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CIVICS CATECHISM 
O N T H E 

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF 
AMERICAN CITIZENS 

Twenty-fourth Edition 

NATIONAL CATHOLÌC WELFARE CONFERENCE 
1312 MASSACHUSETTS AVE., N. W., 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 



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CIVICS CATECHISM 
ON THE 

RIGHTS A N D DUTIES OF 

AMERICAN CITIZENS 

Twenty-fourth Edition 

1 9 4 0 

OUR SUNDAY VISITOR LIBRARY 
HUNTINGTON, INDIANA 

NATIONAL CATHOLIC WELFARE CONFERENCE 
1312 Massachusetts Avenue 

Washington, D. C. 





I N T R O D U C T I O N . 

The questions and answers contained in the "Civics Catechism 
on the Rights and Duties of American Citizens" are based ur>on 
the text of the "Fundamentals of Citizenship," published orig-
iginally as a reconstruction pamphlet by the Committee on Special 
War Activities of the National Catholic War Council and subse-
quently by the National Catholic Welfare Conference as a hand-
book of civics for use in the Catholic elementary schools and in 
civic educational work generally. While neither the "Funda-
mentals of Citizenship" nor the "Civics Catechism on the Rights 
and Duties of American Citizens" is intended to serve as a com-
plete text in civics, both have been found exceptionally helpful 
in introducing the subject in the elementary grades. "The Civics 
Catechism" is especially recommended for use in the elementary 
schools as a supplementary text and review book, as a text book 
for classes preparing for the naturalization process, and in the 
conduct of civic study clubs by adult groups. 

In its nation-wide citizenship campaign, the N. C. W. C. has 
had in mind the following objects: To help our Catholic schools 
in their work of civic education; to aid in the civic education 
of the aliens within our country and to assist them in the procoss 
of naturalization; to aid in stimulating greater civic activity on 
the part of individual Catholics and organizations of Catholic 
men and women and of all our people; and to hold up before the 
American people the Catholic principle that religion supplies the 
highest and noblest motives for the discharge of civic obligations 
and that our democracy cannot long endure unless all our people 
are animated by motives of religion in dealing with one another. 

The campaign has been based upon the following principles: 
That every youth should have before leaving school adequate 
training in the duties, obligations and rights of citizenship, to 
which end such training should be given in the elementary 
grades; that a broad program of instruction in social science 

3 



4 INTRODUCTION 

* herald be given in the high schools and colleges for the develop-
ment and more extensive training of civic leaders; that all per-
sons, native or immigrant, who have not had courses in citizen-
ship should have the opportunity of taking such courses in order 
better to fulfill their obligations to the community; that immi-
grants who come to this country with tne intention of staying for 
any great length of time should assume their part of the common 
burdens of society by seeking citizenship and by performing the 
tasks of citizenship with understanding; and that development 
of individual character, the teaching of correct moral principles 
and the inculcation of religion are essential to the making of good 
citizens. 

"A Course in Civics for Use in the Parochial Schools," pub-
lished by the N. C. W. C. Bureau of Education, is recommended 
to civics teachers in connection with the above-named pamphlets. 
This course of study has been especially adapted to the require-
ments of the Catholic elementary school and has been prepared 
to enable teachers to make a good practical beginning in civic 
instruction in the elementary grades. 

The Secretary for the Bureau of Civic Education of the 
N. C. W. C. will be glad to furnish further information to those 
interested in becoming citizens, to parochial school instructors, 
and to adult groups desiring to form civic study clubs. 



fjf SpedaJ 1 
r̂ CotoetaB^ 

C H A P T E R I . 

AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. In what country do you live? 
A. In the United States of America. 

2. Q. When was America discovered? 
A. In 1492. 

3. Q. Who discovered America? 
A. Christopher Columbus, an Italian who sailed under 

the Spanish flag. 
4. Q. Why dia the ships of Columbus fly the Spanish flag? 

A. Because of all the monarchs of Europe, the rulers of 
Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, were the only ones 
willing to supply him with the means for his voy-
age of discovery. 

5. Q How did this country receive the name of America? 
A. From the name of Americus Vespucius, an Italian 

who sailed to the New World shortly af ter its dis-
covery by Columbus 

6. Q. By whom was America settled? 
A. By people from Spain, France, England, Ireland, Hol-

land, and Sweden. 

7. Q. Why did these colonists come to America? 

A. For many reasons. Some came to seek gold and 
precious stones, some to have the right of free 
speech, some to have the freedom of religious wor-
ship, some to escape the harsh laws of their w n 
country, others to build up a country where the 
people might rule. 

5 



6 CIVICS CATECHISM 

8. Q. What European country finally gained control over 
all the Colonies along the Atlantic Coast? 

A. England finally ruled the thirteen American colonies. 

9. Q. Why did England lose control of the Colonies? 

A. Because of unjus t taxation which caused the Colonist? 
to revolt in 1775. 

10. Q. What famous document was signed July 4, 1776? 
A. The Declaration of Independence, -written by Thomas 

Jefferson and signed by representatives of all of the 
Colonies, declared the Colonies to be free and in-
dependent States. 

LESSON 2. 

1. Q. What great Americans helped America to secure her 
independnce? 

A. Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Tho-
mas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Carroll 
of Carrollton, John Adams, and George Washington. 

2. Q. What noted foreigners helped America in its fight 
for independence? 

A. Lafayette from France, Kosciusko and Pulaski from 
Poland, Baron Steuben from Prussia, DeKalb from 
Bavaria, and Barry, Moylan, Montgomery and others 
f rom Ireland. 

3. Q. In what year did England acknowledge America to 
be free and independent? 

A. In 1783. 

4. Q. What great event took place after the gaining of in-
dependence? 

A. The Constitution of the United States was adopted 
in 1789. 

5. Q„ What is the Constitution of the United States? 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 7 

A. The Constitution of the United States is that written 
document which directs and keeps in check those 
officials who exercise the powers of administering 
the national Government. It is the fundamental 
law under which the country is governed. 

6. Q. On what principle does the Constitution rest? 
A. On the principle that there are certain rights that 

belong to every man, and which no authority on 
earth has a right to take away. 

7. Q. What body under the Constitution was given the duty 
of preserving and interpreting these laws? 

A. The Supreme Court of the United States. 
8. Q. What effect did the Constitution have upon the 

thirteen States? 
A. The Constitution bound together the thirteen States 

into a single nation which is now the United States 
of America. 

9. Q. What effect did the independence of America have 
upon other countries? 

A. The success of America brought to the peoples of 
Europe a desire for liberty. Many republics have 
since been established and the powers of rulers have 
been greatly lessened. 

10. Q. What form of government was established by the 
Constitution? 

A. A representative democracy, that is, a republic in 
which the people rule. 

NOTE—In the American view, the thirteen States had ceased to 
be colonies after July 4, 1776, while Great Britain acknowledged 
their independence in 1783. The Constitution made in 1787 be-
came binding in June, 1788. 



C H A P T E R XVI. 

T H E N E E D S O F T H E P E O P L E . 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. What is a democracy ? 
A. A democracy is a form of government in which the 

people make their own laws and conduct their own 
affairs. 

2. Q. What does a democracy require of its citizens? 
A. It requires: 

(1) Respect for order; 
(2) Unselfish regard for rights of others; 
(3) Contributions in the form of taxes for the 

common good. 
3. Q. In what ways may a citizen aid in maintaining a real 

democracy? 
A. (1) By voting at elections; 

(2) By representing the people in office if necessary; 
(3) By taking pains to study and to understand pub-

lic affairs; 
(4) By paying his fair share of the expense of gov-

ernment. 
4. Q- What must a democracy provide for its citizens? 

A. It must provide: 
(1) Roads and streets to enable them to travel and 

to carry goods; 
(2) Postal service to enable them to send letters 

and packages; 
(3) Schools and libraries fo r the education of all; 

8 



THE NEEDS OP THE PEOPLE 9 

(4) A supply of pure water and the means of dis-
position of garbage and other waste; 

(5) Parks and playgrounds for pleasure and health-
ful exercise. 

5. Q. From what common dangers must a democracy pro-
tect its citizens? 

A. It must protect them f r o m : 
(1) Sickness; 
(2) Law breakers, who do not respect the lives or 

property of others; 
(3) Loss of life and property f rom fire; 
(4) From foreign enemies who might invade their 

country and take away their freedom; 
(5) From injustice and unfair dealings on the part 

of their neighbors. 

6. Q. What means must a democracy use to protect its 
citizens? 

A. It must fu rn i sh : 
(1) Means for caring for sickness and preventing 

the spread of disease; 
(2) Guards to prevent crime; 
(3) Protection against persons who break the 

law; 
(4) Means of preventing and stopping fire; 
(5) An army and navy to protect its citizens; 
(6) Laws to prevent f raud or unfair dealings; 
(7) Guards or officers to enforce them. 

7. Q. Why does the Government find it necessary to carry 
on these activities? 

A. In order that its people may live safely and happily 
and to insure justice to all under the law. 

8. Q. Is it the duty of every one to help the Government to 
provide things necessary for the common good? 

A. Yes, because every person benefits by the things 
which a re provided by the Government. 



10 CIVICS CATECHISM 

9. Q. Is it a religious duty to do one's part in maintaining 
the Government? 

A. It is, because justice requires that we should be will-
ing to bear our share of the burden for the benefits 
received. 

10. Q. What is necessary to make a real democracy? 
A. Every one in the democracy must be willing to do his 

just share of the work in protecting the lives, 
liberty, and property of all. 



C H A P T E R XVI. 

THE PEOPLE'S RIGHTS. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. How are the rights of citizens protected in OUT coun-
try? 

A. They are protected by our Constitution. 
2. Q. Can laws ever be passed to take away these rights 

from citizens? 
A. No, for any attempt to take away the rights of citizens 

would be a violation of the Constitution, which is 
the basis of all of our laws. 

3. Q. What are these rights which are held sacred i* 
Americu? 

A. They are the rights of : 
(1) Free speech; 
(2) Religious liberty; 
(3) Freedom from search; 
(4) Protection of life and property; 
(5) Protection from false imprisonment; 
(6) Protection f rom imprisonment for debt; 
(7) Voting and holding office. 

