The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-06-19
paeslDENr or THE UNITED STATES.
A Farss ana Easy Lesson In censtitutiouai

A First and Easy Lesson In Censtitutfouai |
Gevernnaent.
The powers grantsdsto the president Of I
the United States by the constitution OF
the United States are strictly defined His |
authority goes thus far and no farther.
The riRid limitation OF executive power is
what constitutes the difference between
constitutional government or government
by the people and individual government,
which e dictatorship or autocracy.
The president has power to prevent by
his veto the enactment Of bill passed BY
both houses Of congress, unless the veto IS
subsequently, overruled by two-thirds
vote In each house, and incidentally at the
end Of a session he has power to defeat leg
islation merely by Withholding his sigma
ture.
This power applies also to Joint orders or
resolutions of congress-
The duty Of executing the laws passed BY
congress q vested in the president under
an oath to preserve. protect and defend the
constitution.
He Ia commander in chief of tie army
and navy and Of the militia Of the states
when the militia is called Into the actual
service Of the United States.
He has power to require from the princi-
pal officer Of any Of the executive depart
ments q written opinion upon any subject
relating to the duties Of that department..
He has power to grant reprieves or par
| dons for offenses against the United States
except in cases of impeachment
| He has power to make treaties, with the
advice and consent Of the senate. Two
| thirds of the senators present must concur.
| He has power to appoint diplomatic, 1u-
dicial and executive officers Of the United
States. with the advice and consent Of the
senate. A majority Of the senators must
| concur. It Ii his duty to commission all
officers Of the United States.
He has power to appoint, without the Ad-
vice and consent Of the senate, such inferior
officers a. congress has designated by law.
In the recess of the senate he has power
| to All vacancies without the advice or con-
sent Of the senate, by granting temporary
commissions
4 He has power to inform congress a. to
the state Of the Union and to recommend
measures of legislation. He can convene
congress or either house of congress IN
extra session upon extraordinary occasions.
He can adjourn congress, but only in case
of disagreement between the two houses as
to the time of adjournment.
Beyond thie, nothing. Beyond the limits
here distinctly drawn the power and au-
thority of the president Of the United
, States is no greater than that of any other
American citizen. Beyond these limits any
} attempt on his part to exercise power is
} usurpation, and the attempt subjects him
to impeachment
Why should 1t be necessary to recite
these provisions of the constitution which
fortify American liberty against executive
. encroachment and which ought to be
known by heart by every man, woman and
{ intelligent child in the United Statesf
Because there is unquestionably in Ger
tain quarters growing disposition to con
fuse the functions of an American presi
= dent with those of Cesar or a car; t.
b regard the constitutional system as littl'
i old fashioned, not we'll suited to the pres
a ent size and Importance Of this republic; II
erect above the constitution higher law o
q necessity or expcdiency, and to hail, il no
4. with satisfaction, at least with federation
q the gradual and almost insensible concen
/; tration of power and responsibility in tn
l. hands of single individual.
3. There is one way, and only one way shor
r, of revolution, to change the old fashions
1 constitutional system set forth above, AL
% that is by amending the constitution of th
4 United States.-New York Sun.