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AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SERIES

STUDIES IN CIVICS

BY JAMES T. McCLEARY, M.C.

LATE TEACHER OF CIVICS AND HISTORY IN THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
MANKATO, MINNESOTA
LIFE MEMBER MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

REVISED TO 1897






[Illustration: (House of Representatives) UNITED STATES CAPITOL (Senate.)]



TO THE MEMBERS OF MY CLASSES IN CIVICS, WHOSE QUESTIONS HAVE AIDED ME IN
DETERMINING WHAT SUBJECTS TO TREAT, AND WHOSE EARNESTNESS AND INTELLIGENCE
HAVE MADE IT A PLEASURE TO BE THEIR TEACHER, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY
INSCRIBED.




PREFACE.


The thought constantly in mind in the preparation of this book has been to
furnish useful material in usable form.

Attention is invited to the scope of the work. The Constitution of the
United States, not a mere abstract of it but a careful study of the text,
is properly given much space but is not allowed a monopoly of it. Each of
our governmental institutions deserves and receives a share of
consideration. The order of presentation--beginning with the town, where
the student can observe the operations of government, and proceeding
gradually to the consideration of government in general--is based upon
conclusions reached during eighteen years of experience in teaching this
subject.

Matter to be used chiefly for reference is placed in the appendix.
Attention is asked to the amount of information which, by means of
tabulations and other modes of condensation, is therein contained.
Documents easily obtainable, such as the Declaration of Independence, are
omitted to make room for typical and other interesting documents not
usually accessible.

Is this book intended to be an office-holders' manual? No; but it _is_
intended to help students to get an insight into the way in which public
business is carried on.

Is it designed as an elementary treatise on law? No; but the hope is
indulged that the young people who study it will catch something of the
_spirit_ of law, which to know is to respect.




CONTENTS.

PREFACE,
TO TEACHERS,
TO STUDENTS,

PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.

GOVERNMENT: WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT IS,

PART I.--GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE STATE.

CHAPTER.
     I.--THE TOWN: WHY AND HOW ORGANIZED, ETC.,
    II.--PRIMITIVE MODES OF ADMINISTERING JUSTICE,
   III.--PROCEEDINGS IN A JUSTICE COURT,
    IV.--THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE,
     V.--THE CITY,
    VI.--THE COUNTY,
   VII.--ESTABLISHING JUSTICE IN THE COUNTY,
  VIII.--HISTORICAL,

PART II.--THE STATE.

    IX.--STATES: WHY AND HOW CREATED,
     X.--STATE CONSTITUTIONS,
    XI.--DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT,
   XII.--THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT,
  XIII.--THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
   XIV.--OTHER STATE OFFICERS,
    XV.--THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT,
   XVI.--RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT,

PART III.--THE NATION.

  XVII.--THE CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION,
 XVIII.--THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION,
   XIX.--THE ORIGIN OF THE CONSTITUTION,
    XX.--THE CONSTITUTION: PREAMBLE,
   XXI.--STRUCTURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH,
  XXII.--POWERS OF CONGRESS,
 XXIII.--THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH,
  XXIV.--THE JUDICIAL BRANCH,
   XXV.--THE RELATIONS OF THE STATES,
  XXVI.--MODES OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION,
 XXVII.--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS,
XXVIII.--RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION,
  XXIX.--THE AM