4. Q. Are these rights guaranteed to every one who lives in 
America? 

A. These rights, except the right to vote and hold office, 
are guaranteed to every one who lives in America. 

5. Q. Who has the right to vote and hold office? 
A. Every citizen who has been given the right by law. 

6. Q. What is the right of free speech? 
A. It is the right of every man freely to speak and write 

his opinions. 
11 



1 2 CIVICS CATECHISM 

7. Q. How is this right insured to every man? * 
A. It is insured to every man by the Constitution of the 

United States, and the Constitutions of the indi-
vidual States. 

8. Q. Does this right protect a man in any statements he 
may make? 

A. No, it does not protect a man when he makes state-
ments that in jure the rights of another. 

9. Q. Is it ever necessary to limit the right of free speech? 
A. It is sometimes necessary during times of war to 

limit free speech for the public safety. 
10. Q. Does the Government ever limit the right of free 

speech at other times? 
A. Yes, free speech is denied sometimes to those who 

preach the destruction of the government by force,, 

LESSON 2 . 

.. v* What is religious liberty? 
A. Religious liberty is the right of man to a free exercise 

of the religion of his choice. 
2. Q. In America is any man ever compelled to contribute 

to a religion against his will? 
A. No, for under our laws no man can be compelled to 

worship in a church or support a religion which is 
not of his own choice. 

3. Q. Why do Americans cherish so strongly the right of 
religious freedom? 

A. Because many of our colonies were founded by peo-
ple who fled f rom religious persecution in the old 
world. 

4. Q. Were these colonies founded by one people of one 
religious faith? 

A. No, Catholics and Protestants both founded colonies 
in America, and people of all religious beliefs have 
always found a refuge in our country. 



THE PEOPLE'S RIGHTS 1 3 

5. Q. Who secured the earliest guarantee of religious free-
dom in America? 

A. Lord Baltimore, the Catholic proprietary of Maryland. 
6. Q. If I suspect that my neighbor has stolen my money 

or property, may I look through his house for it? 
A. No, I cannot go into the house of another to search for 

my property unless I have a search warrant . 
7. Q. What is a search warrant? 

A. A search warrant is a document issued by one of 
our courts, authorizing an officer to search the 
house of another for stolen goods. 

8. Q. If the officers of the law suspect somt one of conceal-
ing a person who has committed a crime, may they 
search his house for the criminal? 

A. They may, if they have first secured from the court 
a warrant of arrest. 

9. Q. Why may I refuse to allow the officers of the law to 
search my house unless they have warrants from 
the courts? 

A. Because this right of "Freedom of Search" is guar-
anteed me by the Constitution. 

10. Q. May every man look to the State to protect his life 
and property for him? 

A. Yes, because this right of protection is guaranteed to 
everyone by the Constitution. 

11. Q. How does the State protect the property of its citizens? 
A. By guaranteeing to every one that his property can 

only be taken from him for cause after a just trial 
in the courts. 

12. Q. May a man's property be taken from him for public 
use? 

A. Yes, if the property is needed ror public us t , the 
Government may take a man's property, but only 
by paying a fair price for it. 



1 4 CIVICS CATECHISM 

LESSON 3 . 

1. Q. In America, may a man be thrown into prison on 
the request of another or on suspicion of the 
police officers? 

A. No, in America every one is guaranteed freedom from 
imprisonment, except after a fair trial. 

2. Q. If a man is arrested, what are his rights? 
A. Every man who is arrested has the right to de-

mand a trial and to have his own lawyer and 
witnesses. 

3. Q. What o'her rights has he? 
A. A man who has been arrested has the right to be 

released until his trial, on bail, except in very 
serious crimes, when there is strong evidence 
against him. He also has the right of appeal to 
higher courts. 

4. Q. What is the purpose of our laws concerning arrest 
and imprisonment? 

A. To prevent imprisonment by mistake and to insure 
a fair trial to all. 

5. Q. Under what conditions mag a man be imprisoned 
for debt? 

A. A man can only be imprisoned for debt if he has 
committed fraud. 

6. Q. Why do you think a man should be protected from 
imprisonment for debts, if he is, through misfor-
tune, unable to pay? 

A. Because this is a right which saves people from being 
imprisoned through no fault of their own. 

7. Q. What is the result if a man is sent to prison for 
debt? 

A. If a man is sent to prison for debt, he cannot earn 
money while he is in prison, and therefore cam ot 
pay his debt. 



THE PEOPLE'S RIGHTS 15 

8. Q. What rights do voters have in a democracy? 
A. They have the right to elect their own officers ol 

Government and to help decide how the business of 
. government shall be carried on. 

9. Q. Who may be an office-holder? 
A. Any citizen may hold office if a majori ty of the voters 

choose him as their representative. 
10. Q. Why is it the duty of citizens to vote? 

A. Because every citizen receives benefit f rom his gov-
ernment, and by voting intelligently he is doing his 
share in carrying the common burden. 



C H A P T E R VIII. 

EDUCATION. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. Why do the American people firmly believe in edu-
cation? 

A. Because education helps the people to become better 
citizens. 

2. Q. Are immigrants who come to our country anxious to 
have their children educated? 

A. Yes, because many of them were denied the benefits 
of education in the old country. 

3. Q. Why do Americans provide free schools? 
A. Because in America we want all the people to have 

the benefits of education. 
4. Q. Does a complete education include religious training? 

A. Yes, all authorities agree that it does, and for this 
reason Catholics and others maintain their own 
schools. 

5. Q. What does education do for people? 
A. It teaches them fair play toward each other and to 

do their duty as citizens and it helps to build char-
acter. 

S. Q. Why is it necessary for every one to knpw how to 
read and write? 

A. Every one must know how to read and write in order 
to be able to learn and to get along in the world. 

7. Q. Is it necessary for every one to know how to use 
figures? 

A. Yes, in order to conduct his business affairs. 



EDUCATION 1 7 

8. Q. What else should everyone know? 
A. Every one should know how to keep healthy and how 

to perform some useful work. 
9. Q. What do the elementary schools teach children? 

A. They teach children reading, writing, spelling, arith-
metic, health, history, civics, and vocational work. 

10. Q. Must every child attend school in America? 
A. Yes, in all of our States, all children must attend 

school usually between the ages of 8 and 14. 
11. Q. Would it be well to have all children continue in 

school after they are lb? 
A. Yes, because the children who make special efforts 

to stay in school usually succeed in life better and 
are better citizens than those who leave at 14. 

12. Q. What other kinds of schools are provided for children 
after they have finished the work in the elementary 
grades? 

A. High schools teach children many valuable things, 
and the colleges and universities, both public and 
private, prepare students to be lawyers, doctors, 
dentists, teachers, engineers, and for other trades 
and professions. 

LESSON 2 . 

1. Q. Is it a good thing to teach occupations in the schools? 
A. Yes, in order that the children may later become 

skilled workers in the occupations they select when 
they leave school. 

2. Q. If a child does not have some vocational training, 
what kind ofui job can he get when he leaves school? 

A. If a child has not learned to do some kind of work 
he can only secure an unskilled job at poor pay. 

3. Q. Is it wise for children to stay in school longer in order 
to learn a trade? 

A. Yes, because they can earn more pay, can get ahead 
faster, and are more sure of steady work. 



18 CIVICS CATECHISM 

4. Q. What kinds of useful work are taught in the voca-
tional schools for boys? 

A. Carpentry, machine shop practice, electrical construc-
tion, plumbing, etc. 

5. Q. Are vocational courses given to girls also? 
A. Yes, they are taught home making, cooking, dress 

making, millinery, eic. 
6. Q. When boys and girls have to leave school and go to 

work at the age of 14, is it possible for them to con-
tinue their education? 

A. Yes, the American people have provided part-time 
schools for them, because we want them all to 
have as much education as possible. 

7. Q. Where are these schools? 
A. In nearly every large city, and in some of the smaller 

communities part-time schools have been estab-
lished where children who work may go to school 
an hour or two a day. 

8. Q. What are correspondence schools? 
A. Many schools and colleges offer courses by corre-

spondence which young men and women can take 
by studying at home. 

9. Q. Are libraries a means of education? 
A. Yes, because any one can borrow books from them 

on any subject ne wishes to study. 
10. Q. Is it possible for men to educate themselves by study? 

A. Yes, many of our greatest men have done so. Abra-
ham Lincoln was one of these. 

11. Q. Can you name a man who was a native of your 
country who educated himself in this way? 



C H A P T E R V * 

H E A L T H . 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. Can a man work well if he does not have good health? 
A. No, a man must have health to be able to work and 

earn his living. 
2. Q. Is it a man's own fault if he becomes sick? 

A. Sometimes, but it is not always his own fault if he 
gets a contagious disease. 

3. Q. Can a man protect himself from contagious disease? 
A. He cannot do it alone, but by uniting with other men 

he can pass laws to protect the health of all 
citizens. 

4. Q. Name one method used to protect the health of 
citizens. 

A. Quarantine. By this method the health officer can 
compel any one who has a contagious disease to 
stay at home until he is well. 

5. Q. Has the Health Officer the right to quarantine any 
one who has a contagious disease? 

A. Yes, this right is given him by law in order to protect 
the lives of greater numbers. 

6. Q. In what other way can the carelessness of one person 
endanger the health of others? 

A. If one man is careless about removing dirt or garbage 
from his premises he endangers the health of all. 

19 



22 CIVICS CATECHISM 

7. Q. Is there danger to health in the water supply of cities? 
A. Yes, unless the water supply is kept pure and free 

from disease germs. 
8. Q. How can water supply be made safe for cities? 

A. By bringing pure water from sources outside the city, 
and by examining it daily to see that it is free from 
disease germs. 

