a> Why is the appointment of judges of the supreme court given to the +president and senate?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-11">§11.</a> For what reason should the president have the right to select the +heads of the departments?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-12">§12.</a> What power has the president alone in filling vacancies? Why is +such a power necessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-13">§13.</a> What other powers and duties of the president are mentioned in the +constitution?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch40-14">§14.</a> What officers are removable by impeachment? and for what offenses?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch41">Chapter XLI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch41-1">§1.</a> Among what departments is the executive business of the nation +distributed? By what names are the head officers called? How appointed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-2">§2.</a> What departments did the first congress establish? What officers +constituted the first cabinet? When were the heads of the navy, +post-office, and interior departments respectively added?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-3">§3.</a> What are the duties of the secretary of state relating to foreign +affairs? Define diplomacy and diplomatist.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-4">§4.</a> What are the duties of the secretary in relation to home affairs?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-5">§5.</a> What are the duties of the secretary of the treasury?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-6">§6.</a> What are his principal assistants?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-7">§7.</a> What are the duties of the secretary of the interior? What is a +<i>pension</i>? To what classes of persons are pensions allowed? To whom are +bounties of lands allowed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-8">§8.</a> To what do the duties of the secretary of war relate?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-9">§9.</a> What is the business of the secretary of the navy? and of the navy +commissioners?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-10">§10.</a> What are the principal duties of the postmaster general? Who are +his principal assistants?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-11">§11.</a> What is the business of postmasters in relation to keeping accounts +of letters, advertising letters, and making returns to the general +post-office? What are <i>dead</i> letters?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-12">§12.</a> How are postmasters paid for their services? State the rates of +commission. To what amount of compensation are postmasters limited? What +postmasters are appointed by the president and senate?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-13">§13.</a> Who are entitled to the franking privilege? and to what extent? How +is franking done? What government officers frank matter on official +business?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch41-14">§14.</a> What are the duties of the attorney-general?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch42">Chapter XLII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch42-1">§1.</a> Was there a national judiciary under the confederation? In what +courts is the judicial power of the U.S. vested?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-2">§2.</a> By whom, and for what term, are the judges appointed? Why is the +term made so long?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-3">§3.</a> How is the independence of the judges further secured? Why should +congress not have power to reduce their salaries?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-4">§4.</a> Cases of what nature are tried in the national courts?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-5">§5.</a> Why is the trial of crimes to be held in the state where committed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-6">§6.</a> Which are the lowest national courts? How is a district court +constituted? What cases does it try?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-7">§7.</a> How many circuits are there? How is a circuit court constituted? +What cases does it try?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-8">§8.</a> How is the supreme court constituted? Where, and when, does it hold +sessions? What is its principal business?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch42-9">§9.</a> What important object is so cared by the supreme court? How are +state laws and the decisions of state courts affected by the decisions +of the supreme court of the United States?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch43">Chapter XLIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch43-1">§1.</a> Why was the definition of treason put into the constitution? What is +levying war?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch43-2">§2.</a> State more particularly what does and what does not constitute +levying war and treason?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch43-3">§3.</a> What proof is required to convict of treason?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch43-4">§4.</a> How was treason punished by the common law? How has congress made it +punishable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch43-5">§5.</a> What is attainder? Its meaning here? By the common law, how did the +sentence of death for treason affect the traitor? What has congress +declared concerning conviction for treason?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch44">Chapter XLIV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch44-1">§1.</a> What is the object of the provision concerning state records?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-2">§2.</a> In giving effect to this provision, what has congress enacted? In +case of a judicial proceeding, what is required? What in case of an act +of a state legislature?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-3">§3.</a> What is meant by the clause concerning the privileges of citizens in +the several states? Without such provision, what might a state do?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-4">§4.</a> How is a fugitive from justice arrested and returned for trial?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-5">§5.</a> Who are meant by "persons held to service or labor, escaping into +another state?" What provision of the common law induced the adoption of +this clause?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-6">§6.</a> How are fugitives from slavery apprehended and returned? Is the law +requiring the capture and return of fugitive slaves, in your opinion, +morally binding?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-7">§7.</a> What induced the provision for admitting new states? What states +have been formed from the north-western territory?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-8">§8.</a> What unsettled tract was south of the Ohio? Whose consent to the +division of a state does the constitution require?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-9">§9.</a> In the right to acquire territory, what other right is implied? Had +the old congress this power? What has congress done under the power here +granted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch44-10">§10.</a> How is a republican form of government secured to the states? How +are they to be protected against invasion and domestic violence? What is +meant by domestic violence?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch45">Chapter XLV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch45-1">§1.</a> How are constitutional amendments proposed? How ratified?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-2">§2.</a> What good is supposed to have resulted from so difficult a mode of +amendment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-3">§3.</a> For what reasons was the new government made to assume the debts of +the old?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-4">§4.</a> Why is the constitution of the United States, and the laws and +treaties made under it, made binding above all state authority?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-5">§5.</a> Why are public officers bound by oath to support the constitution, +and to discharge their duties faithfully?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-6">§6.</a> What is a religious <i>test</i>? What was it in England? Why was it +forbidden by the constitution?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-7">§7.</a> What does the last article declare? Why was not the ratification of +all the states required? Why was the ratification of so many as nine +required?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-8">§8.</a> When did this state ratify? When did North Carolina and Rhode Island +come into the union?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch45-9">§9.</a> When were electors of president chosen? When was the president +elected, and when inaugurated? When did proceedings under the +constitution commence?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch46">Chapter XLVI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch46-1">§1.</a> How many articles of amendment are there? What is the nature of most +of them? Why then were they added? When were the first ten proposed and +ratified?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-2">§2.</a> What is forbidden by the first amendment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-3">§3.</a> What right is guarantied by the second amendment? Why is this right +necessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-4">§4.</a> What does the third amendment declare? What probably suggested it?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-5">§5.</a> What right is guarantied by the fourth article? What evil is it +intended to prevent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-6">§6.</a> What rights does the fifth article guaranty? Can you give any reason +why a person fairly tried and acquitted should not be tried again? What +does the sixth article require?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-7">§7.</a> What is secured by the seventh amendment? What is meant by suits at +common law? What are courts of admiralty? How is the latter part of this +article explained?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-8">§8.</a> What does the eighth article forbid? What evils was it designed to +prevent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-9">§9.</a> What is the ninth article? What evil was it designed to prevent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-10">§10.</a> What does the tenth amendment declare? Explain it.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-11">§11.</a> When was the eleventh article proposed and ratified? What is it? +What was it intended to prevent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch46-12">§12.</a> What does the twelfth amendment effect? When was it proposed and +ratified?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch47">Chapter XLVII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch47-1">§1.</a> How are the municipal or civil laws distinguished from the +fundamental or political law?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-2">§2.</a> What are statute laws?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-3">§3.</a> What is the common law? Is it law in this country?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-4">§4.</a> What are the rights of person? Personal security? Personal liberty? +How are they guarantied?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-5">§5.</a> How may a man protect himself when in danger of personal injury? +What remedy for violence committed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-6">§6.</a> How far may a man go in defending himself or his property? What is +such killing called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-7">§7.</a> How are we protected in our good names? What is slander?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-8">§8.</a> What is libel? Which is considered the greater injury? For which is +a person liable in both a civil and criminal suit?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-9">§9.</a> What is the rule of the common law in the case of a criminal action +for libel? What is the reason for this principle?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-10">§10.</a> What distinction do some make between cases of public and private +prosecution for libel?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-11">§11.</a> Does the common law still prevail in this country? How has it been +modified?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-12">§12.</a> How is personal liberty secured? What is the nature of the writ of +<i>habeas corpus</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-13">§13.</a> What is liberty of conscience? How is it secured?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-14">§14.</a> Is this right secured to the same extent in England?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch47-15">§15.</a> What is meant by the right of property? By what is it protected?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch48">Chapter XLVIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch48-1">§1.</a> What is meant by the age of consent? At what periods of life is it +fixed? At what in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-2">§2.</a> What three requisites to a lawful marriage are next mentioned?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-3">§3.</a> May a person remarry who has a wife or husband living? What is the +crime called? What cases are excepted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-4">§4.</a> Are the marriages in these excepted cases binding? What is the +common law on the subject?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-5">§5.</a> How, and by whom are marriages solemnized? What regulations exist in +some states? Is a license or a notice required in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-6">§6.</a> By common law, what right to the personal property does the husband +acquire by marriage?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-7">§7.</a> Does he acquire an absolute right also to her real estate? How is +his right limited?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-8">§8.</a> How has this common law rule been changed? Can you tell what the law +is in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-9">§9.</a> By common law, what liability does a husband incur by marriage? What +is coverture? Is this now the law in all the states? Is it in this +state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-10">§10.</a> How far is a husband bound for the maintenance of his wife?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch48-11">§11.</a> May they be witnesses for each other?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch49">Chapter XLIX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch49-1">§1.</a> What are the obligations of parents? What is the age of majority? In +law, who are infants, or minors?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-2">§2.</a> How far, or in what cases, is a father liable for the contracts of a +child?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-3">§3.</a> Can a minor bind himself by contract? In what cases is he bound?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-4">§4.</a> How in cases of rent? How in cases of contracts which he avoids when +he comes of age?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-5">§5.</a> Are minors answerable for crimes? How in cases of fraud?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-6">§6.</a> What right have they to bind themselves as apprentices and servants? +By whose consent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-7">§7.</a> Who may bind pauper children? What provision is made for their +education?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-8">§8.</a> What are the rights of the master and apprentice respectively?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-9">§9.</a> When may apprenticeships be dissolved?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-10">§10.</a> How may a hired servant forfeit his wages? For what may he be +dismissed? For what cause released from his service?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch49-11">§11.</a> What are the mutual liabilities of master and servant?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#chL">Chapter L.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch50-1">§1.</a> By whom, and in what ways, may real estate be taken, held, and +conveyed? Have aliens this right?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-2">§2.</a> What is it to <i>devise</i> property? What is a or testamen? Define +testator, and intestate.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-3">§3.</a> Who may bequeath property? What special rights to bequeath property +are given in some states? What is a nuncupative will?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-4">§4.</a> How has the right of married women to bequeath property been +extended?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-5">§5.</a> How is a will executed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-6">§6.</a> In what different ways may a will be revoked?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-7">§7.</a> What is the effect of the subsequent birth of a child? What else +have some states provided?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-8">§8.</a> What is a codicil? Its effect?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-9">§9.</a> How is a will proved? What are letters testamentary, and letters of +administration?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-10">§10.</a> What is meant by the <i>descent</i> of property? Is the rule of descent +uniform in the states? To whom, generally, does it descend first?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-11">§11.</a> If any children of the intestate are dead, how does it descend? +Give an example.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-12">§12.</a> If all the children are dead, how do the grand-children share? Is +this state an exception to the rule?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch50-13">§13.</a> Do real and personal estate generally come under the same rule?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch51">Chapter LI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch51-1">§1.</a> What is the benefit of a deed of real estate? What is expressed in a +deed? How is it executed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch51-2">§2.</a> What is necessary to secure possession to the purchaser? Where are +conveyances recorded in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch51-3">§3.</a> How long, in come states, are first purchasers secure before +recording? What is the law in this state? What claim does a purchaser +thus dispossessed still retain? Can you tell why conveyances are +required to be recorded at all?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch51-4">§4.</a> How are deeds proved? Before whom are thoy acknowledged? How are +they recorded?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch51-5">§5.</a> What is meant by <i>fee-simple</i>? What does the grantor in a warranty +deed bind himself to do? In what does such deed differ from a quit-claim +deed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch51-6">§6.</a> What is a mortgage? How is the balance of the purchase money usually +secured? How is the money raised?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch51-7">§7.</a> Why does a wife join with her husband in a conveyance? What is the +interest thus retained by a widow called? In what else must a wife join? +Does a wife acknowledge apart from her husband in this state?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch52">Chapter LII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch52-1">§1.</a> Define corporeal and incorporeal hereditaments. What are aquatic +rights?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-2">§2.</a> What is a right of way? How is this right obtained? What is an +easement?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-3">§3.</a> In what case does a right of way pass with the land? Give an +example.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-4">§4.</a> In what cases does this right arise from necessity?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-5">§5.</a> When the use of a thing is granted, what is generally granted with +it?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-6">§6.</a> How is a temporary right of way acquired? Does the obstruction of a +private way give the same right?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-7">§7.</a> What is a right by <i>prescription</i>? How many years' peaceable use +gives a person such right? What change in this term has been made in +some states? What is it in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-8">§8.</a> What right have the public to the soil of a highway? Who own the +soil? What right and power concerning it do they retain?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-9">§9.</a> What are the rights of the owners of lands adjoining a stream? How +is the use of the water restricted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-10">§10.</a> How may the right to the use of the water be affected by +prescription?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch52-11">§11.</a> What is the general and established doctrine on this subject? Must +the use be enjoyed by one person during the whole period to give a +prescriptive right?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch53">Chapter LIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch53-1">§1.</a> What is an estate of inheritance? A <i>fee</i>? A <i>fee-simple</i>?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-2">§2.</a> What is the writing which conveys an interest in lands for a limited +period called? What means to lease? Define lessor and lessee. What +lenses must be sealed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-3">§3.</a> How are these limited interests in land divided? What is an estate +for life? How, otherwise than by lease, are life estates acquired?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-4">§4.</a> What is an estate for years?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-5">§5.</a> May a lessee for years underlet without the lessor's leave? For how +long a time?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-6">§6.</a> Who is entitled to the growing crop if the lease expires before +harvest? In what case the tenant?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-7">§7.</a> Does the destruction of rented premises release the tenant from +payment of rent? In what case would he not be liable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-8">§8.</a> Can a tenant charge his landlord for repairs? What may he do when +the premises have become unsafe or useless?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-9">§9.</a> Where and when must payment of rent be made or tendered?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-10">§10.</a> What is an estate at will? Are such estates common? In what case +are they held to be tenancies from year to year? What if a tenant for +years hold over after his lease?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-11">§11.</a> What turns leases from uncertain terms into leases from year to +year? Who is strictly a tenant at will? Can he be dispossessed without +previous notice to quit?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch53-12">§12.</a> What is an estate at sufferance? What are the rights of a landlord +and a tenant by sufferance, respectively?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch54">Chapter LIV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch54-1">§1.</a> Define contract. What is an executory contract? An express contract? +An implied contract?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-2">§2.</a> What is a specialty? A simple or parol contract? Define <i>parol</i>. +What effect has parol evidence upon written contracts?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-3">§3.</a> Who are deemed incapable of contracting? How are contracts made by +such persons voided? How enforced? What is the general rule?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-4">§4.</a> What is the rule in regard to drunkards?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-5">§5.</a> What is mentioned as the second requisition to a valid contract? How +must assent be given?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-6">§6.</a> What is next mentioned as necessary to a valid contract? What is a +consideration?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-7">§7.</a> What is the effect of mutual promises? How must they be made? How +when the parties are distant?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-8">§8.</a> Why are gratuitous promises void? In what case are subscriptions +binding?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-9">§9.</a> Why can not payment be lawfully claimed for gratuitous services? In +what cases is a person bound to pay for unasked labor?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-10">§10.</a> What else is mentioned as necessary to a valuable consideration? +What kind of impossibility will not void a contract?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-11">§11.</a> What is said of illegal and immoral considerations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-12">§12.</a> To what kind of contracts does the rule that a consideration is +necessary apply? Why not to those under seal?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch54-13">§13.</a> What is declared by the English statute of frauds? What do some +states further require?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch55">Chapter LV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch55-1">§1.</a> What is a sale? What general principles apply to contracts of sale?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-2">§2.</a> What if a man contracts to sell what has no existence? Give an +example.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-3">§3.</a> Can he sell what may have a future existence? Give examples.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-4">§4.</a> What is said about <i>price</i>, as essential to a sale?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-5">§5.</a> What about the mutual consent of parties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-6">§6.</a> What is to be done if the goods are not immediately delivered? Below +what price is this unnecessary? What is the sum fixed in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-7">§7.</a> What is said about delivery to complete a contract?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-8">§8.</a> When does the buyer acquire the right of property? When the right of +possession?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-9">§9.</a> In case the goods are sold on credit, when has the buyer a right to +them? In what case has he not?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-10">§10.</a> What is said about the warranty of title?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-11">§11.</a> In regard to quality, what?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-12">§12.</a> To what cases does not this rule apply? Is a seller bound to +disclose hidden defects?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch55-13">§13.</a> What is the general rule?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch56">Chapter LVI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch56-1">§1.</a> For what purposes are fraudulent sales made?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-2">§2.</a> What is here stated to be a common law rule? Upon what question do +the courts differ?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-3">§3.</a> What distinction has been made between conditional and unconditional +bills of sale and assignments?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-4">§4.</a> In different states, what different rules prevail?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-5">§5.</a> How does the strict rule sometimes operate to the injury of honest +debtors?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-6">§6.</a> How has this question been settled in some states? What are these +instruments of conveyance called? Must they be recorded in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-7">§7.</a> In what case, when there is a judgment against the seller, would a +sale of personal property be fraudulent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-8">§8.</a> How are assignments made for the benefit of creditors? May such +assignor prefer any of his creditors?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-9">§9.</a> If he agrees to pay all a certain share, and then privately prefers +some, what is the effect?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch56-10">§10.</a> In what cases are gifts valid against creditors?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch57">Chapter LVII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch57-1">§1.</a> Define bailment.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-2">§2.</a> For what is a bailee without reward responsible? What is a +depositary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-3">§3.</a> A mandatary? For what is he responsible?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-4">§4.</a> For what is a borrower liable? How is he restricted in the use of +the article?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-5">§5.</a> In the case of property pledged as security for debt, what are the +liabilities?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-6">§6.</a> What in case of a hired article?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-7">§7.</a> What if work or care is to be bestowed upon a thing delivered?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-8">§8.</a> The liability of innkeepers?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-9">§9.</a> Of persons carrying goods for hire in a particular case?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-10">§10.</a> What is a common carrier? To what extent is he liable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-11">§11.</a> What are his rights and obligations as to receiving and carrying +goods?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch57-12">§12.</a> What are the liabilities of proprietors of stage coaches as to +passengers? What as to the carrying of goods and the baggage of +passengers?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch58">Chapter LVIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch58-1">§1.</a> Define agent, principal, factor. What is a factor sometimes called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-2">§2.</a> How is a factor secured for money advanced on property?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-3">§3.</a> What is this right to hold property called? How is he restricted?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-4">§4.</a> How far is a principal bound by the acts of a general agent? What is +a general agent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-5">§5.</a> How far is an agent bound to his principal? In what case may he +depart from his instructions?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-6">§6.</a> By what rule is he to be governed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-7">§7.</a> What degree of diligence and skill must he exercise? What is +ordinary diligence? Reasonable skill?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-8">§8.</a> In what cases is an agent responsible to the person with whom he +deals? In what case is a principal liable for goods bought by an agent +in his own name?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-9">§9.</a> What is a broker? His ordinary business? In what does he differ from +a factor?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch58-10">§10.</a> What is a lien? For whose benefit is the right intended? How their +right restricted?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch59">Chapter LIX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch59-1">§1.</a> Define partnership?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch59-2">§2.</a> In what cases does the act of one partner bind all, and in what does +it not?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch59-3">§3.</a> What cases of association are here mentioned that are not +partnerships?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch59-4">§4.</a> How are they to sue and be sued?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch59-5">§5.</a> What cannot a partner do without the consent of all? What may +dissolve a partnership at any time? §</p> + +<p><a href="#ch59-6">§6.</a> Why should notice of dissolution be published when any partner +withdraws? How else may he become liable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch59-7">§7.</a> How are limited partnerships formed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch59-8">§8.</a> For what amount are the special partners liable? Whose names are +used For what are the general partners liable? If the partnership is to +be dissolved by the act of the parties, what is to be done?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#chLX">Chapter LX.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch60-1">§1.</a> What is a promissory note? Give a form.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-2">§2.</a> What is the effect of inserting "or bearer," or, "or order"? If +payable to order, how is it made negotiable? Why is a note called +negotiable? If not negotiable, how is it to be sued?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-3">§3.</a> What is a blank indorsement? A full indorsement? What is sometimes +done in case of a blank indorsement?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-4">§4.</a> Show, by example, the benefit of making a note payable to order +instead of to bearer.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-5">§5.</a> Why are the words "value received" inserted? Is a note without these +words collectable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-6">§6.</a> In what different ways may notes signed by two or more persons be +written, to be joint, or joint or several?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-7">§7.</a> By Whom may a negotiable note be sued? In what case can a holder of +a note recover upon it, though he received it of a person who had stolen +it?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-8">§8.</a> To what rule is this an exception? Why is this exception?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-9">§9.</a> On the other hand, what is required to protect the owner? What +should the owner do?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-10">§10.</a> What is the risk in buying a note after it has become due? How is +it when no day of payment is expressed? What regulation exists in New +Jersey and Pennsylvania?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-11">§11.</a> What is the law respecting notes payable in some commodity?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-12">§12.</a> When do notes payable on demand, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, become due and suable? Notes payable at sight, or after +sight? If the words "with interest" are omitted, when does interest +commence? If payable on demand, when?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-13">§13.</a> What are days of grace? How do they affect a note?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-14">§14.</a> To bind an indorser, when must payment be demanded?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-15">§15.</a> If payment is refused, how and when is the indorser to be notified?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-16">§16.</a> In case the maker's residence is unknown, how is payment to be +demanded?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch60-17">§17.</a> State the effect of the different modes of guarantying notes.</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch61">Chapter LXI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch61-1">§1.</a> What is a bill of exchange? Give a form.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-2">§2.</a> What are foreign bills of exchange? Inland?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-3">§3.</a> Give an example of its operation and effect?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-4">§4.</a> How is a bill accepted? How is the acceptor liable? How is payment +demanded?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-5">§5.</a> When must bills payable at sight, or a certain day after sight, or +after date, be presented for acceptance? When presented for payment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-6">§6.</a> What is the nature of a bank check?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-7">§7.</a> What is the business of a notary public? Define <i>protest</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-8">§8.</a> What is said of protesting inland bills of exchange?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-9">§9.</a> What is interest?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-10">§10.</a> Give the rates of interest in the different states. What is it in +this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch61-11">§11.</a> What is usury? What is the forfeiture for taking usury in this +state?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch62">Chapter LXII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch62-1">§1.</a> Are the penalties for crimes the same in all the states? Is the +measure of punishment always the same for the same offense, in any +state? Who fixes the measure of punishment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-2">§2.</a> What crimes are punishable by death in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-3">§3.</a> Why are crimes punishable by death called <i>capital</i> crimes? Define +capital.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-4">§4.</a> Define treason.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-5">§5.</a> What is murder? Are there different degrees of murder in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-6">§6.</a> Define manslaughter. How many degrees of manslaughter in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-7">§7.</a> What is arson? Define arson in the first degree. How is this degree +punishable in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-8">§8.</a> What is homicide? When is it felonious? What is justifiable and +excusable homicide?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-9">§9.</a> What is maiming? Kidnapping? What other crimes are here mentioned as +felonies?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-10">§10.</a> What is burglary? Why is the crime deemed greater when committed in +the night time?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-11">§11.</a> Define forgery and counterfeiting?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-12">§12.</a> Define robbery, and an attempt to rob.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-13">§13.</a> What is embezzlement? How is it punishable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-14">§14.</a> What is larceny? What is <i>grand</i>, and what is <i>petit</i> larceny?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-15">§15.</a> What is perjury? What is subornation of perjury?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-16">§16.</a> Define bribery.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-17">§17.</a> What is dueling? Is dueling murder in this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-18">§18.</a> Is aiding a prisoner to escape a crime?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-19">§19.</a> What is bigamy? What is the difference between bigamy and polygamy?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-20">§20.</a> What is incest?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-21">§21.</a> In what case is opening a grave a crime? How is it punishable in +this state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-22">§22.</a> Who are accessories to crime?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-23">§23.</a> Define assault and battery.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-24">§24.</a> What is a riot? How may riots be suppressed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-25">§25.</a> What grade of offense is it for an officer to rescue a prisoner or +voluntarily to suffer him to escape?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-26">§26.</a> What is false imprisonment?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch62-27">§27.</a> What grade of offense are the four offenses last named? What other +misdemeanors are mentioned in this section? Can you name any other?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch63">Chapter LXIII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch63-1">§1.</a> Of what consists the law of nations? What was its early character?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-2">§2.</a> By what means has it been improved?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-3">§3.</a> What particular further improvement is desirable?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-4">§4.</a> What is said of the independence of nations? How, then, is redress +for injuries obtained?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-5">§5.</a> What right has a nation in respect to its government? To this rule, +what exception do some make?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-6">§6.</a> In what cases may one nation assist another in changing its +government?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-7">§7.</a> In what respect are nations mutually dependent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-8">§8.</a> By what law ought all nations to be governed? What does this law +require?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-9">§9.</a> By what names is this law when applied to nations or states called? +Why is it so called?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-10">§10.</a> For what reasons do some writers divide it into the <i>natural</i> and +<i>positive</i> laws of nations?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-11">§11.</a> Define the positive law of nations. How is it divided? Define the +customary law of nations.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-12">§12.</a> What is a conventional law of nations? Define <i>convention</i>.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-13">§13.</a> What is the advantage of conventional law?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-14">§14.</a> By what consideration is the observance of treaties induced?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch63-15">§15.</a> What is a perfect obligation? An imperfect obligation? Why are the +obligations of nations called imperfect?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch64">Chapter LXIV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch64-1">§1.</a> What rights have nations on the seas? By what laws are persons at +sea governed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-2">§2.</a> Over what waters flowing through its territory has a nation +jurisdiction? To what distance on the sea?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-3">§3.</a> What right have other nations to a passage over its lands and +waters? Why is this an imperfect right?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-4">§4.</a> What are the mutual rights and duties of a state and foreign +immigrants?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-5">§5.</a> What is its duty in respect to foreign criminals?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-6">§6.</a> What is said of the responsibility of embassadors? For bad conduct, +how are they punishable? Why are they not amenable to the laws of the +foreign state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-7">§7.</a> What rights have they in countries through which they pass? What is +a passport?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-8">§8.</a> How are embassadors dealt with for disrespectful conduct at a +foreign court?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-9">§9.</a> What do ministers do when they are ill-treated?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-10">§10.</a> If a government, for good cause, refuses to receive a minister, +what is its duty?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-11">§11.</a> What power has a minister in making treaties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch64-12">§12.</a> To what laws are consuls subject? What is their business?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch65">Chapter LXV.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch65-1">§1.</a> Define offensive and defensive war. What are the contending parties +called? Who are neutrals?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-2">§2.</a> What are the proper characteristics of a war?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-3">§3.</a> What are objects of a lawful war?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-4">§4.</a> When is a personal injury to the citizens of one state by those of +another deemed just cause of war?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-5">§5.</a> What ought a government to do before resorting to war to redress +injuries?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-6">§6.</a> How is satisfaction sometimes sought without making war? How are +reprisals made? Define confiscate.</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-7">§7.</a> To justify reprisals, what is necessary?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-8">§8.</a> How far is a nation bound by a treaty of alliance to assist another +in war?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-9">§9.</a> In what cases is it not bound to render the aid?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch65-10">§10.</a> What if the alliance is defensive? Is the government that first +applies force always the aggressor?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch66">Chapter LXVI.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch66-1">§1.</a> How is war usually announced? By what authority?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-2">§2.</a> Is a declaration communicated to the enemy? What is deemed +sufficient?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-3">§3.</a> When war is declared, who are involved in it?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-4">§4.</a> How does war in a state affect the persons and property of the +enemy's subjects found within such state?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-5">§5.</a> How is trade between the two countries affected by the war?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-6">§6.</a> What is necessary to make offensive hostilities lawful? In what case +would such permission be beneficial?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-7">§7.</a> How far does a just war give the right to take the life of the +enemy?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-8">§8.</a> How are prisoners of war to be treated? What is said about the +exchange and ransom of prisoners?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-9">§9.</a> What kinds of property may not, and what may, be destroyed?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-10">§10.</a> What is said of stratagems?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-11">§11.</a> Of spies?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-12">§12.</a> In what kind of war is the destruction of private property lawful? +On what ground?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-13">§13.</a> What are privateers? What are their owners authorized to do? How is +privateering encouraged?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-14">§14.</a> How is the abuse of this right prevented?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-15">§15.</a> State the proceedings of the captors and the court, in cases of +capture?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch66-16">§16.</a> Who has the primary right to all prizes? How do the citizens get +any interest in them?</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#ch67">Chapter LXVII.</a></h3> + + +<p><a href="#ch67-1">§1.</a> To what is a neutral nation bound? What kind of aid to an enemy is +unlawful?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-2">§2.</a> How is the trade of a neutral affected by war? With what may she +still supply a belligerent?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-3">§3.</a> What is said of the right of a neutral to carry the goods in such +cases?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-4">§4.</a> What are prohibited articles called? What goods are contraband?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-5">§5.</a> What is done with contraband goods? In what cases is the vessel also +confiscated?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-6">§6.</a> What is a blockade? Its object? How does it affect neutrals?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-7">§7.</a> What is necessary to a lawful blockade? In case a place is blockaded +by sea only, how may trade be carried on with it?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-8">§8.</a> What is the right of search? What vessels are subject to search?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-9">§9.</a> In what case is the property of an enemy in a neutral vessel liable +to seizure? What is done with the property of neutrals found in an +enemy's vessel?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-10">§10.</a> What may not a neutral permit in her ports? What may not her +citizens do?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-11">§11.</a> For what purposes are hostilities sometimes suspended? When is the +suspension called a suspension of arms? In what cases a truce? What is +the difference between a partial and a general truce?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-12">§12.</a> How are the contracting parties and their citizens affected by a +truce?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-13">§13.</a> How is peace generally secured?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-14">§14.</a> When do treaties of peace take effect between the parties?</p> + +<p><a href="#ch67-15">§15.</a> How is the service of mediation performed?</p> + +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Government Class Book, by Andrew W. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Government Class Book + Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles + of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of + Citizens. + + +Author: Andrew W. Young + +Release Date: March 10, 2005 [EBook #15319] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOVERNMENT CLASS BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: In the original book, questions appeared at the +bottom of each page. These questions have been compiled at the end of +the text.] + + + + +The Government Class Book; + +Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of +Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. + +By Andrew W. Young, + +Author of "Science of Government," "First Lessons in Civil Government," +"American Statesman," "Citizen's Manual of Government and Law." + + +NEW-YORK: +J. C. DERBY & N. C. MILLER, +5 SPRUCE STREET, TRIBUNE BUILDINGS. +1865. + + + + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by Andrew W. +Young, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Northern District of New York. + + + + +Preface. + + + +The utility of the diffusion of political knowledge among a people +exercising the right of self-government, is universally admitted. The +form of government established by the people of the United States, +though well adapted to promote the general welfare, is highly +complicated; and the knowledge requisite to administer it successfully +can not be acquired without much study. From the fact that a large +portion of the American people are greatly deficient in this knowledge, +we may justly conclude that it will never become general, until it shall +have been made an object of school instruction. + +The administration of the government of this great and rapidly +increasing republic, will, in a few years, devolve upon those who are +now receiving instruction in the public schools. Yet thousands annually +complete their school education, who have never devoted any time to the +study of the principles of the government in which they are soon to take +a part--who become invested with political power without the preparation +necessary to exercise it with discretion. The schools are regarded as +the nurseries of our future statesmen. They share largely in the bounty +of the state; yet few of them render in return even the rudiments of +political science to those who are to become her legislators, and +governors, and judges. Not only in the common schools generally, but in +a large portion of the high schools and seminaries, this science is not +included in the course of instruction. + +To many of the most enlightened friends of education and of our free +institutions, it has long been a matter of surprise as well as regret, +that those to whom the educational interests of the states are more +immediately intrusted, should so long have treated the study in question +as of minor importance, or have suffered it to be excluded by studies of +far less practical utility. The Regents of the University of the State +of New York have repeatedly noticed the neglect of this study in the +academies and seminaries subject to their visitation; and they mention +it as a remarkable fact, that in many of them preference is given to the +study of the Grecian and Roman antiquities. They say: "The +constitutions, laws, manners, and customs of ancient Greece and Rome are +made subjects of regular study, quarter after quarter, while our own +constitutional jurisprudence, and the every day occurring principles of +our civil jurisprudence, are not admitted as a part of the academic +course!" + +To persons who are to engage in any of the industrial or professional +pursuits, a preparatory course of training or discipline is deemed +indispensable to success. Yet many assume the weighty responsibilities +of freemen, and allow their sons to do the same, with scarcely any +knowledge of a freeman's duties. On the intelligent exercise of +political power, the public prosperity and the security of our liberties +mainly depend. Every person, therefore, who is entitled to the rights of +a citizen, is justly held responsible for the proper performance of his +political duties. And any course of popular instruction which fails to +impart a knowledge of our system of government, must be materially +defective. + +With a view to supply this deficiency, the author, many years since, +prepared his "Introduction to the Science of Government." This work soon +attained considerable popularity, both as a class book in schools, and +as a book for private reading and reference for adults. Not being +deemed, however, sufficiently _elementary_ for the children and youth +in most of our common schools, another work, entitled, "_First Lessons +in Civil Government_," was written to meet the capacities of younger or +less advanced scholars than those for whom the previous work was +designed. + +The favorable reception of these works by the public, and the assurances +of their usefulness to thousands who have studied them, are to the +author a source of high gratification, and an ample reward for many +years of arduous labor. The value of these works has, however, been in a +measure impaired by changes in the government and laws since the time of +their first publication. The latter, especially, descending so minutely +into the details of the government of the state for which alone it is +intended, requires frequent revisions. + +It has occurred to the author that a new work, more permanent in the +character of its matter, and adapted for use in all the states, is +demanded to supply the deficiency in the present course of education. +Stimulated by a desire to bear some part in laying a solid foundation +for our republican institutions, and encouraged by the success of his +former labors in this department of education, he has, after a +suspension of several years, resumed his efforts in this enterprise, in +the hope that, with the cooeperation of teachers, and those having +official supervision of the schools, it may be carried forward to an +early consummation; when the principles of government shall be made a +subject of regular study in the schools, and the elements of a sound +political education shall be accessible to the mass of American youth. +And he flatters himself, that the attention he has given to this subject +has enabled him to prepare a work adapted, in a good degree, to meet the +existing want of the schools. + +Many words and phrases, as they occur in the course of the work, have +been defined; and an attempt has been made to explain the several +subjects in such a manner as to render them intelligible to youth. + +The object which it is the purpose of this work to aid in effecting, +claims the earnest attention of parents. Every father, at least, is +bound to see that his sons have the means of acquiring a good political +education. He can not innocently suffer them to pass from under his +guardianship unprepared to discharge their political duties. + +The study of this work should not be confined to male pupils. It has +long been considered a striking defect in our system of education, that +females are not more generally instructed in the principles of civil +government, and in matters of business. Although they take no active +part in public affairs, the knowledge here commended would enable them +to exert a far more powerful and salutary influence upon our national +character and destiny. As wives, mothers, teachers, and especially as +counselors of the other sex, they could apply this knowledge to valuable +purposes. And the question is submitted, whether it would not contribute +more to their usefulness than some of those accomplishments which form +so large a part of a modern female education, and which are usually lost +amidst the cares of married life. + +To preserve and transmit the blessings of constitutional liberty, we +need a healthful patriotism. But a genuine love of country is hardly to +be expected where there is not a proper appreciation of our political +institutions, which give it its preeminence among nations. And how can +they be duly appreciated if they are not understood? It has been one of +the objects of the writer to bring to view the chief excellencies of our +system of government, and thus to lay, in the minds of youth, the basis +of an enlightened and conservative patriotism. + +That this work, as an elementary treatise on civil government, is not +susceptible of improvement, is not pretended. Such as it is, it is +submitted to the judgment of a candid public. If it shall prove in any +considerable degree useful, the author's highest expectations will have +been realized. + + + +To Teachers. + + +To the meritorious, though often undervalued labors of the instructors +of American youth, is our country greatly indebted for the successful +working of its system of free government; and upon the labors of their +successors rest, in an equal degree, all well-founded hopes of its +future political prosperity. + +The general introduction and profitable study of this work, depend much +upon a hearty and active cooeperation of teachers in the enterprise which +it is intended to promote. From all who desire to make themselves in the +highest degree useful in their profession, such cooeperation is +confidently anticipated. + +The advantage of instructing a class in civil government, is not +confined to the pupils. The teacher will find the exercise both +interesting and profitable to himself. Although pains have been taken to +adapt the work to the capacities of youth, the definition of many terms +and phrases, and the further explanation of many subjects, have +necessarily been left to be supplied by teachers. The study and +investigation which may in some cases be required to qualify them for +the task, will be amply rewarded by their own advancement in political +knowledge. + +No intelligent teacher, it is presumed, will object to the introduction +of this study, on the ground that there is not sufficient time or room +for an additional exercise. Useful as all the branches now taught may be +justly deemed, all of them are not, as is a knowledge of government, +indispensable to the security of our liberties. The latter is of far +greater importance to an American citizen, than a knowledge of some +portions of arithmetic and the higher mathematics; and in the opinion of +some distinguished educators the time now devoted to these, in many +schools, is sufficient to acquire a tolerable political education. It is +believed, however, that this study need not exclude, or essentially +interfere with, any of the studies pursued in the schools generally. By +the more advanced scholars in the common schools, the work may be used +as a reading book, and thus a two-fold advantage be gained from its use. + +To assist the more inexperienced teachers in conducting the exercise, a +few questions have been appended to the chapters. Questions may be added +by the teachers at pleasure, or to such extent as may be thought +necessary. And it is believed the recitations may be made more +profitable to pupils, by requiring them, so far as may be, to give +answers in their own words. To some of the printed questions, no answers +are furnished by the chapters and sections referred to, but may be found +in the Synopsis of the State Constitutions, or other parts of the work. +Occasionally questions have been inserted to which no part of the work +furnishes the answers. + + + + +Contents + + + +Principles of Government. + + +Chapter I. + + Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws + +Chapter II. + + Rights and Liberty, defined + +Chapter III. + + Laws defined + +Chapter IV. + + Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; + Republic + + + +State Governments. + + +Chapter V. + + The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the manner in which + it is made + +Chapter VI. + + Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is + exercised in the States of this Union + +Chapter VII. + + Elections + +Chapter VIII. + + Division of the Powers of Government + +Chapter IX. + + States Legislatures--how constituted + +Chapter X. + + Meetings and Organization of the Legislature + +Chapter XI. + + Manner of Enacting Laws + +Chapter XII. + + Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant Governor + +Chapter XIII. + + Assistant Executive State Officers + +Chapter XIV. + + Counties and County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers + +Chapter XV. + + Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers + +Chapter XVI. + + Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c. + +Chapter XVII. + + Judicial Department. Justices' Courts + +Chapter XVIII. + + Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders + +Chapter XIX. + + Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c. + +Chapter XX. + + Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment + +Chapter XXI. + + Assessment and Collection of Taxes + +Chapter XXII. + + Education. School Funds; Schools, &c. + +Chapter XXIII. + + Canals and Railroads + +Chapter XXIV. + + Banks and Insurance Companies + +Chapter XXV. + + The Militia + + + +Government of the United States. + + +Chapter XXVI. + + Causes of the Revolution + +Chapter XXVII. + + Nature of the Union under the Confederation + +Chapter XXVIII. + + Nature of the Union under the Constitution + +Chapter XXIX. + + Legislative Department. House of Representatives + +Chapter XXX. + + The Senate + +Chapter XXXI. + + Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money + +Chapter XXXII. + + Power to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations + +Chapter XXXIII. + + Power to Regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among + the States, and with the Indian Tribes + +Chapter XXXIV. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; + Coining Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting + +Chapter XXXV. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Post-Offices; Copy-Rights and + Patents; Inferior Courts + +Chapter XXXVI. + + Powers of Congress in Relation to Piracy and Offenses against the + Law of Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal; Public Defense; District + of Columbia; Implied Powers + +Chapter XXXVII. + + Prohibitions on Congress + +Chapter XXXVIII. + + Prohibition on the States + +Chapter XXXIX. + + Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, + Qualifications, &c. + +Chapter XL. + + Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; + Appointments and Removals + +Chapter XLI. + + Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the + Treasury, of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; + Attorney General + +Chapter XLII. + + Judicial Department. District Courts; Circuit Courts; Supreme Court + +Chapter XLIII. + + Treason Defined, its Punishment + +Chapter XLIV. + + State Records; Privileges of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New + States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government + +Chapter XLV. + + Provision for Amendments; Assumptions of Public Debt; Supremacy of + the Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the + Constitution + +Chapter XLVI. + + Amendments to the Constitution + + + +Common and Statutory Law. + + +Chapter XLVII. + + Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious + Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property + +Chapter XLVIII. + + Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife + +Chapter XLIX. + + Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; + Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants + +Chapter L. + + Rights of Property. How Title to Property is acquired; Wills and + Testaments; Title to Property by Descent + +Chapter LI. + + Deeds and Mortgages + +Chapter LII. + + Incorporeal Hereditaments, Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c. + +Chapter LIII. + + Leases. Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; + Estates by Sufferance; Rent, &c. + +Chapter LIV. + + Contracts in General + +Chapter LV. + + Contracts of Sale + +Chapter LVI. + + Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c. + +Chapter LVII. + + Bailment + +Chapter LVIII. + + Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c. + +Chapter LIX. + + Partnership + +Chapter LX. + + Promissory Notes + +Chapter LXI. + + Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury + +Chapter LXII. + + Crimes and Misdemeanors + + + +Law of Nations. + + +Chapter LXIII. + + Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, + and Conventional Laws of Nations + +Chapter LXIV. + + The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; + the Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c. + +Chapter LXV. + + Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes of War; Reprisals; + Alliances in War + +Chapter LXVI. + + Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the + Enemy's Subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering + +Chapter LXVII. + + Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; + Right of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of + Peace + + +Synopsis of the State Constitutions. + +Maine +New Hampshire +Vermont +Massachusetts +Rhode Island +Connecticut +New York +New Jersey +Pennsylvania +Delaware +Maryland +Virginia +North Carolina +South Carolina +Georgia +Florida +Alabama +Mississippi +Louisiana +Texas +Arkansas +Missouri +Tennessee +Kentucky +Ohio +Indiana +Illinois +Michigan +Wisconsin +Iowa +California +Minnesota + +Constitution of the United States + + + + + +Government Class Book. + + + + + +Principles of Government. + + + + +Chapter I. + +Mankind fitted for Society, and for Civil Government and Laws. + + + +Sec.1. Mankind are social beings. They are by nature fitted for society. By +this we mean that they are naturally disposed to associate with each +other. Indeed, such is their nature, that they could not be happy +without such association. Hence we conclude that the Creator has +designed men for society. It can not, therefore, be true, as some say, +that the savage state is the natural state of man. + +Sec.2. Man is so formed that he is dependent upon his fellow men. He has +not the natural strength of other animals. He needs the assistance of +creatures like himself to protect and preserve his own being. We can +hardly imagine how a person could procure the necessaries of life +without such assistance. But men have the gifts of reason and speech. By +conversation they are enabled to improve their reason and increase their +knowledge, and to find methods of supplying their wants, and of +improving their social condition. + +Sec.3. But, although men need the assistance of each other, they are so +formed that each must have the care of himself. If every man were fed +and clothed from a common store, provided by the labor of all, many, +depending upon the labor of others, would be less industrious than they +now are. By the present arrangement in society, which obliges every man +to provide for his own wants, more is earned, a greater number are cared +for, and the general welfare is better promoted than would be done if +each labored for the benefit of all. + + +Sec.4. From this arrangement comes the right of property. If each man's +earnings should go into a common stock for the use of all, there would +be nothing that any one could call his own. But if each is to provide +for himself, he must have a right to use and enjoy the fruits of his own +labor. + +Sec.5. But all men in society have the same rights. Therefore, in laboring +to supply our wants, and to gratify our desires, we can not rightfully +do so any further than is consistent with the rights of others. Hence we +see the necessity of some established rules for securing to every member +of society the free enjoyment of what justly belongs to him, and for +regulating his conduct toward his fellow-members. + +Sec.6. These rules for regulating the social actions of men, are called +laws. _Law_, in a general sense, is a rule of action, and is applied to +all kinds of action. But in its limited and proper sense, it denotes the +rules of human action prescribing what men are to do, and forbidding +what they are not to do. + +Sec.7. We have seen that man is fitted for society, and that laws are +necessary to govern the conduct of men in the social state. We see also +that mankind are fitted by nature for government and laws. Man is also a +moral being. The word _moral_ has various significations. Sometimes it +means only virtuous, or just; as, a moral man; that is, a man of moral +character, or who lives a moral life; by which is meant that the conduct +of the man is just and right. + +Sec.8. But in a wider sense, the word moral relates to the social actions +of men, both right and wrong. Thus, in speaking of the character of a +man, we say, his morals are good, or his morals are bad. And of an +action, we say, it is morally right, or it is morally wrong. Man's +having a moral nature implies that he has a sense of right and wrong, or +at least the power or faculty of acquiring it; and, being a moral agent, +he is accountable for his actions. + +Sec.9. Thus we have seen that men are social, reasonable, and moral beings. +They have power to discern their own wants and the wants of their fellow +men; to perceive what is right and what is wrong; and to know that they +ought to do what is right and to forbear to do what is wrong. Their +reason enables them to understand the meaning of laws, and to discover +what laws are necessary to regulate the social actions of men. Hence we +conclude that they are fitted and designed for society, and for +government and law. + +Sec.10. The youngest reader probably knows, that in speaking of society, we +do not refer to any of those associations usually called societies, but +to _civil_ society, composed of the people of a state or nation. A +_nation_, or _state_, is a large number of persons united under some +form of government; as, the French nation; the British nation; or the +state of New-York; the state of Virginia. Sometimes it signifies the +ruling or governing power of a state or nation, as, the state has +provided for educating its citizens, and for supporting the poor. + +Sec.11. The object of the people in forming a state association, or, as is +sometimes said, of entering into civil society, is to promote their +mutual safety and happiness. In uniting for this purpose, they agree to +be governed by certain established rules and principles; and the +governing of the people of a state or nation according to these rules, +is called _civil government_. The word _government_ also signifies the +rules and principles themselves by which the people are governed; and +sometimes the persons who administer the government--that is those who +make the laws of a state and carry them into effect--are called _the +government_. + + + + +Chapter II. + +Rights and Liberty, defined. + + + +Sec.1. We have spoken of the rights of men, and of laws as designed to +secure to men the free enjoyment of their rights. But a more particular +definition of rights and laws will be useful to young persons just +commencing the study of civil government. + +Sec.2. A _right_ means ownership, or the just claim or lawful title which a +person has to anything. What we have acquired by honest labor, or other +lawful means, is rightfully our own; and we are justly entitled to the +free use and enjoyment of it. We have a right also to be free in our +actions. We may go where we please, and do what ever we think necessary +for our own safety and happiness; provided we do not trespass upon the +rights of others; for it must be remembered that others have the same +rights as ourselves. + +Sec.3. The rights here mentioned are _natural_ rights. They are so called +because they are ours by nature or by birth; and they can not be justly +taken from us or alienated. Hence they are also called _inalienable_. We +may, however, forfeit them by some offense or crime. If, for example, a +man is fined for breaking a law, he loses his right to the money he is +obliged to pay. By stealing, he forfeits his liberty, and may be justly +imprisoned. By committing murder, he forfeits his right to life, and may +be hanged. + +Sec.4. Rights are also called personal, political, civil, and religious. +_Personal rights_, or the _rights of persons_, are rights belonging to +persons as individuals, and consist of the right of _personal security_, +or the right to be secure from injury to our bodies, or persons, or our +good names; the right of _personal liberty_, or the liberty of moving, +acting, or speaking without unjust restraint; and the _right of +property_, or the right to acquire and enjoy property. The terms +_rights of person_ and _rights of persons_, or _personal rights_, have +not the same meaning. The rights of person, as the term is generally +used, does not include the right of property; personal rights include +both the right of property and the rights of person. + +Sec.5. _Political rights_ are those which belong to the people in their +political capacity. The word _political_, in a general sense, relates to +government. The whole body of the people united under one government, is +called the political body, or body politic. The right of the people to +choose and establish for themselves a form of government, or +constitution, and the right to elect persons to make and execute the +laws, are political rights. The right of voting at elections is +therefore a political right. + +Sec.6. _Civil rights_ are those which are secured to the citizens by the +laws of the state. Some make no distinction between civil rights and +political rights. In a proper sense--that in which the terms are here +used--there is this difference: political rights are those secured by +the political or fundamental law, called the constitution; civil rights +are more properly those which are secured by the civil or municipal +laws. The difference will more clearly appear from the definition +elsewhere given of the political and civil laws. (Chap. III. Sec.5, 6.) + +Sec.7. _Religious rights_ consist in the right of a man to make known and +maintain his religious opinions, and to worship God in that way and +manner which he believes in his conscience to be most acceptable to his +Maker. This right is called also the _right of conscience_. But in +exercising this right, a man may not abuse it by violating the rights of +others, or disturbing the peace and order of society. + +Sec.8. Now, although human rights are thus divided into classes and +differently defined, they are all natural rights. It is generally held +in this country as a truth, that "all men are created equal;" that is, +born with the same rights. And if men, as social and moral beings, are +fitted by _nature_ and designed for government and laws, we conclude +that their political, civil, and religious rights, and all other rights +to which they are entitled by the law of nature, are natural rights. + +Sec.9. _Liberty_ is the being free to exercise and enjoy our rights, and is +called natural, political, civil, or religious, according to the +particular class of rights referred to. Thus the exercise of rights +guarantied by the constitution or political law, is called political +liberty. The free enjoyment of rights secured by the civil or municipal +laws, is called civil liberty. And freedom of religious opinion and +worship is called religious liberty. + +Sec.10. Hence liberty itself is a natural right. The words _right_ and +_liberty_, however, have not the same meaning. We may have a right to a +thing when we have not the liberty of using it. John has a pencil which +is justly his own; but James takes it from him by force. John's liberty +to enjoy the use of his pencil is lost, but his right to it remains. +James has no right to the use of the pencil, though he enjoys the use of +it. + +Sec.11. This example serves also to explain further the use of the +different terms applied to rights and liberty. John's right to his +pencil, being guarantied to him by the laws of civil society, is a +_civil_ right. It is with equal propriety called a _natural_ right, +because, by the law of nature, he has a right to the use of his pencil. + + + + +Chapter III. + +Laws, defined. + + + +Sec.1. Law has been briefly defined. (Chap. 1. Sec.6.) As in the case of +rights and liberty, laws are distinguished by different names; as, the +law of nature, or natural law; the moral law; the law of revelation, or +revealed law; the political law; the civil or municipal law. + +Sec.2. The _law of nature_, is of the highest possible authority, being +established by the supreme Lawgiver himself. It is called the law of +nature, because it is right in itself--right in the nature of things, +and ought to be obeyed, though no positive command had ever been given +to men. It is a perfect rule of right for all moral and social beings. +It is that eternal rule of right to which God himself conforms. + +Sec.3. The law of nature, as a rule of human action, arises out of man's +relation to his Maker and to his fellow men. As a creature, he must be +subject to the laws of his Creator, on whom he is dependent. He is also +in a measure dependent upon his fellow beings. All being created equal, +each is bound by the principles of natural justice to render to others +that assistance which is necessary to make them as happy as himself, or +which they justly owe to him in return. + +Sec.4. The _moral law_ is that which prescribes to men their duties to God +and to each other. As a rule of human conduct therefore, it corresponds +exactly to the law of nature. The moral law is briefly expressed in the +decalogue or ten commandments, and is still more briefly summed up in +the two great commandments, to love God with all our heart and to love +our neighbor as ourselves. God being its author, it is called the +_divine law_; and, being found in the Holy Scriptures, in which his will +is revealed to mankind, it is called the _revealed law_, or _law of +revelation_. + +Sec.5. _Political law_, as has been observed, is that system or form of +fundamental rules, called the constitution, by which the people in their +political capacity, or as a body politic, agree to be governed. The +nature of this law will more clearly appear from a more particular +definition of constitution, and from a description of the manner in +which a constitution is made. (Chap. V.) + +Sec.6. The word _municipal_ was used by the Romans to designate that which +related to a _municipium_, which was a free town, or city. The rights of +a citizen of such free city or town were called _municipal rights_, and +its officers were called _municipal officers_. In this country, the word +is not only used in this limited sense, but is extended to what +pertains to a state. Hence the body of laws which prescribe the duties +of the citizens of a state, are called the _municipal_ or _civil law_. +And the term is used to distinguish the laws made by the legislature, or +law-making power of the state, from the constitution, or political law, +adopted by the people in their political capacity. + +Sec.7. If, as has been said, the laws of the Creator form a perfect rule of +conduct for all mankind, and ought in all cases to be obeyed, then all +human law ought to agree with the divine law. If a human law is contrary +to the divine law, or if it requires us to disobey the commands of God, +it is not binding, and should not be obeyed. So the Scriptures teach. +They speak approvingly of men who disobeyed human authority, and who +gave as the reason, that it was their duty to obey God rather than men; +and they furnish many examples of good men who submitted to severe +punishment, even to death, rather than do what they knew to be contrary +to the divine will. + +Sec.8. But although the divine will as revealed in the Scriptures, is a +perfect rule or law for all mankind, and although human laws ought to +conform to the divine law, yet it would be impossible to govern the +people of a state by that law alone. The divine law is broad, and +comprehends rules to teach men their whole duty; but it does not specify +every particular act of duty. Much of it consists of general principles +to which particular acts must be made to conform. It requires men to +deal justly with each other; but men do not always agree as to what is +right. Human laws, therefore, become necessary to declare what shall be +considered just and right between man and man. + +Sec.9. It may be observed, further, that all the divine precepts could not +be carried into effect in civil government. They are spiritual, and +reach to the thoughts and intents of the heart. They require us to love +our Creator supremely, and our neighbor as ourselves; in other words, to +do to others as we would that they should do to us. But as the +omniscient God only knows when men fail in these duties, no human +authority could enforce such a law. Human laws, therefore, have respect +chiefly to the outward acts of men, and are designed to regulate their +intercourse with each other. + +Sec.10. Although the laws of the state can not compel men to fulfill the +great law of love, it is nevertheless morally binding upon all. A +perfectly holy Creator could consistently require of his moral and +accountable creatures nothing less than supreme love to himself, and +equal love to one another. This, as has been remarked, is in accordance +with the law of nature, which is right in the nature of things. (Chap. +III. Sec.2, 3.) + +Sec.11. While the divine law accords perfectly with the principles of +natural justice, the giving of it to mankind manifests the wisdom and +benevolence of the supreme Lawgiver. Man is so formed, that it is for +his highest happiness strictly to obey this law. The generous man, in +relieving the wants of others, contributes to his own happiness. The boy +who divides an apple with his fellow, is more happy than he would be if +he retained the whole to himself. It is generally true, that, in +performing acts of kindness and charity to others, we most effectually +promote our own happiness, and feel the saying to be true, "It is more +blessed to give than to receive." + + + + +Chapter IV. + +Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy; +Republic. + + + +Sec.1. Governments have existed in a great variety of forms. The earliest +governments of which we have any knowledge, are the patriarchal. +_Patriarch_, from the Greek, _pater_, father, and _arkos_, chief, or +head, means the father and ruler of a family. This kind of government +prevailed in the early ages of the world, and in a state of society in +which the people dwelt together in families or tribes, and were not yet +formed into states or nations. The patriarchal government existed before +the flood, and for a long period afterward. