Evening star., 1924-10-22

Just as in your own school life you
must recognize four branches of au-
thority-the school board, which con-
siders policies and providing funds;
the teacher. who carries out these
policies or programs; the superin-
tendent of schools. who sees that the
school boards will Is carried out. and,
underneath all, the will of your par
ents, who, by their taxes, support the
schools-so also in the scheme of
general or Federal government.
Our Republican system of govern
ment cCmprehends just these same
four features, each of which is vital
as check or prop: Cd An executive
and (2) a legislative body elected by
the people, which, working together
in a representative capacity, have all
power of appointment, all power of
legislation, all power to raise reve-
nues and appropriate for expendi-
lures and are required to create CD
judiciary to pass upon the justice
and legality of their governmental
acts and to recognize 60 certain in
herent individual rights.
Having seen in Article l of this
series that the Federal Government
is nothing but ourselves and has no
rights but what we give 1t, and hav-
ing seen in Articles 2 and that the
power and authority of the general
Government is definitely set forth in
the Constitution, representing the
delegated will of I'VE, the People"
after duly considering the inherent
rights of each and all of US, we now
come to a consideration Of the func-
tionS of government"
Three Essential Functions.
The fundamental or essential func-
RI L.
the laws; two, to administer the
laws, and, three. to interpret and en-
force the laws.
Within recent years governments
have more and more undertaken
activities having for their purpose
the promotion of the general welfare,
such as scientific research work of
the Department of Agriculture.
The Government of the United States
as established by the Constitution is
thus divided into the three branches
legislative, executive and judicial
to each Of which was delegated GER
tain powers.
The legislative branch of the Gov
ernment is Congress, which is divided
into two houses, called the Senate
and the House of Representatives
each of which has certain limited
powers: but in order to pass any law
Treasury it is necessary for both
houses of Congress to come to an
agreement and pass it.
Has Greatest Power.
The President Is the Chief Execu-
tive, and, with the officers appointed
by him, exercises the Executive au-
thority conferred by the Constitution.
The appointing power of the Presi-
dent is probably the greatest now
exercised by any executive or ruler In
the world.
The judicial power was vested in
courts as may be established by law.
These courts are called Federal
courts, to distinguish them from the
courts of the States. 1t Is the duty
of the courts to declare the law in
cases submitted to them.
These three branches of the Gov
ernment are distinct and Independent
Of each other in the exercise of their
proper powers; but in certain cases,
joint action is required. For in
stance, the President has the right
to veto an act passed by Congress,
and, If he does, it cannot become
law unless two-thirds of each house
passes it over his veto. The judges
and important officers of the Govern
ment are appointed by the President,
Treaties with other nations are made
by the President, but must be ratified
by the Senate. Only the House of