9. Q. When there is fear of disease germs in water, how 
can it be made safe? 

A. By boiling. 
10. Q. Why is it difficult to get good milk in the city? 

A. Because milk has to be brought from farms many 
miles away, and care must be taken to keep it sweet. 

11. Q. If the milk supply is not good, what happens to those 
who drink it? 

A. Babies often die if they do not have pure milk. Im-
pure milk may carry disease germs to anyone. 

12. Q. If pure milk is essential for every one, how can it be 
provided for all? 

A. The people make provision for the inspection of all 
milk brought into the city and also of the places 
f rom which it comes. 

LESSON 2 . 

1. Q. How can the food supply be made safe for every one? 
A. The people can regulate the food supply through their 

government and appoint inspectors to see that the 
laws are obeyed. 

2. Q. What is necessary to make the food supply safe? 
A. Food must be fresh and pure. It must be kept in a 

clean place. Harmful drugs and materials must 
not be used to preserve it. 

3. Q. Name two insects which carry disease from one per• 
son to another? 

A. Flies and mosquitos 



HEALTH 2 1 

4. Q. Why ought every one join in the "swat-the-fly" cam-
paign? 

A. Because it is for the benefit of all the people to kill 
these carriers of disease. 

5. Q. Was it necessary for the people to pass laws against 
the common drinking cup and towel? 

A. Yes, because the use of these things spreads disease. 
6. Q. Is spitting harmful to others? 

A. Yes, when done in public places, in the street car or 
on the sidewalk it spreads disease. 

7. Q. Why should accidents be prevented? 
A. Because they cause suffering and loss of wages i e 

those who are injured and because every man's 
labor is needed at all times by the community. 

8. Q. What can each one do to prevent accidents? 
A. By being always careful a man can frequently pre-

vent accidents to himself and to others, and he 
should join in helping all movements which prevent 
accidents. 

9. Q. Do health laws often interfere with personal liberty? 
A. Yes, but only when the liberty of one means danger 

to many. 
10. Q. How can all the people be safe from the few careless 

and selfish persons who think only of themselves? 
A. By taking away the liberty of any one who is dan-

gerous to others. 



C H A P T E R VIII. 

MAKING LAWS. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. What are laws? 
A. Laws are rules which govern people in their relations 

to each other. 
2. Q. Why do we have laws? 

A. We have laws to protect the rights of people in their 
dealings with each other. 

3. Q. When do people find it necessary to make laws? 
a ! Whenever a group of people live in the same locality 

it is necessary for them to pass laws to keep some 
f rom interfering with the rights of others. 

4. Q. How are laws made in this country? 
A. Laws are made by the people themselves whenever 

they are needed. 
5. Q. If a law is found to be unjust or not needed, what can 

we do? 
A. In this country the people who make the laws can 

repeal them if they are found to be useless or unfair . 

6. Q. Do all of the people make the laws? 
A. No, they can not do this because so many laws have 

to be made that it would take all of their time. 
7. Q. How do they manage to have this done for them? 

A. They elect men to represent them and these repre-
sentatives are the law-making body. 

8. Q. Why are special laws needed for cities? 
À. Because people live very closely together in cities. 

22 



MAKING LAWS 26 

9. Q. What special dangers to people in cities make it neces-
sary to pass city laws? 

A. People who live in cities must pass laws to protect 
them on the streets, f rom disease, and from fires. 

10. Q. What are city laws called? 
A. They are called ordinances. 

LESSON 2 . 

1. Q. Who makes the laws in cities? 
A. Laws are made in cities by the City Council or City 

Commission. 

2. Q. Does the Council or Commission in all cities have the 
entire control in making laws? 

A. No, in many cities the people, if they wish, may vote 
whether the laws of the Council or Commission 
shall go into effect or not. 

3. Q. What is this right of the people called? 
A. It is called the "referendum." 

4. Q. How may the people pass a law against the wish of 
the Council? 

A. The people may present a law to the vote under what 
is known as the "initiative." 

5. Q. How are laws passed under the "initiative" and "ref-
erendum?" 

A. Laws are passed under the "initiative" and "refer-
endum" by a majori ty vote. 

6. Q. How are laws made in each of our forty-eight States? 
A. Laws are made for each State by the State Legisla-

tures and approved by the Governor. 
7. Q. How are the State Legislatures elected? 

A. The people elect the Legislatures, which consist of 
two separate groups of delegates, one called the 
Senate, and the other the House of Representatives, 
or the Assembly. 



2 4 CIVICS CATECHISM 

8. Q. If the Governor disapproves a law which the Legisla-
ture has passed, and refuses to sign it, mag the 
Legislature pass it without his approval? 

A. Yes, usually the Legislature may, by 9 vote of two-
thirds of its members, pass a law disapproved by the 
Governor. 

9. Q. Can the "initiative" and "referendum" be used in 
passing State laws? 

A. Yes, in nearly half of our States the people may pass 
laws through .he "initiative" and "referendum." 

10. Q. What matters of importance to the people must the 
State regulate by law? 

A. The State must pass laws relating to roads, educa-
tion, police protection and property rights. 

LESSON 3 . 

1. Q. What are the three chief law-making bodies in our 
country? 

A. The Congress of the United States, the State Legisla-
ture, and the City Council or Commission. 

2. Q. What powers of law-making has the Congress of the 
United States? 

A. Congress has power to pass laws which relate to 
matters in which all the States are interested. 

3. Q. How many lawmakers do the people of each State 
have in the Senate? 

A. Each State has two lawmakers in the Senate. 
4. Q. How many representatives does each State have in 

the House of Representatives? 
A. Each State has one member in the House of Repre-

sentatives for every 230,000 people living within the 
State, but each State has at least one member. 

6. Q. Whenever we need a law for all the States how can it 
be enacted? 



MAKING LAWS 2 6 

A. Whenever we need a law, a bill may be introduced 
into Congress, and if approved by both Houses and 
signed by the President, it becomes a law. 

6. Q. Why do we give Congress the right to pass a law 
without the approval of the President? 

A. Because in America we believe that laws must be 
passed by the rule of the majority. 

7. Q. What is the only way that laws can be passed in this 
country? 

A. Laws can only be passed in this country by the ma-
jority of the people, acting directly or through their 
representatives. 

8. Q. In what way do we protect the few from possible in-
justice by the majority? 

A. Our Constitution guarantees certain rights to every 
one and even a majori ty cannot pass laws on these 
matters. 

9. Q. What are these rights which the Constitution guar-
antees? 

A. The Constitution guarantees to every one the inalien-
able right of free spcech, freedom of religion, free-
dom from search, f rom false imprisonment and 
trial by jury. 

10. Q. If mistakes are made in passing laws, what can each 
citizen do to correct them? 

A. He must take pains to learn about public matters, 
and to vote for law-makers who know what is best 
to be done and who are honest and fair representa-
tives. 



C H A P T E R X V I . 

C A R R Y I N G O N T H E P E O P L E ' S W O R K 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. How do the people decide what must be done for their 
common benefit and protection? 

A. The people decide what they want done either by 
themselves directly or through their representatives 
in City Councils, State Legislatures, or Congress. 

2. Q. Are most of the people able to do their share of the 
common work for all? 

A. No, most of the people are too busy to do it, because 
they must do their own work on the farms, in shops, 
factories, the professions, etc. 

3. Q. What else makes it hard for the people to do their 
share of public work? 

A. They live far off, frequently, f rom the place where 
they are needed to work, and they cannot come 
together to do it. 

4. Q: How do people get their public work done? 
A. They select representatives to do it for them. 

5. Q. What department of the Government does the peo-
ple's work? 

A. The Executive Department does the work for the 
people. 

6. Q. How is the Executive Department made up? 
A. The people elect the chief executive, who in the city 

is called the Mayor, in the State the Governor, and 
in the Nation the President, and they allow these 
officers to select assistants. 

2 6 



CARRYING ON THE PEOPLE'S WORK 2 7 

7. Q. Why do we make up our Executive Departments in 
this way? 

A. Because it is better to select one man and make him 
responsible for the work than to elect a number 
who are not under the control of the person direct-
ing their work. 

8. Q. How is the Executive Department of the Nation ap-
pointed? 

A. The people elect the President, Vice-President, Sen-
ators and Representatives, and the President ap-
points the heads of departments who select their 
assistants. 

9. Q. How are the assistants to the heads of departments 
selected for service in the Executive Department of 
the Nation? 

A. They are selected by civil service examinations and 
remain in service as long as they are capable and 
honest workers. 

10. Q. Is this a good way to get our public work well done? 
A. Yes, because in this way we make the President re-

sponsible for the appointment of men who are at 
the head of affairs, and we can praise or blame him 
according to the way the work is done. 

LESSON 2. 

How do the people arrange to have their work carried 
on in the States? 

In the States the people elect a Governor and several 
other officers, and the Governor appoints several 
assistants. 

Is the system of management of public affairs in the 
States different from that of the United States? 

Yes, in the States the management of affairs is di-
vided between the Governor and other officers. 

Does this method give the Governor control in the 
management of State affairs? 

1. Q. 

A. 

2. Q. 

A. 

3. Q. 



2 8 CIVICS CATECHISM 

A. No, it does not give him the entire control, and he 
has not as much power in the management of State 
affairs as the President has in national affairs. 

4. Q. How do cities manage their affairs? 
A. The cities elect a Mayor, and other officers, or a com-

mission. 
5. Q. What is the commission form of government in city 

affairs? 
A. The commission of 3 or 5 members, each having 

charge of a muncipal department , is elected by the 
people. 

6. Q. What is a "business manager" of a ctiy? 
A. A business manager is an agent appointed by the com-

mission to r u n the affairs of the city jus t the same 
as the head of a store or plant runs the business. 

7. Q. What business for the people is taken care of in 
counties and townships? 

A. The counties and townships look af ter the business 
of enforcing the law, keeping the jails, taking care 
of the poor, repairing the roads, keeping the 
schools, etc. 

8. Q. If an officer does not do his duty, can the people re-
move him? 

A. Yes, in m a n y places there is a plan called the "re-
call" to remove officers. 

9. Q. How can an officer be removed under this plan? 
A. If a number of people wish to remove an officer they 

may sign a petition demanding his removal, and i t 
is then voted on by all the people. 

10. Q. What is the more usual way of removing public 
servants? 

A. The public servants who are not liked by the citizens 
are usually removed by being turned out of office 
at the regular election, when their t e rm expires. 



