eceipts and expenditures of all public money shall he published from time
to time._

There are two great purposes to be subserved by this provision: First, to
impose upon those handling the money a feeling of responsibility, and thus
to increase the probability of carefulness; second, to prevent the use of
public funds for any purpose except those authorized by the
representatives of the people. This is in harmony with the provision which
gives to congress the power to raise money.

Incidentally, too, this is a protector of our liberties. Those who have
charge of the public purse are appointees of the president. But for this
provision he might, as rulers in arbitrary governments do, use the public
treasury to accomplish his own private purposes; and one of these purposes
might be the overthrow of our liberties. This thought undoubtedly was a
prominent one in the minds of the framers of the constitution.

The account of receipts and expenditures is reported to congress annually
by the secretary of the treasury.

_Clause 8.--Titles of Nobility._

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States;[1] and no
person holding an office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the
consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or
title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state[2]_.

[1] This is in harmony with the principle "All men are created equal."
And, while in society there are classes and grades based upon learning,
wealth, etc., we intend that all shall be equal before the law, that there
shall be no "privileged classes."

[2] The purpose of this is evident--to free public officers from
blandishments, which are many times the precursors of temptations to
treason.

An amendment to the constitution was proposed in 1811, prohibiting any
citizen from receiving any kind of office or present from a foreign power,
but it was not ratified.

SECTION X.--PROHIBITIONS ON THE STATES.

_Clause 1.--Unconditional Prohibitions._

_No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation;[1]
grant letters of marque and reprisal;[2] coin money;[3] emit bills of
credit;[4] make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of
debts;[5] pass any bill of attainder,[6] ex post facto law,[6] or law
impairing the obligation of contracts,[7] or grant any title of
nobility.[6]_

[1] Otherwise the intrigues of foreign nations would soon break up the
Union.

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