Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-12-18

duty, sufficient time must be allowed the Presi-
dent to read and examine every bill presented to
him for approval Unless this be afo rded, the
constitution becomes dead letter In this psrtiul-
ar: and even worse, it becomes a means Of decep'
ton, Our constituents, seeing the Presidents ap-
proval and signature attached to each act of Con
gress, are induced to believe that he has actually
performed his duty, when, in truth, nothing is in
many cases, more unfounded.
From the practice of Congress, such an exam
ination of each bill as the constitution requires,
has been rendered impossible. The most import
ant business Of each session is generally crowded
into its last hours, and the alternative presented
to the President is either to violate the constitu-
tional duty which he owes to the people and APP
prove bills which, for want of time, is impossible
ho should have examined. or, by his refusal to do
this, subject the country and individuals to great
| loss and inconvenience.
Besides, practice has grown up Of late years
to legislature in appropriation bills at the last
hours OF the session new and important subjects
This practice constants the President either to
| suffer measures to become laws which he does not
approve, or to incur the risk of stopping the wheels
oithe government by vetoing an appropriation bll'
| Formerly, such bills were confined to specific
| appropriations for carrying into effect existing
| laws and the well established policy OF the conn
try, and little time was then required by the Fre-
! s:dent for their examination.
For my own part | have deliberately dctermin-
ed hat shall approve no bill which have not
examined aud it will be c,se of extreme and most
| urgent necessity which shall ever induce me to
depart from this rule. l therefore respectfully,
| but earnestly, recommend that the two houses
wonld allow the President at least days pre-
vious " the adjournment Of each session within
which no new bill shall be presented to him fer
| approval Under the existing joint rule oucday
Is allowed; but this rule has been hitherto SO con
stantly suspended in practice that important bill'
continue t. be presented to him up till the very
| last moments OF The session.
In large majority Of cases no great public in
convenience can arise from the want of time to eI
anime their provisions, because the constitution
has declared that if bill be presented to thePto
sident within tho last ten days Of the sc sion, h
Is not required to r, turn it, either with an approx
al e. win veto, "il which case it .hrll not lie
! law" 1t may then lie over AMI be taken up AM
l passed at tie next session, Great Inconvenience
would only be experienced in regard to appropria
ton bills; but fortunately under the late excalen
law allowing a salary, instead of q per diem, T.
: members of Congress, the uxncnce and inconvon
tense o. a called session will be greatly reduced.
cannot conclude without commencing to you
favorable consideration the Interests of the peopl
of this District Without a representative on tn
floor of Congress. they have FIR this worry reaso
peculiar claims upou our just regard. To this
know, from my ion: acquaintance with them, IN"
e are eminently entitled. -
I JAMES BUCHANAN.
: WAsHISGrcS, Dec. :, ISL.