C H A P T E R V I I I . 

THE COURTS AND THEIR WORK. 

LESSON 1. 

1. 0. Why do we have courts? 

A. We have courts to see that justice is done between 
man and man. 

2. Q. How do the courts maintain justice? 
A. They try cases of persons who are charged with 

breaking the laws, and fix the punishment of those 
who are found guilty. 

3. Q. When may a man call upon the courts to protect his 
rights? 

A. If a man is harmed by another, if his property is un-
justly taken f rom him, or if he needs assistance in 
securing his just share of property by inheritance, 
he may appeal to the courts for aid. 

4. Q. What other work is done by the courts? 
A. The courts decide whether a man who is charged 

with crime really did break the law, and if he did, 
they fix his punishment. 

5. Q. Do we need courts to enforce the laws? 
A. Yes, because there are always some who do not play 

fair, and when laws are made they are useless if 
not obeyed. 

6. Q. What are the justice of the peace courts? 
A. They are courts where the disputes over small 

amounts of property, or small debts are settled, and 
cases of persons charged with lesser crimes are 
heard. 



3 0 CIVICS CATECHISM 

7. Q. How are these courts established? 
A. Justices of the peace are elected by the people as 

their representatives in settling small cases. 
8. Q. What other officer is necessary to carry on the work 

of these courts? 
A. The constable or other officer who serves the war-

rants on people against whom charges are made to 
the justice of the peace. 

9. Q. Does the justice of the peace alone determine who is 
guilty? 

A. Not in all cases. A ju ry may be demanded in many 
cases. 

10. Q. If a person loses his trial in a justice court, can he 
secure another hearing? 

A. Yes, he can appeal his case to a higher court. 

LESSON 2. 

1. Q. What are the city courts? 
A. These are courts established in most cities instead 

of justice courts, where cases of persons who are 
charged with breaking the city laws and lesser 
crimes are heard. 

2. Q. Who decides the cases in the city courts? 
A. Most cases are decided by the judge, though a jury 

may be demanded in certain cases. 
3. Q. Do persons tried in the city courts have the right of 

appeal? 
A. Yes, any person who does not feel that justice has 

been done him in the city courts may appeal to the 
higher courts. 

4. Q. What is the next higher court? 
A. The next higher court is the county court, sometimes 

called the circuit or district court. 
5. Q. What is 'he purpose of the county court? 

A. Its purpose is to t ry more important cases which do 
not go before the justice of the peace or city court» 



T H E COURTS AND THEIR WORK 3 1 

6. Q. How is a case brought into the city or county courts? 
A. Complaint must be made, and the person complained 

of is notified by an officer of the court to come to 
court on a certain day when the case will be tried. 

7. Q. What are the criminal courts? 
A. They are either city or county courts provided to 

t ry all cases of persons accused of crime. 
8. Q. If a man is accused of crime is he summoned to ap-

pear in court on a certain day? 
A. No, he is arrested and brought into court, though he 

may be released on bail until the time of his trial. 
9. Q. How is a man tried who is accused of crime? 

A. He is usually tried by jury. The judge sees that 
the facts are clearly brought out on both sides and 
fixes the sentence if the man is found guilty. 

10. Why is the right of appeal given to any person tried 
in these courts? 

A. Because the people do not want to punish any one 
unjustly, and they have always been careful to see 
tha t every one can get justice by appealing to the 
higher courts. 

LESSON 3. 

1. Q. How many United States courts are there? 
A. There are three—the district court, the circuit court 

of appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United 
States. 

2. Q. What cases do they try? 
A. They try all cases of persons accused of breaking the 

laws of the United States. 
3. Q. What other cases do they try? 

A. They try all cases of importance between citizens of 
different States, cases of disputes between two 
States, and a few other matters. 



3 2 CIVICS CATECHISM 

4. Q. How are cases tried in the United States courts? 
A. They are tried in the same way as in the city or State 

courts, and they may be decided by judge or jury. 
5. How are the judges of the United States Supreme Court 

appointed? 
A. They are appointed by the President to serve during 

good behavior. 
6. Q. What is the duty of this court? 

A. Its duty is to go over the cases which have been tried 
in the lower courts to see that justice has been 
done. 

7. Q. What kind of cases are brought before this court? 
A. Cases f rom the Federal Courts, and some cases f rom 

the State courts may be appealed to the Supreme 
Court. 

8. Q. Why have we always had in America trial by jury? 
A. Because the people have always believed that a man 

would be more secure from injustice if his case 
were decided by a jury of his fellowmen, than if he 
were tried by one man. 

9. Q. Is a jury trial final? 
A. It is usually final unless appealed, but when a jury 

sets free a man who has been accused of serious 
crime, he can never be tried for the same crime 
again. 

10. Q. How important have the people considered trial by 
jury? 

A. The people have considered it so important that they 
have guaranteed in the Constitution of the United 
States the right of trial by jury to every person ac-
cused of crime and in all property suits where the 
value of the property is more than twenty dollars. 



C H A P T E R VIII. 

D E A L I N G S W I T H O T H E R C O U N T R I E S . 

LESSON M 

1. Q. Why do people of one country travel In other coun-
tries? 

A. Some travel to get education, some to secure trade or 
find work, and others to visit relatives. 

2. Q. Is it necessary for us to trade with other countries? 
A. Yes, because we do not make or grow all we need and 

we must buy these things from the countries which 
produce them. 

3. Q. Is fair play among nations necessary to carry on 
trade? 

A. Yes, it is right and necessary. 
4. Q. What happens when countries deal unfairly with 

each other? 
A. Very often wars are brought on by unfair dealings. 

5. Q. Why is there unfairness between peoples of different 
countries? 

A. The principal reason why there is unfairness is that 
people of different nations do not know each other. 

6. Q. How do nations try to prevent misunderstandings and 
unfair dealings? 

A. They send ministers and ambassadors to other coun-
tries. 

7. Q. What do these agents of the government in foreign 
countries do? 

A. They act as friendly visitors and look af ter the in-
terests of their own citizens. 



3 4 CIVICS CATECHISM 

8. Q. What are consuls and agents? 
A. They are representatives of governments who are sent 

to all the leading cities of foreign lands to assist 
their own people in their daily life or trade with the 
foreign country. 

9. Q. Are consuls and agents able to help merchants in their 
own lands? 

A. Yes, they furnish to the merchants and manufacturers 
of their own lands information about markets for 
goods. 

10. Q. Do they also help nations to become acquainted with 
each other? 

A. Yes, by having these representatives it is possible to 
learn the facts in any case, and thus to prevent 
quarrels f rom arising. 

LESSON 2. 

1. Q. What system has been set up between nations for 
settling their differences? 

A. A system of courts called arbitration courts. 
2. Q. How are these courts established? 

A. They are appointed by the nations which have differ-
ences to settle. 

3. Q. Does America believe in arbitration? 
A. Yes, for many years America has settled most of her 

difficulties in this way, and she prefers to do this 
rather than go to war. 

4. Q. What is immigration? 
A. Immigration is the movement of peoples from one 

country to another. 
5. Q. Does America offer a home to peoples from other 

lands? 
A. Yes, America has always kept the door open and made 

it possible f o r other people to become citizens of 
th is country. 



DEALINGS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES 3 5 

6. Q. What does America ask of those who come here to 
live? 

A. All that she asks of people who wish to live here is 
that they abide by the Constitution and laws of the 
country. 

7. Q. Does America invite immigrants to be citizens? 
A. Yes, America invites every one to become a citizen and 

help in the work of the country. 
8. Q. How may international "peace be promoted? 

A. By education and action based on Catholic princi-
ples underlying world problems. 

9. Q. Where may knowledge of these subjects be secured? 
A. By wri t ing the Catholic Association f o r In terna-

tional Peace, 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W=», 
Washington, D. C. 



C H A P T E R VIII. 

MILITARY SERVICE. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. Who protects the safety and welfare of our country? 
A. The people protect our country and every citizen must 

do his part in this. 
2. Q. What is each citizen expected to do? 

A. Each citizen is expected to understand and vote on 
public questions and to give his property and even 
his life to his country in time of need. 

S. Q. If the country is compelled to go to war, must every 
citizen take part? 

A. Yes, every citizen must take part, and it is the righ) 
of citizens to compel each to do his duty. 

4. Q. How is the age of military service fixed? 
A. The age of military service is fixed by the State Con-

stitutions, and by Congress. 
5. Q. What was the age of military service in the World 

War? 
A. The ages were fixed by Congress first at 21 to 30, and 

later extended to the ages of 18 to 45. 
6. Q. In the early years of our history how did the coun-

try recruit an army? 
A. It depended on men to volunteer their services. 

7. Q. Was this a good method? 
A. No, because all men who should have enlisted did 

not do so voluntarily, and many who, for some spe-
cial reason ought to have remained at home, en-
listed through a sense of patriotism. 



MILITARY SERVICE 37 

8. Q. Did injustice sometimes happen through this method 
of raising an army? 

A. Yes, it was possible for a man to get out of going to 
war. 

9. Q. Do we wish to force men into military service? 
A. No, America desires to remain at peace with the 

"world, 

10. Q. Why do we keep a small army? 
A. We keep a small army because we want it only foi 

protection, and we do not want it to control othe" 
people or the people of this, country. 

LESSON 2. 

1. Q. Why do Americans fear to have the army control 
civil affairs? 

A. Because they have seen the evil results of this policy 
in Europe, where armies destroyed and set up gov-
ernments for their own purposes. 

2. Q. Were the American Colonies willing to have standing 
armies kept among them? 

A. No, one of the reasons why they revolted against the 
King of England was tha t he kept s tanding armies 
among them in t ime of peace without their con-
sent. 

3. Q. Were the Colonists willing to feed and keep soldiers 
in their homes? 

A. No, the Colonists felt tha t this was an injustice. 
4. Q. What did they do to protect themselves against such 

injustice ? 
A. When they formed their own Constitution it declared 

tha t no soldiers should, in t ime of peace, be kept 
in any one's home without his consent. 



