8 ESSENTIALS OF VETERINARY LAW 



The courts only may give an authoritative inter- 

 pretation of the laws in their application. 



This division of powers is far more important 

 than is generally recognized. It is the chief de- 

 fense against oppression and tyranny. If the 

 legislature were permitted to interpret their own 

 laws they might easily make that a crime which 

 when committed was really no crime. If the ex- 

 ecutive were permitted with impunity to make 

 laws as he pleased, and to interpret laws enacted 

 according to his own will, he could easily prove 

 himself a dangerous tyrant. If the majority of 

 the voters be permitted to do as they please in the 

 making and enforcing of the laws, we should find 

 the worst form of tyranny — that of the mob, such 

 as brought horror, death, and ruin upon so many 

 innocent victims under the old Paris Commune. 

 Every attempt at such unconstitutional union of 

 powers in one person, or in one governmental 

 body, is a move towards the state of affairs most 

 perfectly represented by the Paris Commune. It 

 may do no harm for a governor to attempt to force 

 through certain legislation, further than it is a 

 usurpation of authority, and it tends to break 

 down the barrier. Congress, or a state legislature 

 may attempt to force the President, or the gov- 

 ernor, to certain executive action against his 

 judgment, by withholding appropriations until he 

 does as the legislative body demands, but such 

 action is a violation of constitutional provisions 

 which should be observed. It is the duty of the 

 executive to enforce the laws as enacted. That is 

 a different matter. What the law directs he should 

 do. If he be given discretion, he must use his 



