8. When is an act said to be performed by the people of the United States?

When it is performed by a majority of the people, 9. Is the Constitution a league between the States? No; it is the fundamental law of a national gov rument for the people of the United States.

10. Why may not a state withdraw or secede from the Union?

Because the Constitution does not authorize it.

11. Suppose Congress should make a law contrary to the Constitution, may not the people of a state declare it null and void?

They have no right or power to do so.

12. What would be the remedy in case Congress should pass such a law?

The Supreme Court would declare it null and void.

13. By what authority would it do so?

By authority given it by the Constitution. 14. How does that appear?

It appears from the express language of the Constitution.

15. Quote the language in point.

This Constitution . . . shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution and laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding."

16. How does it appear that the Supreme Court has power to declare laws that are contrary to the Constitution null and void?

The Constitution says, "The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law or equity arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States," &c.

17. Does the Supreme Court decide upon the con stitutionality of the laws before they go into operation! It does not.

18. Can any one who deems a law unconstitutional refer it to the Supreme Court for a decision?

He cannot. In order that the court may pro nounce a decision on a law, it must be legally brought before the court in a case to be adjudicated.

19. Is the decision of the Supreme Court final? It is.

20. Suppose it should be erroneous?

There is no help for it. It must stand till reversed by the same court, or by an amendment to the Constitution.

21. Can the states be properly termed sovereign states?

They cannot, for they have not sovereign power. 22. What is sovereign power?

Sovereign power is supreme power; the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

They are divided into three departments, viz., the legislative, the judicial, and the executive.

2. What is the office of the legislative department! To make the laws.

3. What is the office of the judicial department? To interpret and apply the laws.

4. What is the office of the executive department? To execute the laws.

5. Why should not one man or one set of men nuke, interpret, and execute the laws?

Experience has shown that there is greater security for justice when the three departments of governmeut are separate.

6. Should the different departments be independent of one another?

They should be as far as is practicable.

7. Suppose the judges were dependent on the executive for their offices and salaries?

They might be tempted to consult his wishes rather than the dictates of justice.

8. Is it practicable to make the different departments of government entirely independent of one another?

It is not.

9. What constitutes the legislative department of the government of the United States?

Congress.

10. Repeat Art. I. Sec. 1 of the Constitution.

"All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."

il. Why should Congress consist of two houses instead of one?

Two houses furnish greater security for wise legislation; for if a bill passes one house without due con. sideration, its defects may be discovered in the other house.

12. How is the House of Representatives com posed?

"The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state hall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature." --Art. I. § 2. 1.

13. Why should not the representatives be elected for one year instead of two?

If chosen for one year only, the members would scarcely become familiar with their duties and the mode of doing business before their term of service would expire.

14. Why, then, was not a longer term than two years fixed upon?

The term, as it now stands, was the result of compromise between those who preferred to have the representatives elected annually and those who preferred to have them elected for a longer period.

15. What qualifications are required for a repre

sentative?

"No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen." - Art. I. } 2.2.

16. To whom is reference made in the expressioną 14 seven years a citizen of the United States"? To foreigners.

17. How do foreigners become citizens? By becoming naturalized according to law

18. Why must a foreigner be a citizen for seven years before he can be a representative ?

To give him time to become weaned from his native land, and to become more strongly attached to the land of his adoption.

19. Could a citizen of Boston be elected a repreentative from New York?

He could not; because the Constitution requires the representative to be an inhabitant of the state for which he is chosen.

20. What are congressional districts?

Each state is by a law of the state divided into as many congressional districts as it has representatives. 21. Does the Constitution require that such a division be made?

It does not.

22. Must the representative be an inhabitant of the district for which he is chosen?

The Constitution does not require it, but it is the established custom.

23. How are representatives apportioned among the states?

"Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons." Art. I. § 2. 3.

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21. What is meant by "three fifths of all other persons"?

Slaves.

25. How is the number of the people known!