244 HARVARD LAW REVIEW. The present monograph is the first of the series entitled " Harvard Historical Monographs," and is an exposition and discussion of the veto power as it is found in the Constitution of the United States. The first chapter is an attempt to prove historically that the veto power, as its nature would indicate, and as various constitutional writers have intimated, is a part of the legislative power of the government. The idea is carefully worked out, and makes one of the most interesting chapters in the monograph. The body of the work is taken up with a discussion of the presi- dential vetoes. These have been classified according to the subject- matter of the bills vetoed. For example, we find all the tariff vetoes grouped together under the general head of "financial vetoes." By this arrangement the discussion will be of use not only from the point of view of the veto power, but will also be of assistance in any study of the various subjects touched upon. Perhaps the most striking fact in the book is the number and character of President Cleveland's vetoes. They are more than twice as numerous as those of all his predecessors together, and they were in most cases imposed on pension bills. The expediency and con- stitutionality of these pension vetoes has been dwelt on at some It-ngth, and in the opinion of the author they were justified firom both points of view. Chapters V. and VI. are more likely to be generally read than any others in the work, for they give the author's conclusions on various political and constitutional questions raised by the use of the veto power. The plan evidently has been to make any fact in the book and all related facts easily accessible ; for the table of contents and index are full and conveniently arranged, while foot-notes, cross-references, and appendices are numerous and as complete as possible. Some of the appendices, as, for example, the list of vetoes and the legislative activity of the Presidents, are of great value. The work as a whole impresses one as being well conceived and skilfully executed. It is clear, and for the most part concise, although some points have been dwelt on with rather more fulness than seems necessary. It is, in short, a book which workers in history will appreciate gratefully. ' G. C. The Supreme Court of the United States. By Westel. W. Willougjhby. Johns Hopkins University Studies. The Johns Hop- kins Press, Baltimore, 1890. 8vo. Pages 124. The work gives a short, concise statement of the origin and concep- tion, the establishment and the history, of the Supreme Court of the United States. The functions and powers of the court are well brought out by discussion of the leading cases decided by it. The relations of the court to Congress, to the Executive, and to the State legislatures and judiciaries are treated of in separate chapters. The part the court has played in politics and its present pressing needs are pointed out. The work is a useful one for the general reader, and contains many useful hints for the student, L. H.
