Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-07-14
From he Riehmsnd Tyhig,
| CURIOUS PAP ER.

The Presidents reasons for signing The Ap-s
norton Qfent bill which he disapproved. were Or
tanned frnm The State De2aftnient-whese lacy
were hled--and Ia d. before The House on Mon
day, The paper is calledan 4 Exp1siiion''---
and is, taken in connection with the thteexetecy
and The latter TO the Cincihnati Editor 10 which
the msjori,y of Congress are called rnousins Po-
hticiansT-a.mos curious production u excl
led great mefrimert in The HOUSE, asd well II
\ might II came very oproriunely 70 rsfuie7 the
1 doctrine advanced ~ SIR. Wise and Others 0l
4 The Old Federal slock, that the President was
bound 81 his oath Of Office TO veto every bin,
which he did not entirely approve He bae pc
ldiscrelioh-it was ease ofEecnscierces AID
llol here. was 4 Commentary upon this notable
opinionsshe habituaIly respected
We subjoin the document-which il Ewilho6l
precedent in. our annals, and not Warrspied b
| the Constitution.
THE EXPOSITION.
"In approving this Bill / feel il due 10 nv.
self 10 say, as well that ny motives FOR signing
il may be riehtfully understood, as that nv
opinions may not De liable 70 Sc misconstrued
OF quoted hereafter enormously, as a precedent.
hat have not proceeded SO much upon a eieay
and deetded opinion Of my 'Oirn, respecting the
eonstiuiInnaliiy or policy Of the entire sct, as
from respect TO the declared will or the two
Houses DC Congress. ~~A
In yielding my doubts 10 The maIurea opinion
| Of Congress, have followed the advice Of .he
first Secretary of State to The ifst Presfaent 81
the United States, and the example sci by ma,
llluslrious citizen, upon memorable oecssioa.
When was a member Of either Hoess or
Congress, | acied under The tpnvietiau tkai 10
doubt the eonsitutionalisy~ Of Law, was SUN
Client 70 induce me 10 give mylvote against il !;
k..s 49, 4 +
leye that q dotlbtfu opinion Of he Chief Msg;s-
frsie oueht4o outweigh The soemnly pronoub.
ced will Of the Representatives Of The people
and the States.
One ofthe prominent features of The Bill is
that which purports 10 re mandsiery on the
States to form districts for the choee Of Repre-
sentativesi 10 Congress in single districts. That
Congress has power by law ID alter State resnla-1
TONS respecting the manner bf holding elections
FOR representatives. is elear; bu: lis power 70
command the States to makesnev regulations or
alter eirsexisling regulations, is the ouession
upon which have felt many and strong Idaabts
| have Welded those doubts, however, I'd Tie
opinion Of the Legislature, giving effect 10 their
eaactment as far as depends upon my approba.
non, and leaving questions tia. may atise here
afier, if unhsppily any such should arise, TO be
settled BY foil consideration Of the several pro.
V<ioas Otlne eonStttuuon anufhe laws, md thel
authority Of each House 10 Judge OF The elections
returns and qualifications Of is own members.
Similar considerations have operated with int
il regard 70 the Representations Of fractions asoy
a moiely ofihe representative numhet, and where |
said moiety exceeds thirty thousand ; q question 4
on which adivsfsily ofopinion has existed fscraE
me foundation o. the Gogernnseni The p.pri. !
sion recommends itself from lis nearer apprrxis |
nation to equality than would be found in lihs /
application of q eomnnn and simple division os I
be enlire population Of each Stale, aud eorreets /
q great degree, those Inequalities which are +
destined d The return Of each succeeding census,
10 greaiiyts augment
Ia approving The Bill. fatsr myself hat
disposition win b perceived on my pasI. IL con-
ece 10 the opinions Of Congress in a tnatief
shich may condpee 70 the good 81 the eonatrys +
nd siabellytof III institutions. upon which nv
pinion is not clear and decided But Il seenedl
0 meNdne ID 4he responsibility of opinioa skains;
be canStitutionaliiy Of the Ball as well a. soghs
cal difficulties Of the subjecI, which no one fses
nore sensibiy than do, lkal he reasons which
ave determined me should Be len on recofa Il
JOHN TYLER .
Washington. June 75ih. 1912