p. 21 | Outlines of Government

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 27, 1907

“Outlines of Government”

The West Michigan Herald, published an article by Prof. Clifford Russell, from which we quote: “The United States is a federal republic consisting of forty-six States. The government is divided into three independent departments; namely, legislative, or law-making; executive, or law-enforcing; and judicial, or law-interpreting.

“The legislative department is vested in Congress, which meets regularly at Washington on the first Monday in December. The last session of Congress was the fifty-ninth.

“The executive department is vested in the president.

“The judicial department is vested in the various courts.

“The United States Senate consists of ninety-two members, two from each State. They are chosen for six years by the State legislature. Qualifications: thirty years of age; citizen of the United States nine years; an inhabitant of the State from which chosen. Vacancies are filled by the legislature, if in session, if not, by the governor until the next session of legislature. The Senate concurs with the House of Representatives in making laws; confirms or rejects treaties and appointments made by the president.

“The United States House of Representatives consists of three hundred and fifty-six members — the number from each State being proportionate to the population, which is ascertained by a census taken every ten years. Representatives are chosen by the people for two years, at the fall election which occurs on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every second year. Qualifications: twenty-five years of age; resident of the United States seven years; an inhabitant of the State from which chosen. Vacancies filled by the governor’s issuing a writ of election for that district, and the people’s choosing a representative to fill the unexpired term. The House of Representatives concurs with the Senate in making laws.

“Executive department: The president of the United States is chosen by electors, who are elected by the people at the fall election. Term, four years. Qualifications: thirty-six years of age; fourteen years a resident of the United States; a native-born citizen. The number of electoral votes from a State is equal to the number of senators and representatives. Duties: to execute the laws; to act as commander-in-chief of the army and navy; to sign or veto bills; to call extra sessions of Congress; to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons; to recommend measures to Congress; to make treaties and appointments with the advice and consent of the Senate. Cabinet officers, March 4, 1907: Secretary of State, Root; Secretary of the Treasury, Courtelyou; Secretary of War, Taft; Secretary of the Navy, Metcalf; Postmaster-General, Meyer; Secretary of the Interior, Garfield; Attorney-General, Bonaparte; Secretary of Agriculture, Wilson; Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Strauss.

“Judicial department: The Supreme Court of the United States consists of a chief justice and eight associate justices, appointed by the president, approved by the Senate. The chief justice is Melville W. Fuller. They hold office during life, or good behavior. There are nine circuit courts.”