Our Constitution; Why and How It Was Made - Who Made It, and What It Is

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1906. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII THE BUILDERS' WORK DONE We have now reviewed most of those provisions of the Constitution which engaged the chief debates in the Convention, and the remaining provisions, although some of them, especially that forming the Federal Judicial system, are of vital interest and importance, can be considered with less lingering to listen to discussions by delegates. Then we shall witness the closing hours of the great meeting of patriotic statesmen, the submission by them of their completed work to the Old Congress, and the action of that body in transmitting the instrument of government to the States for their action. Article III, Section 1.--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. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office. The Supreme Court had an influence in determining the character of our National Government, the extent of which does not appear to have been wholly foreseen in the Convention. The earliest division of the people into political parties was along a line which separated Strict Constructionists from Broad Constructionists, as they were called: on one hand those who believed that the Constitution should be construed to make the Federal Government little more than a league of the States, and promote the importance of the States; on the other hand were those who believed that the Constitution, by broad construction, should establish supreme Federal control, and make a nation of which the States should be subsidiary divisions. I...