Civil Government for Common Schools Part 19

IV. He has power to make treaties when two-thirds of the Senate present concur.

V. He nominates, and, by and with the consent of the Senate of the United States, appoints Amba.s.sadors, Public Ministers, Consuls, Judges of the United States Courts, and all other United States officers not otherwise provided for.

VI. He may fill all vacancies that happen during recess of the Senate, by granting commissions that expire at the close of the next session.

VII. He must from time to time give to Congress information in regard to the condition of affairs in the United States, and recommend such measures as he deems expedient. For further duties, see Const.i.tution of the United States, Art. II.

VICE-PRESIDENT.

I. The Vice-President is President of the United States Senate, and has a vote only in case of a tie.

II. In case he succeeds to the presidency, then he performs the duties of the President, and the President pro tem. (a Senator) performs the duties of Vice-President and Senator.

SALARIES. [Footnote: The President's salary cannot be increased or diminished during his term of office.]

The President receives $50,000. The Vice-President receives $8,000.

A tabular view showing how some United States officers get their authority, and from whom.

From the people.

I. Electors 1. President.

2. Vice-President.

Members of the House of Rep's.

President sometimes. [Footnote: In 1801, and 1825. Who?]

From the State Legislatures U. S. Senators V. President sometimes.

[Footnote: Richard M. Johnson was elected Vice-President by the Senate in 1837. This is, thus far, the only instance.] Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

President's Cabinet consisting of:

1. Sec. of State.

2. Sec. of Treasury.

3. Sec. of War.

4. Sec. of Navy.

5. Sec. of Interior.

6. Postmaster Gen.

7. Attorney Gen.

Governors of territories.

Amba.s.sadors.

Ministers to foreign countries.

Consuls.

Judges of the U. S. Supreme Court.

Judges of the U. S. Circuit Courts.

Judges of the District Courts.

Postmasters.

And many other officers.

Q. What cla.s.s of officers in the State performs nearly the same duties as the Cabinet officers in the Nation?

A. Those cla.s.sed as "Administrative," on page 55; in the State they are elected by the people; in the Nation they are appointed by the President.

DUTIES

Q. What are some of the duties of the Cabinet officers?

A. I. THE SECRETARY OF STATE, at the head, of the State Department, preserves the public archives, records, laws, arguments and treaties, and supervises their publication; conducts all business and correspondence arising out of foreign relations, makes out and records pa.s.sports, commissions, etc.

II. THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, at the head of the Treasury Department, receives and has charge of all moneys paid into the United States Treasury, has general supervision of the fiscal transactions of the Government, the collection of revenue, the auditing and payment of accounts and other disburs.e.m.e.nts; supervises the execution of the laws relating to Commerce and Navigation, the Revenues and Currency, the Coast Survey, the Mint and Coinage, the Lighthouse Establishments, Custom Houses, etc.

III. THE SECRETARY OF WAR, at the War Department, has charge of business growing out of military affairs, keeps the records of the army, issues commissions, directs the government of troops, superintends their payment, stores, clothing, arms, equipments and ordnance, constructs fortifications and conducts works of military engineering, river and harbor improvements.

IV. THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, at the head of the Navy Department, has charge of the Naval establishments and all business connected therewith, issues Naval commissions, instructions and orders, supervises the enlistment and discharge of seamen, the construction of Navy Yards and Docks, the construction and equipment of vessels, Coast Surveys, etc.

V. THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, at the head of the Department of the Interior, has charge of the survey, management, sales and grants of Public Lands, the examination of Pension and Bounty Land claims, the management of Indian affairs, the award of Patents, the distribution of Seeds and Plants, the taking of Censuses, the management of Government mines, etc. The Bureau of Education is a branch of this department.

VI. THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, at the head of the Post-office Department, has charge of the Postal System, the establishment and discontinuance of Post-offices, the appointment of Agents, the contracts for carrying the mails, etc.

VII. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, at the head of the Department of Justice, is the legal adviser of the President and members of the Cabinet, examines t.i.tles, applications for pardons and judicial and legal appointments, conducts and argues suits in which the Government is concerned, etc.

Q. Name the present Cabinet officers.

AMBa.s.sADORS, MINISTERS AND CONSULS.

Q. What is an Amba.s.sador?

A. An Amba.s.sador is a minister of the highest rank, appointed to represent the interests of a country at the court, or seat of government of some other country.

Q. What is a Minister Plenipotentiary?

A. A Minister Plenipotentiary is an Amba.s.sador or Envoy, invested with full powers to negotiate a treaty, or do some other special business, without being a permanent resident of such country.

Under such circ.u.mstances, he is called Amba.s.sador extraordinary.

Q. What is a Consul?

A. A person commissioned to reside in a foreign country as an agent or representative of a government, to protect the rights, commerce, merchants and seamen of the country, and to aid in commercial, and sometimes in diplomatic transactions, with such foreign country; he is sometimes called Amba.s.sador or Minister ORDINARY.

SALARIES.

Q. What are the salaries of the Cabinet officers?

A. Each member receives eight thousand dollars a year.

Q. What are the salaries of Senators, and Representatives in Congress?

A. Each receives an annual salary of five thousand dollars a year, and an allowance of twenty cents per mile for travel in going to and returning from Washington.