Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-08
q emishs Psper.

| II curious Pepper.
The Presidents reasons for signing the Ap2or'
Torment bill. which he disapproved, were obtain
ed from the State Department-where they wer,
hled--and laid before the House on Monday. Til.
paper is called an "Esposition"-and is, taken il
connection with the thre, vetoes and the letter TO IN,
Cincinnati Ediiot-in which the majority Of Con
gress are called "mousing politicians"-a mos, Gu
r'ous production. Il excited great merriment in the
House, and we'll it might. Iteame very oppo.tune
" to refu,e the doctrine advanced by MIR Wise and
others OF the old Federal stock that the Presiden,
was bound by his oath Of Office to veto every bill
which no did not entirely approve. lie had no dis.
cretion-it was aease OF conscience And 10 here
was commentary upon this notable doct.ine. The
conscientious President had actually signed bill
which he did not approve, in difference the "mous
ing po'i,ieans"-whose opinions he habitualiy re-
| specied!
We subjoin tho document-whch is without
precedent in our annals, and not warranted by the
Constitution.
THE EXPOSITION.
I'm approving this Bill feel it due to myself TO
say, as well that my motives for signing il may DC
ughiully understood. as that my opinions may not
DC liable to be misconstrued, or quoted hereafter
enormously, as precedent that have not proceed
cd SO much upon clear and decided opinion Of r,y
o'on respecting the ty or policy of the
entire act as rom respect the declared will of tho
two Houses of Congress.
'ln yielding my doubts to the matured opinion of
Congress, have followed the advice Of the first
Secretary OF State to the rst President OF the United
states, and the example set 10y that ustrious citi-
zen. upon memorable occasion.
when was member OF either House OF Con-
gressi ac'ed under the conviction that TO doubt
the cons'ituiiona,y Of law, was sufficient 20 in
duce me 10 give my vote against il; but have not
o en- aole To bring myself 10 believe that a. ubftI
opinion OF the Chief Magistrate ought TO outweigh
'he soiemnly pronounced will of the Representa-.
ives oil the people and the States
Zone OF the prominent features Of the Bill is that
whlch purpous TO be mandatory on the States
% form districts for the choice Of Representatives TO
Congress IN single districts That Congress has
power by law to alter State regulations respectins
me manner OF holding elections for
Is clear; but It's power 10 command the States 10
make new regulations, or alter their existing resu-
latlons, IS the question upon which have felt many
and strong doubts. ! have yielded those doubts
however, to the opinion of the Legislature giving
eject 10 their enactment as lar depends upon nv
appreciation, and leaving questions what may arise
hereafter, II unhappy any such should arise, to be
settled by full consideration OF the several provi-
SONS OF the constitution and the laws and the au>
thority Of each House 10 Judge Of the elections
returns and qualifications OF its own members.
"Similar considerations have operated with me
IN regard to the representation Of fractions above
moiety OF the representative number, and where
said moleIy exceeds thirty thousand; a question ON
which diversity of opinion has existed from the
foundation Of the Government. The provision
recommends itself from its near approximation TO
equality than would he found in the application of
common and simple division to the entire popu.
Iaton OF each State, and correcis, in erea, de-
gree, those inequalities which are destined at the
return OF each succeeding census, SO greatly to
augment
SIN approving the Bill, hat,er myself that n
disposition will be perceived on nv part 10 concede
10 the opinions Of Congress in a matter which may
conduee to the good Of the country and the stabii
ty OF ITS institutions, upon which my opinion is not
clear and decided. But it seemed to me due to the
Responsibility Of opinion against the CONSTITUTIONAL.
~ of the Bill as well rs to the real difficulties OF the
subject, which no one feels more sensiby Than do,
that the reasons which have determined me should
be ieit on record. JOHN TYLER.
WAsHNoros, June 25 h, 1912.