South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-06-25


the psYiod for re-cbariering the old insti-
tuition has passed. as Pennsylvania has
wisely taken care to appropriate to her
self the benefits of its large capital.
The question then, for me to answer
is, whether, under the circumstances
you state, II elected TO the Office Of
president, would sign an oct TO cher
Ter another bank, answer, would, il
j: were clearly ascertained that the
public interest in relation TO the collec-
ton and disbursement of the revenue
would materially suffer without one,
and there were unequivocal nantes
tation of public opinion in its favor
think ,bowever, the experiment. should
be fairly tried, to ascertain whether the
financial operations of the government
cannot be az well carried on without
the aid Of national bank. II it is not
necessary for that purpose, it does not
appear TO me that one can be constiiu-
,ionally chartered. There is no con-
struction which can give The Consti-
tuition which would authorize il, ON the
ground of aiiording facilities 10 COM
merce. The measure if adopted must
have for its object The carrying into
effect facilitating at least the exercise
of some one of the powers positively
granted TO the General Government.
II others flow from it, producing equal
or greater advantages to the nation, SO
much the better !; but these canno, be
made the ground for jussifying re-
course TO it.
The excitement which has been
produced by the Bank question, the
number & responsibility Of those who
deny the right to Congress to charter
one, strongly recommend the course
above suggested.
5,h. i distinctly answer TO this ques-
tion,that, in my opinion, neither House
Of Congress can constitutionally ex-
expunge the Record Of the proceedings
Of their predecessors. The power to
rescind certainly belongs to them ; g.
is, for every public legitimate purpose,
oil that is necessary. The attempts 10
expunge part OF their journal, now
making in the Senate OF the U. States,
lam satisfied could never have been
made but in period Of the highest
party excitement, when the voice Of
reason and generous feeling is stifed
by long prolracted and bitter contro-
vessy.
In relation TO the exercise ofthe veto
power by the President, there is
think an important difference in opin-
ion between the present Chief Magis-
tfate and myself. / express this opin-
ion with less diffidenee, because ! be :
)ieve mine is in strict accordance with
-fhA..- Of al .,,o previous Presidents to
Gen. Jackson.
The veto power, or the control of
the Executive over the enactment of
laws by the legislative body, was not
unknown in the United States pre-
viously to the formation of the pres
emit Federal Constitution. 1t does not
appear, however, to have been in much
favor.-The principle was to be found
in but three Of the State Constitutions,
and in but one of them( Massachusetts
was the Executive power lodged 10
the hands Of a single Chief Magistrate.
One other State (Sou,h Carolina) had
indeed,not only adopted this principle,
but bad given its single Executive
Magistrate an absolute negative upon
the acts ofthe Legislature. In all other
instances it has been qualified mega
tive, like that Of the United States
The people Of South Carolina seem,
however, not to have been long pleased
with this investment Of power 10 their
Governor, az il lasted but two years
having been adopted in 1776, and re-
pealed in 177S, from which time the
acts Of the Legislature Of the State have
been entirely freed from Executive
control.--Sinee the adoption OF the
Constition Of the u. States the veto
principle has been adopted by several
other States, and until very lately, il
seemed 10 be rapidly growing into ia
yer.
Before we can form correct opinion
Of the manner in which this power
should be exercised, il is proper to IN
derstand the reasons which have indu-
ced its adoption. 10 its theory, it is
DanifestIy an innovation upon the first
principle Of Republican Government
that the majority should rule. Why
should single Individual control the
will Of that majority 1t will not be
said that there is more probability OF
finding greater wisdom in the Execu-
live chair than in the halls of the Leg.
islature. Nor can it possibly be sup
nNsed that an individual realizing in