so as to satisfy both the large and the small states. So long as the idea of having the congress consist of one house remained, this difficulty seemed insurmountable. But the proposal of the bicameral congress proved a happy solution of the question.* Although so much distress had followed state regulation of commerce, and although most of the delegates from the commercial states were in favor of vesting this power in the federal government, it was only after much deliberation, and after making the concession that no export duties should be levied, that the power to regulate commerce was vested in congress. Another perplexing question was the regulation of the slave trade. For two days there was a stormy debate on this question. By a compromise congress was forbidden to prohibit the importation of slaves prior to 1808, but the imposition of a tax of ten dollars a head was permitted. The men who constituted the convention.-The convention included such men as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Roger Sherman, Gouverneur Morris, Edmund Randolph, and the Pinckneys. "Of the destructive element, that which can point out defects but cannot remedy them, which is eager to tear down but inapt to build up, it would be difficult to name a representative in the convention."t The constitution a growth.-The constitution was not an entirely new invention. The men who prepared it were wise enough not to theorize very much, but rather to avail themselves of the experience of the ages. Almost every state furnished some feature. For in * See discussion of section 1, Article I., Constitution. + Cyclopedia of Political Science, vol. I., article "Compromises." stance: The title President had been used in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Delaware, and South Carolina; the term Senate had been used in eight states; the appointment and confirmation of judicial officers had been practiced in all the states; the practice of New York suggested the president's message, and that of Massachusetts his veto; each power of the president had its analogy in some state; the office of vice-president came from that of lieutenant governor in several of the states. Some peculiarities of the constitution.-And yet the instrument is one of the most remarkable ever penned by man. 1. It is short. It would not occupy more than about two columns of a newspaper. 2. It covers the right ground. It deals with things permanent, and leaves transient matters to legislation. Its adaptation to our needs is seen in the fact that it has remained substantially unchanged, although in territory and population our country has grown immensely. 3. It is a model in arrangement and language. The lucidity and perspicuity of the language of the constitution have called forth expressions of admiration from all who have studied it carefully. Let us now proceed to a study of the instrument itself, prepared to weigh every word, realizing that each one is there for a purpose. Some Pertinent Questions. Group all the defects of the government under the articles of confederation using these two heads: 1. Defects in organization. 2. Defects in essential powers. In the constitutional convention there were several "plans" proposing forms of government. State the provisions of the Virginia plan; of the New Jersey plan; of the Hamilton plan. Watch for traces of each as you proceed in your study of the constitution. Study the following outline of the constitution until you have it pretty well in mind: GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE CONSTITUTION. PREAMBLE, giving reasons for the formation of the constitution. ARTICLE I.-The Legislative Department. Sec. 1. Vestment of power in a congress of two houses. Sec. 2. House of Representatives: apportionment, qualifications, election, term, sole powers. Sec. 3. Senate: apportionment, qualifications, election, term, sole powers. Sec. 4. Congress: time and place of election, time of meet. ing. Sec. 5. Houses respectively: relations to members. Sec. 9. Prohibitions on congress. Sec. 10. Prohibitions on the states. ARTICLE II.-The Executive Department. Sec. 1. Vestment of power, term, qualifications, election, etc. Sec. 2. Powers. Sec. 3. Duties. Sec. 4. Responsibility. ARTICLE III.-The Judicial Department. Sec. 1. Vestment of authority, appointment, term, etc. Sec. 3. Treason, definition, procedure. ARTICLE IV.-The States. Sec. 1. Mutual credit of official papers. Sec. 2. Inter-state relations. Sec. 3. New states and territories. Sec. 4. Republican form of government guaranteed. ARTICLE V.-Mode of Amending the Constitution. ARTICLE VI.-Miscellaneous. ARTICLE VII.-Ratification. 1-10. Personal rights guaranteed. 11. Limitation on jurisdiction of U. S. Courts. Room. MAIN BUILDING. 33. House Document Room. 34. Index-Room. 35. House Committee on Banking and Currency. 36. Clerk House Representatives. It 37. Office of the Clerk of the Supreme 38. Robing-Room of the Judges of the Supreme Court. 39. Withdrawing-Room of the Supreme Court. 40. Office of the Marshal of the Su- The Supreme Court formerly the The Old Hall of the House of Rep- The Congressional Library contains Room. SENATE WING, 16. Office of the Secretary of the Senate. 20. Engrossing and Enrolling Clerks of 21. Committee on Appropriations. 22. Closets. 23. Committee on Enrolled Bills. 25. Room of the President, etc. 29. Official Reporters of Debates. 31. Committee on District of Columbia. 33. Elevator. |