The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-13
XZ~EILZ

in which Mr.. e Appealed to the President as the
department of our National Legislature
and concluded by saying that if his idea needed any
justification from living authority, be desired none
better than Mr.. Evans.
Mr.. ADAMS followed in brief reply to his col
league.
never did assert that the President is branch of
the Legislature, or Department of the Legislature.
Mr.. POPE, Of Kentucky, said the debate had Ia
ken wide range, and he would say somethIng not
very relevant. He was not alarmed st the Veto
The Legislature of the Territory in which he was
Governor sometimes compelled him to use the Veto.
He had, particular occasion especially, exer-
ciscd the power in matter deeply affecting the pro-
perty Of the citizens There there no appeal TO
TIE God ofbattles. There was appeal to the pso-
pie, and two-thrds found--nof opposed to the
Governor--but In favor Of the Veto In Kentucky,
once, lava relief law-passed the House, passed
the Senate, and was approved by tho Governor, and
was vetoed by the courts We were then near ci-
vii war. Muskets were loaded for the fight, bat in
spite of all menace and opposition, the Veto power
need be felt on account of the Veto. We could do
is done in England. The monarch, il Is said, has not
for long time exercised the Veto, but he has the
power to dissolve Parliament and appeal directly to
the people, whenever he differs with the Legislature.
The Executive here cannot dissolve Congress-buti 1t
will soon be dissolved by the Constitution, and we
then appeal to the high tribunal Of the people
and they will decide an account of the vet0 win
respect the bill, he would but say, that no harm
could happen to the stone walls Of the toricatons
before spring. He wished, therefore, the bill to
be postponed account Of the state Of the Treasury
and to give time for investigation. he wished the
consideration Of the bill deferred 10 the next session.
and at the time, that system Of rigid economy
should be established.
Mr.. ARNOLD followed-spoke principally In re-
latnn In his bill for retYenchment.
Mr.. BOVINE argued that the disasters consequent
on the miscarriage of the Tariff bill must be attrbu-
ted to the Wing majority, who would couple subjects
so dissonant the revenue and distribution ques-
tons.
Mr.. FILLMORE followed, and, in conclusion,
moved that the Committee rise.
MIR. IRWIN asked that the motion should be with
drawn, that five minutes might be allowed him to
speak.
The motion to rise was insisted on, and prevailed
When the report had been made, Mr.. KENNEDY
moved an adjournment.
Mr.. IRWIN rose to privileged question. He
learned from the journal that he had been appointed
one of the Select Committee to which the Veto mes
sage of the President had been referred. Consider
ing that the Constitution prescribed the mode for dis
posing Of the objections of the President considering
that the House had performed the duty prescribed
by the Constitution by Speeding the objections on the
journal, and believing that neither House has the
stltutiun, he could not consent
Here Mr.. IRWIN was called to order.
He said he wished to assign his reasons for de-
clining to the committee. In justice to HIM
self he thought he ought to assign them. He hoped
the gag would not be applied on every occasion.
He again called to order.
He then said can't assign my reasons2
The SPEAKER replied yes proper reasons--such
as arise under the rules Of the Hause, but no
others.
Mr.. IRWIN said, appeal from the decision of the
Chair.
After various points raised by Messrs. BERNARD
and BOLTS, and explanations required by Messrs.
WISE and MARSHALL, Mr.. BOLTS moved to lay
the appeal on the table. The yeas and nays were
ordered and the vote stood-yeas 70, nays "a
The question recurring on excusing MIR. IRWIN,
he said he had but little to say and in saying that
little, would endavor to conform to the rules
prescribed by the SPEAKER. He disclamed all
idea of impeaching the motives of the House
in referring the objections to Committee.
1t was not for an individual to do But,
according to his views, the House having spread
the objections on the Journal the Constitution pre-
scribes, all other action them is in conraventon
to the Constitution. He could not, conscientously,
be an instrument for the preparation of an act
which he conceived to be unconstitutional. The
committee, he thought, appointed in conflict with
the Constitution, and, therefore, he could not serve
on it.
On the question being taken, he was excused and,
on motion of Mr.. EVERETT, the House adjourned.