Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-08-19

FIRST sentence of the constitution declared
that all "the legislative powers herein gran
ted shall be vested in the Senate and Hous,
of Representatives" No part of the legis
tive power is given to the President of the
United States. In the judgement ofthe faith
ers of the Republic, the Executive never
constituted an essential component part OF
The legislative power. A qualified power
of revision was given to him; but it was
never intended that he should exercise any
legislative power. In order that we NAV
understand this subject, which enters large.
~ into the great questions now before us,
let me read portion of the debate on the
adoption of the constitution. ! am par
tlcularly DESTROYS of the attention of the
Senate TO this post, because | wish it to see
by whom these extreme notions in relation
to the veto power were originally advan-
ced. During the session of Congress, we
have heard the honorable Senator from
Ohio. (Mr. Allen) utter very strong denun.
Citations against Colonel Hamilton. as the
intentional advocate of kingly and monar.
chial doctrines and traitor TO the cause Of
liberty. do not stand here for the pur.
pose of branding one Of the greatest men
the country ever produced with ignominous
leader of the Federal party, when this SUBJ
of the old Continental Congress- was the
very man TO press this veto power upon
the convention, and 10 insist upon its being
made absolute and unqualified. In Madi-
sons State papers, page Isl, we read:
"Mr. Gerry's proposition being now before the
committee, Mr.. Wilson Chen called "consoli.
datio 1abo oil sNo nd NJ oyad IL
the last part OF it be struck out, as to sire the
Executive an absolute Negative on the laws.-
There was no danger, they thought, Of such a
power being too mnch exercised. It wa, men
toned by Col. Hamilton that the King OF Great
Britain had not exerted his negative since the
Revolution" Il. e. 1851
This is the argument in favor of the alb
solute veto made by one who has been rep
resented in this chamber as the great aris-
tocrat and monarchist of that day. Mr..
Gerry, Democrat of that day
Mr.. Mangum, Gin his seat) Republican.
Mr.. Clayton. thank my friend for the
word. Republican is much better name.
"Mr. Gerry said that he saw no necessity for
so great control over the Legislature, as the best
men in the country would be comprised in the
two branches of it.
"Dr franklin said he was sorry 10 differ from
his colleague, for whom he had very great res
pect, on any OCCASION but he could not bel p it on
this. He had had some experience Of this check
in the Executive on the Legislature under the
Proprietary Government OF Pennsylvania. The
negative OF the Governor constantly made
use OF to extort money. No good law whatever
could be passed without private bargain with
him If the Executive was TO have coun
Gil, such power would be less objec'ionabe.-
1t was true that the King Of Great Britain had
not. as was said, exerted his negative since the
Revolution, but that matter was easily explained.
The brides and emolutions now given 10 the mem.
bers Of the Parliament rendered it unnecessary
every thing being done according 10 the will of
the ministers. He was afraid If negative should
be given as proposed, The more power and money
would be demanded. ill at last enough would be
got to influence and brbe the Legislature into
complete subsection to The will Of the Executive"
Then comes the Republican shoemaker,
Roger Sherman. What did he say!
"Mr. Sherman was against enabling any one
man 10 stop the will OF the whole. No man could
be found so far above all the rest in wisdom. He
thought we ought to avail ourselves Of his wisdom
in revising the laws but not permit him to over
rule the decided and cool opinions OF the egisa
ture."
"Mr. Wilson, said in his speech for the Veto
''there might be tempestuous moments in which
anmostes may run high between the executive
and legislative branches and IN Which the former
ought to be able to defend itself.'
"Mr Butler had been in favor Of single ex-
ecutive magistrate; but could he have entertained
an idea that complete negative on the laws was
TO be given him he certainly should have acted
very differently. It had been observed that in all
countries the executive power is in constant
course OF increase. This was certainly the case
in Great Britain. Gentlemen seemed 10 think we
had nothing 10 apprehend from an abuse OF the
executive power. But why might not Ca ane
for Cromwell arise in this country as well as in
olhers?"
"Mr Bedford OF Delaware, was opposed to
Of revision first proposed. He thought it would
be sufficient 10 mark out in the constitution the
boundaries to the legislative authority, which
wonld give all the requisite security 10 the rights
OF the other apartments. The representatives o
the people were the best judges Of what was foI
their interest, and ought TO be under no external
control whatever. The two branches would pro
duce sufficient control, within the legislature
itself"
Col. Mason observed that vote had already
passed, he found-he was at the time-lor vestinE
the executive power in single person. Anon!
these powers was. that oil appointing officers il
certain cases. The probable abuses Of negaliv
had been we'll explained by Doctor Franklin. a
provided by experience, the best of all tests.
Will not the same door be opened here? TIL
Executive may refuse its assent to necessar
measures ill new appointments shall be re(erre
10 him. and, having by degrees engrossed all thes