The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-03-20
THE ELECTION LAWS.


The fight on the repeal of the election
laws in the extra session will be trans
ferred from the senate to the White
House. Hayes is a.weak man and it is
peculiar fact that obstinacy is more fire.
quently an attribute of weakness than of
strength. Besides the line which sepa-
rates the liberals from the stalwarts is
growing indistinct, and Hayes is anxious
to approve himself good republican.
The sinister influence Of Zach Chandler
will be sensibly felt in the acts of the
executive. There can be no donbt that
Hayes's Instructions are positive to veto
every bill for the repeal OF the election
laws no matter IN what form it appears.
The appropriation bills ii accompanied
by these Ito republicans Objectionable
features, viii undoubtedly, fail to receive
the presidents signature. Congress will
then Immediately adjourn and the presi-
dent will be under the necessity OF
calling another extra session with no
better prospect of securing the passage
Of the appropriation bill than there is at
present.
Though the constitution in investing
the president with a veto power on legis-
lative matters, does not restrict him in
the exercise of that power, still it is
manifest that the constitution does not
contemplate his interference unless the
Dlll. is repugnant to its provisions or
contrary to public policy. If this were
not the case he would not be required to
state his objections. The executive can
hardly be said to be coordinate branch
of the Legislative power. This view does
not harmonize with the ideas of what
constitute good government: To keep
the executive, legislative and judicial
functions Of a government as distinct
from each other as circumstances will
allow.
Technically, in vetoing what, from the
| positions taken by the parties is party
measure, the president does not exceed
| the power given him by the constitution.
But he violates its spirit. Bills, no mat
ter how salutary, on which parties are
evenly divided cannot become laws, no
matter on what frivolous grounds the
president exercises his veto power, unless
| one party has an overwhelming majority
in both houses.
So easy is it for government to OPP
press an individual that the people OF
the United States sought by amendments
to the constitution to provide means for
| the protection of the individual. The
| powers vested in United States marshals
! to make arrests without process, certainly
abrogates the personal rights secured by
! the constitution. Such summary pro.
ceedings SAVIOR too strongly of military
! domination to pass unchallenged in q
| time of peace. The president in refus-
ing to approve a bill which repeats laws
| of this character is more mindful Of the
! dlctatlons OF party than OF his duty tC
the nation. Though the repeal of these
laws is advocated by democrats, it is
asked in the interests Of the people gen
orally. The only reason why the repeal
Of the laws encountered opposition is
because its passage would be looked
upon as democratic success. The tes
oath was actually repealed by republi-
can congress, but now they refuse, be
cause to acquiesce would be to approve
of step taken by democrats. The
president is to become a part of the ma
chinery to obstruct legislation originated
by democrats. This is precisely the
significance of veto, and if Legislative
! appropriations are not made at the eytrf
session the responsibility rests with {
president who yielded to the arrogance
of party rather than crafty the just de
mands of political opponents.