tes.

Sec.10. The exception allowing a state to lay duties necessary to execute
its inspection laws was deemed proper. Laws are passed by the states for
the inspection or examination of flour and meat in barrels, leather, and
sundry other commodities in commercial cities, to ascertain their
quality and quantity, and to be marked accordingly. By this means the
states are enabled to improve the quality of articles produced by the
labor of the country, and the articles are better fitted for sale, as
the purchaser is thereby guarded against deception. A small tax is laid
upon the goods inspected, to pay for their inspection. But, lest the
states should carry this power so far as to injure other states, these
"laws are to be subject to the revision and control of congress."

Sec.11. The last restrictions upon the power of the states contained in
this section, are: "No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay
any duty of tunnage; keep troops or ships of war in time of peace; enter
into any agreement or compact with any other state, or with a foreign
power; or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent
danger as will not admit of delay." Some of the prohibitions here
enumerated have been noticed in this and preceding chapters; and the
reasons of the others are so obvious as to render any remarks upon them
unnecessary.

Chapter XXXIX.

Executive Department. President and Vice-President; their Election,
Qualifications, &c.

Sec.1. The second article of the constitution relates to the executive
department. Of the necessity of a separate and distinct power to execute
the laws, we have already spoken. (Chap. VIII, Sec.7.) Under the
confederation, as will be recollected, there was no national executive.
This defect has been supplied by the constitution. "The executive power
shall be vested in a president of the United States of America. He shall
hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the
vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows." (Art.
2, Sec.1.)

Sec.2. In regard to the organization and powers of the executive
department, there was a great diversity of opinion. Ought the chief
executive power to be vested in one person, or a number of persons? Laws
should be executed with promptness and energy. This is more likely to be
done by one man than by a number. If several were associated in the
exercise of this power, disagreement and discord would