3 8 CIVICS CATECHISM 

5. Q. How can we control the army in America? 
A. Our Constitution provides that Congress cannot vote 

money for the army for more than two years at a 
time, and the people can control it by refusing to 
vote the money. 

6. Q. Why is it not necessary for America to maintain a 
large army? 

A. Because our army is for defence only, and not to take 
territory f rom other peoples. 

7. Q. Can the United States increase her army rapidly if 
need be? 

A. Yes, we rapidly increased our small army in the 
World War until it included about 4,000,000 men. 

8 . Q. What will help to prevent wars? 
A. The growth of better understanding between coun-

tries and the establishing of means to settle disputes 
when they arise 

9. Q. How may one know what is right and wrong regard-
ing war and peace? 

A. By studying the l i terature on this subject prepared 
by the Catholic Association f o r Internat ional 
Peace, 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W., Wash-
ington, D. C. 



C H A P T E R X L 

P R E V E N T I N G F R A U D S . 

LESSON 1. 

Q. What do people wish to accomplish in their dealings 
with each other? 

A. People wish to prevent f raud in their dealings with 
each other. 

Q. What is fraud? 
A. Fraud is an unfair method of dealing with others by 

which many people try to get what does not belong 
to them or to keep others f rom having what is 
theirs. 

Q. Is it good policy to deal fairly with others? 
A. Yes, because if unfairness is permitted to one, all 

suffer. 
Q. Are laws passed to punish fraud and unfair dealings? 
A. Yes, because unfair dealing is a form of stealing. 
Q. What is one of the common ways of fraud? 
A. One of the common ways of f raud is to give short 

weights and measures in the sale of goods. 
Q. Do States and cities try to protect their citizens from 

fraud of this kind? 
A. Yes, they have departments of weights and measures 

to test the weights and measures used. 
Q. What is the duty of the officers of these departments? 
A. Their duty is to arrest and punish any one whom they 

find using short weights or measures. 
Q. Are employers and employees sometimes guilty of un-

fair practices in their dealings with each other? 
3 9 



4 0 CIVICS CATECHISM 

A. Yes, if an employer overworks or underpays his men» 
or an employee shirks his job, he is guilty of f raud 
or unfair dealing. 

9. Q. What other frauds are practiced in selling goods? 

A. Imitations or substitutes are sometimes used in sell-
ing goods. 

10. Q. Why is this unfair dealing? 
A. Because imitations or substitutes can only be seen by 

an expert or one who knows how the goods are 
made, and the goods are not what they are said 
to be. 

LESSON 2 . 

1. Q. What is a bank? 
A. A bank is a place where people may leave their money 

and have it protected? 
2. Q. Is a bank useful to the people? 

A. Yes, it is of great service to the people because it pro-
tects their money, earns interest for them, and pro-
vides the means by which the business of the com-
munity is run. 

3. Q. Is a good bank a safe place to put your money? 
A. Yes, because it is constantly looked af ter by the Gov-

ernment. 
4. Q. Are laws passed to punish people who practice fraud 

through the banks? 
A. Yes, laws are passed to punish men who use the banks 

to commit fraud. 
5. Q. Are there good banks in every community? 

A. Yes, there are plenty of good banks, but if any one is 
in doubt he should get the advice of a good business 
man. 

6. Q. What banks have the people provided for themselves? 
A. The people have established the postal savings bank 

where every one may safely deposit his money. 



PREVENTING FRAUDS 4 1 

7. Q. What are blue sky frauds? 
A. Blue sky frauds is a name given to the sale of false 

stocks, bonds or lands which do not exist. 
8. Q. Are men always dishonest who sell these? 

A. Not always. There have been cases of men who were 
not intentionally dishonest, but who did not have 
good business judgment, and whose plans did not 
work out as they expected. 

9. Q. Are there laws always able to protect people against 
these frauds? 

A. Sometimes clever men get around the law before they 
are found out, and so every one must take care to 
have good advice about his investments. 

10. Q. How are men sometimes cheated by others in regard 
to employment? 

A. Sometimes men are cheated by others who pretend 
they can secure work for them by payment of part 
of their weekly wages, or that they can have a man 
discharged unless he pays them money. 

11. Q. What other ways of fraud are there? 
A. Selling false steamship or railroad tickets, or charg-

ing more than they are worth are ways of practicing 
fraud. 

12. Q. How should everyone try to make it impossible for 
men to succeed by practicing fraud? 

A. Every one should be careful to deal with honest men 
and have good advice about spending and investing 
his money. He should also understand the laws 
and be prepared to vote intelligently on them when 
there is occasion to do so. 



C H A P T E R VIII. 

INSURANCE. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. What is insurance? 
A. Insurance is a means of sharing each other's burdens. 

2. Q. What burdens and worries do most men face all the 
time? 

A. The fear that through illness or accident they may be 
unable to work, the fear of becoming old without 
means of support, and the fear of being without 
work. 

3. Q. How is insurance carried on? 
A. By the payment into a common fund by individual 

men and women. 
4. Q. How does insurance help those who suffer. 

A. When any one who has contributed to the fund is in 
trouble for any of these reasons, he may receive 
payments f rom the fund. 

5. Q. If one is injured while at work, can he collect in-
surance? 

A. Yes, in nearly all the States there is a plan of in-
surance against accidents. 

6. Q. What does the injured man receive in this case? 
A. He receives a part of his wages and pay for the doctor 

and hospital bills. 
7. Q. What must the injured workman do to collect this 

insurance? 
A. All that is necessary is that he have proper papers 

made out by the doctor and employer, and no fee 
should be paid to any one to collect the amount. 



INSURANCE 4 3 

8. Q. In case of death, is insurance paid to the man's 
family? 

A. Yes, and in most States this payment is made to 
them, whether they live in this country or not. 

9. Q. In States where there is no system of accident insur-
ance, may the worker collect any damages from the 
employer in case of accident? 

A. Yes, in those States the injured workman may col-
lect damages if the accident is due to the fault of 
the employer. 

10. Q. If it is necessary to employ a lawyer in such cases, 
what should the workman do? 

A. He should take great care to get a capable and honest 
lawyer and not sign any papers that he does not 
fully understand without consulting his lawyer. 

LESSON 2. 

1. Q. How may a worker protect himself against illness? 
A. By the payment of a small amount each week or 

month into a fund for health insurance. 
2. Q. Do our States have a system of health insurance? 

A. No, none of our States have at this time adopted this 
method of protection. 

3. Q. How may the worker carry health insurance now? 
A. He may carry it in a fraternal or friendly order, in 

an insurance company, and in some trade unions; 
in some industries there are mutual societies com-
posed of the workmen in the shop. 

4. Q. How are these insurance organizations carried on? 
A. Every member pays a certain sum each week or 

month for this protection in case of sickness. 
5. Q. How much insurance is usually paid in these so-

cieties? . 
A. The usual pay is from $5.00 to $7.00 a week, and 

some medical care is given. 



4 4 CIVICS CATECHISM 

6. Q. Is it for a man's benefit to insure himself? 
A. Yes, the loss of wages and the cost of medical care 

is so great that every man ought to insure himself, 
so that he and those dependent on him may have 
enough to live on while the sickness lasts. 

7. Q. Why ought a man to carry life insurance? 
A. Because he ought to leave enough money to pay for 

his sickness and burial, and some support for any 
who are dependent on him. 

8. Q. How may insurance best be carried at the present 
time? 

A. In the fraternal societies or insurance companies. 
9. Q. May a man insure himself against unemployment? 

A. Yes, if he belongs to certain of the labor unions who 
pay their members who cannot get a job a certain 
amount each week. 

10. Q. Does the Government provide unemployment insur-
ance? 

A. No, but it tries to find work for people through free 
employment agencies. 

11. Q. Is there a government system of old age insurance in 
America? 

A. No, but plans are being considered in several States. 
12. Q. Are there other systems of old age insurance? 

A. Yes, some of the labor unions give their members 
an old age pension, and a few industries, do. Police-

• ••' men, soldiers, firemen, and teachers usually receive 
a pension f rom the public treasury when they are 
old or disabled. 



C H A P T E R V I I I . 

TAXATION. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. What do people provide for their own protection? 
A. Roads and streets, education, health departments, fire 

and police departments, army, navy, hospitals and 
asylums. 

2. Q. Who receives the benefit of these means of protection? 
A- These means of protection are all for the benefit of 

the people. 
3. Q. Whose duty is it to pay for these? 

A. It is the people's duty to pay for them. 
4. Q. How can they be paid for? 

A. By taxes, which are distributed in such a way that 
every one will pay his fair share. 

5. Q. What is a poll tax? 
A. A poll tax is a special tax placed upon every man who 

is over a certain age, usually 21 years. 
6. Q. Do you think this is a good form of tax? 

A. No, because it is too hard to collect. Men can easily 
get out of paying it. 

7. Q. What is the most common tax? 
A. The most common is the general property tax. 

8. Q. How is the property tax assessed? 
A. The tax is assessed upon the amount of property one 

possesses. 
9. Q. Does the man who owns property always pay the tax 

directly? 
A. No, for if he rents his property, the rent is usually 

high enough to pay the taxes. 

4 5 



4 6 CIVICS CATECHISM 

10. Q. Who finally pays property tax? 
A. The property tax is finally paid by the man who rents 

property or uses goods. 

LESSON 2. 

1. Q. How ought taxes be distributed among the people? 
A. They ought to be distributed according to the ability 

of people to pay. 
2. Q. Upon what does the ability to pay depend? 

A. The ability to pay depends upon the amount of in-
come a man may have. 

3. Q. Does the Government take this into account in col-
lecting income taxes? 

A. Yes, the income tax exempts enough for living ex-
penses, and increases as the income increases. 

4. Q. Why is the income tax coming into general use now? 
A. Because it is easier to make each person pay his fair 

share of the cost than by the property tax. 
5. Q. What is the inheritance tax? 

A. The inheritance tax is the money taken for public use 
from the property which a man leaves when he dies. 

6. Q. Is the inheritance tax the same for all? 
A. No. The tax is increased as the amount which a 

man leaves increases. 
7. Q. Why do we have inheritance taxes? 