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, +the fathers of the Hebrew race, as also the sons of Jacob, the heads of +the twelve tribes, were called patriarchs. + +Sec.2. After their departure from Egypt, the government of the Hebrews was +a _theocracy_. This word is from _theos_, God, and _kratos_, power, and +signifies a government by the immediate direction of God. The laws by +which they were governed were given to them on Mount Sinai by God +himself, their leader and king. This theocratic form of government, with +some changes, existed until the coming of the Messiah. + +Sec.3. But the forms of government which have most prevailed, are +designated by the terms, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, or +republic. These words severally indicate by what persons, and in what +manner, the governing power of a state is exercised. This power is +usually called the _sovereign_, or _supreme_ power. Where kings rule, +they are called sovereign; and where the power is in the hands of the +people, the people are sovereign. In the strict sense of the term, +however, entire sovereignty, or supreme power, exists only where power +is exercised by one man, or a single body of men, uncontrolled or +unrestrained by laws or by any other power. But in a more general sense, +it is that power in a state which is superior to all other powers within +the same. + +Sec.4. A form of government in which the supreme power is in the hands of +one person, is called a monarchy. The word _monarch_ is from two Greek +words, _monos_ sole or only, and _arkos_, a chief; and is a general name +for a single ruler, whether he is called king, emperor, or prince. A +government in which all power resides in or proceeds from one person, is +an _absolute_ monarchy. If the power of the monarch is restrained by +laws or by some other power, it is called a _limited_ monarchy. + +Sec.5. A monarchy is called _hereditary_ in which the throne passes from +father to son, or from the monarch to his successor, by inheritance. On +the death of a sovereign, the eldest son is usually heir to the crown; +or if there is no son, it falls to the daughter, or some other relative. +A monarchy is _elective_, where, on the death of the ruler, his +successor is appointed by an election. A few such monarchies have +existed. + +Sec.6. An absolute monarchy is sometimes called _despotism_. The word +_despot_ is from the Greek, and means _master_, or _lord_. It has nearly +the same meaning as _tyrant_, which also is from the Greek, and +signifies _king_. These words at first meant simply a single ruler. They +are now applied, for the most part, to rulers who exercise authority +over their subjects with severity. In an absolute despotism, the monarch +has entire control over his subjects. They have no law but the will of +the ruler, who has at command a large force of armed men to keep his +people in subjection. The governments of Russia and Turkey are highly +despotic. + +Sec.7. An _aristocracy_ is a form of government in which the power is +exercised by a privileged order of men, distinguished for their rank and +wealth. The word _aristocracy_ is from the Greek word _aristos_, best, +and _kratos_, power, or _krateo_, to govern; and means a government of +the best. It is also used for the nobility of a country under a +monarchical government. _Nobles_ are persons of rank above the common +people, and bear some title of honor. The titles of the English nobility +are those of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. These titles are +hereditary, being derived from birth. In some cases they are conferred +upon persons by the king. + +Sec.8. A _democracy_ is a government of the people; the word democracy +being from the Greek _demos_, the people, and _krateo_, to govern. In a +government purely democratic, the great body of freemen meet in one +assembly to make and execute the laws. There were some such governments +in ancient Greece; but they necessarily comprised small territories, +scarcely more than a single town. The freemen of a state could not all +meet in a single assembly. + +Sec.9. The government of this country, though a government of the people, +is not one of the kind just described; it is a republic. A _republic_ is +a government in which the power to enact and execute the laws is +exercised by representatives, who are persons elected by the people to +act for them. Yet, as not only the election of representatives, but the +adoption of the constitution or form of government itself is the act of +the people; and as, therefore, all power comes from the people, the +government is also democratic; and is properly called a _democratic +republic_, or a _representative democracy_. + +Sec.10. A republic is sometimes also called a _commonwealth_. _Common_ +signifies general, and is applied to what belongs to or is used by the +people generally. _Weal_ means welfare or happiness. _Wealth_ also was +formerly sometimes used for weal. Hence _commonwealth_ means strictly +the _common good_, or the _common happiness_. In a general sense it +signifies a state; but it is properly applied to a free state, one in +which the people enjoy common rights and privileges. Hence every state +in the union is a commonwealth or republic. + + + + + +State Governments. + + + + +Chapter V. + +The Nature and Objects of a Constitution, and the Manner in which it is +made. + + + +Sec.1. Of all the different forms of government which have existed, a +republican government, on the plan of that which has been established in +this country, is believed to be best adapted to secure the liberties of +a people, and to promote the general welfare. Under the reign of a wise +and virtuous ruler, the rights of person and property may be fully +enjoyed, and the people may be in a good degree prosperous. But the +requisite virtue and wisdom have seldom been found in any one man or a +few men. And experience has proved that the objects of civil government +may be best secured by a written constitution founded upon the will or +consent of the people. + +Sec.2. The word _constitute_ is from the Latin, and signifies _to set_, to +fix, to establish. _Constitution_, when used in a political sense, means +the established form of government of a state. In a free government, +like ours, it is properly called the _political law_, being established +by the people as a body politic, or political body. (Chap. III, +Sec.5.) It is also called the _fundamental law_, because it is the +_foundation_ of all other laws of the state, which are enacted by the +legislature for regulating intercourse between the citizens, and are +called the _municipal_ or _civil_ law, and must conform to the +fundamental, or political law. + +Sec.3. A constitution is in the nature of an agreement between a whole +community or body politic and each of its members. This agreement or +contract implies, that each one binds himself to the whole, and the +whole bind themselves to each one, that all shall be governed by certain +laws and regulations for the common good. + +Sec.4. The nature of a constitution will further appear from the manner in +which it is made. It is evident that a people, in establishing a +constitution, must have some right or authority to act in the business. +Whence this right is derived, we will not now stop to inquire. There is, +however, somewhere power to enact a law authorizing the people to make a +constitution and prescribing the manner in which it is to be made. + +Sec.5. In forming a constitution, the people must act collectively. But +their number is too large to meet in a single assembly. Therefore they +choose a small number to act for them. One or more are chosen in each +county, or smaller district, and are called delegates. A _delegate_ is a +person appointed by another with power to transact business as his +representative. The assembly composed of the delegates so elected, is +called _convention_; a name given to most public meetings other than +legislative assemblies. Delegate and representative are words of nearly +the same meaning. The latter, however, usually designates a person +chosen to assist in making the laws of the state. + +Sec.6. The rules agreed upon by the convention as a basis of government, +are arranged in proper form. The several portions relating to the +different subjects are called articles, and numbered; and the articles +are divided into sections, which also are numbered. But what has been +thus prepared by the convention is not yet a constitution. It is only a +draft of one, and can not become a constitution without the consent of +the people to be given at an election. If a majority of the persons +voting at such election vote in favor of the proposed constitution, it +is adopted, and becomes the constitution of the state. + +Sec.7. One of the most valuable rights of the people under a free +government, is the right to have a constitution of their own choice. +Indeed it is in this right that their freedom principally consists. It +is by the constitution that their rights are secured. All the people +join in establishing the constitution; but they do not all unite in +making and executing the laws; in other words, they do not themselves +administer the government; this is done by their representatives. But if +these should enact unjust and oppressive laws; the people, having by +their constitution reserved the right to displace them, may do so by +electing others in their stead. + +Sec.8. In an absolute monarchy the people have no political rights--the +right to establish a form of government for themselves, and the right to +elect those who are to make and administer the laws. The monarch has +entire control over his subjects. He can take their lives and property +when he pleases. His will is their law; and he has at command a large +force of armed men to keep his people in subjection. + +Sec.9. In a limited monarchy, the people have some political rights. Such a +monarchy is Great Britain. The king or sovereign is in a measure +restrained by laws; and he can not make laws alone. The laws are framed +and agreed to by parliament, and must be approved by the king or queen. +Parliament consists of two bodies of men, the house of lords and the +house of commons. The members of the latter are elected by the people, +who, in such election, exercise a political right. + +Sec.10. But the political right of establishing a constitution or form of +government, is not enjoyed by the people of that country. They have no +written instrument, like ours, called constitution, adopted by the +people. What is there called the constitution, is the aggregate or sum +of laws, principles, and customs, which have been formed in the course +of centuries. There is therefore no restraint upon the power of +parliament; hence no law which may be enacted is contrary to the +constitution; and the people have not the same security against the +enactment of unjust laws as the people of the United States. + + + + +Chapter VI. + +Qualifications of Electors; or, by whom Political Power is exercised in +the States of this Union. + + + +Sec.1. One of the first provisions usually inserted in a constitution of a +free state, is that which declares who shall be allowed to take a part +in the government; that is, to whom the political power shall be +intrusted. As this power is exercised by voting at elections, the +constitution very properly prescribes the qualifications of electors, +or, in other words, declares what shall be necessary to entitle a man to +the right of voting, or the right of suffrage. When, therefore, we speak +of the people politically, we mean those only who are qualified +electors. + +Sec.2. To be competent to exercise the right of suffrage, a person must be +a freeman, or, as we sometimes say, he should be his own master. While +under the control of a parent or guardian, he might be constrained to +act contrary to his own judgment. All our state constitutions, +therefore, give this right only to free male citizens of the age of +twenty-one years and upwards; twenty-one years being the age at which +young men become free to act for themselves. + +Sec.3. But even if this freedom were obtained at an earlier age, it would +not be expedient to bestow this right upon persons so young. They have +not the necessary knowledge and judgment to act with discretion. Some +are competent at an earlier age; but a constitution can make no +distinction between citizens. It has therefore, in accordance with the +general opinion, fixed the time at the age of twenty-one, when men shall +be deemed capable of exercising the rights and performing the duties of +freemen. + +Sec.4. That a man may vote understandingly, he must have resided long +enough in the state to have become acquainted with its government and +laws, and to have learned the character and qualifications of the +persons for whom he votes. State constitutions therefore require, that +electors shall have resided in the state for a specified period of time, +varying, however, in the different states from three months to two +years. In most of the states, they must also have resided for some +months in the county or district, and be residents of the town in which +they offer to vote. + +Sec.5. But in giving the right of suffrage to all free male citizens +twenty-one years of age, it is not given to every _man_, because all +_men_ of that age are not citizens. Persons born in foreign countries +and residing here are _aliens_, and are not entitled to the political +rights of persons born in this country. They are presumed to have too +little knowledge of our government, and to feel too little interest in +public affairs, on their first coming hither, to be duly qualified for +the exercise of political power. Laws, however, have been enacted for +naturalizing aliens after they shall have resided here long enough to +become acquainted with and attached to our government. By naturalization +they become citizens, entitled to all the privileges of native or +natural born citizens, (Chap. XXXIV, Sec.3, 4.) + +Sec.6. The constitutions of most of the states confer the rights of an +elector on _white_ male citizens only. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, +Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, are the only states in which colored +men have the same electoral rights as white citizens. In New York, men +of color owning a freehold estate (an estate in lands) of the value of +$250, are qualified voters. + +Sec.7. It is provided also in state constitutions, that electors committing +infamous crimes are disfranchised. _Franchise_ is a right or privilege +enjoyed by the citizens of a state. Hence the right of voting at +elections is called the _elective franchise_; and an elector, when +deprived of this privilege, is _disfranchised_. An _infamous crime_ is +one which is punishable by imprisonment in a state prison. Men guilty of +high crimes are deemed unfit to be intrusted with so important a duty as +that of electing the persons who are to make and execute the laws of the +state. It is provided, however, that if such persons are pardoned before +the expiration of the term for which they were sentenced to be +imprisoned, their forfeited rights are restored. + +Sec.8. By the earliest constitutions of many of the old states, electors +were required to own property, or to have paid rents or taxes, to a +certain amount. In the election of the higher officers, freeholders only +were entitled to vote. A _freeholder_ is an owner of real estate, +(property in lands,) which he holds in his own right, and may transmit +to his heirs. In the constitutions of the newer states, property has not +been made a qualification of an elector; and in the amended +constitutions of the old states this restriction upon the elective +franchise has been removed, until it has nearly ceased to exist in the +United States. It is now enjoyed by all white male freemen, with few +exceptions, in almost every state of the Union. + + + + +Chapter VII. + +Elections. + + + +Sec.1. For the convenient exercise of political power, as well as for the +purposes of government generally, the territory of a state is divided +into districts of small extent. It has been remarked, that the people of +a state, being too numerous to meet in one assembly to make laws and +transact the public business, elect a small number to represent them. +But to elect these representatives and other officers, and to adopt the +constitution, or fundamental law of the state, are political duties, +which must be performed by the people in person, and in a _collective_ +capacity. Hence the necessity of small territorial divisions, in which +the people may assemble for political purposes. + +Sec.2. A state is divided into counties, and these are divided into towns +or townships. The people of every county and every town have power to +manage their local concerns. The corporate powers of counties and towns, +and the election and the powers and duties of county and town officers, +will be given in subsequent chapters. + +Sec.3. The electors of the state meet every year in their respective towns +for the election of officers. Meetings for electing town officers are, +in a majority of the states, held in the earlier part of the year. Most +officers elected by the people, other than town officers, are chosen at +the general state election, which, in most of the states, is held in +October or November. + +Sec.4. Elections are conducted by persons designated by law, or chosen by +the electors of the town for that purpose. It is their duty to preserve +order, and to see that the business is properly done. They are usually +called _judges of elections_, or _inspectors of elections_. Persons +also, (usually two,) serve as clerks. Each clerk keeps a list of the +names of the persons voting, which is called a _poll-list. Poll_, which +is said to be a Saxon word, signifies _head_, and has come to mean +person. Thus, so much a head means so much for every _person_ By a +further change it has been made to signify an election, because the +persons there voting are numbered. Hence, "going to the polls" has +obtained the same meaning as going to an election. + +Sec.5. When the inspectors are ready to receive votes, one of them makes it +known by proclaiming with a loud voice, that "the polls are now open." +The inspectors receive from each voter a ballot, which is a piece of +paper containing the names of the persons voted for, and the title of +the office to which each of them is to be elected. _Ballot_, from the +French, means a little ball, and is used in voting. Ballots are of +different colors; those of one color signifying an affirmative vote, or +_yes_; those of another color a negative vote, or _no_. From this has +come the application of the word ballot to the written or printed ticket +now used in voting. + +Sec.6. If no objection is made to an elector's voting, the ballot is put +into the box, and the clerks enter his name on the poll-list. If the +inspectors suspect that a person offering to vote is not a qualified +elector, they may question him upon his oath in respect to his +qualifications as to age, the term of his residence in the state and +county, and citizenship. Any bystander also may question his right to +vote. This is called _challenging_. A person thus challenged is not +allowed to vote until the challenge is withdrawn, or his qualifications +are either proved by the testimony of other persons, or sworn to by +himself. + +Sec.7. In a few states, the voters are registered. A list is kept of the +names of all who have, upon examination, been ascertained to be +qualified electors; and those only whose names are on the register are +allowed to vote. Thus many interruptions to voting by the examination of +voters at the polls, and much illegal voting, are prevented. Voters in +some states are also required to take what is called the "elector's +oath," in which they promise to be true and faithful to the state and +its government, and to the constitution of the United States; and to +give their votes as they shall judge will conduce to the best good of +the same. + +Sec.8. After the polls are closed, the box is opened, and the ballots are +counted. If the number of ballots agrees with the number of names on the +poll-lists, it is presumed no mistake has been made, either in voting or +in keeping the lists. If the election is one for the choosing of town +officers, it is there determined who are elected, and their election is +publicly declared. + +Sec.9. The election of county and state officers can not be determined by +the town canvassers. A statement of the votes given in each town for the +persons voted for, is sent to the county canvassers, who, from the +returns of votes from all the towns, determine and declare the election +of the officers chosen for the county. To determine the election of +state officers, and of such others as are elected for districts +comprising more than one county, a statement of the votes given for the +several candidates, is sent by the several boards of county canvassers +to the state canvassers, who, from the returns of votes from the several +counties, determine the election of the state officers. + +Sec.10. In a few states, voting at elections is done _viva voce_. These +words mean by word of mouth. In voting in this manner, the elector +speaks the name of the person for whom he votes. + +Sec.11. In most of the states, persons are elected by a plurality of votes. +An election by _plurality_ is when the person elected has received a +higher number of votes than any other, though such number be less than a +majority of all the votes given. Suppose, for example, three candidates +receive 1000 votes: One receives 450; another, 300; the third, 250 +votes. The first, having the highest number, though not a majority, is +elected. In the New England, or eastern states, a _majority_, that is, +more than one-half of all the votes given, is necessary to the election +of many of the higher officers. The least number of votes out of 1000, +by which a person can be elected by this rule, is 501. + +Sec.12. Either of these modes is liable to objection. When a simple +plurality effects an election, 1,000 votes may be so divided upon three +candidates as to elect one by 334 votes; or of four candidates, one may +be elected by 251 votes, and against the wishes of nearly three-fourths +of the electors. An objection to the other mode is, that if no person +receives a majority of all the votes, another election must be held. +Numerous trials have, in some instances, been necessary to effect a +choice; and the people of a district have remained for a time without a +representative in the state or national legislature. + + + + +Chapter VIII. + +Division of the Powers of Government. + + + +Sec.1. Having shown the nature of a constitution and the manner in which it +is made and adopted, it will next be shown how the powers of government +under a state constitution are divided. As the excellence of a form of +government consists much in a proper separation and distribution of +power, this subject deserves special attention. + +Sec.2. We notice first the separation of the political and civil powers. +The words _political_ and _civil_ are often used as having the same +meaning. Thus, speaking of the system of government and laws of a +country, we use the general term, "political institutions," or "civil +institutions;" either of which is deemed correct. But these words have +also a particular signification, as has already been shown in the +distinction made in preceding chapters between political rights and +civil rights, and between the political law and the municipal or civil +laws. (Chap. II, and III.) Hence it appears, that what we mean by +political power is the power exercised by the people in their political +capacity, in adopting their constitution and electing the officers of +the government; and that, by the civil power is meant the power +exercised by these officers in administering the government. + +Sec.3. In an absolute government, no such distinction exists; all power is +centered in the supreme ruler. There is no political law binding on him. +Being himself restrained by no positive laws or regulations that have +been adopted by the people, or that may be altered by them, the people +have no political rights. In a mixed government, or limited monarchy, +political power is exercised to some extent. Although there is no +written constitution adopted by the people, as in a republic, the +members of one branch of the law-making power are elected by the people. +In such election they are said to exercise political power. + +Sec.4. We notice next the division of the civil power. This power, in well +constructed governments, is divided into three departments, the +legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative department +is that by which the laws of the state are made. The legislature is +composed of two bodies, the members of which are elected by the people. +In limited monarchies where one branch of the legislature is elective, +the other is an aristocratic body, composed of men of wealth and +dignity, as the British house of lords. + +Sec.5. The executive department is intrusted with the power of executing, +or carrying into effect, the laws of the state. There is in this +department a governor, assisted by a number of other officers, some of +whom are elected by the people; others are appointed in such manner as +the constitution or laws prescribe. The powers and duties of the +governor of a state will be more particularly described in another +place. + +Sec.6. The judicial department is that by which justice is administered to +the citizens. It embraces the several courts of the state. All judges +and justices of the peace are judicial officers; and they have power, +and it is their business to judge of and apply the law in cases brought +before them for trial. A more particular description of the powers and +duties of judicial officers, and the manner of conducting trials in +courts of justice, will be given elsewhere. (Chap. XVII-XX.) + +Sec.7. Experience has shown the propriety of dividing the civil power into +these three departments, and of confining the officers of each +department to the powers and duties belonging to the same. Those who +make the laws should not exercise the power of executing them; nor +should they who either make or execute the laws sit in judgment over +those who are brought before them for trial. A government in which the +different powers of making, executing, and applying the laws should be +united in a single body of men, however numerous, would be little better +than an absolute despotism. + +Sec.8. Again, the legislative department of the civil power is divided. +Under all our state constitutions, the legislature consists of two +branches, both of which must agree to a proposed measure before it +becomes a law; and in many of the states, it must also be approved by +the governor. This is making the chief executive officer a third branch +of the law-making power; and is not in accordance with the principle of +keeping the several departments of the civil power separate and distinct +from each other. The reason for this departure from the general +principle mentioned, will be stated in another chapter. (Chap. XI. Sec.16.) + + + + +Chapter IX. + +State Legislatures--how constituted. + + + +Sec.1. The legislature of every state in the union is composed of two +houses--a senate and a house of representatives. The latter, or, as it +is sometimes called, the lower house, in the states of New York, +Wisconsin, and California, is called the assembly; in Maryland and +Virginia, the house of delegates; in North Carolina, the house of +commons; and in New Jersey, the general assembly. In most of the +states, the two houses together are called _general assembly_. + +Sec.2. The senate, as well as the other house, is a representative body; +its members being elected by the people to represent them. Why, then, is +only one of the two branches called the house of representatives? +Perhaps for this reason: Under the governments of the colonies, while +yet subject to Great Britian, there was but one representative assembly. +The other branch of the legislature was called a _council_, consisting +of a small number of men who were appointed by the king. After the +colonies became free and independent states, a senate was substituted +for the old council, and although it is an elective body, the other +house, being much more numerous, is called, by way of distinction, the +_house of representatives_. + +Sec.3. Senators are chosen annually in the six New England states, namely, +Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and +Connecticut. In the other states they are elected for terms of two, +three, or four years. In most of the states in which senators are +elected for longer terms than one year, they are not all elected at the +same time. They are divided into classes; and those of one class go out +of office one year, and those of another class another year; so that +only a part of the senators are elected every year, or every two, or +three, or four years. + +Sec.4. The senate, as distinguished from the house of representatives, is +sometimes called the upper house. It was designed to be a more select +body, composed of men chosen with reference to their superior ability, +or their greater experience in public affairs. + +Sec.5. Senators are differently apportioned in different states. In some +states they are apportioned among the several counties, so that the +number to be elected in each county shall be in proportion to the number +of its inhabitants. In others they are elected by districts, equal in +number to the number of senators to be chosen in the state, and a +senator is elected in each district. The districts are to contain, as +nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants; and sometimes they +comprise several counties. + +Sec.6. Representatives are apportioned among the counties in proportion to +the population in each. In some states they are elected in districts of +equal population, counties being sometimes divided in the formation of +districts. In the New England states, representatives are apportioned +among the towns. In about one-half of the states, they are elected +annually; in the others, (including-most of the southern and western +states,) they are elected every two years. + +Sec.7. The different modes of apportioning members of the legislature have +in view the same object--equal representation; that is, giving a member +to the same number of inhabitants in one county or district as to an +equal number in another. But in some counties the population increases +more rapidly than in others. The representation then becomes unequal, +being no longer in proportion to population. + +Sec.8. In order to keep the representation throughout the state as nearly +equal as possible; in other words, to secure to the people of every +county or district their just proportion of the representatives, the +constitution requires that, at stated times, the people of the state +shall be numbered, and a new apportionment of senators and +representatives be made among the several counties according to the +number of inhabitants in each county; or if the state is one in which +members of the legislature are chosen in districts, a new division of +the state is made into districts. + +Sec.9. But the periods of time between the enumerations of the people, are +not the same in all the states. In some states the enumerations are made +every ten years; in others, shorter periods have been fixed, from eight +down to four years. This enumeration or numbering of the people is +called taking the census. _Census_ is from the Latin, and was used by +the ancient Romans to signify a declaration or statement made before the +censors by the citizens, containing an enumeration or register of +themselves, their wives, children, servants, and their property and its +valuation. In the United States, although the census sometimes includes +a similar register, the word usually means simply an enumeration of the +people. + +Sec.10. The constitution also prescribes the qualifications of senators and +representatives. If, as qualifications for an elector, full age, +citizenship, and a considerable term of residence in the state and +county, are properly required, as we have seen, (Chap. VI. Sec.2-5,) they +must be at least equally necessary for those who make the laws. In no +state, therefore, are any but qualified electors eligible to the office +of senator or representative. In some states, greater age and longer +residence are required; and in some, the age and term of residence have +been still further increased in the case of senators. The property +qualification formerly necessary for members of the legislature, as well +as for voters, has been almost entirely abolished. (Chap. VI. Sec.8.) + +Sec.11. If a member of the legislature dies, or resigns his office before +the expiration of the term for which he was chosen, the vacancy is +filled by the election of another person at the next general election, +or at a special election called for that purpose, or in such other +manner as the constitution may provide. But a person chosen to fill a +vacancy, holds the office only for the remainder of the term of him +whose place he was chosen to supply. + + + + +Chapter X. + +Meetings and Organization of the Legislature. + + + +Sec.1. The legislature meets as often as the constitution requires, to +enact such laws as may be necessary to promote the public welfare, and +to perform such other duties as are assigned to it by the constitution +and the laws. In about half of the states, sessions are held annually; +in the others biennially, or once in two years. A legislative session +includes the daily meetings of a legislature from the time of its first +assembling, to the day of final adjournment. Thus we say the session +commenced in January and ended in March. The word _session_ has +reference also to a single sitting, from the hour at which the members +assemble on any day, to the time of adjournment on the same day. Thus we +say, the legislature holds a daily session of four hours; or, it holds +two sessions a day, as the case may be. + +Sec.2. Meetings of the legislature are held at a place permanently fixed by +the constitution; at which place the principal state officers keep their +offices. Hence it is called the _seat of government_, or perhaps more +frequently, the _capital_ of the state. _Capital_ is from the Latin +_caput_, the head, and has come to mean chief, or the highest. A capital +city is therefore the chief city of a state or kingdom. But the word +_capital_, applied to a city, now generally indicates the seat of +government. + +Sec.3. When the two houses have assembled in their respective chambers, +some person designated for that purpose administers to the members of +each house the oath of office, in which they solemnly swear (or affirm,) +that they will support the constitution of the United States, and the +constitution of the state, and faithfully discharge the duties of their +office. + +Sec.4. Each house then proceeds to _organize_ for business, by appointing +proper officers, and determining the right of members to seats in the +house. In organizing a legislative body, the first thing done is the +election of a presiding officer, or chairman, who is usually called +_speaker_. The lieutenant-governor, in states in which there is one, +presides in the senate, and is called _president of the senate_. In the +absence of the presiding officer, a temporary speaker or president is +chosen, who is called speaker or president _pro tempore_, commonly +abbreviated, _pro tem._, which is a Latin phrase, meaning _for the +time_. + +Sec.5. The duty of the person presiding is to keep order, and to see that +the business of the house is conducted according to certain established +rules. When a vote is to be taken, he puts the question, which is done +by requesting all who are in favor of a proposed measure, to say _aye_, +and those opposed to say _no_. And, when a vote has been taken, he +declares the question to be carried or lost. This part of a speaker's +business is similar to that of the chairman of an ordinary public +meeting. + +Sec.6. The other officers chosen by each house are, a _clerk_ to keep a +record or journal of its proceedings; to take charge of papers, and to +read such as are to be read to the house; and to do such other things as +may be required of him; a _sergeant-at-arms_, to arrest members and +other persons guilty of disorderly conduct, to compel the attendance of +absent members, and to do other business of a like nature: also one or +more _door-keepers_. The officers mentioned in this section are not +chosen from the members of the house. + +Sec.7. The constitution does not prescribe to either house the order of +business, or the particular manner in which it shall be done; but +authorizes each house to determine for itself the rules of its +proceedings. But there are sundry things which it expressly enjoins. It +determines what portion of the members shall constitute a quorum to do +business. _Quorum_ is the Latin of the English words, _of whom_, and has +strangely come to signify the _number_ or _portion_ of any body of men +who have power to act for the whole. Thus with reference to a +legislative body consisting of a certain number of members, instead of +saying, A majority _quorum_ shall have power to act; or, A majority _of +whom_ shall have power to act, our constitutions generally say, A +majority shall constitute a quorum to do business. In some states, more +than a bare majority is required for a quorum. + +Sec.8. Constitutions generally require also that the proceedings of +legislative bodies shall be open to public inspection. The doors may be +closed against spectators only when the public good shall require +secrecy. And that the people may be fully informed of what is done, each +house is required to keep and publish a journal of its proceedings. + +Sec.9. Provision is also made, either by the constitution or by laws +against injury or interruption to the business of the legislature. +Members may not, by any prosecution at law, except for crimes and +misdemeanors, be hindered during their attendance at the sessions of the +legislature, nor in going to or returning from the same. Each house may +compel the attendance of absent members. It may for good cause expel a +member, and punish, not only its members and officers, but other +persons, for disorderly conduct, or for obstructing its proceedings. + + + + +Chapter XI. + +Manner of Enacting Laws. + + + +Sec.1. When the two houses are duly organized and ready for business, the +governor sends to both houses a written communication called _message_, +in which, as the constitution requires, he gives to the legislature +information of the condition of the affairs of the state, and recommends +such measures as he judges necessary and expedient. The message is read +to each house by its clerk. + +Sec.2. But the measures to which the governor calls the attention of the +legislature, are but a small portion of those which are considered and +acted upon. Many are introduced by individual members. Others are +brought into notice by the petitions of the people in different parts of +the state. _Petition_ generally signifies a request or prayer. As here +used, it means a written request to the legislature for some +favor--generally for a law granting some benefit or relief to the +petitioners. Petitions are sent to members, usually to those who +represent the counties or districts in which the petitioners live, and +are by these members presented to the house. + +Sec.3. Now it is evident, that a proper consideration of the numerous +subjects pressed upon the attention of the legislature--some of them of +very great importance--must require much labor. If the necessary +investigation of so many subjects should occupy the time of the whole +house, there would not be time enough to act upon one-half of them. +Therefore, in order to dispatch business, the labor of the house must be +divided, that the investigation of all the different subjects may be +going on at the same time. + +Sec.4. Hence arises the practice which prevails in all legislative bodies, +of the appointment of committees. As soon as may be, after a house is +organized, committees are appointed on all subjects usually acted on in +the legislature. A legislative committee is generally composed of three, +five, or seven members, who examine the subjects referred to them, and +report the result of their examination to the house. Committees are +appointed by the presiding officer of each house. Occasionally, though +very rarely, they are elected by the house itself. + +Sec.5. Some or all of the following committees are appointed in every +legislature: a committee on finance, or the funds, income, and other +money matters of the state, sometimes called the committee of ways and +means; a committee on agriculture; a committee on manufactures; +committees on the incorporation of cities and villages; on banks and +insurance companies; on railroads; on canals; on education; on +elections; on public printing, besides many others. So numerous are +these subjects, that in constituting the committees, every member may be +put on some committee. + +Sec.6. All matters relating to these subjects of a general nature, which +arise during the session, are referred to their appropriate committees. +Thus, a question or proposition relating to banks, is referred to the +committee on banks; matters relating to rail-roads, are referred to the +committee on rail-roads; those relating to schools, are referred to the +committee on education, &c. As these committees continue during the +session, they are called _standing_ committees. When a question arises +having no relation to any subject on which there is a standing +committee, it is usually referred to a _special_ or _select_ committee +appointed to consider this particular matter. + +Sec.7. Committees meet in private rooms, during hours when the house is not +in session; and any person wishing to be heard in favor of or against a +proposed measure, may appear before the committee having it in charge. +Having duly considered the subject, the committee reports to the house +the information it has obtained, with the opinion whether the measure +ought or ought not to become a law. Measures reported against by +committees, seldom receive any further notice from the house. + +Sec.8. From what has been said, the utility of committees is readily seen. +Although no proposed measure can become a law unless acted on and +approved by the two houses, its necessity may be inquired into, and the +information necessary to enable the house to act understandingly upon +the question, may be obtained, as well by a few members as by the whole +house. By the daily examination of so many subjects in committee, a +large amount of business is soon prepared for the house to act upon, and +much of its time is saved. + +Sec.9. If a committee reports favorably upon a subject, it usually brings +in a bill with its report. A _bill_ is the form or draft of a law. Not +all bills, however, are reported by committees. Any member of the house +desiring the passage of a law, may give notice that he will, on some +future day, ask leave of the house to introduce a bill for that purpose; +and if, at the time specified, the house shall grant leave, he may +introduce the bill. But at least one day's previous notice must be given +of his intention to ask leave, before it can be granted. + +Sec.10. The different steps in the progress of a bill, or the different +forms of action through which it has to pass, are numerous. A minute +description of them in a work designed chiefly for youth, will scarcely +be expected. A thorough knowledge of the proceedings of legislative +assemblies, can be practically beneficial, in after life, to but few of +those who shall study this elementary treatise. Those who shall +hereafter have occasion for this knowledge, will find works adapted to a +more mature age, in which the subject is fully treated. + +Sec.11. A bill, before it is passed, must be read three times; but it may +not be read twice on any one day without unanimous consent, that is, the +consent of the whole house; or, as is believed to be the rule in some +bodies, the consent of three-fourths, or two-thirds of the house. In +some legislatures, the rule allows the first and second readings to be +on the same day. A bill is not to be amended until it shall have been +twice read. Nor is it usual for it to be opposed until then; but it may +be opposed and rejected at the first reading. + +Sec.12. After a bill has been twice read, and fully debated and amended, it +is proposed to be read on a future day the third time. If the question +on ordering the bill to a third reading is not carried, the bill is +lost, unless revived by a vote of the house to reconsider. But if the +question to read the third time is carried, the bill is accordingly read +on a future day, and the question taken on its final passage. + +Sec.13. When the final vote is to be taken, the speaker puts the question: +"Shall the bill pass?" If a majority of the members present vote in the +affirmative, (the speaker also voting,) the bill is passed; if a +majority vote in the negative, the bill is lost. Also if the ayes and +noes are equal, it is lost, because there is not a majority in its +favor. In a senate where a lieutenant-governor presides, not being +properly a member, he does not vote, except when the ayes and noes are +equal; in which case there is said to be a _tie_; and he determines the +question by his vote, which is called the _casting_ vote. In some +states, on the final passage of a bill, a bare majority of the members +present is not sufficient to pass it, in case any members are absent. +The constitutions of those states require the votes of a majority of +_all the members elected_ to each house. + +Sec.14. When a bill has passed one house it is sent to the other, where it +must pass through the same forms of action; that is, it must be referred +to a committee; reported by the committee to the house; and be read +three times before a vote is taken on its passage. This vote having +been taken, the bill is returned to the house from which it was +received. If it has been amended, the amendments must be agreed to by +the first house, or the second must recede from their amendments, or the +amendments must be so modified as to secure the approval of both houses, +before the bill can become a law. + +Sec.15. Some young reader may inquire why a bill should take so long and +slow a course through two different houses; and why one body of +representatives is not sufficient. The object is to secure the enactment +of good laws. Notwithstanding bills go through the hands of a committee +and three different readings in the house; yet through undue haste, +wrong information, or from other causes, a house may, and often does, +commit serious errors. Legislatures are therefore divided into two +branches; and a bill having passed one house is sent to the other where +the mistakes of the former may be corrected, or the bill wholly +rejected. + +Sec.16. But in many of the states, a bill, when passed by both houses, is +not yet a law. As the two houses may concur in adopting an unwise +measure, an additional safeguard is provided against the enactment of +bad laws, by requiring all bills to be sent to the governor for +examination and approval. If he approves a bill, he signs it, and it is +a law; if he does not sign it, it is not a law. In refusing to sign a +bill, he is said to _negative_, or _veto_ the bill. _Veto_, Latin, +means, _I forbid_. + +Sec.17. But no governor has full power to prevent the passage of a law. If +he does not approve a bill, he must return it to the house in which it +originated, stating his objections to it; and if it shall be again +passed by both houses, it will be a law without the governor's assent +But in such cases greater majorities are generally required to pass a +law. In some states, a majority of two-thirds of the members present is +necessary; in others, a majority of _all the members elected_. In a few +states, only the same majorities are required to pass a bill against +the veto as in the first instance. Or if the governor does not return a +bill within a certain number of days, it becomes a law without his +signature, or without being considered a second time. In some states, +bills are not sent to the governor, but are laws when passed by both +houses and signed by their presiding officers. + + + + +Chapter XII. + +Executive Department. Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. + + + +Sec.1. The chief executive power of a state is, by the constitution, vested +in a governor. The governor is chosen by the people at the general +election; in South Carolina by the legislature. The term of office is +not the same in all the states. In the six New England states, the +governors are chosen annually; in the other states, for the different +terms of two, three, and four years. + +Sec.2. The qualifications for the office of governor are also different in +the different states. To be eligible to the office of governor, a person +must have been for a certain number of years a citizen of the United +States, and for a term of years preceding his election a resident of the +state. He must also be above a certain age, which, in a majority of the +states, is at least thirty years; and in some states he must be a +freeholder. + +Sec.3. The powers and duties of a governor are numerous. He communicates by +message to the legislature, at every session, information of the +condition of the state of its affairs generally, and recommends such +measures as he judges necessary and expedient. He is to take care that +the laws be faithfully executed, and to transact all necessary business +with the officers of the government. He may convene the legislature on +extraordinary occasions: that is, if, at a time when the legislature is +not in session, a matter should arise requiring immediate attention, the +governor may call a special meeting of the legislature, or as it is +usually termed, an extra session. + +Sec.4. A governor has power to grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases +of impeachment, and, in some states, of treason. To _reprieve_ is to +postpone or delay for a time the execution of the sentence of death upon +a criminal. To _pardon_ is to annul the sentence by forgiving the +offense and releasing the offender. A governor may also _commute_ a +sentence; which is to exchange one penalty or punishment for another of +less severity; as, when a person sentenced to suffer death, is ordered +to be imprisoned. + +Sec.5. The governor has power also, in some of the states, with the consent +of the senate, to appoint the higher officers of the militia of the +state, and the higher civil officers in the executive and judicial +departments. In a few of the states, there are executive councils whose +advice and consent are required in such cases. In making such +appointments, the governor nominates, that is, he _names_ to the senate, +in writing, the persons to be appointed. If a majority of the senators +consent, the persons so nominated are appointed. Many other duties are +by the constitution devolved upon the governor. + +Sec.6. A lieutenant-governor has few duties to perform. He presides in the +senate, in which he has only a casting vote. In the state of New York, +he serves in some of the boards of executive officers. In nearly +one-half of the states the office of lieutenant-governor does not exist. +The chief object of electing this officer seems to be to provide a +suitable person to fill the vacancy in the office of governor in case +the latter should die, resign, be removed, or otherwise become +incompetent. + +Sec.7. When the lieutenant-governor acts as governor, the senate chooses +from its own number a president. If the offices of both the governor and +lieutenant-governor should become vacant, the president of the senate +must act as governor. If there should be neither a governor, a +lieutenant-governor, nor a president or speaker of the senate, then, the +speaker of the house of representatives would become the acting +governor. This is believed to be the rule for supplying vacancies in +most if not all of the states. + + + + +Chapter XIII. + +Assistant Executive State Officers. + + + +Sec.1. Among the executive officers who assist in the administration of the +government, there are in every state, some or all of the following: a +secretary of state, a controller or auditor, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, a surveyor-general. The mode of their appointment and +the terms of their respective offices, are prescribed by the +constitution or by law. In some states they are appointed by the +governor and senate; in others by the legislature; and in others they +are elected by the people. They keep their offices at the seat of +government of the state. + +Sec.2. The _secretary of state_ keeps a record of the official acts and +proceedings of the legislature and of the executive departments, and has +the care of the books, records, deeds of the state, parchments, the laws +enacted by the legislature, and all other papers and documents required +by law to be kept in his office. He causes the laws passed by the +legislature to be published in one or more newspapers, as directed by +law; and also to be printed and bound in a volume, and distributed among +the state officers for their use, and among the county and town clerks, +to be kept in their offices for the use of the people who wish to +examine the laws. Also one or more copies are exchanged with each of the +other states for copies of their laws to be kept in the state library. +Various other duties are performed by the secretary. + +Sec.3. The _state auditor_, in some states called _controller_, manages +the financial concerns of the state; that is, the business relating to +the money, debts, land and other property of the state. He examines and +adjusts accounts and claims against the state, and superintends the +collection of moneys due the state. When money is to be paid out of the +treasury, he draws a warrant (a written order,) on the treasurer for the +money, and keeps a regular account with the treasurer of all moneys +received into and paid out of the treasury. And he reports to the +legislature or other proper officers, a statement of the funds of the +state, and of its income and expenditures during each year. + +Sec.4. The _treasurer_ has charge of all the public moneys that are paid +into the treasury, and pays out the same as directed by law; and he +keeps an accurate account of such moneys, specifying the names of the +persons from whom they are received, to whom paid, and for what +purposes. He also exhibits annually a statement of moneys received and +paid out by him during the year, and of the balance in the treasury. + +Sec.5. Auditors, treasurers, and other officers intrusted with the care and +management of money or other property, are generally required, before +they enter on the duties of their offices, to give bonds, in sums of +certain amount specified in the law, with sufficient sureties, for the +faithful performance of their duties. The sureties are persons who bind +themselves to pay the state all damages arising from neglect of duty on +the part of the officers, not exceeding the sum mentioned in the bond. + +Sec.6. The _attorney-general_ is a person learned in the law, appointed to +act for the state in law-suits in which the state is a party. He +prosecutes persons indebted to the state, and causes to be brought to +trial persons charged with certain crimes. He also gives his opinion on +questions of law submitted to him by the governor, the legislature, and +the executive officers. In some states there is no attorney-general. In +such states prosecutions in behalf of the state are conducted by the +state's attorney for each county. + +Sec.7. The _surveyor-general_ superintends the surveying of the lands +belonging to the state. He keeps in his office maps of the state, +describing the bounds of the counties and townships; and when disputes +arise respecting the boundaries, he causes surveys to be made, if +necessary, to ascertain such bounds. He performs certain other duties of +a similar nature. In many of the states there is no surveyor-general, +the duties of that office being done by a county surveyor in each +county. + +Sec.8. There is also, in many of the states, a _superintendent of schools_, +called in some states, _superintendent of public instruction_, whose +principal duties are described in a subsequent chapter. (Chap. XXII, +Sec.10.) + +Sec.9. There is also a printer to the state, or _state printer_, whose +business it is to print the journal, bills, reports, and other papers +and documents of the two houses of the legislature, and all the laws +passed at each session. State printers are either chosen by the +legislature, or employed by persons authorized to make contracts for the +public printing; or the printing is let to the lowest bidder. + +Sec.10. There are other officers employed by the state, among whom are the +following: a _state librarian_, who has charge of the state library, +consisting of books containing matter of a public nature, such as the +laws of all the states, and of the United States, with a large +collection of miscellaneous books; persons having the care of the public +buildings and other property of the state; superintendents of state +prisons, lunatic asylums, and other state institutions, whose duties are +indicated by their titles, and need no particular description. + + + + +Chapter XIV. + +Counties ind County Officers. Powers and Duties of County Officers. + + + +Sec.1. Some of the purposes for which a state is divided into small +districts have been mentioned. (Chap. VII, Sec.1.) There are other reasons, +equally important, for these territorial divisions. Laws for the whole +state are made by the legislature; but certain regulations may be +necessary for the people in some parts of the state which are not needed +in others, and which the people of these places can better make for +themselves. It is the business of the governor and his assistant +executive state officers to execute or carry into effect the laws of the +state; but they could not see this done in every place, or in every +minute portion of the state. Again, for the convenience of those who may +be obliged to go to law to obtain redress for injuries, courts of +justice must be established near the residence of every citizen. + +Sec.2. But in order to carry out these objects, a state must be divided +into small districts with fixed boundaries, that it may be known what +persons come under certain regulations, and over whom these local +officers are to exercise authority. The smallest territorial divisions +of a state are called _townships_, or _towns_, which contain generally +from twenty-five to one hundred square miles, and which, if in a square +form, would be from five to ten miles square. But for certain purposes +larger districts than townships have been found necessary. These are +formed by the union of several townships, and are called _counties_. +These divisions are the same as those of England, the country from which +the colonies (now states) were chiefly settled. + +Sec.3. Counties in England were formerly districts governed by _counts_ or +earls; from which comes the name of _county_. A county was also called +_shire_; and an officer was appointed by the count or earl to perform +certain acts in the principal town in the county, which was called +_shire town_, and the officer was called _shire-reeve_, or _sheriff_, +whose powers and duties were similar to those of the sheriff of a county +in this country. The shire town is that in which the court-house and +other county buildings are situate, and where the principal officers of +the county transact their business. In a few counties there are two +towns in which the courts are held alternately. Hence each division is +called a _half-shire_. + +Sec.4. Counties and towns are bodies politic, or bodies corporate. +_Corporate_ is from the Latin, _corpus_, which means _body_. A +_corporation_, or body politic, is an association of persons authorized +by law to transact business under a common name, and as a single person. +The laws of the state give such authority to the inhabitants of counties +and towns. The people of a town or county have power, to some extent, to +manage their own internal affairs, and to make rules and regulations for +their government; and they may buy, hold, and sell property, and sue and +be sued, as an individual. Similar powers are given to rail-road, +banking, insurance, and other incorporated companies. But there is in +some respects a difference between these corporations and those which +are created for purposes of government, as states, counties, towns, +cities, and villages, which will be noticed in another place. (Chap. +XVI.) + +Sec.5. As a county possesses various corporate powers, there must be among +its officers some in whose name these powers are to be exercised. In +some states there is a board of _county commissioners_, (usually three,) +who exercise corporate powers. In a few, these powers are exercised by +and in the name of the _board of supervisors_, which is composed of the +supervisors of the several towns in the county, of whom there is one +supervisor in each town. These boards, or such officers in other states +as exercise these powers, have generally the power also to examine and +settle the accounts against the county, and to make orders and contracts +in relation to the building or repairing of the court-house, jail, and +other county buildings; and to perform such other acts as the laws +require. + +Sec.6. There is in each county a _treasurer_ to receive and pay out the +moneys required to be collected and paid out in the county. There is +also, in some states, a county _auditor_ to examine and adjust the +accounts and debts of the county, and to perform certain other duties. +The business of county treasurers and auditors in their respective +counties, is of the same nature as that of state auditors and +treasurers. In states in which there is no county auditor, the duties of +auditor are performed by the treasurer, and some other county officer or +officers. + +Sec.7. There is also in each county a _register_ or _recorder_, who records +in books provided for that purpose, all deeds, mortgages, and other +instruments of writing required by law to be recorded. In New York, and +perhaps in some other states, the business of a register or recorder is +done by a county clerk, who is also clerk of the several courts held in +the county, and of certain boards of county officers. In some states, +deeds, mortgages, and other written instruments, are recorded by the +town clerks of the several towns. + +Sec.8. Another county officer is a _sheriff_, whose duty it is to attend +all the courts held in the county; to execute all warrants, writs, and +other process directed to him by the courts; to apprehend persons +charged with crime; and to take charge of the jail and of the prisoners +therein. It is his duty, also, to preserve the public peace; and he may +cause all persons who break the public peace within his knowledge or +view, to give bonds, with sureties, for keeping the peace, and for +appearing at the next court to be held in the county, and to commit them +to jail if they refuse to give such bonds. A sheriff is assisted by +deputies. + +Sec.9. There are in each county one or more _coroners_, whose principal +duty is, to inquire into the cause of the death of persons who have died +by violence, or suddenly, and by means unknown. Notice of the death of a +person having so died is given to a coroner, who goes to the place of +such dead person. A jury is summoned to attend the examination; +witnesses are examined; and the jury give their opinion in writing as to +the cause and manner of the death. Such inquiry is called a _coroner's +inquest_. In one or two states, the office of coroner, it is believed, +does not exist; in which case the inquest is held by a justice of the +peace, or some other officer. + +Sec.10. An attorney, elected or appointed for that purpose, attends all +courts in which persons are tried in the county for crimes committed +therein, and conducts the prosecutions in the trial of the offenders. In +states where there is no attorney-general for the state, the prosecuting +attorney for each county serves in this capacity, in trials in which the +state is a party. As all crimes and breaches of the peace are considered +as committed against the state, and prosecuted in its name, this +attorney is sometimes called _state's attorney_. + +Sec.11. In some states there is a _county-surveyor_, whose duties within +his county are similar in their nature to those of a state +surveyor-general. + +Sec.12. County officers are generally elected by the people of the county. +Some of them are, in some of the states, appointed by some authority +prescribed by the constitution or laws of the state. + + + + +Chapter XV. + +Towns and Town Officers. Powers and Duties of Town Officers. + + + +Sec.1. The districts of territory into which counties are divided, are, in +some states, called _towns_. In others they are called, and perhaps more +properly, _townships_; and the name of _town_ is given to an +incorporated village, or a city. We shall, however, in this work, apply +to these territorial divisions the shorter name of _towns_, as they are +called in most of the old states. + +Sec.2. The electors of the several towns meet once a year for the election +of town officers, and for certain other business purposes. The electors +of a town have power, at their annual town meetings, to order money to +be raised for the support of the poor, for the building and repairing of +bridges, and for other town purposes; to make regulations concerning +fences; to fix the compensation of town officers in certain cases; and +to perform such other duties as come within the usual powers of towns. +The powers of towns, however, are not precisely the same in all the +states. + +Sec.3. Among the town officers elected at town meetings, are the following; +not all of them, however, are elected in any one state: One or more +persons who have the general oversight and direction of town affairs, +called by some name corresponding to the nature of their duties; a town +clerk; one or more assessors; justices of the peace; overseers of +highways; overseers of the poor; school officers; constables; a +collector of taxes; a treasurer; fence-viewers; pound-keepers, &c. In +some states there are also sealers of weights and measures; persons to +measure and inspect wood, lumber, bark, and other commodities. + +Sec.4. The officers first mentioned in the preceding section, are, in the +New England states, called _selectmen_, of whom there are at least +three, and may in no state be more than nine, in each town. In a few +states they are called _trustees of townships_, and are three in number. +In a few other states, there is in each town one such officer, called +_supervisor_. The powers and duties of these officers are more numerous +in some states than in others. They have power to lay out roads, and lay +out and alter road districts; to do certain acts relating to roads, +bridges, taxes, common schools, the support of the poor, &c.; and to +examine and settle all demands against the town. In some of the states, +some of these duties are performed by other officers. + +Sec.5. The _town-clerk_ keeps the records, books, and papers of the town. +He records in a book the proceedings of town meetings, the names of the +persons elected, and such other papers as are required by law to be +recorded. In some states, deeds and other conveyances are required to be +recorded by the clerks of towns. + +[For a description of the duties of _assessors_ and _justices of the +peace_, see Assessment and Collection of Taxes, and Justices' Courts.] + +Sec.6. For the repairing of _highways_, a town is divided by the proper +officers into as many road districts as may be judged convenient; and a +person residing in each district is chosen, called _overseer_ or +_supervisor_, or _surveyor_ of _highways_, whose duty it is to see that +the roads are repaired and kept in order in his district. In some states +a tax is laid and collected for this purpose; and each person assessed +may perform labor or furnish materials to the amount of his tax. In +other states, road taxes are assessed upon the citizens in days' labor, +according to the value of their property; every man, however, being +first assessed one day for his head, which is called a _poll-tax_. +Persons not wishing to labor, may pay an equivalent in money, which is +called _commuting_. + +Sec.7. _Overseers of the poor_ provide for the support of the poor +belonging to the town who need relief, and have no near relations who +are able to support them. In some states there is in each county a +poor-house, to which the poor of the several towns are sent to be +provided for; the expense to be charged to the towns to which such poor +persons belonged. + +Sec.8. The principal duties of a _constable_ are, to serve all processes +issued by justices of the peace in suits at law for collecting debts, +and for arresting persons charged with crimes. The business of a +constable in executing the orders of a justice of the peace, is similar +to that of a sheriff in relation to the county courts. + +Sec.9. The town _treasurer_ receives all moneys belonging to the town, and +pays them out as they may be wanted for town-purposes; and accounts +yearly to the proper officers. The office of town treasurer does not +exist in all the states. + +Sec.10. The duties of _fence-viewers_ relate chiefly to the settling of +disputes between the owners of adjoining lands concerning division +fences, the examining or viewing of fences when damage has been done by +trespassing animals; and the estimating of damages in such cases. + +Sec.11. The town _sealer_ keeps correct copies of the standard of weights +and measures established by the state. Standard copies are furnished by +the state sealer to each county sealer, at the expense of the county, +and the county sealer furnishes each town sealer a copy at the expense +of the town. The town sealer compares the weights and measures brought +to him with the copy in his possession, and sees that they are made to +agree with it, and seals and marks them. A person selling by a weight or +measure that does not agree with the standard, is liable to the +purchaser for damages--generally to several times the amount of the +injury. + +For a particular description of the duties of town officers, reference +must be had to the laws of the several states. + + + + +Chapter XVI. + +Incorporation and Government of Cities, Villages, &c. + + + +Sec.1. Cities and incorporated villages have governments peculiar to +themselves. Places containing a large and close population need a +different government from that of ordinary towns or townships. Many of +the laws regulating the affairs of towns thinly inhabited, are not +suited to a place where many thousand persons are closely settled. +Besides, the electors in such a place would be too numerous to meet in a +single assembly for the election of officers or the transaction of other +public business. + +Sec.2. Whenever, therefore, the inhabitants of any place become so numerous +as to require a city government, they petition the legislature for a law +incorporating them into a city. The law or act of incorporation is +usually called a _charter_. The word _charter_ is from the Latin +_charta_, which means paper. The instruments of writing by which kings +or other sovereign powers granted rights and privileges to individuals +or corporations, were written on paper or parchment, and called +_charters_. In this country, it is commonly used to designate an act of +the legislature conferring privileges and powers upon cities, villages, +and other corporations. + +Sec.3. The chief executive officer of a city is a _mayor_. A city is +divided into wards of convenient size, in each of which are chosen one +or more _aldermen_, (usually two,) and such other officers as are named +in the charter. The mayor and aldermen constitute the _common council_, +which is a kind of legislature, having the power to pass such laws, +(commonly called _ordinances_,) and to make such orders and regulations, +as the government of the city requires. The mayor presides in meetings +of the common council, and performs also certain judicial and other +duties. There are also elected in the several wards, assessors, +constables, collectors, and other necessary officers, whose duties in +their respective wards are similar to those of like named officers in +country towns, or townships. + +Sec.4. The inhabitants of cities, however, are not wholly governed by laws +made by the common council. Most of the laws enacted by the legislature +are of general application, and have the same effect in cities as +elsewhere. Thus the laws of the state require, that taxes shall be +assessed and levied upon the property of the citizens of the state to +defray the public expenses; and the people of the cities are required to +pay their just proportion of the same; but the city authorities lay and +collect additional taxes for city purposes. + +Sec.5. In cities there are also courts of justice other than those which +are established by the constitution or general laws of the state. There +is a court for the trial of persons guilty of disturbing the peace, and +of such other minor offenses as are usually punishable by imprisonment +in the county jail, called _police court_. It is held by a _police +justice_, elected by the people, or appointed in such manner as the law +prescribes. In some of the larger cities, there are courts of _civil_ as +well as criminal jurisdiction, differing from those which are common to +counties generally. + +Sec.6. The government of incorporated _villages_ is not in all respects +like that of cities. The chief executive officer of such a village is, +in some states, called _president_. The village is not divided into +wards; the number of its inhabitants being too small to require such +division. Instead of a board of aldermen, there is a board of _trustees_ +or _directors_, who exercise similar powers. The president of a village +is generally chosen by the trustees from their own number. In some +states, incorporated villages are called _towns_; and their chief +executive officer is called _mayor_. + +Sec.7. The necessity and effect of incorporating a village may not yet +clearly appear to every reader. Let us illustrate. By a general law of +the state, or by a vote of the electors of a township in pursuance of +such law, cattle may run at large in the highways. This might be to many +persons in a village, a great annoyance, which can be prevented or +abated only by confining the cattle. Or, sidewalks may need to be made. +Or, it may be deemed necessary to provide means for extinguishing fires, +by purchasing fire-engines and organizing fire companies. In an +unincorporated village there is no power to compel the citizens to do +these things. Those, therefore, who desire that the citizens should have +power to make all needful regulations for the government of the village, +petition the legislature for an act of incorporation granting the +necessary powers. + +Sec.8. The constitutions of some states require the legislature to pass a +general law prescribing the manner in which the people of any village +may form themselves into a corporation, with the necessary powers of +government, with out a special law for that purpose. + +Sec.9. Besides these _territorial_ corporations for purposes of government, +as counties, towns, cities, &c., there are _incorporated companies_ for +carrying on business of various kinds, as turnpike and rail-road +companies, and companies for the purposes of banking, insurance, +manufacturing, &c. These kinds of business, to be carried on +successfully, sometimes require a larger amount of money than one man +possesses. A number of persons, therefore, unite their capital under an +act of incorporation granting them power to manage their business which +they could not have in an ordinary business partnership. Besides, a +common partnership must end on the death of any one of the partners; but +an incorporated company is not thus affected by the death of its +members. + +Sec.10. It is in the nature of corporations to have a perpetual existence. +A corporation may live after the persons who first composed it are all +dead; for those who come after them have the same powers and privileges. +A town or city incorporated a hundred years ago, is the same town or +city still, although none of its first inhabitants are living. So a +railroad or banking corporation may exist after the death of many, or +even all of the original corporators. + +Sec.11. But there are certain particulars in which all corporations are not +the same. A state has been defined to be a body politic, or corporation. +(Chap. I. Sec.10; III, Sec.5.) But it differs from other government +corporations, as counties, towns, cities, &c., in this: the latter are +formed by acts of the legislature; but a state is formed by the people +in their political capacity in establishing the constitution. + +Sec.12. Again, all these government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies. In forming a town or city, many persons are brought +into the corporation against their wishes or consent; because, in +governments, all who live within certain prescribed bounds must come +under the same laws; but of an incorporated business association, as of +a common business partnership, none become members but by their own act +or choice. There is another difference: The latter are what are called +_stock_ companies; and although they may be continued after the death of +the first corporators, those who afterward come into the association, do +so by becoming owners of the capital stock of those who preceded them. +This latter difference will more clearly appear from the more particular +description, elsewhere given, of the incorporated companies, and of the +manner in which the stock is transferred. (Chap. XXIII, Sec.11--15.) + + + + +Chapter XVII. + +Judicial Department. Justices' Courts. + + + +Sec.1. Having seen how the legislative and executive departments of a state +government are constituted, and how the laws are made and executed, the +manner in which the local affairs of counties and towns are conducted, +and the powers and duties of their respective officers; we proceed to +describe the _judicial_ department, the powers and duties of judicial +officers, and the manner in which justice is administered. + +Sec.2. It is the business of the legislature to determine what acts shall +be deemed public offenses, or crimes, and to make laws for securing +justice to the citizens in their dealings and general intercourse with +each other; but to judge of and apply the laws; that is, to determine +what the law is and whether it has been broken, and to fix the just +measure of damage or of punishment, and to order such decision to be +carried into effect, are duties which, as has been observed, have been +wisely assigned to a separate and distinct department. (Chap. VIII. Sec.7.) + +Sec.3. A government without some power to decide disputes, to award +justice, and to punish crime according to the laws of the state, would +not be complete. To allow every man to be his own judge in cases of +supposed injury, and to redress his own wrongs, would endanger the +rights of others. Justice is best secured to the citizens by +establishing courts for the redress of injuries and the punishment of +crimes; and that no person may suffer unjustly, it is provided that +every person charged with crime or any other wrong, is entitled to a +fair and impartial trial. + +Sec.4. For the convenience of persons who may be compelled to seek relief +at law, courts are established in every town. These are courts of the +lowest grade, and are called _justices' courts_, being held by justices +of the peace who are, in most of the states, elected by the people of +the several towns. They are called the lowest courts, because they have +jurisdiction only in cases in which the smallest sums or damages are +claimed, or in which only the lowest offenses are tried. The word +_jurisdiction_ is from the Latin _jus_, law, or _juris_, of the law, and +_dictio_, a pronouncing or speaking. Hence the _jurisdiction_ of a court +means its power to pronounce the law. + +Sec.5. Although justices of the peace are generally elected in the towns, +their jurisdiction extends over the county; that is, they have power to +try causes arising in any part of the county, or between citizens +residing in other towns. The jurisdiction of justices of the peace is +generally prescribed by law. The law prescribes the sum that may be sued +for, or the amount of damage that may be recovered in a justice's court, +and the grade of offenses that may be tried in it. In some states +justices of the peace may try suits only in which the sum in controversy +does not exceed $50; but in most of them, the jurisdiction of a justice +extends, it is believed, to sums of $100 or more. + +Sec.6. Causes, in which money is claimed for damage or for debt, are called +_civil_ causes; those for the trial of persons charged with crime, or +some misdemeanor, are called _criminal_ causes. All crimes, strictly +speaking, are misdemeanors. In common usage, however, the word +_misdemeanor_ denotes a smaller offense, such as is usually punishable +by fine, or by imprisonment in a county jail, and not in a state prison. +Causes, actions, and suits, are words of similar meaning in law +language, being generally used to signify prosecutions at law, or +lawsuits. The party that sues is called _plaintiff_; the party sued is +the _defendant_. + +Sec.7. Prosecutions at law are conducted in nearly the same manner in the +different states. The following is a sketch of the proceedings in an +ordinary civil suit in a justice's court: The justice, at the request of +the plaintiff, issues a _summons_, which is a writ or precept addressed +to a constable of the town, in some states to any constable of the +county, commanding him to summon the defendant to appear before the +justice on a day and at an hour specified, to answer the plaintiff +(naming him) in a suit, the nature of which is stated in the summons. + +Sec.8. The constable serves the summons by reading it or stating the +substance of it to the defendant; and if requested, gives him a copy of +it. If he does not find the defendant, he leaves a copy at his place of +residence with some one of the family of proper age. At or before the +time named for trial, the constable returns to the justice the summons +with an indorsement stating the day on which it was served, and whether +served personally or by copy. If served by copy, and the defendant does +not appear at the time named for trial, a new summons is issued, as the +practice is in some states--perhaps all of them; and the trial may not +proceed unless a summons has been personally served. + +Sec.9. The parties may appear in person, or by attorney. An _attorney_ is +any person lawfully appointed to transact business for another; hence +the word attorney does not always mean an attorney at law, or lawyer, +who is properly an officer of a court of law. When the parties have +appeared and answered to their names, they make their _pleadings_; that +is, the plantiff declares for what he brings his suit; and the defendant +states the nature of what he has to _offset_ against the demand of the +plaintiff, or denies the demand altogether. These acts of the parties +are called _joining issue_. + +Sec.10. If the parties are ready for trial, the justice proceeds to try the +issue. If the witnesses have not been subpoened and are not in +attendance, the cause is adjourned to a future day; and the justice, at +the request of either party, issues a _subpoena_, which is a writ +commanding persons to attend in court as witnesses. The witnesses on +both sides are examined by the justice, who decides according to law and +equity, as the right of the case may appear, in which he is said to +_give judgment_. To the amount of the judgment, whether against the +plaintiff or the defendant, are added the costs; for it is considered to +be just that the party in default shall pay the expense of the suit. +The costs consist of the _fees_ or compensation to be paid the justice, +constable and witnesses for their services. + +Sec.11. If a defendant does not appear at the time of trial, the justice +may proceed to try the cause, and decide upon the testimony of the +plaintiff's witnesses. If a plaintiff does not answer or appear when his +name is called in court, the justice enters judgment of _nonsuit_. A +plaintiff may, at any time before judgment is rendered, discontinue or +withdraw his action, in which case also judgment of nonsuit is given. In +cases of nonsuit, and also when no cause of action is found, judgment is +rendered against the plantiff for the costs. + +Sec.12. A debtor may avoid the expense of a lawsuit by _confessing +judgment_. The parties go before a justice, and the debtor acknowledges +or confesses the claim of the creditor, and consents that the justice +enter judgment accordingly. In some states, the confession and consent +must be in writing, and signed by the debtor. The amount for which +judgment may be confessed is limited by law, but is, in some states at +least, and perhaps in most if not all of them, larger than the sum to +which the jurisdiction of a justice is limited in ordinary suits. + + + + +Chapter XVIII. + +Trial by Jury; Execution; Attachment; Appeals; Arrest of Offenders. + + + +Sec.1. The administration of justice in courts of law is not left entirely +to the justices and judges. Parties may not always have sufficient +confidence in the ability, honesty, and impartiality of the justice by +whom a suit is to be tried, to intrust their interests to his judgment. +Therefore the constitutions of all the states guaranty to every person +the right of trial by a jury. This right has been enjoyed in England +many centuries. It was established here by our ancestors, who were +principally from that country. + +Sec.2. A _jury_ is a number of men qualified and selected as the law +prescribes, and sworn to try a matter of fact, and to declare the truth +on the evidence given in the case. This declaring of the truth is called +a _verdict_, which is from the Latin _verum dictum_, a true declaration +or saying. A jury in a justice's court consists in most or all of the +states, as is believed, of six men; in the higher courts, of twelve men, +who are generally required to be freeholders. The manner of selecting +the jurors is not the same in all the states. + +Sec.3. After issue has been joined, and before testimony has been heard, +either party may demand that the cause be tried by a jury. Whereupon the +justice issues a _venire_, which is a writ or precept directing a +constable to summon the required number of duly qualified men to appear +before the justice, to make a jury to try the cause. + +Sec.4. The testimony and arguments on both sides having been heard, the +jurors are put under the charge of the constable, who is sworn to keep +them in some convenient place, without meat or drink, except such as the +justice may order, until they shall have agreed on their verdict, or +have been discharged by the justice; and not to allow any person to +speak to them during such time, nor to speak to them himself, except by +order of the justice, unless to ask them whether they have agreed on +their verdict. + +Sec.5. All the jurors must agree in a verdict; and when so agreed, they +return in charge of the constable, and, in open court, deliver their +verdict to the justice, who enters judgment according to the finding of +the jury. If the jurors, after having been out a reasonable time, do not +all agree upon a verdict, the justice may discharge them, and issue a +new venire, unless the parties consent to submit the cause to the +justice. + +Sec.6. If a judgment is not paid within the time prescribed by law, the +justice issues an _execution_, which is a precept directing a constable +to collect the amount of the judgment; and authorizing him to take and +sell the goods and chattels of the debtor, and to make his returns to +the justice within the time required. _Goods_ and _chattels_ are +personal or movable property, or property other than freehold, or real +estate. If the money can not be collected, the execution is returned as +not satisfied. If a constable does not faithfully obey the directions +contained in the execution, he and his sureties become liable to pay the +judgment. + +Sec.7. Laws have been passed in all the states for the benefit of poor men, +who are allowed to retain, for the use and comfort of themselves and +their families, certain articles of personal property, which may not be +sold on execution; such as necessary household furniture, apparel, beds, +tools and implements of trade, &c. The practice which formerly +prevailed, of imprisoning debtors who were unable to satisfy executions, +has been abolished, except for fines and penalties. + +Sec.8. The foregoing description of the proceedings of a justice's court is +that of a prosecution in ordinary cases. But there are other modes of +prosecution in certain cases, one of which is by attachment. An +_attachment_ is a writ directing the property of a debtor to be taken, +and kept till a trial can be had, and judgment obtained. This mode of +proceeding is adopted when the plaintiff has reason to believe that a +debtor conceals himself to avoid being prosecuted by summons, or is +about to remove his property or himself from the county, or intends in +some other way to defraud his creditors. + +Sec.9. In case of an absent or concealed debtor, the constable, (as is +supposed to be the common practice,) leaves a copy of the attachment, +with an inventory or list of the articles of property attached, at the +defendant's last place of abode, or, if he had none