Citizenship Part 11

They have a Governor appointed by the President, a legislature of two Houses elected by the people, and a system of courts.

"There are seventy-six cities and towns which enjoy some local government."

They send as their representative to Congress, a resident commissioner. While these new possessions are expensive they add great wealth and power to our nation.

Taxes are contributions that the people are required by the government to pay in order to meet the expenses of our nation.

We are not patriotic unless we respond to the call of our government.

REFERENDUM AND INITIATIVE.

Some states have the referendum and initiative power of helping to make laws.

If a state legislature pa.s.ses a law that the people do not approve of a pet.i.tion may be signed by a certain number of voters which will require the law to be referred to the people for their approval or disapproval.

Referendum means referring a law pa.s.sed by the legislature back to the voters for their approval or disapproval.

"If five per cent of the voters of a state and two-thirds of the congressional districts do not approve of a bill pa.s.sed by the General a.s.sembly they sign a pet.i.tion and file it with the Secretary of State in ninety days after the General a.s.sembly adjourns." The question involved is then submitted to the voters at the next election for their approval or disapproval.

The initiative is the right of the voters to start legislation. The object of the initiative and the referendum is to compel legislative bodies to act and respect the will of the people whom they represent.

The initiative pet.i.tion must be filed four months before the regular election with the Secretary of State.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

The District of Columbia, including Was.h.i.+ngton, the Capital of the United States, is governed by Congress and by judicial and executive officers appointed by the President of the United States. The people have no power of self government.

The Const.i.tution gives Congress the exclusive right of government in the District of Columbia.

It is governed by three commissioners appointed by the President. One must be an officer of the army and the other two appointed from civil life.

Congress keeps a watch over the District, and devotes certain days to considering the business of the District.

The courts of the district are Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, police court, justices of the peace.

The judicial officers are appointed by the President.

The District of Columbia has no representative in Congress.

PANAMA Ca.n.a.l ZONE.

The Panama Ca.n.a.l Zone is under the control of a governor who is appointed by the President of the United States.

"It is neutral and open to vessels of commerce and war of all nations, but war vessels must pa.s.s through without delay and while in the ca.n.a.l cannot load or unload troops or munitions of war."

The cost of the construction of the ca.n.a.l was about $400,000,000. It shortens the voyage from New York to San Francisco 8,000 miles.

GUAM AND SAMOAN ISLANDS.

These islands are naval stations and are governed by the naval officers stationed there.

COMMERCE.

Commerce is divided between the state and Federal governments. We have interstate commerce, foreign commerce and commerce with the Indians.

Congress regulates commerce.

Interstate commerce is carried on in the United States, as when goods are s.h.i.+pped from one state to another, or one place in a state to another, either by land or water. The Interstate Commerce Commission provided for by Congress is composed of nine men appointed by the President, and regulates interstate commerce. The members of this commission receive a salary of $10,000.00 annually.

FOREIGN COMMERCE.

Foreign commerce is commerce carried on with foreign countries.

Certain regulations are prescribed for vessels engaged in foreign commerce, "Enter" and "Clear" ports.

All vessels registered in the United States are protected by the government in any part of the world. Only vessels can be registered by a citizen of the United States. No foreign vessel can register.

Congress regulates commerce with foreign nations and among the states, and Indian tribes.

INDIAN TRIBES.

The government looks after the interest of "Indian affairs." There are about 300,000 Indians on 150 reservations in different states and territories all under the protection of the United States.

NATIONAL PARKS.

The national government has set aside several large tracts of land for National Parks. The Yellowstone National Park is about half as large as Ma.s.sachusetts and is the most beautiful and interesting park in the world.

CHAPTER X.

VOTER'S DUTY AS A CITIZEN.

To vote is an expression of choice for this man or woman for an office. The ballot is the only efficient way to express public opinion and should be regarded as a sacred trust.

Every person in the state is either a citizen or alien.

"An alien is a person born in a foreign country who lives here, but is still a subject of some other country."

An alien may become a citizen of the United States after he has lived in this country for five years and in the state one year. He must be able to read and write his name, to speak English and be of moral character.