POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT.

_Clause 1.--Some Sole Powers._

_The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the
United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into
the actual service of the United States;[1] he may require the opinion, in
writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments,
upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices,[2]
and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses
against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.[3]_

[1] Elsewhere it is made the duty of the president to see "that the laws
are faithfully executed." The execution of the law may sometimes require
force, hence it seems proper that the command of the army should be vested
in him. Again, an army may be necessary to defend the country. In order
that it may act promptly and efficiently, it must be directed by one
person; and the person whom we instinctively designate for the purpose is
the president.

The possession of this power by the president is fraught with danger,
however. Unless surrounded by proper checks, it might be used to overturn
our system of government. But the president can hardly, as now situated,
misuse this power. In the first place, the general rules for the
management and government of the army are made by congress. In the second
place, the army is supported by appropriations made by congress, and these
are made for short periods. In the third place, congress could reduce or
even abolish the army, if that step seemed necessary in defense of our
liberties. In brief, the support and control of the army are in the hands
of congress; the president merely directs its movements.

Thus far the president has never actually taken the field in command of
the army; he has appointed military commanders, and has simply given them
general directions, which they have carried out as best they could. At any
time, however, if dissatisfied with the results, he may change the
commander.

[2] The president cannot personally see to the carrying out of all the
laws, and yet he is the one responsible for their execution. To assist
him, the work is divided up into parts, and each part is placed in the
hands of an officer appointed by the president (with the consent of the
senate) and responsible to him. These persons constitute what is known as
the cabinet, and all but two have the title secretary.

The one who keeps the origin