A. Because many of our people believe that if large 
amounts of property are left at death, they should 
be taxed for the benefit of all the people. 

8. Q. Are some taxes paid indirectly? 
A. Yes, they are added to the cost of goods and paid by 

the person who uses the goods. 
9. Q. Do all people think this is a good way to tax people? 

A. No. People pay this kind of tax without knowing it, 
but many think they would rather know how much 
it is and pay it directly. 



TAXATION 4 7 

LESSON 3 . 

1. Q. What is the single tax? 
A. The single tax is a system which places all taxes on 

land, but none on buildings or improvements. 
2. Q. Under this system, if the land increased in value, 

would the tax be increased? 
A. Yes, all increases in land value would be taken as a 

tax. 
3. Q. Why do many people want this system of taxation? 

A. Because they think that it is the people who live in 
the community and not the owner who make the 
land valuable, and they ought to have the benefit of 
the increased value. 

4. Q. Why do governments raise money by taxation? 
A. In order to carry on work for the welfare of all citi-

zens and to distribute the cost justly among them. 

5. Q. Do the people sometimes raise money for the Govern-
ment in other ways? 

A. Yes. The people sometimes borrow money through 
their government and give their bonds for it. 

6. Q. What are bonds? 
V. Bonds are promises made by the people to pay a cer-

tain sum of money at a certain time. 
7. Q. Why do governments issue bonds? 

A. To pay for some public work when they cannot raise 
money through taxes without too much cost to the 
people. 

8. Q. Is this a just way of distributing the cost of public 
works? 

A. Yes, especially if it is for improvements which are ex-
pected to last a long time, for it is only fair that 
fu ture generations who will use them pay some« 
thing toward them. 



4 8 CIVICS CATECHISM 

9. Q. Is it good policy to borrow money for the use of the 
people? 

A. Yes, but the people should not borrow too much, nor 
for things which are not needed. 

10. Q. Do you think we are compelled to pay too much 
money to support the Government? 

A. No, as long as the money is used for things the people 
need and approve. 

11. Q. What do all the people approve using money for? 
A. They approve the use of money for good roads and 

streets, health, police and fire protection, libraries, 
schools, armies, and many other things. 



C H A P T E R VIII. 

THE CITIZEN'S PART. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. Why should men and women do their share of the 
work in government? 

A. Because everything that the Government does bene-
fits nearly every one. 

2. Q. What is the first duty of a citizen? 
A. The first duty of a citizen is to vote at every election. 

3. Q. Why should every citizen vote? 
A. He should vote to help elect the men who are to act 

as his agents in conducting public affairs. 
4. Q. What should every citizen know before he votes? 

A. He should understand public questions and know 
about the men who are to be voted for. 

5. Q. What should he know about men who are seeking 
office? 

A. He should know whether they are able to do the work 
the office requires, and whether they are honest 
men. 

6. Q. Why is it necessary for every citizen to know about 
public men? 

A. Every citizen should learn about public men in order 
to know who are fai thful to the people's interest, 
which are also his interests. 

7. Q. How can he help to select good men for public work? 
A. By studying public questions and knowing about 

public men. 



5 0 CIVICS CATECHISM 

8. Q. How else can he help to get good government? 
A. Every citizen can help to get good government by 

praising the men who do good work. 
9. Q. How can he help to prevent bad government? 

A. He can help to prevent bad government by condemn-
ing men who do not do fai thful work. 

10. Q. How can a citizen learn about public questions and 
office seekers? 

A. By reading the papers and magazines, by listen-
ing to speeches by public men and by following 
their actions while in office. 

LESSON 2 

1. Q. Is it ever the duty of a citizen to hold office? 
A. Yes, whenever he believes he can be of special service 

in handling public affairs. 
2. Q. Why are good citizens sometimes slow in seeking 

office? 
A. Because they are busy with their own affairs and do 

not like to give the time. 
3. Q. Did men and women show they were good citizens 

during the war? 
A. Yes, during the war men and women everywhere 

left their own work to help the country. 
4. Q. Should every citizen be willing to work for his coun-

try? 
A. Yes, he should be willing at all times to work for his 

country if necessary. 
5. Q. Why is it the duty of every one to pay taxes? 

A. Every one must pay taxes because it is his duty to 
pay his share of the cost of government. 

6. Q. Does every citizen receive more benefits than he pays 
for? 

A. Yes, the benefits of government to every person are 
far greater than the cost. 



THE CITIZEN'S PART 5 1 

7. Q. Why do men sometimes think they have not received 
their money's worth? 

A. Because in times past in other lands taxes were not 
paid for the benefit of the people but of the rulers. 

8. Q. Were taxes in America ever paid for the benefit of the 
ruling class? 

A. No, in America taxes have always been levied and 
paid by the people themselves. 

9. Q. Are taxes forced upon the people in this country? 
A. No, here the people tax themselves for their own 

benefit. 
10. Q. Besides paying his own share of the taxes, what 

should every citizen do? 
A. He should see that every other citizen pays his share, 

so that no one will shirk or not play fair with all. 



C H A P T E R X V 

N A T U R A L I Z A T I O N . 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. What are the three steps in the process of naturaliza-
tion? 

A. First, "The Declaration of Intention;" second, "The 
Petition for Naturalization;" third, "The Final 
Hearing in Open Court." 

2. Q. Who may make "The Declaration of Intention?" 
A. Any immigrant who has reached the age of 18 years 

and desires to be a citizen of the United States. 
3. Q. What must an immigrant do to make "The Declara-

tion of Intention?" 
A. He must obtain from the Naturalization Service, of 

the United States Dept. of Labor* form A-2213. 
These forms may be obtained from the various 
offices of the Naturalization Service throughout the 
United States, and when filled out should be re-
turned to the officer whose address is given on the 
form. 

4. Q. When may an immigrant make a request for his 
"First Paper" or "Declaration of Intention?" 

A. An immigrant may make a request for his "First 
Paper" any time after he arrives in the United 
States and has decided that he wishes to be a citi-
zen of the United States. 

5. Q. Does the immigrant need to know how to speak or 
write English before securing his "First Paper?" 

A. No, he does not need to know English before securing 
his "First Paper." 

6. Q. What is the only thing required of an immigrant who 
wishes his "First Paper?" t 

A. He must have been legally admitted to the United 
States for permanent residence and must take an 
oath that "it is his honest intention to become a 
citizen of the United States." 

52 



NATURALIZATION 5 3 

7. Q. When an immigrant goes to court what must he do f 
A. He is given a paper called "The Declaration of 

Intention," which must be filled out. 
8. Q. What is done with this paper? 

A. I t is given to the clerk of the court, who later 
re tu rns i t to the immigrant . 

9. Q. Is there any fee collected by the court for this 
service? 

A. Yes, there are certain fees ; one of $2.50 covering 
the certificate of arr ival payable to the Commis-
sioner of Immigrat ion and Naturalization upon 
applying fo r the " F i r s t P a p e r " ; the other a $2.50 
fee payable to the court when the alien obtains 
his "F i r s t Paper . " There is an additional fee 
of $5.00 payable upon issuance of final citizenship 
papers. 

10. Q. What facts must be stated in the "First Paper?" 
A. The main fac ts which must be stated are': Name. 

age, occupation, date of arr ival in the United 
States, name of vessel on which applicant arrived, 
and present address. 

11. Q. What is the "Certificate of Arrival?" 
A. I t is a f o r m cer t i fy ing to the name of the ship on 

which he came and the date and place of his 
arr ival . 

12. Q. How may this form be secured? 
A. This f o r m is obtained by the naturalization officer 

f o r the applicant 

LESSON 2 
1. Q. How long must an immigrant reside in the United 

States before receiving his "Certificate of Natu^ 
ralization?" 

A. An applicant must have resided here a t least five 
years immediately preceding the date of his 
application. 



5 4 CIVICS CATECHISM 

2. Q. How long must he have lived in the State? 
A. He must have lived a t least six months within the 

County where he files his petition. 
3. Q. After the "Declaration of Intention" is made, how 

long must an immigrant wait before he may apply 
for his final naturalization paper, or "Certificate 
of Naturalization?" 

A. He must wai t a t least two years, but he cannot 
apply f o r his final papers until he has lived in 
the United States continuously fo r five years. 

4. Q. Where must the "Petition for Citizenship" and the 
"Declaration" be made? 

A. Both the "Peti t ion fo r Citizenship" and the "Decla-
ra t ion" must be made where the alien resides, 
and he must have resided fo r six months in the 
same county where he files the petition. 

5. Q. What papers must he take with him? 
A. He must take with him his " F i r s t P a p e r " and a 

"Certificate of Arr iva l" if he has come to America 
since June 29, 1906. 

6. Q. Must the applicant have witnesses? 
A. Yes, he must have two witnesses who are Citizens 

of the United States. 
7. Q. What must the witnesses be able to swear to about 

the applicant? 
A. They must be able to swear tha t they haVe known 

him dur ing all of his residence (up to five years) 
in the County and to tes t i fy as to his fitness for 
citizenship. 

8 . Q. What are some things which make an applicant fit 
for citizenship? 

A. To be fit fo r citizenship in the United States an 
applicant must be of good moral character , must 
be able to read and write, mus t know something 
about the government and history of the United 
States. He must not be a criminal, or believe in 
polygamy, or be opposed to organized government. 



NATURALIZATION 5 5 

LESSON 3. 

1. Q. After the "Petition for Naturalization" or "Second 
Paper" is filed in court, what is then done? 

A. The court makes a thorough investigation of both 
applicant and witnesses and summons them to ap-
pear in open court before the judge. 

2. Q. When does the court hearing take place? 
A. Not less than 90 days after the filing of the "Second 

Paper." 
3. Q. Does the court inquire about the moral character of 

the applicant /or citizenship? 
A. Yes, the applicant must satisfy the court that he is 

of good moral character. 

4. Q. What must he know about the United States? 
A. He must be able to answer general questions about 

the more important points of American history and 
government. 