in the county, the +copy and inventory are to be left with the person in whose possession +the property is found. If the defendant does not appear on the day of +trial, the plaintiff may proceed to prove his demand and take judgment. +An execution is then issued against the property attached. + +Sec.10. If either party is dissatisfied with a judgment rendered in a +justice's court, he may _appeal_ to a higher court for trial, or for a +review of the judgment. The party appealing is called _appellant_; the +adverse party is the _appellee_ or _respondent_. + +Sec.11. An important part of the duties of a justice of the peace relates +to the arrest and trial of persons charged with crimes and misdemeanors. +Although they have not power to try high offenses usually called crimes, +they may order the apprehension of persons charged with such offenses, +and cause them to be committed for trial. + +Sec.12. A person knowing or suspecting another to have committed an +offense, may make complaint to a judge or justice of the peace, who +examines the complainant on oath, and witnesses, if any appear; and if +he is satisfied that an offense has been committed, he issues a +_warrant_, directing the person accused to be brought before him. The +complainant and witnesses for the prosecution, and next the prisoner and +his witnesses, are examined. If the offense is one of which the +magistrate has jurisdiction, he may proceed to try the prisoner, who, it +will be recollected, is entitled to be tried by a jury. + +Sec.13. If the offense is one which the magistrate has not power to try, he +binds the prosecutor or complainant and all material witnesses to appear +and testify against the prisoner at the next court having power to +indict and try him. And if the offense is one for which the prisoner may +be bailed, the magistrate takes bail for his appearance at court. If the +offense is not bailable, or if no satisfactory bail is offered, the +magistrate orders him to be committed to jail to await his trial. But, +as will be seen hereafter, he must be indicted by a grand jury before he +can be tried. (Chap. XIX., Sec.7-9.) And were there no danger of an +offender's escape before he could be brought to trial, his previous +arrest and examination might be unnecessary. + +Sec.14. The obligation or bond given by a prosecutor and witnesses for +their appearance at court, is sometimes called a _recognizance_. They +bind themselves, with sureties, to forfeit and pay a certain sum of +money in case of their non-appearance. A similar bond or recognizance is +given in case of bail. The person accused binds himself, with sureties, +in such sum as the justice requires, which is to be paid if he shall not +appear for trial. The word _bail_ is from a French word meaning _to +deliver_, or _to release_. Hence, the justice _bails_, sets free, or +delivers to his sureties, the party arrested. Also the sureties are said +to bail a person when they procure his liberation. + + + + +Chapter XIX. + +Courts other than Justices' Courts; Grand and Petit Juries, &c. + + + +Sec.1. The court next higher than a justice's court, is a court held in +each county, generally called a _county court_, or _court of common +pleas_. This court is usually held by a county judge elected by the +electors of the county in most of the states; in some, appointed by the +legislature; and in others, by the governor, with the advice and consent +of the senate. In a few of the states this court consists of more than +one judge. In some states, county courts are held by judges of the +circuit courts. + +Sec.2. In this court are tried civil causes in which are claimed sums of +greater amount than a justice of the peace has jurisdiction of, and +criminal causes in which are charged the lower crimes committed in the +county. Also causes removed by appeal from a justice's court are tried +in this court; in which cases it is said to have _appellate_ +jurisdiction. Courts are also said to have _original_ jurisdiction; +which means that suits may _originate_ or commence in such courts. + +Sec.3. There is in every state at least one court, and in most of the +states there are two or more courts of higher grade than a county court. +They are called in the different states by different names; as _circuit +court_, _superior court_, _supreme court_, and _court of appeals_. A +_circuit_ court probably obtains its name thus: A state is divided into +judicial districts, in each of which one or more judges are elected, +who go around holding a court once a year or oftener in each of the +counties composing a judicial district. This court usually has both +original and appellate jurisdiction; it being a part of its business to +try appeals from the county courts. It also tries such of the higher +crimes as a county court has not the power to try. Courts in which +crimes are tried are sometimes called courts of _oyer and terminer_. + +Sec.4. Every county court, and every circuit having like jurisdiction, has +a jury to try issues of fact, and a grand jury. An _issue of fact_ is +when the _fact_ as to the indebtedness or the guilt of the party charged +is to be determined from the testimony. An _issue of law_ is one in +which it is to be determined what is the _law_ in the case, which is +done by the judge instead of the jury. The jury by which issues of fact +are tried, as distinguished from a grand jury, is called a _petty_ or +_petit jury_. It consists of twelve men, all of whom must agree in a +verdict. + +Sec.5. The manner of selecting grand and petit jurors is prescribed by law. +A number of judicious men in each town are selected by some person or +persons lawfully authorized; and the names of the men so selected are +written on separate pieces of paper, and put into a box in each town, +and kept by the town clerk; or as is the practice in some states, the +names of the men designated as jurors in the several towns are sent to +the county clerk, and by him kept in a box. Previous to the sitting of +the court, the requisite number is drawn out the box; and the men whose +names are drawn, are summoned to attend as jurors. + +Sec.6. It is the business of a _grand jury_ to inquire concerning crimes +and misdemeanors committed in the county; and if there appear just +grounds of accusation against any person, they make to the court a +presentment or formal charge against him, upon which he is to be put +upon trial. The number of grand jurors is not always the same. In some +states there may not be more than twenty-three nor less than twelve. It +is not required that they shall all agree in order to put a person upon +trial. + +Sec.7. On the opening of the court, the grand jurors are sworn to make a +true presentment of all things given them in charge. The judge then +gives them a charge, and appoints one of them foreman; and the jurors +retire to a private apartment to attend to their duties. They hear all +complaints brought before them against persons for crimes and breaches +of the peace, and examine witnesses who appear to testify; and when it +is requested, they have the assistance and advice of the state's +attorney; or as he is called in some states, the _district attorney_, or +_prosecuting attorney_. If they think any person complained of ought to +be tried, they draw up a writing, in which they charge him with the +offense of which they think him guilty. This is called an _indictment_. +It is signed by the foreman, indorsed "a true bill," and carried by the +jury into court. If the person accused has not before been arrested, he +may now be arrested, and put upon trial. (See Chap. XVIII, Sec.12-14.) + +Sec.8. As grand juries do not try crimes, but merely make inquiry into +them, some may not readily perceive the necessity of such juries. +Innocent persons might be subjected to great inconvenience and expense +in defending themselves in court against the slanderous reports or false +accusations of evil minded persons. It is to prevent this that grand +juries are instituted, who make careful examinations into the cases +brought before them, and do not often charge persons with crime unless +there is a strong probability of their being found guilty on trial. + +Sec.9. So important was the institution of grand juries considered, that +the constitution of the United States, to which the constitutions and +laws of the states must conform, was made to provide, that "no person +shall be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime, unless on +a presentment or indictment of a grand jury," except in certain cases. +(Con. U.S., Amend. Art. V. For the definition of "infamous crime," see +Chap. VI., Sec.7.) + +Sec.10. It is the opinion of many that this requirement of a previous +indictment by a grand jury has reference only to the courts of the +United States; and that the states may dispense with it. Hence, efforts +are now making in some states to abolish grand juries. It is supposed +that an examination at all times before a justice or a judge, when the +prisoner can be present with his witnesses, is more likely to protect +him against being unnecessarily subjected to the trouble and expense of +a trial, than before a grand jury, where complaints are often made by +malicious persons, and sustained by the testimony of partial or corrupt +witnesses. + +Sec.11. The _supreme court_ is generally the next higher, and in most of +the states, the highest state court. This court differs somewhat in the +different states, both in the manner of its formation and in its +jurisdiction. It is believed, however, to have, in the states generally, +both original and appellate jurisdiction, civil and criminal. In the +state of New York and a few other states, there is one higher court, +called _court of appeals_, which has appellate power only. Its business +is to review cases from the supreme court. + +Sec.12. Suits in the county, circuit, and supreme courts, are commenced by +a _writ_, (in some states a summons or a declaration,) which is served +by the sheriff of the county in which the suit is to be tried. He also +serves warrants and executions issued by these courts. A sheriff is to +these courts what a constable is to a justice's court. His powers and +duties have been elsewhere described. (Chap. XIV., Sec.8.) + + + + +Chapter XX. + +Chancery or Equity Courts; Probate Courts; Court of Impeachment. + + + +Sec.1. It might be supposed, that in instituting the courts which have been +described, all necessary provision had been made for securing justice to +the citizens. But many cases arise in which justice and equity can not +be obtained in these courts. To afford relief in such cases, a court +has been established called a _court of equity_, or _court of chancery_. +What often renders it impossible to get justice in ordinary courts of +law, is the want of witnesses; but in a court of equity the parties may +themselves be put on oath. + +Sec.2. A debtor, to avoid the payment of his debts, may conceal his +property or his money; but this court may compel him to disclose and +give up the same to satisfy an execution; and it may prevent persons +indebted to him from making payment to him. A person refusing to fulfill +a contract may, in courts of common law, only be sued for damage; but +this court may in certain cases compel him to fulfill the contract +itself. It may also restrain individuals and corporations from +committing fraudulent acts, and prevent persons from committing wastes +on land and certain other injuries, until the right at law can be tried. + +Sec.3. Courts of chancery were established, it is believed, in a majority +of the old states. But separate and distinct organizations called +chancery courts, now exist in but a few states; the power to try suits +in equity having been given to the judges of the common law courts. + +Sec.4. Suits _in equity_ are not commenced as suits _at law_. The plaintiff +prepares a bill of complaint, the facts stated in which are sworn to by +himself. The bill, which contains a petition or prayer that the +defendant may be summoned to make answer on oath, is filed with the +clerk of the court, who issues a subpoena commanding the defendant to +appear before the court on a day named. A trial may be had on the +complaint and answer alone; or witnesses may be introduced by the +parties. The case is argued by counsel, and a _decree_ is pronounced by +the court, which the court has power to carry into effect. + +Sec.5. There is another kind of courts which are in their nature different +from ordinary law courts, and are called _probate courts_. There is in +every county a probate court held by a _judge of probate_, whose duties +relate to the proving of wills and the settling of the estates of +persons deceased. A _will_ is a writing in which a person gives +directions concerning the disposal of his property after his death. The +Latin word _probatus_ means proof; from which _probate_ has come to be +applied to the proving of a will. (See Wills and Testaments.) In the +state of New York the judge of this court is called _surrogate_, and the +court is called _surrogate's court_. + +Sec.6. There is still another court in every state, which is not a common +law court. It is the _court of impeachment_. The name is applied to the +senate when sitting on a trial of impeachment. An _impeachment_ is a +charge or accusation against a public officer for corrupt conduct in his +office; as if a governor, for money offered him, should approve and sign +a law; or a judge should, for money or from some other selfish or +personal motive, give a wrong judgment. The constitution gives to the +house of representatives the power to impeach, and to the senate the +power to try the persons impeached. This practice has come from Great +Britain, where the impeachment is made by the house of commons, and the +house of lords is the high court of impeachment. + +Sec.7. The house of representatives, in a case of impeachment, acts in +nearly the same manner as a grand jury in a court of law. A complaint is +made to the house; and if, upon examination, there appear to a majority +of the members present sufficient grounds for the charge, an accusation +in writing is prepared, called _articles of impeachment_, and delivered +to the senate. In some states, a majority of the members elected is +necessary to impeach. The president of the senate orders the court to be +summoned. The accused is brought before the court to answer to the +charge, and has counsel assigned him. The senators are sworn truly to +try and determine the impeachment according to evidence; and a day is +fixed for trial. + +Sec.8. The house of representatives usually choose from their number a +committee of managers to conduct the trial, the proceedings in which are +the same as in law courts. The senators retire and deliberate as jurors +in such courts. Two-thirds of the senators--in some states two-thirds of +all the senators elected--must concur in order to convict the person +accused. If a person is convicted, the court may remove him from +office, or disqualify him to hold any office in the state, for a time, +or for life; or may both remove and disqualify him. This court can +pronounce no other sentence. But if the act committed is a crime, the +offender may also be indicted, tried, and punished in a court of +justice. + +Sec.9. Judicial officers may also be removed by the governor on address of +the legislature. If a judge is suspected of corrupt conduct in his +office, or of being incompetent to discharge its duties, complaint is +made to the legislature, and the party complained of is notified, and an +opportunity is given him of being heard in his defense. If both +branches, by the required majorities, concur in the opinion that he +ought to be removed, they address the governor, setting forth their +reasons for the removal. If the governor considers the reasons +sufficient, the officer is removed. This mode of removal does not exist +in all the states. In New York, and perhaps in a few other states, the +legislature makes the removal without the concurrence of the governor; +and in that state some of the lower judicial officers may be removed by +the senate on the recommendation of the governor. In a few states, +judges are not removable by impeachment. + + + + +Chapter XXI. + +Assessment and Collection of Taxes. + + + +Sec.1. Every government must have the power of providing means for its +support. The money which is needed to pay the expenses of administering +the government, if the state has no permanent source of revenue, or +income, must be raised by taxation. A _tax_ is a rate or sum of money +assessed upon the person or property of a citizen for the use of the +state. When assessed upon the person, it is called a _poll-tax_, or +_capitation tax_, being a certain sum on every poll, or head. But as +persons ought generally to contribute to the public expenses according +to their ability, taxes are more just and equal when laid upon the +property of the citizens. Few poll-taxes are levied in this country. + +Sec.2. There are certain kinds of property which are exempt from taxation; +such as the corporate property of the state, of counties, and of towns, +including the buildings in which the public business is done, the +prisons, jails, asylums, &c., and the lands attached to them; +school-houses and meeting-houses, with the lands attached; +burying-grounds, and the property of literary and charitable +institutions. But the property of business corporations, as rail-road, +banking, insurance, manufacturing, and other stock companies, like that +of individuals, is liable to taxation. _Real estate_, or _real +property_, is land with the buildings and other articles erected or +growing thereon. _Personal estate_, or _personal property_, consists of +movables, as goods, chattels, money, and debts due from solvent debtors. + +Sec.3. As the property of every person is to be assessed in proportion to +its value, it is necessary, first, to make a correct valuation of all +the taxable property. For this purpose, the assessor or assessors pass +through the town, and make a list of the names of all the taxable +inhabitants, and the estimated value of the property, real and personal, +of each; and returns of the same are made to the proper county officers, +who cause the tax-list for each town to be made out, and order the taxes +to be collected. + +Sec.4. In some states, persons liable to taxation are themselves required +to furnish lists of all their taxable property, printed blank lists +having been previously distributed among them for this purpose. To +secure an accurate valuation, the assessors, (called also _listers_,) +may require persons to make oath that they have made a true statement of +their property and its value. In states where the polls of the +tax-payers are assessed, these also are set down in the lists at such +sums as the law directs to be affixed to each poll. + +Sec.5. Before a tax-list can be made out, it must be known what amount is +to be collected in each town. This amount is made up of three parts: +First, the sum wanted to pay the expenses of the town for the preceding +year; secondly, the town's share of the county expenses; and thirdly, +its proportional share of the expenses of the state government, or of +what is to be raised for state purposes. + +Sec.6. The apportionment of the amount of the state and county expenses +among the several towns, is made according to the amount of property in +each as valued by the assessors. The state auditor or controller, having +received from the several counties returns of the value of the property +in each county, is enabled to determine its quota of the amount to be +raised for state purposes. To each county's share of the state expenses +is added the sum to be raised in the county for county purposes; and the +amount is apportioned among the towns in proportion to the value of the +assessed property of each. Then adding to each town's share of the +amount of the state and county expenses, the amount to be raised for +town purposes, gives the sum to be collected in the town. + +Sec.7. Having thus ascertained the sum to be raised in each town, the +officers whose duty it is, cause a tax-list to be made out, in which the +amount of each person's tax is set opposite his name and the estimated +value of his property. The tax-list of each town, certified and signed +by the proper persons, is put into the hands of the collector, with a +warrant ordering the same to be collected. + +Sec.8. The money collected for county and state purposes is paid to the +county treasurer, who pays to the state treasurer the amount raised in +the county for state expenses, and retains the remainder to be expended +in the county. The money collected for town purposes is paid to such +persons in the town as are by law authorized to receive the same. + + + + +Chapter XXII. + +Education. School Funds; Schools, &c. + + + +Sec.1. The proper object of government is to promote the welfare and +happiness of its citizens. For this purpose, it must provide for making +and properly administering laws to protect the people in the enjoyment +of life and the fruits of their labor. But it should go further, and +make express provision for improving the condition of the people, +especially the less fortunate portions of them. + +Sec.2. The prosperity of a state or nation depends essentially upon the +education of its citizens. This is seen by comparing the condition of +the people of this country with the condition of the people of those +countries where the benefits of education are not enjoyed. Ignorance +tends to make men idle, vicious, and miserable. On the other hand, +learning is not only a means of enjoyment in itself, but of improving +the social condition of a people. + +Sec.3. Again, a free government is better adapted than any other to promote +the welfare of a nation. But if the people are not properly educated, +they are incapable of self-government. And as many persons are unable to +pay for the tuition of their children, the safety of the government +itself requires the establishment of a system of education, by which the +great body of the people may be fitted to discharge their social and +political duties. The states have accordingly instituted school systems +for the instruction of children and youth of all classes at the public +expense. + +Sec.4. In most of the states, the schools are supported only in part, in a +few of them wholly, at the expense of the states. Some states have +provided funds, the income of which is annually applied to this object. +_Fund_ generally signifies the money or capital stock employed in +carrying on trade or any other business operation. _State funds_ are the +moneys and other property of the state which are set apart for paying +the expenses of the government, or for the construction of canals, +roads, and other public improvements. The interest of these funds, and +the income from other sources, are called the _revenue_. + +Sec.5. In some states, school funds are created by appropriating the public +lands, which are lands owned by the state as a body corporate. The +proceeds of these lands, from sales or rents, constitute a part or the +whole of the school fund, the interest of which is annually applied to +the support of schools. If the income from the school fund is +insufficient for this purpose, the deficiency may, as is done in some +states, be supplied, in whole or in part, by taxation, or from the state +treasury. + +Sec.6. Many of the new states have large school funds. At an early period, +while most of the territory from which these states have been formed was +yet the property of the United States, and uninhabited, Congress passed +an act by which a particular section of land (number sixteen) in every +township is reserved for the support of schools therein. By this act, +one thirty-sixth part of the lands within each of these states has been +thus appropriated, besides smaller portions granted for the benefit of a +university in each state. These lands are in the charge of proper +officers, who dispose of them, and apply the proceeds as the law +directs. + +Sec.7. The school funds of many of the states have been largely increased +by certain moneys received from the United States. In 1837, there had +accumulated in the national treasury about thirty millions of dollars +over and above what was needed for the support of the government. By an +act of congress, this surplus revenue was distributed among the states +then existing, to be kept by them until called for by congress. Although +congress reserved the right to recall the money, it was presumed that it +would never be demanded. That it never will be, is now almost certain. +Many of the states have appropriated large portions of their respective +shares for school purposes. From its having been said to be only +_deposited_ with the states, this fund is sometimes called the _United +States deposit fund_. + +Sec.8. School moneys coming from the state treasury, or state fund, are +usually apportioned among the several towns of the state; and each +town's share of such moneys, together with what may come to the town by +taxation or from its school lands, is divided among the several +districts according to the number of children between certain ages in +each district, or in such other manner as may be directed by law. If the +moneys thus received are insufficient to pay the wages of teachers, a +rate bill is made out in each district for the deficiency, and collected +from the persons whose children have been taught in the schools. + +Sec.9. The towns, or townships, are divided into districts of suitable size +for schools, which are called _district schools_. From their being +supported by a common fund, and designed for the common benefit, or from +the lower or more common branches being taught in them, they are also +called _common schools_. One or more _trustees_ or _directors_ are +chosen in each district to manage its affairs; a _clerk_ to notify +meetings and record the proceedings of the same; and a _collector_ to +collect taxes for building and repairing school-houses, and all rate +bills for the payment of teachers. + +Sec.10. The highest school officer is the _state superintendent of common +schools_, or, as he is sometimes called, _superintendent of public +instruction_. The superintendent collects information relating to the +schools; the number of children residing in each district, and the +number taught; the amount paid for tuition; the number of school-houses, +and the amount yearly expended in erecting school-houses; and other +matters concerning the operation and effects of the common school +system. If there is no other officer whose duty it is, the +superintendent also apportions the money arising from the state funds +among the several counties. He reports to the legislature at every +session the information he has collected, and suggests such improvements +in the school system as he thinks ought to be made. + +Sec.11. There is in every county an officer who receives from the state +superintendent the money apportioned to the county, and apportions the +same among the towns; reports to the state superintendent the number of +children in the county; and performs such other duties as the law +requires. In some states, there is no such county officer; but the money +is apportioned by the state superintendent among the towns; and the +reports from the towns are made directly to the state superintendent. + +Sec.12. In the towns are officers whose duties are to examine teachers, +visit schools, apportion the school moneys among the districts, and to +collect the lists of the number of children in the several districts, +with such other information as the law requires, and report the same to +the county officer, or, if there is none, to the state superintendent. +In some states, there is in each county an officer or a board of +officers, for examining teachers, and performing certain other duties +relating to the schools of the county. + +Sec.13. Academies and colleges also receive aid from the state, to a +limited extent. A distinct fund is created in some states for their +benefit; in others, they are aided by special appropriations from the +state treasury. + + + + +Chapter XXIII. + +Canals and Rail-Roads. + + + +Sec.1. In carrying out the purposes of government, provision ought also to +be made to secure to the people the means of obtaining a suitable reward +for their industry, and to render the labor of all, as nearly as may be, +equally profitable. + +Sec.2. The people of some states do not possess the same advantage as those +of others; nor do all the people of the same state enjoy equal +advantages. Those who reside at a great distance from market, or from +navigable waters and good roads, are not so well rewarded for their +labor as those who reside near them, because of the greater cost of the +transportation, both of what they have to sell, and of the goods they +buy. Hence the necessity of good roads, canals, or other means of +facilitating trade between the different parts of the state. + +Sec.3. Among the works intended to effect this object, _canals_ are perhaps +the most useful, and are to be preferred wherever their construction is +practicable. Canals are sometimes constructed by incorporated companies; +but generally these works, especially those of great magnitude, are made +by the state, and are the property of the state. Although there are some +states in which are no canals of this kind, it may be interesting to +young persons generally to know how so important a state work is made. + +Sec.4. To raise the money necessary to make a canal, the legislature might +levy a general tax upon the property of the citizens. But this would not +be expedient or just; because, first, the payment of so large a sum by +the people within the time in which it would be desirable to complete +the work, would be inconvenient and burdensome; and secondly, the +expense must fall alike upon the people of all parts of the state: +whereas, those residing most remotely from the line of the work, would +derive from it little or no benefit. + +Sec.5. When, therefore, a great enterprise of this kind is undertaken by a +state, the law authorizing the work usually provides a _fund_, the +income of which is to be applied to this object. This fund consists of +such lands, property, and moneys as the legislature may grant for this +purpose. Funds were thus constituted in some of the western states, to +which funds congress made grants of the public lands of the United +States lying within those states. + +Sec.6. These funds, however, furnish but a part, some of them but a small +portion of the money necessary to complete the work; and some states +undertaking public improvements may not have the lands or other property +to constitute such a fund. The state therefore borrows the money for a +long term of years, and depends upon the income of the canal fund and +the tolls to be collected on the canals, for the repayment of the money +borrowed. Should the revenues of the canal and of the canal fund be +insufficient, the deficiency may be supplied by taxation. + +Sec.7. The business of borrowing the money is done on the part of the +state, by persons duly authorized, who give for the money borrowed the +bonds of the state, which are written promises to pay the money at the +times specified, with interest at the rate agreed on; the interest +generally to be paid semi-annually. These bonds are usually given in +sums of $1,000 each, or less. The debts of a state thus contracted by +issuing bonds, are called _state stocks_, as the capital, or stock +required to construct a state work is obtained by the sale of its bonds. +These bonds, like the certificates of stock in a rail-road or other +corporate business company, are transferable, and may be bought and sold +as promissory notes, and constitute an important article of trade. + +Sec.8. These stocks are taken by men who have large sums of money to lend, +and who consider the state a responsible debtor; because, if it has no +other sufficient means of paying its bonds, the legislature has power to +raise the money by taxation. Most of the states have contracted debts in +this manner for various purposes. State stocks are purchased and held +not only by capitalists in this country, but by many in Europe. + +Sec.9. Officers are appointed to manage the canal fund, and others to +superintend the canals. There are also officers, called _canal +collectors_, at suitable distances along the canals, to collect the +_tolls_, which are charges paid by the masters or owners of boats for +the use of the canal. + +Sec.10. The states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and some other western +states, have prosecuted the canal enterprise on a large scale. Although +large debts have been contracted for the construction of canals in these +states, the benefits derived from them more than compensate for the vast +expense of their construction. + +Sec.11. _Rail-roads_, although they are of public utility, are not +properly public works, being constructed by companies incorporated for +that purpose. The necessity for an act of incorporation is readily seen. +Rail-roads pass through the lands of private individuals; and without +the authority of law, the land of no person can be taken for such +purpose; nor can a law authorize it to be taken, unless the work is one +of general advantage; nor even in such case, without compensation to the +owner for his land; for it is declared by the state constitutions, that +"private property shall not be taken for public use without just +compensation." + +Sec.12. If, therefore, the legislature deem a proposed railroad to be of +public utility, they pass an act to incorporate a company with the +requisite powers to construct the road, on making compensation for the +land, the value of which is to be estimated in such manner as the law +prescribes. The law also prescribes the manner in which the affairs of +the road are to be conducted. + +Sec.13. The amount of capital to be employed by the company, is mentioned +in the act of incorporation, or charter, and is raised in this way: The +amount of the capital, or stock, is divided into shares of $100, or +less. Persons wishing to invest money in the road, subscribe the number +of shares they will respectively take. When all the shares are thus sold +and the money is paid in, the company is ready to proceed to the +construction of the road. The owners of these shares are called +_stockholders_, who choose from among themselves such number of +_directors_ as the charter authorizes. The directors elect from their +number a _president_. + +Sec.14. Persons buying shares receive certificates signed by the proper +officers, stating the number of shares for which each certificate is +given. The holders of these certificates, if they wish to make other use +of the money they have invested in the business, may sell their stock to +others, to whom they pass their certificates, which are evidence of the +amount of stock purchased. Thus these certificates are bought and sold +as promissory notes. + +Sec.15. Stockholders depend, for the reimbursement of their capital, upon +the money to be received for the transportation of passengers and +freight. Such portion of the income of the road as remains after paying +all expenses of running and repairs, is divided semi-annually among the +stockholders. Hence the sums thus divided are called _dividends_. The +earnings of some roads are so large as to make the investment a +profitable one; so that the holder of shares is enabled to sell them at +an advance. When shares in the stock of any institution are sold at +their nominal value, the price named in the certificates, the stock is +said to be at _par_. When they are sold for more or less than their +nominal value, they are said to be above or below _par_. In large +commercial cities, as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and others, the +purchase and sale of state stocks, and stocks in rail-roads, banks, &c., +is a regular and extensive business of capitalists. + + + + +Chapter XXIV. + +Banks and Insurance Companies. + + + +Sec.1. Banks, we are told, were first instituted in Italy, where certain +Jews assembled, seated on benches, ready to lend money, and to exchange +money and bills; and _banco_ being the Italian name for bench, banks +took their title from this word. The first banks are said to have been +only places where money was laid up or deposited for safe-keeping. But +banks at the present day are not used for depositing alone. + +Sec.2. Banks in this country can be established only by authority of law. +They are incorporated by an act of the legislature. The capital stock is +raised by the sale of shares, and issue of certificates, as in the case +of rail-roads. (Chap. XXIII., Sec.13.) The stockholders elect of their +number (usually) thirteen _directors_, who choose one of themselves as +_president_. The president and directors choose a cashier and clerks. + +Sec.3. Merchants and others in commercial places, deposit in banks, for +safe-keeping, the money they receive in the course of business, and then +draw it out on their written orders as they have occasion to use it. An +order of this kind is called a _check_. + +Sec.4. Persons depositing money only once, or very seldom, and intending to +draw for the same at once, usually receive from the cashier a +_certificate of deposit_, which states the name of the depositor, the +sum deposited, and to whose order it is to be paid. For the use of money +deposited for any considerable period, banks agree to pay interest, +usually less, however, than the rate established by law. Certificates of +deposit may, by indorsement, be made transferable as promissory notes +and other negotiable paper, (Chap. LX., Sec.2,) and are often remitted, +instead of money, to distant places, where, by presenting them at a +bank, they may, for a trifling compensation, be converted into money. + +Sec.5. A material part of the business of banks is to assist merchants and +others in transmitting money to distant places. Thus: A, in New York, +wishing to send $1,000 to B, in Philadelphia, puts the money into a bank +in New York, takes for it an order, called _draft_, on a bank in +Philadelphia, for that amount, to be paid to B. The draft is sent by +mail to B, who presents his draft at the bank, and receives the money; +and the bank charges the amount to the New York bank. + +Sec.6. But persons unacquainted with commercial business, especially young +persons, may not know how the bank in Philadelphia is to be repaid. In +the course of trade between the two cities, business men are constantly +remitting money both ways through the banks, which thus receive the +money and draw upon each other. Thus millions of dollars may be annually +transmitted between the two cities, without any expense except the small +charge of the banks for doing the business, and without the risk of loss +by accident or robbery which attends the conveyance of money in person. + +Sec.7. Banks also lend money. The borrower gives a note for the sum +wanted, signed by himself, and indorsed by one or more others as +sureties. The cashier pays the money for the note, retaining out of it +the interest on the sum lent, instead of waiting for it until the note +becomes due. This is called _discounting_ a note. + +Sec.8. The bills of banks pass as money. A bank bill or note is a promise +of the bank to pay the bearer a certain sum on demand, signed by the +president and cashier. It passes as money, because the bank is bound to +pay it in specie if it is demanded. Paying notes thus is _redeeming_ +them. When a bank is unable to redeem all its bills, it is said to have +failed, or to be broken; and the bill holders suffer loss, unless some +security has been provided. This has been done in some states by making +the stockholders individually liable for the redemption of the bills; +that is, the property owned by them as individuals may be taken and sold +on execution for that purpose. Such security, however, has never been +generally provided. + +Sec.9. But a system of banking, sometimes called _free banking_, has more +recently been adopted in some states. It is so called, because the +business of banking is thrown open to all by a _general law_. Any +person, or any number of persons, may, by complying with the provisions +of this general law, establish a bank without a special law for this +purpose. Hence it is also called the _general banking_ system. + +Sec.10. Persons, before commencing business under this law, must put into +the hands of the proper state officers ample securities for the +redemption of their bills; and they may not issue bills to a greater +amount than the amount of their securities. These securities must +consist of approved state stocks, or United States stocks, or partly of +public stocks, and partly of real estate. When a bank fails, the lands +and stocks held in pledge by the state are sold, and the avails are +applied to the redemption of the bills. This system of banking seems to +be growing into public favor. + +Sec.11. _Insurance companies_ also are authorized by law. Their business is +to insure persons against loss by fire. The corporators, on being paid a +small sum, consisting generally of a certain percentage on the amount +for which the property is insured, promise to pay such amount if the +property shall be destroyed by fire. There are companies also for +insuring vessels at sea; and _life_ insurance companies, that agree to +pay, in case of the death of the person insured, a certain sum for the +benefit of his family, or of some other person named in the policy. The +word _policy_ as here used, means the writing containing the terms or +conditions on which the company agrees to indemnify the person insured +in case of loss. The money paid to obtain insurance, is called +_premium_. + +Sec.12. The profits of the stockholders consist of the excess of money +received for premiums over the amount paid out for losses. Thus, if a +company has issued 2,000 policies, each covering property of an average +amount of $1,000, the amount of risk is $2,000,000; and if the rate of +insurance is one per cent., the amount received in premiums is $20,000. +Hence, if none of the 2,000 buildings is burned within the time the +insurance is to run, the $20,000 are gained. If ten of them should be +burned, there would still be a gain of $10,000. If twenty should be +destroyed, there would be no gain, but an actual loss to the amount of +the expenses of the concern. + +Sec.13. But from the average number and amount of losses annually for many +years, companies are enabled so to fix the rates of insurance as to give +the stockholders a fair profit on their capital. The rates are not the +same on all kinds of property; a higher per centage is charged on that +which is deemed hazardous, or more exposed to fire, than on that which +is less exposed. The profits on the business of the company, or the +_dividends_, as they are called, are annually or semi-annually divided +among the stockholders, in proportion to the amount of their respective +shares. + +Sec.14. There is another kind of insurance companies, which differ +materially from the _stock_ companies described in the preceding +sections. They are _mutual_ insurance companies. They are so called +because the members unite in insuring each other. Every person having +his property insured by such a company is a member of it. He has his +buildings and the property in them valued; and pays a certain rate per +cent. on such valuation. A fund is thus raised out of which any member +suffering loss by fire is paid the amount for which the property was +insured. When the fund is exhausted, it is again supplied by a tax +assessed upon the members in proportion to the amounts for which they +are respectively insured. + + + + +Chapter XXV. + +The Militia. + + + +Sec.1. It is the practice of governments to keep their respective countries +prepared to defend themselves against foreign enemies. For this purpose +all men liable to do military duty are enrolled, and are required to +meet on certain days every year for instruction in the art of war, in +order to be ready for actual service whenever it shall be required. The +body of soldiers thus enrolled are called the _militia_. There are other +words which are sometimes applied to bodies of soldiers; as _infantry_, +which means the soldiers or troops who serve on foot; _cavalry_, the +troops on horses; _artillery_, those who manage the cannon and other +heavy weapons of war. But all troops are comprehended in the general +term, _militia_. + +Sec.2. The militia of a state, or a portion of them, may also be needed to +aid in executing the laws of the state, and in suppressing insurrection +or rebellion. An _insurrection_ is a rising against the public +authority, or the attempt of persons to prevent the execution of a law. +_Rebellion_ generally means nearly the same as _insurrection_; but more +properly it signifies a revolt, or an attempt to overthrow the +government to establish a different one. As it is the duty of an +executive to see the laws executed, power is given by the constitution +to the governor to call out a sufficient military force for this +purpose. + +Sec.3. All able-bodied white male citizens of the United States, between +the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, are liable to perform +military service in the states in which they reside, except such as are +exempt by the laws of the states and of the United States. Persons +exempt by the laws of the states are generally the following: Ministers +of the gospel; commissioned officers of the militia having served a +certain number of years; members of uniformed companies having served +for a specified time; members of fire companies; certain public officers +while in office; and in some states teachers and students of colleges, +academies, and common schools; and a few others. + +Sec.4. Persons exempt by the laws of the United States are the +vice-president, the subordinate executive and all the judicial officers +of the government of the United States; members of congress and its +officers; custom-house officers and their clerks; post-officers and +drivers of mail stages; ferrymen employed at ferries on post-roads; +pilots and mariners. + +Sec.5. By the constitutions of the several states, the governors are made +the commanders-in-chief of the militia of their respective states; and +by the constitution of the United States, the president is made +commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and also +of the militia of the states when called out into actual service. It has +already been remarked, (Sec.2,) that the military force of the state is at +the command of the executive to protect the government and its citizens. +So the president was thought the proper person to have command of the +public forces, to execute the laws of the United States, to repel +invasion, and to carry on war. Hence the governors and the president are +not among the public officers who are exempt from military duty. + +Sec.6. Persons who, having been duly notified, refuse to appear at +military parades, or, appearing without being equipped as the law +directs, are tried by a military court, called _court martial_, +consisting usually of three military officers, or of such other persons +as may be appointed according to the law of the state. If the persons +tried do not show good cause for their delinquency, they are fined in +such sums as the law prescribes. In certain cases courts may consist of +more than three members. + +Sec.7. The highest militia officer, except the governor, is the +_adjutant-general_ of the state; who keeps a list of all the higher +commissioned officers, containing the dates of their commissions, their +rank, the corps (pronounced _core_) they belong to, the division, +brigade, and regiment, and their places of residence. He distributes all +orders from the commander-in-chief (the governor,) to the several +divisions; attends public reviews where the commander-in-chief reviews +the militia; and obeys all orders from him relative to carrying into +execution the system of military discipline established by law. + +Sec.8. There is also in some states a _commissary-general_, who has the +care of the arsenals and magazines, and the articles deposited in them. +An _arsenal_ is a building in which are kept cannon, muskets, powder, +balls, and other warlike stores; all of which are to be kept in repair +and ready for use. + +Sec.9. There are persons who, believing all wars to be wrong, can not +conscientiously do military service. As it is the object of our +government to secure to every person the liberty of conscience as well +as other rights, the constitutions of many of the states provide, that +those who are averse to bearing arms, may be excused by paying annually +a sum of money instead of rendering the service. But it may well be +doubted whether compelling a man to pay the money is not itself a +violation of the right of conscience. Many persons conceive it to be no +less morally wrong to commute for the service than to perform it. In +some states, all persons belonging to the society of Friends, usually +called Quakers, are exempt without the payment of an equivalent in +money. + +Sec.10. In the states of New York and Ohio, the rank and file of the +militia are not required to train in time of peace. Persons liable to +perform military service, except those connected with the uniformed +companies, are enrolled in the militia; but instead of doing duty, they +pay annually a small tax, which is in New York fifty cents, and in Ohio +fifty cents, or a day's highway labor. + +Sec.11. Laws abolishing trainings and musters of the great body of the +militia, are, it is believed, growing into favor, and for these among +other reasons: First, the militia system produces no material +improvement in discipline; secondly, the expenditure of time and money +in these useless exercises, and for arms and equipments, are burdensome +to many citizens; and thirdly, there is no probability of an occasion +requiring a large portion of the militia to be so suddenly called into +service as to allow no time for preparation. Volunteer companies like +those kept up and disciplined in the states above named, and the +standing army of the nation, are deemed sufficient for any supposable +emergency. + +Sec.12. Happily the practice of settling disputes between nations by war, +is becoming less popular in civilized and Christian communities. War is +a dreadful evil, and ought to be discouraged, and, if possible, avoided. +Were governments so disposed, they might in most cases settle their +differences as individuals do, by submitting them to the judgment of a +third party. If the love of military honor were less encouraged, and the +principles of peace duly inculcated, the time would be hastened when +"nations shall learn war no more." + + + + + +Government of the United States. + + + + +Chapter XXVI. + +Causes of the Revolution. + + + +Sec.1. The plan of government in this country is peculiar. To a person +previously unacquainted with our political institutions, it might seem +strange, after having read the foregoing description of the state +governments, to be told that there is still another and a different +government to which the people are subject. How the people of more than +thirty states, all having complete and distinct governments, can at the +same time be subject to another government, also complete in all its +parts, he would not immediately understand. He would not know what is +meant by the government of the United States. How the states, all having +governments of their own, can be _united_ in one government, he would +not readily perceive. + +Sec.2. We shall therefore proceed to a description of the government of the +United States, from which will appear the relation between that +government and the state governments. It will also appear that the state +governments, each of which has in itself a great deal of machinery, all +move in harmony with the great political machine--the government of the +United States. It is easy to see that a knowledge of these governments +is important to the people who live under them, as every freeman +exercises a part of the governing power, both in the government of his +own state, and in the general government. + +Sec.3. To assist the reader in understanding the constitution and +government of the United States, we shall first give a sketch of the +governments which preceded, and of the principal causes which led to the +revolution in the government of this country. Most of the youth who are +of sufficient age to study this work, probably know that our present +forms of government were not established by the early settlers in this +country. The first inhabitants were _colonists_. A _colony_ is a +settlement of persons in a distant place or country, who remain subject +to the government of the state or country from which they removed. The +American colonies which have become the "United States," were chiefly +settled from Great Britain, and were under her jurisdiction. + +Sec.4. The political rights and privileges enjoyed by the colonists as +British subjects, were very limited, and were conferred by the charters +of the king. The people had not then, as now, constitutions of their own +choice. There were colonial governments; but they were such as the king +was pleased to establish, and might be changed at his pleasure. These +governments were in _form_ somewhat similar to that of our state +governments. There was what might be called a legislature; also an +executive or governor; and there were judges. + +Sec.5. But of the officers of these departments of the government, only the +members of one branch of the law-making power were elected by the +people. The other branch was composed of a small number of men, called a +council; but they were appointed by the king and subject to his control, +as was also the governor, who had the power of an absolute negative or +veto to any proposed law. And laws after having received the assent of +the governor, must be sent to England and approved by the king, before +they could go into effect. + +Sec.6. Hence we see that the colonists had no security for the passage of +such laws as they wanted. And the consequence was, that they were often +denied good and wholesome laws, by the refusal of the king to sanction +them. Not only so; many laws enacted by parliament were very unjust and +oppressive. The object of these laws was to secure to Great Britain +alone the trade of the colonies. One law declared that no goods should +be imported by the colonists but in English vessels; if brought in +other vessels, both the goods and vessels were to be forfeited to the +British government. + +Sec.7. Another law required such articles as England wanted, to be +transported to that country and other countries belonging to Great +Britain. The colonists were permitted to ship to foreign markets such +products only as English merchants did not want. They were prohibited +from selling abroad any wool, yarn, or woolen manufactured goods. This +was done to keep the markets open for British wool and manufactures. +Another law declared that no iron wares of any kind should be +manufactured here. Thus was it attempted to suppress manufactures in the +colonies. + +Sec.8. Hence we see that it was the policy of the British government to +compel the colonists to buy of England all the goods they wanted which +they did not themselves produce, and to sell to England the surplus +productions of the colonies. For this purpose, heavy duties were laid +upon goods imported into the colonies from other countries than Great +Britain and her possessions. These duties were taxes levied upon goods +brought into the colonies from abroad, and were collected by officers +here from the persons importing the goods. + +Sec.9. The following facts will explain to the young reader more clearly +the nature and effects of these duties: The colonists traded with the +West India islands, some of which belonged to Great Britain, some to +France, and some to Spain. To secure the whole trade, the British +government imposed high duties upon the molasses, sugar and other +articles imported into the colonies from the French and Spanish islands. +The people of the colonies could therefore avoid the payment of these +duties only by importing the above mentioned goods from the British +islands. + +Sec.10. Not satisfied with these acts, parliament claimed the right to tax +the colonies, "in all cases whatsoever;" and an act was passed +accordingly, laying duties upon all tea, glass, paper, &c., imported +into the colonies; and the money thus collected was put into the British +treasury. The colonists petitioned the king and parliament to repeal +these obnoxious laws; but their petitions were denied. Having given up +all hope of relief, congress, which was a body of delegates from the +several colonies, declared the colonies to be free and independent +states, no longer subject to the government of Great Britain. This +declaration was maintained by a war which lasted about seven years, when +Great Britain gave up the contest, and acknowledged the independence of +the states; and the _revolution_ was accomplished. + + + + +Chapter XXVII. + +Nature of the Union under the Confederation. + + + +Sec.1. As early as the year 1774, the colonies united in the plan of a +congress, to be composed of delegates chosen in all the colonies, for +the purpose of consulting on the common good and of adopting measures of +resistance to the claims of the British government. The first great +continental congress met on the 4th of September, 1774. Another congress +assembled in May, 1775. This congress adopted sundry measures having +reference to war, and finally made the declaration of independence, July +4th, 1776. The continental congress, the members of which were chosen by +the state legislatures, conducted the affairs of the nation until near +the close of the war. + +Sec.2. With a view to a permanent union of the colonies under a general +government, the congress, in November, 1777, agreed upon a frame of +government, contained in certain articles, called, "Articles of +Confederation and perpetual Union between the States." These articles +were to go into effect when they should have received the assent of all +the states. But as the consent of the last state (Maryland) was not +obtained until March, 1781, they went into operation only about two +years before the close of the war. + +Sec.3. As a plan of national government, the confederation was soon found +to be very defective. The union formed under it was a very imperfect +one. Having been framed in time of war, it had respect to the operations +of war rather than to a state of peace. Although it answered some good +purpose in carrying on the war, it was not well adapted oven to the +condition of the country then existing. Its defects appeared almost as +soon as it went into effect; and after the return of peace, it was found +that the union, instead of being strengthened and perpetuated by it, +could be preserved only by a radical change in the system of government. + +Sec.4. The leading defect of the confederation was its weakness. Congress +could do little more than to recommend measures. As it could not +legislate directly upon persons, its measures were to be carried into +effect by the states; but the states were not in all cases willing, and +some of them did at times refuse to do so, and congress could not compel +them. It belonged to congress to determine the number of troops and the +sums of money necessary to carry on the war, and to call on each state +to raise its share; but congress could not enforce its demands. It +borrowed money in its own name, but it had not the means of paying it. +It had no power to lay and collect taxes; this power was reserved to the +states. + +Sec.5. Hence we see that congress was dependent for every thing upon the +good will of thirteen independent states. It is a wonder that a +government of such inherent weakness should bring the war to a +successful issue. It was a sense of danger from abroad, rather than any +power in the government, that induced a sufficient compliance with the +ordinances of congress to achieve the independence of the states. + +Sec.6. On the restoration of peace, new difficulties arose. We have already +spoken of the want of power in congress to lay and collect taxes for +war purposes. Money was now wanted to discharge the public debt, and to +pay the current expenses of the government; yet congress had no power to +raise it, either by a _direct tax_ upon the persons or property of the +citizens, or _indirectly_ by duties on goods imported, as at present +under the constitution. The power to lay and collect duties was with the +states; but it was of little use so long as each state could impose such +duties as it chose. The states being unable to agree upon a uniform rate +of duties, the goods would be imported into states which levied the +lowest duties. It was expedient, if it had been possible, to borrow more +money on the credit of the union, as the heavy debt contracted during +the war remained unpaid, and congress had no means of paying it. + +Sec.7. But the inability to raise money was not the only difficulty that +attended the want of power by congress to lay duties. This power was +necessary also to regulate the foreign trade. We have already remarked, +that it was the policy of Great Britain before the revolution to secure +in the colonies a market for her manufactures. (Chap. XXVI.) Not only +so; she had by her navigation acts, for more than a hundred years, +imposed heavy duties upon foreign vessels coming into her ports, in +order to secure the carrying trade to her own shipping. In addition to +this, she also levied high duties upon the produce of the states sent to +pay for the goods we were obliged to buy of her, our own people not +having as yet the means, nor having had time, to establish +manufactories, and to manufacture for themselves. + +Sec.8. Another of the numerous troubles which arose from this imperfect +union was the want of peace and harmony between the states. Laws were +enacted in some states with a view to their own interests, which +operated injuriously upon other states. This induced the latter states +to retaliate, by passing laws partial to themselves and injurious to the +former. The states soon became disaffected toward each other; and their +mutual jealousies and rivalries and animosities at length became so +great as to cause fears that some of the states would become involved +in war among themselves, and that the union would be broken up. + +Sec.9. In the hope of remedying the difficulty last mentioned, an attempt +was made to procure the insertion, into the articles of confederation, +of a provision giving to congress the power to regulate trade; but the +attempt failed. In January, 1786, the legislature of Virginia proposed a +convention of commissioners from all the states, to take into +consideration the situation and trade of the United States, and the +necessity of a uniform system of commercial regulations. + +Sec.10. A meeting was accordingly held at Annapolis, in September, 1786; +but as commissioners from only five states attended, viz., New York, New +Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia, the commissioners deemed +it unadvisable to proceed to business relating to an object in which all +the states were concerned; but they united in a report to the several +states and to congress, in which they recommended the calling of a +general convention of delegates from all the states, to meet in +Philadelphia on the 2d Monday of May, 1787, with a view not only to the +regulation of commerce, but to such other amendments of the articles of +confederation as were necessary to render them "adequate to the +exigencies of the union." + +Sec.11. In pursuance of this recommendation, congress, in February, 1787, +passed a resolution for assembling a convention. All the states, except +Rhode Island, appointed delegates, who met pursuant to appointment; and +framed the present constitution of the United States. They also +recommended it to be laid by congress before the several states, to be +by them considered and ratified in conventions of representatives of the +people. Conventions were accordingly called for this purpose in all the +states, except Rhode Island, and the constitution was ratified by all of +them in which conventions had been called, except North Carolina. + +Sec.12. The constitution was to go into effect if ratified by nine states. +The ninth state, New Hampshire, sent its ratification to congress in +July, 1788; and measures were taken by congress to put the new +constitution into operation. Ratifications were received from North +Carolina and Rhode Island the year after the organization of the new +government. + + + + +Chapter XXVIII. + +Nature of the Union under the Constitution. + + + +Sec.1. Having given, in the preceding chapter, a sketch of the union under +the confederation, we shall next show the nature of the union under the +present constitution, commencing with a brief comparison of the leading +features of the two systems of government. + +Sec.2. The former union was a mere confederacy. A _confederacy_ is a +league, a federal compact. The word _federal_ is from the Latin _fadus_, +a league, or alliance. Hence a confederacy is a combination or union of +two or more parties, whether persons or states, for their mutual benefit +and assistance. And let it be here particularly noted, that this union +was a union of states, _as states_. The articles of confederation were +framed by congress, whose members were appointed by the state +legislatures, and, when framed, were submitted to the state legislatures +for ratification. + +Sec.3. On the other hand, the union under the constitution is a union, not +of the states, as such, but of the _people of the states_. Thus it is +expressed in the preamble to the constitution: "We, the people of the +United States, in order to form a more perfect union, ... do ordain and +establish this constitution for the United States of America." And the +constitution was submitted for ratification, not to the state +legislatures, but to conventions whose members were elected by the +people for that purpose. + +Sec.4. The states under the confederation were independent, not only of +each other, but of the general government. True, they agreed, for their +common defense and mutual welfare, to do certain things; and certain +other things they agreed not to do, but delegated to congress the power +to do them; but, as we have seen, congress had not the power to compel +the states to obey its requisitions. By the constitution, the states +have given up a greater portion of their sovereignty to the general +government, which has power, in certain cases, to control the state +governments, and to enforce its laws upon them and upon individuals. + +Sec.5. Again, under the confederation, as in confederacies generally, the +states were equal. They were entitled to an equal number of delegates in +the congress, in which they voted by states, each state having one vote; +that is, if a majority of the delegates of a state voted in favor of or +against a proposed measure, the vote of the state was so counted; and a +proposition having in its favor a majority of the states, was carried. +Every state was entitled to seven delegates; but there must be at least +two delegates present and voting, in order to give a state vote; and if +an equal number of the delegates of a state voted for and against a +proposition, the state was said to be divided, and to have no vote. + +Sec.6. Under the constitution there are two branches of congress, in one of +which the number of representatives of each state is in proportion to +its population; in the other, (the senate,) the states are equally +represented, on the principle of the confederation, though by two +senators only. But the vote in both is taken, not by states as under the +confederation, but _per capita_, that is, by the head or poll, the vote +of each member counting one. + +Sec.7. The articles of confederation were framed by congress, the members +of which were appointed by the state legislatures; and the articles, +when framed, were submitted for ratification to the state legislatures. +The constitution was framed by a convention of delegates from the +states appointed for that purpose; and was ratified, not by the state +legislatures, but by state conventions whose members were elected by the +people of the several states. + +Sec.8. The former union, as has been remarked, was a mere Confederacy, +composed of independent states, and united simply for purposes of +defense and their mutual safety. In most respects they had no more +political connection than so many different nations. The people of a +state were not, properly speaking, citizens of the United States, but +only citizens of the state in which they lived. But by the constitution, +the people of the states were incorporated into a nation; and a citizen +of a state is also a citizen of the United States. The government of the +confederation, although sometimes called the national government, was +not really such, nor was it generally so regarded, as appears from the +proceedings of the convention that framed the constitution. + +Sec.9. Among the earliest proceedings of the convention was the offering of +a resolution, declaring that "a national government ought to be formed, +consisting of legislative, judiciary, and executive." This resolution +was strongly opposed by a large portion of the delegates, because it +proposed to establish a _national_ government. They were in favor of +continuing the confederation with a slight enlargement of the powers of +congress, so as to give that body the power to lay and collect taxes, +and to regulate commerce. But the friends of a national government +prevailed; and we have now a complete government, consisting of the +three departments, legislative, executive, and judicial. + +Sec.10. Under the confederation, there was no executive to execute the +ordinances of congress; nor a national judiciary, the state courts being +used for all judicial purposes. There was only a legislature; and that +consisted of a single body, called the congress, appointed by the state +legislatures, and having scarcely power enough to entitle it to the name +of legislature. + +Sec.11. But, although the present government, with these three departments +of power, and controlling, in matters of general concern, the action of +the state governments and of individuals, is properly a national +government; yet it is not wholly such, but partly national and partly +federal; some of the federal features of the confederation having been +retained in the constitution, as will appear on a further examination of +this instrument. Hence the union is still called, with propriety, the +_federal union_, and the government the _federal government_. + + + + +Chapter XXIX. + +Legislative Department. House of Representatives. + + + +Sec.1. The first article of the constitution describes the manner in which +the legislature is formed, and prescribes its principal powers. It +declares, "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a +congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and house +of representatives." Members of the old congress were appointed by the +state legislatures for one year, and might be recalled by them at any +time. Representatives are now chosen for two years. It was thought that +a single session was too short a term for men in general to acquire the +knowledge and experience necessary to a right performance of the +responsible duties of a representative. Besides, measures are often left +unfinished at the close of a session; and those who have once examined +their merits and demerits, can dispose of them more promptly than new +members. + +Sec.2. The same clause declares that "the electors in each state shall have +the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of +the state legislature." The qualifications of electors were various in +the different states. (Chap. VI, Sec.8.) In some of them, owners of +property, or tax-payers, in others, freeholders only, were voters. In +some, only the latter voted for the higher officers; in a few, suffrage +was almost universal. It was presumed that no state would object to its +own rule for electing the popular branch of its legislature. It is +proper that a representative should be chosen directly by those whose +wants he is to make known, and whose rights he is to guard. + +Sec.3. A representative must, at the time of his election, "have attained +the age of twenty-five years; and have been seven years a citizen of the +United States;" and he must "be an inhabitant of the state in which he +is chosen." Few young men, on attaining the age of majority, have the +knowledge, or experience, or wisdom, which is requisite to qualify them +for the responsible duties of a representative. Nor is it to be presumed +that an alien, at the earliest period at which he may become a +naturalized citizen, would be sufficiently familiar with our +institutions and the wants of our people to be a competent +representative. + +Sec.4. The next clause prescribes the rule of apportionment. +"Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined +by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to +service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, +three-fifths of all other persons." To the younger class of readers, +this part of the clause needs explanation. + +Sec.5. The convention found it very difficult to agree upon a rule of +apportionment. In the first place, the states, as will be recollected, +were entitled to an equal number of delegates in the old congress; and +each state had one vote. But as each member of the house of +representatives was to have a vote, the small states opposed a +representation according to numbers, while the large states as +strenuously insisted upon it. + +Sec.6. In the next place, the slaveholding states claimed a representation +according to numbers including slaves; the non-slaveholding states +insisted on a representation according to the number of free persons. It +may here be observed, that slavery then existed in all the states except +Massachusetts; but as the slaves were so few in the northern states, in +which slavery has been since abolished, the latter are generally spoken +of as if they were at that time non-slaveholding states. The controversy +on this point rose so high, and the parties were for a long time so +unyielding, that fears were entertained of a sudden dissolution of the +convention. + +Sec.7. It became evident that the question could be settled only by +compromise. The northern states consented that in ascertaining the +number of persons to be taken as the basis of apportionment, +three-fifths of the slaves should be added to the number of free +persons. And as these states had opposed the computation of any slaves +in fixing a rule of apportionment, on the ground that slaves are +property, and that no property in these states entitled its owners to +representation, the southern states consented, on their part, that +_direct taxes_ should be apportioned on the same basis as +representatives. + +Sec.8. To illustrate this rule by an example: Suppose a state to contain +600,000 free persons, and 500,000 slaves. Adding three-fifths of the +number of slaves, (300,000) to the number of free persons, gives 900,000 +as the number of the representative population: and the state would be +entitled to _three_ representatives for every _two_ that a state would +have which contained 600,000 free inhabitants and no slaves. So in +apportioning taxes according to population, the state in the case we +have supposed, would have to raise _three_ dollars for every _two_ that +it would raise if no slaves were counted. + +Sec.9. But the advantages of this arrangement are more unequal than may at +first sight appear, or than was anticipated by the framers of the +constitution. The benefits are chiefly on the side of the slaveholding +states. In the first place, two-fifths of a large class of property in +these states is exempt from taxation, while _all_ the property in the +free states is liable to taxation. Of this the framers were aware. But +they did not foresee the fact, that the laying of direct taxes would be +unnecessary, and that the slave states would consequently escape +taxation for their slaves. Only three direct taxes have been laid; and +it is not probable that another will become necessary; the treasury +being supplied from other sources, chiefly by duties on imports. + +Sec.10. Now, although nothing is gained by the slave states, nor is +anything lost by the free states, by the exemption of the two-fifths of +the slaves from taxation, since direct taxes are unnecessary; there is a +great gain to the slave states, which have between thirty and forty +representatives for what their laws hold to be "property to all intents +and purposes whatsoever," for which the free states have nothing in +return. + +Sec.11. The constitution does not limit the house to any definite number of +representatives; it only declares that the number shall not exceed one +for every 30,000 inhabitants. It requires an enumeration of the +inhabitants every ten years; and the next congress thereafter determines +the ratio of representation and the number of representatives, and +apportions them among the states. The word _ratio_ signifies rate, or +proportion. It here means the number or portion of the inhabitants +entitled to a representative. + +Sec.12. But as a representative for every 30,000 inhabitants, after the +population became very numerous, would have made the house too large to +transact business with due dispatch, and would have unnecessarily +increased the public expense, the ratio of representation has from time +to time been increased. But to whatever number the ratio may be raised, +the constitution expressly declares, that "each state shall have at +least one representative." Neither Delaware nor Florida had, in 1850, a +population equal to the present ratio; and without the above +constitutional provision, these states would have been deprived of a +representation in the house, unless congress had adopted a smaller +ratio. + +Sec.13. It will be seen by reference to the constitution, that the number +of representatives was for the time fixed at sixty-five. After the first +census, taken in 1790, the ratio was fixed at 33,000, which gave the +house 106 members. After the census of 1800, the same ratio was +adopted, and the number of members was 142. + +After 1810, the ratio was 35,000; number of members 182. +After 1820, the ratio was 40,000; number of members 213. +After 1830, the ratio was 47,700; number of members 240. +After 1840, the ratio was 70,680; number of members 233. + +After 1850, the ratio was 93,000 and a fraction, making the number of +members 233, of which California had one; but in view of her rapid +increase in population, she was allowed an additional member, making, in +all, 234. Minnesota has since been admitted into the Union (1858) with +two members, and Oregon (1859) with one member. + +Sec.14. Representatives are chosen by districts. Each state is divided by +the legislature into as many districts as there are representatives to +be elected in the state; and one representative is chosen in each +district. In most of the states, representatives are chosen at the +general state election; in the others, there are special elections for +choosing representatives. + +Sec.15. By an act of congress, every territory belonging to the United +States in which a government has been established, is entitled to send a +delegate to congress, who has a right to take a part in the debates of +the house, but not the right of voting. + + + + +Chapter XXX. + +The Senate. + + + +Sec.1. "The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators +from each state; chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and +each senator shall have one vote." (Art. I, sec. 3.) The convention +readily agreed upon dividing congress into two branches; but, as has +been observed, it was difficult to settle the mode of representation. +The delegates from the large states insisted upon a representation in +proportion to numbers, in the senate as well as in the house; and the +small states contended for equality in both branches. The debate was +long and animated; and it became apparent that, as in the case of slave +representation in the house, there must be a compromise. This was at +length effected; the small states consenting to a proportional +representation in the house, and the large states to an equal +representation in the senate. + +Sec.2. It has been remarked, that the federative principle of the old +system has been to some extent retained in the constitution. Both the +equality of representation in the senate, and the election of senators +by the state legislatures, are in strict conformity with the plan of the +confederation, and of simple confederacies generally. Different modes of +electing senators were proposed; but the one adopted by the convention +seems preferable to any other. + +Sec.3. There is, however, in one particular, a material difference between +the plan of the old congress and that of the senate. It is in the manner +of voting. In the former, the vote was taken by states, each state +having but one vote; (Chap. XXVIII, Sec.5,) in the latter, the senators +vote separately, the vote of each senator counting one, as in the house; +and a question is decided by the united votes of a majority of the +members, and not by the vote of a majority of the states. Nor is the +vote of a state lost if but one of its senators is present, as formerly. +If, however, the two senators vote on different sides of a question, the +effect is the same as when, in the old congress, the members from a +state were equally divided. + +Sec.4. There were also various opinions as to the proper term of office of +senators. Terms were proposed differing in length from three to nine +years; and a proposition was even made by one distinguished member to +make the term continue during good behavior, which is practically for +life. There appear to be sound objections both to long and short terms. +It is urged by those in favor of the latter, that an officer elected for +a short term, especially if he desires a reelection, will have a strong +inducement to please and faithfully serve those who are to elect or +appoint him. + +Sec.5. Others, however, while they admit that short terms tend to insure +responsibility on the part of a representative, consider this argument +more than counterbalanced by the objections to which a short term is +liable. Looking to a reelection, he may act with a view to his +popularity rather than to the public good. Again, the oftener a +legislature is changed, the more changeable and uncertain will be the +laws. Men having invested their capital in a business enterprise, and +made a successful beginning under existing laws, may be ruined by a +sudden and unexpected change of governmental policy. + +Sec.6. In view of these objections to both long and short terms, a medium +term of six years was adopted. This was believed to be short enough to +keep up in a senator a feeling of responsibility, and yet long enough to +insure his acting independently and with a regard to the general +interests of the nation. Although a bad senator may occasionally be kept +too long in office by a six years' term, cases also occur in which the +act of a senator, especially in time of public excitement, is strongly +condemned, but upon calm and mature reflection meets the public +approbation. + +Sec.7. The next clause of the third section provides for the gradual change +of the senate. One-third of the senators go out of office every two +years. In favor of this arrangement are two important considerations. +First, it secures to the public at all times the benefit of the +experience of at least two-thirds of the body. Whereas, if the terms of +all the senators expired at once, their places might be supplied mainly +by new members without the requisite knowledge and experience. Secondly, +while a long term is intended to guard against the too frequent changes +in the laws, it may also prevent, for too long a time, the amendment or +the repeal of bad laws. Such amendment or repeal may be hastened by the +election of new members in the place of the one-third who retire every +two years. + +Sec.8. Vacancies which happen in the representation of any state in the +senate during the recess of its legislature, may be filled by the +governor until the next meeting of the legislature. Without this +provision, either the legislature must be assembled immediately to fill +the vacancy, or the state must remain in part, or perhaps wholly +unrepresented in the senate, until the next regular session of the +legislature. + +Sec.9. But an appointment may not be made by an executive before the +vacancy actually happens. In 1825, the term of a senator was about to +expire during the recess of the legislature of his state, which had +failed at its previous session to appoint a successor. As a special +session of the senate was to be held immediately after the expiration of +the senator's term, the governor, a few days before the term expired, in +anticipation of the vacancy, reappointed the senator. But the senate +decided that, as the appointment had been made _before the vacancy +happened_, the senator was not entitled to a seat. + +Sec.10. The next clause prescribes the qualifications of senators. A +senator must have attained the age of thirty years, and been nine years +a citizen of the United States; and he must, when elected, be an +inhabitant of the state for which he is chosen. As many of the duties of +a senator require more knowledge, experience, and stability of character +than those of a representative, greater age and longer citizenship are +required. The nature of these duties will be noticed in subsequent +chapters. + +Sec.11. The seventh section of the first article provides for the passage +of bills negatived, or vetoed, by the president. Bills returned by him +with his objections, become laws when passed by majorities of two-thirds +of both houses; that is, by two-thirds of the members present. They also +become laws if not returned by him within ten days (Sundays excepted) +after they have been presented to him, unless their return is prevented +by the adjournment of congress. + +Sec.12. We have passed over several sections and clauses of this article +without remark. Most of them are similar to some in the state +constitutions, which we have noticed; and the propriety of others is so +readily perceived, that any comment upon them is deemed unnecessary. + + + + +Chapter XXXI. + +Power of Congress to lay Taxes, Duties, &c.; Power to Borrow Money. + + + +Sec.1. Having shown how the legislative department of the general +government is constituted, we proceed to consider its powers. It is +thought proper, however, first to notice one important characteristic of +the general government, in which it differs from the state governments, +and the knowledge of which is necessary to a right understanding of the +powers of the state and national governments respectively. + +Sec.2. The general government is a government of _delegated_ powers; that +is, powers which have been intrusted or _delegated_ to it by the states, +or the people of the states. Having derived its powers from the states, +or the people, it has such powers only as have been conferred by the +constitution. Hence it is called a government of _limited_ powers. The +states, on the other hand, existing before the general government, and +possessing entire sovereignty or supreme power, may exercise all powers +which they have not surrendered to the general government. In other +words, their powers are _unlimited_, except so far as they have parted +with any of their original powers. + +Sec.3. Most of the powers of congress are enumerated in the eighth section +of the first article of the constitution. The first in the list is in +these words: "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, +duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the +common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, +imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the U. States." + +Sec.4. We have already noticed the want of such a power in the old +congress. The debt which had been contracted to carry on the war +remained unpaid; and congress, as we have seen, had no power to raise +money either to pay debts or to defray the current expenses of the +government. (Chap. XXVII: Sec.4, 6.) It could neither raise money by +_direct_ taxation; that is, by taxing the persons and property of the +citizens, nor by _indirect_ taxation, which is by duties. + +Sec.5. _Duties_, or _customs_, are taxes on goods imported from, or +exported to, a foreign country. _Imposts_ are taxes on imported goods +only. Duties on exports, however, being deemed inexpedient, are not laid +by our government. An _excise_ is a tax neither on imports nor exports, +but on articles produced and consumed in the country, and on licenses to +deal in certain commodities. The money paid for license to sell +spirituous liquors is an _excise_ tax. + +Sec.6. Duties are _specific_ and _ad valorem_. A _specific_ duty is a +specified sum of money charged upon every yard, pound, or gallon of any +commodity. Thus, a duty of ten cents on a pound of tea, or of one dollar +on a yard of cloth, or of fifty cents on a gallon of wine, is a specific +duty. _Ad valorem_ is a Latin phrase, signifying _according to the +value_. An _ad valorem_ duty is a certain _per centage_ on the value or +price. Thus, thirty per cent, on a yard of cloth costing two dollars, is +sixty cents; on a yard costing three dollars, ninety cents; the sum +charged being varied by the difference in the price or value. + +Sec.7. The power to lay duties is very properly qualified by the provision +that "all duties shall be uniform throughout the United States." This +was intended to prevent the giving of unjust preference to any one or +more states over others. Without this restriction upon the exercise of +this power, the representatives of a part of the states might combine, +and by laying higher duties upon goods imported into other states, than +upon those imported into their own, might turn the trade chiefly into +the latter. Or they might in laying duties on exports, impose high +duties upon the productions of other states, and low duties, or none at +all, upon the products of their own. + +Sec.8. Although Congress has power to lay direct taxes, it has seldom been +exercised. The duties on foreign goods and on the vessels in which they +were imported, have been found sufficient for the payment of the public +debt, and for other government purposes. The national debt in 1791 was +about $75,000,000, and, in 1804, had risen to $86,000,000; yet chiefly +by duties was this debt reduced nearly one-half by the year 1812. By the +war which commenced that year, the debt was again increased, being in +1816, $127,000,000. In 1835, this large debt had been, in the manner +stated, entirely extinguished. + +Sec.9. The next power mentioned is the "power to borrow money on the credit +of the United States." Although Congress may, under the power to lay +taxes and duties, raise money to any extent, a large amount may +sometimes be wanted before it can be raised from the regular income or +revenue of the nation, or even before it could be raised by a direct +tax, which would be burdensome to the people. Hence the utility of the +power to borrow money until it can be reimbursed from the national +revenues. + + + + +Chapter XXXII. + +Power of Congress to Regulate Commerce. Commerce with Foreign Nations. + + + +Sec.1. Next in the list of powers is "the power to regulate commerce with +foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian +tribes." The need of no power under the confederation was more deeply +felt than the power to regulate foreign trade. It was the want of this +power, as we have seen, which was the more immediate cause of calling +the convention that framed the constitution. (Chap. XXVII: Sec.7-11.) The +necessity of this power arose mainly from the policy of Great Britain, +by which she had secured to herself undue advantages in her foreign +commerce, especially in her trade with this country. + +Sec.2. During the war of the revolution, the direct trade with Great +Britain was interrupted. But when peace was restored, our markets were +again open to British goods and vessels, while upon American produce and +American vessels entering British ports, heavy duties were levied. To +enable some young readers more clearly to understand the objects and the +unequal operation of the policy of the British government, the subject +may need some further illustration. + +Sec.3. One object was, to secure a market at home for the products of +agricultural labor. How this is done by taxing foreign products, will +appear from the following example: Suppose the market value of a bushel +of wheat in Great Britain to be one dollar a bushel, and the cost of +raising the article here and carrying it to that market to be the same. +If now a duty of 40 cents a bushel is laid upon wheat from abroad, the +English consumer, instead of buying it with this duty added, will buy of +the English producer. But more wheat is produced here than there is a +market for; and the American farmer must find a market abroad. But in +order to sell it in the English market, he must pay 40 cents on every +bushel to the British government; or, which is the same thing in effect, +he must sell it for 40 cents a bushel less than its value to the British +purchaser, who pays the duty to that government. + +Sec.4. Now, as much less American wheat will be sent to Great Britain than +if it were free from duty, a better market is secured to the English +farmer. Besides this, of the value of every bushel which Great Britain +may please to admit, or which the people of other countries maybe +obliged to sell to her, 40 per cent, is paid into her treasury. Thus by +one operation, are two benefits secured, namely, the reward of +agricultural labor at home, and the raising of revenue. So by the duties +imposed upon foreign vessels entering her ports, the national revenue +was to some extent increased, and great advantages were secured to her +citizens engaged in the carrying trade. + +Sec.5. The people of this country being nearly all employed in agriculture, +and consequently dependent upon foreign markets for the sale of the +surplus products of their labor, they were obliged to submit to the +payment of these duties. And not possessing at that time the means of +manufacturing to any considerable extent for themselves, goods in large +quantities came in from Great Britain, for which they must pay in +produce heavily burdened with duties, or with money obtained for the +produce subject to these heavy duties. + +Sec.6. To remove the inequality in the trade between the two countries, it +was thought necessary to retaliate upon Great Britain by subjecting her +goods and vessels coming into our ports to the payment of duties similar +to those imposed on our produce and vessels in her ports. But the power +to lay duties was with the states; and, as we have seen, the states +could not agree upon any effectual system; for, in order to make any +system effectual, the duties must be uniform throughout the United +States. + +Sec.7. It was intended, in regulating trade, to render our own country less +dependent upon foreign nations for manufactured goods, by encouraging +domestic or home manufactures by duties on goods imported. Duties laid +for this purpose are called _protective_ duties, being designed to +_protect_ our manufacturers against loss from the competition of +foreigners. The nature and operation of a protective duty may be thus +illustrated: + +Sec.8. Suppose foreign broadcloth of a certain quality is sold in this +country for $2.50 a yard, and cloth of the same quality manufactured +here can not be afforded for less than $3 a yard. There would now be no +encouragement to any one to engage in the manufacture of such cloth; +because in order to sell it, he must reduce the price to that of the +foreign article, which would subject him to a loss of fifty cents a +yard. Let now a duty of $1 a yard be laid upon the foreign cloth, and +the price would be $3.50, and preference would be given to the domestic +article, unless the importer should reduce the price of his foreign +cloth to $3; in which case, it is to be presumed, about an equal +quantity of each would be consumed, and the duty of $1 a yard on the +foreign cloth would go into the United States' treasury. + +Sec.9. The same objects may, to some extent, be effected by the first +mentioned power, "to lay taxes, duties," &c. In laying duties for +revenue, that is, raising money to pay the debts and other expenses of +the government, congress may lay the duties upon those kinds of goods +which it wishes to protect; and thus _indirectly_ both encourage +domestic industry and regulate commerce. From this it appears that the +three objects mentioned may be accomplished under the grant of either +one of the two general powers, to lay duties, and to regulate commerce. + +Sec.10. Why, then, it may be asked, were both these powers inserted in the +constitution? The first _expressly_ authorizes the laying of duties only +to raise money for paying debts and government expenses; and protection +and the regulation of commerce can only be effected _indirectly_. Hence, +if our arrangements with foreign nations should be such as to render it +unnecessary to lay duties to regulate commerce, or encourage domestic +industry, money could not be raised without the _express_ power to lay +taxes, duties, &c. And such might be the state of things, that rates of +duties sufficient for revenue would be insufficient for the purposes of +protection and regulating trade. Therefore, both powers are properly +granted to congress. + +Sec.11. Again, it may be asked, if foreign goods without duty can be had at +lower prices than domestic, why is it not better for us to buy them than +to force the manufacture and sale of our own at higher prices? and, if +there is no other way of raising money, why not do it by direct +taxation? Suppose, for example, as in a preceding section, (Sec.8,) the +price of foreign cloth to be $2.50 a yard, for which the farmer has to +pay in wheat, or in cash received for it. But as the wheat has to be +shipped to a foreign market, the merchant who takes it in exchange for +the cloth, or the cash purchaser, deducts from the foreign market price +the cost of transportation and the foreign duty, which, together, let us +suppose to be fifty cents a bushel, or one-half of the foreign market +price. A yard of cloth would then cost five bushels of wheat. + +Sec.12. Let us now suppose a domestic article at $3 a yard to take the +place of the foreign. A large portion of the laborers formerly employed +in agriculture, are now engaged in building factories and in +manufacturing. These, instead of being producers, have become only +consumers of the wheat of the farmers, who now have a market at home, +thus saving the duties and the cost of transportation. As there are now +fewer producers, the price of wheat would probably be not less than $1 a +bushel. Therefore a yard of domestic cloth would cost only _three_ +bushels of wheat, instead of _five_ paid for the foreign cloth. And as +there would be a corresponding rise in the price of labor, more cloth at +$3 a yard could be bought for the avails of a day's labor than formerly. + +Sec.13. The protection of domestic industry received the early attention of +congress. The second law passed by the first congress under the +constitution, authorized "duties to be laid on goods, wares, and +merchandises imported;" and among the objects of the law expressed in a +preamble one was "the encouragement and protection of domestic +manufactures." For a long time, however, little was done in the way of +protection. The principal nations of Europe, England included, became +involved in war. A large portion of their laboring population having +been called from agricultural pursuits into the armies, a foreign demand +was created for American produce; and we were enabled to supply +ourselves at less disadvantage with foreign manufactures. + +Sec.14. But after peace had been restored in Europe, and people had +returned to their usual employments, the foreign demand for our +breadstuffs nearly ceased; and large quantities of foreign goods were +again imported, for which our people were unable to pay. Congress now +found it necessary to exercise, to a greater extent, its power to +regulate trade, by discouraging importations, and encouraging domestic +manufactures, and, in 1816, commenced an effective system of +protection. Laws have from time to time been passed to favor +manufactures from cotton, wool, iron, and other materials; and +manufacturing is now carried on extensively in this country. By thus +drawing a large portion of the people into manufacturing and mechanical +employments, a market has been created at home for more grain, meat, and +other agricultural products, than is required to supply all foreign +demand. + +Sec.15. The laws relating to foreign commerce prescribe the manner of +collecting the revenue. There is in every port of entry a _collector_ of +_customs_, who superintends the collection of duties. When a vessel +arrives it is submitted, with the cargo and all papers and invoices, to +the inspection of the proper officers; and the goods subject to duty are +weighed and measured, and the duties estimated according to law. + + + + +Chapter XXXIII. + +Power to regulate Commerce, continued. Navigation; Commerce among the +States, and with the Indian Tribes. + + + +Sec.1. In regulating foreign commerce, congress has also passed navigation +laws. _Navigation_ is the art of conducting ships and other vessels. It +has reference also to the rules to be observed by owners and masters +engaged in the shipping trade. We have noticed the navigation acts of +Great Britain by which she built up her shipping interest; (Chap. XXVII, +Sec.7,) and we have stated that one object of the power to regulate +commerce was to countervail the effects of those acts upon our shipping. + +Sec.2. To encourage and promote domestic navigation, an act was passed by +the first congress conferring special privileges upon vessels built and +owned by citizens of the United States. This was done by laying _duties +on tunnage_. _Tunnage_ means the content of a ship, or the burden that +it will carry, which is ascertained by measurement, 42 cubic feet being +allowed to a tun. This act imposed a duty of fifty cents a tun on +foreign vessels, and upon our own a duty of only six cents a tun. As +such a law discriminates, or makes a distinction or difference between +domestic and foreign vessels, these duties are also called +_discriminating_ duties. + +Sec.3. By the aid of these protective duties, slightly changed from time to +time, our shipping interest acquired great strength. But the necessity +of discriminating duties no longer exists. By the stipulations of +existing treaties between the principal commercial nations, each is to +admit into her ports the vessels of the others on equal terms with her +own. Our government having become a party to this agreement, +discriminating tunnage duties have been abolished. + +Sec.4. The registry, however, of vessels of the United States, and other +regulations concerning them, are for the most part continued. A vessel +is measured by a surveyor to ascertain her tunnage, and the collector +records or registers in a book her name, the port to which she belongs, +her burden or tunnage, and the name of the place in which she was built, +and gives to the owner or commander a certificate of such registry. + +Sec.5. The master of a vessel departing from the United States, bound to a +foreign port, must deliver to the collector of the district, a +_manifest_, which is an invoice, or account of the particulars of a +cargo of goods, and of their prices or value. This statement is +subscribed by the master, and sworn by him to be true. The collector +then grants a _clearance_, for the vessel, which is a certificate +stating that the commander has cleared his vessel according to law. + +Sec.6. Vessels of the United States going to foreign countries, are, at the +request of the masters, furnished with passports. A _passport_ is a +writing from the proper authority of a state or kingdom, granting +permission to pass from place to place, or to navigate some sea without +hinderance or molestation. It contains the name of the vessel and that +of her master, her tunnage, and the number of her crew, certifying that +she belongs to the subjects of a particular state, and requiring all +persons at peace with that state, to suffer her to proceed on her voyage +without interruption. In this country the form of a passport is prepared +by the secretary of state, and approved by the president. + +Sec.7. The navigation laws also provide for the safety of passengers and +the crews of vessels, limiting the number of passengers on passenger +vessels, and prescribing the quantity of water and certain kinds of +provisions which merchant vessels are required to have for each person +on board. They also declare what persons may be employed on board, and +how funds shall be provided for sick and disabled seamen. + +Sec.8. Under the power to regulate commerce, congress has also passed laws +relating to quarantines. The word _quarantine_, from the Latin +_quarantina_, signifies the space of forty days. Originally vessels +suspected of having contagious sickness on board, or of being infected +with malignant, contagious disease, were forbidden, for forty days, to +have intercourse with the place or port at which they arrived. The +period for which ships are now detained is not defined, but is fixed by +the proper officers at their discretion, according to circumstances. +Quarantines are required by the health laws of the states; and by the +laws of congress, vessels are to be subject to the health laws of the +state at whose ports they arrive. + +Sec.9. In connection with the power to regulate foreign commerce, power is +given to regulate "commerce among the several states," or _internal_ +commerce. We have noticed the difficulties which attended the different +commercial regulations of the states, and the necessity of a uniform +system, which could be had only by giving congress alone the power to +regulate commerce. (Chap. XXXI., Sec.7.) Without the power to regulate +_internal_ commerce, congress could not give effect to the power to +regulate foreign commerce. One state might impose unjust and oppressive +duties upon goods imported or exported through it by another state. But +in the hands of congress, the power to regulate internal as well as +foreign commerce, secures to all the states the benefits of a free and +uninterrupted trade. + +Sec.10. In granting to congress the power to regulate commerce "with the +Indian tribes," it was intended to lessen the dangers of war. Murders +and war had been provoked by the improper conduct of some of the states. +It was believed, that, by a uniform policy, difficulties would be more +likely to be prevented; and that if they should occur, they would be +more likely to be amicably settled by the general government than by a +state, which, being an interested party, would be more liable to +misjudge the matter in dispute, and more rigid in demanding satisfaction +for injuries, as well as more severe in redressing them. + + + + +Chapter XXXIV. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Naturalization; Bankruptcy; Coining +Money; Weights and Measures; Punishment of Counterfeiting. + + + +Sec.1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to establish a uniform +rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies +throughout the United States." We have already noticed some of the +disqualifications of aliens. (Chap. VI, Sec.5.) By the common law of +England and this country, aliens were not only politically disqualified, +but they could not in their own name lawfully hold and sell real estate. +To admit aliens to all the rights and privileges of citizens immediately +on their arrival in this country, and before they shall have acquired a +knowledge of our government and laws, and of the duties of citizens, +would be expedient. Educated under monarchical governments, many of +them, it is to be presumed, have little respect for our republican +institutions, or at most but an imperfect knowledge of them. + +Sec.2. But to deny foreigners the rights of citizens after they shall have +acquired a fixed residence here, and a knowledge of their civil and +political duties, would be illiberal and unjust. Provision has therefore +been made for removing their disqualifications, or for _naturalizing_ +them; that is, for investing them with the rights and privileges of +_natural_ born citizens. But if different rules were established by the +different states, a person, having become naturalized in one state, +would, on removing into another state, be deprived of the rights of +citizenship, until he should have been naturalized by the laws of such +state. Besides, by the constitution, a person, on becoming a citizen of +any state, is a citizen of the United States, and entitled to the +privileges of a citizen in any other state. (Art. IV., Sec.2.) As, +therefore, there should be one uniform rule, the power of naturalization +is properly given to congress. + +Sec.3. An alien, to become a citizen, must declare on oath before a state +court or a circuit court of the United States, or before a clerk of +either of said courts, after having resided three years in the United +States, that it is his intention to become a citizen, and to renounce +his allegiance to all foreign governments, and particularly that under +which he formerly lived, and that he will support the constitution of +the United States. Then after two years, the court, if satisfied that he +has resided five years in the United States, and one year in the state +in which the court is held, and that during that time he has behaved as +a man of good moral character, and is attached to the principles of the +constitution, may admit him as a citizen. + +Sec.4. An alien minor who has resided in the United States at least three +years before he was twenty-one years of age, may, at any time after that +age and five years' residence in the United States, be admitted as a +citizen, without having previously declared his intention to become a +citizen. Also the minor children of a naturalized citizen, if dwelling +in the United States at the time of his naturalization, become +citizens. + +Sec.5. A _bankrupt_ is an insolvent debtor; that is, a person who is unable +to pay all his just debts. A _bankrupt law_ is a law which, upon an +insolvent's giving up all his property to his creditors, discharges him +from the payment of his debts. Such laws are designed for the benefit of +honest and unfortunate debtors, who, by having the enjoyment of their +future earnings secured to them, are encouraged to engage anew in +industrial pursuits. But these laws, intended for the benefit of the +unfortunate poor, have enabled dishonest and fraudulent debtors to +procure a release from their debts. + +Sec.6. Experience had shown the propriety of intrusting to congress the +power to make these laws. The dissimilar and conflicting laws of the +different states, and the entire want of them in others, had caused +great inconvenience. A debtor, though discharged from debt by the laws +of one state, was liable to be prosecuted on removing into another +state. Important as such laws were deemed, there is no existing law on +the subject. A bankrupt law was passed in April, 1800, and repealed in +December, 1803. Another was passed in 1841, which was of still shorter +duration. + +Sec.7. The next power mentioned is the power "to coin money and regulate +the value thereof." As a consequence of giving this power to Congress, +we have a uniform currency throughout the union. We have also, instead +of the awkward system of reckoning by pounds, shillings, and pence, the +more convenient decimal mode of calculation by dollars and cents. The +old system was rendered the more inconvenient by the difference in the +value of a pound, shilling, and penny in the different states. A +merchant in a New England state, buying goods in New York or +Philadelphia, must, in order to put prices upon them, reduce the +currency of the state in which he bought them to New England currency. +Thus, the cost of an article being in New York two shillings and four +pence a pound, would be in Connecticut one shilling and nine pence. One +shilling and six pence in New York would be in any New England state +one shilling and a penny and a half. + +Sec.8. The place where money is coined is called _mint_. The principal mint +in the United States, and the first that was established in this +country, is at Philadelphia. The business of coining is under the +superintendence of a director. Under him are a treasurer, an assayer, a +chief coiner, an engraver, and a melter and refiner. The gold and +silver, before it is coined, is called _bullion_. There is a branch mint +in New Orleans, one at Charlotte, in North Carolina, one at Dahlonega, +in Georgia, one in California, and one in the city of New York. At the +place last mentioned, gold is assayed, but not coined. + +Sec.9. The clause containing the power last quoted, gives power also to +"fix the standard of weights and measures." For the convenience of trade +between the states, the standard of weights and measures should be the +same in all the states. Without such uniformity, commerce among the +states would meet with embarrassments scarcely less than those +experienced from the want of a uniform currency. To effect the desired +object, this power was given to congress. + +Sec.10. The next power in the list is the power "to provide for the +punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the +United States." By securities here are meant bonds and other evidences +of debt. As the general government has the power to borrow money and to +coin money, it is proper that it should also have the power to provide +for punishing those who forge its written obligations for the payment of +the money borrowed, and who counterfeit its coin. These offenses are +tried in the courts of the United States. + + + + +Chapter XXXV. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Post-Offices, Copy-Rights, and +Patents, and Inferior Courts. + + + +Sec.1. Congress has power "to establish post-offices and post-roads." The +post-office department, from the facilities which it affords for the +circulation of intelligence and the transaction of business, is an +institution of incalculable value to the union. It is impossible to +conceive all the difficulties which would attend the exercise of this +power by the different states. A uniform system of regulations is +indispensable to the efficiency of this department, and could be secured +only by placing this power in the hands of congress. + +Sec.2. Congress has power "to promote the progress of science and the +useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, +the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." +Useful sciences and arts are promoted by new books and new inventions. +But if every man had the right to print and sell every book or writing, +without compensation to the author, there would be little to encourage +men of ability to spend, as is often done, years of labor in preparing +new and useful works. Nor would men of genius be likely to spend their +time and money in inventing and constructing expensive machinery, if +others had an equal right to make and sell the same. In pursuance of the +power here given, congress has enacted laws for the benefit of authors +and inventors. + +Sec.3. The exclusive right of an author to the benefits of the sale of his +books or writings, is called _copy-right_, and is obtained thus: The +author sends a printed copy of the title of his book to the clerk of the +district court of the United States of the district in which the author +resides. The clerk records the title in a book, for which he receives +fifty cents, and gives the author, under the seal of the court, a copy +of the record, for which also he receives fifty cents. + +Sec.4. The author must also, within three months after the first +publication of the work, deliver a copy of the same to the clerk of the +district court. And he must cause to be printed on the title page or +page immediately following, of every copy of the book, words showing +that the law has been complied with. This secures to the author the sole +right to print and sell his work for twenty-eight years, at the +expiration of which time, he may have his right continued for fourteen +years longer, by again complying with the requirements of the law as +before, provided it be done within six months before the expiration of +the first term, and a copy of the record published in a newspaper for +the space of four weeks. + +Sec.5. _Patents_ for new inventions are obtained at the patent office at +the seat of government. This office is connected with the department of +the interior. (Chap. XLI, Sec.7.) The commissioner of patents superintends +the granting of patents under the direction of the secretary of the +interior. To secure an exclusive right to an invention, the inventor +must deliver to the commissioner of patents, a written description of +his invention, and specify the improvement which he claims as his own +discovery; and he must make oath that he believes he is the discoverer +thereof. + +Sec.6. Before the petition of an inventor is considered, he must pay the +sum of thirty dollars. If the commissioner, upon examination, does not +find that the invention had been before discovered, he issues a patent +therefor. Patents are granted for the term of fourteen years, and may be +renewed for a further term of seven years, if the inventor has not been +able to obtain a reasonable profit from his invention. + +Sec.7. Congress has power "to constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme +court." As the first section of the third article of the constitution, +in providing for a national judiciary, authorizes congress to ordain and +establish such inferior courts, the insertion of the power in this place +seems to have been unnecessary, (Chap. XLII, Sec.1.) + + + + +Chapter XXXVI. + +Powers of Congress in relation to Piracy and Offenses against the Law of +Nations; War; Marque and Reprisal, Public Defense, District of Columbia; +Implied Powers. + + + +Sec.1. The next clause grants to congress the power "to define and punish +piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against +the law of nations." _Piracy_ is commonly defined to be forcible robbery +or depredation upon the high seas. But the term _felony_ was not exactly +defined by the laws of England, whence the common law of this country +was derived; consequently its meaning was not the same in all the +states. It was sometimes applied to capital offenses only; at other +times, to all crimes above misdemeanors. For the sake of uniformity, the +power to define these offenses is given to congress: and as the states +have no jurisdiction beyond their own limits, it is proper that congress +should have the power to punish as well as define crimes committed on +the high seas. + +Sec.2. Nor were offenses against the law of nations more clearly defined: +therefore the power to define these are with equal propriety given to +congress. As our citizens are regarded by foreign nations as citizens of +the United States and not as citizens of their respective states; and as +the general government alone is responsible to foreign nations for +injuries committed on the high seas by citizens of the United States, +this power is vested in congress. + +Sec.3. Congress is also properly intrusted with the power "to declare war; +grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules concerning captures +on land and water." It is very evident that a single state ought not to +be allowed to make war. As the people of all the states become involved +in the evils of war, the power to declare it is justly given to the +representatives of the whole nation. In monarchical governments this +power is exercised by the king, or supreme ruler. But so important a +power should not be intrusted to a single individual. The framers of +the constitution have wisely intrusted it to the representatives of +those who have to bear the burdens of the war. + +Sec.4. _Marque_ means passing the frontier or limits of a country; +_reprisal_, taking in return. _Letters of marque and reprisal_ authorize +persons injured by citizens or subjects of another nation to seize the +bodies or goods of any of the citizens of such nation, and detain them +until satisfaction shall be made. To permit an individual to act as +judge in his own case in redressing his private wrongs would increase +the dangers of war. + +Sec.5. Nor should a state be permitted to authorize its citizens to make +reprisals; for, although such authority is designed to enable the +citizens of one country to obtain redress for injuries committed by +those of another, without a resort to war, the tendency of reprisals is +to provoke rather than to prevent war; and as the whole nation becomes +involved in a war, the power to authorize reprisals properly belongs to +the general government. Indeed it is not clear that such license ought +ever to be given. It does not appear strictly just to capture the bodies +or goods of unoffending persons, especially before war has been declared +between the two countries. But if the power to grant such license is +ever to be exercised, it ought to be vested in congress. + +Sec.6. As congress has the power to declare war, it ought to have power to +make rules concerning the property captured in time of war. The general +practice is to distribute the proceeds of the property among the captors +as a reward for bravery and a stimulus to exertion. But proof must be +made in a court of the United States that the property was taken from +the enemy, before it is condemned by the court as a prize. + +Sec.7. The next five clauses provide for the security and defense of the +nation. The power to declare war would be of little use in the hands of +congress, without power over the army, navy and militia. This had been +proved by experience Congress had power under the confederation to +declare war; but, as we have seen, it could not raise troops, nor compel +the states to raise them. To guard against similar difficulties in +future, power to control the public forces was placed where it can be +promptly and effectively exercised. + +Sec.8. The next power of congress is, "to exercise exclusive legislation +over such district, not exceeding ten miles square, as may, by cession +of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of +government of the United States." If the seat of the general government +were within the jurisdiction of a state, congress and other public +officers would be dependent on the state authority for protection in the +discharge of their duties. To guard the public business more effectually +against the danger of interruption, complete and exclusive power at the +seat of government is given to congress. The old congress had once, near +the close of the Revolution, been treated with insult and abuse while +sitting at Philadelphia; and the executive authority of Pennsylvania +having failed to afford protection, congress adjourned to Princeton in +the State of New Jersey. + +Sec.9. It appears that the cession of this territory to the general +government had not yet been made; but it was in contemplation by the +states of Virginia and Maryland to cede it. It is called the _District +of Columbia_. Its inhabitants are subject to the laws of congress. That +part of the district which was ceded by Virginia, was in 1846, +retroceded _by_ congress to that state. To congress is given, with equal +propriety, exclusive authority over all places purchased "for the +erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful +buildings." + +Sec.10. The last power granted in this section, is the power "to make all +laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the +foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in +the government of the United States, or in any department or officer +thereof." As it was impossible to enumerate in the constitution every +particular act which congress might find it necessary to perform, +certain powers were expressly granted; and to these powers was added +this general grant of power to pass laws for carrying them into effect. + +Sec.11. It is the opinion of eminent statesmen that this clause confers no +additional power. They hold that the power therein granted is +necessarily _implied_ or included in the foregoing powers. For example: +The power "to regulate commerce" includes the power to cause the +construction of break-waters and light-houses, the removal of +obstructions from navigable rivers, and the improvement of harbors; for +in regulating and facilitating commerce, these works and improvements +are absolutely necessary. So the power "to establish post-offices" +implies the power to punish persons for robbing the mail. The doctrine +is, "that wherever a general power to do a thing is given, every +particular power for doing it is included." Hence it is inferred that +congress would have had the power to pass the laws here authorized, +though no express power for that purpose had been given. + +Sec.12. Besides the long list of powers contained in the eighth section of +the first article of the constitution, and considered in preceding +chapters, there are sundry other powers of congress in subsequent +articles, which will be noticed in their order. + + + + +Chapter XXXVII. + +Prohibitions on Congress. + + + +Sec.1. While the constitution confers on congress all the powers deemed +necessary to be exercised for the general welfare, it imposes on +congress certain restrictions, the most of which are contained in the +next section. (Art. I, sec. 9.) The first prohibition is in these words: +"The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states, now +existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the +congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a +tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten +dollars for each person." + +Sec.2. It is generally known that, from an early period, slaves had been +imported into the colonies from Africa. At the time when the +constitution was formed, laws prohibiting the foreign slave trade had +been passed in all the states except North Carolina, South Carolina, and +Georgia. The delegates from these states in the convention insisted on +having the privilege of importing slaves secured, by withholding from +congress the power to prohibit the importation. A majority of the +convention were in favor of leaving congress free to prohibit the trade +at any time. But as it was doubtful whether these states would in such +case accede to the constitution; and as it was desirable to bring as +many states as possible into the union; it was at length agreed that the +trade should be left open, and free to all the states choosing to +continue it, until 1808, (twenty years;) congress being allowed, +however, to lay a duty or tax of ten dollars on every slave imported. + +Sec.3. It has ever been a cause of wonder and regret to many, that the +traffic in human beings should have been permitted by the constitution, +even for the most limited period. It is, however, a gratifying fact, +that congress exercised its power for terminating the foreign slave +trade, at the earliest possible period. A law was passed in 1807, to go +into effect in January, 1808, making it unlawful, under severe +penalties, to import slaves into the United States; and in 1820, the +African slave trade was by law declared _piracy_, and made punishable by +death. + +Sec.4. The next clause is, "The privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ +shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, +the public safety may require it." _Habeas corpus_, (Latin,) signifies, +_have the body_. A person deprived of his liberty, may, before the final +judgment of a court is pronounced against him, petition a court or +judge, who issues a writ commanding the party imprisoning or detaining +him, to produce his body and the cause of his detention before the judge +or court. If the imprisonment or detention is found to be illegal, or +without sufficient cause, the prisoner is set at liberty. + +Sec.5. The next clause declares, "No bill of attainder or _ex post facto_ +law shall be passed." A _bill of attainder_ is an act of the legislature +by which the punishment of death is inflicted upon a person for some +crime, without any trial. If it inflicts a milder punishment, it is +usually called a bill of pains and penalties. Such laws are inconsistent +with the principles of republican government, and are therefore properly +prohibited. + +Sec.6. An _ex post facto_ law is literally a law made after an act is done, +or which has effect upon an act after it is done. But it here means a +law that makes punishable as a _crime_, an act which was not criminal +when done. A law is also an _ex post facto_ law that increases the +punishment of a crime after it has been committed. If, for example, a +law should be passed by which a person, having previously killed another +in lawfully defending his own life, should be made to suffer death, it +would be an _ex post facto_ law, because killing in self-defense, before +the passage of the law, was not punishable as a crime. Such also would +be a law that should require all persons now charged with stealing, to +be imprisoned for life, if found guilty; because the crime, when +committed, was punishable by a shorter imprisonment. + +Sec.7. The next prohibition is, "No capitation or other direct tax shall be +laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before +directed to be taken." The words _capitation_ and _capital_ are from the +Latin _caput_, the head, or poll. Hence a _capitation-tax_ or a +_poll-tax_, is a tax upon each head or person. (Chap. VII. Sec.4.) The +above clause means, that poll-taxes, if laid, must be laid in conformity +to article 1st, section 2d, clause 3d, of the constitution, which +requires three-fifths of the slaves to be counted in apportioning taxes +among the states according to population. + +Sec.8. The next prohibition is, "No tax or duty shall be laid on articles +exported from any state." Probably no law for taxing exports could be +devised which would operate equally upon the interests of the different +states. Or some states the principal product is cotton, rice, or +tobacco; of others, grain; and of others, manufactures; and some of +these products might not bear the same rates of duties as others. But +though it were possible to devise a plan which would be equal in its +operation, a majority of the representatives might be opposed to it. The +representatives of the grain producing, and those of the planting +states, might combine in imposing excessive taxes upon the productions +of the manufacturing states. Or the manufacturing and the grain +producing states might, with the same intent, combine against the +planting states. + +Sec.9. As it was the purpose of the framers of the constitution to make +taxation, as nearly as possible, equal in the different states, by +uniform duties; and as every necessary object of indirect taxation may +be attained by duties on imports; duties on exports are properly +prohibited. And to secure to all the states freedom and equality in +trade, it is expressly provided in the same clause, that "no preference +shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to the ports +of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from +one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another." + +Sec.10. The next clause provides that "no money shall be drawn from the +treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." This places +the public money beyond the reach or control of the executive or any +other officer, and secures it in the hands of the representatives of the +people. In pursuance of this provision, congress, at every session, +passes laws specifying the objects for which money is to be +appropriated. The latter part of the clause requires, that "a regular +statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public +money shall be published from time to time." And it is by law made the +duty of the secretary of the treasury to make to congress annually such +statement, which is published by order of congress; so that the people +may know for what purposes the public money is expended. + +Sec.11. It is next declared, that "no title of nobility shall be granted by +the United States." Although the bare titles of lord, duke, &c., which +are conferred upon citizens in monarchical governments, could not add to +the political power of any person under our constitution; yet, as it is +desirable that there should be equality of rank as well as of political +rights, it is proper that congress should be prohibited from creating +titles of nobility. And to guard public officers against being corrupted +by foreign influence, they are forbidden to "accept of any present, +emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, +or foreign state." + + + + +Chapter XXXVIII. + +Prohibitions on the States. + + + +Sec.1. The next section contains restrictions on the powers of the states. +"No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation." [For +the definition of _treaty_ and the manner in which a treaty is made, see +Chapter XL: Sec.3-5.] An _alliance_ is a union between two or more nations, +by a treaty, or contract, for their mutual benefit. _Confederation_ and +_alliance_, have nearly the same meaning. If the states, separately, +were allowed to make treaties or form alliances with foreign powers, the +rights and interests of one state might be injured by the treaties made +by another state. As the states united constitute but one nation, it is +obvious that the power to treat with other nations properly belongs to +the general government. If the states also had the power, they might +counteract the policy of the national government. + +Sec.2. Nor may a state "grant letters of marque and reprisal." If, as has +been shown, this power is properly given to congress, it could not be +safely intrusted to the states. (Chap. XXXVI, Sec.5.) + +Sec.3. The power to "coin money" is also prohibited to the states. It was +given to the general government to secure a uniform currency. (Chap. +XXXIV, Sec.7.) But this object would not be likely to be attained, if the +power to coin money were exercised by the states. + +Sec.4. A state may not "emit bills of credit." _Bills of credit_, to a vast +amount, were issued by the states during the war, and for some time +thereafter. They were in the nature of promissory notes, issued by the +authority of the state, and on the credit of the state, and put in +circulation by the continental congress and the states as money. This +paper money, having no funds set apart to redeem it, became almost +worthless. Bank bills issued upon the credit of private individuals, do +not come under the prohibition. It is also held that the prohibition +does not apply to the notes or bills of a _state_ bank, drawn on the +credit of a particular fund set apart for that purpose. + +Sec.5. No state shall "make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts." _Tender_ signifies an offer, or to offer. In law, it +is an offer of something in payment of a debt, or the thing itself which +is offered in payment. Some of the states had declared their +irredeemable paper money a lawful tender. But paper money and property +of all kinds are continually liable to fluctuation in value, and might +subject those who should be compelled to receive it to great +inconvenience and loss. But although no person is obliged to take in +payment any thing but coin, bank bills are by common consent taken in +the course of business and in payment of debts, because they may be +converted into specie by presenting them at the bank by which they are +issued. + +Sec.6. Nor may a state "pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or +law impairing the obligation of contracts." Bills of attainder and ex +post laws have been defined and considered. (Chap. XXXVII, Sec.5.) If these +laws are in their nature wrong, the states as well as congress should be +prohibited from passing them. Not less unjust are laws impairing the +obligation of contracts. Laws that should weaken the force of contracts, +or that would release men from their obligations, would be contrary to +the principles of justice, and destroy all security to the rights of +property. + +Sec.7. As bankrupt laws release debtors from the payment of their debts, +and consequently impair the obligation of contracts, the question has +arisen whether the states have power to pass insolvent or bankrupt laws. +From decisions of the supreme court of the United States, which is the +highest judicial authority, it appears, that a state may not pass a +bankrupt law discharging a debtor from the obligation of a contract made +before such law was passed. But it was not to be considered a law +impairing the obligation of a contract, if it existed before the +contract was made; because the parties, who are presumed to know that +such law exists, may guard themselves against loss. + +Sec.8. The last thing prohibited in this clause, is, "to grant any title of +nobility." This is forbidden to the states for the same reason as it is +prohibited to congress. (Chap. XXXVII, Sec.11.) + +Sec.9. The first prohibition to the states in the next clause is to "lay +any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be +absolutely necessary for executing their inspection laws." The +objections to the power of the states to lay duties have been +considered. They are founded upon the same reasons as have been given +for intrusting congress with this power; one of which is to secure +uniformity throughout the United States. (Chap. XXXII, Sec.6.) And as +congress is properly prohibited from laying duties on exports, (Chap. +XXXVI, Sec.8, 9,) there can be no good reason for allowing it to be done +by the states. + +Sec.10. The exception allowing a state to lay duties necessary to execute +its inspection laws was deemed proper. Laws are passed by the states for +the inspection or examination of flour and meat in barrels, leather, and +sundry other commodities in commercial cities, to ascertain their +quality and quantity, and to be marked accordingly. By this means the +states are enabled to improve the quality of articles produced by the +labor of the country, and the articles are better fitted for sale, as +the purchaser is thereby guarded against deception. A small tax is laid +upon the goods inspected, to pay for their inspection. But, lest the +states should carry this power so far as to injure other states, these +"laws are to be subject to the revision and control of congress." + +Sec.11. The last restrictions upon the power of the states contained in +this section, are: "No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay +any duty of tunnage; keep troops or ships of war in time of peace; enter +into any agreement or compact with any other state, or with a foreign +power; or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent +danger as will not admit of delay." Some of the prohibitions here +enumerated have been noticed in this and preceding chapters; and the +reasons of the others are so obvious as to render any remarks upon them +unnecessary. + + + + +Chapter XXXIX. + +Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election, +Qualifications, &c. + + + +Sec.1. The second article of the constitution relates to the executive +department. Of the necessity of a separate and distinct power to execute +the laws, we have already spoken. (Chap. VIII, Sec.7.) Under the +confederation, as will be recollected, there was no national executive. +This defect has been supplied by the constitution. "The executive power +shall be vested in a president of the United States of America. He shall +hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the +vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows." (Art. +2, Sec.1.) + +Sec.2. In regard to the organization and powers of the executive +department, there was a great diversity of opinion. Ought the chief +executive power to be vested in one person, or a number of persons? Laws +should be executed with promptness and energy. This is more likely to be +done by one man than by a number. If several were associated in the +exercise of this power, disagreement and discord would be likely to +happen, and to cause frequent and injurious delays. Unity being deemed +favorable to energetic and prompt action, the chief executive power of +the nation was given to a single person. + +Sec.3. Secondly, as to the duration of the office. Much of what has been +said in relation to the term of office of senators, will apply to that +of president. (Chap. XXX, Sec.4-6.) His term of office should not be so +short as to induce him to act more with a view to his re-election than +to the public good; yet it should be short enough to make him feel his +responsibility. And it should be long enough to insure a due degree of +independence, and to enable him to carry out his system of public +policy. The term of four years was accordingly adopted. + +Sec.4. Thirdly, the mode of election. Among the various modes proposed, the +one adopted was that of electing the president by electors chosen in the +several states for that purpose; the number of the electors chosen in +each state to be equal to the number of its senators and representatives +in congress. A material alteration in the mode of election has been made +since the adoption of the constitution, as will be seen by examining the +two modes. (Art. 2, Sec.1; and Art. 12 of Amendments.) This amendment does +not change the manner of choosing the electors, but the manner of +choosing the president by the electors. + +Sec.5. The constitution does not prescribe the manner in which the +electors shall be appointed or chosen; it only declares that each state +shall appoint them "in such manner as the legislature thereof shall +direct." No uniform mode was adopted by the different states. In some +states the electors were appointed by the legislature; in others, by the +people. At present the latter mode prevails in all the states except +South Carolina, where presidential electors are still chosen by the +legislature. + +Sec.6. The electors are, by the laws of the several states, chosen by +_general ticket_. The names of two men, corresponding to the number of +senators to which a state is entitled in congress, together with the +names of as many others as there are representatives of the state in the +lower house of congress, one to reside in each congressional district, +are all placed on the same ballot; so that every voter votes for the +whole number of presidential electors to be chosen in the state. And, by +a law of congress, the electors are required to be chosen in all the +states on the same day, which is the Tuesday next after the first Monday +of November. + +Sec.7. The electors so chosen are required by a law of congress, to meet in +their respective states on the first Wednesday of December, and vote for +president and vice-president; and to make and sign three certificates of +all the votes given by them, and seal up the same. One of these is to be +sent by a person duly appointed by them, to the president of the senate +at the seat of government, before the first of January next ensuing; +another is to be forwarded by mail, also directed to the president of +the senate; and the third is to be delivered to the United States judge +of the district in which the electors are assembled. + +Sec.8. On the second Wednesday of February, the president of the senate, in +presence of all the senators and representatives, opens the certificates +from all the states, and the votes are counted. The person having a +majority of all the electoral votes for president is elected. If no +person has a majority of all the electoral votes, the house of +representatives must choose the president from those candidates, not +exceeding three, who had the highest numbers of the electoral votes. But +in so doing, the members do not all vote together; but those of each +state vote by themselves; and the candidate who receives the votes of a +majority of the representatives of a state, has but one presidential +vote for such majority; and the person who receives the votes of a +majority of the states, is elected. Thus in the election of president by +the house of representatives, voting is done _by states_, as was done in +passing laws by the old congress. (Chap. XXVIII, Sec.5.) + +Sec.9. There have been two elections by the house of representatives. The +second was 1825. The votes of the electoral colleges (assemblies) had in +December, 1824, been divided upon four candidates. Andrew Jackson had +received 99 electoral votes; John Quincy Adams, 84; William H. Crawford, +41; and Henry Clay, 37. Neither having received a majority of all the +electoral votes, the election devolved upon the house of +representatives. Of the three candidates who had received the highest +numbers of the electoral votes, Mr. Adams received in the house of +representatives the votes of thirteen states; Gen. Jackson, the votes of +seven states; and Mr. Crawford, the votes of four states. Mr. Adams +having received the votes of a majority of all the states, he was +elected. + +Sec.10. By the 12th article of amendments, if there is no election of +vice-president by a majority of the electors, then, from the two highest +numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president. +Two-thirds of the whole number of senators shall constitute a quorum for +such election; and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to +a choice. + +Sec.11. To be eligible to the office of president or vice-president, a +person must be a natural born citizen of the United States, thirty-five +years of age, and must have been fourteen years a resident within the +United States. The reasons for requiring long terms of citizenship and +residence, and mature age and experience, in the case of senators, apply +with equal force in the case of president. + +Sec.12. In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the vice-president +becomes the president. The power of making further provision for +supplying vacancies is, by the constitution, given to congress. (Art. 2, +Sec.1.) Congress has accordingly enacted, that, when there is neither +president nor vice-president, the president _pro tempore_ shall act as +president; and if there should be none, the speaker of the house of +representatives would assume the duties of the office. + +Sec.13. The same section declares that the salary of the president shall +neither be increased nor diminished during the time for which he shall +have been elected. It would be improper to allow congress to reduce his +salary at pleasure. This would make the executive dependent upon the +legislature for his support. On the other hand, if his compensation +could be increased during his official term, he might be tempted to use +undue influence to procure a needless increase of his salary. + +Sec.14. The presidential term commences the 4th of March next after the +election, and ends the 3d day of March four years thereafter. Each +successive congress also commences and ends its term every two years, on +the same days of that month; and it is called a new congress, although +only one-third of the senators go out of office when a congress is said +to expire, and are succeeded by new ones when the next congress is said +to commence its official term. + + + + +Chapter XL. + +Powers and Duties of the President; Treaties; Public Ministers; +Appointments and Removals. + + + +Sec.1. The powers and duties of the president are next given. "The +president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United +States, and of the militia of the several states when called into the +actual service of the United States." (Art. 2, Sec.2.) Some of the reasons +for giving to the executive the command of the public forces, have been +given. (Chap. XXV, Sec.2, 5.) It has also been observed, that a prompt and +effectual execution of the laws is best secured by intrusting this power +to a single individual. (Chap. XXXVIII, Sec.2.) The constitution, (Art. I, +Sec.8, clauses 12-16,) give congress power over the army, navy, and +militia, and "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the +laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions." As this +power is to be exercised upon sudden emergencies, congress has by law +authorized the president to call out the militia for these purposes. And +as the direction of the public forces is a power of an executive nature, +it is intrusted to the executive. + +Sec.2. The president has also "power to grant reprieves and pardons for +offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." The +same power is exercised by the governors of the several states. (Chap. +XII, Sec.4.) Through partial or false testimony, or the mistakes of judges +or juries, an innocent person may be convicted of crime; or facts may +subsequently come to light showing the offense to be one of less +aggravation than appeared on the trial. There should therefore be +somewhere a power to remit the punishment, or to mitigate the sentence, +or postpone its execution, as the case may seem to require; and by no +other person or persons, it is presumed, would this power be more +judiciously exercised than by the executive. + +Sec.3. The president has "power, by and with the advice and consent of the +senate, to make treaties, to appoint embassadors, other public ministers +and consuls, judges of the supreme court," and other officers, "provided +two-thirds of the senators concur." A _treaty_ is an agreement or +contract between two or more nations, for regulating trade, or for +restoring or preserving peace. This power ought therefore to be in the +national government. In monarchical governments it belongs to the king. +To confide so important a trust to the president alone, would be +imprudent. To associate the house of representatives with the president +and senate, as in making laws, would render it impossible to act with +the decision, secrecy, and dispatch, which are sometimes necessary in +making treaties. + +Sec.4. As the treaty-making power appears to be in its nature neither +wholly executive nor wholly legislative, but to partake of the nature of +both, a _part_ of the legislature is properly associated with the +president. As the senate, being less numerous than the house, is capable +of acting more promptly as well as more easily convened and at less +expense, that body is more properly united with the executive in the +exercise of this power. And it is equally proper that the power to +appoint embassadors and others by whom treaties are negotiated, should +be placed in the same hands. + +Sec.5. Treaties are negotiated; that is, the provisions or terms are +arranged and agreed upon, by the agents of the two governments; and a +copy of the articles of agreement is sent to each government to be +approved and confirmed, or, as it is usually expressed, to be +_ratified_. Both governments must ratify, or the treaty fails. Treaties +are ratified, on the part of our government, by the president and +senate. This is what is meant by their making treaties. The persons by +whom treaties are negotiated are sometimes appointed by their +governments for that special purpose; but the business is perhaps more +frequently done by the permanent representatives or ministers of the +respective governments. + +Sec.6. Each of the principal civilized nations has some officer at home +who acts as agent in negotiating treaties and transacting business with +foreign governments, and has also a representative at the seat of each +foreign government for this purpose, and for keeping his government, +apprised of what is done abroad. Our government has a minister in Great +Britain, one in Russia, one in France, one in Spain, and one in each of +the other principal commercial nations; and each of these nations has a +minister residing at the city of Washington, the seat of government of +the United States. The officer of our government who corresponds with +foreign ministers here, and with our ministers abroad, is the secretary +of state. The negotiation of treaties at home with the ministers of +foreign governments residing here, is done by him. + +Sec.7. Representatives at foreign courts have different names or titles: +embassadors, envoys, ministers, and charges des affaires. An embassador +who is intrusted with the ordinary business of a minister at a foreign +court, is called an _embassador in ordinary_. An _embassador +extraordinary_ is a person sent on a particular occasion, who returns as +soon as the business on which he was sent is done. He is sometimes +called _envoy_; and when he has power to act as he may deem expedient, +he is called _envoy plenipotentiary_; the latter word signifying full +power. An ordinary embassador or minister resides abroad, and acts in +obedience to instructions sent him from time to time. + +Sec.8. Agents or representatives sent by our government to reside at +foreign courts, are called _ministers_. Formerly those sent to the less +important countries, were called _charges des affaires_, who are +ministers of a lower grade. The name, usually written charges +d'affaires, is French, and is pronounced _shar-zha-daf-fair_, accented +on the first and last syllables. It means a person having charge of the +affairs of his nation. It is not at present applied to any of our +representatives abroad, all being called by the common name of minister. + +Sec.9. _Consuls_ are agents of inferior grade. They reside in foreign +seaports. Their business is to aid their respective governments in their +commercial transactions with the countries in which they reside, and to +protect the rights, commerce, merchants, and seamen of their own nation. +Hence much of their business is with masters of vessels, and with +merchants. They also dispose of the personal estate of citizens of their +own nation who die within their consulates, leaving no representative or +partner in trade to take care of their effects. + +Sec.10. The appointment of judges of the supreme court by the president and +senate, seems to be proper. Their election by the people, most of whom +could have little or no knowledge of the persons who should be chosen, +would be injudicious. Besides, the mass of the voters are not so +competent to judge of the qualifications necessary for so important a +judicial office, as those to whom the constitution has given the power +of appointment. + +Sec.11. The power of appointing the head officers of the several executive +departments, is with equal propriety given to the president and senate. +As the president is in a measure responsible for the acts of his +subordinates who conduct the business of these departments, and as, +without their cooeperation, he could scarcely carry out his own measures, +it is proper that he should have the right of selecting them; and by +being required to submit his choice to the body of senators for their +approval, a sufficient safeguard is provided against the appointment of +unworthy or incompetent men. + +Sec.12. "The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may +happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which +shall expire at the end of the next session." (Art. 2, sec. 2, clause +3.) Without such a power somewhere, the public interests would often +suffer serious injury before the senate should again be in session to +act upon a nomination by the president. As it is his duty to see that +the business of the executive offices is faithfully done, he seems to +be the proper person to make such temporary appointment. + +Sec.13. The powers and duties of the president enumerated in the next +section of the constitution, are all necessary to insure a successful +administration of the government; and they are so clearly of an +executive nature, that they could not with any degree of propriety have +been devolved upon any other officer or department of the government. + +Sec.14. The last section of this article of the constitution enumerates the +persons liable to be removed from office by impeachment, and the +offenses for which they are thus removable. As in the state governments, +so in the general government, impeachments are made by the house of +representatives, and tried by the senate. (Chap. XX, Sec.6-8; Cons. U.S., +art. I, Sec.2, 3.) + + + + +Chapter XLI. + +Auxiliary Executive Departments. Departments of State, of the Treasury, +of the Interior, of War, of the Navy, of the Post-Office; +Attorney-General. + + + +Sec.1. The great amount and variety of the executive business of the +nation, requires the division of this department into several +subordinate departments, and the distribution among them of the +different kinds of public business. At the head of each of these +departments is a chief officer. These chief officers, sometimes called +_heads of departments_, with the attorney general, being private +advisors or counselors of the president, are called the _cabinet_. They +are appointed by the president and senate. + +Sec.2. By the first congress under the constitution, were established the +state, treasury, and war departments, whose head officers, called +secretaries, and the attorney-general, constituted the first cabinet. +In 1798, the navy department was established. During president Jackson's +term of office, the postmaster-general was made a cabinet officer. And +the establishment, in 1849, of the department of the interior, added to +the cabinet the seventh member. + +Sec.3. The _secretary of state_ performs such duties as are committed to +him by the president relating to foreign intercourse. Some of these +duties have been mentioned. (Chap. XXXIX, Sec.6.) He conducts all our +diplomatic correspondence, being the official organ of communication +with the ministers of foreign governments sent to this country, and with +our ministers abroad. _Diplomacy_ signifies the rules and customs which +govern the intercourse of nations through their ministers or agents; +also the management of the business of a nation by its minister at a +foreign court. And such minister, especially if he manages with ability +and skill, is called a _diplomatist_. + +Sec.4. The secretary of state keeps the seal of the United States; and he +makes out, records, and seals all civil commissions to officers +appointed by the president and senate, or by the president. His duties +in relation to the publishing and distributing the laws, and certain +other matters, are similar to the duties of a secretary of state of a +state government. + +Sec.5. The _secretary of the treasury_ has charge of the finances of the +nation. He superintends the collection of the revenue, and performs +certain other duties of the nature of the controller or auditor of a +state. (Chap. XIII, Sec.3.) He lays before congress annually a report of +the finances, containing a statement of the public revenue and +expenditure during the past year, the value of the imports and exports, +and estimates of the revenue and expenditures for succeeding years, and +plans for improving the revenues. He also makes annually a statement of +appropriations of money, and of sums remaining, in the treasury. + +Sec.6. The vast amount of business in this department requires a great +number of assistants; among whom are several controllers and auditors of +accounts; a treasurer, a register, who keeps the accounts of goods +imported and exported, and of the shipping employed in our foreign +trade; a solicitor; a recorder; and numerous clerks. + +Sec.7. The _secretary of the interior_ superintends the business relating +to the public lands, public buildings, the lead mines and other mines of +the United States, Indian affairs, patents, and pensions. A _pension_ is +a yearly allowance to a person by the government for past services. In +this country pensions are granted for services in war. They were at +first allowed only to such as had been disabled in the war of the +revolution and in the war of 1812; and subsequently to all who had +served at least six months in the revolutionary war, and to their widows +during their lives. Those disabled in the late war with Mexico have also +been added to the pension list. And by recent acts of congress, bounties +of lands were to be allowed to all the surviving soldiers of the war of +1812, who had served one month therein. + +Sec.8. The _secretary of war_ performs duties relating to military +commissions, or to the land forces and warlike stores of the United +States. The standing army of the nation consists at present of about +15,000 men, who are distributed among the several military stations, +armed and ready for service. He reports annually a statement of the +expenditure and application of moneys drawn from the treasury for his +department, and makes such suggestions relative to its condition as he +thinks proper. He is assisted by subordinate officers and clerks. + +Sec.9. The _secretary of the navy_ executes the orders of the president for +procuring naval stores and materials, and for equipping and employing +vessels of war, and performs such other duties pertaining to the naval +establishment as are required of him. Three officers are appointed by +the president and senate, who constitute a board of _commissioners for +the navy_, and discharge the ministerial duties of the office of the +secretary, and furnish estimates of the expenditures of the department. + +Sec.10. The _postmaster-general_ establishes post-offices, appoints +postmasters and other persons employed in the general post-office, and +provides for carrying the mails. He is assisted by three assistant +post-masters-general, an auditor of the post-office treasury, to audit +and settle the accounts of the department, and to superintend the +collection of the debts due the department. The business of this +department requires a large number of clerks. He reports annually all +contracts made for the transportation of the mail, and a statement of +the receipts and expenditures of the department. + +Sec.11. Postmasters keep an account of all letters sent from and received +at their respective offices, stating the names of the offices from which +letters are received, and of those to which letters are sent, and +whether they are post paid or sent free. Postmasters, at stated periods, +(in most places quarterly,) advertise all letters remaining in their +offices; and they send quarterly to the general post-office accounts of +letters sent and received, and of moneys received for postage, and of +those paid out on orders of the department. Letters also which have lain +in their offices during the time for which they were required to be +advertised, are sent as _dead_ letters to the general post-office, where +they are opened; and such as contain money or other valuable matter are +returned by mail to the writers. + +Sec.12. Postmasters are allowed for their services a commission on the +amount of postage received by them quarterly. Those at whose offices the +sums received are small, are allowed a greater per centage than those +where the receipts are large. Thus, the commission at present (1859) is, +on the first $100 received, sixty per cent.; on the next $300, fifty per +cent.; on the next $2,000, forty per cent.; on all over 2,400, fifteen +per cent. Stamped letters are considered as paid in cash. On newspaper +postages, fifty per cent, on all sums, large or small. If a postmaster's +commission exceeds $2,000 a year, besides the expenses of the office, +the excess is paid to the general post office. Postmasters may also +receive for pigeon-holes or boxes, not exceeding $2,000, the excess, if +any, to be paid to the general post-office. Postmasters whose +compensation amounts to $1,000 or more in a year, are appointed by the +president and senate. + +Sec.13. Postmasters whose commission on postages has been less than $200 +during the preceding year, may receive and send, free of postage, +letters on their own private business, weighing not more than half an +ounce. And members of congress, during their term of office, and until +the first of December after its expiration, may send and receive letters +and packages weighing not more than two ounces, and all public documents +free. A person to be entitled to send matter free, must write on the +outside his name and the title of his office. This is called _franking_. +Civil officers at the seat of government also may frank matter relating +to the business of their offices, by marking it outside, "official +business." + +Sec.14. The _attorney-general_ attends to all suits in the supreme court of +the United States in which the United States is a party or is concerned, +and gives his opinions on questions of law when requested by the +president or heads of departments. + + + + +Chapter XLII. + +Judicial Department. + + + +Sec.1. We come now to the third article of the constitution. The first two +sections provide for the organization, and prescribe the powers, of the +courts of the United States. The want of a national judiciary was a +material defect of the confederation. Dependence upon the state courts +to enforce the laws of the union, subjected the government to great +inconvenience and embarrassment. A government that has a legislature +and an executive, should also have a judiciary to judge of and interpret +the laws. The constitution declares that "the judicial power of the +United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior +courts as the congress may ordain and establish." Under the authority +here given, congress passed the judiciary act of 1789, by which the +several courts of the United States were established. + +Sec.2. The same section declares, "The judges of both the supreme and +inferior courts shall hold their offices during good behavior." In no +other department of the general government are offices held for so long +a term, which is virtually for life, unless removed on impeachment, or +for inability. To insure a correct and impartial administration of +justice, the judges should be independent. If they could be displaced at +the pleasure of the appointing power, or by frequent elections, they +might be tempted to conform their opinions and decisions to the wishes +of those on whom they were dependent for continuance in office. The +object of the framers was to remove them as far as possible from party +influence. + +Sec.3. It is further provided, with a view to the independence of the +judges, that their "compensation shall not be diminished during their +continuance in office." Salaries are fixed by congress. To give congress +power over the purse of an officer, is to give it power over his will. +Dependence upon the legislature would be as great an evil as dependence +upon the appointing power. Besides, men generally selected for high +judicial offices are eminent lawyers, pursuing a lucrative professional +business; and, without a liberal salary, men of the greatest ability +would not accept these offices; or if in office, an essential reduction +of their compensation might induce them to resign their offices. + +Sec.4. The next section enumerates the cases to be tried in these courts. +It is evident from their nature that state courts are not the proper +tribunals to try them. Also all violations of the laws of the United +States are tried in the national courts. Thus, the counterfeiting of +United States coin, murder and other crimes committed on the sea, beyond +the jurisdiction of a state, smuggling goods, that is, secretly +importing dutiable goods without paying the duties, infringements of +patent rights, &c., are prosecuted in courts of the United States. + +Sec.5. The third clause of this section declares, that "the trial of all +crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial +shall be held in the same state where the said crimes shall have been +committed." This is intended to secure the trial of the accused among +his friends and acquaintances, and near the residence of his witnesses, +whose attendance in a distant state could not be had without great +inconvenience and expense, which might deprive him of the benefit of an +important witness. + +Sec.6. There are three kinds of national courts: the supreme court, circuit +courts, and district courts. Every state constitutes at least one +district. The larger states are divided into two or more districts. In +each district is a _district judge_, who holds a court four times a +year. There are also in each district, a _district attorney_, to conduct +suits on the part of the United States, and a _marshal_, whose business +is similar to that of a sheriff. This court tries the more common civil +cases, arising under the laws of the United States, and the lower crimes +against the laws of the United States, committed on land and sea. This +court has in some cases a jury. + +Sec.7. There are nine _circuits_, each embracing several states. In each +circuit is a justice or a judge, who holds a court in his circuit twice +a year. The district judge of the district in which a circuit court is +held, sits with the circuit judge in holding a circuit court. This court +tries causes between citizens of different states, between aliens and +citizens, and those in which the United States are a party. It also +tries some cases in appeal from the district courts. It tries matters +relating to affairs on the high seas, and all felonies punishable with +death. It has a grand and a petit jury. + +Sec.8. The _supreme court_ is composed of the nine judges of the circuit +courts, one of whom is chief-justice, the others are called associate +justices. It holds one session annually at the seat of government, +commencing in January or February, and continuing about two months. It +will be seen from this section of the constitution, that this court has +_original_ jurisdiction in but few cases. Its principal business is to +rejudge cases brought up from the circuit courts. + +Sec.9. An important object of a supreme court of the United States, is to +secure a correct and uniform interpretation of the constitution and laws +of the United States. State laws and decisions of state courts, are +sometimes made which are supposed to be repugnant to the constitution +and laws of the United States. What may be pronounced constitutional in +one state, may be declared unconstitutional in another. Therefore it is +provided that when an act or judgment in a case tried in the highest or +last court in a state is deemed inconsistent with the constitution or +laws of the United States, such case may be removed to the supreme court +of the United States, whose decision governs the judgment of all +inferior courts throughout the union. + + + + +Chapter XLIII. + +Treason, defined; its Punishment. + + + +Sec.1. The constitution defines treason, as follows: "Treason against the +United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in +adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Art. 3, sec. 3. +A proneness to construe less aggravated crimes into acts of treason, +made it proper that the constitution should define the crime. The term +_levying war_ has the sense here which it was understood to have in the +English statute, from which it was adopted. An assemblage of men for a +treasonable purpose, such as war against the government, or a revolution +of any of its territories, and in a condition to make such war, +constitutes a levying of war. + +Sec.2. War can be levied only by the employment of force; troops must be +embodied; men must be openly raised; but there may be treason without +arms, or without the application of force to the object. When war is +levied, all who perform a part, however remote from the scene of action, +being leagued in the conspiracy, commit treason. But a mere conspiracy +to levy war is not treason. A secret, unarmed meeting of conspirators, +not in force, nor in warlike form, though met for a treasonable purpose, +is not treason; but these offenses are high misdemeanors. + +Sec.3. The constitution also prescribes the proof necessary for the +conviction of treason. "No person shall be convicted of treason, unless +on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on +confession in open court." No evidence less than this should be +considered sufficient to convict a person of a crime for which he is to +suffer death. + +Sec.4. "Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason." +Art. 3, sec. 3. By the common law, the punishment of treason was of a +savage and disgraceful nature. The offender was drawn to the gallows on +a hurdle; hanged by the neck and cut down alive; his entrails taken out +and burned while he was yet alive; his head cut off; and his body +quartered. Congress, in pursuance of the power here granted, has very +properly abolished this barbarous practice, and confined the punishment +to simple death by hanging. + +Sec.5. But the same clause provides, that "no attainder of treason shall +work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the +person attainted." _Attainder_ literally signifies a staining, or +rendering impure; but it here means a conviction and judgment in court +against the offender. By the common law, the sentence of death for +treason was made to affect the _blood_ of the traitor; so that he could +neither inherit property nor transmit it to heirs; but his estate was +forfeited. This practice, so unjust to the innocent relatives of an +offender, is properly abolished by the constitution; and congress has +declared that "no conviction or judgment shall work corruption of blood, +or any forfeiture of estate." So that while this law continues, there is +no forfeiture, even during the life of the person attainted. + + + + +Chapter XLIV. + +State Records; Privilege of Citizens; Fugitives; Admission of New +States; Power over Territory; Guaranty of Republican Government. + + + +Sec.1. "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public +acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the +congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, +records, and proceedings shall be proved and the effect thereof." Art. +4, sec. 1. Without this provision, a person against whom a judgment has +been obtained, might remove with his property into another state, where +the property could not be taken on execution without a new trial and +judgment; which, at so great a distance from the residence of the +creditor and his witnesses, would be very difficult and expensive, and +perhaps impossible. Now, the proceedings of the court in which a +judgment is obtained, if sent to the place where the debtor resides, +have the same effect as in the state in which such proceedings were +taken. + +Sec.2. There are several other cases which this provision is intended to +meet. But, as is seen, the effect of these acts, records, and judicial +proceedings, and the manner of proving them are to be prescribed by +congress. In pursuance of the power here granted, congress has enacted, +that a certificate under seal of the clerk of a court of record, +transmitted to any state of the union, shall there be deemed evidence +of the facts therein stated. But if the thing certified is a judicial +proceeding, such sealed certificate must be accompanied by the +certificate of the presiding judge or justice, that the attestation of +the clerk is in due form. Acts of a state legislature, to be entitled to +credit in another state, must have the seal of the state affixed to +them. + +Sec.3. The next section of this article provides, that "the citizens of +each state shall be entitled to all the immunities and privileges of +citizens in the several