Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-13

These proper checks upon the Executive, wisely
intcrposcd by the constitution. None will be found to
object to them, to wish them removed. iscquay
important that the constitutional checks Of the
tive upon the legislative branch shoud be preserved
fit be said that the Representatives in the popular
branch of Congress are chosen directly by people,
represent the States and the people, so does tho
resident The President represents in the executive
department the whole people of the United States
each member Of the legislative department represents
utve power, while well settled public opinion is
BLEED within reasonable time to accomplish It's ends.
has made our country what is has opened TO us
career 10 glory ana happiness to which all other nations
have been strangers
In the exercise Of the power of the Veto the Pres
dent is responsible not only to enlightened public
opinion, but TO the people Of the whole Union who
iected him. as the representatives in the legislative
branches, who differ with him in opinion, are response.
bic to the people OF particular States districts who
compose their respective constituencies To deny to
Tue PRESIDENT the exercise OF this power would be
rca That OF the constitution which
II upon him. To charge that its exercise unduly
trois the legislative will complain Of the
zion itself
1.-THE Presidential veto De objected to upon the ground
that it checks and thwarts the public will upon Tn,
same principle the equality of representation of the
states IN the Senate should BE- stricken of the
stl.ui'on' The vote of a Senator from Delaware has
cIua' weight IN deciding upon the most important
uris with the vote of a Senator from New York and
ye' inc one represents State containing, according
ne existing apportonmcnt of Representatives. in the
OF Representatives, but thirty fourth part of
tue population OF the other BY the constitutional com
smarter states represent less than fourth of the PEG
pc oil tue Union There thirty States; and under
me existing superintendent Of representatives there
two hundred aud thirty members in the House of Rep
esen;auv.s Sixteen of the smaller States repre-
sentea III That House by but fifty members yet the
Senators from these States constitute MAJORITY of th
senate. So that the President may recommend a meas
approval of than three fourths of the Hous Rev
resenativcs, and of all the Senators from the iarg
containing more than three iourths of the whcio
poP"'''oh oil the United States, and yet the measure
may DC defeated by the of the Senators from tho
smaller states None, ii is presumed, can be found
ready 10 change the organization of the Senate this
account or 10 strike that body practically of exist
ehce ny requiring tina, its action shall be conornvd to
inc VIII OF 'he more numerous branch.
Upon the same principle that the of the Presi.
lent should be practically abolished power of tho
' ice PRESIDENT TO give the casting upon an equal
DIVISION OF the Senate should abolished also The
ice President exercises the power as ccctually
by rejecting bill by his casting vote as the President
ioes by refusing approve and sign it. This power
mas been exercised by the Vice President in few in.
stances, the nportat of which was the rejection Of
he bill to charter the Bank United States IN
oil. ltmay happen that bill may be passed by a
supported by Senators from the Iargcr States and
ne ice PRESIDENT may reject it by giving his vote
WITH The Senators from the smaller States and yet none.
IS presumed, are prepared TO deny him the cxcr-
Use OF this power under the constitution.
But it is, in point offact untrue that passed by
congress Is conclusive evidence that cmanation
81 The popular Will \ majority of the whole number
elected to each House Congress constitutes quorum
and majority OF that quorum is competent TO pass laws
II might happen that quorum of the House Repre-
Scntavcs, consisting of single more than half
Oh the whole number elected that House, might pass
bill by amajority of single vote, in that case
fraction than fourth of the people of the Uni
led States would be represented by those who for
IT, 1t might happen that the same bill might be passed
by majority of of quorum of the Senate compos
cd OF Senators from the fifteen smaller States and sim
gle Senator from sixteenth State, and if the Senator,
voting for il happened 10 be from the Int the small
cs OF these States, would be ssed the votes OF
Senator's from States having but fourteen Representa-
lives in the House of Representatives, aud containing
less than sixteenth OF the whole population cf tho
Uniscd States.
This extreme is stated to Illustrate the fact that
The mere passage ola bill by Congress conclusive
Evidence that those who passed it represent the majority
81 the people OF the United States truly reflect their
Will III such an extreme is likely happen,
Eases that approximate il of occurrence
u Is believed that not single law has been passed,
since the adoption of the constitution, upon which the
members elected to both Houses present and
voted. Many Of the most important which have
'asscd Congress have been carried by close vote IN
mn Houses. Many instances of this might be given
indeed, our experience proves that many of the
important acts OF Congress postponed the last
lays, and often the last hours of session. when they
are disposed oil in haste, and by Houses but little OK
;ccdng the number necessary 10 form a quorum
Besides, in most of the States the members of the
louise oil Representatives chosen by puracs, and
lot by majortcs of all the their respective
isricts; and il may happen that a majority of that
fouse may be returned by less aggregate of tho
coplc than that received by the minority.
(coNcLUDED IN EXTRA.)