Part 65 (2/2)
Moreover, even the President must act according to law, and in so far as his duties are not prescribed by the Const.i.tution they are prescribed by Congress. Congress must also create the machinery by which the President executes the laws, and it must appropriate the necessary money. The Senate exercises a further control over the President in that it must approve all appointments and all treaties made by him.
METHOD OF ELECTING THE PRESIDENT
The method of electing the President provided in the Const.i.tution was intended to insure a wise choice, and also shows a lack of complete confidence in the people on the part of the framers of the Const.i.tution. He was to be elected by a body of ELECTORS, chosen by the several states ”in such manner as the legislatures thereof may direct,” the number of electors from each state to equal the whole number of senators and representatives from that state (Art. II, sec. 2). These electors were originally chosen by the legislatures of the states, but are now elected by the people.
When voters ”vote for the President” every four years, they in reality only vote for these electors who, in turn, cast their votes for the President.
DEPARTURE FROM THE INTENTION OF THE CONSt.i.tUTION
In the method of electing the President we find one of the points where the intention of the framers of the Const.i.tution has clearly been thwarted. It was obviously the intention that the electors chosen by the states should use their own discretion in the choice of the President. But in practice to-day, the entire body of electors from each state always represents the victorious political party, and casts its vote invariably for the presidential candidate already nominated by the party machinery.
We still elect the electors, and the electors go through the form of electing the President; but their part in the procedure is now entirely useless.
THE VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President of the United States is elected at the same time and by the same method as the President. But he has no executive duties whatever so long as the President is capable of performing his duties. In order that he might have something to do, he was made presiding officer of the Senate, but even there he has no vote.
Investigate and report:
The qualifications necessary to hold the office of President (Const., Art. II, sec. I, cl. 5).
How the electors elect the President (Const., Amend. XII).
Who would become President if both the President and the Vice- President should die.
The salary of the President.
The oath taken by the President on a.s.suming office. The difference between an oath and an affirmation (Art. II, sec. i, cl. 8).
The powers of the President (Art. II, sec. 2).
A President who was impeached.
Why no President has been elected for a third term.
Advantages and disadvantages of a longer term for the President.
GROWTH OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION
The President is at the head of a stupendous service organization which was not ready-made by the Const.i.tution, but which has been gradually created by acts of Congress under its express and implied powers. The Const.i.tution did not even create the great administrative departments through which the President works, although it implied that such departments should be created: ”The President ... may require the opinion, in writing, of the princ.i.p.al officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices” (Art.
II, sec. 2, cl. i). The heads of these departments are appointed by the President, are responsible to him, and may be removed by him. Together they const.i.tute the President's CABINET, meeting with him frequently to discuss the affairs of their departments and matters of public policy.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS
Five of these administrative departments were created during Was.h.i.+ngton's administration. These five have grown to cover a mult.i.tude of activities that were not at first contemplated, and five other great departments have since been created.
The DEPARTMENT OF STATE maintains relations between the United States and foreign powers. The Secretary of State, acting for the President, negotiates treaties with foreign governments, and is in constant communication with the amba.s.sadors, ministers, consuls, and other representatives of our government in foreign countries, and with similar representatives of foreign governments in this country. This department is the medium of communication between the President and the governors of the several states. The Secretary of State has in his keeping the treaties and laws of the United States, and also the Great Seal of the United States, which he affixes to proclamations, commissions, and other official papers. Through him the rights of American citizens in foreign countries are looked after. He is first in rank among the members of the cabinet, and by law would succeed to the Presidency in case of the death or disability of both the President and the Vice- President.
The DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY has at its head the Secretary of the Treasury, who is the financial manager of the national government. He prepares plans for, and superintends the collection of, the public revenues; determines the manner of keeping the public accounts; directs the coinage and printing of money. He also controls the construction and maintenance of public buildings, and administers the public health service and the life- saving service.
<script>