Studies in Civics

Studies in Civics

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Studies in Civics, by James T.
McCleary
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Title: Studies in Civics
Author: James T. McCleary
Release Date: January 17, 2004 [eBook #10733]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STUDIES IN
CIVICS***
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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
AMENDMENTS,

PART IV.--GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL.

XXX.--FORMS OF GOVERNMENT,

PART V.--COMMERCIAL LAW.
XXXI.--CONTRACTS, XXXII.--AGENCY,
XXXIII.--PARTNERSHIP, XXXIV.--CORPORATIONS,
XXXV.--COMMERCIAL PAPER,
APPENDIX.
A.--FORMS, B.--TABLES, C.--HOW SOME THINGS ARE DONE,
D.--SOME PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW,
E.--DOCUMENTS,
GENERAL INDEX,

TO TEACHERS.
Highly competent teachers are the very ones who receive most kindly
suggestions meant to be helpful. For such these words are intended.
The local organizations are so related that it is advisable for all classes
to consider each of them. Especial attention should, however, be given
to the organization (town, village or city) in which the school is. Here
considerable time can be profitably spent, and the matter in the book
may be much amplified. Here must be laid the basis of future study.
Certain typical instruments deserve careful study. For a student to have
made out understandingly an official bond, for instance, is for him to
have gained greatly in intelligence.
It will be of great advantage to the class for the teacher to have a
complete set of the papers whose forms are given in Appendix A.
These may be obtained at almost any newspaper office, at a cost of
about 50 cents.
A scrap-book or series of envelopes in which to file newspaper
clippings illustrative of the every-day workings of government, may be
made very useful. Pupils should be permitted and encouraged to

contribute.
One good way to review is for the teacher to give out, say once in two
weeks, a set of twenty-five or more questions,