Government Of The United States

( Originally Published 1883 )

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

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

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

1. The executive,

2. The legislative,

3. The judicial.

The Executive Department.—The executive power is vested in the President alone. It is his duty to see to it that all the laws of the United States are faithfully executed and enforced. To this end he is Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy. He is aided in the performance of his duties,—

1. By his Cabinet ;

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

The President is Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States.

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

1. Secretary of State,

2. Secretary of the Treasury,

3. Secretary of War,

4. Secretary of the Navy,

5. Secretary of the Interior,

6. Postmaster General,

7. Attorney General.

Secretary of State.—The Secretary of State is considered to be the most important Cabinet officer. In rank he stands next to the President. His duties are not only similar to the duties of the Secretary of State of our State government, but he also has charge of all business arising between the government of the United States and that of foreign countries.

Secretary of the Treasury.—The Secretary of the Treasury superintends the financial affairs of the country, the collection of the revenues for the support of the government, and has the care of all money paid into the United States treasury.

He also has the general supervision of the coinage of money, light-houses, and custom-houses.

Secretary of War.—The Secretary of War has the general oversight of the army, the Military Academy at West Point,. arsenals, military stores, and all matters relating to military affairs.

Secretary of the Navy.—The Secretary, of the Navy has. the general oversight of the navy, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, navy yards and stores, and all matters relating to naval affairs.

Secretary of the Interior.—The Secretary of the Interior has the general charge of public lands and buildings, Indian affairs, patents, pensions, the taking of the census, and the distribution of information relating to education.

Postmaster General.—The Postmaster General has the general supervision of everything relating to the carrying of the mails, and the establishment of post-offices and postal communications.

Attorney General.—The Attorney General attends to all suits, in the Supreme Court, in which the United States is, interested, and he is required to give his opinion upon questions of law submitted to him by the President or the members of the Cabinet.

Election of President and Vice-President—Instead of voting directly for President and Vice-President, electors,. previously nominated at a State convention, are chosen, who meet at the capital of the State at a time designated by law, and cast their votes for the candidates nominated by the party they represent. These votes are sent to Washington, and, together with the votes of electors from other States, are counted in the presence of both Houses of Congress, and the result declared by the President of the Senate. Each State is entitled to as many presidential electors as it has Senators and Representatives. If no person -receives a majority of all the electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the President; and the Senate, the Vice-President. The President and Vice-President are elected for four years.

1. This State is entitled to thirteen electors.

2. No Senator or Representative or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States can be an elector.

3. Only a native born citizen is eligible to the office of President or Vice-President.

Legislative Department.—The legislative power is vested in,—

1. The Senate,

2. The House of Representatives.

The powers of each House are defined by the Constitution. They are somewhat similiar to those exercised by the two Houses of our State Legislature, with the exception that all revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives. The presiding officer of the Senate is the Vice-President. In the House, a presiding officer is elected called the Speaker.

Election of Senators.—Two Senators are chosen in each State by the Legislature for six years. Their term of office is so arranged as not to expire at the same time.

Election of Representatives.—Each State is divided into congressional districts, according to the number of inhabitants. In this State there are eleven districts, in each of which a Representative is elected, at the same time that State officers are chosen, for a term of two years.

Judicial Department.—The judicial department is vested. in,—

1. A Supreme Court,

2. Circuit Courts,

3. District Courts,

4. A Court of Claims.

The judges of these courts are appointed by the Presi dent, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and they hold office during good behavior.

The Supreme Court.—The Supreme Court is the highest judicial court in the United States. It interprets the Constitution and laws of the United States, and decides questions as to the constitutionality of any legislative enactment. Although it has original jurisdiction in a few cases, its principal business is to decide questions appealed to it by inferior courts.

1. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and in all cases in which a State is a party.

2. The officers of the court are the Judges, the Attorney General, and a clerk, crier, and reporter appointed by the court. The Marshal of the District of Columbia attends its sessions.

Circuit Courts.—The United States are divided into nine judicial circuits, in each of which a Circuit Judge is appointed. These courts have original jurisdiction in very grave offenses against the laws of the United States, and appellate jurisdiction in cases tried in District Courts. Each circuit comprises several States.

1. Suits between citizens of different States and between aliens and citizens, when the amount in dispute exceeds five hundred dollars. and all crimes against the laws of the United States punishable by death or heavy penalties, are tried in these courts.

2. Michigan is in the sixth judicial circuit. The circuit comprises Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

3. One of the Judges of the Supreme Court is assigned to each circuit. The presiding judge of a Circuit Court may be the Judge of the Supreme Court, or the Circuit Judge, or both may sit together. The Judge of the district in which the Circuit Court is held, sometimes sits with the Circuit Judge.

4. The officers of the court are the Circuit Judge, the Attorney and Marshal of the district in which the court is held, and a clerk appointed by the court.

District Courts.—At least One District Court is established in each State. In Michigan there are two. These courts have original jurisdiction in minor offenses against the laws of the United States. In each district, a District Judge is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Minor offenses committed on the sea or on navigable rivers and lakes, and all offenses against the laws of the United States, not punishable by severe penalties, are tried in these courts.

2. The District Courts in Michigan are designated as the Eastern and Western. The terms of the Eastern are held in Detroit; of the Western, in Grand Rapids.

3. The officers of the court are the District Judge, Attorney, Marshal, appointed by the President and Senate, and a clerk appointed by the court.

Court of Claims.—In addition to the courts already mentioned, a Court of Claims is established, consisting of five judges. It is the duty of this court to settle all claims against the government of the United States. The sessions -of this court are held in Washington.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.—President.

PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE SENATE.—Vice-President.

CABINETS

Secretary of State,

Secretary of the Treasury,

Secretary of War,

Secretary of the Navy,

Secretary of the Interior,

Postmaster General,

Attorney General.

CONGRESS

Senate,

House of Representatives.

COURTS

Supreme Court,

Circuit Courts,

District Courts,

Court of Claims.

SALARIES OF UNITED STATES OFFICERS.

President, $50,000.

Vice-President, 8,000.

Members of the Cabinet, 8,000.

Speaker, 8,000.

Senators, 5,000.

Representatives, 5,000.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 10,500.

Associate Judges of the Supreme Court, 10,000.

Circuit Judges, 6,000.

District Judges, 3,000.

Ministers to France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, 17,500.

Ministers to Austria, Spain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, China, 12,000.

Ministers to Chili, Peru, 10,000.