MAY 1925
Tage Thirteen
THE UNITED AMERICAN
BECOMING AN AMERICAN
(Continued from Page Eight)
that making the process slow and difficult would tend
to prevent the passing of bad laws. In justice to them
it must be said that a very great majority of all laws
passed either by Congress or our state legislatures are
of such kind that, if enforced, they would be helpful
to our citizens.
Other legislative bodies are county courts and city
councils. These, however, are limited in their powers
to such duties as appropriating money and directing
work for the districts which they represent.
The powers of the two houses are much the same,
altho the senate has some powers the lower house does
not have. For example, its consent is necessary to
ratify treaties and for certain important appointments
to office. On the other hand, all bills relating to raising
money for the support of government or to expending
money, must be first introduced in the lower house,
altho the senate may amend them. Altho the ehief
function of Congress is the making of laws, it also aids
in the process of amending the Constitution, it may be
called on to choose the president or vice-president, and
it has the power to impeach officers of the executive
and judicial departments. Certain definite powers
have to do with the national money and with patents,
taxation and commerce. Powers not directly con
ferred on Congress by the constitution are reserved to
the states. Furthermore, there are powers implied in
the constitution, that is, not directly mentioned but
implied in the statement that Congress shall make all
laws which shall be necessary and proper for carry
ing into execution the powers named, which have been
frequently used for th® advancement of our country.
It is thru such implied powers that Congress has
purchased land, as in the case of Alaska, has ex
pended money for canals, as in the case of the Panama
canal, and has maintained certain forms of education
in the states, as in the case of agricultural courses
offered in many of our high schools.
Surely the making of law is the most responsible
function of government. We can not live together
peaceably in society without rules of conduct based on
just and fair dealings. Without such rules, neither
life nor limb nor property would be safe and anarchy
would prevail.
Man came to appreciate this fact very early;—
hence we find laws even amongst the lowest savages.
Usually these were little more than customs; however
we do find well organized codes of laws dating far
back in history. Examples are the laws of the
Hebrews given in the Old Testamment and the old
Roman laws of Justinian which fill many volumes
Our laws are largely founded upon the old English
laws which date back several centuries.
Laws were fewer and simpler formerly than they
are today; hence they were more easily understood
and more generally respected. It seems, tho, that we
have come to an age of numberless laws, to an age
when there seems to be no end of laws and lawmakers,
when, apparently, many men think they have done
their chief duty toward their country when they have
helped in enacting a new law. This condition is not
a healthy one. We have come to have so many laws
that there is growing up a disrespect for law. We
must always bear in mind that the backbone of our
governmental system is law and that when law disre
spect becomes common and strong our very national
existence is in danger. Hence many people earnestly
believe that there is very grave need today for a re
turn to the deeper law respect of the early days of our
nation. To do this, we must teach in both home and
school to better advantage the need and value of law.
We must enforce in both institutions a firmer control.
We must help to bring about in our communities a
stricter enforcement of law. We must insist that the
use of trivial technicalities to free dangerous crimi
nals from the necessity of punishment shall cease and
we must demand sterner and more certain punishment
for law breaking.
Upon those of us who are citizens and upon you when
you become citizens, rests this great responsibility.
In no better way can you serve your adopted country.
Such policy may even be the means of saving it.
Loyalty to Your Country
RY COMING to the United States you have
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of becoming a GOOD AMERICAN.
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Portland, Oregon
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