5. Q. Are there definite questions he will be required to 
answer? 

A. No, the court is usually satisfied if he understands the 
main privileges and duties of citizenship. 

6. Q. Must he know how to speak and write simple English? 
A. Yes. 

7. Q. If the applicant satisfies the court that he is fit for 
citizenship, what must he do before receiving his 
final papers? 

A. He must take the oath of allegiance to the United 
States. 

8. Q. What does the "Oath of Allegiance" require of him? 
A. It requires his promise to uphold the government of 

the United States, and to be a good citizen by obey-
ing its laws. 

9. Q. Does the "Oath of Allegiance" require him to re-
nounce his allegiance to any other Government? 



5 6 CIVICS CATECHISM 

A. Yes, he must renounce all allegiance to his former 
government. 

10. Q. When the "Oath of Allegiance" has been taken what 
does the court then give him? 

A. It gives him a "Certificate of Citizenship" or, in some 
cases, sends it to him later by registered mail. 

LESSON 4. 

L Q. If witnesses are naturalized citizens must they prove 
their citizenship to the coun? 

A. Yes, they must take their "Certificates of Citizenship" 
to the court. 

2. Q. If a witness is ill, or unable to appear in court, may 
the applicant get some one to go in his place? 

A. Yes, another witness may be substituted if he can 
take the oath to the same statements as the original 
witness. 

3. Q. If the judge thinks it necessary can he compel the 
original witness to go to court? 

A. Yes, the original witness can be compelled by law to 
go to court. 

4. Q. If the applicant has not lived in the State fwe years, 
can he secure statements from witnesses where he 
lived before? 

A. Yes, he can secure statements which are called depo-
sitions. 

5. Q. Is it necessary in this case that each witness shall 
have known him fwe years? 

A. No, in this case it is enough if the witnesses collec-
tively have known him five years. 

6. Q. If a man loses his citizenship papers, may he secure 
others? 

A. He may secure a duplicate by making a sworn state-
ment in court that he has lost them. 



NATURALIZATION 5 7 

7. Q. Can anyone receive his citizenship papers just before 
election? 

A. No, applicants cannot receive papers within 30 days 
before general elections in any State. 

8 . Q. May an applicant for citizenship change his name? 
A. Yes, he may do it at the time he secures his citizenship 

papers if the court allows it. 
9. Q. May an applicant holding a foreign title be given 

citizenship? 
A. Yes, if he renounces the foreign title. 

10. Q. If an applicant is refused citizen's papers, will his 
fees be returned to him? 

A. No, he cannot recover any fees if he is refused citizen's 
papers. 

LESSON 5. 

1. Q. Does the naturalization of a married man make his 
wife a citizen? 

A. No. Since 1922 the wife does not become a citizen 
through the naturalization of her husband. 

2. Q. May the wife of an alien become a citizen? 
A. Yes, the wife of an alien may become a citizen. 

3. Q. Does the naturalization of a parent naturalize the 
children under twenty-one also? 

A. Yes, providing the children are residents or become 
residents before they are twenty-one years of age. 

4. Q. Does an American woman who marries a foreigner 
lose her citizenship? 

A. No. 
5. Q. Can anyone opposed to organized government become 

a citizen of the United States? 
A. No. 

6. Q. What other conditions may prevent an applicant from 
becoming a citizen? 



58 Civics CATECHISM 

A. No one who believes in polygamy, who is a criminal 
or illiterate may become a citizen. 

7. Q. May an alien become a citizen if we are at war with 
his country? 

A. No, no alien or foreigner may become naturalized 
while we are at war with the country of which he i ; 
a subject. 

8 . Q. Who may become naturalized Americans? 
A. Only free white persons or those of African nativity 

or descent. 

9. Q. What other class of aliens are given special privi-
leges in securing citizenship? 

A. All aliens who have completed an enlistment in the 
United States Navy, Marine Corps or Army. 

Other classes entitled to special privileges for secur-

ing citizenship a r e : Husbands and wives of citi-

zens; American-born women who lost citizenship 

through marr iage ; widows and minor children of 

deceased or insane declarants; American-born 

persons who established permanent residence in 

foreign countries prior to 1917 and became natu-

ralized under the laws of such foreign country 

and who returned to the United States prior to 

March 3, 1931, for permanent residence, etc. 

From time to time special naturalization privileges 

are granted by Congress to alien World War vet-

erans who have not yet acquired American citizen-

ship. 

10. Q. Is it illegal to try to obtain citizen's papers on false 
:pretenses? 

A. Yes, it is illegal, and there is a severe penalty for 
papers secured by false statements and frauds. 



C H A P T E R X V I . 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. What is the Declaration of Independence? 
A. It is a statement agreed to in Philadelphia on July 4, 

1776, by delegates from the thirteen American Col-
onies of Great Britain, which declared that the 
thirteen United Colonies are absolved from alle-
giance to the British Crown and are, and of right 
ought to be, free and independent states. 

2. Q. What cause led the Colonists to rebel against Eng-
land? 

A. There were many reasons, all set forth in the Declar-
ation of Independence. The most important were: 

That the English King had quartered large bodies of 
troops upon them against their will: 

That he had protected in mock trials his soldiers 
who had murdered Colonists without just cause; 

That he had imposed taxes without the consent of 
the Colonies; 

That he had refused representation to the Colonists in 
the English Parliament; 

That he had taken away the right of trial by jury 
and of trial in the place in which crimes were al-
leged to have been committed. 

3. Q. What actions of the British minority forced the Col-
onists to continue the struggle after they had re-
belled? 

A. These causes were many in number and are recited 
in detail in the Declaration. Among them are 
these: 

5 9 



60 CIVICS CATECHISM 

The Crown has refused assent to laws necessary for 
the puhlic good; of the King is it said: 

He has forbidden his Governors to pass and enforce 
laws of pressing importance until his consent was 
obtained, and has then neglected to attend to them; 

He has called together legislative bodies at places un-
usual and distant f rom the depository of records; 

He has dissolved Representative Houses for opposing 
his will; 

He has neglected to cause others to be elected in the 
places of those removed; 

He has prevented immigration and naturalization of 
foreigners; 

He has made judges dependent for their office, ac-
tivities, and salaries upon himself alone; 

He has created a multitude of unnecessary officers, 
harassing the people, and reducing them to poverty; 

He has rendered the military power independent of 
and superior to the civil; 

He has taken away charters and altered the forms of 
government; 

He has plundered property and destroyed the laws 
of people; 

He has put a price on the heads of them who resist 
his oppressions; 

He has incited against us the Indian savages on our 
borders. 

4. Q. Did the Colonists appeal to the Crown to right their 
wrongs before they rebelled? 

A. In the words of the Declaration the Colonists made 
their appeal to the world: "In every stage of these 
oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the 
most humble terms: our repeated petitions have 
been answered only by repeated injury." 

5. Q. Did the Colonists appeal directly to the British people 
through their Parliament? 



THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 6 1 

A. The Colonists repeatedly advised the British Parlia-
ment of the wrongs they were enduring, and ap-
pealed to its sense of justice and to the ties of 
relationship which bound them together to dis-
avow the acts of the Crown, but to no avail. 

6. Q. Had America no champions among the British states-
men? 

A. Some leading Englishmen and most of the Irish mem-
bers of Parliament openly justified the action of 
the Colonists in rebelling. 

7. Q. What was the immediate result of the Declaration of 
Independence? 

A. By it the Colonists cut off all hope of reconciliation 
with England and were encouraged to continue 
the fight for independence. 

8. Q. What nation in particular was quick to recognize the 
new government adopted by the Colonies? 

A. France speedily recognized the new federation and 
sent men and ships to help their cause. Other na-
tions of Europe followed the example of France, 
and many lovers of liberty crossed to America to 
enlist in the American army. 

9. Q. What event brought about English recognition of 
America's independence? 

A. The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, 
forced England to acknowledge the freedom of her 
American colonies. 

10. Q. When did the federation of the thirteen Colonies be-
come the United States of America? 

A. By the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 
1781. 



C H A P T E R VIII. 

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF 
AMERICA. 

LESSON 1. 

1. Q. Why did the Americans adopt a second Constitution? 
A. The preamble or foreword of the Constitution explains 

their reasons as follows: 
"We the People of the United States, in order to 
form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, in-
sure domestic Tranquillity, provide for the com-
mon Defence, promote the general Welfare, and 
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and 
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Con-
stitution for the United States of America." 

2. Q. What does the Constitution contain? 
A. It contains seven articles and twenty-one amend-

ments. The first ten amendments became a part 
of the Constitution in 1791. The others have 
been adopted since that time. 

3. Q. What is the Constitution of the United States? 
A. The Constitution of the United States is a document 

which makes our Government a democratic Re-
public. It secures certain important rights for all 
of the people. It defines and limits the powers of 
the officials of the Government. It is the funda-
mental law of our nation. 

4. Q. Into what branches is the Government divided by the 
Constitution? 

A. It is divided into three branches : the Legislative, the 
Executive, and the Judicial. 



T H E CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 6 3 

5. Q. What is the Legislative power of our Government? 
A. That power which makes the laws. 

6. Q. What is the Executive power of our Government? 
A. The power which executes the laws. 

7. Q. What is the Judicial power of our Government? 
A. The power which interprets the laws. 

8. Q. Of what does the Legislative or law-making body con-
sist? 

A. The Congress of the United States consists of two 
houses—the House of Representatives and the Sen-
ate. Representatives are elected for a term of two 
years by the voters of each of the States in propor-
tion to the population of that State as determined 
by the latest Federal census. Senators are now 
elected by the voters to serve for six years. Each 
State is represented by two Senators. 

9. Q. Why is there a difference in the time for whiGh Rep-
resentatives and Senators are elected? 

A. Representatives are elected for only two years in order 
that the people may control their actions; Senators 
are elected for six years, one-third of the number 
being elected every two years, in order that each 
session of the Congress may have in it men expe-
rienced in public affairs. 

10. Q. What is the object in having two legislative houses? 

A. That one may act as a check upon the other. 

LESSON 2. 

