The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-25
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.

honths rom tnls time, IN Wnlcn To transact tne
legislative business of the country
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
The following resolutions, introduced some days
since by Mr.. CLAY, were taken up for considera-
tion viz:
Of the United States Of fnerica in Congress assembled
(wo-thirds of both houses concurring That the fol-
lowing article be proposed to the Legislatures Of the
several States amendment to the Constitution of
the United States; which, when ratified by three
fourths of the said Legislatures shall be valid as part
of the Constitution.
No Senator Representative shall during the term
or fraction of a term for which he was elected be
appointed to any civil Office under the authority of the
United States.
ReSored by e Senate and House of Representatives. Of
the United States Of 1merica IN Congress assembled two
thirds of both Houses concurrng,) That when bill
which shall have passed the Senate and House of Re-
representatives. of the United States shall be returned
by the President with his objections to his approba-
ton and signature, it, upon its reconsideration it
shall again pass each House by majority of all the
members belonging to each House, Notwithstanding
the Presidents objections, it shall bee law and
the requison by the existing Constitution of two
thirds OF each House again to pass the bill in such
| case is hereby annulled.
| If any bill shall be presented to the President with
in period less than ten days Sundays ncluded from
the termination of the session of Congress during
which 1t shall have passed, and shall not be returned
by him at that session, it shall be his duty return
within the three first days of the succeeding session
III he should not so return it, the bill shall become
law and if he return it with his objections to his APP
probation and signature within the time herein re-
CURED the two Houses of Congress shall proceed to
consider it, in like manner if it had been returned
during the session at which it had passed. And il,
upon such reconsideration, it shall again pass each
House by majority of all the members belonging to
such House, notwithstanding the Presidents objec-
tions, it shall become law.
Resoiped BY The Senate and House Of Representatives of
the United States Of imeica in Congress assembled two
thirds of both Houses concurring) That the Secreta
ry, or other head by whatever denomination he NAV
be called, of the Treasury of the United States and
the Treasurer of the United States, shall be, respec
lively, annually appointed by Joint vote of the Sc
nate and House OF Representatives, by ballot rrd
roce as the two Houses may severally resolve When
appointed, either of them may be removed by
current vote of the Houses separately given but
neither of them shall be removable by the President
OF the United States. Congress may provide by law
for the case of vacancy occurring in either of these
offices between the periods of the annual appoint
ments
Mr.. CLAY regretted that the duty of bringing the
subject before the Senate had devolved on some
more able and skilful hand but, as else had
moved upon the subject he felt bound to submit these
resolutions for their consideration. He had for
long time past thought of the proprety of restrict
ing the veto power, and his conv tions did not spring
out of recent events connected with it, although they
duutu HluCH suellSln 10 COnVlcllOns. seven
years ago, friend from Maryland, now no more in
connection with himself framed an amendment to
the Constitution with reference 10 this subject and
in the month Of June, lS40 on one of the most So
Tenn occasions, when he addressed many of the
friends of his youth in Hanover county in the State
of Virginia. in pointing to what he considered should
be the course of the Administration, he contend
ed in favor of incorporating in the Constitution all
that was pointed out in these resolutions While re-
deeming pledge made by humble member of
the Whlp Darty himself he hoped that he MIGHT
be allowed to say that party which came into pow
er to execute promises which they made when out of
power should not exhibit here the spectacle present
ed in other countries, of party protesting of
principles to gain the ascendancy, and when they OBJ
tanned it, forget the promises which brought them
INTO power, and pursue course exactly the
verse. He assured gentlemen upon the other
side, that, in every measure having for its OBJ
ject reduction of Executive patronage and an
economical administration of the Government, and
the regulation of the power of dismissal Ton all Of
which questions the party to which he belonged stood
pledged,) they should have his hearty cooperation
during the short time that he expected to remain a
member of the Senate. They all knew that the Veto
power originated in Rome, and abolished during
the reign of Constantine, and from that it had
been introduced into the monarchies of Europe in
which, in some form or other, it had existence,
But no monarch of England had exercised this |
power for a.century and half and although was
incorporated in the French Constitutions there was
mol solitary instance of its exercise. That the peo-
pie Of this country had suffered by the exercise of
this power plain for in the list of grievances set
forth in the Declaration of independence, it said
in speaking of the King of Great Britain that he
had refused his assent to laws the most wholesome
and necessary to the public good and that he had |
forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate |
and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their |
operation till his assent should be obtained; and
when suspended he had utterly neglected to attend
to them" 1t was than so years since the Con-
yention met to frame the Constitution under which
we live; and 1t was no diminuon of the reverence |
and gratitude which was due to our ancestors TO saw
that the works Of their hands could not be regarded
as perfect, because nothing which sprung from man
could be perfect But 1t was interesting at this time
to pause, and look at the causes which led to the |
adoption of the Veto power, and compare the predic
ons OF those who objected to it, with subsequent ex
perience. Every acquainted with early events,
knew that those who took the affirmative ground
maintained that, without this power, the Executive
branch would be too feeble too weak to contend
with success in struggles with the Legislative De-
partment Various propositions, therefore, were
made in the Convention to strengthen the Executive
arm, and among the many propositions for that pur
pose, there was one to appoint the Executive for life
a great deal had been said about the encroacsnent
of the General Government upon the State Govern
ments, and hence the foundation of the State Rights
party; but he thought that, after careful examine
ton, not solitary instance could be found TO Justify
the position; and, if this were suitable time, he |
could show that, so far from that being the case
there had been an abandonment. by the Executive, of
the Legislative department; and at this time, in con-
sequence, the States presented the imbecty and |
weakness which they did during the Confedera-
ton. With regard to the treaty making power, |
the President, without consultation with the Senate, |
and according to his Of propriey proceeded
TO negotiate treaty and promised its ratification with
IN certain time and Senators sustained or gave |
their assent to the treaty, because the honor Of the
Government was implicated. The next cncroach- |
ment of the Executive branch on the Senate of the
United States, had been the exercise of the power
the dismissal Of public officers the effect OF which
was to destroy the agency and cooperation OF the Sc
nate in the appointment The Senate had lost It's
Influence by the Presidents exercise Of this power
because after was dismissed, and another re |