Constitutional L In order that people and work together succ there are a few rules al essential in their nature laws are called Const laws. We speak of the fundamental laws of the

In the United States s damental rules are foun Constitution or in the state constitutions. T laws which protect us the danger of oppression also organize the form of ment in which we live an has been described in two. Many of the most tant fundamental laws ar in a number of outstandin ments of England, such

The Magna Carta,
The Habeas Corpus Ad
The Bill of Rights.

Magna Carta, a great hi document given to the w the year 1215, clearly sta rights of the individual aggression on the part of ernment. This document of the foundation stones democratic and constit government. The Habea pus Act, of the year 1 another landmark of hum erty. It clearly establish principle that "every hum ing who is not charged w convicted of a known cr entitled to personal li The Bill of Rights, 168 states these principles of liberty.

American Document

in 1765 protested against royal oppression and the levying of taxes without representation they made a Declaration of Rights and Grievances. The Virginia Bill of Rights, 1776, was the immediate forerunner of the Declaration of Independence, unanimously and formally adopted July 4, 1776. This latter document is the American Magna Carta, and asserts the right of the people to form a constitution and a government of their own. The Constitution of the United States, in which the American Government is organized and its principles of liberty stated, has become a model the world over for new governments to copy. The foundations of liberty and free government are to be found in all these great historic documents.

The Organization of a Club When you organize an athletic club or a debating society, one of the first things you do is to

put in writing the purpose of the club, the names and duties of the officers, when the club is to hold its meetings, how much the dues are to be, and the rights and privileges of the individual members of the club. When you do this you write a constitution.

The constitution of a nation, such as the United States, fills the same need and meets the same purpose in your political life as this constitution of your athletic club does in your athletic life. Most countries today have a written constitution of this kind. It gives stability and purpose to the government.

Bill of Rights Every constitution of try should contain thre tial points. It usuall most clearly in the b the rights and the privi the individual citizen. often this is called the Rights. The Constitutio United States, for exar well as every individua constitution, contains rights which are given t citizen, such as the rig trial by jury to those with crime. It also gua the right of free speech press, and the right to hoi ings to discuss any matte a group of citizens may discuss.

Organization of Govern

ment.

Every club or society n organized; so must every Orderly gove means one which works organized and regular n Every constitution state the government is to be ized. The National Const and state constitutions sho Congress and the State latures are to be made u their members are to be and how long they are to in office. These constit also tell what officials are cute the law, indicate t quirements for and the len the terms of such executiv the manner of their select

Amending a Constituti Constitutions must be ch from time to time to mee conditions, otherwise ther

Rights

ion of a counin three essenusually states the beginning e privileges of Citizen. Very ed the Bill of stitution of the or example, as dividual state ntains certain given to every the right to a those charged also guarantees speech, a free t to hold meety matter which ns may wish to

Government ociety must be t every governgovernment works in an gular manner. n states how to be organ1 Constitution ions show how State Legismade up, how to be elected are to remain constitutions als are to exelicate the rethe length of xecutives, and r selection.

nstitution
st be changed

to meet new se there are disputes and h changes in

constitutions (called amendments), the desires of the people are newly expressed from time to time as new needs arise in regard to what shall be the fundamental law of the land. Such amendments allow for progress in government.

It is dangerous to change a fundamental law too quickly. Our Constitution should not be amended unless a large majority of the people of the United States demand it, and not until time is given to think over the wisdom of the change proposed.

A good government is not always a government that changes too rapidly, or a government that meets every whim and fancy of the people. Individuals are fickle and change their minds very quickly.

Constitutional changes should be made only after long and sober thought.

Statutory Law

Other laws are not so fundamental in their nature as are constitutional laws. There are many rules which are likely to need changes at frequent intervals. Laws of this character are left to Congress or a State Legislature to look after. They are called Statutes.

Everyone should have a clear idea of the difference between Constitutional Law and Statutory Law. Constitutional Laws are fundamental, and can be changed or added to only through special amendment; Statutory Laws are not so fundamental, and so can be changed or added to when desired, by a simple act of the elected lawmakers, or, in some states, in special elections by the people themselves.

The Constitution may be amended. The 16th ment, WHICH GAVE CONGRESS THE POW LEVY AND COLLECT AN INCOME TAX was by the Legislatures of the several states; 1 the 61st Congress, February 25, 1913.

or passed by the legislature of a state at the STATE CAPITOL, for example, of Texas. He must also obey local ordinances which have been passed by the local

Local Laws or Ordin

In local communities villages, counties an many minor matters w ply to the daily condu people of a community looked after by the lo ernment. Street traffic a good example. Certai in congested quarters cities are roped off for to play in, and rules a that vehicles cannot go such "play streets." living in tenements are lowed to clutter up. fire with bedding or boxes, case of fire this would people from getting to th An influenza epidemic a city. The Health Dep must do everything pos prevent street cars bein crowded and it must qua the homes of people wł the flu. When the epid over, these rules can be re Such problems are loc often temporary in their

In every village or city dividual will find, and wi to obey, a great many min of this character. Thes are called Local Ordinanc are rules made by a city ment under power given They are passed by a city cil or by some other b local officials.

Every citizen, then, mu fundamental laws of th which are found in the Co tions. He must obey sta laws, which have been past Congress or by state legisl He must also obey local