American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-04-11
TEE VETO POWER.

TIE VETO POWER.
Perhaps there is no power lodged
in the hands of an Executive officer
that is susceptible OF more abuse
than that of the Veto, and vet none
can be employed with greater good
for the people at large. True, it is :,
delicate trust, and one that cannot
be too cautiously and sacredly
guarded, but when Justice to an OPP
pressed people demands its exer-
else, no personal or partisan intiu-
ence should lie permitted to inter fere
with IFS rightful prerogative.
In his Inaugural Address and
private utterances, Governor Ames
pledged himself to correct all Iegis
Iative abuses, as far as his power
would enable so to do, and the
opportunity is now afforded for a
practical test of his plighted word.
The passage of that Infamous
measure known as the Equalization
Bill, and which, in the language of
the protest against it, "gives to a
few men unlimited power over the
taxable property of the State,- calls
loudly for the exercise of the Veto.
and so righteous an action of the
Governor would be hailed with Joy
By thousands who are to be made
the victims of its Ubiquitous designs.
The injury that this Bill is capable
Of INJECTING upon the property
holders of the State is beyond all
calculation, and we are pleased to
know that there were some Repub-
lican legislators who had the nobil-
ity and manliness to oppose it with
all the force of argument, and then
show their Indignation by solemn
protest against so infamous a
wrong.
Should Governor Ames attach
his. veto to this ruinOus measure, lit
will go farther towards convincing
the people of the sincerity of his
promises than anything he has yet
done, and we hope for his own sake,
rs well as for the good of the people
who look to him for protection, that
he win rise to the full height of the
great occasion, and show by his
veto that the rights aud interests of
the masses cannot be trampled upon
with impunity.
There are other measures before
the legislature full of danger to the
interests of the people, and which
may be rushed through at the FAST
moment. We trust that these may
not escape the vigilance of lis
Excellency, norl elude the justice
of bis veto. Governor Ames is now
placed in position to prove bins
self either..a blessing or a curse to
the State, and the eyes of the whole
people are turned to him as one
who holds their destiny in his
hands. > The power is his to link
his name with all that is noble and
honorable, or to make it thesynonym
for all that is unjust and infamous.
To establish his character for right
and equity, with his present sur
roundiDgs, requires no small amount
Of nerve and moral heroism, and
~ his friends claim for him the
possession of these high and ennob-
ling attributes. their exercise is
hopefully anticipated by those of
our people who will be made to
suffer by unjust and oppressive
legislation. Unlike many of the
opposition papers, we have been
to regard his utterances,
especially those which looked to
Me general veal, as made in good
faith, and to afford him an oppor-
tuDIty for testing their sincerity.
mat opportunity is now presented,
and IN common with the press and
the people, we shall await his action
with no ordinary sOlicitude.
Since writing the above the leg
'slature has adjourned, and in the
absence of any late news from the
Capitol we cannot say what action
has been taken by the Governor.