states." This means that the citizens of any +state going into other states, shall not, by the laws of those states, +be deprived of any of the privileges of citizens; but shall be entitled +to the privileges which are enjoyed by persons of the same description +in the states to which they remove. Without such a provision, any state +might deny to citizens coming into it from other states, the right to +buy and hold real estate, or to become voters, or to enjoy equal +privileges in trade or business. A state may, however, prescribe a +certain term of residence therein as a qualification for voting at +elections. + +Sec.4. The next clause of this section provides for apprehending "a person +charged with crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another +state." The governor of the state from which such person has fled, sends +a requisition to the governor of the state in which he is found, +demanding his delivery to the proper officers, to be conveyed back for +trial. Without such authority to apprehend criminals, they might escape +justice by taking shelter in another state. + +Sec.5. In the same section it is provided, that "no person held to service +or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, +shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged +from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the +party to whom such service or labor may be due." This clause was +intended for the benefit of the slaveholding states. By the common law, +a slave escaping into a non-slaveholding state became free. As it was +presumed that other northern states would follow Massachusetts in +abolishing slavery, the southern states wanted some provision to enable +them to reclaim their fugitive slaves. + +Sec.6. The manner in which slaves are to be reclaimed, is prescribed by an +act of congress. The owner of a runaway slave, finding him in a free +state, arrests him and brings him before a magistrate; and if he proves +his title to the slave to the satisfaction of the magistrate, the slave +is delivered to the owner or claimant. Free colored persons have +sometimes been arrested, and, on false testimony, delivered to +claimants, taken to slave states and held as slaves. Hence the opinion +prevails extensively that a person claimed as a slave should be entitled +to trial by a jury; and that the fact of his being a slave should be +proved to the satisfaction of a jury before his delivery to a claimant. +Many persons, believing freedom to be the natural right of all men, hold +that all laws for returning fugitive slaves are wrong, and ought not to +be obeyed. + +Sec.7. The first clause of the next section provides, that "new states may +be admitted into this union," and requires the consent of congress and +of the states concerned, to the formation of new states from old ones. A +provision of this kind was deemed necessary in view of the large extent +of vacant lands within the United States, and of the inconvenient size +of some of the states then existing. The territory north-west of the +Ohio river had been ceded to the general government by the states +claiming the same; and a territorial government had already been +established therein by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. From this +territory have since been formed and admitted, the states of Ohio, +Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. + +Sec.8. South of the Ohio river also was a large tract, principally +unsettled, within the chartered limits of Virginia, North Carolina and +Georgia, extending west to the Mississippi river, from which, it was +presumed, new states would be formed. Justice, however, to these states, +as well as to others in all future time, required the general provision +above mentioned, that "no state should be divided without the consent of +its legislature and of congress." + +Sec.9. The next clause authorizes congress "to dispose of and make all +needful rules and regulations respecting the territory and other +property of the United States." If the general government has power to +acquire territory, it must have the right to exercise authority over it. +This express grant establishes beyond doubt a power which had been +questioned under the confederation. In pursuance of the power here +granted, congress has made rules and regulations for governing the +people of different portions of such territory previously to their +admission as states into the union. + +Sec.10. The next section declares, that "the United States shall guaranty +to every state in this union a republican form of government; and shall +protect each of them against invasion, and on the application of the +legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be +convened,) against domestic violence." Art. 4, sec. 4. The propriety of +a power to prevent a state from changing its government to any other +than a republican form, is evident. It is equally proper that a state, +when invaded by a foreign enemy, or in case of an insurrection within +its own borders, should have protection and aid from the general +government; especially as the states have surrendered to it the right to +keep troops or ships of war in time of peace. (Art. 1, sec. 10.) + + + + +Chapter XLV. + +Provision for Amendments; Assumption of Public Debts; Supremacy of the +Constitution, &c.; Oaths and Tests; Ratification of the Constitution. + + + +Sec.1. The 5th article provides for amending the constitution. It +prescribes two different modes for proposing amendments, and two modes +of ratifying them. Amendments may be proposed by two-thirds of both +houses of congress; or, on the application or request of two-thirds of +the states, congress shall call a convention for proposing amendments. +Proposed in either of these modes, amendments, to become valid as parts +of the constitution, must be ratified by the legislatures of +three-fourths of the states, or by conventions in three-fourths of them; +the mode of ratification, whether by the legislatures or by conventions, +to be proposed by congress. + +Sec.2. As the best human government is imperfect, and as all the future +wants and necessities of a people can not be foreseen and provided for, +it is obvious that every constitution should contain some provision for +its amendment. But if amendments could be made whenever desired by a +bare majority of the states, the strength and efficiency of the +constitution might be greatly impaired by frequent alterations. It is +therefore wisely provided, that a mere proposition to amend cannot be +made but by a majority of at least two-thirds of congress, or of the +legislatures of at least of two-thirds of the states; and that such +proposition must be ratified by a still larger majority (three-fourths) +of the states. It was thought better to submit occasionally to some +temporary inconvenience, than to indulge in frequent amendments of the +constitution. + +Sec.3. The 6th article acknowledges the obligation of the general +government to pay "all debts contracted before the adoption of the +constitution." As has been observed, congress had borrowed money for the +payment of which it was unable to provide; and one object of a change +of government was to make provision for fulfilling the engagements of +the nation. This clause, it is said, was also intended to allay the +fears of public creditors, who apprehended that a change in the +government would release the nation from its obligations. + +Sec.4. The next clause declares, "This constitution, and the laws made in +pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of the +United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in +every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or +laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding." If all state +authorities were not bound by the constitution and laws of the United +States, nothing would have been gained by the union. If the laws and +treaties made by the general government could be disregarded or +nullified by any power in a state, why was power to make them given to +the general government? + +Sec.5. The last clause of the 4th article requires certain officers, both +of the United States and of the several states to be "bound by oath or +affirmation to support this constitution." Binding the conscience of +public officers by oath or solemn affirmation, has ever been considered +necessary to secure a faithful performance of their duties. They are +generally required to swear not only to support the constitution, but +also to discharge the duties of their offices to the best of their +ability. + +Sec.6. The same clause declares that "no religious test shall ever be +required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the +United States." _Test_ here means an oath or a declaration in favor of +or against certain religious opinions, as a qualification for office. In +England, all officers, civil and military, were formerly obliged to make +a declaration against transubstantiation, and to assent to the doctrines +and conform to the rules of the established church. Desirous of securing +to every citizen the full enjoyment of religious liberty, the +introduction of tests was prohibited by the constitution. + +Sec.7. The 7th and last article declares: "The ratification of the +conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of +this constitution between the states so ratifying the same." The +immediate ratification of the constitution by all the states was hardly +to be expected; a unanimous ratification, therefore, was not required. +But a union of less than nine states was deemed inexpedient. The framers +concluded their labors on the 17th of September, 1787; and in July, +1788, the ratification of New Hampshire, the ninth state, was received +by congress. + +Sec.8. The dates of the ratifications of the several states are as follows: +Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, +December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, +1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South +Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Virginia, June 26, +1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode +Island, May 29, 1790. The two last named states did not accede to the +constitution until after proceedings under it had commenced. The +ratification of North Carolina was received by congress in January, +1790; that of Rhode Island in June following. + +Sec.9. The first Wednesday of January, 1789, was appointed by congress for +choosing electors of president in the several states, and the first +Wednesday of February for the electors to meet in their respective +states to elect the president. Gen. Washington was unanimously elected, +and on the 30th of April was inaugurated president. Proceedings under +the constitution, however, had commenced on the 4th of March preceding. + + + + +Chapter XLVI. + +Amendments to the Constitution. + + + +Sec.1. It is remarkable that, during a period of seventy years, the +constitution has received so few alterations. Although twelve articles +of amendment, so called, have been adopted, only two, (the 11th and +12th,) have in any manner or degree changed any of its original +provisions. Most of them, it will be seen, are merely declaratory and +restrictive. As the principles which they declare were so generally +acknowledged, and as the general government was a government of limited +powers, having such only as were expressly authorized by the +constitution, the framers deemed these declarations and restrictions +unnecessary. But as several of the state conventions had, at the time of +adopting the constitution, expressed a desire that declarations and +guaranties of certain rights should be added, in order to prevent +misconstruction and abuse, the first congress, at its first session, +proposed twelve amendments, ten of which were ratified by the requisite +number of states. Virginia, the last state necessary to make up such +number, ratified December 15, 1791. + +Sec.2. Freedom in matters of religion, freedom of speech and of the press, +and the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances, +guarantied in the first article, are rights so essential to civil +liberty, and so evidently just, that it can hardly be presumed that +congress would ever have passed laws directly violating these rights, +even though such laws had not been prohibited. + +Sec.3. The second article guaranties "the right of people to bear arms." +Without this right, ambitious men might, by the aid of the regular army, +overthrow the liberties of the people, and usurp the powers of +government. + +Sec.4. The third article declares, that "no soldier shall, in time of +peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor +in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." It is a +principle of the common law, that "a man's house is his own castle." +Among the grievances enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, was +one "for quartering large bodies of armed troops" among the people of +the colonies. To secure the people against intrusions of this kind, is +the object of this prohibition. + +Sec.5. The fourth article guaranties "the right of the people to be secure +in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable +searches and seizures." But there could be no such security, if every +man could, on mere pretense or suspicion of injury, obtain a warrant for +arresting his neighbor or searching his premises and seizing his +property. Innocent men would often be subjected to much trouble and +perplexity; and unjust suspicions would be thrown upon their characters. +It is proper, therefore, that a magistrate shall not issue a warrant, +unless it shall be made to appear, by the oath of the applicant or of +some other person that there is probable cause. + +Sec.6. The rights guarantied by the fifth article are common law rights, +and founded upon just principles. We have elsewhere stated the object of +grand juries, and noticed the opinion of some, that this object is +sufficiently secured by the examination before the magistrate; and, +consequently, that grand juries are unnecessary. (See Chap. XIX, Sec.8-10.) +But while this article continues to be a part of the constitution, grand +juries in courts of the United States can not be dispensed with. It is +quite proper, as is provided in this article, that, after a fair and +impartial trial and an acquittal, a person should not be tried a second +time. The provisions of the next article (6th) are also necessary to +secure the same object--the rights of liberty and life to every citizen. + +Sec.7. The seventh article of amendment secures, in courts of the United +States, "in suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall +exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury." By suits at common +law are meant those tried in the ordinary courts, as distinguished from +those tried in courts of equity and courts of admiralty. This article +further declares, that "no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law." That is, if a fact tried by a jury in a lower +court, is carried up to a higher court for reexamination, such +reexamination or new trial shall also be by jury. + +Sec.8. "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, +nor unusual punishments inflicted." Amend. art. 8. The object of bail +and the manner in which it is given, have been stated. (Chap. XVIII.) +Without the above restriction, the sum might be fixed so high as to +prevent persons accused of crime from procuring the necessary sureties; +whereby innocent persons might be subjected to long imprisonment before +the time of trial. It is therefore properly left to the court to fix the +sum, which should correspond to the aggravation of the offense. Courts +have the same discretion as to the measure of punishment to be inflicted +in each particular case of crime. + +Sec.9. The ninth amendment is, "The enumeration in the constitution of +certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others +retained by the people." There were persons who feared that, because the +constitution mentioned certain rights as belonging to the people, those +not mentioned might be considered as having been surrendered to the +general government. This article was therefore inserted to prevent such +a misconstruction of the constitution. + +Sec.10. The tenth amendment is similar to the preceding. "The powers not +delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it +to the states are reserved to the states respectively, or to the +people." In other words the powers which the constitution has not given +to the general government, nor prohibited the states from exercising, +the states or the people have reserved to themselves. So clear is it, +that they retain all power which they have not in words parted with, +that it seems strange to many that the insertion of such a provision +should ever have been thought necessary. + +Sec.11. The eleventh amendment was proposed at the first session of the +third congress, March 5, 1794, and its ratification by the +constitutional number of states was announced to congress by the +president in a message dated January 8, 1798. This article prohibits a +court of the United States from trying "any suit in law or equity +commenced or prosecuted against one of the states by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state." This is +intended to prevent a state from being sued in an original suit, by a +private person, the citizen of another state. + +Sec.12. The twelfth and last amendment effects a change in the mode of +electing the president and vice-president, and has been considered. +(Chap. XXXIX, Sec.4.) This amendment was proposed at the first session of +the eighth congress, December 12, 1803, and was adopted by the requisite +number of states in 1804, according to a public notice by the secretary +of state, dated the 25th of September of the same year. + + + + + +Common and Statutory Law. + + + + +Chapter XLVII. + +Rights of Persons. Personal Security; Personal Liberty; Religious +Liberty; Liberty of Speech, and of the Press; Right of Property. + + + +Sec.1. Having taken a general view of the state governments and the +government of the United States, and seen how wisely they are adapted to +promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty; we +proceed to give a digest of the laws which more particularly define the +rights and prescribe the duties of citizens, or by which their social +and civil intercourse is to be regulated. These laws, it will be +recollected, we have elsewhere called the _municipal_ or _civil_ laws, +as distinguished from the _political_ or _fundamental_ law of the state. +(Chap. III, Sec.6.) + +Sec.2. These laws are of two kinds, the written or statute law, and the +unwritten or common law. _Statute laws_ are those which are enacted by +the legislature, and recorded in writing, and are usually collected and +published in books. The word _statute_ is from the Latin _statuo_, to +set, fix, or establish. + +Sec.3. The _common law_ is not a code of written laws enacted by a +legislature, but consists of rules of action which have become binding +from long usage and established custom. It is said to be founded in +reason and the principles of justice. The common law of England was +brought over by our ancestors, and established here before the +revolution. Some of the states, in their constitutions, adopted after +the revolution, declared it to be the law of their respective states; +and it has continued to be law in all the states, and is still so +considered, except such parts as have been altered or repealed by +constitutional or legislative enactments, or by usage. + +Sec.4. The most valuable rights protected by law are the rights of personal +security and personal liberty. The right of _personal security_ is the +right to be secure from injury to our persons or good names. By +_personal liberty_ is meant the freedom of our bodies or persons from +restraint or confinement. Provisions guarantying these rights have been +incorporated into our national constitution, and the constitutions of +the several states. + +Sec.5. The right of personal security is also protected by the law, by +which a man, on showing reasonable cause of danger of personal injury, +may require his adversary to be bound with sureties to keep the peace. +And for violence committed, the offender may be prosecuted in behalf of +the state and punished, and is liable also to the party aggrieved in a +civil suit for damages. + +Sec.6. This right is further protected by the law which permits a man to +exercise the natural right of self-defense. In defending his person in +case of a felonious assault, he may lawfully take the life of his +assailant. This is by law pronounced justifiable homicide, and is +allowed also in defense of one's property against felonious and violent +injury. But homicide (man-killing) is not justifiable in case of a +private injury, nor upon the pretense of necessity when the party is not +free from fault in bringing that necessity upon himself. + +Sec.7. The right to be secure in our good names, which is included in the +right of personal security, is protected by the law against slander and +libel. A _slander_ is a false and malicious report or statement tending +to injure another in his reputation or business, and which, if true, +would render him unworthy of confidence or employment; or it is the +maliciously charging of another with anything by which he sustains +special injury. The slander of a person by words spoken, is a civil +injury, that is, an injury for which redress is to be obtained in a +civil suit for damages. + +Sec.8. A slander written or printed, is called _libel_. A libel is a +malicious publication in print or writing, signs or pictures, tending to +expose a person to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule. And it is +considered in law a publication of such defamatory writing, though +communicated to a single person. A slander written or printed is likely +to have a wider circulation, to make a deeper impression, and to become +more injurious. A person may therefore be liable in damages for words in +print or writing, for which he would not be liable if merely spoken. In +case of libel, a person is not only liable to a private suit for +damages, but may be indicted and tried as for other public offenses. + +Sec.9. It is a principle of English common law, that in a criminal action +for libel it is immaterial whether the matter of it is true or false; +and a person prosecuted for libel is not allowed, in justification, to +prove to the jury the truth of his statement, since the provocation, not +the falsity, is to be punished. And, whether true or false, the libelous +publication is equally dangerous to the public peace, and is presumed to +have been made with malicious intent. + +Sec.10. It is held--and perhaps it is the prevailing opinion--that in a +civil action for damages, a libel must be false as well as scandalous, +and, consequently, that the truth may be pleaded in justification. This +point, however, is not fully settled. The reason for this distinction +between cases of public and private prosecution, it is not easy to +perceive. If it is just to inquire into the good or bad intentions of +the publisher in one case, it would seem to be equally so in the other. + +Sec.11. But the common law has been materially modified and relaxed in this +country. In most of the states it is provided by their constitutions or +by law, that the truth may be given in evidence, and if it shall appear +to the jury "that the matter charged as libelous is true, and was +published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be +acquitted." As it may sometimes be proper to speak or publish an +unfavorable truth concerning others, the principle of the above +provision would seem to be founded in justice. In the state of Vermont, +and perhaps in a few other states, if the party prosecuted proves the +truth of his statement in any case, he is acquitted. + +Sec.12. The right of _personal liberty_ is secured by express provision of +the national constitution, which guaranties to every citizen "the +privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_." (Cons. U.S. art. 1, sec. 9.) +The nature of this writ has been explained. (Chap. XXXVI, Sec.4.) The same +provision has been inserted in the state constitutions. This was a +common law privilege, independently of any constitutional enactment. The +principal object of the provision seems to be to take from congress and +the state legislatures the power to abolish this privilege, or even to +suspend it for any time, or in any case, except the particular cases +mentioned. + +Sec.13. Freedom of religious opinion and worship, or liberty of +conscience, is a valuable personal right, included in the term, personal +liberty, and is effectually secured in this country. In England, the +country of our ancestors, there is a church established and supported by +the government. This is sometimes called "union of church and state." +The American people, from their love of religious freedom, have, in +their constitutions, expressly prohibited congress from making laws +"respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free +exercise thereof." (Amend. art. 1.) And the state constitutions have +adopted similar provisions. + +Sec.14. Another important personal right comprehended in the term personal +liberty, and guarantied in the same article of the national +constitution, and in the state constitutions, is the liberty of speech +and of the press. Some of the monarchical governments of Europe +prohibited the people from speaking against the sovereign or his +government. Books and papers could not be published until they had been +examined and approved. The persons authorized to examine the +manuscripts, were called _censors_. Hence the expression sometimes +heard, "censorship of the press." To secure the liberty of speaking and +publishing their sentiments freely up on all subjects, the people of +this country have made express provision in their constitutions; which, +however, while they properly guaranty this right, leave men "responsible +for its abuse," and liable to prosecution for slander or libel. (Sec.7, 8.) + +Sec.15. The _right of property_ is the right to acquire property, and to be +free in the use and enjoyment of it. To protect men in the enjoyment of +this right, is one of the principal objects of constitutions and laws. +The rights of property will constitute the subject matter of several +subsequent chapters of this digest of "common and statutory law." (Chap. +L, and onward.) + + + + +Chapter XLVIII. + +Domestic Relations. Husband and Wife. + + + +Sec.1. To render a marriage contract lawful, the parties must be of +sufficient age, called the age of consent; which, by the common law of +the land, is fourteen years in males, and twelve in females. In some +states the age of consent has been altered by statute. In Ohio, Indiana, +and Michigan, it has been raised to eighteen years in males, and +fourteen in females; in Illinois to seventeen and fourteen; in +Wisconsin, to eighteen and fifteen. + +Sec.2. The parties must also have sufficient understanding to transact the +ordinary business of life. Idiots and lunatics cannot legally contract +marriage. Persons must also act freely. If the consent of either party +has been obtained by force or fraud, the marriage may be declared void. +The parties must not be nearly related. The degrees of relationship at +which they are forbidden to marry are in some states fixed by law; but +the laws of these states on the subject are not uniform. Some states +have forbidden marriages which come within what is called the Levitical +degrees; but these degrees have received different interpretations. +According to the interpretation of some, the relation of uncle and niece +and aunt and nephew, come within this rule. + +Sec.3. No person can lawfully remarry who has a wife or husband living. +Such second marriage is, by the common law, null and void. In some of +the states, perhaps in most of them, it is declared _polygamy_, and a +state prison offense, except in certain cases; as when the husband or +wife of the party who remarries has been long absent, and the party +re-marrying does not know the other to have been living within the time; +or when the former husband or wife of the party remarrying has been +sentenced to imprisonment for life; or when the former marriage has been +lawfully annulled or dissolved. If, however, a marriage has been +annulled or dissolved for the cause of adultery, the criminal party is, +in some states at least, not allowed to remarry. + +Sec.4. In some of the cases excepted in the preceding section, the second +marriage is merely excusable. Although the party to such marriage is +exempt from the _penalty_, yet if the former wife or husband is living, +though the fact is unknown, and no divorce has been duly announced, or +the first marriage has not been duly annulled; the second marriage is +void. Where there is no statute regulation, the common law governs, +which is, that nothing but death, or a decree of a competent court, can +dissolve the marriage tie. + +Sec.5. The manner in which marriages are to be solemnized, and by whom, and +the manner in which marriage licenses are to be obtained, or notices of +marriage published, (which are required in some states,) are prescribed +by the laws of the states in which such regulations exist. Marriages may +usually be solemnized by ministers of the gospel, judges, justices of +the peace, and certain other officers. But by the common law, a marriage +is rendered valid by a simple consent of the parties declared before +witnesses, or subsequently acknowledged; or such consent may be inferred +from continual cohabitation and reputation as husband and wife. + +Sec.6. In law, the husband and wife are regarded as one person. By the +common law, the husband, by marriage, acquires a right to the property +of the wife which she had before marriage, and which she may acquire +after marriage. To her personal property, including debts due her by +bond, note, or otherwise, he has an absolute right, and may use and +dispose of the same as he pleases. Her chattels real, however, which are +leases of land for years, though personal property, he can not dispose +of by will; and if he makes no disposition of them during his life time, +and she outlives him, she takes them in her own right. If he survives +his wife, he acquires an absolute right to them. + +Sec.7. But to the real estate of the wife, the husband does not acquire an +absolute right. He has only a right to the use, rents, and profits +thereof during his life, if he shall die before his wife; and in that +event she takes the estate again in her own right. If the wife dies +first, and there are no children, her heirs immediately take the estate. +If there are children living, the husband holds the estate for life, and +on his death it goes to the wife or her heirs. + +Sec.8. But this rule of the common law which gives to the husband the +possession and disposal of the property of the wife, has been repealed +by special enactments in most of the states. By these state laws, the +real and personal property of the wife owned by her before marriage, or +conveyed to her by any other person than her husband after marriage, +with the rents and profits of such property, is declared to be her own, +and at her disposal, and not liable for the debts of her husband, except +in a few cases specified in the law of each state. In some of these +states, although the property of the wife is not liable for the +husband's debts, he has the control and management, and the rents and +profits of it. + +Sec.9. As the husband, by common law, acquires, by marriage, an interest in +the property of his wife, he becomes liable for her debts contracted +before marriage; but if they are not recovered of him during coverture, +he is discharged _Coverture_, in law, is the state of a married woman, +considered as under _cover_, or under the power of her husband. Some of +the states which have abolished the common law right of the husband to +the property of the wife acquired before marriage, have also abolished +the common law obligation of the husband to pay the debts of the wife +contracted before marriage; her property alone being liable for such +debts. + +Sec.10. The husband is bound to maintain his wife, and is liable for debts +which she may contract for necessaries, but for nothing more. If he +refuses to provide for her wants, or if, through other ill treatment or +fault on his part, they become separate, he is liable to fulfill her +contracts for necessaries, even though he has forbidden persons to trust +her. If they part by consent, and he secures to her a separate +maintenance, and pays it according to agreement, he is not liable, even +for necessaries. + +Sec.11. The husband and wife can not be witnesses for or against each +other; but any declarations made by a wife when acting as agent for her +husband, may be admitted in evidence against him. In a few states, laws +have been proposed, and, it is believed, in some they have been passed, +removing, to some extent, this restriction upon the right of a husband +or wife to the testimony of the other. + + + + +Chapter XLIX. + +Domestic Relations, continued. Parent and Child; Guardian and Ward; +Minors; Masters, Apprentices, and Servants. + + + +Sec.1. Parents, as the natural guardians of their children, are obliged to +provide for their support and education during their minority, or while +they are under twenty-one years of age. At twenty-one they attain the +age of majority, when they are said to be _of age_. Under this age they +are, in law, _infants_, or _minors_. The father, if he is able, is bound +to support his minor children, even if they have property of their own; +but in such case the mother is not so bound. But a husband is not +obliged to maintain the child of his wife by a former husband. If, +however, he takes the child into his family, he is responsible for its +maintenance and education while it lives with him. + +Sec.2. A father may be liable for necessaries sold to a child. But to be so +liable, it must be proved that the contract for the articles was made by +his actual authority, or the circumstances must be sufficient to imply +authority; or that neglect to provide for the child, or some other fault +on the part of the father, rendered assistance to the child necessary. +Being bound to provide for his children, the father has a right to their +labor or service; and he may recover their wages from any person +employing them without his consent. + +Sec.3. In general, a minor cannot bind himself by contract. If he lives +with his father or guardian, by whom he is properly supplied, he can not +bind himself even for necessaries. But if, on contracting a debt, he +agrees to pay it after he shall have become of age, he will then become +liable. If a minor has no father or other guardian, his contracts for +necessaries are binding upon him. + +Sec.4. If a minor takes an estate and agrees to pay rent, he will be liable +for its payment after he shall have become of age. If he receives rents, +he can not demand them again when of age. If he pays money on a +contract, and enjoys the benefit of the contract and then avoids it when +he comes of age, he can not recover back the consideration paid. And if +he avoids an executed contract when he comes of age, on the grounds of +infancy, he must restore the consideration. + +Sec.5. Minors are answerable for crimes, and may be indicted and tried, +and, on conviction, be fined and imprisoned. They are responsible also +for acts of fraud. Their age and the peculiar circumstances in which +they were placed, might be such as to exempt them from liability; but in +cases of gross and palpable fraud committed by minors who have arrived +at the age of discretion, they would be bound by a contract. + +Sec.6. In general, male infants and unmarried females under eighteen years, +may, of their own free will, bind themselves, in writing, to serve as +_apprentices_ and servants, in any trade or employment; males until the +age of twenty-one, and females until the age of eighteen years, or for a +shorter time. But the minor must have the consent of the father; or if +the father is dead, or disqualified by law, or neglects to provide for +his family, consent must be had of the mother; or, if the mother is dead +or disqualified, then of the guardian. + +Sec.7. Pauper children may be bound out by the officers having charge of +the poor. And the laws of many of the states, perhaps of most or all of +them, very properly require, that a person, to whom a poor child is +bound, shall agree to cause such child to be taught to read and write, +and, if a male, to be also instructed in the general rules of +arithmetic. + +Sec.8. Masters have a right to correct their apprentices with moderation +for negligence and misbehavior; and they may recover damage at law of +their apprentices for willful absence. On the other hand, a master may +be prosecuted for ill usage to his apprentice, and for a breach of his +covenant. A master is liable to pay for necessaries for his apprentice, +and for medical attendance, but he is not so liable in the case of a +hired servant. + +Sec.9. When an apprentice becomes immoral and disobedient, an investigation +of the matter may be had by the proper authorities; and for good cause +the indenture may be annulled, and the parties discharged from their +obligations. Upon the death of a master, an apprenticeship is dissolved. + +Sec.10. There is, it is believed, no statute law in any state, particularly +defining the rights and obligations of _hired servants_ and the persons +employing them. Both are obliged to fulfill their agreement. If a hired +servant leaves the service of his employer, without good cause, before +he has worked out the time for which he was hired, he cannot recover his +wages. And for immoral conduct, willful disobedience, or habitual +neglect, he may be dismissed. On the other hand, ill usage, or any +failure on the part of the employer to fulfill his engagement, releases +the laborer from his service. + +Sec.11. How far a master is answerable for the acts of his hired servant, +is not clear. As a general rule, the master is bound for contracts +made, and liable for injuries done, by a servant actually engaged in the +business of his master, whether the injury proceeds from negligence or +from want of skill. But for an injury done by a willful act of the +servant, it is considered that the master is not liable. If the servant +employs another to do his business, the master is liable for the injury +done by the person so employed. But a servant is accountable to his +master for a breach of trust, or for negligence in business, or for +injuring another person in his master's business. + + + + +Chapter L. + +Right of Property. How Title to property is acquired; Wills and +Testaments Title to Property by Descent. + + + +Sec.1. Every citizen of the United States is capable of holding lands, or +real estate, and of taking them by devise, descent, or purchase, and of +selling and conveying away such estate. Aliens, by common law, have not +this power. In many of the states, however, this disability has been +removed by statute. On declaring their intention to become citizens, and +complying with certain regulations, aliens acquire the right to take and +hold real estate to themselves and their heirs. But they may hold and +dispose of personal property without any special enactment. + +Sec.2. To _devise_ property is to give or bequeath it by will. A _will_ is +a written instrument in which a person declares his will concerning the +disposal of his property after his death. It is also called _testament_. +This word is from the Latin _testis_, meaning witness. Hence the word +has come to be applied to this instrument, which is the witness or proof +of a person's will. A person making a will is called _testator_; one who +dies without making a will or testament, is called _intestate_. + +Sec.3. All persons of full age and sound mind, except married women, may +give and bequeath real and personal estate by a last will and testament. +In many of the states, personal estate may be willed at an earlier age. +In a few states, females at eighteen may make a will of real and +personal estate. In a few states, personal estate may be willed +verbally, if the will is within a specified time reduced to writing, and +subscribed by disinterested witnesses. In Ohio such will must be written +within ten days after the speaking of the testamentary words. A will of +this kind is called a _nuncupative_ will. + +Sec.4. In most of the states, laws have been enacted, allowing married +women to hold, in their own exclusive right, all the property, real and +personal, which they owned at the time of marriage, and which they may +acquire after marriage. (Chap. XLVIII, Sec.8.) With the right of possession +is also given, it is presumed, the power of disposing of the property by +will. + +Sec.5. A will devising real estate must be subscribed by at least two, in +some slates three, attending witnesses, in whose presence the testator +must subscribe the will, or acknowledge that he subscribed it, and +declare it to be his last will and testament. If the testator is unable +to sign his will, another person may write the testator's name by his +direction; but he should sign his own name as witness to the will. + +Sec.6. A testator may revoke or alter his will by a later will or writing, +executed in the same manner. But the second will, to revoke the former, +must contain words expressly revoking it, or directing a different +disposal of the property. A will may also be revoked by a sale of the +property. And any alteration of the estate or interest of the testator +in lands devised, is held to be an implied revocation of the will. Lands +purchased after a will has been made, are not conveyed by it. As a +general rule, a will is also revoked by the subsequent marriage of the +testator and birth of a child, unless the wife and child have been +otherwise provided for. The will of an unmarried woman is revoked by her +marriage. + +Sec.7. By the statutes of some states, a child born after the death of the +testator, or born in his lifetime and after the making of the will, +inherits a share of the estate, as if the father had died intestate. In +some other states, the statute goes further, and gives the same relief +to all the children who are not provided for in the will, and who have +not had their portion in the parent's lifetime. + +Sec.8. A _codicil_ is an addition or a supplement to a will, and must be +executed with the same solemnity. It is no revocation of a will, except +in the precise degree in which it is inconsistent with it. + +Sec.9. After the death of a testator, the will is brought before the court +of probate to be proved. (Chap. XX, Sec.5.) When a will has been duly +proved and allowed, the court issues letters testamentary to the +executor. An _executor_ is a person named in the will of a testator to +carry the will into effect. _Letters testamentary_ give him the power to +act in settling the estate of the deceased. If he refuses to act, or is +not lawfully qualified, the court appoints a person, who, in that case, +is called _administrator_; and the court issues _letters of +administration_ with the will annexed. Letters of administration are +also issued in case of a person dying intestate. They give to the +administrator the requisite authority to settle the estate. + +Sec.10. Taking property by _descent_, is the receiving of it from an +ancestor or other relative dying intestate. If a person dies without +making a will, his property falls, or _descends_ to his lawful heirs. +The order or rule of descent is not uniform in this country, being +determined, to a great extent, by the laws of the states. In general, +however, the real estate of an intestate descends, first to his lineal +descendants, that is, persons descending in a direct line, as from +parents to children, and from children to grand-children. The lineal +descendants most nearly related to the intestate, however distant the +relation may be, takes the estate. + +Sec.11. If any children of an intestate are dead, and any are living, the +inheritance descends to the children living, and to the descendants of +the children dead, so that each child living shall receive such share as +he would receive if all were living, and the children of those who are +dead such share as the parents would receive if living. Thus, suppose an +intestate had three sons, one of whom is dead, but has left children. In +this case, each of the sons living would share one-third of the +property, and the children of the deceased son the remaining third. + +Sec.12. But if the children are all dead, and there are grand-children +living, the grand-children share equally, though not an equal number are +children of each parent. If, for example, an intestate dies leaving no +children, but having had two sons, one of whom had left three children, +and the other two, the five share equally in the estate. The laws of +Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, +Louisiana, and Alabama, unless recently altered, are exceptions to this +rule. In these states, and perhaps in a few others, though the children +of the intestate are all dead, the grand-children do not share equally, +but those of each stock, or family, take the portion which their parent +would have taken if living. + +Sec.13. The order of descent is so different in the states, especially when +there are no lineal descendants of an intestate, that it can be +ascertained only by reference to the laws of each state. As a general +rule, real estate passes, (1.) to the lineal descendants; (2.) to the +father; (3.) to the mother; (4.) to the collateral or _side_ relatives, +as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, &c. But even to this general rule +there are exceptions in the laws of some states. + +Sec.14. The rule of descent given in the preceding sections, it will be +seen, relates to _real_, and not to personal estate. The rule in regard +to real estate, and that relating to personal estate, are generally +somewhat different in the same state. + + + + +Chapter LI. + +Deeds and Mortgages. + + + +Sec.1. In whatever manner a person acquires possession of real estate, +whether by devise, descent, purchase, or gift, evidence of possession +consists, usually, in a _deed_, which is a written instrument conveying +real estate to an heir, a purchaser, or a donee. A deed of land sold, +contains the names of the seller and the purchaser, the consideration, +or sum paid for it, and a description of it; and in express words grants +and conveys all the interest of the seller or grantor to the purchaser +and his heirs forever: and the seller affixes his name and seal to the +instrument, usually in the presence of one or more subscribing +witnesses. + +Sec.2. But a deed thus executed does not give to the purchaser sure +possession of the land, until it has been duly recorded in the office of +the proper recording officer of the county in which the land lies; or in +the office of the town clerk, in those states in which conveyances are +required to be there recorded. If the land should be conveyed by the +seller to a subsequent purchaser who should get his deed first on +record, such purchaser would hold the land, unless, before purchasing, +he had had notice of a sale and deed to a prior purchaser. + +Sec.3. In some states, a reasonable time is allowed a purchaser to get his +deed recorded before he loses his right of possession by the earlier +recording of another's deed. In some other states, the time is fixed by +law, and varies in these different states from fifteen days to two +years. But a deed, though not recorded in season to secure the title +against a second purchaser, or though not recorded at all, is good +against the sellor or grantor; and the dispossessed purchaser has a +lawful claim against him for the value of the land. + +Sec.4. A recorder or register may not record a conveyance of land without +proof that it was executed by the person named in it as the maker or +grantor. This proof consists, usually, in a certificate of a proper +officer, on the back or margin of the deed, stating that the person so +named appeared before him, and, being duly sworn, acknowledged that he +was the person who had executed the deed. In every state, judges of +courts and justices of the peace, mayors of cities and aldermen, +notaries public, or some of these officers, and commissioners of deeds +appointed for that special purpose may take acknowledgments. In New York +and a few other states, the acknowledgment may be dispensed with, and +the execution of the deed may be proved by the subscribing witnesses. +Deeds duly acknowledged, are, with the acknowledgments, copied by the +recorder, word for word, in books provided for that purpose. + +Sec.5. As a person can not give a good title unless he has one himself, the +seller or grantor covenants and agrees that he is seized of the premises +in _fee-simple_, (meaning that he is the absolute owner,) and that he +will _warrant and defend_ the premises in the quiet and peaceable +possession of the purchaser and his heirs forever. Hence such deed is +called a _warranty deed_, [For definition of _fee_ and _fee-simple_, see +Chap. LIII, Sec.1.] A _quit-claim_ deed merely conveys the interest or +claim of the grantor. It contains no warranty of title against any other +claimant. + +Sec.6. A _mortgage_ is a grant of land as security for the payment of +money, on condition that, if the money shall be paid according to +contract, the grant shall be void. When only a part of the purchase +money is paid on receiving a deed, the purchaser usually executes a +mortgage to the seller, pledging the land as security for the remainder +of the purchase money. And if the money shall not be paid as agreed, the +land may be sold; but if sold for more than the amount due, the overplus +is to be paid to the mortgager. + +Sec.7 To effect a full conveyance of real estate, a wife must join with +her husband by signing the deed with him; or, in case of the husband's +death in her lifetime, she would be entitled, for life, to the use of +one-third of the estate. This interest of a widow in the estate of a +deceased husband, is called _dower_. It is necessary also for the wife +to acknowledge, before the officer taking the acknowledgment, and apart +from her husband, that she signed the deed freely, and without +compulsion of her husband. In some states, the acknowledgment of the +wife out of the presence of her husband is not required. + + + + +Chapter LII. + +Incorporeal Hereditaments. Right of Way; Aquatic Rights, &c. + + + +Sec.1. The term _incorporeal hereditaments_ may, to some readers, need +explanation. A _hereditament_ is a thing capable of being inherited. +Land, and all things attached to it by the course of nature or the hands +of men, as trees, herbage, water, buildings, &c., which are comprehended +in the term real estate, are _corporeal_ hereditaments. _Incorporeal_ +hereditaments are inheritable rights which grow out of corporeal +inheritances, or which consist in their enjoyment; as the right of +pasturing a common; a right of passage over the land of another; a right +to the use of waters, sometimes called _aquatic rights_, &c. + +Sec.2. A _right of way_ is a right of private passage over another man's +ground. This right is sometimes granted by the owner of the soil; and to +make it a freehold right, it must be created by deed, though it be only +an easement upon the land of another, and not an interest in the land +itself. An _easement_ is, in general, an accommodation. In law, it is +any privilege or convenience which one has of another, by grant or +otherwise, as a right of way, &c. By the grant of an easement, the +grantee acquires no other right than what is necessary to the fair +enjoyment of the privilege. + +Sec.3. If it is a mere personal right, it can be enjoyed only by the owner +of the right, and when he dies, the right dies with him. But a right of +way belonging to an estate may be conveyed when the land is sold. Thus, +if a man owns lot A and lot B, and he used a way from lot A, over lot B, +to a mill, or to a river; and if he sells lot A with all ways and +easements, the grantee will have the same privilege of passing over lot +B as the grantor had. + +Sec.4. A right of way may arise from necessity. If a man sells a part of +his land, and there is no other way to the remaining part, he is +entitled to a right of way to it over the land sold. And if a man sells +land wholly surrounded by his own land, the purchaser is entitled to a +right of way to it over the other's ground, even though no such right is +reserved. The right of way passes to the purchaser, as necessarily +incident to the grant, or included in it. + +Sec.5. A man having license to conduct lead pipes through the land of +another, may enter on the land, and dig therein, to mend the pipes. The +general rule is, that when the use of a thing is granted, every thing is +granted which is necessary to the enjoyment of its use. + +Sec.6. A person has a temporary right of way over land adjoining a public +highway, if the highway is out of repair, or is obstructed by snow, a +flood, or otherwise. But the right of going upon adjoining lands does +not apply to private ways. A person having a right to a private way over +another's land, has no right to go upon adjoining land, even though the +private way is impassable. + +Sec.7. A right of way sometimes arises by _prescription_; which is the +right or title to a thing derived from long use and enjoyment. Such is +the right which, by common law, a man acquires to land which has been +peaceably held by himself, or by himself and preceding owners, for +twenty years. Although the first occupancy was obtained without grant, +the long free use of the land is, in law, equivalent to a grant, and +implies a valid title. In some states, shorter periods have been fixed +by statute in which a right by prescription may be obtained. In +Pennsylvania, and Ohio, the period is fixed at twenty-one years. + +Sec.8. The owners of land adjoining highways, have a right to the soil to +the centre of the road: the public have only a right of passage while +the road is continued. The owners of the soil may maintain a suit +against any person who encroaches upon the road, or digs up the soil, or +cuts down trees growing on the side of the road. They may carry water in +pipes under it, and have every use of it that does not interfere with +the rights of the public. + +Sec.9. Every proprietor of lands adjoining a stream, has naturally an equal +right to the use of the water that flows in the stream adjacent to his +lands, "as it was wont to run." Each may use the water while it runs +upon his own land; but he can not unreasonably detain it, or give it +another direction; and he must return it to its ordinary channel when it +leaves his estate. He can not, by dams or any obstruction, cause the +water injuriously to overflow the grounds of the neighbor above him, nor +so use or apply it as materially to injure his neighbor below him. + +Sec.10. But this right to the use of waters, as an easement to the land, +may be acquired and lost, or enlarged and abridged, by prescription. A +man may diminish the quantity of the water, or corrupt its quality, by +the exercise of certain trades; and by such use of the water for a +sufficient length of time, he is in law _presumed_ to have acquired it +by grant: and this presumption is the foundation of his right by +prescription. The time of such use and enjoyment of water necessary to +establish such right is twenty years, except in states in which a +different period is fixed by statute. (Sec.7.) + +Sec.11. It is a general and established doctrine, that an exclusive and +uninterrupted enjoyment of water, or of light, or of any other easement, +in any particular way, for twenty years, or for any other period which +in any particular state is the established period of limitation, is a +sufficient enjoyment to raise a presumption of title as against the +right of any other person. The enjoyment is deemed to have been +uninterrupted, whether it has been continued from ancestor to heir, and +from seller to buyer; or whether the use has been enjoyed during the +entire period by one person. + +Sec.12. As a right may be acquired by use, so it may be lost by disuse; and +as an enjoyment for twenty years, or such other period as is prescribed +by statute, is necessary to establish a right; an absolute +discontinuance of the use for such period will raise the presumption +that the right has been released or extinguished. Thus a title to land +may pass from its actual owner by non-occupancy for the period above +stated; and a title to it may be acquired by an undisturbed occupant who +shall hold it in peaceable and uninterrupted possession for the same +period. + + + + +Chapter LIII. + +Leases:--Estates for Life; Estates for Years; Estates at Will; Estates +by Sufferance; Rent, &c. + + + +Sec.1. Real estate, the title to which is conveyed by deed, as +distinguished from other estates in land, is called an _estate of +inheritance_. An estate of inheritance, that is, an estate in lands that +may be transmitted by the owner to his heirs, is a _fee_. No estate is +deemed a fee unless it may continue forever. When it is a pure and +absolute inheritance, clear of any qualification or condition, it is +called a _fee-simple_. + +Sec.2. An interest in lands which is to continue for a limited period, is +usually conveyed by a written instrument called lease. _To lease_, means +to let; but generally to grant the temporary possession of real estate +to another for rent or reward. Sometimes the word _demise_ is used for +ease. The landlord, or person letting the estate, is called _lessor_; +and the tenant, or person to whom the land is leased, is called +_lessee_. Leases for a term longer than one year, are usually required +to be sealed, and in some states, proved and recorded also, as deeds and +mortgages. + +Sec.3. These limited interests in land are divided into estates for life, +estates for years, estates at will, and estates by sufferance. An +_estate for life_ is an estate conveyed to a person for the term of his +natural life. Life estates held by lease, however, are not common in +this country. Another kind of life estate is that which is acquired, not +by the acts of the parties, as by lease, but by the operation of law. +Such is the right of a husband to the real estate of his wife acquired +by her before or after marriage. Such also is the right of dower. (Chap. +XLVIII, Sec.6, 7. Chap. LI, Sec.7.) + +Sec.4. An _estate for years_ is a right to the possession and profits of +land for a determinate period, for compensation, called rent; and it is +deemed an estate for years, though the number of years should exceed the +ordinary limit of human life. And if a lease should be for a less time +than a year, the lessee would be ranked among tenants for years. Letting +land upon shares for a single crop is not considered a lease; and +possession remains in the owner. + +Sec.5. A lessee for years may assign over his whole interest to another, +unless restrained by agreement not to assign without leave of the +lessor. And he may underlet for any less number of years than he himself +holds; but he is himself liable to the landlord. + +Sec.6. A tenant for years, whose lease expires after the land is sown or +planted, and before harvest, is not entitled to the crop, if the lease +is for a certain period; for, knowing that his lease would expire before +harvest time, he might have avoided the loss of his labor. But if the +lease for years depends upon an uncertain event, the occurring of which +would terminate the lease before the expiration of the term, the tenant +would be entitled to the crop, if there were time to reap what has been +sown, in case he should live. It is believed that, in a few states, the +tenant has a right to the crop from grain sown in the autumn before the +expiration of the lease, and cut the next summer after its expiration. + +Sec.7. Where there is an express agreement to pay rent, the tenant can not +avoid payment even if the premises are destroyed by fire or flood, or if +he is in any other manner deprived of their enjoyment and use, even +without any default on his part. Hence, if land should be leased with a +flock of sheep, and the sheep should die, the full rent must be paid. +But if the land should be recovered from the tenant by a person having a +better title than that derived from his landlord, he is not liable for +rent after his use of the land has ceased. + +Sec.8. A tenant can not make repairs at the expense of the landlord, or +deduct the cost of them out of the rent, unless by special agreement. +But if the premises, from want of repair, have become unsafe or useless, +the tenant from year to year may quit without notice; and he would not +be liable for rent after the use had ceased to be beneficial. + +Sec.9. When rent is due, payment may be made or tendered upon the premises; +and if no place of payment has been agreed on, a personal tender off the +land is also good. As to the time of payment, where there is no special +agreement to the contrary, rent is due yearly, half-yearly, or +quarterly, according to the usage of the country. Where there is no +particular usage, the rent is due at the end of the year. + +Sec.10. An _estate at will_ is where land is let to another, to hold at the +will of the lessor. Tenancies at will, strictly such, are not common. +Such estates, when no certain term is agreed on, are construed to be +tenancies from year to year, and each party is bound to give reasonable +notice of an intention to terminate the lease. If the tenant holds over +after the expiration of a lease for years, either by express consent, or +under circumstances implying consent, it is held to be evidence of a new +contract without any definite period, and is construed to be a tenancy +from year to year: and in those states where the old English rule +prevails, six months' notice must be given the tenant to quit. + +Sec.11. What turns leases for uncertain terms into leases from year to +year, is the landlord's reserving annual rent. A tenant placed on land +without any terms prescribed or rent reserved, is strictly a tenant at +will; and it has been held that such tenant is not entitled to notice to +quit; but the general rule now seems to be, that even in such case the +six months' notice is necessary; or, as in some states, a reasonable +notice. + +Sec.12. An _estate at sufferance_ is that which is acquired by a tenant who +has come into lawful possession of land, but who holds over by wrong +after his interest has ceased. He is not entitled to notice to quit; and +where there is no special statute, he is not liable for rent; and the +landlord may enter, and remove the tenant and his goods with such gentle +force as may be necessary. If undue force is used, the landlord would be +liable to an action for forcible entry and detainer. + + + + +Chapter LIV. + +Contracts in General. + + + +Sec.1. A _contract_ is an agreement between two or more persons, by which +the parties agree to do, or not to do, a particular thing. Contracts are +_executory_, when the stipulations remain to be executed, or when one +party agrees to sell and deliver, at a future time, for a stipulated +price, and the other agrees to accept and pay. Contracts are _express_, +when the parties contract in express words, or by writing; _implied_, +when an act has been done which shows that the parties must have +intended to contract; as, when a person employs another to do some +service, it is presumed that the party employing intended to pay for the +labor performed. + +Sec.2. Contracts are also distinguished as specialties and simple +contracts. A _specialty_ is a contract under seal; as a deed, or a bond. +But we shall here consider chiefly that common class of contracts called +_simple contracts_, or _contracts by parol_. _Parol_ signifies by word +of mouth. Applied to contracts, however, it not only means verbal +contracts, but includes written contracts not under seal. Both are +simple contracts; the distinction between them is in the mode of proof. +The mutual understanding of the parties to a verbal contract may be +proved by parol evidence. But as the real intention of parties is more +likely to be expressed in a written contract, the rule of law is, that +parol evidence may not be admitted to contradict or vary the terms of a +written instrument. It may however be admitted to explain what is +doubtful, or to supply some deficiency. + +Sec.3. To make a valid contract, _the parties must be capable of +contracting_. They must be of sound mind. Hence idiots and lunatics are +generally incompetent to make contracts. Contracts by lunatics and +idiots are not necessarily void, but only _voidable_; the validity or +invalidity depending upon facts to be proved. To avoid a contract on the +ground of mental imbecility, it must be proved that the party +contracting was at the time incompetent. But if a general derangement is +once established or conceded, the person is presumed to be incompetent; +and the party seeking to enforce the contract must prove the other to +have been sane. The general rule in the case of idiots is, that if the +party is incapable of acting in the ordinary affairs of life, or in the +particular contract, his idiocy will annul the contract. + +Sec.4. Drunkards also are incompetent to contract while in a state of +intoxication, provided the drunkenness is such as to deprive them of +reason for a time, and create impotence of mind. But for absolute +necessaries, if the drunkard consumes them during his drunkenness, or +keeps them after becoming sober, he is liable. Intoxication only renders +a contract voidable, not void, as the party intoxicated may adopt it on +recovering his understanding. + +Sec.5. Another requisition to a valid contract, is the _mutual assent of +the parties_. A mere offer by one party not assented to or accepted by +the other, constitutes no contract. Assent must also be given freely. A +contract entered into under duress, or compulsion, is not binding; as +where assent is extorted by threats of personal injury. Assent must also +be given with a knowledge of facts. A contract made under an injurious +mistake, or ignorance of a material fact, may be avoided, even though +the fact is not fraudulently concealed. But a mistake made through +ignorance of the law, will not render a contract void. + +Sec.6. A _valuable consideration_ also is necessary to a valid contract. A +_consideration_ is what is given or done, or to be given or done, as the +cause or reason for which a person enters into an agreement. Thus, the +money given or offered, for which a man agrees to perform certain labor, +is the consideration of the agreement. So the money or other thing for +which a promissory note is given, is the consideration. A valuable +consideration is any thing that is either a benefit to the party +promising, or some trouble or injury to the party to whom the promise is +made. + +Sec.7. Mutual promises are sufficient considerations to make a contract +binding; but they must be made at the same time. Such promises support +each other. The promise of one party constitutes a sufficient +consideration for a promise by the other party. In case the parties are +distant from each other, if the proposition is made in writing and sent +by mail, and a letter of acceptance is written and put in the mail, the +contract is complete, unless, before mailing the letter of acceptance, +a second letter has been received containing a retraction of the +proposal. + +Sec.8. Promises which are wholly gratuitous are void; because, being +neither a benefit to the promiser, nor an injury to the promisee, they +are not regarded in law as a valuable consideration. Hence, +subscriptions to public works and charitable, literary, and religious +institutions, if they are merely gratuitous, can not be collected, +unless they have operated to induce others to advance money, make +engagements, or do other acts to their own injury. + +Sec.9. As gratuitous promises are void for want of consideration, so merely +gratuitous services, as voluntarily assisting to save property from +fire, or securing beasts found straying, or paying another's debts +without request, afford no consideration upon which payment for their +value can be lawfully claimed; there being no promise of compensation. +But if a person knowingly permits another to do certain work, as plowing +his field, or hoeing his corn, although the work may have been commenced +without his order or request, his consent will be regarded in law as an +_implied promise_ to pay for the value of the labor, unless the +circumstances of the case are such as to forbid the presumption. + +Sec.10. A consideration must also be _possible_, and in accordance with +law, sound policy, and good morals. A contract founded upon an +impossible consideration is void. No man can be lawfully bound to do +what is not in the power of man to do. But it is otherwise, if the thing +to be done is only at the time impossible in fact, but not impossible in +its nature. Hence, inability from sickness to fulfill an agreement, or +the impossibility of procuring an article of a certain kind or quality +which a person has agreed to deliver, would not exempt him from +liability in damages for the non-performance of his contract. + +Sec.11. A contract, the consideration of which is _illegal_ or _immoral_, +may be avoided by either party. A man can not be held to an agreement to +do acts forbidden by the law of God or by the laws of the state. But if +an illegal contract has been executed; in other words, if the wrong has +been done, the party in the wrong can not renounce the contract; for the +general rule is, that no man can take advantage of his own wrong; and +the innocent party alone has the privilege of avoiding the contract. If +both parties are guilty, neither can, in ordinary cases, obtain relief +on a contract that has been executed. + +Sec.12. The rule that a consideration is necessary to a valid contract +applies to all contracts and engagements not under seal, except bills of +exchange and negotiable notes after they have passed into the hands of +an innocent indorsee. (See Promissory Notes.) In contracts under seal, a +consideration is necessarily _implied_ in the solemnity of the +instrument. + +Sec.13. It is declared by the English statute of frauds, which prevails +generally in the United States, that an agreement which is not to be +performed within one year from the time of making it, shall not be +valid, unless such agreement, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in +writing, and signed by the party to be charged. The statutes of some of +the states have adopted this provision of the English statute, and +require further, that a special promise to answer for the debt, default, +or misdoing of another person, and an agreement or promise upon +consideration of marriage, (except mutual promises to marry,) shall +likewise be void without such writing, in which the consideration shall +be expressed. + + + + +Chapter LV. + +Contracts of Sale. + + + +Sec.1. A Sale is a transfer of the title to property to another person for +a certain price; or the exchange of a commodity for its equivalent value +in money. The exchange of one commodity for another, is _barter_. +Unless the absolute title is conveyed, the contract is merely a +mortgage. The same general principles of law which apply to contracts in +general, are applicable to contracts of sale, viz.: the competency of +the parties to contract; the sufficiency of the consideration; its +legality and morality; the assent of the parties; and the absence of +fraud. + +Sec.2. To make a sale valid, the thing to be sold must have an _actual or a +possible existence_, and be _capable of delivery_. Thus, if A sells a +horse or certain goods to B; and if, at the time of the sale, the horse +is dead, or the good? are destroyed; the sale is void. If the goods are +partially destroyed, the buyer may either take them at a proportionate +reduction of the price, or abandon the contract. + +Sec.3. But, although the thing to be sold has no actual and present +existence; yet if its future existence is possible, and if it is the +product or increase of something to which the seller has a present +right, it is the subject of sale. Thus, a man may sell the wool that may +grow on his sheep, the fruit that may grow on his trees, or the future +increase of his cattle. But he cannot sell the products of the sheep or +cattle which he may hereafter buy. A man may, however, agree to procure +goods which he has not, and to furnish at a future time, for a certain +price; and his contract will be good; though this is not strictly a +sale, but an agreement to sell. + +Sec.4. There can be no sale without a _price_; and the price must be fixed +and definite, or susceptible of being ascertained by reference to some +criterion prescribed in the contract, so as to render any further +negotiation of the parties unnecessary. Thus, a man may agree to pay +what shall be the market price at a particular time, or a price to be +fixed by a third person. The price must also be payable in money or its +negotiable representative, as notes or bills. One article given for +another is merely _barter_. The same principles of law, however, govern +in both cases. + +Sec.5. There must be a _mutual consent of the parties_, and the contract is +binding when a proposition made by one party is accepted by the other. +The negotiation may be carried on by letter, as before stated. (Chap. +LIV, Sec.7.) + +Sec.6. In contracts of sale which are not perfected at once by payment and +delivery, certain formalities are to be observed. These forms generally +are prescribed by what is called the English statute of frauds, which +requires, (1.) that the buyer shall accept and receive part of the goods +sold; or (2.) give something in earnest to bind the bargain, or in part +payment; or (3.) that some note or memorandum in writing of the bargain +shall be made and signed by the party to be charged, or by his +authorized agent. These provisions, however, apply only to cases in +which the price of the goods sold is ten pounds sterling, or more. The +same rule prevails generally in this country, with slight variations in +some states. The price of the goods sold, in cases to which the +provisions of that statute apply, is fixed by law in many of the states, +and varies from $30 to $200. + +Sec.7. To complete a contract of sale, and pass the title to the property +to the buyer, there must be a _delivery of the goods sold_. When the +goods are such as cannot be manually or immediately delivered, or are +not in the actual custody of the seller, the law does not require an +actual delivery. But they must be placed in the power of the purchaser; +or there must be such acts and declarations of the parties as imply a +change of ownership. When the right of property has been transferred to +the buyer, whether by an actual or only a constructive delivery, he +immediately assumes the risk of the goods; so that if they shall be +afterward injured or destroyed, he must bear the loss. + +Sec.8. When nothing is said at the sale as to the time of delivery, or the +time of payment, the buyer is entitled to the goods on payment or tender +of the price, and not other wise; for, though he acquires the _right of +property_ by the contract of sale, he does not acquire the _right of +possession_, until he pays or tenders the price. But if the seller +delivers the goods absolutely, and without fraudulent contrivance on +the part of the buyer, the buyer will hold possession of them. + +Sec.9. But when goods are sold on credit, and nothing is said as to the +time of delivery, the buyer is immediately entitled to the possession. +If, however, it is ascertained, before the buyer obtains possession of +the goods, that he is insolvent, or so embarrassed as to disable him +from meeting the demands of his creditors, the seller may stop the goods +as a security for the price. But if they are stopped without good cause, +or through misinformation, the buyer is entitled to the goods, and to +damages which he may have sustained in consequence of their stoppage. + +Sec.10. In the sale of a chattel, if the seller has possession of the +article, and sells it as his own, he is understood to _warrant the +title_. A fair price implies a warranty of title; and the purchaser may +have satisfaction from the seller, if he sells goods as his own, and the +title proves deficient. But if the possession is at the time in another, +and there is no covenant or warranty of title, the party buys at his +peril. It is thought, however, if the seller affirms that the property +is his own, he warrants the title, though it is not in his possession. + +Sec.11. With regard to the _quality_ of the thing, the seller is not bound +to make good any deficiency, except under special circumstances, unless +be expressly warranted the goods to be sound and good, or unless he made +a fraudulent representation or concealment concerning them. The rule is, +if there is no express warranty by the seller, nor fraud on his part, +and if the article is equally open to the inspection of both parties, +the buyer who examines the article for himself, must abide by all losses +arising from latent defects equally unknown to both parties. + +Sec.12. But this rule does not reasonably apply to cases in which the +purchaser has ordered goods of a certain character, or in which goods of +a certain described quality are offered for sale, and, when delivered, +they do not answer the description. There being no opportunity of +examining them, there is an _implied_ warranty of the quality. An +intentional concealment or suppression of a material fact, when both +parties have not equal access to means of information, is unfair +dealing, and renders the contract void. + +Sec.13. As a general rule, each party is bound to communicate to the other +his knowledge of material facts, provided he knows the other to be +ignorant of them, and they are not open and naked, or equally within the +reach of his observation. Surely the _moral law_ and fair dealing +require, in all cases, a full disclosure of all defects within the +knowledge of the contracting parties. + + + + +Chapter LVI. + +Fraudulent Sales; Assignments; Gifts, &c. + + + +Sec.1. The title to property is sometimes transferred with fraudulent +intent. A debtor, to place his property beyond the reach of his +creditors, sells or assigns it to others by way of mortgage, under the +false pretense of securing the payment of a debt; the property to remain +in the possession and use of the assignor. + +Sec.2. Any agreement which operates as a fraud upon third persons, is void. +It is a rule of common law, that all deeds of gift, and all transfers of +goods and chattels made by any person to secure them for his future use, +shall be void as against creditors; and that if property assigned or +sold remains with the seller or assignor, the transaction is to be +presumed fraudulent. But whether such conveyance of goods is only _prima +facie_ (at first view) evidence of fraud, which the vendee or assignee +may rebut by proving the sale or assignment to have been made honestly +and in good faith; or whether the transaction is fraudulent in point of +_law_, and void, is a question upon which the decisions of the courts +in England as well as those in this country differ, and which, +therefore, may be considered as not conclusively settled. + +Sec.3. Some have made a distinction between bills of sale and assignments +that are absolute and those that are conditional. The supreme court of +the United States has affirmed the doctrine that an absolute and +_unconditional_ bill of sale or conveyance, when the property is +retained in possession, is of itself conclusive evidence of fraud; in +other words, it is presumed to be fraud in point of law, whatever it may +be in fact. It has been held by the same court, that a conveyance with a +_condition_ that the property is to remain with the vendor until the +condition shall be performed, or a conveyance in the nature of a +mortgage or security, expressing an agreement between the parties, that +the mortgager shall retain possession, is valid. + +Sec.4. In some states, the doctrine established by the courts is, that a +continuance of possession is only _prima facie_ evidence of fraud; in +which case the mortgagee or assignee is allowed to show by proof, that +the conveyance was made in good faith and for a valuable consideration. +In other states, the strict rule prevails, that, without a change of +possession, the transaction is fraudulent _in law_; in which case the +assignee, or person claiming the property under the assignment, is not +permitted to show that, in point of _fact_, the transaction was _bona +fide_, (in good faith.) + +Sec.5. The rule that holds every conveyance to be fraudulent unless the +property immediately changes hands, often operates to inconvenience and +even injury of honest debtors. A debtor may be obliged to part with +property, however convenient or needful its present use may be to him, +when, but for this stringent rule of law, he might borrow the money to +pay a debt, or procure a postponement of payment, and retain the use of +the property pledged. + +Sec.6. In many of the states, this perplexing question has been settled by +statute. In the state of New-York, the law expressly declares, that a +sale or an assignment without immediate delivery and a change of +possession, shall be presumed to be fraudulent and void as against +creditors, unless the party claiming the property under the assignment +shall make it appear that the same was made in good faith, and without +any attempt to defraud. Laws more or less similar to this, and securing +to the assignor the use of the mortgaged property, are believed to exist +in a majority of the states. The instruments conveying the property are +usually called _chattel mortgages_, and are required to be recorded as +deeds; in New-York, and perhaps a few other states, only filed in the +town or county clerk's office. + +Sec.7. In the sale of personal property, though there should be a judgment +against the vendor, and the purchaser should have notice of it, that +fact would not of itself render the sale fraudulent. But if the +purchaser, knowing of the judgment, purchases with the view or purpose +to defeat the creditor's execution, the transaction is fraudulent. The +question of fraud depends upon the motive. + +Sec.8. Assignments are sometimes made by debtors for the benefit of their +creditors. A person deeply indebted, or in embarrassed circumstances, +assigns his property, in trust, to one or more persons, who are to +dispose of it, and to apply the avails to the payment of his creditors, +or a part of them; for the law does not forbid a debtor's giving a +preference to one or more creditors over others, provided the assignment +is for a sufficient consideration. A debtor may directly assign or +transfer all his property to a single creditor, and the assignment be +valid; but if the value of the property is manifestly excessive, and +disproportionate to the debt which it is intended to cover, the other +creditors have a right to the surplus. + +Sec.9. When an embarrassed debtor agrees to pay his creditors a certain +proportion of their claims in consideration of a discharge of their +demands, if he privately agrees to give a better or further security to +one than to others, the contract is void; because the condition upon +which they agree to discharge the debtor is, that they shall share +equally. + +Sec.10. A gift, or conveyance founded merely upon a consideration of +affection, or blood, or consanguinity, may be set aside by creditors, if +the grantor was in embarrassed circumstances when he made it; for a man +is bound, both legally and morally, to pay his debts before giving away +his property. But if he is indebted to only a small amount in proportion +to the value of his property, and wholly unembarrassed, the gift is not +rendered voidable by his indebtedness, even though he should afterwards +become insolvent. + + + + +Chapter LVII. + +Bailment. + + + +Sec.1. The word _bailment_ is from _bail_, French, to deliver. (Chap. +XVIII, Sec.14.) Bailment, in law, is a delivery of goods, in trust, upon +agreement that the trust shall be executed, and the goods restored by +the bailee, when the purpose of the bailment shall have been, answered. + +Sec.2. A person who receives goods to be kept and returned without reward, +must keep them with reasonable care, or, if they receive injury, he will +be liable for the damage: in other words, he is responsible only for +gross neglect. Gross neglect is a want of that care which every man of +common sense takes of his own property. A _depositary_, who is a person +with whom goods are deposited, has no right to use the goods intrusted +to him. + +Sec.3. A _mandatary_, or one who undertakes to do an act for another +without recompense, in respect to the thing bailed to him, is +responsible for gross neglect, if he undertakes and does the work amiss; +but it is thought that for agreeing to do, and not undertaking or doing +at all, he is not liable for damage. + +Sec.4. The borrower of an article, as a horse, carriage, or book, without +reward, is liable for damage in case of slight neglect. But if the +article is applied only to the use for which it is borrowed, is used +carefully by the borrower only, and returned within the time for which +it was borrowed, he is not liable. + +Sec.5. Property taken in pledge as security for a debt or an engagement, +must be kept with ordinary care; in other words, the pawnee is +answerable only for ordinary neglect; and if the goods should then be +lost or destroyed, the pawner is still liable for the debt. If the +pawnee derives any profit from the use of the property, he must apply +the profits, after deducting necessary expenses, toward the debt. + +Sec.6. Another kind of bailment is the hiring of property for a reward. If +an article is injured or destroyed without any fault on the part of the +hirer, the loss falls on the owner, for the risk is with him. + +Sec.7. If work or care is to be bestowed for a recompense on the thing +delivered, the workman is liable for ordinary neglect; and the work must +be performed with proper skill, or he is answerable for damage. If a +tailor receives cloth to be made into a coat, he is bound to do it in a +workmanlike manner. + +Sec.8. Innkeepers are in general responsible for all injuries to the goods +and baggage of their guests, even for thefts. But for loss caused by +unavoidable accident, or by superior force, as robbery, they are not +liable. + +Sec.9. A person who carries goods for hire in a particular case, and not as +a common carrier, is answerable only for ordinary neglect, unless he +expressly takes the risk of a common carrier. + +Sec.10. A common carrier is one who carries goods for hire as a common +business, whether by land or by water, and is responsible to the owner +of the goods, even if robbed of them. He is in the nature of an insurer, +and is answerable for all losses, except in cases of the act of God, as +by lightning, storms, floods, &c. and public enemies, as in time of war. + +Sec.11. A common carrier is bound to receive from any person paying or +tendering the freight charges, such goods as he is accustomed to carry, +and as are offered for the place to which he carries. But he may refuse +to receive them if he is full, or if they are dangerous to be carried, +or for other good reasons. He may refuse to take them unless the charges +are paid; but if he agrees to take payment at the end of the route, he +may retain them there until the freight is paid. A carrier must deliver +freight in a reasonable time; but he is not liable for loss by the +freezing of a river or canal during his voyage, if he has used due +diligence. + +Sec.12. Proprietors of a stage coach do not warrant the safety of +passengers