Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-01-02
FACTS OF LAW.
Senator Chandler Quotes From
the U. S. Constitution.
Powers OF Congress President
Bound to Obey the Law.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Dec. Ex-senator
William +. Chandler Of New Hampshire has
written the following letter to Washington
PAPER.
HE new immigration law, If it passes, will
require fDrei ,ners coming to this country to
read and write. ~ II test, five lines OF the
United States constitution. There are GER
tain five lines which eminent Spanish-Ameri-
can lawyers ought t. rea l.
SrrtioA 8. after enumerating. in seventeen
clauses. the powers of the Congress, adds
another as follows:
IS To make all laws which shall be
necessary aud proper, for carrying into ex-
eclti III the foregoing powers and all other
POWERS vested by tnis constitution in the
government OF tn. United States or in any
departing mt or officer thereof.
1t is not contended that the above clause
Is. gives Congress over by law passed over
a veto by two-thirds vote to interfere with
any power made exclusive In the president
by cXpless words or necessary implication.
What are the powers expressly given to
tie president?
|. TO command the army and navy.
2. 10 grant parions.
8. 10 make treaties (with the consent Of
the Senate
4. To appoint officers of the United
States.
5. To convene Congress and to adjourn it
when the two Houses disagree.
g. 10 receive Ambassadors and other pub
lie ministers.
7. To take care that the laws be faith
fully executed.
8. TO commission officers Of the United
States
The above are all the powers granted.
Compare them with the long list OF powers
given to Congress. including that to declare
war, and to provide for the common defense
and general welfare, and ending with the
power, with the above clause. IL, to make
all laws necessary and proper to carry into
execution all the powers vested in the gov
erlment. "or in any department or officer
thereof
The president may command the army and
navy. Yes, but Congress. by law, may give
him specific directions what to do with them
to use them in any particular direction, or
not to uso them ut all.
lie may grant pardOns. Yes, this is an rX-
elusive and uncomfortable power, but Con-
grcss may, 10y law, open all prison doors
and let the criminals go free.
He may make treaties with the consent of
the Senate, aud they become law. He is the
only p ,wer to maze law not vested in Con-
.resa.
If, may appoint officers. Yes, but Con-
gross may create and abolish the offices. and
regulate the power OF appointment by civil
Sc. vice rules; he is TO commission all OIL
GERS. but he can commission only those who
are appointed in pursuance of law.
He is to receive the foreign ministers.
Yes. bat only ministers from countries which
Congress chooses to have recognized. If
the governments are striving for control of
II country, Congress may, by law. decide
whi,h government the United States will
recognise. and the president is bound to
obey the law and receive Il mini 'tcr from
that government and refuse to received min
ister from the other.
The idea that the president has the sole
preroga,ive of deciding what foreign gov
ernmcnts shall be recognized by the United
States has no Foundation whatever in any
words to be seen in the constitution.
There is no escape for the advocates of