Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-29
GreeIey,s bargain

1he great triumph OF the Cincinnati platform,
its HAPPY thought" as Mr. Burnand, the En-
glish humorst would call it, was the rescue of
the tariff question from the despotic Jurisdiction
of the electoral college. This mastery stroke
of craftsmanship received the modest approval
of Greeley, its reputed author, and the enthu-
siastic plaudits of Brown, who cannot find words
strong enough to express his admiration of this
triumph of political genius. But in getting re-
lief from the imaginary tyranny of the electoral
college, the tariff question was also removed, SO
far as the expectant president is concerned, from
the control of the constitution. The Cincinnati
platform says: Recognizing tia there are in our
midst irreconciliable differences of opinion with
regard TO the respective systems of protection and
free trade, we remit the discussion of the sub
ject to the people in their congressional districts
and to the decision Of congress thereon, wholly
free Of executive interference or dictation" This
declaration Mr.. Greeley thus CONSTITUTES in his
letter Of acceptance: " That the raising of rev.
enue, whether by tariff or otherwise, shall he
recognized and treated as the peoples immed-
ate business, to be shaped and directed by them
through their representatives in congress, whose
action thereon the president must neither over
rule by bis veto, attsmpt to dictate, nor presume
TO punish by bestowing Office only on those who
agree with him, or Withdrawing it from those
who do not"
That is to say, whatever bill congress may
pass relating to the revenue, MIR. Greeley, if
president pledges himself to sign, no matter how
plainly absurd or even unconstitutional it may
be. He proposes therefore to relinquish one of
the important functions Of his office, and to
evade a duty which the constitution and his
oath of office impose. The FIRST article of the
constitution, section seven, says:
IAN bills for raising revenue shall originate
IN the house of representatives; bat the senate
may propose or concur with amendments us on
other bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the house
of representatives and the senate, shall, before
1t bec0mes law, be presented TO the president of
the United States; fhe approve, he shall sign it,
but If not he shall return it with his objections
to that house in which it shall have originated,
who shall enter the objections 1T large on their
journal, etc"
The presidents Inauguration oath includes
the obligation to faithfully execute the office
of president Of the United States" Suppose
that congress should pass an act abolishing all
duties upon imports from foreign countries,
would Mr.. Greeley approve of such measure
And, II not, how could he be justified in Sign
ing III His oath and his pledge would be in d-
rect conflict, and if he signed the bill he would
do what the constitution expressly saws he shall
not do. If this is not a corrupt bargain, in
which an agreement to violate a duty and an
oath is bartered for promised votes, there never
was one.
The veto power is not personal privilege,
which president is at liberty to waive or sacri-
nee Tor his own advantage, but solemn re-
sponsbility which he is bound TO exercise ac-
cording to his best Judgment for the public
good. That Mr.. Greeley is very well aware of
this aud Of the corrupt nature Of his compact
appears irsm his applying his new principle Of
executive non-lnterlereDce to the tariff question
alone, because in regard to that only was a
bargain necessary II he seriously believed in
the soundness Of the principle, he would
make 1t AFFECT all questions and practi-
cally abolish the veto power It is lust
as true Of any other matter of lepis-
lation as Of revenue that it Is "the peoples
immediate business" and there is no rea.
son ~ the nature Of things, or in the consttu.
ton, why one bill rather than another should
safe IRON the presidents veto. Any one is at
Oerty to think and say that it is unwise to con
er a power upon the president, and that iii,
~istituuon might he amended in this respec
10 advantage; but no one has the right 10 nc
cepl the Office Of president, under the constitu
lion as i IS, with pledge that be will refuse, in
any contingency, to discharge one of the clearly
defined duties Of that Office.