as common carriers; and they are not responsible for mere +accidents to the persons of the passengers, but only for the want of due +care. Slight fault, unskillfulness, or negligence, either as to the +sufficiency of the carriage, or to the driving of it, may render the +owner responsible in damages for injury to passengers. But as public +carriers, they are answerable for the loss of a box or parcel of goods, +though ignorant of its contents, unless the owner fraudulently conceals +the value or nature of the article, or deludes the carrier by treating +it as of little or no value. Public carriers are responsible for the +baggage of their passengers, though they advertise it as being at the +risk of the owners. + + + + +Chapter LVIII. + +Principal and Agent, or Factor; Broker; Lien, &c. + + + +Sec.1. An _agent_, or factor, is a person intrusted with the management of +the business of another, who is called _principal_. The words _agent_ +and _factor_ both signify a deputy, a substitute, or a person acting +for another; but _agent_ seems to be the more comprehensive term, being +applied to one who is intrusted by another with any kind of business; +_factor_ more properly denotes an agent employed by merchants residing +in other places to buy and sell, and transact certain other business on +their account. A factor, from his being commissioned or authorized to +act for his principal, and especially if allowed a commission, or a +certain rate per cent, of the value of the goods bought or sold, is +called a _commission merchant_. + +Sec.2. If a factor advances money on property intrusted to him, he can hold +it until the money shall be refunded, and all charges paid. If the +actual owner of the property is unknown to the factor, the person in +whose name the goods were shipped, is to be deemed the owner. + +Sec.3. The right of a factor to hold property against the owner in +satisfaction of a demand, is called _lien_; and the factor may sell the +goods to satisfy his claim; but he must pay the surplus, if any, to the +principal or owner. A factor can not pledge goods intrusted to him for +sale, as security for his own debts. If he disposes of merchandise +intrusted or consigned to him, and applies the avails to his own use, +with intent to defraud the owner, he may be punished by fine and +imprisonment. + +Sec.4. How far, in ordinary business, a principal is bound by the acts of +an agent, it is not easy to determine. As a general rule the acts of a +general agent; that is, one who either transacts all kinds of business +for his employer, or who does all acts connected with a particular +business or transaction, or which relate to some particular department +of business, bind his principal, so long as he keeps within the general +scope of his authority, though he may in some special cases act contrary +to his private instructions. But an agent employed for a particular +purpose, if he goes beyond the limits of his power, does not bind his +principal. + +Sec.5. An agent is bound, in ordinary cases, to observe the instructions of +his principal, even though an act contrary to such instructions should +be intended for the benefit of the principal. The agent must bear, +personally, all losses growing out of a non-compliance with his orders; +and the profit accruing therefrom goes to the benefit of the principal. +An agent, however, is excused from a strict compliance with his orders, +if, after receiving them, some sudden and unforeseen emergency has +arisen, in consequence of which such compliance would operate as an +injury to the principal, and frustrate his intention. + +Sec.6. When an agent receives no instructions, he must conform to the usage +of trade, or to the custom applicable to the particular agency; and any +deviation therefrom, unless justified by the necessity of the case, +renders him solely liable for any loss or injury resulting from it. + +Sec.7. An agent is bound to exercise ordinary diligence and reasonable +skill; and he is responsible only for the want thereof. Ordinary +diligence is that which persons of common prudence use in conducting +their own affairs. Reasonable skill is that usually possessed by persons +of common capacity employed in the same business. + +Sec.8. If an agent exceed the limits of his authority, he becomes +personally responsible to the person with whom he deals, if the +limitations of his authority are unknown to such person. He is in like +mariner responsible, if he makes a contract in his own name; or if he +does not disclose the name of the principal, so as to enable the party +with whom he deals to have recourse to the principal in case the agent +had authority to bind him. And if the agent even buys in his own name, +but for the principal, and without disclosing his name, the principal +also is bound, provided the goods come to his use. Also if the principal +is under age, or a lunatic, or otherwise incompetent to contract, the +agent is liable. + +Sec.9. A _broker_ is an agent employed to negotiate sales between parties +for a compensation in the form of a commission, which is commonly called +_brokerage_. His business consists chiefly in negotiating exchanges; or +in buying and selling stocks, goods, ships, or cargoes; or in procuring +insurances and settling losses; and as he confines himself to one or the +other of these branches, he is called an exchange broker, stock broker, +insurance broker, &c. A broker differs from a factor. He has not the +custody of the goods of his principal. He is merely empowered to effect +the contract of sale; and when this is done, his agency ends. If a +broker executes his duties in such a manner that no benefit results from +them, or is guilty of gross misconduct in selling goods, he is not +entitled to a commission or compensation. + +Sec.10. A _lien_, as the claim of a factor upon goods intrusted to him for +sale, has been noticed. (Sec.3.) The right of lien extends to others than +factors. It is intended also for the benefit of manufacturers, +mechanics, and other persons carrying on business for the accommodation +of the public. A tailor has a lien upon the garment made from another's +cloth until he is paid for the making; a shoemaker upon the shoes made +from another's leather; a blacksmith upon the horse he has shod; an +innkeeper upon the horse or goods of his guest; and common carriers upon +the goods they transport. But they cannot hold the property for any +other debt; nor can they sell it to satisfy their claim. Whenever a +person allows property to go out of his possession, he loses his lien. + + + + +Chapter LIX. + +Partnership. + + + +Sec.1. A partnership is an association formed by contract between two or +more persons, for joining their money, labor, or skill, in lawful +business, the profits to be divided and the loss to be borne by the +partners in certain proportions. It is a partnership if one furnishes +the funds and the other performs the labor; or if, when no money is +necessary, each agrees to do his share of the labor. A partnership or +association of this kind is denominated a _firm_, or _house_. + +Sec.2. The act of any one of the firm is considered the act of all, and +binds all; and either of them is liable for all the debts. But if a bill +or note is drawn by one partner in his own name only, without appearing +to be on partnership account, he alone is bound, though it were made for +a partnership purpose. A partner buying goods on his own account for his +individual use, is alone liable; but if they afterward go to the use of +the partnership, all become responsible. + +Sec.3. Sometimes a person agrees to receive, by way of rent, a portion of +the profits of a farm, a tavern, or a manufactory; or an agent or a +clerk receives a share of the profits for his labor. But as there is in +these cases no partnership, the persons who buy the stock and hire the +labor are alone responsible. + +Sec.4. All the partners must unite in suing and being sued. One who should +conceal his name so as not to be known when the debt is contracted, may +be sued when discovered to be a partner, if he shares in the profits of +the trade. + +Sec.5. A partner cannot sell his interest to another person, who is to take +his place in the partnership, without the consent of all the partners: +nor can a partner, without such consent, withdraw when he pleases, and +dissolve the partnership, except in cases in which the partnership is +without any definite term. A partnership is dissolved by the death, +insanity, bankruptcy, or other inability of one of the parties. + +Sec.6. When a partnership is dissolved by the withdrawal of any of the +partners, notice of dissolution ought to be duly published, or a firm +may be bound by a contract made by one partner in the usual course of +business and in the name of the firm, with a person who contracted on +the faith of the partnership, and who had no notice of the dissolution. +The same notice is necessary to protect a retiring partner from +continued responsibility. And even if due notice is given, yet, if he +willingly suffers his name to continue in the firm, or in the title of +the firm over the door of the shop or store, he may in certain cases be +liable. + +Sec.7. In some of the states, a partnership may be formed by a number of +persons, some of whom are to be responsible only to a limited amount; +and their names are not to be used in the firm. Before a partnership of +this kind can do business, a writing and certificate signed by the +parties stating the terms of partnership, and the amount for which the +_special partners_ (as they are called) are to be responsible must be +recorded. The terms of partnership must also be published in a +newspaper. + +Sec.8. In these _limited_ partnerships, as they are termed, the special +partners are liable only to the amount stated in the terms of +partnership. The other partners, called _general partners_, whose names +only are used, and who transact the business, are liable for all the +debts contracted, as in ordinary partnerships. If such partnership is to +be dissolved by act of the parties before the expiration of the term for +which it is formed, notice of dissolution must be filed and recorded, +and published in a newspaper. Such is the law in the state of New York; +and it is presumed to agree, in its most essential provisions, with the +laws of the other states in which these partnerships are authorized. + + + + +Chapter LX. + +Promissory Notes. + + + +Sec.1. A promissory _note_ is a written promise to pay a specified sum at a +certain time, to a person named, or to his order, or to the bearer. A +common form of a note is the following: + + $100. Albany, June 9, 1859. + + Three months after date, I promise to pay to James Smith, or + bearer, one hundred dollars, value received. + + John Brown. + +Sec.2. A note thus payable to Smith or bearer, or to him or his order, is +called _negotiable_, because it may be sold or transferred to any other +person, who has the same power to sue for and collect the money, as +Smith, the original promisee. If it were made payable to Smith _or +order_, he must indorse it by writing his name on the back of it, before +it would pass as a negotiable note. The indorsement is considered as the +order of Smith to the maker to pay it to any other person. But, though +not negotiable, it might be transferred; but the holder must sue in the +name of Smith, and Brown might offset any demands which he has against +Smith. + +Sec.3. An indorsement, made by writing the name only on the back of a note, +is called a _blank_ indorsement. A full indorsement is one which points +out the person to whom the note is to be paid. A blank indorsement may +be filled up at any time by the holder. For example: A note is payable +to "John Jay or order," or to "the order of John Jay," who indorses it +in blank which makes it payable to any other holder. Now if any holder +or indorsee wishes it paid to any particular person, he fills up the +blank by writing a request to that effect above the name of the +indorser, thus: "Pay to George Bruce," or "Pay to George Bruce or +order;" who, again, may by indorsement order it paid to some particular +person. Or, if he should indorse it in blank, or order it paid "to the +_bearer_," it would again pass, as at first, by mere delivery. + +Sec.4. In common business transactions in the country, notes intended to be +negotiable are usually made payable to bearer, as in the form given. +(Sec.1.) The young reader, or other person inexperienced in business, may +not know why they are not always so written. The making of a note +payable to order protects the holder or owner in case the note should be +lost. Take, for example, the note supposed in the preceding section, +indorsed in blank. Suppose the owner resides in Buffalo, and the maker +in Detroit. The owner writes over the name of John Jay, "Pay to George +Bruce," also residing in Detroit, to whom it is sent by mail, to be by +him presented to the maker for payment. And should the note by accident +or fraud fall into the hands of another, it being payable to Bruce only, +or to his order, the parties are protected from loss. + +Sec.5. As a contract is not binding without a valuable consideration, +(Chap. LIV, Sec.6,) the words "value received" are inserted in notes, as +evidence of such consideration. But where there is no statute requiring +the insertion of these words, a note is good without them. Whether they +are inserted or not, the note is presumed to have been given for a +valuable consideration; and the maker, to avoid his obligation to pay +it, must make it appear that no value was received. + +Sec.6. A note made by two or more persons may be joint or joint or several. +When it is written, "We promise to pay," it is only a joint note, and +all must be sued together. If written, "We jointly and severally promise +to pay," they may be sued either jointly or separately. Also if written +"I promise to pay," it is treated as a joint and several note. A note +written, "We promise," and signed, A. B., principal, and C. D., +security, is the joint note of both; and if written, "I promise," and +signed in the same manner, it is the joint and several note of both. + +Sec.7. Any person having in possession a negotiable note, though a mere +agent, is deemed the true owner, and may sue it in his own name, without +showing title. The _bona fide_ holder can recover upon the paper, though +it came to him from a person who had stolen or robbed it from the true +owner; provided he took it innocently in the course of trade for a +valuable consideration before it was due, and with due caution. But if +suspicion is cast upon the title of the holder, by showing that the +instrument has got into circulation by force or fraud, then the holder +must show the consideration he gave for it. + +Sec.8. Ordinarily, a person can not convey to another a valid title to +property which is not lawfully his own; and hence the purchaser of +stolen goods must give them up to the lawful owner. The exception to +this rule, in the case of promissory notes, seems to be founded in +reason and good policy. The use of negotiable paper in commercial +transactions is of great public convenience; and it is proper that, for +the sake of trade, protection should be given to the holder of such +paper who receives it fairly in the way of business, though it has been +paid, if he received it before it fell due. + +Sec.9. But it is equally material for the interests of trade, that the +owner should have due protection. Hence if a person takes a note from a +stranger without inquiring how he came by it; or does not take it in the +usual course of business, or for some responsibility incurred on the +credit of the note, he takes it at his peril. But the owner, in order to +place his right to relief beyond question, ought to use diligence in +apprising the public of the loss of the note. + +Sec.10. A person buying a note after it has become due, takes it at his +peril. Although the holder may sue it in his own name, the maker may +offset any demands which he had against the promisee before it was +transferred, as in the case of notes not negotiable. (Sec.2.) But when +notes in which no day of payment is expressed comes under this rule, is +a question to be determined by circumstances. In New Jersey and +Pennsylvania, the words "without defalcation or discount," or words to +that effect, must be inserted in notes, or they may be met by offsets as +notes that are bought after due. + +Sec.11. A note made payable in some commodity is not negotiable. If it is +not paid according to the conditions therein expressed, the maker +becomes liable to pay in cash. But in either case, if it passes to a +third person, he can sue it only in the name of the promisee or payee; +and it may be met by offsets as other notes not negotiable, (Sec.2,) and +notes bought after due. (Sec.10.) + +Sec.12. Notes payable _on demand_, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, are due immediately, and no demand of payment is necessary. +But a note payable _at sight_, or at a specified time after sight, must +be presented for payment before it can be sued. If the words "with +interest" are omitted, interest commences at the time the note becomes +due. If payable on demand, it will draw interest from the time when +payment is demanded. + +Sec.13. After the day on which a note is made payable, the maker has three +days in which to make payment, which are called _days of grace_. Hence, +a note payable on the first day of the month is not due and suable until +the fourth. If, however, the last day of grace falls on Sunday, or the +fourth of July, or any other day recognized by law as a holiday, or day +of public rest, the last day of grace would be a day earlier. If the +fourth of July or any other holiday should come on Saturday, the note +would be due on Friday. Or if such day should fall on Monday, the last +day of grace would be Saturday. + +Sec.14. To hold the indorser of a note responsible, payment must be +demanded of the maker on the last day of grace. As to the time of day +when the demand should be made, it is considered that the maker is +entitled to the latest convenient time within the customary business +hours of the place where the note is presented. + +Sec.15. If payment has been demanded and refused, notice thereof must be +given to the indorser; and one entire day is allowed the holder to give +the notice. If the demand is made on Saturday, it is sufficient to give +notice on Monday. If the indorser resides in the same town, he may be +notified personally by the holder, or by a messenger sent to his +dwelling-house, where notice may be given personally, or left in a way +likely to bring it to his knowledge. If the parties reside in different +towns, notice may be sent by mail; in which case, the notice must be +put into the post-office, as early as the next day after the last day of +grace, so as to be forwarded as soon as possible thereafter: or notice +may be sent by a private conveyance or a special messenger. + +Sec.16. If, in consequence of the removal of the maker before the note +becomes due, or from any other cause, his residence is unknown, the +holder must make endeavors to find it, and make the demand there; +though, if he has removed out of the state, it is sufficient to present +the note at his former place of residence. If the maker has absconded, +that will, as a general rule, excuse the demand. + +Sec.17. Notes, on being transferred, are guarantied by indorsement. If a +person simply writes his name on the back, he is liable as indorser +only. If he guarantees "the payment of the note," he is generally +considered liable as an original promisor. If he guaranties the note +"good," or "collectable," the maker, and the indorsers also, if any, +must be sued, before the guarantor is liable. Strict notice to a +guarantor is not required to bind him, as in the case of an indorser. +But to hold him liable in case immediate notice is not given, or the +note is not immediately sued, it must be shown that he has not suffered +injury from want of notice, or that the note was not collectable of the +maker or indorsers when due. But the kind of liability incurred, whether +that of indorser, original promisor, or surety, by indorsing a note or +guarantying payment, is not the same in all the states. There are sundry +other points in the law relating to promissory notes, on which the +statutes and judicial decisions are not uniform in all the states. + + + + +Chapter LXI. + +Bills of Exchange; Interest; Usury. + + + +Sec.1. A bill _of exchange_ is a written order or request to a person in a +distant place, to pay a third person a certain sum of money. The +following is a common form: + + $1,000. New-York, August 10, 1859. + + Twenty days after date, (or at sight, or ten days after sight,) pay + to the order of John Stiles, one thousand dollars, value received, + and charge the same to account of + + To George Scott, Thomas Jones. + + New Orleans, La. + +Sec.2. Bills drawn on persons in foreign countries, are called _foreign_ +bills of exchange; those drawn on persons in distant places in our own +country, are called _inland_ bills of exchange. To persons in mercantile +business they are of great convenience, as will be seen from the +following example of their nature and operation. + +Sec.3. A, in New-York, has $1,000 due him from B, in New Orleans. A draws +an order on B for that sum, and C, who is going to New Orleans, pays A +the money, takes the order, and receives his money again of B. Thus A is +accommodated by receiving his debt against B, and O has avoided the risk +of carrying the money from place to place. A, who draws the order, or +bill, is called the _drawer_. B, to whom it is addressed, is the +_drawee_; C, to whom it is made payable, is the _payee_. As the bill is +payable to C, or his order, he may, by indorsment, direct the bill to be +paid to D; in which case C becomes the _indorser_, and D, to whom the +bill is indorsed, is called the _indorsee_ or _holder_. + +Sec.4. If, when a bill is presented to the drawee, he agrees to pay it, he +is said to _accept_ the bill, and writes his acceptance upon it. An +acceptance may, however, be by parol. The acceptor of a bill is the +principal debtor; the drawer, the surety. The acceptor is bound, though +he accepted without consideration, and for the sole accommodation of +the drawer. But payment must be demanded on the last day of grace; and, +if refused, notice of non-payment must be given to the drawer, as in the +case of an indorsed promissory note. (Chap. LX, Sec.15.) + +Sec.5. No precise time is fixed by law at which bills payable at sight or a +certain number of days after sight, must be presented to the drawee for +acceptance; though an unreasonable delay might discharge the drawer. A +bill payable on a certain day after date, need not be presented before +the day of payment, but if presented before due, and acceptance is +refused, it is dishonored; and notice must be given immediately to the +drawer. If a bill has been accepted, payment must be demanded of the +acceptor, when the bill falls due; and if no place is appointed for +payment, the demand must be made at his house or residence, or upon him +personally. + +Sec.6. A check upon a bank, (Chap. XXIV, Sec.3,) is another kind of negotiable +paper. It partakes more of the nature of a bill of exchange than of a +promissory note. It is not a direct promise to pay; but it is an +undertaking, by the drawer, that the drawee shall accept and pay; and +the drawer is answerable only when the drawee fails to pay. A check +payable to bearer passes by delivery; and the bearer may sue on it as on +an inland bill of exchange. + +Sec.7. When a foreign bill of exchange is to be presented for acceptance or +payment, demand is usually made by a _notary public_; and in case of +refusal, his certificate of the presentment of the bill and of the +refusal, is legal proof of the fact in any court. This certificate is +called _protest_, which means, _for proof_. A protest may be noted on +the day of the demand; though it may be drawn up in form at a future +period. Notaries are appointed in all towns and cities of commercial +importance. + +Sec.8. A protest of an inland bill of exchange is not generally deemed +necessary in this country; though it is the practice to have bills, +drawn in one state on persons in another, protested by a notary. No +protest is legal evidence in court, except in the case of a foreign +bill. Yet it is expedient, in many cases of inland bills, to employ +notaries when evidence is to be preserved, because they are easily found +when wanted as witnesses. In some states, bills drawn in one state and +payable in another, are deemed foreign bills; and their protest as such +is required. Notes payable at banks are also protested for non-payment. + +Sec.9. _Interest_ is a premium paid for the use of money, or a profit per +cent, received for money lent, or on an unpaid demand. Thus a person +lends $1,000 to another person, who pays for the use of it six per cent, +a year, or $6 for every hundred, as interest. The rate of interest is +fixed by a law of the state. + +Sec.10. The established lawful rates of interest in the several states are +as follows: _Six_ per cent, in all but the following: In New-York, +Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, _seven_ per cent.; in Alabama and Texas +_eight_ per cent.; in Louisiana, _five_ per cent.; bank interest _six_; +in California, _ten_ per cent. But there may be taken by special +agreement, in Florida and Louisiana, _eight_ per cent.; in Mississippi, +Arkansas, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, _ten_; in Texas and Wisconsin, _twelve_; +in Minnesota and California, any rate. In Illinois and Michigan, for +money loaned, it may be _ten_. In Mississippi, for the _bona fide_ use +of money _eight_ per cent. + +Sec.11. A rate of interest beyond that which is established by law, is +_usury_. Not only can no more be collected on any contract or obligation +than the legal rate, but in most of the states there is some forfeiture +for taking usurious interest. In a few, the obligation is void, and the +payment of no part of the debt can be enforced by law; in others, twice +or thrice the excess above the lawful interest is forfeited; and in +some, only the excess paid can be recovered. + + + + +Chapter LXII. + +Crimes and Misdemeanors. + + + +Sec.1. The statutes of each state define the crimes of which its laws take +cognizance. The definitions given in this chapter, agree substantially, +it is presumed, with those of similar crimes in every state in the +union. The statutes also prescribe the penalties, which are not +precisely the same in all the states. Nor is there in any state an equal +measure of punishment inflicted in all cases for the same offense. The +laws usually declare the longest and the shortest terms of imprisonment, +and the highest and lowest fines, leaving the exact measure of +punishment, except for crimes punishable by death, to the discretion of +the judges, to be fixed according to the aggravation of the offense. + +Sec.2. The laws of the several states differ in respect to the number of +crimes made punishable by death. In some states the penalty of death is +annexed to the crime of murder only. Treason is punishable by death; but +as this offense is defined and made punishable by the laws of the United +States, not all the states take cognizance of it. If committed in such +states, it is tried in the courts of the United States. In New York, +murder, treason, and arson in the first degree, are punishable by death. +Few states make more than these crimes thus punishable. In two or three +states, the penalty of death has been abolished, and imprisonment for +life substituted. + +Sec.3. Crimes punishable by death, are called _capital_ crimes, and their +punishment is called _capital_ punishment. The word capital is from the +Latin _caput_, which means head; and so has come to signify the highest +or principal. Hence, probably, the application of the word capital to +the principal crimes receiving the highest punishment, which was +formerly practiced extensively in other countries by beheading or +_decapitating_ the criminals. + +Sec.4. _Treason_ is defined by statute to be, levying war in any state +against the people of the state; or a combination of two or more +persons, attempting by force to usurp or overturn the government of the +state; or in adhering to enemies of the state while separately engaged +in war with a foreign enemy, and giving them aid and comfort. + +Sec.5. _Murder_ is the killing of a person deliberately and maliciously, +and with intent to effect death; or killing a person in committing some +other crime, though not with a design to effect death; or in killing a +person purposely and without previous deliberation. The less aggravated +cases of murder, are in some states distinguished as murder in the +second degree, and punished by imprisonment for a long term, or for +life. + +Sec.6. _Manslaughter_ is killing a person either upon a sudden quarrel, or +unintentionally while committing some unlawful act. The statutes of New +York define four different degrees of manslaughter. + +Sec.7. _Arson_ is maliciously burning any dwelling-house, shop, barn, or +any other building, the property of another. Arson in the first degree, +which is burning an inhabited dwelling _in the night time_, is in some +states punishable with death. + +Sec.8. _Homicide_ signifies mankilling. It is of three kinds: felonious, +justifiable, and excusable. When felonious, it is either murder or +manslaughter. _Justifiable_ homicide is that which is committed in the +necessary defense of one's person, house, or goods, or of the person of +another when in danger of injury; or that which is committed in lawfully +attempting to take a person for felony committed, or to suppress a riot, +or to keep the peace. _Excusable_ homicide is the killing of a person by +accident, or while lawfully employed, without any design to do wrong. In +the two last cases there is no punishment. + +Sec.9. Intentionally _maiming_ another by cutting out or disabling the +tongue or any other member or limb; inveigling or _kidnapping_; +_decoying_ and taking away children; _exposing children_ in the street +to abandon them; committing or attempting an assault with _intent to +kill_, or to commit any other felony, or in resisting the execution of a +legal process; _administering poison_ without producing death; +_poisoning any well_ or spring of water; are all felonies, and +punishable as such. + +Sec.10. _Burglary_ is maliciously and forcibly breaking into and entering +in the night time, any dwelling-house or other building, with intent to +commit a crime. Breaking into and entering a house by day, is considered +a minor degree of burglary. + +Sec.11. _Forgery_ consists in falsely making, counterfeiting, or altering +any instrument of writing, with intent to defraud. The word +_counterfeiting_ is generally applied to making false coin or bank +notes, or in passing them; or in having in possession any engraved +plate, or bills unsigned, which are intended to be used for these +purposes. + +Sec.12. _Robbery_ is the taking of personal property from another in his +presence and against his will, by violence, or by putting him in fear of +immediate injury to his person. Knowingly to send or deliver, or to make +for the purpose of being sent, a letter or writing, threatening to +accuse any one of crime, or to do him some injury, with intent to extort +or gain from him any money or property, is considered an _attempt to +rob_, for which the offender may be imprisoned. + +Sec.13. _Embezzlement_ is fraudulently putting to one's own use what is +intrusted to him by another. To buy or receive property knowing it to +have been embezzled, is to be guilty of the same offense. Embezzling is +usually punishable in the same manner as larceny of the same amount. + +Sec.14. _Larceny_ is theft or stealing. The stealing of property above a +certain amount in value is called _grand larceny_, and is a state prison +offense. If the value of the property stolen is of less amount, the +offense is called _petit larceny_, and is punished by fine or +imprisonment in jail or both. + +Sec.15. _Perjury_ is willfully swearing or affirming falsely to any +material matter, upon an oath legally administered. _Subornation of +perjury_ is procuring another to swear falsely; punishable as perjury. + +Sec.16. _Bribery_ is promising or giving a reward to a public officer, to +influence his opinion, vote or judgment. A person _accepting_ such +bribe, is punishable in the same manner, and forfeits his office, and, +in some states, may never hold another public trust. This offense is not +in all the states punishable by imprisonment in the state prison. + +Sec.17. _Dueling_ is a combat between two persons with deadly weapons. +Killing another in a duel is murder, and punishable with death. If death +does not ensue, imprisonment. Challenging, or accepting a challenge to +fight, or to be present as a second, imprisonment. Dueling is not a +punishable offense in every state. + +Sec.18. Aiding or attempting to aid a prisoner committed for felony, to +_escape from confinement_, or forcibly rescuing a prisoner charged with +crime, from the custody of a public officer, is a crime. If the offense +for which the prisoner is committed is less than felony, the punishment +is imprisonment in jail, or fine, or both. + +Sec.19. _Bigamy_ is the crime of having two or more wives, and is also +called _polygamy_. But bigamy literally signifies having _two_ wives, +and polygamy any number more than one. These words, in law, are applied +also to women having two or more husbands. A person having a lawful +husband or wife living, and marrying another person, is guilty of +bigamy. An unmarried person, also, who shall marry the husband or wife +of another, is punishable in like manner. + +Sec.20. _Incest_ is the marrying or cohabiting together as husband and +wife, of persons related to each other within certain degrees. + +Sec.21. _Opening a grave_ and removing a dead body for any unlawful +purpose, or purchasing such body knowing it to have been unlawfully +disinterred, is a crime. This offense is in some states punishable by +imprisonment in a county jail, or by fine, and not in a state prison. + +Sec.22. Persons sometimes advise or are knowing to the commission of +felonies, but are not actually engaged in committing them. Such are +_accessories_. He who advises or commands another to commit a felony, is +called an _accessory before the fact_, and is punished in the same +manner as the principal. If he conceals the offender after the offense +has been committed, or gives him any aid to prevent his being brought to +punishment, he is an _accessory after the fact_, and may be imprisoned +or fined. + +Sec.23. _Assault and Battery_ is unlawfully to assault or threaten, or to +strike or wound another. Besides being liable to fine and imprisonment, +the offender is liable also to the party injured for damages. + +Sec.24. A _riot_ is the assembling together of three or more persons, with +intent forcibly to injure the person or property of another, or to break +the peace; or agreeing with each other to do such unlawful act, and +making any movement or preparation therefor, though lawfully assembled. +When riotous persons are thus assembled, and are proceeding to commit +offenses, any judge, justice, sheriff, or other ministerial officer, may +in the name of the state, command them to disperse. If they refuse, the +peace officers are required to call upon all persons near to aid in +taking the rioters into custody. Persons refusing to assist may be +fined. + +Sec.25. A sheriff or other officer voluntarily suffering a prisoner charged +with or convicted of an offense, to _escape_, from his custody, is +guilty of a misdemeanor. To _rescue_ a prisoner thus charged or +convicted, is punishable in a similar manner. It is also a misdemeanor +to assist a criminal, with a view to effect his escape, though he does +not escape from jail. + +Sec.26. A person taking upon himself to act as a public officer, and taking +or keeping a person in custody unlawfully or without authority, is +_false imprisonment_; for which the offender may be fined or imprisoned. + +Sec.27. The offenses mentioned in the last four sections, being of a lower +grade than those defined in the preceding sections, and not being +punishable in a state prison, are usually called _misdemeanors_, and are +punishable by fine or imprisonment in a county jail. There are numerous +other misdemeanors and immoralities, as profane cursing and swearing, +betting and gaming, horse racing, disturbing religious meetings, +sabbath-breaking, trespasses and injury to property, and many disorderly +practices, all of which are punishable in a like manner. + + + + + +Law of Nations. + + + + +Chapter LXIII. + +Origin and Progress of the Law of Nations; the Natural, Customary, and +Conventional Laws of Nations. + + + +Sec.1. The _law of nations_ consists of those rules by which intercourse +between nations is regulated. In its present improved state, the law of +nations has not long existed. Ancient nations were little governed by +the principles of natural justice. Little respect was paid by one nation +to the persons and property of the citizens of another. Robbery on land +and sea was not only tolerated, but esteemed honorable; and prisoners of +war were either put to death, or reduced to slavery. By this rule of +national law, commerce was destroyed, and perpetual enmity kept up +between nations. + +Sec.2. Within the last three or four centuries, essential improvement in +the law of nations has been made. By the light of science and +Christianity, the rights and obligations of nations have come to be +better understood, and more generally regarded. Commerce also has done +much to improve the law, by showing that the true interests of a nation +are promoted by peace and friendly intercourse. + +Sec.3. Hence we find the nations of Europe and America recognizing the same +rules of international law. And as the light and power of Christianity +shall increase, the law of nations will undergo still further +improvements. And it is to be hoped, that, as one of these improvements, +the practice of settling national disputes by war will be abolished, and +the more rational and humane course be adopted, of referring +difficulties which the parties are incapable of adjusting, to some +disinterested power for adjudication. + +Sec.4. There are, in every nation or state, courts of justice to try and +punish offenders; but there is no tribunal before which one nation can +be brought to answer for the violation of the rights of another. Every +nation, however small and weak, is independent of every other. +Therefore, when injuries are committed by one upon another, the offended +party, unless it chooses quietly to endure the wrong must seek redress, +either by appealing to the sense of justice of the party offending, or +by a resort to force. + +Sec.5. Every nation has a right to establish such government as it thinks +proper; and no other nation has a right to interfere with its internal +policy. To this rule, however, some writers make an exception. They hold +that the natural right of a state to provide for its own safety, gives +it the right to interfere where its security is seriously endangered by +the internal transactions of another state. But it is admitted that such +cases are so very rare, that it would be dangerous to reduce them to a +rule. + +Sec.6. So cases seldom arise in which one nation has a right to assist the +subjects of another in overturning or changing their government. It is +generally agreed, that such assistance may be afforded consistently with +the law of nations, in extreme cases; as when the tyranny of a +government becomes so oppressive, as to compel the people to rise in +their defense, and call for assistance. When the subjects of any +government have carried their revolt so far as to have established a new +state, and to give reasonable evidence of their ability to maintain a +government, the right of assistance is unquestionable. But it is not +clear that, prior to this state of progress in a revolution, the right +to interpose would be justifiable. + +Sec.7. There is a sense, however, in which nations are not wholly +independent. Mankind in the social state, as we have seen, are dependent +upon each other for assistance. (Chap. I, Sec.2.) Such is, in a measure, +the mutual dependence of nations. Although the people of every nation +have within themselves the means of maintaining their individual and +national existence, their prosperity and happiness are greatly promoted +by commerce with other nations. And as laws are necessary to govern the +conduct of the individual citizens of a state, so certain rules are +necessary to regulate the intercourse of nations. + +Sec.8. It has been observed, also, that the law of nature is a perfect rule +for all moral and social beings, and ought to be universally obeyed. +Equally binding is this law upon nations. It requires each nation to +respect the rights of all others, and to do for them what their +necessities demand, and what it is capable of doing, consistently with +the duties it owes to itself. And the general good of mankind is as +really promoted by the application of this law to the affairs of +nations, as by its application to the affairs of individuals. + +Sec.9. The law of nature applied to nations or states as moral persons, is +called the _natural law of nations_. It is also called the _necessary +law of nations_, because nations are morally bound to observe it; and +sometimes the _internal law of nations_, from its being binding on the +conscience. + +Sec.10. Although the law of nature, as expressed in the law of revelation, +is a correct rule of human conduct; yet, as much of this law consists of +general principles from which particular duties can not always be +deduced, positive human enactments are necessary to define the law of +nature and revelation. So an important part of the law of nations +necessarily consists of positive institutions. Hence some writers have +divided international law under these two principal heads: the _natural_ +law of nations, and the _positive_. + +Sec.11. The _positive law of nations_ is founded on usage or custom and +agreement, and may be considered as properly divided into the +_customary_ law of nations, and the _conventional_. The _customary law +of nations_ consists of certain maxims, or is founded on customs and +usages which have been long observed and tacitly consented to by +nations, and have thereby become binding upon all who have adopted them, +so far as their observance does not require a violation of the law of +nature. + +Sec.12. A _conventional law of nations_ is one that has been established by +a treaty or league. The word _convention_ usually signifies an assembly +of persons met for some benevolent, political, or ecclesiastical +purpose. It also signifies a treaty, or agreement between nations; and +such agreement or contract, though made without a formal meeting, is +deemed conventional. + +Sec.13. As the law of nature is liable to misconstruction, and as the law +of usage or custom is vague and uncertain, _conventional_ law, because +more definite, has been found to afford greater security to the rights +of commerce. Hence the practice, now so common among nations, of +regulating their intercourse by negotiation. By treaties, the rights of +the contracting parties are placed beyond dispute. + +Sec.14. But it may be said, if each nation is independent of every other, +and if there is no constituted authority to enforce the fulfillment of +treaty stipulations, the rights guarantied by treaties are still +insecure. But few governments are so devoid of a sense of honor as, by a +palpable violation of treaty obligations, to incur the odium and +condemnation of all mankind. Self-respect and the fear of provoking a +war, have generally proved sufficient incentives to the observance of +treaties. + +Sec.15. The obligations of nations are sometimes called _imperfect_. A +_perfect obligation_ is one that can be enforced--one that exists where +there is a right to compel the party on whom the obligation rests to +fulfill it. An _imperfect obligation_ gives only the right to demand the +fulfillment, leaving the party pledged to judge what his duty requires, +and to do as he chooses, without being constrained by another to do +otherwise. + + + + +Chapter LXIV. + +The Jurisdiction of Nations; their mutual Rights and Obligations; the +Rights of Embassadors, Ministers, &c. + + + +Sec.1. The seas are regarded as the common highway of nations. The main +ocean, for navigation and fishing, is open to all mankind. Every state, +however, has jurisdiction at sea over its own subjects in its own public +and private vessels. The persons on board such vessels are protected and +governed by the laws of the country to which they belong, and may be +punished by these laws for offenses committed on board of its public +vessels in foreign ports. + +Sec.2. The question how far a nation has jurisdiction over the seas +adjoining its lands, is not clearly settled. It appears to be generally +conceded, that a nation has a right of exclusive dominion over navigable +rivers flowing through its territory; the harbors, bays, gulfs, and arms +of the sea; and such extent of sea adjoining its territories as is +necessary to the safety of the nation, which is considered by some to be +as far as a cannon shot will reach, or about a marine league. + +Sec.3. It is the duty of a nation in time of peace, to allow the people of +other states a passage over its lands and waters, so far as it can be +permitted without inconvenience, and with safety to its own citizens. Of +this the nation is to be its own judge. The right of passage is only an +_imperfect right_, because the obligation to grant the right is an +_imperfect obligation_. (Chap. LXIII, Sec.15.) + +Sec.4. In general, it is the duty of a nation to allow foreigners to enter +and settle in the country. On being admitted into a state, the state +becomes pledged for their protection, and they become subject to its +laws; and in consideration of the protection they receive, they are +obliged to aid in defending it, and in supporting its government, even +before they are admitted to all the rights of citizens. + +Sec.5. But no state is bound to shelter criminals fleeing into it from a +foreign state. They can be tried only in the state whose laws they have +violated. It is therefore the duty of the government to surrender a +fugitive on demand of the proper authorities of the state from which he +fled, if, after due examination by a civil magistrate, there shall +appear sufficient grounds for the charge. The surrender of criminals is +sometimes provided for in treaties. + +Sec.6. The rule which makes foreigners amenable to the laws of the state in +which they remove, does not apply to embassadors. They are not +responsible to the laws of the country to which they are sent, even when +guilty of crime. When their conduct is dangerous to the government and +its citizens, all that can be done is, either to deprive them of liberty +by confinement, or to send them home and demand their punishment. As +every nation has a right to treat and communicate with all others, it +ought not to be deprived of the services of its representative. Hence, +the persons and property of all public ministers are held sacred and +inviolable. + +Sec.7. Embassadors are entitled to the same protection in the countries +through which they pass in going to, and returning from the government +to which they are sent. And to insure them a safe passage, some +governments have given them passports to be shown if required. A +_passport_ is a written license from the authority of a state granting +permission or safe conduct for one to pass through its territory. +Passports, though named in our law, are not known in practice, being +deemed unnecessary. + +Sec.8. If a minister at a foreign court treats the sovereign with +disrespect, the fact is sometimes communicated to the government that +sent him, with a request for his recall. Or, if the offense is a more +serious one, the offended sovereign refuses intercourse with him while +his master's answer is awaited. Or, if the case is an aggravated one, he +expels him from the country. + +Sec.9. Ministers at foreign governments, in their negotiations or business +correspondence with those governments, sometimes consider themselves ill +treated, and their own nation dishonored, and take their leave and +return home; or the minister informs his sovereign, who either recalls +him, or takes such other measure as he thinks the honor and interest of +his nation demand. + +Sec.10. The peculiar condition of a country, the nature of the business +upon which an embassador is sent, or the personal character of the +embassador, may be such as to justify a government in refusing to +receive him. But to preserve the friendly relations of the two +countries, satisfactory explanations ought to be made, or good reasons +offered for the refusal. + +Sec.11. A minister can not bind his sovereign to any treaty or agreement, +conclusively, under the authority of an ordinary credential, or letter +of attorney. He can not do so without a special power, containing +express authority so to bind his principal. Ministers act under secret +instructions which they are not bound to disclose. Even the treaties +signed by plenipotentiaries, (a word signifying full power,) are, +according to present usage, of no force, until ratified by their +governments. + +Sec.12. Consuls are not entitled to the privilege enjoyed by ministers, +but are subject to the laws of the country in which they reside. Their +principal duties have been described. (Chap. XL, Sec.9.) The office of +consul has been found to be one of great utility; hence, every trading +nation has a consul in every considerable commercial port in the world. +As in the case of ministers, consuls carry a certificate of their +appointment, and must be acknowledged as consuls by the government of +the country in which they reside, before they can perform any duties +pertaining to their office. + + + + +Chapter LXV. + +Offensive and Defensive War; just Causes and Objects of War; Reprisals; +Alliances in War. + + + +Sec.1. Wars are offensive and defensive. The use of force to obtain justice +for injuries done, is _offensive war_. The making use of force against +any power that attacks a nation or its privileges, is _defensive war_. A +war may be defensive in its principles, though offensive in its +operation. For example: one nation is preparing to invade another; but +before the threatened invasion takes place, the latter attacks the +former as the best mode of repelling the invasion. In this case, the +party making the attack acts on the _defensive_. (Sec.10.) The contending +parties are called _belligerents_. The word _belligerent_ is from the +Latin _bellum_, war, and _gero_, to wage or carry on. Nations that take +no part in the contest, are called _neutrals_. + +Sec.2. War ought never to be undertaken without the most cogent reasons. In +the first place, there must be a _right_ to make war, and _just grounds_ +for making it. Nations have no right to employ force any further than is +necessary for their own defense, and for the maintenance of their +rights. Secondly, it should be made from _proper motives_, the good of +the state, and the safety and common advantage of the citizens. Hence, +there may be, according to the law of nations, just cause of war, when +it would be inexpedient to involve the nation in such a calamity. + +Sec.3. The numerous objects of a lawful war may be reduced to these three: +(1.) To recover what belongs to us, or to obtain satisfaction for +injuries. (2.) To provide for our future safety by punishing the +offender. (3.) To defend or protect ourselves from injury by repelling +unjust attacks. The first and second are objects of an _offensive_ war; +the third is that of a _defensive_ war. + +Sec.4. Injury to an individual citizen of a state, by the subjects of +another state, is deemed a just cause of war, if the persons offending, +or the government of the state to which they belong, do not make +reparation for the injury; for every nation is responsible for the good +behavior of its subjects. But, although this would, according to the law +of nations, afford justifiable cause of war, neither the honor nor the +true interest of a nation requires that war should always be made for so +slight a cause. + +Sec.5. Generally, the injury sought to be redressed should be serious, and +satisfaction be demanded and refused, before recourse should be had to +arms. Where there is a question of right between the parties, the +government making war should have no reasonable doubt of the justice of +its claim. And even when no such doubt exists, it would be the duty of +such government to prevent a war, if possible, by proposals of +compromise. It is believed that war ought in no case to be made, until +attempts have been made to effect an adjustment of difficulties by +compromise, or by offers to submit them for arbitration. + +Sec.6. One of the means by which satisfaction is sought without making war, +is that of _reprisals_. (Chap. XXXVI, Sec.4, 5.) If a nation has taken what +belongs to another, or refuses to pay a debt, or to make satisfaction +for an injury, the offended nation seizes something belonging to the +former or to her citizens, and retains it, or applies it to her own +advantage, till she obtains satisfaction: and when there shall be no +longer any hope of satisfaction, the effects thus seized are +confiscated. To _confiscate_ is to adjudge property to be forfeited, and +to appropriate it to the use and benefit of the state. But as the loss +in this case would fall upon unoffending citizens, it is the duty of +their government to grant them indemnity. + +Sec.7. But to justify reprisals by the law of nations, the grounds upon +which they are authorized must be just and well ascertained. If the +right of the party demanding satisfaction is doubtful, he must first +demand an equitable examination of his claim, and next be able to show +that justice has been refused, before he can justly take the matter into +his own hands. He has no right to disturb the peace and safety of +nations on a doubtful pretension. But if the other party refuses to have +the matter brought to the proof, or to accede to any proposition to +terminate the dispute in a peaceable manner, reprisals become lawful. + +Sec.8. By treaties of alliance, nations sometimes agree to assist each +other in case of war with a third power. It is a question not clearly +settled, whether the government that is to afford the aid is bound to do +so when it deems the war to be unjust. The reasonable conclusion seems +to be, that, in cases simply doubtful, the justice of the war is to be +presumed; and the government pledging its aid is bound to fulfill its +engagement. The contrary doctrine would furnish a nation with too ready +a pretext for violating its pledge. In cases only of the clearest +injustice on the part of its ally, can a nation rightfully avoid a +positive engagement to afford assistance. + +Sec.9. But when the object of the war is hopeless, or when the state under +such engagement would, by furnishing the assistance, endanger its own +safety, it is not bound to render the aid. But the danger must not be +slight, remote, or uncertain. None but extreme cases would afford +sufficient cause for withholding the promised assistance. + +Sec.10. When the alliance is defensive, the treaty binds each party to +assist the other only when engaged in a defensive war, and unjustly +attacked. By the conventional law of nations, the government that first +declares, or actually begins the war, is considered as making +_offensive_ war; and though it should not be the first actually to apply +force, yet if it first renders the application of force necessary, it is +the aggressor; and the other party, though the first to apply force, is +engaged in a _defensive_ war. (Sec.1.) + + + + +Chapter LXVI. + +Declaration of War; its Effect upon the Person and Property of the +Enemy's subjects; Stratagems in War; Privateering. + + + +Sec.1. When a nation has resolved on making war, it is usual to announce +the fact by a public declaration. In monarchical governments, the power +to declare war, which of course includes the right of determining the +question whether it shall be made, is vested in the king. In the United +States, this power is, by the constitution, given to the representatives +of the people, for reasons elsewhere stated. (Chap. XXXVI, Sec.3.) + +Sec.2. It was usual, formerly, to communicate a declaration of war to the +enemy. According to modern practice, a formal declaration to the enemy +is not required. Any manifesto or paper from an official source, +announcing that the country is in a state of war, is considered +sufficient. The recalling of a minister has alone been regarded as a +hostile act, and followed by war, without any other declaration. But +such cases have not been frequent. Under ordinary circumstances, the +recall of a minister is not an offensive act. + +Sec.3. The government of a state acts for and in behalf of all its +citizens; and its acts are binding upon all. Hence, when war is +declared, it is not merely a war between the two governments; all the +subjects of the government declaring it become enemies to all the +subjects of that against which it is declared. + +Sec.4. Whether, on the occurrence of a war in any state, the subjects of +the enemy found within the state may be detained as prisoners of war, +and their movable property confiscated; or whether they are entitled to +a reasonable time to retire with their effects, is a question upon which +writers of public law are not agreed. Few civilized nations, at the +present day, would deny such persons a reasonable time to retire with +their property. Of houses and lands, all admit that only the income is +subject to confiscation. The privilege spoken of, instead of being left +to uncertainty, is now, with great propriety, generally secured by +treaty. + +Sec.5. When war is declared, all intercourse between the two countries at +once ceases. All trade between the citizens, directly or indirectly, is +strictly forbidden; and all contracts with the enemy made during the war +are void. + +Sec.6. Although a state of war makes all the subjects of one nation enemies +of all those of the other, they cannot lawfully engage in offensive +hostilities without permission of their government. If they have no +written commission as evidence of such permission, and if they should be +taken by the enemy, they would not be entitled to the usual mild +treatment which other prisoners of war receive, but might be treated +without mercy as lawless robbers and banditti. + +Sec.7. As the object of a just war is to obtain justice, a nation, when it +has declared war, has a right to use all necessary means, and no other, +for attaining that end. A just war gives the right to take the life of +the enemy; but there are limits to this right. If an enemy submits, and +lays down his arms, we can not justly take his life. And justice and +humanity forbid that women, children, feeble old men, and sick persons, +who make no resistance, should be maltreated. + +Sec.8. Prisoners of war are not to be treated with cruelty. They may be +confined, and even fettered, if there is reason to apprehend that they +will rise against their captors, or make their escape. Prisoners of war +are detained to prevent their returning to join the enemy, or to obtain +from their government a just satisfaction as the price of their liberty. +Prisoners may be kept till the end of the war. Then, or at any time +during the war, the government may exchange them for its own soldiers +taken prisoner by the enemy; or a ransom may be required for their +release. It is the duty of the government to procure, at its own +expense, the release of its citizens. + +Sec.9. Ravaging a country, burning private dwellings, or otherwise wantonly +destroying property, is not justifiable, except in cases of absolute +necessity. But all fortresses, ramparts, and the like, being +appropriated to the purposes of war, may be destroyed. + +Sec.10. Stratagems and deceit to obtain advantage of an enemy, are, to some +extent, justified by the law of nations; but in general they are +dishonorable and wrong. + +Sec.11. Spies are sometimes sent among an enemy, to discover the state of +his affairs, to pry into his designs, and carry back information. This +is a dishonorable office; spies, if detected, are condemned to death. + +Sec.12. The rights of a nation in war at sea are essentially different from +those in war upon land. The object of a maritime war is to destroy the +commerce and navigation of the enemy, with a view of weakening his naval +power. To this end, the capture or destruction of private property is +necessary, and is justified by the law of nations. Hence, for the +purpose of attack as well as defense, every nation of considerable power +or commercial importance, keeps a _navy_, consisting of a number of war +vessels, ready for service. + +Sec.13. Besides these national ships of war, there are armed vessels owned +by private citizens, and called _privateers_. Their owners receive from +the government a commission to go on the seas, and to capture any vessel +of the enemy, whether it is owned by the government or by private +citizens, or whether it is armed or not. And to encourage privateering, +the government allows the owner and crew of a privateer to keep the +property captured as their own. + +Sec.14. To prevent the abuse of this right, the owners are required to give +security, that the cruise shall be conducted according to instructions +and the usages of war; that the rights of neutral nations shall not be +violated; and that the captured property shall be brought in for +adjudication. + +Sec.15. When a prize is brought into a port, the captors make a writing, +called _libel_, stating the facts of the capture, and praying that the +property may be condemned; and this paper is filed in the proper court. +If it shall be made to appear that the property was taken from the +enemy, the court condemns the property as _prize_, which is then sold, +and the proceeds are distributed among the captors. + +Sec.16. All prizes, whether taken by a public or private armed vessel, +primarily belong to the sovereign; and no person has any interest in a +prize, except what he receives from the state: and due proof must in all +cases be made before the proper court, that the seizure was lawfully +made. In this country, prizes are proved and condemned in a district +court of the United States, which, when sitting that purpose, is called +a _prize court_. + + + + +Chapter LXVII. + +Rights and Duties of Neutral Nations; Contraband Goods; Blockade; Right +of Search; Safe Conducts and Passports; Truces; Treaties of Peace. + + + +Sec.1. A neutral nation is bound to observe a strict impartiality toward +the parties at war. If she should aid one party to the injury of the +other, she would be liable to be herself treated as an enemy. A loan of +money to one of the belligerents, or supplying him with other means of +carrying on a war, if done with the view of aiding him in the war, would +be a violation of neutrality. But an engagement made in time of peace to +furnish a nation a certain number of ships, or troops, or other articles +of war, may afterward, in time of war, be fulfilled. + +Sec.2. A nation is not bound, however, on the occurrence of a war, to +change its customary trade, and to cease supplying a belligerent with +articles of trade which such belligerent was wont to receive from her, +although the goods may afford him the means of carrying on the war. So +if a nation has been accustomed to lend money to another for interest, +and the latter should become engaged in war with a third power, the +neutral would not break her neutrality if she should continue to lend +her money. The wrong in any case lies in the _intention_ to aid one to +the detriment of the other. + +Sec.3. This rule, it is believed, is universally admitted in cases of +belligerents going themselves to a neutral country to make their +purchases. But whether a neutral nation is at full liberty to _carry the +goods_ in the cases mentioned, is not so certain. A nation in a just war +has a right to deprive her enemy of the means of resisting or injuring +her, and therefore may lawfully intercept every thing of a warlike +nature which a neutral is carrying to such enemy. + +Sec.4. Articles which a neutral nation is not allowed to carry to an enemy, +are called contraband goods. What these are, it is impossible to say +with precision, as some articles may in certain cases be lawfully +carried, which would be justly prohibited under other circumstances. +Among the articles usually contraband, are arms, ammunition, materials +for ship-building, naval stores, horses, and sometimes even provisions. + +Sec.5. Contraband goods, when ascertained to be such, are confiscated to +the captors as lawful prize. Formerly the vessel also was liable to be +condemned and confiscated; but the modern practice, it is said, exempts +the ship, unless it belongs to the owner of the contraband articles, or +the carrying of them is connected with aggravating circumstances. + +Sec.6. One of the rights of a belligerent nation which a neutral is bound +to regard, is the right of blockade. _Blockade_ is a blocking up. A war +blockade is the stationing of ships of war at the entrance of an enemy's +ports, to prevent all vessels from coming out or going in. The object of +a blockade is to hinder supplies of arms, ammunition, and provisions +from entering, with a view to compel a surrender by hunger and want, +without an attack. A neutral vessel attempting to enter or depart, +becomes liable to be seized and condemned. Towns and fortresses also may +be shut up by posting troops at the avenues. + +Sec.7. A simple decree or order declaring a certain coast or country in a +state of blockade, does not constitute a blockade. A force must be +stationed there, competent to maintain the blockade, and to make it +dangerous to enter. And it is necessary that the neutral should have due +notice of the blockade, in order to subject his property to condemnation +and forfeiture. According to modern usage, if a place is blockaded by +sea only, trade with it by a neutral nation may be carried on by inland +communication. And a neutral vessel, loaded before the blockade was +established, has a right to leave the port with her cargo. + +Sec.8. To prevent the conveyance of contraband goods, the law of nations +gives a belligerent nation the _right of search_; that is, the right, in +time of war, to search neutral vessels, to ascertain their character, +and what articles are on board. A neutral vessel refusing to be searched +by a lawful cruiser, would thereby render herself liable to condemnation +as a prize. Private merchant vessels only are subject to search; the +right does not extend to public ships of war. + +Sec.9. The property of an enemy found on board of a neutral vessel, may be +seized, if the vessel is beyond the limits of the jurisdiction of the +nation to which she belongs; but the vessel is not confiscated; and the +master is entitled to freight for the carriage of the goods. The +_property of neutrals_ found in an enemy's vessels, is to be restored to +the owners. + +Sec.10. A neutral is forbidden by the law and practice of nations, to +permit a belligerent to arm and equip vessels of war within her forts. +Nor may the citizens of a nation fit out any vessel, or enlist, to go +beyond the limits of their own country to assist any people in war +against another with whom they are at peace. + +Sec.11. It is sometimes agreed to suspend hostilities for a time. If the +agreement is only for a short period, for the purpose of burying the +dead after battle, or for a parley between the hostile generals; or if +it regards only some particular place, it is called a cessation or +_suspension of arms_; if for a considerable time, and especially if +general, it is called a _truce_. By a partial truce, hostilities are +suspended in certain places, as between a town and the general besieging +it; and generals have power to make such truces. By a general truce, +hostilities are to cease generally, and in all places, and are made by +the governments or sovereigns. Such truces afford opportunities for +nations to settle their disputes by negotiation. + +Sec.12. A truce binds the contracting parties from the time it is made; but +individuals of the nation are not responsible for its violation before +they have had due notice of it. And for all prizes taken after the time +of its commencement, the government is bound to make restitution. During +the cessation of hostilities, each party may, within his own +territories, continue his preparations for war, without being charged +with a breach of good faith. + +Sec.13. War is generally terminated, and peace secured, by _treaties of +peace_. The manner of making treaties has been described. (Chap. XL, +Sec.5.) A treaty of peace puts an end to the war, and leaves the +contracting parties no right to take up arms for the same cause. + +Sec.14. The parties to a treaty of peace are bound by it from the time of +its conclusion, which is the day on which it is signed; but, as in the +case of a truce, persons are not held responsible for any hostile acts +committed before the treaty was known; and their government is bound to +order and enforce the restitution of property captured subsequently to +the conclusion of the treaty. + +Sec.15. War is sometimes terminated by _mediation_. A friend to both +parties, desirous of stopping the destruction of human life, kindly +endeavors to reconcile the parties. The friendly sovereign who thus +interposes, is called _mediator_. Many desolating wars might have been +early arrested in this way, or wholly prevented, had there always been +among friendly powers a disposition to reconcile contending nations. + + + + +Synopsis of the State Constitutions. + + + +Maine. + + +The District of Maine, formerly belonging to the state of Massachusetts, +adopted in convention, October 29, 1819, the present constitution, and +was admitted into the Union as a state, March 15, 1820. The constitution +has received several alterations. + +_Electors._ All male citizens, having had a residence in the state three +months, except paupers, persons under guardianship, and Indians not +taxed. + +_Legislature._ The house of representatives consists of one hundred and +fifty-one members, apportioned among the counties according to +population; and the number apportioned to each county are apportioned +among the towns according to the population. A representative must have +been a citizen of the United States five years, resided in the state one +year, and in the town or district he is chosen to represent, three +months. Senate, not less than twenty, nor more than thirty-one members, +elected in districts by majority. If a senator is not elected by the +electors, the house and the senators elected choose one from the two +candidates having the highest numbers of votes. Age, twenty-five years, +otherwise qualified as representatives. + +A majority constitutes a _quorum_. Bills vetoed by the governor become +laws when re-passed by two-thirds majorities. Also bills become laws if +not returned by the governor within five days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment, in which case they will become laws unless +returned within three days after the next meeting. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually, by majority. If no person +has a majority, the house, from those voted for (not exceeding four) +having the highest numbers of votes, elects two, of whom the senate +elects a governor. Age, thirty years, a native citizen, resident of the +state five years. An executive council of seven, chosen annually by the +legislature on joint ballot. Power of appointment is exercised by the +governor and council. No lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and attorney-general, are chosen annually +by joint ballot of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme judicial court, and such other courts as the +legislature may establish. Judges of the judicial court are appointed by +the governor and council for seven years; judges and registers of +probate are elected in the counties for four years. + +Officers may be removed by impeachment, and by the governor and council +on address of both houses of the legislature. + +Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by two-thirds of both +branches, and ratified by the electors at the next annual election. + + + +New Hampshire. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1784; the present +one in 1792, and has been amended. + +_Electors._ All male citizens, except paupers and persons excused from +paying taxes at their own request, resident in the state six months, and +in the town three months. + +_Legislature_--called _general court_. Senate, twelve members, elected +annually in single districts; thirty years of age; inhabitants of the +state seven years, and inhabitants of their respective districts. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns according to ratable +male polls, (male tax-payers;) state residence, two years. Senators and +representatives must be of the Protestant religion. _Quorum_, a +majority. + +Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--also become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the return is prevented by +adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually by majority. If no person +has a majority, the two houses elect one of the two highest. Age, thirty +years; inhabitant of the state, seven years, and a Protestant. Council +of five, one in each district, elected annually by majority. Power of +appointment and of pardon exercised by the governor and council. No +lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and commissary-general appointed by joint +ballot of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ Judicial officers are appointed by the governor and +council; justices of the peace for five years, judges of the higher +courts during good behavior. Judges disqualified at seventy years of +age. + +Attorney-general, solicitors, sheriffs, coroners, registers of probate, +and naval and the higher militia officers, are appointed by the governor +and council. County treasurers and registers of deeds are elected in the +counties. + +_Amendments._ The sense of the people is taken every seven years; and if +a majority favor a revision, the legislature calls a convention; and any +alterations proposed by the convention must be approved by two-thirds of +the qualified electors who vote thereon. + + + +Vermont. + + +This state was admitted into the Union in 1791, with a constitution +formed in 1777; the present one was adopted in 1793, and has been +several times amended. + +_Electors._ Citizens having resided in the state one year, of quiet and +peaceable behavior, are entitled to all the privileges of freemen, by +taking an oath that, in giving their votes, they will so do it as they +believe will conduce to the best good of the state. + +_Legislature._ Senate, thirty members, elected annually; apportioned +among the counties according to population, each county to have at least +one senator; age, thirty years; freemen of the county. Representatives +are elected in towns, each town being entitled to at least one +representative; resident of the state two years, of the town one year. + +_Quorum_, a majority. For raising a tax, two-thirds of the members +elected must be present. + +Bills vetoed by the governor may be again passed by simple majorities. +Bills not returned by the governor within five days become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected annually by majority. If no person +has a majority, the legislature chooses one of the three highest. +Resident of the state four years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, chosen by the two houses; a treasurer, elected as +governor and lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and county courts; the judges chosen +annually by the senate and house; justices of the peace are elected in +the towns; judges of probate in districts; assistant judges of county +courts, sheriffs, high bailiffs, and state's attorneys, in their +respective counties. + +_Amendments._ A council of thirteen censors, chosen every seven years, +examines into the different departments, and have power to call a +convention to amend the constitution. + + + +Massachusetts. + + +The constitution of this state was formed in 1780. It has been several +times amended. + +_Electors._ Every male citizen, except paupers and persons under +guardianship, having resided in the state one year, in the town or +district six months; and having paid a tax within two years, or is +legally exempt from taxation. + +_Legislature_--styled _general court_. Senate, forty members, chosen in +districts, and apportioned according to population; residents of the +state five years, and inhabitants of the districts they represent. +Representatives are apportioned among the towns and cities. Every town +or city containing 1,200 inhabitants, is entitled to one, and an +additional one for every 2,400 additional inhabitants. Residence one +year in the towns they represent. + +Bills passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities--or become laws +if not returned within five days, unless the legislature by adjournment, +prevent their return. + +_Executive._ The governor is chosen annually, by majority. If no +candidate has a majority, the house elects two of those voted for, (not +exceeding four,) having the highest numbers of votes, of which two the +senate elects a governor. He must have resided in the state seven years, +and declare himself to be of the Christian religion. A council of nine, +elected annually by joint ballot of the two houses, act with the +governor in pardons and appointments, and in directing the affairs of +state generally. Counselors must have resided in the state five years. + +The secretary, treasurer, receiver-general, commissary-general, notaries +public, and naval officers, are chosen annually by the legislature. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme judicial court and a court of common pleas, held +in every county of the state, and courts held by justices of the peace. +All judicial officers are appointed by the governor and council; +justices of the higher courts during good behavior, justices of the +peace for seven years. The former are removable by the governor and +council, or address of the legislature. + +The attorney-general, the solicitor-general, sheriffs, coroners, and +registers of probate, are appointed as justices. + +_Amendments_ agreed to by a majority of the senators and two-thirds of +the representatives at two successive sessions, are submitted to the +qualified voters of the state for ratification. + + + +Rhode Island. + + +A charter granted in 1663, by Charles II, to the Rhode Island and +Providence Plantations, continued, with some modifications, the basis of +government of this state, until 1842, when the present constitution was +adopted. + +_Electors._ Every male _native_ citizen, resident in the state two +years, in the town or city six months, and having within a year paid a +tax of $1, or has done military duty. Also every naturalized citizen, +resident in the state one year, in the town or city six months, owning +real estate worth $134 above all incumbrances, or which rents for $7 a +year. Voters in this state must be registered in the town clerk's +office, at least seven days before they offer their votes. + +_Legislature_ styled _general assembly_. Representatives, not to exceed +seventy-two, are apportioned among the towns, no town to have more than +one-sixth of the whole house. The senate consists of the +lieutenant-governor and one senator from each town or city. The +governor, and in his absence, the lieutenant-governor, presides in the +senate, and in grand committee, (the two houses united.) _Quorum_, a +majority. + +Bills when passed by both houses are laws. + +_Executive._ The governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually +by majority. If no candidate has a majority, the two houses in joint +assembly (grand committee) elect from the two having the highest numbers +of votes. + +A secretary, an attorney-general, and a general treasurer, are elected +in the same manner as the governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +shall establish. Judges of the supreme court are elected by the two +houses in grand committee. The judges hold their offices until their +places shall be declared vacant by the general assembly. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, (a +majority of all the members elected to each house voting in their +favor,) and approved by three-fifths of the electors of the state voting +thereon. + + + +Connecticut. + + +This state was governed under a charter granted by Charles II, in 1662, +until 1818, when the present constitution was adopted. This constitution +has received numerous amendments. + +_Electors._ Every white male citizen, who has resided in the state a +year, and in the town six months, who sustains a good moral character, +and is able to read any section of the constitution of the state and of +the constitution of the United States. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the towns according to population. Any elector is +eligible to either house. Senators, not less than eighteen, nor more +than twenty-four, are chosen in districts, the number of which is not to +be less than eight, nor more than twenty-four. _Quorum_, a majority. + +Bills rejected by the governor may be again passed by a majority of each +house. Bills become laws also if not returned by the governor within +three days, unless the legislature sooner adjourn. + +_Executive._ A governor and lieutenant-governor are elected annually. +Any qualified elector thirty years of age is eligible. Election by +majority. In case of a failure to elect, the general assembly chooses a +governor from the two having the highest numbers of votes. + +A treasurer, a secretary, and a controller of public accounts, are +elected as the governor and lieutenant-governor. A sheriff is elected in +each county for three years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, a superior court, and such inferior courts +as the legislature shall establish. The judges are appointed by the +general assembly; the judges of the supreme and superior courts for +eight years; removable by the governor on address of two-thirds of each +house. Judges of probate are chosen annually by the electors in +districts; justices of the peace in the towns. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by a majority of the house of representatives, +approved by two-thirds of both houses of the next legislature and a +majority of the electors at an election. + + + +New York. + + +The first constitution of this state was formed in 1777; the second in +1821, and adopted in 1822; the present was formed and adopted in 1846. + +_Electors._ Every white male citizen, resident in the state a year, and +in the county four months, and thirty days in the district which the +person voted for is to represent. Naturalized persons must have been +admitted as citizens ten days before voting. Colored men must have +resided in the state three years, own a freehold of $250 in value over +incumbrances, and have paid a tax thereon. + +_Legislature._ Senate, thirty-two members elected in single districts +for two years. Assembly, one hundred and twenty-eight members, +apportioned among the counties. Counties entitled to more than one +member are divided into districts and a member is elected in each +district. A census is taken, and a new apportionment made every ten +years. A majority is a quorum to do business. The final passage of bills +requires a majority of all the members. Bills may be passed against the +veto by two-thirds majorities. They become laws if not returned within +ten days, unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ A governor is elected for two years; a citizen, thirty +years of age; a resident of the state five years. A lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A court of appeals, a supreme court, county courts, and +courts held by justices of the peace. There are eight judicial +districts, in each of which four justices of the supreme court are +elected for eight years, two of them every two years. The court of +appeals is composed of eight judges, four of whom are elected by the +electors of the state for eight years, one every two years, and the +other four are of the class of justices of the supreme court whose term +has most nearly expired. In each county are held circuit courts and +special terms of the supreme court, by one or more justices of the +supreme court. General terms of the supreme court are held in the +several districts by three or more of the justices. A county court is +held by a county judge elected for four years, who is also _surrogate_, +called in other states, _judge of probate_. In counties having more than +40,000 inhabitants, a separate officer may be chosen as surrogate. +Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns for four years. + +Judges of the court of appeals and justices of the supreme court may be +removed by the legislature; county judges by the senate on +recommendation of the governor. + +A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a state engineer and surveyor, are chosen for two years; three canal +commissioners and three inspectors of state prisons, for three years, +one of each every year. + +Sheriffs, clerks of counties, coroners, and district attorneys, are +elected for three years in the several counties. Sheriffs are ineligible +for the next three years. + +_Amendments_ must receive the sanction of two successive legislatures, +and of a majority of the electors voting thereon at an election. + + + +New Jersey. + + +New Jersey, as a colony, adopted a constitution in 1776, under which the +state was governed until the present constitution, framed in 1844, was +adopted. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, who have resided in the state a year, +and in the county five months. + +_Legislature._ A senate and general assembly. The senate consists of one +senator from each county, elected for three years; one-third of the +senators elected every year. Age, thirty years; residence in the state +four years, and in the county one year. Members of the general assembly, +not to exceed sixty, are apportioned among the counties according to +population. Residence in the state two years, in the county one year. A +majority is a _quorum_. + +The final passage of bills requires a majority of the members elected. +The same majorities may pass bills disapproved by the governor. Bills +become laws if not returned by the governor within five days, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for three years, and is ineligible +for the next three years. He must be thirty years of age; have been +twenty years a citizen, seven years a resident of the state. The +pardoning power is exercised by the governor in conjunction with the +chancellor and the judges of the court of errors and appeals. No +lieutenant-governor. + +The state treasurer, and the keeper and inspectors of the state prison +are appointed annually by joint assembly of the two houses. The +secretary of state, attorney-general, and prosecutors of the pleas, are +appointed by the governor and senate, for five years. + +_Judiciary._ A court of errors and appeals; a court of chancery; a +prerogative court; a supreme court; circuit courts; and inferior courts. +The court of errors and appeals consists of the chancellor, the justice +of the supreme court, and six judges, or a majority of them. The court +of chancery consists of the chancellor, who is also the ordinary, or +surrogate-general, and judge of the prerogative court, to which appeals +are made from the orphans' court. The supreme court consists of a chief +justice and four associates. The circuit courts are held in every county +by one or more justices of the supreme court, or a judge appointed for +that purpose. Chancellor and justices of the supreme court hold for +seven years; judges of the court of errors and appeals for six years; +and all are appointed by the governor and senate. The inferior court of +common pleas shall not have more than five judges, one to be appointed +every year by the senate and assembly. + +Justices of the peace, from two to five, are elected in each township +and city ward, for five years. + +Sheriffs and coroners are elected annually in their respective counties, +and may be re-elected until they shall have served three years; after +which they are ineligible for three years. