Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-01-22
Rights, Privileges and Restrictions Under
Constitution Summarized In Terse
Examination

commits accused persons for examina-
tion by the grand jury.
80. How many are the judges o.
the Supreme court?
A chief justice and eight associate
justices
so. What is the term OF office Of
the judges Of the Supreme coart7
During good behavior, which means
for life subject to removal by impeach-
ment. This is also true Of all United
States judges in the States. but those
| IN the territories hold office only for
limited terms.
81. How are judges appointeda
i BY the President, subject to con-
firmation by the Senate.
So. Where does the Supreme Court
sit7
At Washington.
So. What are the powers and du-
ties Of the Federal Courts?
To define and interpret the meaning
/ of the Constitution and laws Of the
United States and treaties made under
their authority. To decide whether
laws of Congress or State laws are in
conformity with or against the mean.
Il
to declare unconstitutional and of no
effect any law which conflicts with
the Constitution.
The classes of cases dealt with by
the Federal courts are:
! Cd Cases in law and equity arising
under the Constitution, the laws OF
the United States and treaties made
under their authority.
(2) Cases affecting ambassadors,
other public ministers and consuls.
| (3) Cases of admiralty and mari
time Jurisdiction.
/ (D Controversies In which the
United States Is a party.
(5) Controversies between two or
more States, between q State and citi-
| zens OF another State, between citi-
zens of different States, between citi-
zens OF the same State claiming lands
under grants of different States, and
between a State or its citizens and
foreign States, citizens or subjects;
provided. however. that by the 18th
amendment there are excepted from
the Jurisdiction of Federal courts any
suit in law or equity against one Of the
States brought by citizens of another
State, or by citizens or subjects Of
any foreign State. (Bryee's Amerf-
can Commonwealth, edition of 1910,
Volume 1, pages 232-236.J
81. What 10 the jurisdiction Of the
Supreme Court?
Its Jurisdiction Is original in cases
affecting ambassadors, or in which q
| State is party; in other cases 1t is
appellate. The time of the Supreme
Court is most largely occupied with
cases within its appellate jurisdiction,
concerning questions arising under
the Constitution, laws, or treaties OF
the United States.
SIS. What 10 a Jury?
Twelve men chosen to hear the evil
dence in a criminal or civil case and
render verdict either for one party
or the other according to the law and
the evidence. In criminal case the
plaintiff is the United States or the
State whose penal laws are alleged to
have been broken. The Constitution
preserves the right to trial by jury
not only in criminal but in ordinary,
or common-law, civil cases involving
$40 or more in value. This provision
applies to the United States govern
ment, but all the States also provide
for jury trial.
So. What Is grand jury?
A body consisting usually of % men
who Investigate charges Of criminal
offenses and, If they find sufficient
evidence to warrant. bring written
accusation, called an Indictment"
against the alleged offender. Where
upon he is held for trial by petit or
trial jury.
81. What 10 treason under the Con
stitution?
The making of war against the ma
ton by a citizen, or his adhering to
the enemies of the nation and giving
them aid and comfort Treason is a
breach of allegiance.
So. How may the Constitution be
amended or changed?
In one Of two ways: First, by Con-
gress, two-thirds of both houses as.
senting, proposing amendments for
ratification by the legislatures or by
conventions of the States, which shall
be valid when ratified by three-fourths
of the States; and second, by Con.
gress on the application Of two-thirds
of the States calling convention for
proposing amendments, which when
ratified in like manner shall be valid.
(Cooley's Constitutional Law, Sd edi-
ton, page 49,
Important amendments which have
been made are Cd those eight amend.
ments constituting a bill of rights
to secure freedom of religion, speech,
and peaceful assembly, certain rights
of the accused, and trial by jury In
civil cases, ~ the amendment relat-
ing to the presidential election, CD
the amendments forbidding slavery,
and securing equal rights to all regard
less of race or color or previous condi-
ton of servitude, and t4) the recent
amendments authorizing Congress to
impose a tax upon incomes and provid-
ing for the election Of senators by
direct vote of the people instead OF
by State legislatures as previously.
SO. What is meant BY the common
Characterization Of our government az
one OF checks and baiances?"
We have the three distinct depart
ments above described, all indepen-