Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-05

ooiDts q order in which Mesas. AsHMUN, ROOT, VAN
DYKE, and otaers took part.
II ,as in decision ofthe CHAIR that the proceedings
s;nhe Mr. Borpxs's motion had been in Order
From this decision Mr. ROOT took an aPpeal, and the de-
cision reversed
on, and the question being put. it was agreed to.
Mr. SMITH, Of Indiana, renewed his motion to strike
out the absolute and insert qualified one, above
stated.
Mr. GREEN moved to amend it require that after
the Governor had returned bill with his objections il should
not become law unless majority Of both branches Of the
Legislature should agree TO pass it,
Mr. G. said he of those who took alarm at the
power 1t admitted by the Wings themselves TO be
high conservative power yet they, the friends of conserva
and the opposers all progressive Democracy now sought
strike out Of existence. Here contradiction ne did
understand Was it not conservative power merely
Could the enable the Governor to pass any law Not
at all II only negative power at best II only sus-
pended law till the Legislature had had time more maurey
TO consider it. II power to be exercised Tor tue dement,
Of the people, Mr. G. believed that the world was governed
too much there ought be conservative to stay
the action OF turbulent Legislative body They were to be
sure in theory the mouthpece Of the people, yet every body
knew that might often happen that they did not correctly
them and ought be something in the shape
Of qualified veto to protect the people from rash and ncon-
sderae legislation In fact Congress had given them viz
tua by the appointment OF two branches to the egsa
tive body Oregon have Legislative Chamber and
q
The mere Representatives have the power of final
action but the Council had stay upon their action Mr.
G. thought it would be sufficient to allow the Governor to re-
turn law and let his objections 70 be spread at large upon
the journal and then if clear majority of both branches still
insisted on its passage, let it become law
Mr. SMITH accepted this modification Of his amend
ment.
Mr. TAYLOR, of Ohio, moved an amendment to the
amendment strike all that portion Of the amendment
which invests the Governor Of the Territory with the veto
power
His object he said to deprive the Governor Of Oregon
Of all power whatever This proposition to confer the
power upon the Governor OF Oregon involved mpor
tant principle which agtang the people of this coun-
try at this time probably much as any Others and which,
in his humble Judgment far above Others for in the
history Of the last fifteen twenty years. the exercise Of tine
power had almost swallowed and destroyed the egs
laive power of the country SO far from extending It to any
subordinate agent whatever he wished to deprive any COVER
of Territory of it. II his humble opinion, and he
believed the opinion of vast majority Of the people Of
this country that if the trainers the constitution could have
anticipated the terrible difficulties which had been brought
about by the exercise of the veto during the last fifteen
twenty years. conservative power had sometimes
been called, but odous and yrannical power 1t had
to behey would have inserted 1t in that
instrument Its exercise during the period of which he had
spoken he believed it generally admitted by gentlemen
of all political pes had proved concusivey that the
else Of this power directed by the political preudces and
feelings the President and not with just regard TO the in
of the people of the United States He would
extend any subordinate officer he would leave
by which the wishes of the Legislature could be defeated He
would prohibit the Governor in direct terms from the Of this
pewe necessary he would strike out all that part of the
amendment which conferred it. Why For the best
in the world The experience of the country had shown it
be unnecessary Look the States where the Governors
had such powers in Virginia. in Delaware, Maryland and
Ohio, State which had become the miracle OF the world al
most for her growth prosperity population, and glory, and
where the Governor has such power.
The amendment to the amendment rejected.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, moved an amendment
to the amendment to require vote of two thirds instead of
If tho
of the Governor.
The of thirds required in the States, and he
did not wish to departure in this from the establish
ed principle IL bill could be passed after the by the
majority that passed originally, the veto power became
of effect and he would rather see stricken out entirely
Mr.. C0LLAMER said the gentleman was in In a
number Of the States majority Of both Houses Of the Legs-
laure did pass bills the vote of the Governor.
Mr.. THOMPSON replied, if that was the among
the States he would give fig for the power 1t
should require vote Of wohds pass laws after the veto
or the power should be stricken out altogether.
Mr. ROOT desired ask the gentleman from Mississippi
question Did he think that the veto power reserved to
Congress insufficient to control the territorial legislation
Mr.. THOMPSON'S reply not heard. His five min
uies having expired, his amendment was rejected.
Mr.. SCHENCK, on pro forma amendment, minated
his intention to against the amendment of Mr. SMITH,
and his to comforting the qualified veto power upon
thetentonal Governor. That officer possessed such
power in Ohio.
Mr.. GREEN inquired what was the public debt Of Ohio
Mr.. SCHENCK stated the amount, snd said she paid her
interest punctualy.
Mr.. GREEN understood to say the imposed
upon her citizens three times those in Missouri.
Mr.. SCHENCK assured the gentleman that they paid
them puncualy too and they had public works TO
show for their State debt than several Of the other States
ken together.
He opposed to the power exercised by the Pre-
sden and Governors Of States but still less he willing
trust Governor Of Territory three thousand
miles off, who not elected by the people, but appoint
cd by the President with this power contained
in the constitution of the State Of Ohio which Of the
oldest State constitutions having been adopted in 1902 and
thus been in existence. and without alteration for fortys
years. while other States had been amending and changing
their constitutions every few years.
Mr. MULLIN moved to strike out the words governor
and in that part OF the 4h section which provides that the
Legislative and authority shall be vested in the governor
and Legislative assembly Agreed to.
MEVAN DYKE moved 10 amend that portion Of the
ton which provides that the term Of service Of the Legislative
council shall continue for two years. 10 make three
years BY this modification onethd Of the Legislative
Gil might be renewed every year. Agreed 70.
Mr.. HALL moved to amend TO provide that the e-
gsature shall be required within ninety days from the
time of the election. Agreed to.
Mr.. MULLIN moved to strike out the following provso
Propded That session in any year shall exceed
the Of sixty days" He thought il was an imputaon
the members Of the Legislature that they would porsc the
session for the sake Of the pay they might receive
Mr. ROOT moved to strike sixty, and insert ninety
He said the nducement which caused them membe Of
gress to make their sessions short would operate
the members Of the territorial legislature for they not
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