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members elected to each house concurring, and be +ratified by the electors at an election held for that purpose. +Amendments, (if more than one,) must be submitted separately; and not +oftener than once in five years. + + + +Pennsylvania. + + +A Constitution was adopted in 1776; another in 1790; the present one in +1838. + +_Electors._ White freemen, having resided in the state one year, in the +election district ten days, and paid a tax within two years; if between +twenty-one and twenty-two years, they need not have paid the tax. An +elector having removed from the state and returned, may vote after six +months residence in the state, and ten days in the district, and the +payment of taxes. + +_Legislature_--called _general assembly_. Representatives are chosen +annually, and apportioned every seven years among the counties according +to the number of taxable inhabitants; number not less than sixty, nor +more than one hundred. Age, twenty-one; residence in the state three +years, one in the district. Senators are chosen for three years, +(one-third every year,) in districts, not more than two in any district, +unless the taxable inhabitants in any city or county entitle it to elect +more; but no city or county may elect more than four. The whole number +may not be less than one-fourth nor greater than one-third of the number +of representatives. Twenty-five years; state residence, four years; +district, one year. + +_Quorum_, a majority of each house. Bills passed against the veto by +two-thirds majorities. Bills not returned by the governor within ten +days, become laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for three years, and may not hold +the office more than six years in nine Age, thirty years; a citizen and +inhabitant of the state, seven years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary is appointed by the governor during pleasure. A treasurer is +chosen annually by joint assembly. + +_Judiciary._ Supreme court, the judges elected for fifteen years; courts +of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery in the counties, held by +judges of the supreme court and court of common pleas; a court of common +pleas in each judicial district, which may not include more than five +counties, the presiding judge to hold his office for ten years, the +associates for five years; a court of quarter sessions and orphans' +court for each county, held by judges of the common pleas; a register's +court for each county, composed of the register of wills and judges of +the common pleas; and courts held in the several townships, wards, and +boroughs, by justices of the peace or aldermen elected by the voters +therein, for five years. Judges of the supreme court are elected by the +people of the state at large; others are chosen in the districts or +counties over which they preside. + +Sheriffs and coroners are elected in their counties for three years. +Sheriffs may not be twice chosen in any term of six years. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of two +successive legislatures, and ratified by a majority of the electors +voting thereon. Amendments must be voted on separately; and none may be +submitted to the electors oftener than once in five years. + + + +Delaware. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1776; the present, +in 1831, and has been amended. + +_Electors._ White males twenty-two years of age, having resided in the +state one year, in the county one month, and within two years paid a +county tax assessed at least six months before the election. If +twenty-one, and under twenty-two years of age, they may vote without +having paid any tax. + +_Legislature_--called _general assembly_. Representatives are chosen in +counties for two years; must be twenty-four years of age; have been +citizens and inhabitants of the state three years, of the county one +year. Senators are elected in the counties for four years; the number +not to be greater than one-half, nor less than one-third of the number +of representatives. A senator must be twenty-seven years of age; have +been a citizen and an inhabitant of the state three years, of the +county, one year; and possess a freehold estate in the county of two +hundred acres of land, or real and personal property, or either, worth +L1,000, at least. + +A majority of each house is a quorum. Bills are not submitted to the +governor. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is not +eligible a second time. Thirty years of age; a citizen and inhabitant of +the United States twelve years, of the state, six years. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, appointed by the governor during his continuance +in office; a state treasurer, biennially, by a concurrent vote of the +two houses. [By this mode of election, the two houses do not meet and +vote jointly, but they vote separately, as in passing laws.] + +_Judiciary._ Five judges appointed by the governor, of whom one is +chancellor, and holds the court of chancery. Of the other four, one is +chief-justice, and the other three are associate justices, of whom one +resides in each county. + +The superior court, and the court of general sessions of the peace and +jail delivery, consist of the chief-justice and two associates. The +court of oyer and terminer consists of all the judges except the +chancellor. The court of errors and appeals issues writs of error to the +superior court, receives appeals from the court of chancery, and +determines finally all matters in error in the judgments and proceedings +of the superior court; and when thus acting, it consists of the +chancellor and two of the other judges. In other cases, it is +differently constituted. The orphans' court in each county is held by +the chancellor and the associate judge residing in the county. The +register's court in each county is held by the register of the county. + +Judges of the courts are appointed by the governor during good behavior; +and they may be removed by him on the address of two-thirds of all the +members of each branch of the general assembly. + +In pursuance of the power vested in the legislature to establish +inferior courts, a court of common pleas is established in each county. + +Justices of the peace in each county are appointed by the governor for +seven years, and may be removed as the judges. + +The attorney-general, registers, and prothonotaries are appointed for +five years, removable in like manner. + +The sheriff and the coroner of each county are elected by the citizens +thereof; but the legislature may vest their appointment in the governor. +The sheriff may not be chosen twice in any term of six years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of each house, with the +approbation of the governor, and ratified by three-fourths of each +branch of the next general assembly. Or, a convention to amend may be +called by the legislature, in pursuance of the sense of the people +expressed at a previous election. + + + +Maryland. + + +The constitution of this state adopted in 1776, continued until 1851, +when the present one was adopted. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided a year in the state, and +six months in the county. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; must be thirty +years of age; have been a citizen five years, a resident of the state +five years, and for three years a resident of the district from which he +is elected. In case of vacancy, the general assembly elects a resident +of the same district for the residue of the term. If the vacancy happens +during the recess of the legislature, the president of the senate serves +until the next session. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state is appointed by the governor and senate during the +official term of the governor. A controller of the treasury is elected +by the electors of the state for two years; and a treasurer and a state +librarian are chosen by the legislature on joint ballot at each session. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of delegates, styled _general +assembly_. Senators, one from each county and the city of Baltimore, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-five +years; residence, three years in the state, one in the county. Delegates +are eligible at twenty-one; otherwise qualified as senators; elected for +two years, apportioned among the counties according to population; the +city of Baltimore to have four more delegates than the most populous +county, and no county to have less than two delegates; the whole number +not to be more than eighty, nor less than sixty-five. + +A majority constitutes a quorum. Bills must pass by majorities of all +the members elected; and when so passed and sealed with the great seal, +the governor is required to sign them in the presence of the presiding +officers and chief clerks of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A court of appeals, consisting of four judges, one of whom +is elected in each judicial district for ten years. One is designated by +the governor and senate as chief-justice. They must be thirty years of +age, and have been citizens of the state five years. They are +disqualified at seventy. There are eight judicial circuits, in each of +which, except the fifth, is elected a judge, for ten years, who holds +circuit courts in the counties within his circuit. + +There are, in the city of Baltimore, courts peculiar to that city. + +Justices of the peace and constables, are elected for two years in each +ward of the city of Baltimore, and in each election district in the +several counties. + +A sheriff and a state's attorney are elected in each county and the city +of Baltimore, the former for two, and the latter for four years. +Sheriffs are ineligible for the next two years. + +_Amendments_ may be made only by a convention, called by the legislature +in pursuance of a vote of the people to be taken after each United +States census. + + + +Virginia. + + +A constitution was adopted in 1716; another in 1830; the present in +1851. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state two years, +and in the county, city or town where they offer to vote, one year. +Votes are given openly, or _viva voce_. Dumb persons only vote by +ballot. + +_Legislature._ Senate and house of delegates. Delegates, one hundred and +fifty-two in number, are elected biennially, and apportioned among the +several counties and election districts according to population. The +senate consists of fifty members, elected in single districts for four +years, one-half every two years. Apportionments are made every ten +years. Delegates are eligible at the age of twenty-one years; senators +at the age of twenty-five. + +_Quorum_, a majority. Bills to become laws, do not require the +governor's approval. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. He must be thirty years of age, a native citizen of +the United States, and have been a citizen of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years in joint assembly; an attorney general is +elected for four years by the people at every election for governor. + +_Judiciary._ The state is divided into twenty-one judicial circuits, ten +districts, and five sections, in each of which division, one judge is +elected by the people; the circuit judges for eight years, the judges of +the supreme court of appeals for twelve years. A circuit judge holds +circuit courts in the several counties composing his district. The +judges of the circuits constituting a section, and the judge of the +supreme court of appeals for that section, hold district courts in such +section. The supreme court of appeals consists of the five judges +elected in the sections, and three of whom may hold a court. Judges may +be removed by the legislature. + +A county court is held monthly in each county, by not less than three, +nor more than five justices of the peace, except when the law requires a +greater number. Each county is divided into districts, in each of which +four justices are elected for four years. The justices so elected choose +one of their own body as presiding justice of the county court. + +In each county are elected, a clerk of the county court and a surveyor, +for six years; an attorney for four years; a sheriff for two years: and +constables and overseers of the poor as may be prescribed by law. + +_Amendments._ The constitution does not provide for its amendment. The +last two constitutions were framed by conventions authorized by acts of +the legislature, and ratified by the electors. + + + +North Carolina. + + +This state adopted a constitution in 1776, which was amended in 1835. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of commons, called the _general +assembly_. The senate consists of fifty members, chosen biennially, in +single districts, which are laid off in proportion to the average amount +of taxes paid by the citizens during the five years preceding. Senators +must have resided within their respective districts a year, and possess +not less than three hundred acres of land. The house of commons is +composed of one hundred and twenty members, chosen biennially, and +apportioned among the counties, according to population, three-fifths of +the slaves being added to the number of free persons. They must have +resided a year in the counties they represent, and possess one hundred +and twenty acres of land. + +Bills passed by both houses become laws without being presented to the +governor. + +_Executive._ A governor is elected every two years, and is eligible only +four years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age; +must have been a resident of the state five years, and must have in the +state a freehold of the value of L1,000. No lieutenant-governor. + +There is a council of seven persons to advise the governor; a secretary +of state, and a treasurer, all chosen by joint vote of the two houses at +each session, for two years; and an attorney-general for four years, +unless for certain reasons the term shall be altered. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, superior courts, courts of admiralty, and +justices' courts. The judges are appointed by the general assembly, and +hold during good behavior. Justices of the peace, within their +respective counties, are recommended to the governor by the +representatives of the general assembly. They are commissioned by the +governor, and hold during good behavior. + +_Electors._ White freemen, inhabitants of the state one year, who have +paid taxes. Voters for senators are required also to own a freehold of +fifty acres. + +_Amendments._ A convention may be called by a majority of two-thirds of +all the members of each house of the general assembly. Or, amendments +may be proposed by majorities of three-fifths of all the members of both +houses; and they take effect when agreed to by two-thirds majorities of +the whole representation in the next assembly, and ratified by the +qualified voters of the state. + + + +South Carolina. + + +The first constitution of this state was formed in 1775; the present in +1790. Its principal amendments were made in 1808. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives, styled _general +assembly_. The house consists of one hundred and twenty-four members, +elected for two years in districts, and apportioned according to the +number of white inhabitants and the amount of taxes paid therein. +Residence in the state three years: and if a resident of the election +district, a freehold of five hundred acres of land and ten negroes, or a +real estate worth L150 sterling, clear of debt; if a non-resident of the +district, a clear freehold of L500 sterling. Senators, forty-five, +elected by districts, for four years, one-half every two years; each +district, except one, having one senator. Age, thirty years, state +residence, five years. If a resident in the district, a clear freehold +of L300 sterling; if a non-resident, a freehold in the district of +L1,000. + +Bills passed by both houses are laws without being presented to the +governor. + +_Executive._ The governor and lieutenant-governor are chosen by the +legislature for two years. Age, thirty years: state residence, ten +years; a clear freehold in the state of L1,500 sterling. A governor is +ineligible for the next four years. + +Commissioners of the treasury, secretary of state, and surveyor-general, +are elected by joint ballot of both houses for four years, and +ineligible for the next four years. + +_Judiciary._ Such superior and inferior courts of law and equity as the +legislature may establish. The judges are appointed by the legislature +during good behavior. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, resident in the state two years, and +owning a freehold of 50 acres of land, or a town lot, which he has owned +six months; or, not having such freehold, or town lot, resident in the +election district six months, and having paid a tax the preceding year +of three shillings sterling. + +_Amendments_ may be made by a convention called by two-thirds of all the +members of both branches. Alterations may also be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures. + + + +Georgia. + + +The first constitution was formed in 1777; the second in 1785; the +present in 1798, and amended in 1839, and 1844. + +_Legislature._ Senate and house, together styled _general assembly_. The +members of both houses are elected biennially. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to population, including +three-fifths of the slaves. Age, twenty-one years; citizenship, seven +years; state residence, three years; county, one year. Senators are +elected in districts. Age, twenty-five years; citizenship, nine years; +state residence, three years; district, one year. + +Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills not +returned by the governor within five days are laws, unless their return +is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States twelve years, of the +state, six years. No lieutenant-governor. + +Secretary of state, treasurer, and surveyor-general, are elected for two +years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court for the correction of errors, to consist of +three judges chosen by the legislature for six years, one every two +years; a superior court, whose judges are elected in their several +circuits for four years; inferior courts, one in each county, consisting +of five judges, elected by the people; courts held by justices of the +peace elected for four years. + +Sheriffs are elected for two years, but may not be twice elected in four +years. + +_Electors_, white male citizens and inhabitants of the state, having +resided in the county six months, and paid all the taxes required of +them, and which they had an opportunity of paying the preceding year. + +_Amendments_ may be made by two successive legislatures, two-thirds of +both houses concurring. + + + +Florida. + + +This state was admitted into the union with its present constitution, by +act of congress, March 3, 1845. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +for the next term. Age, thirty years; citizenship; state residence five +years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, elected by the people for four years; a treasurer +and a controller of public accounts for two years. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives, styled, the +_general assembly_. Representatives are apportioned among the counties +according to the number of free whites and three-fifths of the slaves; +the number not to exceed sixty. They are elected biennially. Age, +twenty-one; citizenship; state residence, two years; county, one year. +Senators are elected in districts, at least one in each district, for +four years, one-half every two years; the number to be not less than +one-fourth, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives. +Age, twenty-five years; other qualifications the same as those of +representatives. + +Bills become laws against the veto by majorities of all the members +elected. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, courts of chancery, circuit courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the people for six years. The state is divided into four +circuits, and a judge elected in each judicial circuit for six years, +who presides in the courts held in his circuit. Justices of the peace +for each county are appointed or elected, as the general assembly may +direct. + +An attorney-general is chosen by joint vote of the two houses, for four +years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state two years, of +the county, six months; enrolled in the militia, unless by law exempted +from serving. The general assembly is required to provide for +registering the qualified electors of each county. + +_Amendments._ A convention may be called by the general assembly, +two-thirds of each house concurring. Alterations may be made by like +majorities of two successive legislatures. + + + +Alabama. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1819, with its present +constitution. + +_Legislature_--called the _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties according to the free white population; +chosen biennially; must be twenty-one years of age, residents of the +state two years, and of the county, city or town they represent, one +year. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half +of them every two years; must be twenty-seven years of age; residence +the same as representatives. The number of representatives may not +exceed one hundred; the number of senators may not exceed thirty-three. + +Bills negotiated by the governor, may be passed by majorities of all the +members elected. If not returned within five days, vetoed bills become +laws unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county, city, or town, three months. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years, and eligible four +years in any term of six years. He must be thirty years of age, a native +citizen of the United States, and have been a resident of the state four +years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state is chosen biennially, and a treasurer and a +controller of public accounts are chosen annually, by joint vote of both +houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court; circuit courts to be held in each county; +and inferior courts of law and equity, to be established by the general +assembly. Judges of the supreme court, and chancellors are chosen by the +legislature for six years; judges of the circuit and inferior courts by +the people for the same term. A competent number of justices of the +peace, and a sheriff, are elected in each county. + +An attorney-general for the state, and the requisite number of +solicitors are elected by joint vote of the general assembly, for four +years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by one legislature, approved by the electors +at the next election for representatives, and ratified by the next +legislature; two-thirds majorities being required in both cases. + + + +Mississippi. + + +In 1817, this state was admitted into the union with a constitution +adopted the same year. The present constitution was formed in 1832. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state one year, of the +county, four months. An elector who happens to be in any county, city, +or town, other than that of his residence, or who may have removed to +any such place within four months preceding an election, may vote for +such officers as he could have voted for in the county of his residence, +or from which he removed. + +_Legislature._ Representatives, not less than thirty-six, nor more than +one hundred, are elected for two years in the several counties, among +which they are apportioned according to the number of white inhabitants. +They must have been residents of the state two years, one of the county. +Senators, not less than one-fourth, nor more than one-third of the +number of representatives, are elected by districts for four years. Age, +thirty years; state residence, four years; district one year. + +Bills are passed against the veto by two-thirds majorities. Bills must +be returned within six days, or they become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment. + +_Judiciary._ A high court of errors and appeals, consisting of three +judges, one in each district, elected for six years; a circuit court to +be held in each county at least twice a year, the judges to be elected +in their respective judicial districts for four years; a superior court +of chancery, the chancellor to be elected by the electors of the whole +state for six years; a court of probate in each county, the judge to be +elected for two years; a competent number of justices of the peace and +constables, chosen in each county for two years. Other inferior courts +may be established by the legislature. + +An attorney-general is chosen by the electors of the state, and a +competent number of district-attorneys in their respective districts. A +sheriff and one or more coroners are elected in each county for two +years. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen twenty years, a resident of the state five +years; and may not hold the office more than four years in six. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an auditor of public accounts, +are elected for two years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of both branches of the +legislature, and ratified by the people at the next election. + + + +Louisiana. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1812, with a constitution +formed the same year. In 1845, a second, and in 1852 the present +constitution was adopted. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the several parishes, (corresponding to counties in +other states,) and are elected for two years; the number not to exceed +one hundred, nor to be less than seventy. Senators, in number +thirty-two, are apportioned among the districts according to population, +and are elected for four years, one-half every two years. Every +qualified elector is eligible to a seat in either house. + +Vetoed bills are passed by majorities of two-thirds of all the members. +They become laws if not returned within ten days, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment; in which case they will become laws if not +sent back within three days after the commencement of the next session. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, twenty-eight years; citizenship, and residence in +the state four years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state and a treasurer are elected by the electors, the +former for four years, the latter for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court and such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed +of a chief-justice and four associate justices; the former elected by +the electors of the state at large, the latter in their respective +districts. They are elected for ten years, one of the five every two +years. Judges of the inferior courts are elected in their respective +parishes or districts. Justices of the peace are elected for two years +by the electors in each parish, district, or ward. + +An attorney-general and a requisite number of district-attorneys, are +elected for four years; the former by the electors of the whole state, +the latter in their respective districts. + +A sheriff and a coroner are elected in each parish for two years. + +_Electors._ White males, having been citizens two years, residents of +the state one year, and of the parish six months. An elector removing +from one parish to another, may vote in the former until he shall have +become a voter in the latter. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +house, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election. + + + +Texas. + + +Texas, formerly a part of Mexico, declared itself independent in 1835. +By a joint resolution of congress, approved December 29, 1845, this +independent republic was admitted as a state into the union. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and the last six months in the district, city, or town in which they +offer to vote. If an elector happens to be in any other county within +his district, he may there vote for any district officer; and he may +vote any where in the state for state officers. + +_Legislature._ Representatives, not less than forty-five, nor more than +ninety, are apportioned among the counties according to the free +population, and are elected for two years. They must have been residents +of the state two years, of the county, city, or town they represent, one +year. Senators, no less than nineteen, nor more than thirty-three, are +elected in districts for four years, one-half every two years; must be +thirty years of age; inhabitants of the state three years, of the +district one year. + +Bills negatived by the governor become laws when passed by two-thirds of +both houses; bills not returned within five days become laws. Two-thirds +of each house constitutes a quorum. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, and has appellate jurisdiction +chiefly. It holds sessions once a year in not more than three places in +the state. District courts are held by the judge of each judicial +district at one place in each county at least twice a year. The judges +of both the supreme and district courts are elected by the people for +six years. + +A convenient number of justices of the peace, one sheriff, one coroner, +and a sufficient number of constables, are elected in each county for +two years. The sheriff is eligible only four years in six. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; is eligible four +years in every six. Age, thirty years; state residence, three years; a +citizen of the United States, or a citizen of the state of Texas at the +time of the adoption of the constitution. A lieutenant-governor. + +A treasurer, a controller of public accounts, and an attorney-general +are elected by the people for two years. A secretary of state is +appointed by the governor and senate, to hold during the official term +of the governor. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds majorities of the legislature, +approved by the electors, and ratified by majorities of two-thirds of +the next legislature. + + + +Arkansas. + + +In 1836, this state was admitted into the union with its present +constitution, which was slightly amended in 1845. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, residents of the state six months, and +actual residents of the county. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives, not more than +one hundred, nor less than fifty-four, are apportioned among the +counties according to the number of free white male inhabitants, and are +elected for two years. Age, twenty-five years; residents of the counties +they represent. Senators are chosen in single districts for four years, +one-half every two years; the number to be not less than seventeen, nor +more than thirty-three. Age, thirty years, inhabitants of the state one +year, and actual residents of the district they represent. + +General elections are _viva voce_, until otherwise directed by law. +Bills are passed against the veto by majorities of all the members. +Bills not returned within three days become laws, unless their return is +prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligble +more than eight in twelve years. Age, thirty years; residence in the +state four years. No lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state for four years, and an auditor and a treasurer for +two years, are elected by a joint vote of both houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, county courts, and +justices of the peace. The supreme court is composed of three judges, +elected by the legislature for eight years; one every four years, one +every six, and one every eight years. In each circuit a judge is elected +by the legislature for four years. There is in each county a county +court held by justices of the peace. Justices are elected in the +townships for two years. + +An attorney of state is elected in each judicial district for two years. + +A sheriff, a coroner, a treasurer and a county-surveyor, are elected in +each county for two years. + +_Amendments_ may be made by two successive legislatures, by two-thirds +majorities. + + + +Missouri. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1821. The present constitution +was adopted in 1820, and has been several times amended. + +_Legislature_--styled the _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties on the basis of the white population, and +are elected for two years. Age, twenty-four years; state residence, two +years; county or district one year; payment of state or county tax. +Senators, not to be less than twenty-five, nor more than thirty-three, +are chosen in single districts for four years, one-half every two +years. Age, thirty years; residence in the state, four years; in the +district, one year; payment of a state or county tax. + +Sessions of the legislature are limited to sixty days. Bills vetoed by +the governor must be passed by majorities of all the members to become +laws. Bills not returned by the governor within four days become laws, +unless their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state one year, +in the county or district three months. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four; must be thirty years of age; have been a citizen of the +United States ten years, and of the state five years. A +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, a treasurer, an +attorney-general, and a register of lands, are elected by the people for +four years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, justices of the peace, and +such other tribunals as the general assembly shall establish. The three +judges of the supreme court are elected by the electors of the state for +six years. A judge in each of the circuits is elected by the electors +thereof for six years. Justices of the peace are elected in the +townships. + +_Amendments_ may be proposed every fourth year by a majority of the +whole of each house; and they take effect when ratified by the electors +of the state. + + + +Tennessee. + + +This state was admitted into the union with its first constitution in +1796. The present one was formed in 1835. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are +apportioned among the counties or districts according to the number of +qualified voters in each, and are not to exceed seventy-five until the +population of the state shall be 1,500,000, and may never exceed +ninety-nine. They must be citizens of the state three years, and +residents of the county they represent one year. Senators are +apportioned as representatives; the number not to exceed one-third of +the number of representatives; must be thirty years of age; in other +respects qualified as representatives. Both are elected biennially. + +Bills passed by both houses are laws without having been presented to +the governor. _Quorum_, two-thirds of each house. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; and may not hold the +office more than six in any term of eight years. He must be thirty years +of age, and have been a citizen of the state seven years. No +lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state for four years, and a treasurer for two years, are +chosen by joint vote of the general assembly. + +_Electors._ White males having been citizens of the county six months; +also male persons of color, twenty-one years of age, who are competent +witnesses in a court of justice against a white man. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, such inferior courts as the legislature +may establish, and justices' courts. The supreme court consists of three +judges, one in each of the grand divisions of the state, elected for +twelve years. Judges of inferior courts are elected for eight years. For +the election of justices of the peace, each county is divided into +districts of convenient size, in each of which are elected two justices +and one constable. A district containing a county town, may elect three +justices and two constables. + +Attorneys for the state are elected by joint assembly for six years. + +In each county are elected one sheriff, and one trustee for two years; +and one register for four years. The justices of the peace of each +county elect one coroner and one ranger for two years. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by majorities of all the members elected, +approved by two-thirds of all the members of the next legislature, and +ratified by the people. + + + +Kentucky. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1790; and the state +was admitted with the same in 1792. Another was adopted in 1799; and the +present in 1850. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The house of representatives +consists of one hundred members, elected for two years; apportioned +among the counties in proportion to the qualified voters. Age, +twenty-four years; state residence, two years; county, one year. When a +city or town has a sufficient number of voters, it may elect one or more +representatives. Senate, thirty-eight members, one elected in each +district for four years; one-half every two years. Age, thirty years; +residence in the state six years, in the district, one year. + +Bills vetoed by the governor, if again passed by majorities of all the +members elected, are laws; also if not returned by him within ten days, +unless the return is prevented by adjournment; in which case they become +laws, unless sent back within three days after the commencement of the +next session. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is ineligible +the next four. Age, thirty-five years; residence in the state six years. +A lieutenant-governor. + +A treasurer for two years; and an auditor of public accounts, a register +of the land-office, and an attorney-general for four years, are chosen +by the electors. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, styled court of appeals, consisting of +four judges, one to be elected in each district for eight years, in such +rotation that one may be elected every two years. Should the number be +changed, the principle of electing one every two years is to be +preserved. A circuit court to be held in each county by a district +judge, one to be elected in each of the twelve judicial districts, for +six years. The number of districts may be increased, but may not exceed +sixteen until the population shall exceed 1,500,000. A county court in +each county, consisting of a presiding judge and two associates, elected +for four years. Other inferior courts may be established by law. + +Justices of the peace in each county are elected in districts, two in +each district for four years, and a constable for four years. A state's +attorney for each judicial district; a sheriff in each county, for two +years, and several other county officers. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state two years; +in the county, town, or city, one year; and in the precinct in which +they offer to vote, sixty days. + +_Amendments_ by conventions only are provided for. No convention may be +called by the legislature, until a majority of all the voters of the +state shall have voted at two successive elections in favor of calling a +convention. + + + +Ohio. + + +The first constitution of this state was adopted in 1802, preparatory to +her admission into the union; the present one, in 1851. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Senators and representatives +are elected biennially in their respective counties or districts, in +which they must have resided a year. The ratio of representation in the +house is ascertained by dividing the whole population of the state by +the number one hundred; the quotient being the ratio for the next ten +years. The ratio for a senator is ascertained by dividing the whole +population by thirty-five. Senators are elected in districts. The +representation of fractions of population is provided for. + +Bills are not submitted to the governor. Quorum, not less than a +majority. + +_Executive._ A governor, a lieutenant-governor, a secretary of state, a +treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected for two years; and an +auditor for four years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court consisting of five judges chosen by the +electors of the state at large for five years, one, every year. The +number may be altered by law. A district court in each of the nine +common pleas districts, composed of a supreme court judge and the judges +of the court of common pleas of the respective districts, and held in +each county within a district, or in at least three places in each +district. One or more of these judges hold a court of common pleas in +every county in the district. A county probate judge is elected for +three years. + +Justices of the peace, a competent number, are elected in each township +for three years. + +A sheriff is elected in each county for two years, but may hold only +four years in any period of six years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state one year, +and in the county, township, or ward, such time as the law shall +prescribe. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by three-fifths of all the members elected to +each house, and ratified by a majority of the voters who vote thereon at +an election. Or a majority of two-thirds of all the members of each +house may submit to the electors the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors vote for a convention, the legislature +shall provide for calling the same. Every twentieth year, the question +of calling a convention is to be submitted to the electors. + + + +Indiana. + + +This state formed a constitution and was admitted into the union, in +1816. The present constitution was adopted in 1851. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, having resided in the state six months. +Also foreigners who have resided in the United States one year, in the +state six months, and have declared their intention to become citizens. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. The number of senators may not +exceed fifty; the number of representatives may not exceed one hundred; +both to be chosen in their respective counties or districts, senators +for four years, one-half every two years; representatives for two years. +Both are apportioned according to the number of white male inhabitants +twenty-one years of age, every six years. They must have been citizens +of the state two years; of the county or district, one year. Senators +must be twenty-five years of age. + +Quorum, two-thirds. Bills must be finally passed by majorities of all +the members elected. The same majorities enact a bill disapproved by the +governor. If he does not return a bill within three days, it is a law, +unless its return is prevented by adjournment; in which case it will be +a law, unless he shall, within five days after the adjournment, file the +bill, with his objections, in the office of the secretary of state, who +shall lay the same before the general assembly at the next session, as +if it had been returned by the governor. Bids may not be presented to +the governor within two days previous to the adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; and is eligible +only four years in eight. Age, thirty years; citizenship, five years; +state residence, five years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, an auditor, and a treasurer, are elected for two +years, and are eligible four years in six. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, and such inferior courts +as the general assembly may establish. Judges of the supreme court, not +less than three nor more than five, one in each district, are elected by +the electors of the state at large, for six years. Circuit courts +consist of a judge for each judicial circuit, chosen by the electors +thereof, for six years; and a prosecuting attorney for the circuit, for +two years. Justices of the peace are elected for four years in the +townships. + +There are elected in each county, a clerk of the circuit court, an +auditor, a recorder, a treasurer, a sheriff, a coroner, and a surveyor; +the first three for four years; the others for two years. The sheriff +and treasurer are eligible only four years in eight; the first three +eight years in twelve. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a +majority of all the members of each house concurring, and ratified by +the electors of the state. + + + +Illinois. + + +Illinois was admitted into the union in 1818. The present constitution +is dated August 31, 1847. + +_Legislature_--styled _general assembly_. Representatives are elected +for two years; must be twenty-five years of age; inhabitants of the +state three years, and of the county or district, one year; and have +paid a state or county tax. The number is never to exceed one hundred. +The districts are not limited to a single representative. The senate +consists of twenty-five members, elected in single districts, for four +years, one-half every two years; must be thirty years of age; citizens +of the United States; inhabitants of the state five years, of the county +or district, one year; and have paid a county or state tax. +Apportionments of senators and representatives are made after each +census, taken in 1855, and every ten years thereafter. + +Quorum, two-thirds. Bills passed against the veto by a majority of all +the members elected to each house. If not returned within ten days, they +are laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment; in which case +they must be returned on the first day of the next legislative session, +or they will be laws. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years, and is eligible +four years in eight. Age, thirty-five years; citizenship, fourteen +years; state residence, ten years. A lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state and an auditor of public accounts are elected for +four years, and a treasurer for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court of three judges, one to be chosen in each +of the three grand divisions, for nine years, one every three years; the +one oldest in commission to be chief-justice. The legislature may +provide for their election by the whole state. Circuit judges are +elected for six years, one in each of the nine judicial districts, the +number of which may be increased, if necessary. A circuit court is to be +held two or more terms annually in each county. A judge of the county +court is elected in each county for four years, and has also probate +jurisdiction. + +Justices of the peace are elected in each county by districts for four +years. Inferior local courts may be established in the cities by the +legislature. + +A state's attorney is elected in each judicial circuit, for four years; +or in each county, if the legislature shall so direct. In each county a +clerk of the circuit court is elected for four years and a sheriff for +two years, who is eligible only once in four years; a supreme court +clerk by the electors of each grand division. + +_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the state one year. A +poll or capitation-tax of not less than fifty cents, nor more than a +dollar, may, in case of necessity, be laid upon every voter under sixty +years of age. + +_Amendments_ must be proposed by two-thirds majorities of all the +members of one legislature, approved by majorities of all the members of +the next legislature, and ratified by the electors at the next general +election. Or, the legislature, by two-thirds majorities of all the +members, may submit to the people the question of calling a convention; +and if a majority of the electors voting for representatives shall vote +for a convention, an act for calling one shall be passed. + + + +Michigan. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1836. The present constitution +was adopted in 1850. + +_Legislature._ The senate has thirty-two members, elected in single +districts, for two years. Representatives, not less than sixty-four, nor +more than one hundred, are elected also in single districts, for two +years. An apportionment of members is made every ten years. Any +qualified elector holding no other office, is eligible to either house. + +The final passage of bills requires a majority of all the members +elected to each house. Majorities of two-thirds of all the members pass +bills against the veto. Bills not returned within ten days, are laws +unless their return is prevented by adjournment. Bills passed within +the last five days of a session, may be signed by the governor and filed +by him in the office of the secretary of state within five days after +the adjournment; and the same become laws. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years; must be thirty years +of age; have been a citizen of the United States five years, and a +resident of the state two years. A lieutenant-governor. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, a probate court, and +justices of the peace. For six years, and until the legislature shall +otherwise provide, the circuit judges are to be judges of the supreme +court. After six years, a supreme court may be organized, consisting of +a chief-justice and three associate justices, chosen by the electors for +eight years, and so classed that only one of them shall go out of office +at a time. A circuit judge is elected in each of the eight judicial +circuits for six years. The number of circuits may be increased. The +probate judge of each county is elected for four years. + +Justices of the peace, not exceeding four, are elected in each township, +for four years. + +_Electors._ White male citizens who have resided in the state three +months, and in the township or ward ten days; also foreigners after a +residence of two and a half years in the state, and a declaration of +their intention to become citizens; and civilized males of Indian +descent. + +A secretary of state, a superintendent of public instruction, a +treasurer, a commissioner of the land-office, an auditor-general, and +attorney-general, are elected for two years. + +In each county are elected a sheriff, a county clerk, a county +treasurer, a register of deeds, and a prosecuting attorney, all for two +years. The sheriff can hold only four years in six. The board of +supervisors may unite the offices of clerk and register in one office. + +_Amendments_ are proposed by two-thirds of all the members of each +branch, and ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the +next general election. Every sixteenth year the question of a general +revision of the constitution by a convention shall be submitted to the +electors of the state. + + + +Wisconsin. + + +This state was admitted into the union by an act of congress, May 29, +1848. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, or foreigners who have declared their +intention to become citizens, having resided in the state one year; also +civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe. + +_Legislature._ A senate and an assembly. Members of the assembly are +elected annually; the number not to be less than fifty-four, nor greater +than one hundred. The number of senators may not be less than +one-fourth, nor greater than one-third of the number of members of +assembly. Senators are chosen for two years, half every year. Members of +both houses are elected in single districts, apportioned every five +years; and must have resided in the state a year, and be qualified +electors of the districts. + +Bills are passed over the veto by majorities of two-thirds. Quorum, a +majority. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for two years. Any citizen of the +United States and qualified elector of the state, is eligible to the +office of governor or lieutenant-governor. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years. + +Sheriffs, coroners, registers of deeds, and district-attorneys, are +elected in counties, for two years. Sheriffs are ineligible for the next +two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, circuit courts, courts of probate, and +justices of the peace. Inferior courts, with limited civil jurisdiction, +may be established by law in the several counties. By the constitution, +the judges of the circuit courts were to be judges of the supreme court +for five years, and until the legislature should otherwise provide. A +separate supreme court may be organized, to consist of a chief-justice +and two associate justices elected by the electors of the state for six +years; one only to be elected at a time. The circuit judges also, one in +each judicial circuit, are elected for six years. The supreme court +shall hold at least one term annually at the seat of government, and at +such other places as the legislature may provide. A circuit court is to +be held at least twice a year in each county. + +A judge of probate is chosen in each county for two years; but the +office may be abolished, and probate powers conferred on inferior county +courts. Justices of the peace are elected in the several towns, cities, +and villages, for two years. + +_Amendments_ are to be approved by a majority of the whole of each house +of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. Also the +legislature may submit to the people the question of calling a +convention to revise or change the constitution. + + + +Iowa. + + +The state of Iowa was admitted into the union by an act of congress +approved December 28, 1846. + +_Electors._ White male citizens, resident in the state six months, and +in the county twenty days. + +_Legislature._ The two houses are called the _general assembly_. +Representatives are elected in their respective districts for two years; +their number to be not less than thirty-nine, nor exceed seventy-two. +They must be inhabitants of the state one year, and residents of the +county or district thirty days. Senators, in number not less than +one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives, are +elected for four years, one-half every two years. Age, twenty-four +years; otherwise qualified as representatives. + +Two-thirds majorities of the members present, pass bills vetoed by the +governor. Bills not returned within three days also become laws, unless +their return is prevented by adjournment. + +_Executive._ The governor is elected for four years; must have been a +citizen of the United States and a resident of the state, two years; and +must be thirty years of age. No lieutenant-governor. In case of vacancy +in the office of governor, the office devolves upon the secretary of +state until the vacancy is filled. + +A secretary of state, an auditor of public accounts, and a treasurer, +are elected for two years. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, and such inferior courts +as the legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of a +chief-justice and two associates, elected by joint vote of the two +branches, for six years. It has appellate jurisdiction only in all cases +of chancery, and constitutes a court for the correction of errors at +law. Each district court consists of a judge elected by the voters of +the district, for five years, at the township elections. A prosecuting +attorney and a clerk of the district court, are elected in each county +at the general election, for two years. + +_Amendments_ are provided for only by a convention. The legislature may +provide for a vote of the people, and if a majority of the votes are in +favor of a convention, an election of delegates is to be held within six +months. + + + +California. + + +The constitution of this state was adopted November 13, 1849; and the +state was admitted by act of congress, September 9, 1850. + +_Electors._ White male citizens of the United States, and white male +citizens of Mexico having elected to become citizens of the United +States under the treaty of peace, who have resided in the state six +months, and in the county or district thirty days. + +_Legislature._ Senate and assembly. Members of assembly, the number to +be not less than thirty, nor greater than eighty, are chosen annually by +districts. Senators, not to be less than one-third nor more than +one-half of the number of members of assembly, are elected by districts +for two years, one-half every year. Members of both houses must have +resided in the state two years, and in their respective districts one +year, and be qualified voters. They are apportioned every five years. + +Bills, rejected by the governor, must be passed by a majority of +two-thirds of each house, to become a law. Bills become laws if not +returned by the governor within ten days, unless the legislature shall +sooner adjourn. + +_Executive._ A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years. Age, twenty-five years, and two years' residence in the state. + +A secretary of state, a controller, a treasurer, an attorney-general, +and a surveyor-general, are elected for two years, by joint vote of the +two houses. + +_Judiciary._ A supreme court, district courts, county courts, justices +of the peace, and such municipal and other inferior courts as the +legislature may establish. The supreme court consists of three judges +elected by the electors of the state for six years, one every two years; +the senior justice in commission to be chief-justice. District judges +are elected in their respective districts for six years. A judge of the +county court is elected in each county for four years, and performs also +the duties of judge of probate. The number of justices of the peace +elected in each county, city, town, or village, is fixed by law. + +The election of sheriffs, coroners, county clerks and certain other +officers, is provided for by law. + +_Amendments_ must be agreed to by majorities of all the members of the +two houses of two successive legislatures, and ratified by the people. +The legislature may, by two-thirds majorities, submit to the people the +question of calling a convention for a general revision of the +constitution. + + + +Minnesota. + + +This state was admitted into the union in 1858. + +_Electors._ White male citizens having resided in the United States one +year, and in the state four months. Also foreigners who have so resided, +and declared their intention to become citizens; and persons of mixed +white and Indian blood, and of Indian blood, under certain regulations. + +_Legislature._ A senate and a house of representatives. The first +legislature consisted of thirty-seven senators and eighty +representatives. + +_Executive._ A governor and a lieutenant-governor are elected for two +years. + +A secretary of state, a treasurer, and an attorney-general, are elected +for two years, and a state auditor for three years. + +_Judiciary._ The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, district +courts, courts of probate, justices of the peace, and such other courts +inferior to the supreme court, as the legislature may establish by a +two-thirds vote. + + + + +Constitution of the United States. + + +We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect +union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the +common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of +liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this +Constitution for the United States of America. + + +Article I. + +Section. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested +in a congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and +house of representatives. + +Sec. 2. The house of representatives shall be composed of +members chosen every second year, by the people of the several states; +and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requiste +for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. + +No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the +age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United +States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state +in which he shall be chosen. + +Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several +states which may be included within this union, according to their +respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole +number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of +years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other +persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after +the first meeting of the congress of the United States, and within every +subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law +direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every +thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative; +and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire +shall be entitled to choose _three_; Massachusetts, _eight_; Rhode +Island and Providence Plantations, _one_; Connecticut, _five_; New York, +_six_; New Jersey, _four_; Pennsylvania, _eight_; Delaware, _one_; +Maryland, _six_; Virginia, _ten_; North Carolina, _five_; South +Carolina, _five_; and Georgia, _three_. + +When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the +executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such +vacancies. + +The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other +officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. + +Sec. 3. The senate of the United States shall be composed of +two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six +years; and each senator shall have one vote. + +Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first +election, they shall be divided as equally as may be, into three +classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated +at the expiration of the second year; of the second class at the +expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class at the expiration +of the sixth year; so that one-third may be chosen every second year; +and if vacancies happen, by resignation or otherwise, during the recess +of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make +temporary appointments, until the next meeting of the legislature, which +shall then fill such vacancies. + +No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and +who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he +shall be chosen. + +The vice-president of the United States shall be president of the +senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. + +The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro +tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise +the office of president of the United States. + +The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments: when +sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the +president of the United States is tried, the chief-justice shall +preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of +two-thirds of the members present. + +Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to +removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office +of honor, trust, or profit, under the United States; but the party +convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, +trial, judgment and punishment, according to law. + +Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for +senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the +legislature thereof; but the congress may at any time, by law, make or +alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. + +The congress shall assemble at least once in every year; and such +meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall, by +law, appoint a different day. + +Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns +and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall +constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn +from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of +absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as each house +may provide. + +Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its +members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of +two-thirds, expel a member. + +Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to +time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, +require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, +on any question, shall at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be +entered on the journal. + +Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the +consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other +place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. + +Sec. 6. The senators and representatives shall receive a +compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out +of the treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except +treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest +during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and +in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in +either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place. + +No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was +elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the +United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof +shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any +office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during +his continuance in office. + +Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the +house of representatives; but the senate may propose, or concur with, +amendments, as on other bills. + +Every bill which shall have passed the house of representatives and the +senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the president of +the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not he shall +return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have +originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, +and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, two-thirds +of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together +with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be +reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall +become a law. But, in all such cases, the votes of both houses shall be +determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and +against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house +respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the president within +ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, +the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless +the congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it +shall not be a law. + +Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the senate +and house of representatives may be necessary, (except on a question of +adjournment,) shall be presented to the president of the United States, +and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, +being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the senate +and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations +prescribed in the case of a bill. + +Sec. 8. The congress shall have power: + +To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay the debts +and provide for the common defense, and general welfare of the United +States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout +the United States: + +To borrow money on the credit of the United States: + +To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, +and with the Indian tribes: + +To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the +subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States: + +To coin money; to regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin; and +fix the standard of weights and measures: + +To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and +current coin of the United States: + +To establish post offices and post roads: + +To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for +limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their +respective writings and discoveries: + +To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court: + +To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, +and offenses against the law of nations: + +To declare war; grant letters of marque and reprisal; and make rules +concerning captures on land and water: + +To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to that use +shall be for a longer term than two years: + +To provide and maintain a navy: + +To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval +forces: + +To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the +union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions: + +To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for +governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the +United States; reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of +the officers, and the authority of training the militia, according to +the discipline prescribed by congress: + +To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such +district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of +particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of +the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over +all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in +which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, +dock-yards, and other needful buildings: And, + +To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into +execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this +constitution in the government of the United States, or in any +department or officer thereof. + +Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of +the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be +prohibited by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred +and eight; but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not +exceeding ten dollars for such person: + +The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless +when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require +it. + +No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. + +No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to +the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. + +No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No +preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to +the ports of one state, over those of another; nor shall vessels bound +to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in +another. + +No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of +appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the +receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from +time to time. + +No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no +person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without +the consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, +or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. + +Sec. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or +confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit +bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in +payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law +impairing the obligation of contracts; or grant any title of nobility. + +No state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any imposts or +duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary +for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and +imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of +the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to +the revision and control of the congress. No state shall, without the +consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of +war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another +state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war unless actually +invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay. + + +Article II. + +Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a president +of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the +term of four years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for +the same term, be elected as follows: + +Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may +direct, a number of electors equal to the whole number of senators and +representatives to which the state may be entitled in the congress; but +no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or +profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. + +The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot +for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the +same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the +persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each, which list they +shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the +government of the United States, directed to the president of the +senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate +and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes +shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes +shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole number +of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such +majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the house of +representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for +president; and if no person have a majority, then, from the five highest +on the list, the said house shall, in like manner, choose the president. +But in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the +representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this +purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the +states, and a majority of the states shall be necessary to a choice. In +every case, after the choice of the president, the person having the +greatest number of votes of the electors, shall be the vice-president. +But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the senate +shall choose from them, by ballot, the vice-president. + +[By the 12th article of amendment, the above clause has been repealed.] + +The congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the +day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the same +throughout the United States. + +No person, except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United +States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be +eligible to the office of president; neither shall any person be +eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of +thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United +States. + +In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, +resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said +office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president, and the congress +may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or +inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring what +officer shall then act as president; and such officer shall act +accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be +elected. + +The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a +compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the +period for which he shall have been elected; and he shall not receive, +within that period, any other emolument from the United States, or any +of them. + +Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the +following oath or affirmation: + +"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the +office of President of the United States; and will, to the best of my +ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United +States. + +Sec. 2. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army +and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, +when called into the actual service of the United States; he may 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; and he shall have power to grant reprieves and +pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of +impeachment. + +He shall have power by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to +make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur: and +he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, +shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of +the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States whose +appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be +established by law: but the congress may, by law, vest the appointment +of such inferior officers as they think proper, in the president alone, +in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. + +The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen +during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which shall +expire at the end of their next session. + +Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the congress +information of the state of the union; and recommend to their +consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. +He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of +them; and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time +of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think +proper. He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers. He +shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed; and shall +commission all the officers of the United States. + +Sec. 4. The president, vice-president, and all civil officers +of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, +and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and +misdemeanors. + + +Article III. + +Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be +vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress +may, from time to time, ordain and establish. The judges both of the +supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good +behavior; and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a +compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in +office. + +Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and +equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States +and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all +cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all +cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which +the United States shall be a party, to controversies between two or more +states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens +of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands +under grants of different states; and between a state, or the citizens +thereof; and foreign states, citizens or subjects. + +In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, +and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme court shall +have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the +supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and +fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations, as the congress +shall make. + +The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by +jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes +shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the +trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law have +directed. + +Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in +levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them +aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the +testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in +open court. + +The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason; but +no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, +except during the life of the person attainted. + + +Article IV. + +Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given, in each state, +to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other +state. And the congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in +which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect +thereof. + +Sec. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the +privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. + +A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who +shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall, on demand +of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered +up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime. + +No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, +escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation +therein, be discharged from such service or labor; but shall be +delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be +due. + +Sec. 3. New states may be admitted by the congress into this +union; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the +jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed by the junction +of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the +legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the congress. + +The congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all needful rules +and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to +the United States; and nothing in this constitution shall be so +construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any +particular state. + +Sec. 4. The United States shall guaranty to every state in this +union, a republican form of government; and shall protect each of them +against invasion, and on application of the legislature, or of the +executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic +violence. + + + +Article V. + +The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it +necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or on the +application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, +shall call a convention for proposing amendments; which, in either case, +shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this +constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the +several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one +or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress: +Provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one +thousand eight hundred and eight, shall in any manner affect the first +and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that +no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage +in the senate. + + +Article VI. + +All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption +of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under +this constitution, as under the confederation. + +This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made +in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made or which shall be made under +the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the +land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in +the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. + +The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of +the several legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both +of the United States, and of the several states, shall be bound, by oath +or affirmation, to support this constitution; but no religious test +shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust +under the United States. + + + +Article VII. + +The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient +for the establishment of this constitution between the states so +ratifying the same. + +Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present, the +seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven +hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States +of America, the twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed +our names. + +George Washington, +_President, and Deputy from Virginia._ + +_New Hampshire._--John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. + +_Massachusetts._--Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King. + +_Connecticut._--Wm. Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman. + +_New-York._--Alexander Hamilton. + +_New Jersey._--William Livingston, David Brearly, William Paterson, +Jonathan Dayton. + +_Pennsylvania._--Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimmons, +James Wilson, Thomas Mifflin, George Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Gouverneur +Morris. + +_Delaware._--George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard +Bassett, Jacob Broom. + +_Maryland._--James M'Henry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel +Carroll. + +_Virginia._--John Blair, James Madison, Jr. + +_North Carolina._--William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh +Williamson. + +_South Carolina._--John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler, +Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. + +_Georgia._--William Few, Abraham Baldwin. + +_Attest:_ William Jackson, _Secretary_. + + +Amendments. + +Article 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an +establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or +abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the +people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a +redress of grievances. + +Art. II. A well regulated militia being necessary to the +security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms +shall not be infringed. + +Art. III. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in +any house without the consent of the owner, nor in a time of war, but in +a manner to be prescribed by law. + +Art. IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, +houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, +shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable +cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the +place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized. + +Art. V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or +otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a +grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in +the militia when in actual service, in time of war or public danger; nor +shall any person be subject, for the same offense, to be twice put in +jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, +to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty or +property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be +taken for public use, without just compensation. + +Art. VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy +the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the +state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which +district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be +informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted +with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining +witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his +defense. + +Art. VII. In suits at common law, where the value in +controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury +shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise +reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the +rules of the common law. + +Art. VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive +fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. + +Art. IX. