6. Where is the executive power in each state vested?

In a governor.

7. Are all the governors possessed of equal powers? There is a difference in different states.

8. Are the judicial systems of the several states similar?

They are similar in many respects, and yet considerable differences exist.

9. How are the judges appointed?

In some states they are appointed by the gov ernor and senate, or by the governor and council; in others, they are appointed by the legislature; and in others, they are elected by the people.

10. What is the tenure of office of the judges?

In some states it is during good behavior, and in some they are appointed or elected for a year or term of years.

11. Wherein does the jurisdiction of the state courts differ from that of the national courts ?

The state courts have jurisdiction of cases which arise under the laws of the state.

12. Are the operations of the national and state courts perfectly distinct?

Appeals in some cases are made from the state to the national courts, and in regard to some things, the national and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction.

13. By what inferior officers is a large part of the judicial business of the country transacted? By justices of the peace.

14. To what is this owing?

To the fact that they have jurisdiction in smaller matters, in regard to which the great majority of cases of litigation take place.

15. How are they appointed?

In some states they are appointed by the state governments, and in others they are elected by the people.

16. What is the advantage of having state governments in addition to the national government?

The state governments make and execute the laws required by the peculiar interests of each state.

17. Could not the general government make those laws?

It would be impossible for Congress to make the great number of laws which are needed for the wellbeing of all the people in so extensive a country as the United States.

18. How are the states divided?

All the states are divided into counties except South Carolina, which is divided into districts, and Louisiana, which is divided into parishes.

19. Is there a county government in each county? There are certain county officers in each county, and there is a county seat, where courts are held and an office kept for recording legal documents.

20. How are the counties divided?

In New England, New York, and some other states, they are divided into townships.

21. What powers do the townships possess?

The inhabitants meet annually to elect officers for the township, and to make regulations in regard to local matters.

22. What is a city government?

A local government possessing certain powers contained in a charter granted by the legistature of

the state.

23. Where are the legislative powers of the government of the city of New York vested?

They are vested in a board of aldermen and a board of councilmen, which together constitute the common council of the city.

24. On what subjects may they legislate?

On those only which are specified in the charter. 25. Who is the chief executive officer of the city? The mayor.

26. What is necessary in order that an act of the common council may be valid?

It must pass both boards, and receive the signature of the mayor.

27. Suppose he vetoes it?

It may become valid without his signature, if passed by two thirds of both boards.

28. Are the city governments in our country simi lar to one another?

All the large cities of the Union have charter gov. ernments similar to that of New York.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.

AMENDMENTS.

STATE GOVERNMENTS.

1. What did some of the states connect with their ratifications of the Constitution?

2. What action was taken by Congress in regard to these recommendations?

3. Can Congress pass a law for the union of church and state?

4. What does the Constitution secure to every citizen as to his religion?

5. Can Congress pass a law punishing a man for speaking and writing against the government?

6. Why not?

7. Suppose a man is guilty of slander or libel?

8. Is Congress under obligation to receive all petitions that are properly presented?

9. How does that appear?

10. Can Congress prohibit citizens from keeping and bearing arms?

11. What is necessary before a man can be tried for an infamous or a capital crime?

12. Suppose a man has been tried for his life and acquitted? 13. What security does the Constitution furnish against a long imprisonment of the accused before he is tried?

14. What other provisions are there for securing justice to the accused?

15. What provisions against excessive bail and cruel punishments?

16. What was the object of the amendment officially announced on December 18, 1865?

17. How were the state constitutions formed?

18. How do they compare with the Constitution of the United States?

19. How do they all divide the powers of government? 20. Of what are the legislatures of all the states composed?

21. What are the executives of the states called?

22. Are the judiciaries of the states similar to that of the United States?

23. What laws are they to interpret?

24. Can they ever decide contrary to the laws of the United States?

25. What is the tenure of office of the judges?

26. Into what are the states divided?

27. What is the advantage of having state governments? 28. Suppose a state pass a law conflicting with a law of the United States?

CHAPTER XXV.

THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION.

1. What kind of a government is the English government?

A limited hereditary monarchy.

2. Is it a constitutional government?

It is.

3. Has it a written or unwritten Constitution? It has no written Constitution, like ours, adopted by the vote of the people.

4. Of what, then, does it consist?

It consists partly of established usages having the force of law, and partly of written laws.

5. How are the powers of the government divided? They are divided into the legislative, the judicial, and the executive departments.

6. Where does the legislative power reside? In Parliament.