Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/503

 AREA AND POPULATION 381

are derived chiefly from a direct tax upon property, in some cases both real and personal, in others on land and buildings only. The prohibition upon Cougi'ess to levy direct taxes save in proportion to population, contained in the national constitution, leaves this source of revenue to the States exclusively.

The Governor is chosen by direct vote of the people over the whole State. His term of office varies from 1 year to 4 years and his salary from 1,000 to 10,000 dollars. His duty is to see to the faithful administration of the law, and he has command of the military forces of the State. His power of appointment to State offices is usually unimportant. He may recommend measures, but does not present bills co the legislature. In some States he presents estimates. In all but two of the States the Governor has a veto upon legislation, which may, however, be overridden by the two houses, in some States by a simple majority, in others by a thi'ee-fifths or two-thirds majority.

The officials by whom the administration of State affairs is carried on (secretaries, treasurers, members of boards of commissioners, &c. ), are usually chosen by the people at the General State elections for terms similar to those for which governors hold office, the party in power appointing its own adherents.

In a Territory (Hawaii is now the only Territory) there is a local legis- lature, the form of which has been prescribed by the National Government. These bodies have powers similar to those of the States, but any of their acts may be modified or annulled by Congress. The Governor of a Terri- tory is appointed for 4 years by the Federal President to whom he makes an annual report. The President appoints also the Territorial secretaries and other officials, together with the Territorial judges. Porto Rico, although not designated as a ' territory ' in the technical sense, is self- governing. Its government is organised on a system almost identical with that of the territories. The Philippine Islands are governed by a civil Governor and a mixed commission of Americans and natives, appointed by the President. Alaska has no power of self-government.

The District of Columbia is the seat of the United States Government, provided by the State of Maryland for the purposes of government in 1791. It is co-extensive with the citj^ of Washington, and embraces an area of 60 square miles. The district has no municipal legislative body, and its citizens have no right to vote either in national or municipal concerns. By an Act of Congress of 1878, its municipal government is administered by thrae commissioners, appointed by the President.

The unit of local government in the North, especially in the New England States, is the rural township, governed directly by the voters who assemble annually or oftener if necessary, and legislate in local affairs, levy taxes, make appropriations, and appoint and instruct the local officials (select men, clerk, school-committee, &c.). AVhere cities exist the township government is superseded by the city government. Townships are grouped to form counties, each Avith its commissioners and other paid officials who have charge of public buildings, lay out highways, grant licences, and estimate and apportion the taxation necessary for county purposes. In the South the counties are them- selves the units, though subdivided for educational or other special purposes. Their officials have in general additional functions, as the care of the poor and the superintendence of schools. In the Middle and North-Western States the two systems of local government are mixed. In the West all the public land is already divided into townships six miles square.

Area and Population.

1. PliOGRESS AND PRESENT CONDITION.

Population of the United States at each ceusus from 1790. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska, Porto Rico, and the Philippine Islands, and persons in the