Civil Government in the United States Considered with Some Reference to Its Origins. Fiske John
modifications
Universal suffrage
Separation between legislative and executive departments; its advantages and disadvantages as compared with the European plan
In our system the independence of the executive is of vital importance
The state executive
The governor's functions: 1. Adviser of legislature; 2. Commander of state militia; 3. Royal prerogative of pardon; 4. Veto power
Importance of the veto power as a safeguard against corruption In building the state, the local self-government was left unimpaired
Instructive contrast with France
Some causes of French political incapacity
Vastness of the functions retained by the states in the American Union
Illustration from recent English history
Independence of the state courts
Constitution of the state courts
Elective and appointive judges
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
CHAPTER VII.
WRITTEN CONSTITUTIONS.
In the American state there is a power above the legislature
Germs of the idea of a written constitution
Development of the idea of contract in Roman law; mediaeval charters
The "Great Charter" (1215)
The Bill of Rights (1689)
Foreshadowing of the American idea by Sir Harry Vane (1666)
The Mayflower compact (1620)
The "Fundamental Orders" of Connecticut (1639)
Germinal development of the colonial charter toward the modern state constitution
Abnormal development of some recent state constitutions, encroaching upon the legislature
The process of amending constitutions
The Swiss "Referendum"
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FEDERAL UNION.
Section 1. Origin of the Federal Union.
Circumstances favourable to the union of the colonies. The New England Confederacy (1643–84). Albany Congress (1754); Stamp Act Congress (1765); Committees of Correspondence (1772–75). The Continental Congress (1774–89). The several states were never at any time sovereign states. The Articles of Confederation. Nature and powers of the Continental Congress. It could not impose taxes, and therefore was not fully endowed with sovereignty. Decline of the Continental Congress. Weakness of the sentiment of union; anarchical tendencies. The Federal Convention (1787).
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT.
Section 2. The Federal Congress.
The House of Representatives. The three fifths compromise. The Connecticut compromise. The Senate. Electoral districts; the "Gerrymander". The election at large. Time of assembling. Privileges of members. The Speaker. Impeachment in England; in the United States. The president's veto power.
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT.
Section 3. The Federal Executive.
The title of "President". The electoral college. The twelfth amendment. The electoral commission (1877). Provisions against a lapse of the presidency.
Original purpose of the electoral college not fulfilled
Electors formerly chosen in many states by districts; now always on a general ticket
"Minority presidents"
Advantages of the electoral system
Nomination of candidates by congressional caucus (1800–24)
Nominating conventions; the "primary"; the district convention; the national convention
Qualifications for the presidency; the term of office
Powers and duties of the president
The president's message
Executive departments; the cabinet
The secretary of state
Diplomatic and consular service
The secretary of the treasury
The other departments
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
Section 4. The Nation and the States.
Difference between confederation and federal union
Powers granted to Congress
The "Elastic Clause"
Powers denied to the states
Evils of an inconvertible paper currency
Powers denied to Congress
Bills of attainder
Intercitizenship; mode of mating amendments
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
Section 5. The Federal Judiciary.
Need for a federal judiciary
Federal courts and judges
District attorneys and marshals
The federal jurisdiction
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
Section 6. Territorial Government.
The Northwest Territory and the Ordinance of 1787
Other territories and their government
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
Section 7. Ratification and Amendments.
Provisions for ratification
Concessions to slavery
Demand for a bill of rights
The first ten amendments
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
Section 8. A Few Words about Politics.
Federal taxation
Hamilton's policy; excise; tariff
Origin of American political parties; strict and loose construction of the Elastic Clause
Tariff, Internal Improvements, and National Bank.
Civil Service reform
Origin of the "spoils system" in the state polities of New Tort and