The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-19
BY HARRY ATWOOD
President Constitution Anniversary
Association

The delegates realized that in order
to carry out the purpose and plan
of the Constitution it would be nee
essary to make la 5, enforce laws,
and interpret laws, SO they provided
for setting up legislative, executive,
and judicial departments and vested
them with gene.-l rover and with
specific powers.
The legislative power is vested in
a Congress composed of Senate
and House of Representatives.
The executive power is vested in
a president.
The judicic.. power is vested in
one supreme court and in such in
ferior courts as Congress may from
time to time or1nin and establish.
Its Simplicity
The Constitution Of the United
States was written in seven articles
of approximately IS sections.
The Constitution of the State Of
Oklahoma. which Is illustrative of
some - the constitutions Of other
states. contain "a articles and there
are 50 sections in one article; more
sections in one article of the Okla
homa State Constitution than in the
entire federal Constitution.
This comparison helps US to APP
preciate the brevity and conciseness
Of the language used in the pro-
visions Of our Constitution for vest
Some of the specific powers vest
ed in Congress are: to lay and coll
lect taxes; to borrow money; to reg
ulatc commerce; to coin nj ncy; to
raise and support armies.
Power Over Members
A specific power which has been
under heated discussion during re-
cent months in relation to the selec-
tons Of Illinois and Pennsylvania
for United States senator is the fol-
lowing:
Each house shall be the judge
Of the elections, returns. and qualifi-
cations Of its own members, and a
majority of each shall constitute q
quorum to do business"
The meaning of his language is
very clear that each house has the
power to refuse for membership any
person VIII it, for its own reasons,
does not consider properly elected or
qualified for membership.
Among the specific powers vested
in the president are: To be COM
mander- in-chief of the army and navy
of the United States; to make treat
les by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate.
Judicial Powers
Some of the specific powers vest
ed in the judiciary are: Jurisdiction
in all cases in law and equity aris-
ing under this Constitution. the laws
Of the United States, and treaties
made; in controversies to which the
United States shall be party; in
controversies between two or more
states. between a state and foreign
states.
Naturally there are other powers
| vested in the departments. but these
are illustrative Of the terseness of
statement, dignity of style, sweep
of comprehensiveness, and clarity
of expression used in vesting pow
ers under the Constitution.
When we contemplate the billions
of dollars that have been utilized
in the manifold activities, gigantic
ments which have resulted there
from, it seems almost unbelievable
that such simple provisions would
meet all exigencies that have arisen
since they were written, and that
there seems now on reason for MAX
ing a single change.
Looking Ahead
1t is impossible to acquire an ade-
quate conception of the marvellous
manner in which the powers are emu
merated without going to the docu-
ment itself.
When the Constitution was writ
ten, the location of the national CAPT.
tai had not been determined, and
the following provision indicates how
clearly &c authors foresaw and pro-
Wed for future contingencies.
The Congress shall have power:
"To exercise exclusive legislation
in all cases whatsoever, over such
district (not exceeding ten miles
square) as may. by cession of partic--
ular states, ard the acceptance of
Congress, become the seat of the gov
eminent of the nited States"
1t is remarkable that in a few lines
such complete constitutional provi-
sion could be made for the seat Of
government that no amendment has
been necessary regarding it.
The citizens of the District of Co.
1up,h;o have ! 4, vote in loo: or ma