Rock Island daily Argus., 1893-06-09
PRESIDENT OF The UNITED STATES.
A First and Eas.- Lesson In Constitutional
Government.

A First and Eas.- Lesson In Constitutional
Government.
The powers granted to the president of
the United States by the constitution of
the United States are strictly defined. His
authority goes thus far and no farther.
The rigid limitation of executive power is
what constitutes the difference between
constitutional government or government
by the people and Individual government.
which Is dictatorship or autocracy.
The president has power to prevent by
his veto the enactment of Il bill passed by
both houses of congress, unless the veto is
subsequently, overruled by a 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 10 joint orders or
resolutions of congress.
The duty of executing the laws passed by
congress is vested in the president under
an oath to preserve, protect and defend the
constitution.
He is commander in chief of the 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 prlncl-
pal officer of any of the executive depart
ments 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 I n1ted 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, Ju-
dicial and executive officers of the L United
States, with the advice and consent of the
senate y majority of the senators must
concur 1t is 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 as congress has designated by law
In the recess of the senate he has power
to fill vacancies without the advice or con
sent of the senate. by granting temporary
commissions.
lie has power To inform congress as TO
the state of the L Mon 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 GS
to the time of adjournment.
Beyond this nothing. Beyond the limits
aere 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
usurpation, and the attempt subjects him
to impeachment
Why should it 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 States?
Because there Is unquestionably in GER
tain quarters n growing disposition to CON
fuse the functions OF an American presi-
dent with those of Il Caesar or czar; 10
regard the constitutional system as little
old fashioned, not well suited to the pres
ent size and Importance of this republic; to
erect above the constitution a higher law OF
necessity or cxpediency, and to hail, if not
with satisfaction, at least with liberation,
the gradual and almost insensible concen-
tration of power and responsibility in the
hands of single individual
There is one way, and only one way short
of revolution, to change the old fashioned
constitutional system set forth above, and
that is by amending the constitution of the
United States.-New York Sun.