The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-04-29
Number

live. There, sir, !, has been as tie yolte
Of but one man. These testimonials OF my
constituents appreciation, is 10 me amatler
Of pride and pleasure. And II there be
one man in the county OF Luzerne OF Wyo-
ming-one hones,,uprigln man who lss
condemned, have yet TO hear lis voice
Not only in iha, county has The merits 81
the bill been csnvased, but IRON one end
of this Commonwealth to the other. Luok
at the public meetings in Columbia, Ale.
gheny, Jnnia,a, and throughout The StaieI
on this subject. Ills . matter Of surprise
10 me, indeed, that the Governor of this
State. knowing, as he did, the pubic senii-
ment 10 reference TO this bill should have
so Ear disregarded the public will, as to dis
approve il. But, sir; must confess 10 all
frankness; tha, would hardly be surprised
a, any measure that Executive might con-
denn or recommend.
These expressions Of the people, sir,
the people who have no favors TO ask of The
Executive, and no threats Or menaces Of his
can inlimida,e, are worthy Of them. Thew
are unoought tributes;--they are the open
and undisguised manifestations af approval
Of ,he men who sent US here, ,and whom we
represent.
But sill allow me 10 t1rn the attention OF
the house 10 the veto accompanying this bill
document certainly OF no ordinary char
acier--made up of apologies OF reasons,why
The bill should not become the law of the
land, and frs. Of all as TO the constitutional
objections raised. Is it worth the time of
the House TO examine the cbjec,ionsi Did
these objections arise from the mind OF
man acquainted with constitutional law,anG
having some faint gimerings Of jurispru
dence, it nigh. be worth some refecnoni
but crude and undigested as the reasons are
which operated on the Execu,iss head and
The Executive mind, il would seem hardly
worth the time Of this body 10 seriously
consider them. But il may be exp ected, ,and
| leCne examine the subject q. glance only
II Hshati nor Esvssnip tn-sdeiaii. The Execu.
tive contends in substance that the LegisIa.
ture can only elect such Offices ss are de
| fined by the Consti.ation--and this h.dp
has not the power TO create an office, ano>
elect person to fill H. Now sir, mus.
confess have long been in darkness il this
be the law OF the land! You sir, as good
lawyer (Mr Sharswood was in The cllsir)
know this 10 be the rule laid down by con-
s,itulonal lawyers. That the Legislature
is sovereign and supreme in all cases, except
where restrained by the letter OF the Con-
slitu,ion ifferlng in this respect very MA
teray from the powers Of Congress undef
The Constitution of tire United Sta,es.--
Congress acts under delegated powers from
The States, and can only legslae where
power is conferred on the federal govern.
ment. Not so with the powers of the State
10 ogisla,nre. If The Executive can put his
fieger on an article in our Constitution. that
names or refers 10 the word Caral Com
missioner, l have vet 10 see H. Ii is uncoE.
stlulional too because the election must
have The Executive sanction His excel
Iency had no hesitation in approving the
State Prialer bil--and yet sif that bill made
no provision that the two houses in conyen-
lion should ask his approval Of the man,
whom they might choose 10 elect. How
did il happen that this objection did not
occur 10 his constitutional mind, when he
had that bill before nml No,hug is heard
of constitutional doubt no indeed.
How long is il since we abolished the
Office of The Secretary Of the Land oficel
Does any sane man doubt bu that the legs
lalure could reestablisb Thai ofice,snd elecl
a man 10 fill il! Certainly not. | concede
sir, tina. when he Constitution conters the
appointing power on the Governor naming
the Office, the leg stature cannot assume the
power by law 10 appoint Ii that inslrumeus
gave him the power 10 appoint the Canal
Commissioners, it would be widely def
cieni; but il does not, and 10 contend for
this principle he assumes tha, usurpaiion he
charges on the Legislature. Sir. cannot
talk on this subject without feeling shame
for the Executive in attempting 10 usurp
powers that he has not,and which probably
is well for the country he has nor. We
SIR are 10 be told sthat each House shall
choose its Speaker here our authority
ends A wise conclusion truly. But 80
look at this language. | read from the mes
sage. ~ never can sanction law winch
takes away NOT only the rights Of The Excu.
tive. but of ,he peope. and gives pa@er 10
the Legislature not contemplated by the
Constitution, and which in my Judgment
would be an USURPATlON OF pow
Err by The Legislature pregnant vita evil.
However indisposed | may be to retain eli
the power of the Executive. il is my sworn
duty 10 pro,ec, the rights o' the people