Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-10-04


8. lie may require The opinion, in wri- /,
ting. Of the head Of each executive de-
par,ment. upon subjects relating to the
duties Of their respective Offices.
=. lie shall. from time to time, inform
Congress Of the State Of the Union. and
may recommend to il such measures as he
shall Judge necessary and expedient. I'm
performing this duty, he should act above
Inc influence Of party dictaiion. and have
regard to the welfare Of the whole nation.
8. lie may. on extraordinary occasions,
convene bo.', houses Of Congress, or Ell
Their Of them IN case of disagreement
between them, with respect to the time OF
adjournment, he may adjourn them TO
such time as he may think proper.
These powers and duties Of the Execu-
I've. alter profound investigation. BY the
most eminent statesmen Of the age, were
thought TO be more appropriately connect
Cd wih that department, 10 render it safe
and useful. and. as such, were incorpora-
ted into the Constitution.
{ There is one other power OF the Presi-
dent. commonly called the VETO power.
f.very bill, before il becomes law, must
be signed by TIC President; if he refuse
to sign it, Il, shall return it to the house
whore j, originated, with his objections.
which are entered Upon the Journal II,
after Reconsideration, it pass by vote Of
two thirds OF each house, il becomes law.
I Ii ne docs not return it in ten days it be-
comes law.
iftli;s power was exercised as originally
! designed, there would be no prejudice
against it; bul il has been perverted TO eff
/ feet la, was never contemplated by its
! advocates and friends. 1t has been per-
verted, b. the late Presidents, into party
engine, 10 accomplish party ends. II has
been done even Ut the expense Q: the ma
tonal welfare and prosperity.
! Our Representatives,. from all parts OF
the country, who are acquainted with. and
presumed 10 Know. the wants and ncces-
sites Of their constituents, have passed
! laws which they deemed necessary for
their common interest, ard these laws
have been vetoed by the President, mere
Iy for the purpose Of conforming TO a par
~ creed, which had beer. dictated by a
caucus committee Of party caucus.
1t i, wei. known, TO all who are acquain-
ted with the history of party organizations
and party creeds, that when n committee
is appointed TO draft resolutions. or plat
form, as the political faith Of that party, it
is done through the influence Of certain
active and shiiiul political managers, with
a view of getting their peculiar notions
adopted rs the political faith of that party.
When the resolutions, or platform. is re-
ported to the convention by the committee.
it is. as general rule, concurred in with
out any material alterations. out of cour-
tesy and respect for the committee, and
tina, the proceedings Of the meeting shall
appear harmonious. Whenever any dis
satisfaction is manifested in a convention.
it is taken advantage Of by political OPP
ponen,s, and used as eIectioneering capt.
tai. To prevant this, the real and con-
scieni.ous opinions OF many ain honest
man are suppressed, and frequently with
a painful effort. being a known derelicton
of duty. and the resolutions. or platform,
however Objectionable, are supported or
permitted TO pass by silent acquiescence.
These are palmed off upon the party as Il
creed. or platform. containing their politi-
cal faith. The nominee is required TO
subscribe 10 them. whatever his private
! opinions may be. aud is pledged TO carry
them gu, should he be elected President;
though a, the expense OF the vital interests
Of the country. The Veto power. in con-
nection with the executive patronage. is
used 10 coerce Congress to submit to this
caucus dictation. Thus a partizan Presi-
dent ''ssoops to conquer" by appropra-
ting powers conferred for national purpo-
ses. 10 the accomplishment; Of party ends.
The Veto power is remnant Of mon
archy. and was SO regarded by many Of
the trainers Of the Constitution. Frank
lin said it was dangerous, and that it would
be abused so as 10 get money for passing
bills. We do not know that this has ever
been the case; Lu, we do know il has beer,
abused 10 >ubservc party behcsts.
| Its main desi ign was 70 protect the exec
u,ive department from legislative en-
croacaments; and this is what prompted
the convention to confer the Veto power
upon the President. I, was insisted. by
some. TIA: it was inconsistent with the
principles OF liberty. and nigh, be used
bv the President to cioihe himself with re-
gal authority: while by others it was OBJ
jec,ed to, on the ground tina, it would be
dangerous for the President TO exercise il
OF any occasions; that the people were too