1. Q. What qualifications must a Representative have? 

A. No person shall be a Representative, who shall not 
have attained to the age of twenty-five yeaTS, and 
been seven years a citizen of the United States, and 
who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of 
that State in which he shall be chosen. 



66 CIVICS CATECHISM 

2. Q. What qualifications must a Senator have? 
A. No person shall be a Senator, who shall not have at-

tained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years 
a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, 
when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for 
which he shall be chosen. 

3. Q. How often does the Congress meet? 
A. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every 

year, and such meeting shall be on the th i rd of 
January , unless they shall by law appoint a dif-
f e ren t day. 

4. Q. How does a bill become a law? 

A. Every bill which passes the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate is presented to the President 
for his signature. If he signs it, the bill be-

comes a law. If he vetoes it (returns it without ap-
proval), both houses may again pass the bill by a 
vote of two-thirds of each house, in which case the 
bill becomes a law without the President's signature. 
If the President fails to veto or return a bill to the 
House in which it originated before the end of ten 
days from the time he receives it, the bill becomes a 
law. 

5. Q. What are the powers granted to the Congress by the 
Constitution? 

A. 1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and ex-
cises, to pay the debts and provide for the com-
mon defence and general welfare of the United 
States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall 
be uniform throughout the United States. 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United 
States. 

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and 
among the several States, and with the Indian 
tribes. 



T H E CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 6 5 

4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and 
uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies, 
throughout the United States. 

5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of 
foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and 
measures. 

6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting 
the securities and current coin of the United 
States. 

7. To establish post offices and post roads. 
8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, 

by securing, for limited times, to authors and in-
ventors, the exclusive right to their respective 
writings and discoveries. 

9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme 
Court. 

10. To define and punish piracies and felonies com-
mitted on the high seas, and offences against the 
law of nations. 

11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and re-
prisal, and make rules concerning captures on 
land and water. 

12. To raise and support armies; but no appropriation 
of money to that use shall be for a longer term 
than two years. 

13. To provide and maintain a navy. 

14. To make rules for the government and regulation 
of the land and naval forces. 

15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute 
the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections 
and repel invasions. 

16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining 
the militia, and for governing such par t of them 
as may be employed in the service of the United 
States; reserving to the States respectively, the 



6 6 CIVICS CATECHISM 

appointment of the officers, and the authority of 
training the militia, according to the discipline 
prescribed by Congress. 

17. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases what-
soever, over such district (not exceeding ten 
miles square), as may, by cession of particular 
States, and the acceptance of Congress, become 
the seat of the Government of the United States, 
and to exercise like authority over all places, 
purchased by the consent of the legislature of 
the State in which the same shall be, for the 
erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, 
and other needful buildings. 

18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and 
proper for carrying into execution the foregoing 
powers, and all other powers vested by this Con-
stitution in the Government of the United States, 
or in any department or officer thereof. 

6. Q. What rights are in general denied to the States? 
A. Those rights which are granted in particular to the 

Congress of the United States and the right to pass 
laws which are in violation of the Constitution. 

7. Q. In whom is the Executive power of the United States 
vested? 

A. The Executive power is vested in the President of the 
United States of America. 

8. Q. What other Executive officer is chosen at the same 
time and for the same term? 

A. The Vice-President. 

9. Q. Who may become President of the United Stutes? 
A. No person except a natural-born citizen shall be eli-

gible to the office of President; neither shall any per-
son be eligible to that office who shall not have at-
tained to the age of thirty-five years ; and been four-
teen years a resident within the United States. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 67 

10. Q. How are the President and Vice-President elected? 
A. (a) Every four years the citizens of each State elect 

qualified voters of that State to act as electors 
of the President and Vice-President. 

(b) There are as many electors in each State as it has 
Representatives and Senators in Congress. 

(c) The electors of each State have only one vote. 
(d) All votes for President and Vice-President are 

signed, sealed, and delivered to the President 
of the Senate. 

(e) A majority of the votes of all the States is neces-
sary for a choice. 

Executive Department. 

11. Q. What are the most important powers of the President? 
A. 1. He is Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy; 

2. He has the power to make treaties by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate; 

3. He appoints by and with the advice and consent of 
the Senate, judges of the Supreme Court, am-
bassadors, ministers, and consuls; 

4. In case a vacancy occurs during a recess, he may 
appoint an official whose term shall expire at the 
end of the next session; 

5. He may convene the Congress in special session 
and, when the two Houses are unable to agree 
upon a date, he may adjourn the Congress. 

12. Q. What are the duties of the President? 
A. 1. He must keep Congress informed of the state of 

the Union; 
2. He must receive foreign ambassadors and min-

isters; 
3. He must take care that the laws are faithfully 

executed; 
4. He must commission all officers of the United 

States. 



6 8 CIVICS CATECHISM 

LESSON 3. 

1. Q. In what body does the Judicial power of the United 
States lie? 

A. The Judicial power of the United States is vested in 
one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as 
the Congress has, f rom time to time, ordained and 
established. 

2. Q. How are judges of the Supreme Court appointed? 

A. By the President by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate. 

3. Q. In what cases do the United States Courts have 
judicial power? 

A. 1. In all cases, in law and equity, arising under this 
Constitution, the laws of the United States, and 
treaties made, or which shall be made, under 
their authority; 

2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public 
ministers, and consuls; 

3. In all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdic-
tion; 

4. In controversies to which the United States shall 
be a party; 

5. In controversies between two or more States, be-
tween a State and citizens of another State, be-
tween citizens of different States, between citi-
zens of the same State, claiming lands under 
grants of different States, and between a State, 
or the citizens thereof, and foreign States, citi-
zens, or subjects. 

4. Q. What provision does the Constitution make for trial 
of all crimes except in cases of impeachment? 

A. The trials of all crimes except in cases of impeach-
ment shall be by jury. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 69 

5. Q. What is the greatest crime which can be committed 
against the people of the United States? 

A. Treason, which is defined in the Constitution as fol-
lows: "Treason against the United States shall 
consist only in levying war against them, or in ad-
hering to their enemies, giving them aid and com-
fort." 

6. Q. What provision has been made for acceptance of 
the legal findings of one State in every other State? 

A. Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to 
the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings 
of every other State. And the Congress may, by 
general laws, prescribe the manner in which such 
acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved and 
the effect thereof. 

7. Q. What legal guarantee has the citizen of one State 
while resident in another State? 

A. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all 
privileges and immunities of citizens in the several 
States. 

8. Q. How may a person charged with a crime be retui ned 
to the State from which he has fled? 

A. A person charged in any State with treason, felony, 
or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be 
found in another State, shall, on demand of the 
executive authority of the State from which he fled, 
be delivered up, to be removed to the State having 
jurisdiction of the crime. 

9. Q. How may new States be admitted to the Union? 
A. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this 

Union; but no new State shall be formed, or erected, 
within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor any 
State be formed, by the junction of two or more 
States, or parts of States, without the consent of the 
Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of 
the Congress. 



7 0 CIVICS CATECHISM 

10. Q. What does the Constitution guarantee to every State? 
A. The United States shall guarantee to every State in 

this Union a republican form of government, and 
shall protect each of them against invasion; and, on 
application of the Legislature, or of the executive 
(when the Legislature cannot be convened), against 
domestic violence. 

LESSON 4. 

1. Q. How may the Constitution be amended? 
A. Whenever two-thirds of both Houses deem it neces-

sary to propose amendments, or when the legisla-
tures of two-thirds of the States call a convention 
for proposing amendments, such proposed amend-
ments become a part of the Constitution when rati-
fied by three-fourths of the States. 

2. Q. In what words does the Constitution declare itself to 
be the supreme law of the land? 

A. "This Constitution, and the laws of the United States 
which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all 
treaties made, or which shall be made, under the 
authority of the United States, shall be the supreme 
law of the land; and the judges in every State shall 
be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or 
laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding." 

3. Q. What guarantee must every executive, legislative, and 
judicial officer of this country give before taking 
office? 

A. He must bind himself by oath or by affirmation to 
support the Constitution. 

4. Q. What provision does the Constitution make for free-
dom from disqualification for religious belief? 

A. The Constitution declares that no religious test shall 
ever be required as a qualification to any office or 
public trust under the United States. 



THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 7 1 

5. Q. What personal rights are guaranteed by the first 
and other amendments? 

A. The right of religious freedom, of free speech, of a 
free press, of peaceful assembly, or petitioning the 
government for a redress of grievances, of freedom 
from enforced quartering of soldiers, of freedom 
from unreasonable searches and seizures, of speedy 
trial where accused of crime, of freedom from ex-
cessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punish-
ments. 

6. Q. With what question does the Thirteenth Amendment 
deal? 

A. This amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in 
the United States. 

7. Q. What other amendment was necessary to secure the 
right of suffrage to negroes freed by the Thirteenth 
amendment? 

A. The Fifteenth Amendment, which states that the right 
to vote shall not be denied or abridged because of 
race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

8 . Q. What amendment gives Congress the right to lay and 
collect taxes on incomes? 

A. The Sixteenth Amendment gives to Congress the power 
of laying and collecting taxes on incomes derived 
from any source. 

9. Q. By what means was the manufacture and sale of 
intoxicating beverages prevented in the United 
States? 

A. The Eighteenth Amendment forbade the manufac-
ture, sale, transportation, or importation of intox-
icating beverages. This was repealed in 1933. 

10. Q. What does the Nineteenth Amendment guarantee? 
A. It guarantees that "the right of citizens of the 

United States to vote shall not be denied or 
abridged by the United States or by any State 
on account of sex. . . 



7 2 CIVICS CATECHISM 

11. Q. What in general is contained in the Twentieth 
Amendment? 

A. This amendment fixes the date on which the terms 
Representatives, Senators, the Vice President, 
and President shall begin. It also contains other 
matters dealing with related subjects. 

12. Q. With what does the Twenty-jirst Amendment deal? 
A. This amendment repeals in general the Eighteenth 

Amendment. 
13. Q. What pledge should every man, woman, and child 

in America learn and keep? 
A. The pledge to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to my 

flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one 
nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 



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E N G L I S H I T A L I A N S L O V A K 
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