PREFACE.
The thought constantly in mind in the preparation of this book has been to furnish useful material in usable form.
Attention is invited to the scope of the work.

The Constitution of the United States, not a mere abstract of it but a careful study of the text, is properly given much space but is not allowed a monopoly of it.

Each of our governmental institutions deserves and receives a share of consideration.

The order of presentation--beginning with the town, where the student can observe the operations of government, and proceeding gradually to the consideration of government in general--is based upon conclusions reached during eighteen years of experience in teaching this subject.
Matter to be used chiefly for reference is placed in the appendix.
Attention is asked to the amount of information which, by means of tabulations and other modes of condensation, is therein contained.
Documents easily obtainable, such as the Declaration of Independence, are omitted to make room for typical and other interesting documents not usually accessible.
Is this book intended to be an office-holders' manual?
No; but it _is_ intended to help students to get an insight into the way in which public business is carried on.
Is it designed as an elementary treatise on law?
No; but the hope is indulged that the young people who study it will catch something of the _spirit_ of law, which to know is to respect.
CONTENTS.
PREFACE, TO TEACHERS, TO STUDENTS, PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.
GOVERNMENT: WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT IS, PART I .-- GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE STATE.
CHAPTER.
I .-- THE TOWN: WHY AND HOW ORGANIZED, ETC., II .-- PRIMITIVE MODES OF ADMINISTERING JUSTICE, III .-- PROCEEDINGS IN A JUSTICE COURT, IV .-- THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE, V .-- THE CITY, VI .-- THE COUNTY, VII .-- ESTABLISHING JUSTICE IN THE COUNTY, VIII .-- HISTORICAL, PART II .-- THE STATE.
IX .-- STATES: WHY AND HOW CREATED, X .-- STATE CONSTITUTIONS, XI .-- DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT, XII .-- THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT, XIII .-- THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, XIV .-- OTHER STATE OFFICERS, XV .-- THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT, XVI .-- RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT, PART III .-- THE NATION.
XVII .-- THE CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION, XVIII .-- THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, XIX .-- THE ORIGIN OF THE CONSTITUTION, XX .-- THE CONSTITUTION: PREAMBLE, XXI .-- STRUCTURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, XXII .-- POWERS OF CONGRESS, XXIII .-- THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, XXIV .-- THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, XXV .-- THE RELATIONS OF THE STATES, XXVI .-- MODES OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION, XXVII .-- MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, XXVIII .-- RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION, XXIX .-- THE AMENDMENTS, PART IV .-- GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL.
XXX .-- FORMS OF GOVERNMENT, PART V .-- COMMERCIAL LAW.
XXXI .-- CONTRACTS, XXXII .-- AGENCY, XXXIII .-- PARTNERSHIP, XXXIV .-- CORPORATIONS, XXXV .-- COMMERCIAL PAPER, APPENDIX.
A .-- FORMS, B .-- TABLES, C .-- HOW SOME THINGS ARE DONE, D .-- SOME PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, E .-- DOCUMENTS, GENERAL INDEX, TO TEACHERS.
Highly competent teachers are the very ones who receive most kindly suggestions meant to be helpful.

For such these words are intended.
The local organizations are so related that it is advisable for all classes to consider each of them.