you a tinT THE FEDERAL COURTS Jevol e gablend of How si prole the

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The Need of National Judges. The simplest rules of baseball need an umpire to apply them, and you can see how great is the need of a fair and unbiassed umpire to tell the President, Congress, and the people just what the Constitution means on any given) subject. Disputes would be lendless, otherwise. Even more important, Congress might claim power not really given it, it mights pass a law taking away religious liberty or free speech or a man's life or property; and if there were no umpire to say no, the law would prevail wed etia -T&Their Powers. The federal courts, of which the Supreme Court at Washington is the highest and final authority, act as this (umpire. Their chief work is to interpret the Constitution, decide what it means, and if Congress has exceeded its powers to say so. When these courts decide that a law is not authorized by the Constitution, is unconstitutional, that law is wiped cout. Similarly, if anybody violates the Constitution, la private citizen, or a policeman, or even à State judge or a State legislature, the federal courts step in and -direct that the Constitution be obeyed. These courts Jare the bulwark of the Constitution. TWithout them it could not protects our liberties or make our country a safe and happy place to live in.odt ni atia two9 9dT

These courts also settle disputes and punish crimes arising under the laws passed by Congress and under treaties with foreign nations. There are State courts which pass on the State laws enacted by State legislatures, as we shall see. Most crimes are local in character and are tried in the State courts. Thus, if a boy smashed a street-lamp he would be breaking a local, that is, a State law, and would be tried in a State court. But if he stole a letter from a letter-box he would be breaking a federal law protecting the mails, which are a national concern, and would be tried in a federal court. Counterfeiters must similarly be tried in federal courts, for it is the federal law which punishes counterfeiting.

The federal courts hear certain other cases as well. All disputes between States come before them, also all suits between citizens of different States. The idea is here that the federal court is better fitted to be impartial, since it is chosen by the President and not by either State. (Art. III, Secs. 1 and 2.)

The Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the land, and in many respects the most wonderful court in the world. It has successfully applied the Constitution to our changing, vastly growing nation through more than a century and a quarter. Membership on it is one of the highest honors in the country. The Chief Justice ranks as one of our greatest public figures.

The court consists of the Chief Justice and eight associate justices. They are appointed by the President (with the consent of the Senate) and serve for life. The court sits in the Capitol at Washington. The

Copyright by Harris & Ewing, Washington. From Paul Thompson, New York

THE JUSTICES OF THE U. S. SUPREME COURT

salary of the Chief Justice is $15,000, the salary of the associate justices, $14,500.

Most cases come before it on appeal from the lower courts. That is to say, the side that loses at the first trial appeals to this higher court to have the decision changed.

District Courts and Circuit Courts. The lowest federal

courts, in which suits usually begin, are called district Bare courts. Appeal is first made to the circuit courts of appeal and thence to the Supreme Court. There are district judges and circuit judges sitting in every State. They are all appointed by the President (with the conla sent of the Senate); aid door of naira dena od vo a vd oril oft gols lis approb) zeedo noɔ vubilej -9780 20W ! QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT blod of dyi duinojdititago), me to andlega eri vid Donnely vl 1. How do the federal courts see that the Constitution is obeyed? 2. What cases come before the fe federal courts? eoqing sumb 3. What cases come before the State courts?led Ins exoods 4 How many justices in the supreme court? Tarangiu¶ ail 5. What are the other federal courts? yn dynyt Ju9791] Towog down ogt i quing out and motive need torsig QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION -qua ton SISW COSTO 9.10 706 ni vel 1. Who was the greatest of our chief justices?

2. Who is chief justice now? Can you name any of the associate justices?

in the text that

3. Can you think of any other cases than those in t Jail would naturally come before the federal courts? bne 1940 i difen Frown to mood 2