The government class book: Designed for the instruction of youth in the principles of constitutional government and the rights and duties of citizens.Young, Andrew W. (Andrew White)
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The government class book: Designed for the instruction of youth in the principles of constitutional government and the rights and duties of citizens.
Young, Andrew W. (Andrew White)
United States -- Politics and government -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
§10. The next clause provides that "no money shall be drawn from the
treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." This places
the public money beyond the reach or control of the executive or any
other officer, and secures it in the hands of the representatives of the
people. In pursuance of this provision, congress, at every session,
passes laws specifying the objects for which money is to be
appropriated. The latter part of the clause requires, that "a regular
statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public
money shall be published from time to time." And it is by law made the
duty of the secretary of the treasury to make to congress annually such
statement, which is published by order of congress; so that the people
may know for what purposes the public money is expended.
§11. It is next declared, that "no title of nobility shall be granted by
the United States." Although the bare titles of lord, duke, &c., which
are conferred upon citizens in monarchical governments, could not add to
the political power of any person under our constitution; yet, as it is
desirable that there should be equality of rank as well as of political
rights, it is proper that congress should be prohibited from creating
titles of nobility. And to guard public officers against being corrupted
by foreign influence, they are forbidden to "accept of any present,
emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince,
or foreign state."
Chapter XXXVIII.
Prohibitions on the States.
§1. The next section contains restrictions on the powers of the states.
"No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation." [For
the definition of _treaty_ and the manner in which a treaty is made, see
Chapter XL: §3-5.] An _alliance_ is a union between two or more nations,
by a treaty, or contract, for their mutual benefit. _Confederation_ and
_alliance_, have nearly the same meaning. If the states, separately,
were allowed to make treaties or form alliances with foreign powers, the
rights and interests of one state might be injured by the treaties made
by another state. As the states united constitute but one nation, it is
obvious that the power to treat with other nations properly belongs to
the general government. If the states also had the power, they might
counteract the policy of the national government.
§2. Nor may a state "grant letters of marque and reprisal." If, as has
been shown, this power is properly given to congress, it could not be
safely intrusted to the states. (Chap. XXXVI, §5.)
§3. The power to "coin money" is also prohibited to the states. It was
given to the general government to secure a uniform currency. (Chap.
XXXIV, §7.) But this object would not be likely to be attained, if the
power to coin money were exercised by the states.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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