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of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing, insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned, but neither the United States, nor any state, shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void.

SECTION V

The congress shall have power to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this article.

The debt of the United States was enormous at the close of the Rebellion, amounting, as it did, to almost three billion dollars. In addition to paying this debt, the government is pledged to the payment of bounties and pensions allowed Union soldiers for their efforts in putting down the Rebellion. A few years ago, fully one-third of the total revenue of the government was used for the payment of pensions.

The debt of the Confederate States incurred in waging war against the government was repudiated, but the claims of those citizens in the Confederate States who remained loyal to the Union throughout the war, for property destroyed, were generally allowed.

ARTICLE XV

SECTION I. SUFFRAGE

The rights 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 race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

SECTION II

The congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

The purpose of this amendment is very clear, but its effect shows clearly how a state may avoid complying with the spirit of the Constitution in matters in which the state is supreme. Since the qualifications of voters are determined by the state, many Southern States have passed laws requiring educational and property qualifications for voting which practically disfranchise many negroes.

ARTICLE XVI

INCOME TAX

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Proposed in 1909. This amendment was proposed by congress in 1909, because a previous income-tax law passed by that body was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The income-tax law passed after the adoption of this amendment applies to all citizens of the United States, whether at home or abroad, to resident aliens. and, in some instances, to non-resident aliens. Ratified, 1913.

ARTICLE XVII

DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS

SECTION I

The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, elected by the people thereof for

six years, and each senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legisla

tures.

SECTION II

When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the senate the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

SECTION III

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the constitution.

The effect of this amendment has been explained in connection with the election of senators.

QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

1. Why are marriages solemnized in one state legal in all states?

2. What were the last states admitted to the Union? 3. How are each of the following governed: Porto Rico? Philippines? Panama Canal Zone?

4. How many stars in the United States flag? How many stripes? What does the number of stripes represent? 5. Could Iowa change its government to any form but republican?

6. Why were so many amendments to the Constitution ratified soon after its adoption?

7. What powers are reserved to the people?

8. Can a state repudiate its debts? Have any states ever repudiated their debts?

9. What led to the proposal and ratification of the seventeenth amendment to the Constitution?

10. Debate: Resolved, that the income tax should be abolished.

CHAPTER XI

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Clause 1.-Debts Assumed

All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this constitution as under the confederation.

The credit of the new government was at stake, and while it was suggested by some members of the Constitutional Convention that the debts incurred during the Revolution need not be assumed by the new government, it was agreed that the debts of the Confederation should be recognized as debts under the Constitution. It was a heroic deed, and this stands as a glowing tribute to the honor and integrity of the founders of our government.

Clause 2.-Supremacy of the Nation

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

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