The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-08-01


and monarchist of that day. Mr.. Gerry, a
Democrat oil that day
Mr.. MANGUM. lin his seat) RepubI-
can,
Mr.. CLAYTON. thank my friend for
the word. Republican is much better name.
MIR. Gerry said he saw no necessity for
so grea. control over The Legislature, as
the best men in the country would be COM
prised in The two branches Of it.
'Dr. Franklin said he was sorry 10 differ
from his colleague, for whom he had very
great respect, on any occasion, but he could
not help it on this He had had some expe-
rence of this check in The Executive on the
Legislature under the Proprietary Govern
ment Of Pennsylvania. The negative ofthe
Governor was constantly made use oil to eX,
tort money. No good law whatever coulc
be passed without Il private bargain Win
him.. II The Executive was 10 have
council, such pOwe would beless objection
able. II was true the King Of Great Britain
had not, as WAS said. exerled his negative
since the Revolution, but the matter was cas-
iIy explained. The brides and EN- ,lumenls
now given 10 the members oil PariamenIren-
dered it unnecessary, every thing being done
according 10 The i'll oil The ministers. He
was afraid il Il negative should be given as
proposed, the more power and money would
be demanded, I'LL al last enough would be
got 10 influence and bride the Legislature
into complete subsection 10 the will Of the
Executive"
Then comes the Republican shoemaker,
Roger Sherman. What did he say?
MIR. Sherman was against enabling any
one man TO stop The will oil the whole. No
one man could be found so far above all The
resi- in wisdom. He thought we ought 10 a
vail ourselves OF his wisdom in revising The
laws, but not permit him TO override the de-
cided and cool opinions Of the Legisature.'
Mr.. Wilson said, nhis speech for the veto.
There might be tempestuOus moments in
which animosites may run high between the
executive and legislative branches. and in
lrhich the former ought 10 be able TO cfend
Hseic'
''Mr. Butler had been in favor Of a single
executive magistrate; hut could he have en-
tertained an idea that II complete negative on
The laws was TO be given him he certainly
should have acted very differently. il had
been observed that in all countries The execu-
live power is in a constant course oil increase.
This was certainly The case in Great Britain.
Gcnllemen seemed 10 think that we had noili-
ing TO apprehend from an abuse Of The exec
uive power. But why might not a Catillnc
OF a Cromwell arise in this couniiyas well as
in others?"
"Mr. Bedford, Of Delaware, was opposed
10 every check on the legislature, even the
council Of revision first proposed. He
thought il would be sufficient 10 mark out in
Loo
tive authority, which would give all the re
quisie security 10 the rights OF the other de-
partmcnts. The representatives of the peo-
pie were the best Judges Of what was Tor their
interest, and ought 10 be under no external
control whatever The two branches would
produce sufficient control within the lcgisla-
lure ITSELF
"Col. Mason observed that a vote had al
ready passed, he found-he was out al the
rimc-lor vcsiing the executive powers in
single person. Among these powers was
that OF appointing officers in certain cases.
( The probable abuses ola negative had been
well explained by DIR. Franklin as provedby
experience, the best Of all tests. Will not
the same door be opened here? The Ex
ecuiivc may refuse lis assent 10 necessary
measures ill new appointments shall be re-
~ th W uiill tlllAif bhNilt8 Nv uOSiCOS Nii~
crossed all these INTO his own hands, the A
mercan Executive, like the British, will, by
bribery and influence, save himself the iroub-
lie and odium o: eXeriing his negative after
wards care, Mr.. Chairman. going very
far in this business. We are not indeed con-
siiiuring Il British Government, but a more
dangerous monarchy-an elective one. We
are Introducing a new principle into our sys>
n and < i'm III, British nv
crnment, where :he Executive has greater
rights TO defend. Do gentlemen mean 10
+ pave the way TO hereditary monarchy? Do
they flatter themselves that the people will
ever consent 10 such an innovation? lithey
do, | venture TO tell them they arc mistaken.
The people never will consent. And do
gentlemen consider the danger Of delay, and
the still greater danger OF rejection. not for a
moment, but forever, Of the plan which shall
be proposed 10 them? Notwithstanding The
oppression and injustice experienced a.
mongst us from democracy, The genius Of
The people is in favor of il, and the genius of
the people must he consulted. He could not
but consider the Federal system as in effect
dissolved by the appointment oil this conven-
ton 10 devise a better one. And do gentle
men look forward 10 the dangerous interval
between the extinction Of an old and The es-
adjustment of a new Government. md 10 the
scenes Of confusion which may cnsue? He
hoped that nothing like Il monarchy would
ever be attempted in this country. y hatred
{ to It's expressions had carried the people
! through the late Revolution. Will i; rot be
enough TO enable he Executive 10 suspend
offensive laws I'LL they shall be cody revised.
and The objections 10 them overruled by a
greater majority than was required in the first
instance He never could agree 10 give up
all the rights ofthe people 10 Il single magis-
traf. If more than one had been fixed on,
greater powers might have been entrusted TO
the Executive. lie hoped this attempt TO
give such powers would have its weight here
after ~ an argument for increasing the num-
her Of The Executive
After this DR.. Franklin again spoke a.
/ gainst the veto power, treating this question
rs il il involved that OF monarchy or republic
cansm; and one passage OF his speech con-
talns prophecy 50 remarkable that must
read il 10 the Senate:
4 IL, Ill, loTS eag