4, 1841, President 1 month. John Tyler, Va., VicePresident 4 years.

10. James K. Polk, Tenn., inaugurated March 4, 1845. George M. Dallas, Pa., Vice-President.

CABINET.

The president is assisted in the performance of his duties by several officers who compose his cabinet, and who are his constitutional advisers. They are the secretary of state, the secretary of the treasury, the secretary of war, the secretary of the navy, the post master general, and the attorney general. They are all executive officers. They are nominated by the president and approved by the senate, and are removable by the will of the president.

If a vacancy happens in the cabinet during the recess of congress, the president may appoint an officer pro tempore, to fill his place till the next meeting of congress.

The following is the oath which the president of the United States is required to take before entering upon the duties of his office.

How long did he hold the office?

Who was the tenth president? How long did he hold the office? Who is president now?

By whom is the president assisted?

What officers compose the cabinet ?

How are they appointed?

How are vacancies in the cabinet during the recess of congress filled?

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States."

What oath is the president required to take before entering upon the duties of his office?

JUDICIARY.

We have already spoken of the Legislative and Executive departments; we now come to the Judicial department.

The judicial department is the department that judges of the laws.

The celebrated writer Montesquieu has remarked that "there is no liberty if the judiciary power be not separated from the legislative and executive powers." And the experience of the world in all ages has proved the truth of the remark. Therefore, in framing the constitution, great care was taken to preserve the judiciary free and independent of the other powers.

As the judiciary may be called upon to decide the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of any legislative act, its powers should be co-extensive with the legislative powers. It must have power to carry into effect all constitutional acts, and to prevent unconstitutional acts from being enforced.

The efficiency and permanency of a government depend in a great measure upon the prompt and complete administration of public justice.

What is the judicial department?

What has Montesquieu remarked?

How extensive ought the powers of the judiciary to be?

Upon what does the efficiency and permanency of a government depend?

The constitution provides that "the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress may from time to time ordain and establish.

SUPREME COURT.

The Supreme Court at present, consists of one chief justice, and eight associate justices, to wit:

The supreme court is held annually in the city of Washington, commencing on the second Monday of January.

The judges of the supreme court are appointed by the president, by and with the consent of the senate.

In what is the judicial power of the United States vested?

Of what does the supreme court consist?

Who is now the chief justice?

When appointed?

What is the salary of an associate justice?

How often, when and where is the supreme court held?
How are the judges of the supreme court appointed?

If the judges were elected directly by the people, they would be very liable to be influenced in favor of the party which elected them, and to have strong prejudices against the party which opposed them. They would be more liable to be bribed than if they were appointed by the president.

The judiciary should be as free as possible from all personal or party feelings. They should have no fears of losing their office by doing their duty fearlessly and impartially. They should be above and beyond the reach of the clamors of the people, and the popular excitements of the day. They are expected to be cool, deliberate, unbiased and undisturbed at all times, whatever may be the accidental popular sentiment around them. This could not be the case if they were directly dependent on the mass of the people for their election or for the tenure of their of fices.

The judges are therefore appointed by the president and hold their offices during good behavior, by which is meant that they cannot be turned out of office except by impeachment, or on commission of high crimes and misdemeanors. So long as they are competent to discharge their duties, and continue faithfully to do so, they cannot be removed. Neither congress or the president has any authority over them, nor can they in any way interfere with them in the discharge of their duties.

Why ought they not to be chosen directly by the people?
How long do the judges hold their office?

What is meant by good behavior?