After the colonies had declared their independence on July 4, 1776, a committee was asked to plan an official seal for the new Nation. The face of the Great Seal of the United States is shown above.

The Latin words, "E Pluribus Unum," mean "one made up of many" or "from the many the one." They tell us that the United States is made up of many States, that we are one Nation with many people. You will find the Latin words printed on the money of the United States.

In the shield, the stripes represent the thirteen States. The band represents the Congress. The stripes are joined together by the band. This shows that the States are united in the Congress. The band rests on the stripes. This shows that the Congress depends upon the Union of the States for its support.

Figure 17

The Great Seal of the United States

The States work together in many other ways. Cities in different States get their water supply from the same river. They want a clean and pure water supply. The States help them. Sometimes two States will agree to build a bridge across a river that separates them. They decide on plans, costs, and control of the bridge. New Jersey and Pennsylvania united in this way and built a bridge, across the Delaware River, between Philadelphia and Camden.

WAYS IN WHICH THE STATE AND THE CITIES WORK TOGETHER

Some cities get

Almost every city gets many necessities of life from beyond its limits. It cannot live alone. It must have the help of the State and of other cities. Let us study, for example, the water supply of a city. their water supply from clean mountain lakes. But the land around the lakes must be guarded to keep out waste. Other cities get their water from rivers. Often the rivers are filled with waste from other cities. cannot be used until the waste is taken out.

The water

It would be better if the waste were not placed in the rivers. But one city cannot tell other cities what to do. In order to get a supply of pure water, the city must have the help of the State. The State can control the other cities and the factories that place waste in the rivers.

A State works with its cities in other ways. It cares for the poor and sick by giving money to city hospitals. The State often buys lands for public parks. Sometimes the State improves old roads and builds new ones. It works with the cities to get better schools and hospitals.

We know that many of our cities are small. They are not able to set up their own courts. The State will let the citizens use its courts. The State pays the judges and the court officers. Many of our towns and cities feel that they cannot pay enough to get good police officers. Some

States have police officers who help to keep the peace in small towns and cities.

The State asks the cities to help enforce the State laws. Often the city officers collect taxes for the State. When it comes time to elect State officers, the State depends on the cities to help. The State does not set up a system for this special purpose. It uses the election system that the cities already have.

WHAT THE PEOPLE GAIN

Our Nation, the fifty States, and the thousands of other government groups help one another. At times they work together because the Constitution commands it. More often, however, they work together because they know that it is the best way to get things done.

The different government groups are our own groups. They work and act for us in carrying on the work of the Government. Only when the government groups work well together can they give us good services at low costs. And only when the people are willing to work together can we enjoy fully the rights of free men. We should, therefore, know the ways in which our government groups work together. We should suggest changes that will help them to do their work.

THINGS TO DO

Complete each of the following:

1. Our different governments work together in order to:

α.

b.

C.

2. Three ways in which the Federal Government works with the fifty States are:

a.

b.

C.

3. Three ways in which the States work with the Federal Government are:

a. b.

C.

4. Three ways in which the States work with one another are:

a.

b.

C.

5. Three ways in which the States work with their local governments are:

a. b.

C.

CHAPTER XX

Ways in Which Our Government Groups Work
With Citizens

"As soon as public service ceases to be [is no longer]
the chief business of the citizens, and they would
rather serve with their money than with their persons,
the Government is not far from its fall."

-Jean Jacques Rousseau.

We have studied the ways in which our government groups work together. But they must also work with the people. The public officers are only the representatives of the people. They are placed in office to serve the people.

WAYS IN WHICH LAWMAKERS WORK WITH CITIZENS

Many times, during their terms of office, the officers of our local governments are asked to help the citizens. Perhaps the citizens want more and better street lights. Other citizens want a new school building in some part of the town. Still other citizens would like to have less taxes. The citizens want something done. They expect their representatives to help them do it.

The elected officers of the State and Federal Governments also learn the needs of the people. Every member of the Congress, for example, gets letters asking that the Federal Government work with a State or a city in meeting some public need. Some of the letters suggest that the Congress pass new laws. Others do not favor a bill that is before the Congress.

Many persons go to the offices of their Senators and Representatives. They present their ideas in person. The letters and calls receive attention. The public offi