going definition of a citizen of the United States to be correct, and it is strange that in the Slaughterhouse case there should have been majority and minority opinions as to what constituted such citizenship.

Is there inter-State commerce?

No. The Act of Congress creating an "InterState Commerce Commission" ought to be regarded as giving currency to unconstitutional language. "The Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among (amidst) the several States, and with the Indian tribes," are the words of the Constitution. Mark the distinction. "Inter" means "between," and is not found in the enumeration of Article I., section 8. "Among the several States," because they have a compact which authorizes the regulation of commerce in their midst; and "with foreign nations" by special treaty; and "with the Indian tribes," because commerce with them must be by special treaties, the United States. holding them as tribal nations.

Great care should be used in preserving the words and distinctions of the Constitution. The Supreme Court of the United States decided (Gibbons vs. Ogden, 9 Wheaton) that the acts of the legislature of New York, granting to Livingston

and Fulton the exclusive navigation of the waters of the State, in vessels propelled by steam, were unconstitutional and void acts, and repugnant to the power given to Congress to regulate commerce, so far as those acts went to prohibit vessels licensed under the laws of Congress, for carrying on the coasting trade, from navigating the waters of New York.

Why? Because the waters of the States, so far as commerce is concerned, are free to all the States, and are, in fact and practice, waters that run in the midst of them as forming the United States. Navigable rivers of great commercial importance run among, and not between, States. So do railroads and canals. There is coming to the front another phase of the Inter-State Commerce Act. Since the fulmination of one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, it is claimed that interState commerce law covers the loading and unloading of foreign vessels at our ports, and any trouble with stevedores can be quelled by United States soldiers!

What about a congressional " elections law"?

The Constitution declares, in Article I., section 4, that the "times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature

thereof." This was intended to insure regular representation in Congress. It is an admission, also, of the sovereignty of the several States. The Constitution continues: "But the Congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators." This delegated power to "make or alter such regulations" can only be used when a State fails to elect Senators and Representatives, and thus prevents a full representation in Congress.

Defect. It should have been added that when such State returns to its usage, the power of Congress shall instantly cease. The intent is plain to any thinker, but recent events have shown that partisans sometimes do not care to think constitutionally. The Senators and Representatives mentioned are presumably members of Congress. The clause does not say they are.

Have the United States no supervisory power? Assuredly not. They cannot supervise State elections. Each State chooses its own electors, Senators, and Representatives. The United States can erect no polling places within the States. Each House of Congress has only authority to "judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members" when assembled (Art. I., sec. 5). An "elections law" or

force bill has been well called by Murat Halstead "a belated fiction.”

What is the language of the United States?

The English language. Since the great additions of our own lexicographers, Webster and Worcester, it may be called the Anglo-American tongue. The earliest legislatures, conventions, and debates of the Congresses were conducted in English; the Articles of Confederation were in that language; the debates and the text of the Constitution of the United States are in English. In fine, all laws of the several Colonies, United Colonies, and of the United States have been promulgated in the all-conquering English or Anglo-American. Esto perpetua!

Has Congress power to acquire and police "national parks"?

There is neither express nor implied power in the Constitution authorizing the acquisition of historical battle grounds, or other territory, for parks. The United States can only acquire sites for necessary buildings and grounds for actual and constant use, not for ornament. It is suicidal policy in the several States to give the general government unnecessary lodgment within their borders. The States should not part with a foot

of their territory for sentiment. Military parks, under the supervision of the Secretary of War, are nurseries of consolidation and nationalism, and aid in destroying civil government.

What is the full title of the President?

The President of the United States of America. He should so sign public documents. (See Article II., sec. I.)

How can States be divided?

The Constitution (Art. IV., sec. 3) declares: "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.' This saved the smaller States from the encroachment of, or absorption by, the large and populous States.

During the war between the States, West Virginia was, by a revengeful and partisan act of Congress, "formed or erected within the jurisdiction" of Virginia, and without the consent of its legislature. It is claimed to have been justified as a But the Constitution makes no

war measure.