Who is now vice-president of the United States?  Have we ever had more than one vice-president at the same time?  Name the persons, in their order, who would succeed to the presidency if the president should be unable to perform his duties.  If the president should become insane, who would decide that such is the fact?  How long would the person thus succeeding to the position of acting president serve?  State four ways in which a vacancy in the office of president may occur.  If the president leaves Washington, is a vacancy created?  If he leaves the country?  If he is impeached?  In case of the non-election of either president or vice-president, who would serve?  How long?  How is a vacancy in the office of vice-president filled?

At what “stated times” is the salary of the president paid?  In November, 1872, President Grant was re-elected.  His new term began March, 1873.  In the meantime the salary of the president was increased to $50,000.  Did President Grant get the increase?  Explain.

Does the vice-president take an “oath of office?” If he succeeds to the presidency must he take the oath prescribed in the constitution?  What constitutional provision for the salary of the vice president?  Compare the duties of a governor of a state with those of the president.

Debate.

Resolved, That the president should be elected by a direct vote of the people.

Resolved, That the presidential term should be lengthened, and a second term forbidden.

SECTION II.—­POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT.

Clause 1.—­Some Sole Powers.

The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States;[1] he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices,[2] and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.[3]

[1] Elsewhere it is made the duty of the president to see “that the laws are faithfully executed.”  The execution of the law may sometimes require force, hence it seems proper that the command of the army should be vested in him.  Again, an army may be necessary to defend the country.  In order that it may act promptly and efficiently, it must be directed by one person; and the person whom we instinctively designate for the purpose is the president.

The possession of this power by the president is fraught with danger, however.  Unless surrounded by proper checks, it might be used to overturn our system of government.  But the president can hardly, as now situated, misuse this power.  In the first place, the general rules for the management and government of the army are made by congress.  In the second place, the army is supported by appropriations made by congress, and these are made for short periods.  In the third place, congress could reduce or even abolish the army, if that step seemed necessary in defense of our liberties.  In brief, the support and control of the army are in the hands of congress; the president merely directs its movements.