Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-09

with themselves and not to be trusted without being restricted
by coordinate authorities and constitutional limitations Who
hat has witnessed the legislation of Congress for the thirty
yeas will say that he knows q instance in which mea-
ure demanded by the public good have been carried
Who will deny that in the State Governments by combine
inns Of individuals and sections in derogaon OF the general
interest banks have been chartered systems OF internal i'm
provement adopted and debts enaed upon the people,
pressing their growth and mparlng their energies Tor years
to come
After 50 much experience cannot be said that absolute
unchecked power safe in The hands of any set OF repre-
sentaves that the capacity OF The people for govern
men which is admitted IN lis broadcast extent u conclusive
argument to prove the prudence wsdon and integrity OF
their representatives.
The people by the constitutions have commanded the Pre-
en much they have commanded the Legislative branch
Of the Government 10 execute their will They have said 10
him in the constitutions which they require 10 snail take
solemn oath support, that Congress pass bill which
he cannot approve he shall the House in which
il originated, with his objections In withholding from II
his approval signature he executing the will the people
cons'uoaay expressed much as the Congress that pass
ed it. No bill presumed TO be in accordance with the poPu
lar will until shall have passed through all the branches OF
the Government required by the constitution make ii law
bill which passes the House OF Representatives may be
eced by the Senate and bill passed by the Senate may
be rejected by the House In each the respective houses
exercise the veto power the other.
Congress, and each House Of Congress- hold under the
constitutions check upon the President and he, by the
er of the qualified veto, check upon Congress. When
the President recommends Congress- he avows,
in the most solemn form, opinions, gives his voice in their
favor and pledges himself in advance approve them, if
passed by Congress. If he without due considerations
or has been influenced by improper corrupt motives if
from other cause Congress- either House of Congress-
shall differ with him in opinion they exercise their Deto upon
his Recommendations and reject them and there is appeal
from their decision but to the people the balobox. These
proper checks upon the Executive wise y ntepoed by
the constitution. None will be found TO object to hem
to wish them removed 1t equally important that the
situopa checks of the upon the Legislative branch
should he preserved.
III be said that the Representatives in the popular branch
of Congress chosen directly by the people, it is answered,
the people elect the President If both Houses represent the
States and the people, does the President The President
represents in The executive department the whole people of
the United States each member OF the legislative depart
men represents portions of them.
The doctrine of restriction upon legislative and executive
power while welsetted public opinion is enabled within
reasonable time to accomplish lis ends, has made country
what it is, and has opened of glory and hnpp
ness to which all other nations have been strangers.
In the exercise Of the power Of the veo the President is
responsible only enlightened public opinion but
the people f the whole Union, who elected him. the rep
esentatves the legislative branches who differ with him
in opinion responsible TO the people of particular States,
districts, who compose their respective constituencies To
deny the President the of this power would be 10
repeal that provision of the constitution which confers it upon
him. To charge that lis exercise unduy controls the egis
atve will is 10 complain Of the constitution ITSELF
If the Presidential veto be objected TO upon the ground that
checks and hwarts the public WILL upon the principle
the equality of representation Of the States in the Senate
should be stricken 0ut of the constitution The vote OF
Senator from Deawae has equal weight IN deciding upon Inc
most important measures with the vote of Senator from
New York ard yet the represents State containing,
according to the existing appoonment of Representatives IN
the House OF Representatives, but onethirtyourh part OF
the population OF the o'her BY the constitutional compo
iun of the Senate majority Of that body from the smaller
States represent less than efourth OF the people Of
the Union There thirty States and, under the
isting opporonmen Of representatives. there hun
dred and thirty members the House of Representatives
Sixteen of the smaller States are represented that House
by hut fifty members, and yet the Senators from these States
constitute majority OF the Senate. SO that the President
may recommend measure to Congress, and may receive
the sanction and approval Of than threeourts Of the
House OF Repres natives, and Of oil the Senators from the
large States containing than threeourhs of The whole
population Of the United States, AMI yet the may be
defeated by tho votes OF the Senators from the smaller States
None, is presumed be found ready change the
ganlzaon OF the Senae this account to strike that
body practically OF by requiring that Its action
shall be cohomed the will of the branch.
! Upon the principle that the of the President
should be practically abolished, the power OF the Vice Pres
ent 10 give the casting vote upon equal division Of the
Senate should be abolished also. The Vice President
cses the veto power eeciuay by rejecting bill by his
casting vote the President does by refusing approve and
sign it, This power has been exercised by the Vice Pres
dent in few instances The important OF which the
rejection Of the bill recharte the Bank Of the United
States in 1911. Il happen that bill may be passed by
large majority Of the House Of Representatives and may
be supported nv the Senators from the larger States and the
Vice President may reject by giving his vote with the Sc
majors from the smaller States and none, is presumed,
L
| the constitution.
But il il, in point OF fact, that passed by
Congress conclusive evidence that il is emanaon Of the
popular WILL joriy Of the whole number elected each
House OF Congress constitutes quorum and majority Of
that quorum competent 10 pass laws. II might happen that
quorum Of the House Of Representatives, consisting Of
single member than half of the whole number elected
Iha' House, might pass bill by majority Of single vote,
and in that fraction than fourth Of the people
Of the United States would be represented by those who voted
for it, Il might happen that the bill might be passed by
majority Of Of a quorum Of the Senate composed Of
Senators from the fifteen smaller States and single Senator
from sixteenth State and il the Senators voting for hap
peued be from the eight Of the smallest Of these States
would be passed by the Senators having
but fourteen Representatives the House Of Representatives
and containing les than sixteenth Of the whole population
Of the United States.
This extreme case Is stated illustrate the fact ha the
passage OF a bill by Congress conclusive evidence
that those who passed represent the majority Of the people
Of The United States or truly reflect their will II such an
extreme is likely happen, that approximate
il are o constant occurrence Il believed that not single
law has been passed. since the adoption Of the constitution
present and voted. Many Of The important, acts which
have passed Congress have been carried by close
thin Houses Many instances Of this might be given. In
Decd experience proves that many Of the important
Of Congress postponed the last day. and often the
and by Houses but le exceeding the number necessary
form quorum.
Besides in Of the States the nembsrs Of the House Of
Representatives chosen by pluaes and ny MAORI
ties OF all the in their respective districts and mas
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