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

shall be vested in two distinct bodies oil men, one
10 be called the Assembly, the other the Senate,
subject to the negative hereinafter mentioned.
ARTICLE lV,-Sec. 10. The President shall
have right 10 negative all bills, resolutions, or
acts Of the two Houses Of the Legislature about
10 be passed into laws.
"ARTIcLE ILL., Sec. 6. The Senators shall
hold their places during good behavior, remova'
BILE only by conviction, on impeachment for some
crime or msdemeanor."
Here arc the principles Of the Govern
ment which the author of the veto power
intended to introduce. 1t is manifest tina,
the mind Of the author of the veto power
was at an infinite distance from the opin-
ions of those who made the constitution. 1t
is evident that he intended TO establish
Senate for life, and TO make the President
part of the legislative power.
But the Executive practice in these days
GALL of which seems TO be fully approved by
General Cass) is not merely sic ueto but SIC
uolo, sic juebo. lie now assumes the initia-
tive in addition to the veto power He not
only recommends, but dictates TO Congress.
His opinions are daily quoted in debate
here, and control our legislation. II has
been but four days since an attempt was
made by The Senators from Kentucky and
Tennessee (Mr. Underwood and Mr.. Belly
to remove the distractions in the river Ohio,
at Cumberland island. Every body here
seemed to think it right to remove it; but
it was known and said that the President
would veto the bill which contained it, and
the improvement fell. So the navigation
of the Ohio must be obstructed until Tay.
lor can put it all right by allowing Congress
to make laws. We have now not single
river or harbor bill before Congressman
one measure for internal Improvements
Why? Because we all know it is idle to
waste our time in passing them, as the
President has publicly avowed his resolu.
ton 10 veto them all. The will of the PEG.
pie is nothing. All men here look only to
The will Of the President. He is the foun.
tain of favor. Now, in the British House
of Commons under limited monarchy, the
independence of Parliament is secured by
rule which makes it out of order for any
member to state in debate what is the will
of the King; and it is perfectly true, as COL
Hamilton stated in the Convention of 1887,
that no King of England has dared to ex-
ercise the veto power since the English
revolution produced by the Wings of 1850
leo years ago. Why? Because the ex.
ercse of power so despo,ic, which wholly
denies to the people the right of self. govern.
ment, would, even in that limited monar.
chy, have cost any English monarchy his
head. Queen Victoria would not keep the
throne a week under one of our Presiden.
tial vetocs. We have the name of repub.
lie, stat nomis umbra-it stands but the
shadow of name. first came into con.
gress nearly twelve years ago, and have
since been an attentive observer of men and
things here, though one of-the humblest of
the actors on this theatre, where men, with
loud professions ofDemocracy on their lips.
cherish the most despotic principles in their
hearts; and now say that the monarchica
tendency has every year been growing
stronger, that many Of our legislative acts
of the most important character are draughl.
edat the Executive Departments to suit the
will of the Executive. and that Congress
has degenerated, under Democratic Presi.
dents, I'LL it is little better than the register
OF edIcls ofan Emperor. 1t is but a few
days since member who has served in
Congress about thirty years (Mr. Webster)
declared in his place that he had never
known a President set his heart on any
great measure which lie did not force thro'
Congress
Why is this? Let Democratic report.
made TO drive the younger Adams from
power twenty-five years ago. make the an.
swer. The veteran member from Missouri,
mr. Benton.) in his report on Executive
patronage, May 4, 1926, after enumerating
the monstrous extent of the power of thai
patronage, says:
The whole OF this great power will centre in
The President. The King Of England is The foun
tain OF honor the President OF the United States
is the source OF patronage. lie presdes over the
entire system oil Federal appointments, jobs and
contracts. He has power over the 'support' of
the individuals who administer the system. He
makes and unmakes them. He chooses from the
circle OF bis friends and supporters, and mag dis
miss them. and, upon all the principles OF human
action, a1lH dismiss them as often as they disap.
point his expectations. His spirit will animate
their actions in all the elections to State and Fed l
erat Offices There may be exceptions, bu, the
truth OF general rule is proved by the exception.
The intended check and control OF the Senate.
without new constitutional or statutory provisions
will cease to operate. Patronage will penetrate
this body, subduce its capacity of resstance chain
It 10 the car OF power, and enable the President
10 rule as easily. and much more securely with
than without the nominal check OF the Senate s
II the President was himself the officer of the
people. elected by them and responsible TO them
here would be less danger from this concentration
81 power in his hands; but it is the business of
statesmen 10 act upon things as they are, and not {
as they would wish them 10 be. We must, then, ,
ook forward 10 the time when the public reuenue
oM De doubled; ,ohen the ciUil and military Off