White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-12-31

mated" In order TO perform this high and re-
'spOnsible duty, sufficient time must be allowed
The President to read and examine every bill
presented to him for approval. Unless this be
asbrded, the constitution becomes dead letter
IN this particular, and even worse, it be-
comes a means of deception. Our conssitu-
ents, seeing the Presidents approval and sigma
ture attached to each act Of Congress, are IN
duced to believe that he has actually performed
his duty, when, in truth, nothing is, in many ca
ses more unfounded.
From the practice of Congress, such an ex-
animation Of each bill as the constitution re-
quires, has been rendered impossible. The most
important business of each session is generally
crowded into its last hours, and the alternative
presented to the President is either to violate
the constitutional duty which he owes to the
people, and approve bills which, for want Of time
it is impossible he should have examined, or, BY
his refusal to do this, subject the country and
individuals TO great loss and inconvenience.
Besides, a practice has grown up Of late years
TO legsate in appropriation bills at the last hours
of the session, on new and important subjects.
This practice eonstrains the President either to
suffer measures to become laws which he does
not approve, or to incur the risk Of stopping the
wheels Of the government by vetoing an appro-
priation bill. Formedy such bills were confined
to specific appropriations fer carrying into effect
existing laws ard the well established policy Of
the country, and little time was then required by
the President for their examination.
For my own part, have deliberately deter
mined that shall approve no bill which have
not examined, and il will be case Of extreme
and most urgent necessity which shall ever in
duce me to depart from this rule. therefore
respectfully, bat earnestly, recommend that the
two houses would allow the President at least
two days previous to the adjournment OF each
session within which no new bill shall be present
ed to him for approval. Under the existing joint
rule one day is allowed; but this rule has been
hitherto constantly suspended in practice, that
important bills continue 10 be presented to him
up till the very last moments the session.
In large majority Of cases no great ineonve-
nience can arise from the want Of time to ex-
anime their provisions, because the constitution
declared that If bill be presented to the Presi-
dent within The last ten days Of the session he is
not required to return 1t, either with an approval
CT with a veto, ain which case it shall not be a
law" 1t may then lie over, and be taken up
and passed at the next session. Great incon-
venience would only be experienced in ragard
to appropriation bills; but fortunately, under the
excellent law allowing salary, instead Of a per
diem, to members Of Congress, the expense and
Inconvenience off called session will be greatly
reduced.
l cannot. conclude without commencing to
your favorable consideration the interest of the
people Of this District. Without representa-
tive Onoe floor of Congress, they have for this
very reason peculiar claims upon our just regard.
To this know, from my long acquaintance
with them, they are eminently entitled.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington, Dec. g. 1857.