Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1867-07-26
JANIS I. CLARK.
JOHN T.. AZ RhAkn lntcn
WN. a. LATHAM tounfy
ENOCH FOSTER. ~. Commiftec
go ~ LH.nNL
vetoes at a Discount

The provi-ioa Of tie Constitution giving
the Presideni power 20 veto the Acts Of
CoHgres.. was undoubtedly considered b,
IT, trainers. wise and judicious. Otherwise
thsy would have excluded IL from that IN
s,runent. Since the ADOPTION Of The Con-
st;tufion. all political parties have coa-eted
the principle 70 be light; yet. When alb
siractly considered. il Is viewed BY al a.
an arbitrary power. and ore that should
seldom be exercised. The veto power has
been extensively discussed. and from tine
@ tirnc has engaged the attention % some
% our most eminent statesmen. Whcn
IL should be exercised. aid for what reason.
has been the great poin, IN these discus
sions. Like almost any 5;ber provision at
the Constitution. !; las received % con-
s;ruefion- generally acquiesced IN BY Cur
heading statesmen. I'D constitutional eN-
pounders. IL has been a long tisnc sincc
Il vas pretty vel established. thai The Pres
dent shouh exercise the veto poWvr only
IN two continscrces % VIZ. unooussIfutrou-
a. An9 hAsfy lsgisl.sioa. and Il be went be
yOnd this. b. userPed po~crs not dolesAiea
in the Coostngfi0n. Gen. Jackson. 40
exercised the veto power 20 a grssser Il
tent than any ol BIS predecessors. never
contendcd for more extended Latitude Of
construction.
But all the wisdom and loaraing 81 THE
past y thrown into - shade. by thaf great
and wOnderfal political luninary. Antre-
Johnson. HE se-as 20 rave foreoticn
that the Presidential of'icc y 0ae Of liEiiel
power. that under The Consiisufisn. thsrc
are co orylinatc,5rancbes OF ice C,ovsrsrnsuf.
especially Legislative Department. vho-c
TiSbt "a j. % make AVS. Tbis Andrsw
johnson seems 10 labor sn1er the bailu-
cInAiion that he - saprcne dIcsator.-
that al Po~er Is vested an ID Executive -
thai Congress Ekc the " flth wheel 81 a
coach = qsite al snnecessary apPendase
90 tbe machinery OF toe Federal govern
rncnt. Dersriing entireiy from The vel
Interpreted ruics % constit ationai consfruc-
ton. BE- has reckiessiv -~so-tsd % The veto
power % defeat tie vii % TIRE people. -
expressed throrgh their representative IN
Congress. anti the very word has become
= reproach and by-~ord III. ricked -
sumpfi0n Of power. belonging % another
department. q thc government a. expressed
IN his nuuerous vctocs. alone. ou-ht %
subject him 90 impeachneu, and removal.
Il shows him not only a corrup'. bit dan
gcrous nan. H. uaE~niiy does not stop
with his written vrfocs. lie pursues ihc
matter. and after Congress By to thirds
vote passes law over he bead. he sets
The law oficr oi BIS Cabinet AZ work. writ
ing out oficiai opinions. vsh tbs express
intent % defeating the la~.
The mOnstrous usarpsiions q thi. nan
have been such. thar Congrcss has been
compelled a. = matter q safety 70 the gov
eminent. sirf 1aliy 70 keep itself IN session
10 checkmafe has frcasonsbie attempts 20
play the dcspof. Under All preceding al
rninistrations. she veto messages Of tho
fressdcnt have been treated sith The rc.
spect due the position from which they en-
anated- Eren Ia Goa. Jscksou's dav.
when party spirr rarsd vith unproocden,-
ed Tiolence. BIS bitterest opposers aiuars
respected the dignity Of his ofHoe. and tbc
digDty riebtfuiiy beioneing 10 tl.e man
who Sled g. HE vctocs sbook th- 49,.
couniry. snd we're treated respectfuliy D.,
his enemies. a. vel a. ~ friends Jsh-
Tyler. hated ard despised a. be wss BY n.
vhiE friends vhon he BAD most shsrnefsHy
cheated. BAD his veto messages net BY A.
gurent. a. vel a. abuse. Not 80 9Th
Andrcv Johuson. lie vctoes are treated
r.th supreme coutenpt. bosh bv Conrress
snd the people. And vsn tbsy nav be.
both from der ircgscncy and their ohsrac-
ter. His veto messages do not come up 70
the dignify II % State papers and shosi8
never be ranked a. such. Tscy are he scum
rising 10 the Top Of the political oaaldron
stirred and Agrated By The unscrupulo1s
dsosgogss -b0 accideutAlly occupies Tie