month. The Presidential elections, the most important and exciting of all elections, occur every four years, and now take place in all the States on the same day, early in November. It is said the President is chosen by the people, and yet they do not directly vote for him at all.

The people elect Electors, and these elect the President and Vice-President. Turn to the third section of the second article of the Constitution, and then to the twelfth article of the amendments of it, where you will find the whole process properly described. must be thirty-five years of age when elected. And in case of his death, removal, resignation, or any disability to discharge the duties of the Office, the VicePresident then becomes President.

He

He receives a salary of $25,000 a year for his services besides the use of the presidential mansion, (commonly called the White House,) and the furniture in it, and is debarred from the receipt of any other emolu

ment.

4. Before entering upon the duties of his office, he must take the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

In adition to his civil power, he is Commander-inChief both of the Army and Navy, and may grant reprieves and pardons, except in case of impeachment. He-by and with the advice and consent of twothirds of the Senate-may make treaties with foreign

powers. He has the power, and it is his duty to nominate, and by the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint ambassadors and other public ministers, consuls, judges, and in short all other officers of the government, whose appointments are not otherwise provided for.

5. It is also made his duty from time to time, to lay before Congress information respecting the state of the country, and to recommend to their notice such measures as he may deem proper and beneficial to the interests of the nation. His principal and most important communication, however, is that made to Congress at the commencement of each session. This is called the "President's Message," and is always looked for with much interest, both at home and abroad; for it, more than any other public document, shows the condition of the government and the country, both in their domestic affairs and foreign relations. At other times the President sends messages to Congress upon some special matter, which he considers it important for that body to know, or which he is requested to lay before it for information.

He may call extra sessions of Congress on extraordinary occasions. And when it passes any bill which he does not approve, and he refuses to sign it, it cannot become a law unless it goes back to Congress, and is again passed by two-thirds of both Houses. This is called his "veto power."

6. He, with all civil officers of the United States, may be impeached, and removed from office, for treason, bribery, and other high crimes.

The foregoing powers and duties are confered upon the President by the Constitution; but Congress has, at every session it has ever held, increased these powers and duties until he is overwhelmed with them; and we cannot but think that he now possesses more power than the framers of the Constitution ever designed to trust in any one man's hand.

The following are the names of all the Presidents, from Washington, the first, down to the present incumbent:

George Washington, Va., 30th April, 1789, to 4th March, 1797-8 years.

John Adams, Mass., 4th March, 1797, to 4th March, 1801-4 years.

Thomas Jefferson, Va., 4th March, 1801 to 4th March, 1809-8 years.

James Madison, Va., 4th March, 1809 to 4th March, 1817-8 years.

James Monroe, Va., 4th March, 1817, to 4th March, 1825-8 years.

John Quincy Adams, Mass, 4th March, 1825, to 4th March, 1829---4 years.

Andrew Jackson, Tenn., 4th March, 1829, to 4th March, 1837---8 years.

Martin Van Buren, N. Y., 4th March, 1837, to 4th March, 1841---4 years.

William H. Harrison, O., 4th March, 1841, to 4th April, 1841---1 month.

John Tyler, Va., 4th April, 1841, to 4th March, 1845, --3 years and eleven months.

James K. Polk, Tenn., 4th March, 1845, to 4th March, 1849-4 years.

Zachary Taylor, La., 4th March, 1849, to 9th July, 1850---1 year, 4 months, and 5 days.