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights, +shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the +people. + +Art. X. The powers not delegated to the United States, by the +constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the +states respectively, or to the people. + +Art. XI. The judicial power of the United States shall not be +construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or +prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another +state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. + +Art. XII. The electors shall meet in their respective states +and vote by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom, at +least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; +they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as president, and +in distinct ballots the person voted for as vice-president, and they +shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as president, and of +all persons voted for as vice-president, and of the number of votes for +each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to +the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the +president of the senate;--the president of the senate shall, in the +presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the +certificates, and the votes shall then be counted;--the person having +the greatest number of votes for president, shall be the president, if +such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and +if no person have such majority, then, from the persons having the +highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as +president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately, by +ballot, the president. But in choosing the president, the votes shall be +taken by states, the representatives from each state having one vote; a +quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from +two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be +necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not +choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, +before the fourth day of March next following, then the vice-president +shall act as president, as in the case of the death or other +constitutional disability of the president. The person having the +greatest number of votes as vice-president, shall be the vice-president, +if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, +and if no person have a majority, then, from the two highest numbers on +the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president; a quorum for the +purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and +a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no +person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be +eligible to that of vice-president of the United States. + + + + +Index + + + +Academies and colleges, 82 +Accessories to crime, 220 +Actions at law, defined, 64 + how commenced, 64 +Adjutant-general, 92 +Administrators, duties of, 179 +Admission of states, 158 +Agent, responsibilities of, 202-204 +Alabama, constitution of, 259 +Aldermen, duties of, 60 +Aliens, power to pass laws for the naturalization of, 121, 122 + disabilities of, 121 +Alliance, defined, 135 +Alliances, when binding, 230, 231 + by states, prohibited, 135 +Amendments of the constitution, provision for, 160 +Appeals of suits, 68, 69 +Appellant, appellee, defined, 69 +Apellate jurisdiction, defined, 70 +Appointment, power of, (see Governor and President.) +Apprentices and servants, 175, 176 +Aquatic rights, 183, 185 +Aristocracy, defined, 25 +Arkansas, constitution of, 264 +Army, standing, 149 +Arrest and examination of offenders, 69 +Arsenals, use of, 92 +Arson, defined, 217 +Assault and battery, 220 +Assessment and collection of taxes, 76-78 +Assessors, duties of, 77 +Assignments, 197-199 +Assumption of public debt, 160 +Attachment, suit by, 68 +Attainder of treason, 155 +Attorney, defined, 65 +Attorney, county or state's, 51, 56 +Attorney-general, state, 51 + of United States, 151 +Auditor of state, 51 + county, 65 +Auxiliary executive departments, 147-151 + +Bail, defined, how taken, 69, 70 + excessive, forbidden, 165 +Bailment, 200-202 +Ballot, defined, 33 +Bankruptcy, power to pass laws of, 124 +Banks, and their operation, 86-88 +Belligerent, defined 228 +Betting and gaming, 221 +Bigamy, defined, 219 +Bill, defined, 45 +Bills, passage of, 45-43 +Bills of attainder, by congress, prohibited, 133 + by states, prohibited, 137 + of credit, defined, 136 + passage of, prohibited, 136 + of exchange, 213-215 +Blockade, defined, 236 +Body politic, defined, 19, 54 +Bribery, defined, 219 +Broker and brokerage, 204, 205 +Bullion, defined, 125 +Burglary, defined, 218 + +Cabinet, defined, 147 + officers of, and their powers and duties, 147 +California, constitution of 277 +Canals, construction of, 82-84 + tolls on, 84 +Canvassing of votes, 34 +Capital, defined, 41, 216 +Capitation or poll-tax, 76, 77, 133 +Carriers of goods, liability of, 201, 202 +Causes, criminal and civil, defined, 64 +Casting vote, when given, 46 +Challenging voters, 33 +Charges d'affaires, 145 +Charter, defined, 59 +Chattel mortgages, 199 +Cities, villages, &c., 59-62 +Citizens, privileges of, in the several states, 157 +Civil government, defined, 17 + mankind fitted for, 17 +Civil society, 17 +Clearance of vessels, 120 +Codicil, defined, 179 +Coining money, power of, 124 + by states, prohibited, 136 +Collection of taxes, 76-78 +Colony, defined, 95 +Colonies, government of, 95 +Commerce, foreign, regulation of, 114-119 +Commerce, domestic, power of congress to regulate, 121, 122 + with Indians, 122 +Commissary-general, 92 +Commissioners, county, duties of, 54 +Committees, legislative, 44, 45 +Common carriers, responsibilities of, 201, 202 +Common council, 60 +Common law, defined, 167 +Commons, house of, 29 +Common schools, school funds, &c., 79-82 +Commonwealth, defined, 26 +Confederacy, defined, 101 +Confederation, when formed, 97 + nature of, 98, 99, 101, 102 +Confiscate, defined, 230 +Congress, under confederation, how constituted, 97, 102 +Congress under constitution, how constituted, 104-109 +Congress, powers of, (see Powers of Congress,) +Counterfeiting, defined, 218 + United States coin, power to punish, 125 +Connecticut, constitution of, 244 +Constables, duties of, 58 +Constitution, defined, 27 + objects of, 27 + how formed, 27, 28 + of United States, 281 + history of, 100 + nature of, 101-104 + how amended, 160 + supremacy of, 161 + ratification of, by the states, 162 + amendments to, 163-166 +Consuls, appointment of, 144 + duties of, 145, 227, 228 +Contraband goods, 235, 236 +Contracts in general, 189-193 +Contracts of sale, 193-197 +Contracts, obligation of, not to be impaired, 137 +Controller, or auditor, 51 +Convention, defined, 28 +Conventional law of nations, 224 +Copy-rights and patents, power of congress concerning, 126, 127 +Coroners, duties of, 55 +Corporation, defined, 54 +Corporations, how formed, 59 + nature and powers of, 59-62 +Corruption of blood, 155 +Council, legislative, 38 +Counties, origin of, 53, 54 + powers of, 54 +County officers duties of, 54-66 +County commissioners, 54 +Courts, justices, 63-70 + county, 70 + common pleas, 70 + circuit, 70, 71 + oyer and terminer, 71 + supreme, 73 + of appeals, 73 + of chancery or equity, 73, 74 + of probate, 74 + of impeachment, 75, 76 + of United States, 151, 154 + martial, 92 +Crime, infamous, defined, 31 +Crimes and misdemeanors, 216-221 +Criminal suits, defined, 64 +Customs, duties, &c., defined, 113 + collection of, 119 + +Debt, national, at different periods, 114 +Declaration of war, 231 +Deeds and mortgages, 181-183 +Delaware, constitution of, 250 +Delegate, defined, 27 +Democracy, defined, 25, 26 +Deposit fund, U.S., 80 +Deposits in banks, 87 +Depositary, responsibility of, 200 +Descent of property, of intestates, 179, 180 +Despotism, defined, 25 +Devise of property, 177 +Diplomacy, defined, 148 +District of Columbia, power of congress over, 130 +Dividends, defined, 86 +Domestic relations, laws regulating, 171-177 +Dower, defined, and right of, 183 +Drunkards, contracts made by, when binding, 191 +Dueling, defined, 219 +Duties, imposts and excises, defined, 113 + power of congress to lay, 113 + of tunnage, states may not lay, 120 + protective, by what authority laid, 116, 117 + +Easement, defined, (see Right of Way,) 183 +Education, provision for, &c., 79 +Elections, time of, how conducted, &c., 32-35 + by plurality, 34-35 + by majority, 34-35 +Electors, qualifications of, 29-31 + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.) +Electors of president and vice-president, how chosen, 140 +Embassadors, ministers, &c, 144, 145 + their appointment and duties, 144, 145 +Embassadors, rights and powers of, 226, 227 +Embezzlement, defined, 218 +Envoys, (see Embassadors.) +Escapes, persons aiding or permitting, punishable, 220 +Excise, defined, and power to lay, 112, 113 +Execution, issuing and collection of, in justices' courts, 67, 68 + exemption from, 68 +Executive department, state, 36, 48-50 + of the United States, 138-142 + officers of, their appointment and duties, 147-150 +Executors, powers and duties of, 179 +Ex post facto laws, passage of, prohibited, 133,137 + +Factor or agent, powers and responsibilities of, 202, 203 +False imprisonment, defined, 220 +Federal, defined, 101 +Fence-viewers, duties of, 58 +Fee and fee-simple, defined, 182, 186 +Felony, power of congress to define and punish, 128 +Florida, constitution of, 258 +Forgery, defined, 218 +Franchise, defined, 31 +Franking privilege, to whom granted, 151 +Fraudulent sales, assignments, &c., 197, 200 +Freedom of speech and of the press, guarantied, 163 +Freehold, freeholder, defined, 31 +Fugitives from justice, provision for the apprehension of, 157 + from service, apprehension and return of, 157, 158 +Fund, defined, 79 +Funds, various kinds of, 79-81 + +Georgia, constitution of, 257 +Government, civil, defined, 17 + different forms of, 23-26 + division of powers of, 35-37 +Governor and lieutenant-governor, election and duties of, 48-50 +Graves, opening of, punishable, 219 +Great Britain, government of, 28, 29 +Habeas corpus, privilege of writ of, guarantied, 132 +Hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, defined, 183 +Highways, supervision and oversight of, 68 +Homicide, various kinds of, defined, 217 +Husband and wife, laws regulating the relation of, 171-174 + +Idiots and lunatics, contracts by, when binding, 190 +Illinois, constitution of, 272 +Impeachment, trial of, 75 +Imposts, duties, and excises, defined, 113 +Incest, defined, 219 +Incorporated companies, 61 +Independence of the states declared, 97 +Indiana, constitution of, 270 +Indians, power to regulate commerce with, 122 +Indictments, how made, 77 +Innkeepers, liability of, 201 +Insurance companies, 89, 90 +Insurrection and rebellion, defined, 90 +Interest, and rates of, in the different states, 215 +Intestates, descent of property of, 179, 180 +Iowa, constitution of, 276 +Issue, joining of, in justices' courts, 65 +Issues of fact and of law, defined, 71 + +Joining issue in justices' courts, 65 +Judges, appointment of, in the states, 70 + how removable, 76 + (See also Synopsis of the State Constitutions.) + of the United States courts, appointment of, 144, 146 +Judgment, rendering of, 65 + concession and collection of, in justices' courts, 67, 68 +Judicial department, state, 63-76 + of the United States, 151-154 +Jurisdiction, defined, 64 + original and appellate, defined, 70 +Juries in justices' courts, 66, 67 + grand and petit, 71 +Jury, right of trial by, secured, 66, 164, 165 +Justices' courts, proceedings of, 64-70 +Justices of the peace, jurisdiction of, 64 + +Kentucky, constitution of, 268 + +Larceny, grand and petit, defined, 218 +Law, defined, 16 + common and statute, defined, 167 +Laws necessity of, 22 + man fitted for, 17 + political, civil, municipal, defined, 21, 22 + manner of enacting, 43-48 +Laws of nations, defined, 221, 223, 224 +Leases, or estates for life, for years, at will, and by sufferance, rent, &c., 186-189 +Legislatures, state, how formed, 37-40 + meetings of, 40-43 + organization and officers of, 41-43 +Letters testamentary, and by whom issued, 179 + of administration, and by whom issued, 179 +Libel and slander, law concerning, 168, 169 +Liberty, defined, 20, 167 + of speech and of the press, secured, 163 + of conscience, 19, 170 +Lien, law concerning, 203, 205 +Lieutenant-governor, duties of, 49 +Lords, house of, 29 +Louisiana, constitution of, 262 + +Maiming, defined, 217 +Maine, constitution of, 239 +Man, fitted for government and laws, 16, 17 +Mandatary, responsibility of, 200 +Manifest, defined, 121 +Mankind, fitted for society, 15, 17 +Manslaughter, defined, 217 +Marque and reprisal, defined, 129 + power to issue letters of, 129 + states may not issue, 136 +Marriage, law concerning, 171 +Maryland, constitution of, 252 +Massachusetts, constitution of, 242 +Masters, apprentices, and servants, 175-177 +Mayor, election and duties of, 60 +Michigan, constitution of, 273 +Militia, regulation of, 90-92 +Ministers, public, their appointment and duties, 144, 145 + privilege and powers of, 145, 227 +Minors, rights and liabilities of, 175 +Minnesota, constitution of, 278 +Mints of the United States, 125 +Misdemeanors, defined, 64, 221 +Mississippi, constitution of, 260 +Missouri, constitution of, 265 +Monarchy, defined, 24, 25 +Money, power of congress to borrow, 114 + power of congress to coin, 124 + coining of, by states, prohibited, 136 + how borrowed, 84 +Moral, defined, 16 + law, defined, 21 +Mortgages, land, nature of, 182 + chattel, 199 +Murder, defined, 217 + +Nation and state, defined, 17 +Nations, jurisdiction of, 225 + rights and obligations of, 226-228 +Naturalization, power to pass laws concerning, 122, 123 +Navigation, regulation of, 119-121 + acts of Great Britain, 99 +Navy department, when established, 148 +Negative, or veto, defined, 47 +Neutral nations, rights and duties of, 228, 234-237 +New Hampshire, constitution of, 240 +New Jersey, constitution of, 247 +New York, constitution of, 245 +New states, power of congress to admit, 158 +Nonsuit, judgment of, 66 +North Carolina, constitution of, 255 +Notaries public, duties of, 214 +Notes, promissory, 207-212 + +Oaths of office, 161 + test, forbidden, 161 +Obligation of contracts, may not be impaired, 137 +Obligations of nations, 225 +Offenders, arrest of and examination, 69 +Offenses against the law of nations, power to define, 128 +Ohio, constitution of, 269 +Overseers of highways, duties of, 58 + of poor, duties of, 58 + +Pardon and reprieve, power of, 49, 143 +Parent and child, law concerning, 174, 175 +Parliament, how formed, 29 +Parol contracts, defined, 190 +Partnership, law concerning, 205, 207 +Passports, defined, 120, 121 +Patents and copy-rights, how secured, 126, 127 +Patriarch, defined, 23 +Pawnee, liability of, 201 +Peace, treaties of, 237, 238 +Pennsylvania, constitution of, 248 +Pensions, military, 149 +Perjury, defined, 219 +Personal estate, defined, 77 +Piracies and felonies, power of congress concerning, 128 +Pleadings, in justices' courts, 65 +Police courts and justices, 60 +Policy, insurance, defined, 89 +Political law, defined, 21, 27 + power, by whom exercised, 29-31 +Poll, defined, 32, 33 +Poll-list, how and by whom kept, 32 +Poll or capitation tax, 76, 77, 133 +Polygamy, defined, 219 +Poor, overseers of, their duties, 58 +Postmaster-general, power and duties of, 149, 150 +Postmasters, appointment and duties of, 149, 150 + compensation of, 149, 150 +Post-offices and post roads, power to establish, 126 +Power of congress to lay and collect taxes, &c., 112-114 + to borrow money, 114 + to regulate commerce, 114-119 + in relation to naturalization and bankruptcy, 122-124 + to coin money, and regulate weights and measures, 124-125 + to punish counterfeiting, 125 + to establish post-offices, &c., 126 + to secure patents and copy-rights, 126, 127 + to define and punish piracies, felonies, &c., 128 + to declare war, 128 + to issue letters of marque and reprisal, 129 + to provide for the national defense, generally, 129,130 + to legislate over the District of Columbia, 130 + to make all necessary and proper laws, 130, 131 +Power of congress to declare punishment of treason, 155 + to admit new states, 158 + to dispose of and regulate territory and other public property, 159 +Powers prohibited to congress, (see prohibitions on congress.) +Premium, defined, 89 +Prescription, right by, 183, 184 +President and vice-president, how chosen, 139-141 +President, powers and duties of, 143-147 + vacancy in office, how filled, 142 + power of, to fill vacancies, 146 +Principal and agent, responsibility of, 202, 205 +Printing, public, by whom and how done, 52 +Privateering, in what cases authorized, 233, 234 +Prizes in war, how disposed of, 234 +Prohibition on congress-- + to abolish the slave trade, 131, 132 + to suspend habeas corpus, 132, 133 + to pass bills of attainder, 133 + to pass ex post facto laws, 133 + in relation to taxation and commerce, 133, 134 + to grant titles of nobility, 135 +Prohibition on the states-- + to form treaties, alliances, &c., 135 + to grant letters of marque and reprisal, 136 + to coin money, 136 + to emit bills of credit, 136 + to make anything but coin a tender, 136 + to impair the obligation of contracts, 137 + to pass bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, 137 + to grant titles of nobility, 137 + to lay duties, 137, 138 +Promissory notes, rules concerning, 207-212 +Protective duties, nature of described, 116, 117 + +Quarantine regulations, 121 +Quorum, defined, 42 + +Rail-roads, by what authority and how made, 84, 85 +Ratification of constitution by states, 162 + of treaties, 144 +Ratio of representation in congress, how ascertained, &c., 105, 106 +Real estate, defined, 77 + of intestates, descent of, 179, 180 +Rebellion, defined, 90, 91 +Recognizance, defined, 69 +Recorder or register, county, duties of, 55 +Records, public, proving and effect of, 156, 157 +Registry of vessels, 120 +Religion, freedom in matters of, secured, 163 +Representative, defined, 27, 28 +Representatives, state, how apportioned and elected, 37-39 + qualifications of, 40 +Representatives in congress, how apportioned, 105 + qualifications of, 104, 105 +Reprieve and pardon, defined, and power to grant, 49, 143 +Reprisals, power to make, forbidden to states, 136 +Reprisals in war, 229, 230 +Republic, defined, 26 +Republican government, guarantied to the states, 159 +Respondent, defined, 69 +Revenue, defined, 80 + national, how raised, 112-114 +Revolution, causes of, 94-97 +Rhode Island, constitution of, 243 +Rights and liberty, defined, 18-20 +Rights of person and property, defined, 18, 19, 167 +Right of property, how acquired, 16, 177 +Right by prescription, 184-186 +Right of way, law concerning, 183, 184 +Right of waters, 183, 185 +Right of search, 236 +Riot, defined, and how suppressed, 220 +Roads, (see Highways.) +Robbery, defined, 218 + +School funds, schools, &c., 79-82 +Sealer of weights and measures, duty of, 59 +Secretary of state, of state government, 50 +Secretary of state of the United States, duties of, 148 + of the treasury, 148 + of the interior, 149 + of war, 149 + of the navy, 149 +Selectmen, duties of, 57 +Senate, state, how constituted, 38-40 +Senators and representatives, qualifications of, 40 + (See State Constitutions.) +Senate of the United States, how formed, 108, 109 + qualifications of members of, 111 + vacancies in, how filled, 110, 111 +Sergeant-at-arms, appointment and duties of, 42 +Servants, rights and liabilities of, 176, 177 +Sheriff and shire, origin of, 53, 54 + powers and duties of, 55 +Slander and libel, law concerning, 168, 169 +Slave trade, not to be prohibited before 1808, 131, 132 + declared piracy, 132 +Society, civil, defined, 17 + mankind fitted for, 15-17 +South Carolina, constitution of, 256 +Sovereignty, defined, 24 +Speaker of house and senate, 41 +Specialty, defined, 283 +Spies in war, 233 +State and nation, defined, 17 +State constitutions, synopsis of, 239-280 +State officers, executive, 50-52 +State records, effect and proof of, 156, 157 +State printer, appointment and business of, 52 +Statute law, defined, 167 +Stocks, public, defined, 84 +Stratagems in war, 233 +Subpoena, nature and service of, 65 +Summons, suits commenced by, 64-66 +Superintendent of schools, duties of, 52, 81 +Supervisors, board of, of whom composed, 54 + of towns, duties of, 54, 57 + of highways, duties of, 58 +Surveyor of county, 56 +Surveyor-general, duties of, 52 +Swearing, profane, unlawful, 221 +Synopsis of the state constitutions, 239-280 + +Taxation, power of congress in relation to, 112-114 +Taxes, assessment and collection of, 76-78 + how apportioned among the states, 106-107 +Tender, what lawful, 136 +Tennessee, constitution of, 266 +Testament, (see Wills and Testaments.) +Texas, constitution of, 263 +Theocracy, defined, and government of, 24 +Town clerk, duties of, 57 +Town officers, election and duties of, 56-59 +Towns and townships, organization and powers of, 53, 56 +Treason against states, defined, 217 + power of congress concerning, 155, 156 + attainder of, 155 +Treasurer, of state, duties of, 51 + of county, 54, 55 + of towns, 58 +Treaties, how and by whom made, 244 + by states prohibited, 135 + of peace, 237, 238 +Treaty, defined, 144 +Truces in war, 237 +Trustees of townships, power and duties of, 57 +Tunnage, duties, states prohibited to lay, 119, 120 + +Union, nature of the, 101-104 +Usury, defined, and forfeiture in case of, 215 + +Vacancy, in legislature, how filled, 40 + in United States senate, how filled, 110, 111 +Venire issuing of, 67 +Verdict, defined, and how rendered, 67 +Vermont, constitution of, 241 +Vessels, registry, and measurement of, 120 +Veto, defined, 47 +Veto, in different states, (see State Constitutions.) +Villages, incorporation and government of, 61 +Virginia, constitution of, 253 +Viva voce, voting by, 34 +Voters, qualifications of, in different states, (see State Constitutions.) + +War, power of congress to declare, 128 + offensive and defensive, 228, 231 + causes and objects of, 228, 229 + reprisals in, 229, 230 + alliances in, 230, 231 + how declared, 231 + effect of, on the enemy's subjects, 232 + stratagems in, 233 + privateering and prizes, 233, 234 + truces in, 237 +Warrant, prosecution by, 69 +Weights and measures, 59, 125 +Wills and testaments, 177, 179 +Wisconsin, constitution of, 275 + + + + +Questions + + + +Chapter I. + + +Sec.1. What is the natural state of mankind? + +Sec.2. What renders them mutually dependent? By what means are they enabled +to supply their wants? + +Sec.3. Why should every man labor for himself? + +Sec.4. What comes from this arrangement? + +Sec.5. How are the rights of men secured to them? + +Sec.6. What is _law_? + +Sec.7. For what else than society are mankind fitted by nature? Define +_moral_. + +Sec.8. What is implied in man's having a moral nature? + +Sec.9. What qualities or faculties in mankind fit them for government and +law? + +Sec.10. What is a state or nation? + +Sec.11. What is the object of forming state associations? What is meant by +_civil government_? + + + +Chapter II. + + +Sec.2. Define the word _right_. May we do whatever we please? + +Sec.3. Why are rights called _natural_? Why _inalienable_? How may they be +lost? + +Sec.4. What are _personal_ rights? Define rights of person and right of +property. State the distinction between personal rights and the rights +of person. + +Sec.5. Define _political_ rights. What particular rights are political? + +Sec.6. What are _civil_ rights? + +Sec.7. _Religious_ rights? What else are they called? + +Sec.8. Under what general term are the different rights embraced? + +Sec.9. What is _liberty_? Political, civil, and religious liberty? + +Sec.10. What is the difference between _right_ and _liberty_? + +Sec.11. What does this example further explain? + + + +Chapter III. + + +Sec.1. Define _law_. By what names are laws distinguished? + +Sec.2. Define the _law of nature_. + +Sec.3. From what does the law of nature arise? + +Sec.4. What is meant by the _moral law_? + +Sec.5. Define _political law_. + +Sec.6. Define _municipal_. How are municipal or civil laws distinguished +from political? + +Sec.7. Ought the divine law in all cases to be obeyed? + +Sec.8. Why then are human laws necessary? + +Sec.9. Can you give any other reason? + +Sec.10. What measure of love is due to the Creator and our fellow men +respectively? + +Sec.11. What are the characteristics of this law of love? + + + +Chapter IV. + + +Sec.1. What were the earliest governments? Define _patriarch_. + +Sec.2. What was the government of the Hebrews called? Define _theocracy_. + +Sec.3. What is _sovereign_ or _supreme power_? + +Sec.4. What is a _monarchy_? An absolute monarchy? A limited monarchy? + +Sec.5. A hereditary monarchy? An elective monarchy? + +Sec.6. A _despotism_? Define _despot_ and _tyrant_. + +Sec.7. What is an _aristocracy_? Define the word + +Sec.8. What is a _democracy_? Define the word. + +Sec.9. What is a _republic_? Wherein do a democracy and a republic differ? + +Sec.10. What is a _commonwealth_? + + + +Chapter V. + + +Sec.1. What is the object of civil government? How is this object best +secured? + +Sec.2. What is a constitution? By what name is it called? + +Sec.3. What is it's nature? + +Sec.4. By what authority is a constitution made? + +Sec.5. By whom is a constitution formed? What is the assembly called? + +Sec.6. How is a constitution adopted? + +Sec.7. How are the rights of the people secured by a constitution? + +Sec.8. What is the condition of the people in an absolute monarchy? + +Sec.9. Describe briefly the government of Great Britain. What political +rights have the people? + +Sec.10. Of what does the constitution of Great Britain consist? + + + +Chapter VI. + + +Sec.1. By what are the qualifications of voters prescribed? + +Sec.2. Who are freemen? + +Sec.3. Why should none but freemen vote? + +Sec.4. Why is a term of residence required? + +Sec.5. Why are not aliens immediately allowed to vote? + +Sec.6. In what state do colored men vote? + +Sec.7. How are electors sometimes disfranchised? What is an infamous crime? + +Sec.8. What is said of property as a qualification? + + + +Chapter VII. + + +Sec.1. For what purpose is the territory of a state divided? + +Sec.2. What are the territorial divisions of a state called? + +Sec.3. When are state elections generally held? + +Sec.4. By whom are elections conducted? Define _poll_. + +Sec.5. Describe the manner of voting. Define _ballot_. + +Sec.6. Who may challenge voters? + +Sec.7. How and why are voters registered? Are they registered in this +state? + +Sec.8. How is it determined what persons are elected? + +Sec.10. What is _viva voce_ voting? + +Sec.11. What is an election by plurality? By majority? + +Sec.12. What objections are there to either of these models? + + + +Chapter VIII. + + +Sec.1, 2. What division of power is first mentioned? Give the distinction +between the political and civil powers. + +Sec.3. What is said of political power in absolute and mixed governments? + +Sec.4. How is the civil power divided? What is the business of the +legislature? How is a legislature constituted? + +Sec.5. What is the executive department? In whom is the power vested? + +Sec.6. What is the business of the judicial department? Of what does it +consist? + +Sec.7. Can you give any reasons for this division of the civil power? + +Sec.8. How is the legislative power divided? + + + +Chapter IX. + + +Sec.1. Of what branches is a legislature composed? + +Sec.2. Why is only one called house of representatives? + +Sec.3. For how long terms are senators chosen? How long in this state? + +Sec.4. Why is the senate called upper house? + +Sec.5. How are senators apportioned? How in this state? + +Sec.6. How are representatives apportioned? For what terms elected? How +apportioned, and for what term elected in this state? + +Sec.7. What is the general object of apportionment? + +Sec.8. How in an equal representation provided for? + +Sec.9. How often are enumerations made? How often in this state? Define +_census_? + +Sec.10. What are the qualifications of senators and representatives in this +state? + +Sec.11. How are vacancies filled in the senate? + + + +Chapter X. + + +Sec.1. How often do legislatures meet? How often in this state? What is +meant by _session_? + +Sec.2. Where do legislatures meet? What is the place called? + +Sec.3. To what are members bound by their oath of office? + +Sec.4. How are the houses organized? What are the presiding officers +called? + +Sec.5. What are their general duties? + +Sec.6. What other officers are chosen? and what are their duties? + +Sec.7. Define _quorum_. What number is a quorum in this state? + +Sec.8. Are the proceedings ever secret? + +Sec.9. What provision is made to prevent interruption? + + + +Chapter XI. + + +Sec.1. When is the governor's message communicated? What does it contain? + +Sec.2. In what other way are measures introduced? + +Sec.3. What is done to expedite business? How are committees appointed? and +what do they do? + +Sec.5. Name some of the committees. + +Sec.6. What are _standing_ committees? _Select_ committees? + +Sec.7. How do committees discharge their duties? + +Sec.8. Wherein does the utility of committees appear? + +Sec.9. What is a bill? + +Sec.10. By whom, and how, are bills introduced? + +Sec.11. How often must a bill be read? When is it amended? + +Sec.12. After the second reading and amendment, what follows? + +Sec.13. Describe the proceedings on the final passage of a bill. + +Sec.14. How is it acted on in the other house? + +Sec.15. Why is a legislature divided into two branches? + +Sec.16. Why are bills submitted to the governor for his approval? Define +_veto_. + +Sec.17. What if a governor refuses to sign a bill? Are bills presented to +the governor in this state? If so, and he disapproves them, by what +majorities must they be again passed? Within how many days is he to +return bills in this state? + + + +Chapter XII. + + +Sec.1. For what terms are governors chosen? For what term in this state? + +Sec.2. What are the qualifications for governor in this state? + +Sec.3. What are his general powers and duties? + +Sec.4. In what cases has he power to grant reprieves and pardons? Define +these words. What is _commute_? + +Sec.5. Are any officers in this state appointed by the governor? Is there a +council? + +Sec.6. What are the duties of a lieutenant-governor? Is there one in this +state? + +Sec.7. When he acts as governor, who takes the chair of the senate? + + + +Chapter XIII. + + +Sec.1. What assistant executive officers are there in this state? Are they +appointed or elected? + +Sec.2. What are the duties of the secretary of state? + +Sec.3. Of an auditor or controller? + +Sec.4. Of a treasurer? + +Sec.5. Of what officers are sureties required? + +Sec.6. What are the duties of an attorney-general? Is there one in this +state? + +Sec.7. The duties of surveyor-general? Is there one in this state? + +Sec.8. A superintendent of schools? + +Sec.9. What is the business of state printer? + +Sec.10. What other state officers are there? + + + +Chapter XIV. + + +Sec.1. For what reasons is a state divided into counties and townships? + +Sec.2. How large are townships? + +Sec.3. From what comes the name of _county_? Of _shire_, and _sheriff_? + +Sec.4. Define _corporation_. What powers have town and county corporations? + +Sec.5. In what officers are these powers vested? In whom in this state? + +Sec.6. What are the duties of a county treasurer? + +Sec.7. Of a register or recorder? Where are deeds, &c., recorded in this +state? + +Sec.8. What are a sheriff's duties? + +Sec.9. What is the business of a coroner? + +Sec.10. Are there state's attorneys in the counties of this state? + +Sec.11. Is there a county surveyor? + +Sec.12. Are county officers elected by the people in this state? + + + +Chapter XV. + + +Sec.1. Into what are counties divided? + +Sec.2. What is done at the annual town meetings? + +Sec.3. What officers are elected? Are all there elected in the towns of +this state? + +Sec.4. What are those officers called who direct town affairs? What in this +state? + +Sec.5. What are the duties of a town clerk? + +Sec.6. What officers in this state have the care of highways? What is a +poll-tax? + +Sec.7. By whom are the poor provided for? Are there county poor-houses in +this state? + +Sec.8. The duties of constables? + +Sec.9. Of treasurer? Are there town treasurers in this state? + +Sec.10. The duties of fence-viewers? + +Sec.11. Of town-sealer? + + + +Chapter XVI. + + +Sec.1. Why is the incorporation of cities, &c., necessary? + +Sec.2. How are city charters obtained? Define _charter_? + +Sec.3. What are the principal city officers called? What inferior officers +are elected? + +Sec.4. Are the citizens governed wholly by their own laws? + +Sec.5. What criminal court is peculiar to cities? + +Sec.6. What are village officers usually called? + +Sec.7. Illustrate, by example, the necessity of a village incorporation? + +Sec.8. Are corporations always formed by special laws? + +Sec.9. What is said of incorporated _companies_? + +Sec.10. What is peculiar in the nature of corporations? + +Sec.11. In what does a state differ from other government corporations? + +Sec.12. Wherein do all government corporations differ from incorporated +business companies? + + + +Chapter XVII. + + +Sec.2. What is the business of the judicial department? + +Sec.3. If there were no courts of justice, what would be the result? + +Sec.4. What are the lowest courts called? Why? Define _jurisdiction_? + +Sec.5. To what extent has a justice jurisdiction? + +Sec.6. What are civil causes? Criminal? Misdemeanors? + +Sec.7. How is a suit in a justice's court commenced? + +Sec.8. How is a summon served? + +Sec.9. Describe the manner of joining issue. + +Sec.10. How are witnesses procured? and how is the issue tried? + +Sec.11. What if a defendant or plaintiff does not appear? + +Sec.12. How is judgment confessed? + + + +Chapter XVIII. + + +Sec.1. Why are juries instituted? + +Sec.2. What is a _jury_? A _verdict_? + +Sec.3. A _venire_? + +Sec.4. How are jurors kept during their deliberations? + +Sec.5. What is done if they agree? If they disagree? + +Sec.6. What is an _execution_? What if it is not satisfied? + +Sec.7. Is all personal property liable to be sold on execution? + +Sec.8. What is an _attachment_? In what cases is it used? + +Sec.9. How is it served? + +Sec.10. What if a party is dissatisfied with a judgment? + +Sec.11. What power have justices in cases of crime? + +Sec.12. How are offenders arrested and examined? + +Sec.13. How is the prisoner disposed of if the justice can not try him? + +Sec.14. Define _recognizance_ and _bail_? + + + +Chapter XIX. + + +Sec.1. How are county courts constituted? How in this state? + +Sec.2. What causes are tried in them? What is _appellate_ and what +_original_ jurisdiction? + +Sec.3. Name the courts of this state. What jurisdiction has a circuit +court? + +Sec.4. What juries have county and circuit courts? What is an issue of +fact? An issue of law? + +Sec.5. How are the jurors selected? + +Sec.6. What is the business of a grand jury? Of what number does it consist +in this state? + +Sec.7. Describe the proceedings of a grand jury. What is an indictment? + +Sec.8. Why are grand juries instituted? + +Sec.9. By what instrument are grand juries required? + +Sec.10. What is the opinion of some on this subject? + +Sec.11. Is there a supreme court in this state? Describe it. Is there a +higher court? + +Sec.12. How are suits commenced in county and other higher courts? + + + +Chapter XX. + + +Sec.1. What is the object of a court of chancery? + +Sec.2. Mention some of its powers. + +Sec.3. Are there separate and distinct chancery courts in this state? + +Sec.4. How are suits commenced and tried in these courts? + +Sec.5. What is the business of a probate court? + +Sec.6. What is a court of impeachment? Its business? What is an +impeachment? By whom made? + +Sec.7. How is it done? + +Sec.8. Describe the mode of trial. What follows conviction? + +Sec.9. By what other modes are judicial officers removed? + + + +Chapter XXI. + + +Sec.1. How is money raised for government purposes? What is a poll-tax? + +Sec.2. What property is exempt from taxation? What is real, and what +personal property? + +Sec.3. By whom, and how, is property valued? How in this state? + +Sec.5. Of what three items does the tax consist? + +Sec.6. How is it ascertained? + +Sec.7. Who in this state cause the tax-list to be made out, and order the +taxes to be collected? + +Sec.8. To whom is the money paid when collected? + + + +Chapter XXII. + + +Sec.1. What is the proper object of government? How is it to be done? + +Sec.2. What is the effect of education upon a people? Of ignorance? + +Sec.3. Why should government provide the means of education? + +Sec.4. To what extent is this done? By what means? + +Sec.5. How is the deficiency in the income of the school fund supplied? + +Sec.6. How, and to what extent, are school funds provided in the new +states? + +Sec.7. In what way, and to what extent, were the school funds increased in +1837? + +Sec.8. How are school moneys from the state treasury apportioned? How is +the deficiency in the public moneys to pay teachers made up? + +Sec.9. Why are schools called _district_ schools, and _common_ schools? +What officers are elected in districts? + +Sec.10. What is the state superintendent in this state called? + + + +Chapter XXIII. + + +Sec.1. What other duty does the government owe to the citizens? + +Sec.2. What portion of the people of a state are most favored? + +Sec.3. By whom are canals made? Is there such a public work in this state? + +Sec.4. Why should not the money to make them be raised by a general tax? + +Sec.5. How are funds sometimes provided for this purpose? + +Sec.6. For the want of such funds, how is the money obtained? How is it to +be repaid? + +Sec.7. How is the business of borrowing done? What are _state stocks_? + +Sec.8. What renders the purchase of state stocks a safe transaction? + +Sec.9. By whom are canal affairs managed? + +Sec.10. What states are most noted for their canals? + +Sec.11. By whom are rail-roads usually constructed? Why is an act of +incorporation necessary? + +Sec.12. What does the act provide? + +Sec.13. How is the capital, or stock, raised? What officers are chosen, and +by whom? + +Sec.14. What is the nature of these certificates of stock? + +Sec.15. How do stockholders expect to be refunded? What are dividends? When +are stocks at par? When above or below par? + + + +Chapter XXIV. + + +Sec.1. Where were the first banks? and whence is the name derived? + +Sec.2. By what authority are our banks established? How is the capital +stock raised? + +Sec.3. How do business men deposit and draw out their money? + +Sec.4. What is a _certificate of deposit_? How is it made transferable? and +convertible into money? + +Sec.5. Describe the manner of transmitting money through banks. + +Sec.6. How are banks repaid? What is saved to business men by this mode of +remittance? + +Sec.7. Describe the operation of lending money by a bank. + +Sec.8. Describe a bank bill. What if a bank is unable to redeem its bills? +How are bill-holders secured against loss? + +Sec.9. What is the nature of the free banking system? + +Sec.10. How does this law provide for the security of bill-holders? + +Sec.11. What is the business of insurance companies? What do they insure? +Define _policy-premium_. + +Sec.12. Of what consist the profits of stock insurance companies? Show this +by an example. + +Sec.13. How are companies enabled to fix proper rates of insurance? Is all +property insured at the same rate? Why not? + +Sec.14. Describe the character of mutual insurance companies. How is money +raised for paying losses? + + + +Chapter XXV. + + +Sec.1. What preparation is made for the public defense? What does the word +_militia_ include? + +Sec.2. For what other purpose may portions of the militia be wanted? Define +_insurrection_ and _rebellion_. + +Sec.3. Who are liable to do military service? Who are exempt by the laws of +the states generally? + +Sec.4. Who by the laws of the United States? + +Sec.5. What military authority have the governors and the president? Why +have they this power? + +Sec.6. How are persons dealt with for non-attendance and delinquency at +parades? + +Sec.7. What are the duties of the adjutant-general? + +Sec.8. What is the business of a commissary-general? Is there one in this +state? Define _arsenal_. + +Sec.9. What is done in the case of persons averse to bearing arms? Are any +exempt in this state without commuting? + +Sec.10. What regulations exist in New York and Ohio? + +Sec.11. For what reasons is the drilling of the whole militia deemed +unnecessary? + +Sec.12. What is your opinion of war? What is a better way of settling +disputes between nations? + + + +Chapter XXVI. + + +Sec.2. What is there in our government that renders a knowledge of it +important to the people? + +Sec.3. To what country were the American colonies subject? What is a +_colony_? + +Sec.4. Whence did the people derive their rights and privileges? What was +the _form_ of the colonial governments? + +Sec.5. From whom did the officers derive their power? Were any elected? On +whose approval did the laws finally depend? + +Sec.6. What was the effect of this upon the colonists? What was the object +of the laws of parliament relating to the colonies? + +Sec.6, 7. What did some of these laws require? + +Sec.8. By what particular means did that government secure the colonial +trade? Define _duty_. + +Sec.9. Explain the nature and effect of these duties. + +Sec.10. What right did parliament claim? What act was accordingly passed? +What did the colonists do? What was the final result? + + + +Chapter XXVII. + + +Sec.1. When did the first continental congress meet? How were its members +chosen? What great act did it do in 1776? + +Sec.2. What did it in November, 1777? When did the confederation go into +effect? + +Sec.3. How did the union formed by it prove? What was the probable cause of +its imperfections? + +Sec.4. What was its leading defect? Mention some instances of its weakness? + +Sec.5. What probably aided in inducng compliance with the ordinances of +congress? + +Sec.6. What new difficulties arose after peace? What difficulty attended +the laying of duties by the states? + +Sec.7. For what other purpose did congress need the power to lay duties? +How had Great Britain secured the carrying trade? + +Sec.8. What other trouble arose from this imperfect union? + +Sec.9. How was this difficulty sought to be remedied? + +Sec.10. What was the result of the meeting at Annapolis? + +Sec.11. In what did the recommending of a convention result? How was the +constitution ratified in the states? + +Sec.12. To give it effect, how many states must ratify? When were +ratifications received from Rhode Island and North Carolina? + + + +Chapter XXVIII. + + +Sec.2. What is a confederacy? Was the confederation a union of people? or a +union of states? From what does this appear? + +Sec.3. What is the union under the constitution? Where is this declared? + +Sec.4. What is said of the former independence of the states? What power +has the general government acquired by the constitution? + +Sec.5. How did the equality of the states in the old congress appear? To +how many delegates were they entitled? How did they vote? + +Sec.6. How are the states now represented? How do representatives vote? + +Sec.7. State the difference between the bodies that framed and ratified the +two instruments respectively. + +Sec.8. Was the government under the confederation properly _national_? How +does it appear that it was not? What change did the constitution effect? + +Sec.9. What early act of the constitutional convention shows the present +government to be national? + +Sec.10. What departments of power were wanting under the confederation? + +Sec.11. Is the present government wholly national? Why not? + + + +Chapter XXIX. + + +Sec.1. Of what does congress consist? For what terms were members of the +old congress appointed? Why has the term of a representative been +extended to two years? + +Sec.2. What qualifications are required for voting for representatives? +What reasons were there for this rule? + +Sec.3. What are the qualifications of a representative? Give the reasons +for these qualifications. + +Sec.4. Give the rule of apportioning representatives and direct taxes. + +Sec.5. What made it difficult to agree upon a rule of apportionment? In +what states did slavery then exist? Name the present slaveholding +states. + +Sec.7. Upon what terms was the question of apportionment settled? + +Sec.8. Illustrate the rule by an example. + +Sec.9. How are the slave states benefited by this arrangement as to taxes? + +Sec.10. What do they gain as to representation? + +Sec.11. How is the number of representatives limited? How often is the +ratio of representation fixed? + +Sec.12. Why has the ratio been from time to time increased? How is a +representation secured to the smallest states? + +Sec.13. State the ratio and the number of representatives after each +census. + +Sec.14. How is a state districted for choosing representatives? When are +they chosen? + +Sec.15. How are territories represented? + + + +Chapter XXX. + + +Sec.1. How is the senate constituted? Upon what points did the convention +differ? How was the matter settled? + +Sec.2. In what provision does the federative principle appear? + +Sec.3. In what is there a difference between the old congress and the +senate? + +Sec.4. What reasons are offered in favor of a short term of office? What in +favor of a long term? + +Sec.6. What is said in favor of the present term? + +Sec.7. Why were not the terms of all the senators made to expire at once? + +Sec.8. How are vacancies in the office of senator filled? + +Sec.9. Can an appointment be made before a vacancy actually happens? State +a case. + +Sec.10. What reasons are there for the required qualifications of senators +as to age, citizenship, and residence in the state? + +Sec.11. How do bills become laws after they have been vetoed by the +president? + + + +Chapter XXXI. + + +Sec.2. What difference is here noticed between the general and state +governments in respect to their powers? + +Sec.3. What is the first in the list of powers given to congress? + +Sec.4. For what purpose was this power necessary? What is _direct_ and what +_indirect_ taxation? + +Sec.5. Define duties, customs, imposts, and excises. + +Sec.6. Define _specific_ and _ad valorem_ duties. + +Sec.7. Why are duties required to be uniform throughout the United States? + +Sec.8. By what means was the old national debt paid? How large was it at +different periods? + +Sec.9. Why is the power to borrow money necessary? + + + +Chapter XXXII. + + +Sec.1. From what arose the necessity of the power to regulate foreign +commerce? What was the British policy? + +Sec.2. In what consisted the inequality of trade between the two countries? + +Sec.3. Show, by example, how Great Britain secured a home market for her +agricultural products. + +Sec.4. What other benefits did she derive from her policy? + +Sec.5. Why were we obliged to submit to the payment of these duties? Why +not manufacture for ourselves? + +Sec.6. Why did not our government retaliate by imposing like duties upon +British goods and vessels? + +Sec.7. What are duties designed to encourage home manufactures called? + +Sec.8. Show, by example, the operation and effect of a protective duty. + +Sec.9. By what other power may this object be partially effected? Show how. + +Sec.10. Why, then, was not one of these powers sufficient? + +Sec.11. Show, by example, why the free importation of foreign goods and +direct taxation are not deemed the better policy. + +Sec.13. How early, and how, was domestic industry encouraged? What rendered +high duties for a time unnecessary? + +Sec.14. What afterwards made it necessary for congress to exercise more +extensively its powers to regulate trade? When did the system of +protection properly commence? Where has since been the principal market +for agricultural products? + +Sec.15. Where, and by whom, are the duties or customs collected? + + + +Chapter XXXIII. + + +Sec.1. What is _navigation_? + +Sec.2. What is _tunnage_? _Tunnage duties_? For what purpose were these +duties laid? Why were they called _discriminating_ duties? + +Sec.3. What has been their effect? What has caused their discontinuance? + +Sec.4. How are vessels registered? + +Sec.5. What is a _manifest_? A _clearance_? + +Sec.6. At whose request are passports furnished to vessels? What is a +_passport_? By whom given? + +Sec.7. How is the safety of passengers and crew provided for? + +Sec.8. Define _quarantine_. What has congress enacted in relation to +quarantines? + +Sec.9. Why was power given to congress to regulate _internal_ commerce, or +commerce among the states? + +Sec.10. Why the power to regulate commerce with the Indian tribes? + + + +Chapter XXXIV. + + +Sec.1. What were the disqualifications of aliens by the common law? Why are +these disqualifications deemed proper? + +Sec.2. When ought they to be removed? Why should the rule of naturalization +be uniform? + +Sec.3. Describe the manner in which an alien is naturalized. + +Sec.4. How do alien minors become citizens? + +Sec.5. What is a _bankrupt_? A bankrupt law? What is the object of such +laws? + +Sec.6. Why is the power to pass them given to congress? Why should they be +uniform? + +Sec.7. Why is the power to coin money and regulate its value given to +congress? What change in the system of reckoning has been effected? + +Sec.8. At what places is money coined? What is _bullion_? + +Sec.9. Why is the power to fix the standard of weights and measures vested +in congress? + +Sec.10. Why has congress the power to provide for punishing the +counterfeiting of the securities and coin of the United States? + + + +Chapter XXXV. + + +Sec.1. Why is the power to establish post-offices given to congress? + +Sec.2. How are useful arts and sciences promoted? + +Sec.3. How does an author of a work proceed in procuring a copy-right? By +whom, and where, is the title recorded? + +Sec.4. What else must the author do? For how many years is the right +obtained? For what term, and how, may the right be continued? + +Sec.5. Where are patents for inventions obtained? How does the inventor +proceed? + +Sec.6. How much must he pay before his petition is considered? For what +term are patents granted? For what term may they be renewed? + + + +Chapter XXXVI. + + +Sec.1. Define _piracy_ and _felony_. Why is the power to define and punish +these crimes given to congress? + +Sec.2. Why also the power to define and punish offenses against the law of +nations? + +Sec.3. Why the power to declare war? Who exercises this power in +monarchies? + +Sec.4. What are letters of marque and reprisal? Why should not an +individual redress his private wrongs? + +Sec.5. Why should not the states authorize reprisals? + +Sec.6. Why has congress the power to make rules concerning captures? How is +captured property distributed? + +Sec.7. Why is the general power to provide for the national defense +intrusted to congress? + +Sec.8. Why was given to congress entire control over the district +containing the seat of government? + +Sec.9. What district is here referred to? Over what other places has +congress exclusive authority? + +Sec.10. What is the last power granted in the list here enumerated? Why is +this general grant of power to make laws deemed necessary? + +Sec.11. What opinion is held by some in regard to this power? On what +reasons is this opinion founded? + + + +Chapter XXXVII. + + +Sec.1. What is the first prohibition on congress? + +Sec.2. To what has this reference? For what reasons was this prohibition +assented to? + +Sec.3. Have men a natural right to buy and sell each other? When was the +foreign slave trade prohibited? How is it now punishable? + +Sec.4. Define _habeas corpus_. What is the privilege of this writ? + +Sec.5. What is a bill of attainder? When is it a bill of pains and +penalties? + +Sec.6. What is an _ex post facto_ law? Give examples of ex post facto laws. + +Sec.7. What is a capitation tax? To what provision of the constitution does +this prohibition refer? What does it mean? + +Sec.8. Why are duties on exports forbidden? How might the interests of the +different states be injuriously affected by taxing exports? + +Sec.9. What further reasons are given for this prohibition? How is freedom +and equality in trade secured to the states? + +Sec.10. By what provision is the proper disposal of the public moneys +secured? + +Sec.11. Why is the granting of titles of nobility forbidden? How are public +officers guarded against corruption from foreign influence? + + + +Chapter XXXVIII. + + +Sec.1. What is a treaty? An alliance? A confederation? Why are states +forbidden to enter into them? + +Sec.2. Why should not states issue letters of marque and reprisal? + +Sec.3. Why should they not coin money? + +Sec.4. Why were they forbidden to emit bills of credit? Does the +prohibition extend to bank bills? + +Sec.5. What is meant by _tender_, usually termed _lawful_ or _legal +tender_? Why should coin only be made tender in payment of debts? + +Sec.6. Why is the passing of bills of attainder and ex post facto laws by +states forbidden? Why are laws impairing the force of contracts +prohibited? + +Sec.7. Do insolvent or bankrupt laws impair the obligation of contracts? +States have passed such laws; were they constitutional? How has the +question been decided? + +Sec.8. Why is the granting of titles forbidden to the states? + +Sec.9. What objections to the general power of the states to tax exports or +imports? What exception is made to the prohibition? + +Sec.10. What is the object of this exception? + +Sec.11. What other restrictions are there upon the power of the states? + + + +Chapter XXXIX. + + +Sec.1. In whom is the executive power of the nation vested? + +Sec.2. For what reasons was this power given to one person only? + +Sec.3. Why were four years agreed on as the official term? + +Sec.4. By whom is the president elected? Has the mode of election ever been +altered? + +Sec.5. By what authority is the manner of choosing the electors prescribed? +By whom are they chosen at present? + +Sec.6. In what manner are they chosen? Describe particularly the election +by general ticket. When are electors chosen? + +Sec.7. Where and when do the electors vote for president? How, when, and to +whom, are certificates of their votes sent? + +Sec.8. When, where, and by whom are the votes counted? How is the election +determined? If no person has a majority of all the votes, by whom is the +election made? How do the members vote? + +Sec.9. Describe the election of president by the house in 1825. + +Sec.10. How is the vice-president elected if there is no choice by the +electors? + +Sec.11. What are the qualifications of the president and vice-president? + +Sec.12. How is a vacancy in the office of president supplied? What further +provision is made for supplying vacancies? + +Sec.13. Why may not the salary of a president be increased or diminished? + +Sec.14. When does the presidential term commence and expire? + + + +Chapter XL. + + +Sec.1. What high military office has the president? Why is the command of +the public forces intrusted to him? + +Sec.2. For what reasons the power to grant reprieves and pardons? + +Sec.3. What other powers has the president? For what purposes are treaties +made? Who exercises this power in monarchies? Why is not the house +associated with the president and senate? + +Sec.4. For what reasons is the senate preferred? Who appoint embassadors? + +Sec.5. By whom and how are treaties negotiated? By whom ratified? + +Sec.6. What is here mentioned as the practice of civilized nations? What +are the duties of the secretary of state in our intercourse with foreign +nations? + +Sec.7. What titles have representatives at foreign courts? Who are +embassadors _in ordinary_ and _extraordinary_? Envoys? Envoys +_plenipotentiary_? + +Sec.8. What are our representatives abroad called? What are _charges des +affaires_? + +Sec.9. What is the business of consuls? + +Sec.10. Why is the appointment of judges of the supreme court given to the +president and senate? + +Sec.11. For what reason should the president have the right to select the +heads of the departments? + +Sec.12. What power has the president alone in filling vacancies? Why is +such a power necessary? + +Sec.13. What other powers and duties of the president are mentioned in the +constitution? + +Sec.14. What officers are removable by impeachment? and for what offenses? + + + +Chapter XLI. + + +Sec.1. Among what departments is the executive business of the nation +distributed? By what names are the head officers called? How appointed? + +Sec.2. What departments did the first congress establish? What officers +constituted the first cabinet? When were the heads of the navy, +post-office, and interior departments respectively added? + +Sec.3. What are the duties of the secretary of state relating to foreign +affairs? Define diplomacy and diplomatist. + +Sec.4. What are the duties of the secretary in relation to home affairs? + +Sec.5. What are the duties of the secretary of the treasury? + +Sec.6. What are his principal assistants? + +Sec.7. What are the duties of the secretary of the interior? What is a +_pension_? To what classes of persons are pensions allowed? To whom are +bounties of lands allowed? + +Sec.8. To what do the duties of the secretary of war relate? + +Sec.9. What is the business of the secretary of the navy? and of the navy +commissioners? + +Sec.10. What are the principal duties of the postmaster general? Who are +his principal assistants? + +Sec.11. What is the business of postmasters in relation to keeping accounts +of letters, advertising letters, and making returns to the general +post-office? What are _dead_ letters? + +Sec.12. How are postmasters paid for their services? State the rates of +commission. To what amount of compensation are postmasters limited? What +postmasters are appointed by the president and senate? + +Sec.13. Who are entitled to the franking privilege? and to what extent? How +is franking done? What government officers frank matter on official +business? + +Sec.14. What are the duties of the attorney-general? + + + +Chapter XLII. + + +Sec.1. Was there a national judiciary under the confederation? In what +courts is the judicial power of the U.S. vested? + +Sec.2. By whom, and for what term, are the judges appointed? Why is the +term made so long? + +Sec.3. How is the independence of the judges further secured? Why should +congress not have power to reduce their salaries? + +Sec.4. Cases of what nature are tried in the national courts? + +Sec.5. Why is the trial of crimes to be held in the state where committed? + +Sec.6. Which are the lowest national courts? How is a district court +constituted? What cases does it try? + +Sec.7. How many circuits are there? How is a circuit court constituted? +What cases does it try? + +Sec.8. How is the supreme court constituted? Where, and when, does it hold +sessions? What is its principal business? + +Sec.9. What important object is so cared by the supreme court? How are +state laws and the decisions of state courts affected by the decisions +of the supreme court of the United States? + + + +Chapter XLIII. + + +Sec.1. Why was the definition of treason put into the constitution? What is +levying war? + +Sec.2. State more particularly what does and what does not constitute +levying war and treason? + +Sec.3. What proof is required to convict of treason? + +Sec.4. How was treason punished by the common law? How has congress made it +punishable? + +Sec.5. What is attainder? Its meaning here? By the common law, how did the +sentence of death for treason affect the traitor? What has congress +declared concerning conviction for treason? + + + +Chapter XLIV. + + +Sec.1. What is the object of the provision concerning state records? + +Sec.2. In giving effect to this provision, what has congress enacted? In +case of a judicial proceeding, what is required? What in case of an act +of a state legislature? + +Sec.3. What is meant by the clause concerning the privileges of citizens in +the several states? Without such provision, what might a state do? + +Sec.4. How is a fugitive from justice arrested and returned for trial? + +Sec.5. Who are meant by "persons held to service or labor, escaping into +another state?" What provision of the common law induced the adoption of +this clause? + +Sec.6. How are fugitives from slavery apprehended and returned? Is the law +requiring the capture and return of fugitive slaves, in your opinion, +morally binding? + +Sec.7. What induced the provision for admitting new states? What states +have been formed from the north-western territory? + +Sec.8. What unsettled tract was south of the Ohio? Whose consent to the +division of a state does the constitution require? + +Sec.9. In the right to acquire territory, what other right is implied? Had +the old congress this power? What has congress done under the power here +granted? + +Sec.10. How is a republican form of government secured to the states? How +are they to be protected against invasion and domestic violence? What is +meant by domestic violence? + + + +Chapter XLV. + + +Sec.1. How are constitutional amendments proposed? How ratified? + +Sec.2. What good is supposed to have resulted from so difficult a mode of +amendment? + +Sec.3. For what reasons was the new government made to assume the debts of +the old? + +Sec.4. Why is the constitution of the United States, and the laws and +treaties made under it, made binding above all state authority? + +Sec.5. Why are public officers bound by oath to support the constitution, +and to discharge their duties faithfully? + +Sec.6. What is a religious _test_? What was it in England? Why was it +forbidden by the constitution? + +Sec.7. What does the last article declare? Why was not the ratification of +all the states required? Why was the ratification of so many as nine +required? + +Sec.8. When did this state ratify? When did North Carolina and Rhode Island +come into the union? + +Sec.9. When were electors of president chosen? When was the president +elected, and when inaugurated? When did proceedings under the +constitution commence? + + + +Chapter XLVI. + + +Sec.1. How many articles of amendment are there? What is the nature of most +of them? Why then were they added? When were the first ten proposed and +ratified? + +Sec.2. What is forbidden by the first amendment? + +Sec.3. What right is guarantied by the second amendment? Why is this right +necessary? + +Sec.4. What does the third amendment declare? What probably suggested it? + +Sec.5. What right is guarantied by the fourth article? What evil is it +intended to prevent? + +Sec.6. What rights does the fifth article guaranty? Can you give any reason +why a person fairly tried and acquitted should not be tried again? What +does the sixth article require? + +Sec.7. What is secured by the seventh amendment? What is meant by suits at +common law? What are courts of admiralty? How is the latter part of this +article explained? + +Sec.8. What does the eighth article forbid? What evils was it designed to +prevent? + +Sec.9. What is the ninth article? What evil was it designed to prevent? + +Sec.10. What does the tenth amendment declare? Explain it. + +Sec.11. When was the eleventh article proposed and ratified? What is it? +What was it intended to prevent? + +Sec.12. What does the twelfth amendment effect? When was it proposed and +ratified? + + + +Chapter XLVII. + + +Sec.1. How are the municipal or civil laws distinguished from the +fundamental or political law? + +Sec.2. What are statute laws? + +Sec.3. What is the common law? Is it law in this country? + +Sec.4. What are the rights of person? Personal security? Personal liberty? +How are they guarantied? + +Sec.5. How may a man protect himself when in danger of personal injury? +What remedy for violence committed? + +Sec.6. How far may a man go in defending himself or his property? What is +such killing called? + +Sec.7. How are we protected in our good names? What is slander? + +Sec.8. What is libel? Which is considered the greater injury? For which is +a person liable in both a civil and criminal suit? + +Sec.9. What is the rule of the common law in the case of a criminal action +for libel? What is the reason for this principle? + +Sec.10. What distinction do some make between cases of public and private +prosecution for libel? + +Sec.11. Does the common law still prevail in this country? How has it been +modified? + +Sec.12. How is personal liberty secured? What is the nature of the writ of +_habeas corpus_? + +Sec.13. What is liberty of conscience? How is it secured? + +Sec.14. Is this right secured to the same extent in England? + +Sec.15. What is meant by the right of property? By what is it protected? + + + +Chapter XLVIII. + + +Sec.1. What is meant by the age of consent? At what periods of life is it +fixed? At what in this state? + +Sec.2. What three requisites to a lawful marriage are next mentioned? + +Sec.3. May a person remarry who has a wife or husband living? What is the +crime called? What cases are excepted? + +Sec.4. Are the marriages in these excepted cases binding? What is the +common law on the subject? + +Sec.5. How, and by whom are marriages solemnized? What regulations exist in +some states? Is a license or a notice required in this state? + +Sec.6. By common law, what right to the personal property does the husband +acquire by marriage? + +Sec.7. Does he acquire an absolute right also to her real estate? How is +his right limited? + +Sec.8. How has this common law rule been changed? Can you tell what the law +is in this state? + +Sec.9. By common law, what liability does a husband incur by marriage? What +is coverture? Is this now the law in all the states? Is it in this +state? + +Sec.10. How far is a husband bound for the maintenance of his wife? + +Sec.11. May they be witnesses for each other? + + + +Chapter XLIX. + + +Sec.1. What are the obligations of parents? What is the age of majority? In +law, who are infants, or minors? + +Sec.2. How far, or in what cases, is a father liable for the contracts of a +child? + +Sec.3. Can a minor bind himself by contract? In what cases is he bound? + +Sec.4. How in cases of rent? How in cases of contracts which he avoids when +he comes of age? + +Sec.5. Are minors answerable for crimes? How in cases of fraud? + +Sec.6. What right have they to bind themselves as apprentices and servants? +By whose consent? + +Sec.7. Who may bind pauper children? What provision is made for their +education? + +Sec.8. What are the rights of the master and apprentice respectively? + +Sec.9. When may apprenticeships be dissolved? + +Sec.10. How may a hired servant forfeit his wages? For what may he be +dismissed? For what cause released from his service? + +Sec.11. What are the mutual liabilities of master and servant? + + + +Chapter L. + + +Sec.1. By whom, and in what ways, may real estate be taken, held, and +conveyed? Have aliens this right? + +Sec.2. What is it to _devise_ property? What is a or testamen? Define +testator, and intestate. + +Sec.3. Who may bequeath property? What special rights to bequeath property +are given in some states? What is a nuncupative will? + +Sec.4. How has the right of married women to bequeath property been +extended? + +Sec.5. How is a will executed? + +Sec.6. In what different ways may a will be revoked? + +Sec.7. What is the effect of the subsequent birth of a child? What else +have some states provided? + +Sec.8. What is a codicil? Its effect? + +Sec.9. How is a will proved? What are letters testamentary, and letters of +administration? + +Sec.10. What is meant by the _descent_ of property? Is the rule of descent +uniform in the states? To whom, generally, does it descend first? + +Sec.11. If any children of the intestate are dead, how does it descend? +Give an example. + +Sec.12. If all the children are dead, how do the grand-children share? Is +this state an exception to the rule? + +Sec.13. Do real and personal estate generally come under the same rule? + + + +Chapter LI. + + +Sec.1. What is the benefit of a deed of real estate? What is expressed in a +deed? How is it executed? + +Sec.2. What is necessary to secure possession to the purchaser? Where are +conveyances recorded in this state? + +Sec.3. How long, in come states, are first purchasers secure before +recording? What is the law in this state? What claim does a purchaser +thus dispossessed still retain? Can you tell why conveyances are +required to be recorded at all? + +Sec.4. How are deeds proved? Before whom are thoy acknowledged? How are +they recorded? + +Sec.5. What is meant by _fee-simple_? What does the grantor in a warranty +deed bind himself to do? In what does such deed differ from a quit-claim +deed? + +Sec.6. What is a mortgage? How is the balance of the purchase money usually +secured? How is the money raised? + +Sec.7. Why does a wife join with her husband in a conveyance? What is the +interest thus retained by a widow called? In what else must a wife join? +Does a wife acknowledge apart from her husband in this state? + + + +Chapter LII. + + +Sec.1. Define corporeal and incorporeal hereditaments. What are aquatic +rights? + +Sec.2. What is a right of way? How is this right obtained? What is an +easement? + +Sec.3. In what case does a right of way pass with the land? Give an +example. + +Sec.4. In what cases does this right arise from necessity? + +Sec.5. When the use of a thing is granted, what is generally granted with +it? + +Sec.6. How is a temporary right of way acquired? Does the obstruction of a +private way give the same right? + +Sec.7. What is a right by _prescription_? How many years' peaceable use +gives a person such right? What change in this term has been made in +some states? What is it in this state? + +Sec.8. What right have the public to the soil of a highway? Who own the +soil? What right and power concerning it do they retain? + +Sec.9. What are the rights of the owners of lands adjoining a stream? How +is the use of the water restricted? + +Sec.10. How may the right to the use of the water be affected by +prescription? + +Sec.11. What is the general and established doctrine on this subject? Must +the use be enjoyed by one person during the whole period to give a +prescriptive right? + + + +Chapter LIII. + + +Sec.1. What is an estate of inheritance? A _fee_? A _fee-simple_? + +Sec.2. What is the writing which conveys an interest in lands for a limited +period called? What means to lease? Define lessor and lessee. What +lenses must be sealed? + +Sec.3. How are these limited interests in land divided? What is an estate +for life? How, otherwise than by lease, are life estates acquired? + +Sec.4. What is an estate for years? + +Sec.5. May a lessee for years underlet without the lessor's leave? For how +long a time? + +Sec.6. Who is entitled to the growing crop if the lease expires before +harvest? In what case the tenant? + +Sec.7. Does the destruction of rented premises release the tenant from +payment of rent? In what case would he not be liable? + +Sec.8. Can a tenant charge his landlord for repairs? What may he do when +the premises have become unsafe or useless? + +Sec.9. Where and when must payment of rent be made or tendered? + +Sec.10. What is an estate at will? Are such estates common? In what case +are they held to be tenancies from year to year? What if a tenant for +years hold over after his lease? + +Sec.11. What turns leases from uncertain terms into leases from year to +year? Who is strictly a tenant at will? Can he be dispossessed without +previous notice to quit? + +Sec.12. What is an estate at sufferance? What are the rights of a landlord +and a tenant by sufferance, respectively? + + + +Chapter LIV. + + +Sec.1. Define contract. What is an executory contract? An express contract? +An implied contract? + +Sec.2. What is a specialty? A simple or parol contract? Define _parol_. +What effect has parol evidence upon written contracts? + +Sec.3. Who are deemed incapable of contracting? How are contracts made by +such persons voided? How enforced? What is the general rule? + +Sec.4. What is the rule in regard to drunkards? + +Sec.5. What is mentioned as the second requisition to a valid contract? How +must assent be given? + +Sec.6. What is next mentioned as necessary to a valid contract? What is a +consideration? + +Sec.7. What is the effect of mutual promises? How must they be made? How +when the parties are distant? + +Sec.8. Why are gratuitous promises void? In what case are subscriptions +binding? + +Sec.9. Why can not payment be lawfully claimed for gratuitous services? In +what cases is a person bound to pay for unasked labor? + +Sec.10. What else is mentioned as necessary to a valuable consideration? +What kind of impossibility will not void a contract? + +Sec.11. What is said of illegal and immoral considerations? + +Sec.12. To what kind of contracts does the rule that a consideration is +necessary apply? Why not to those under seal? + +Sec.13. What is declared by the English statute of frauds? What do some +states further require? + + + +Chapter LV. + + +Sec.1. What is a sale? What general principles apply to contracts of sale? + +Sec.2. What if a man contracts to sell what has no existence? Give an +example. + +Sec.3. Can he sell what may have a future existence? Give examples. + +Sec.4. What is said about _price_, as essential to a sale? + +Sec.5. What about the mutual consent of parties? + +Sec.6. What is to be done if the goods are not immediately delivered? Below +what price is this unnecessary? What is the sum fixed in this state? + +Sec.7. What is said about delivery to complete a contract? + +Sec.8. When does the buyer acquire the right of property? When the right of +possession? + +Sec.9. In case the goods are sold on credit, when has the buyer a right to +them? In what case has he not? + +Sec.10. What is said about the warranty of title? + +Sec.11. In regard to quality, what? + +Sec.12. To what cases does not this rule apply? Is a seller bound to +disclose hidden defects? + +Sec.13. What is the general rule? + + + +Chapter LVI. + + +Sec.1. For what purposes are fraudulent sales made? + +Sec.2. What is here stated to be a common law rule? Upon what question do +the courts differ? + +Sec.3. What distinction has been made between conditional and unconditional +bills of sale and assignments? + +Sec.4. In different states, what different rules prevail? + +Sec.5. How does the strict rule sometimes operate to the injury of honest +debtors? + +Sec.6. How has this question been settled in some states? What are these +instruments of conveyance called? Must they be recorded in this state? + +Sec.7. In what case, when there is a judgment against the seller, would a +sale of personal property be fraudulent? + +Sec.8. How are assignments made for the benefit of creditors? May such +assignor prefer any of his creditors? + +Sec.9. If he agrees to pay all a certain share, and then privately prefers +some, what is the effect? + +Sec.10. In what cases are gifts valid against creditors? + + + +Chapter LVII. + + +Sec.1. Define bailment. + +Sec.2. For what is a bailee without reward responsible? What is a +depositary? + +Sec.3. A mandatary? For what is he responsible? + +Sec.4. For what is a borrower liable? How is he restricted in the use of +the article? + +Sec.5. In the case of property pledged as security for debt, what are the +liabilities? + +Sec.6. What in case of a hired article? + +Sec.7. What if work or care is to be bestowed upon a thing delivered? + +Sec.8. The liability of innkeepers? + +Sec.9. Of persons carrying goods for hire in a particular case? + +Sec.10. What is a common carrier? To what extent is he liable? + +Sec.11. What are his rights and obligations as to receiving and carrying +goods? + +Sec.12. What are the liabilities of proprietors of stage coaches as to +passengers? What as to the carrying of goods and the baggage of +passengers? + + + +Chapter LVIII. + + +Sec.1. Define agent, principal, factor. What is a factor sometimes called? + +Sec.2. How is a factor secured for money advanced on property? + +Sec.3. What is this right to hold property called? How is he restricted? + +Sec.4. How far is a principal bound by the acts of a general agent? What is +a general agent? + +Sec.5. How far is an agent bound to his principal? In what case may he +depart from his instructions? + +Sec.6. By what rule is he to be governed? + +Sec.7. What degree of diligence and skill must he exercise? What is +ordinary diligence? Reasonable skill? + +Sec.8. In what cases is an agent responsible to the person with whom he +deals? In what case is a principal liable for goods bought by an agent +in his own name? + +Sec.9. What is a broker? His ordinary business? In what does he differ from +a factor? + +Sec.10. What is a lien? For whose benefit is the right intended? How their +right restricted? + + + +Chapter LIX. + + +Sec.1. Define partnership? + +Sec.2. In what cases does the act of one partner bind all, and in what does +it not? + +Sec.3. What cases of association are here mentioned that are not +partnerships? + +Sec.4. How are they to sue and be sued? + +Sec.5. What cannot a partner do without the consent of all? What may +dissolve a partnership at any time? Sec. + +Sec.6. Why should notice of dissolution be published when any partner +withdraws? How else may he become liable? + +Sec.7. How are limited partnerships formed? + +Sec.8. For what amount are the special partners liable? Whose names are +used For what are the general partners liable? If the partnership is to +be dissolved by the act of the parties, what is to be done? + + + +Chapter LX. + + +Sec.1. What is a promissory note? Give a form. + +Sec.2. What is the effect of inserting "or bearer," or, "or order"? If +payable to order, how is it made negotiable? Why is a note called +negotiable? If not negotiable, how is it to be sued? + +Sec.3. What is a blank indorsement? A full indorsement? What is sometimes +done in case of a blank indorsement? + +Sec.4. Show, by example, the benefit of making a note payable to order +instead of to bearer. + +Sec.5. Why are the words "value received" inserted? Is a note without these +words collectable? + +Sec.6. In what different ways may notes signed by two or more persons be +written, to be joint, or joint or several? + +Sec.7. By Whom may a negotiable note be sued? In what case can a holder of +a note recover upon it, though he received it of a person who had stolen +it? + +Sec.8. To what rule is this an exception? Why is this exception? + +Sec.9. On the other hand, what is required to protect the owner? What +should the owner do? + +Sec.10. What is the risk in buying a note after it has become due? How is +it when no day of payment is expressed? What regulation exists in New +Jersey and Pennsylvania? + +Sec.11. What is the law respecting notes payable in some commodity? + +Sec.12. When do notes payable on demand, or in which no time of payment is +mentioned, become due and suable? Notes payable at sight, or after +sight? If the words "with interest" are omitted, when does interest +commence? If payable on demand, when? + +Sec.13. What are days of grace? How do they affect a note? + +Sec.14. To bind an indorser, when must payment be demanded? + +Sec.15. If payment is refused, how and when is the indorser to be notified? + +Sec.16. In case the maker's residence is unknown, how is payment to be +demanded? + +Sec.17. State the effect of the different modes of guarantying notes. + + + +Chapter LXI. + + +Sec.1. What is a bill of exchange? Give a form. + +Sec.2. What are foreign bills of exchange? Inland? + +Sec.3. Give an example of its operation and effect? + +Sec.4. How is a bill accepted? How is the acceptor liable? How is payment +demanded? + +Sec.5. When must bills payable at sight, or a certain day after sight, or +after date, be presented for acceptance? When presented for payment? + +Sec.6. What is the nature of a bank check? + +Sec.7. What is the business of a notary public? Define _protest_. + +Sec.8. What is said of protesting inland bills of exchange? + +Sec.9. What is interest? + +Sec.10. Give the rates of interest in the different states. What is it in +this state? + +Sec.11. What is usury? What is the forfeiture for taking usury in this +state? + + + +Chapter LXII. + + +Sec.1. Are the penalties for crimes the same in all the states? Is the +measure of punishment always the same for the same offense, in any +state? Who fixes the measure of punishment? + +Sec.2. What crimes are punishable by death in this state? + +Sec.3. Why are crimes punishable by death called _capital_ crimes? Define +capital. + +Sec.4. Define treason. + +Sec.5. What is murder? Are there different degrees of murder in this state? + +Sec.6. Define manslaughter. How many degrees of manslaughter in this state? + +Sec.7. What is arson? Define arson in the first degree. How is this degree +punishable in this state? + +Sec.8. What is homicide? When is it felonious? What is justifiable and +excusable homicide? + +Sec.9. What is maiming? Kidnapping? What other crimes are here mentioned as +felonies? + +Sec.10. What is burglary? Why is the crime deemed greater when committed in +the night time? + +Sec.11. Define forgery and counterfeiting? + +Sec.12. Define robbery, and an attempt to rob. + +Sec.13. What is embezzlement? How is it punishable? + +Sec.14. What is larceny? What is _grand_, and what is _petit_ larceny? + +Sec.15. What is perjury? What is subornation of perjury? + +Sec.16. Define bribery. + +Sec.17. What is dueling? Is dueling murder in this state? + +Sec.18. Is aiding a prisoner to escape a crime? + +Sec.19. What is bigamy? What is the difference between bigamy and polygamy? + +Sec.20. What is incest? + +Sec.21. In what case is opening a grave a crime? How is it punishable in +this state? + +Sec.22. Who are accessories to crime? + +Sec.23. Define assault and battery. + +Sec.24. What is a riot? How may riots be suppressed? + +Sec.25. What grade of offense is it for an officer to rescue a prisoner or +voluntarily to suffer him to escape? + +Sec.26. What is false imprisonment? + +Sec.27. What grade of offense are the four offenses last named? What other +misdemeanors are mentioned in this section? Can you name any other? + + + +Chapter LXIII. + + +Sec.1. Of what consists the law of nations? What was its early character? + +Sec.2. By what means has it been improved? + +Sec.3. What particular further improvement is desirable? + +Sec.4. What is said of the independence of nations? How, then, is redress +for injuries obtained? + +Sec.5. What right has a nation in respect to its government? To this rule, +what exception do some make? + +Sec.6. In what cases may one nation assist another in changing its +government? + +Sec.7. In what respect are nations mutually dependent? + +Sec.8. By what law ought all nations to be governed? What does this law +require? + +Sec.9. By what names is this law when applied to nations or states called? +Why is it so called? + +Sec.10. For what reasons do some writers divide it into the _natural_ and +_positive_ laws of nations? + +Sec.11. Define the positive law of nations. How is it divided? Define the +customary law of nations. + +Sec.12. What is a conventional law of nations? Define _convention_. + +Sec.13. What is the advantage of conventional law? + +Sec.14. By what consideration is the observance of treaties induced? + +Sec.15. What is a perfect obligation? An imperfect obligation? Why are the +obligations of nations called imperfect? + + + +Chapter LXIV. + + +Sec.1. What rights have nations on the seas? By what laws are persons at +sea governed? + +Sec.2. Over what waters flowing through its territory has a nation +jurisdiction? To what distance on the sea? + +Sec.3. What right have other nations to a passage over its lands and +waters? Why is this an imperfect right? + +Sec.4. What are the mutual rights and duties of a state and foreign +immigrants? + +Sec.5. What is its duty in respect to foreign criminals? + +Sec.6. What is said of the responsibility of embassadors? For bad conduct, +how are they punishable? Why are they not amenable to the laws of the +foreign state? + +Sec.7. What rights have they in countries through which they pass? What is +a passport? + +Sec.8. How are embassadors dealt with for disrespectful conduct at a +foreign court? + +Sec.9. What do ministers do when they are ill-treated? + +Sec.10. If a government, for good cause, refuses to receive a minister, +what is its duty? + +Sec.11. What power has a minister in making treaties? + +Sec.12. To what laws are consuls subject? What is their business? + + + +Chapter LXV. + + +Sec.1. Define offensive and defensive war. What are the contending parties +called? Who are neutrals? + +Sec.2. What are the proper characteristics of a war? + +Sec.3. What are objects of a lawful war? + +Sec.4. When is a personal injury to the citizens of one state by those of +another deemed just cause of war? + +Sec.5. What ought a government to do before resorting to war to redress +injuries? + +Sec.6. How is satisfaction sometimes sought without making war? How are +reprisals made? Define confiscate. + +Sec.7. To justify reprisals, what is necessary? + +Sec.8. How far is a nation bound by a treaty of alliance to assist another +in war? + +Sec.9. In what cases is it not bound to render the aid? + +Sec.10. What if the alliance is defensive? Is the government that first +applies force always the aggressor? + + + +Chapter LXVI. + + +Sec.1. How is war usually announced? By what authority? + +Sec.2. Is a declaration communicated to the enemy? What is deemed +sufficient? + +Sec.3. When war is declared, who are involved in it? + +Sec.4. How does war in a state affect the persons and property of the +enemy's subjects found within such state? + +Sec.5. How is trade between the two countries affected by the war? + +Sec.6. What is necessary to make offensive hostilities lawful? In what case +would such permission be beneficial? + +Sec.7. How far does a just war give the right to take the life of the +enemy? + +Sec.8. How are prisoners of war to be treated? What is said about the +exchange and ransom of prisoners? + +Sec.9. What kinds of property may not, and what may, be destroyed? + +Sec.10. What is said of stratagems? + +Sec.11. Of spies? + +Sec.12. In what kind of war is the destruction of private property lawful? +On what ground? + +Sec.13. What are privateers? What are their owners authorized to do? How is +privateering encouraged? + +Sec.14. How is the abuse of this right prevented? + +Sec.15. State the proceedings of the captors and the court, in cases of +capture? + +Sec.16. Who has the primary right to all prizes? How do the citizens get +any interest in them? + + + +Chapter LXVII. + + +Sec.1. To what is a neutral nation bound? What kind of aid to an enemy is +unlawful? + +Sec.2. How is the trade of a neutral affected by war? With what may she +still supply a belligerent? + +Sec.3. What is said of the right of a neutral to carry the goods in such +cases? + +Sec.4. What are prohibited articles called? What goods are contraband? + +Sec.5. What is done with contraband goods? In what cases is the vessel also +confiscated? + +Sec.6. What is a blockade? Its object? How does it affect neutrals? + +Sec.7. What is necessary to a lawful blockade? In case a place is blockaded +by sea only, how may trade be carried on with it? + +Sec.8. What is the right of search? What vessels are subject to search? + +Sec.9. In what case is the property of an enemy in a neutral vessel liable +to seizure? What is done with the property of neutrals found in an +enemy's vessel? + +Sec.10. What may not a neutral permit in her ports? What may not her +citizens do? + +Sec.11. For what purposes are hostilities sometimes suspended? When is the +suspension called a suspension of arms? In what cases a truce? What is +the difference between a partial and a general truce? + +Sec.12. How are the contracting parties and their citizens affected by a +truce? + +Sec.13. How is peace generally secured? + +Sec.14. When do treaties of peace take effect between the parties? + +Sec.15. How is the service of mediation performed? + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Government Class Book, by Andrew W. Young + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOVERNMENT CLASS BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 15319.txt or 15319.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/3/1/15319/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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