The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-28
From he Journal Of Commerce.
THE VETO POWER.

From he Journal Of Commerce
THE VETO POWER.
There never was a more foolish, silly and absurd
attempt than this of portion Of the Wings TO abolish
the Veto power. Ii is power which has been ves'ed
in the President ever since the adoption OF the Con
stitution, "a years. and experience has shown -
be useful and necessary. During this whole period
has been exercised but IA times being on an average
but once in four Years And yet we are told that
has been abused Ia these 81 years, probably not
less than 10 900 have been passed by congress- OF
which only IA lin effect only l3 have been vetoed by
the President being al the rate of In lUO or ouU
and vet we are told that the nower has been abused
James Madison one Of the signers Of the Cons,itu-
ton and one of the authors OF the Federalist exer-
cised the Veto power times than any other Pre-
sident save General Jackson. The proPriety OF CIV
ing 10 the President this negative power, was very
thoroughly considered in the Convention which
formed the Constitution, and il was deemed an impol-
tant and necessary feature of the system, both as
protection the President against the encroachmenls
of Congress, and as safeguard against hasty or I'M
proyident legislation. One question was, whether he
should have an absolute negative upon the acts of
Congress OF only qualified negative. The latter
view of the subject prevailed. The nett question
was how large msjority of Congress should be re-
ouired to pass an act notwithstanding the Presidents
Veto Many in favor OF three quarters; bu,
thirds finally agreed on Many were IN
favor Of uniting the Supreme Court with the Pres
dent in the of the Veto power bot tins was
found examination, TO be objectionable, aud was
abandoned.
Ii is not our object now TO 90 into the merits of the
question 10 the propriety and usefulness of the
Veto power, about which however we have no doubt
hui show how utterly futile would be the attempt to
abolish under existing circumstances. The article
in the Constitution which provides for the amendment
of that instrument Is as follows
The Congress, whenever iwo-ihirds Of both houses
shall deem necessary, shall propose amendments TO
this Constitution; Or the application Of the legs-
atures Of wohirds Of the several States shall call
convention for proposing amendments which, in either
case shah be valid TO all inients and purposes part
Of this Constitution when ratified by the legislatures
Of three fouhs of the several States or by conven-
tons in threefc urhs thereof the the other
mode Of ratification may be proposed by the Congress
So it appears that in order abolish the Veto pow
er, there is necessary
l. A concurrence Of two-thirds of both Houses of
Congress or a convention called by Congress on the
application of the legislatures Of iwo-thds Of the
States Thus much Is necessary even TO propose an
amendment Of the Constitution.
2 The proposed amendment must be ratified by the
legislatures conventions Of three fourths Of tlie
States.
We scarcely need say there is not the slightest pro-
bahilry that such maortes could be obtained in favor
Of abolishing the Veto power; and we very much
doubt whether majority Of the Wings themselves,
either in or out Of Congress- would tor the measure
The attempt is however very harmless and they who
will no, be necessary to " head them off,"
We like the tone of the following extracts
from the Morristorn Clergyman, good soon
servariyen advocate of Harrison and Tyler's
election:
been bone Of contention with the People, but
we believe the Wings in this section of the
State have neither advocated or agtated that
hotp far xUa have hod
an opportunity of observing their movements,
quietly to submit to the powers that be. Being
thus situated but little dissatisfaction is apparent,
and what little does exist is confined to few
hot heads who think more of personal aggran-
dizement and having their pill, than the good
of the People. Such men are to be found in all
parties. and such men broke down our old Jack
son party by their ultra views, therefore an oc-
caslonal rebuke may prove serviceable to them.
All that the People desire is some plan to equal
ize the currency between the various sections of
the Union, and thus put an end to the system Of
robbery so long practiced by the brokers in our
cities Now that that odious loco-foco measure,
the Sub-treasury, is abolished, we have hopes
the State Bank system, now in operation, and
which was adopted under Gen. Jackson's adj
will have the desired effect Thus
far every thing goes on favorably under the pre-
sent Administration without National Bank.
The times are good-our farmers have good
crops, cash markets, and fair prices-govern-
ment has protected our iron, cotton and woollen
and, in fact, we are now precisely
as when Gen. Jackson left us-a People 'prospe-
rous and happy" except National Debt be-
queathed Is by Mr.. Van Buren,. Under such
why do the People require
change, and who asks for it2 None is needed,
and no one asks for il unless il be a hungry or
disappointed ofSce-seeker. Our cry now is,
)" and Tyler toof'
u is worthy Of remark that the venerable
JACKSON had much difficulty with his Cabinet
before he was suited to his mind AT the first
general resignation every body thought our party
would evaporate-become extinc'-but far other
wise, for facts proved that it became stronger
Such will bs precisely the case with President
TYLER. There was difference of opinion be-
tween him and his Cabinet on the subject of
National Bank-they could not all pull one way,
and the latter resigned "Captain" Tyler, as
some OF the papers call him, now has Cabinet
focoism as greatly as a saint would original
sin.-Ib
Heartily pleased are we that President TYLER
has taken into his councils some of those sterling
Democrats, the CONSERVATIVES. Although they
were branded by the opposition as tories, turn
coats and traitors, when they denounced Mr..
Van Buren, as a political traitor, after assisting
~ elevating him, nevertheless they have ever
had the welfare Of their country at heart, and
every measure they have supported proves the
assertion. From the judicious selection Of his
Cabinet made by the President we now have
every thing to hope and nothing to fear, unless
the opposition should gain the ascendancy in
our Legislature through the apathy of the Peo-
ple.---Ib.
From the Boston Times
We extract the following from the St. Adams VIZ