The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-01-18
A FINANCIAL HISTORY.
Course and Eject Of Legislation
Since 1861.
No 8.

Congress shall have power to pass
"all laws necessary and proper for
carrying into execution all the pewers
granted to the government of tue
the United States, or any department
or Office thereof.
The word necessary, as used, is
not limited by the additional word
'.proper'' but enlarged thereby.
"If the word necessary vas used in
the strict. rigorous sense, it would be
an extraordinary departure from the
usual course of the human mind, to
add another word. the only possible
effect OF which is to qualify that strict
and rigorous meaning, and to present
clearly the choise ::of means in the
course of legislation. If no means
are to be restored to but such as are
indispensably necessary, there can be
neither sense or utility in adding the
word proper for the indispensable
necessity would shut out from view
all consideration of the property of
the measures. ."-3 Story's Commen-
taries, Sec 122.
Alexander Hamilton, in discussing
these high powers of the constitution
says:
"The authorities essential to the
care of the common defence are those
to raise armes; to build and equip
fleets; to provide for their support.
These powers ought to exist without
limitation; because it is impossible to
forcsee and define the extent and
variety of national ex,gencies, and
the correspondent extent and variety
of the means necessary to satisfy
them. The circumstances which en-
danger the safety Of nations are inf.
nate; and for this reason no consti.
tutional sl,ackles can wisely be i'm
posed on the power to which the care
of it is impossible" ~ ''This
power ought TO he under the direction
of the same councils which are ap.
pointed to preside over the common
defense" *** 1T must be ad
mitted as a necessary consequence
that there can be no Limitation Of tha,
authority which is to provide for the
defense and protection of the com
muni:y in any matter ESSENTIAL to it:
efficacy; that IS in any matter essential
20 the formation, direction, or support
of the national forces"
This statement adds Hamilton
"Rates upon two aximous, implt
as they are universal; the means
ought to be proportioned to the end
the persons from whose agencies th'
attainment of the end is expected
ought to possess the means by whicI
it is to be attained. ."-Federalist, No
%, PIP. 95, 80.
Congress may judge of the necessit,
in the present exigency. 1t may de
eide whether it will authorize tn
Secretary of the Treasury to issue de
mand Treasury notes, and max
them legal tender in payment o
debts, or whether it will put its 81,
or seven per cent bonds on the marke
at run,ous rates Of discount, an,
raise the money, at any sacrifice th
money.lender may require, to NEE
the pressing demands upon the Treas
urv. In one case the government
will be able to pay its debts at a fal
rate Of interest; in the other it mus
go into the streets shining for tn
means, like an individual in fa,lin,
circumstances, and shure of beln,
used up:in the end by the averice o
those who may exact unreasonable
terms. The government needs an'
should have, in her present peril, th
aid and protection Of all patri ii
citizens.
But, sir, knowing the power .
money, and the disposition there ,
among men to use it for the &C
QUESTION Of greater gain. / am III
willing that the government, with al
its immense power and resource:
should be left in the hands Of an
class OF men, bankers or money LEI
ders. however respectable and p.
ltriotif. they mav he The uOyer1