The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-07-14
Monday, July Il, 1879.
Still Ploundering.

slough of Misrepresentation, and in a fit
of frenzy gets off the following:
Our Democratic neighbor, THE ARGUS,
seems to be proceeding on the assumption
that lie well stuck to is as good as the
truth. 1t has made the ridiculous state
ment that tie issue between the Republi-
cans and Democrats in Congress was the
right to engraft general legislation on ap-
preparation bills, and that the Republicans
denied this right though they have time
aud again exercised it when in the ma
iority, notably when Andrew johnson was
President" The
real point at issue, which has been ap-
pealed from Congress to the Countrywide
right of an arbitrary majority to stop the
supplies of the government unless the
President approves Objectionable legisa-
ton attached to an appropriation bill"
THE ARGUS is proceeding on the
assumption Of truth, backed by the indis
putablc evidence of incontrovertible
facts. and repeats the assertion
made that congress alone has the
right to say what legislation shall be
enacted, and how money appropriated
shall be expended. The Union takes the
position that, unless the legislative body
Of the nation passes appropriations to be
used as the executive may direct, then the
legislative branch is to surrender its pre-
negatives, pass the bills to the executive,
allow him to alter them to his taste, and
ignoring their sworn duty and right, pass
them. This is the position the Union
assumes. First it boldly asserted that
congress had failed to make appropriations
for the marshaIs and deputies This,
however, was but re-echoing the original
plan of the stalwarts. THE ARGUS quick
ly undeceived the people as to this unwar-
ranted presumption, and now the Union
seeks to dodge by producing lot
of iumbled bits of argument but
as yet it has not explained
why, if it was right to refuse to pass APP
preparations during Johnson's term unless
he approved the riders, it is wrong row
for the democrats to follow the precedent
arepublican congress established. Again
the Union harps on the term ''obiectiona-
BILE legislation" Now will our contempt
rary please tell us what is meant by objec-
tionable legislation? Is is not constitu
tional for the democratic congress to pass
appropriations in such manner and under
such restrictions as to the disposition OF
the money expended, as may, in the judg'
ment of congress seem necessary Does
the UuiOn wish to be understood as taking
the position that congress must first con
suit the executive before the final passage
of a measure? Does it mean to say tha
unless this be done, and through the par
tisanship Of the executive the bill fails
that the congress is to blame? Does i
mean to convey the impression that con-
gress is subservient in legislative natter
to the executive? If this be the intent, 1
position which is untenable and known t
be untenable by all reading people, thel
the Union is guilty Of the charge of TIL
ARGUS that the Union in common witt
other republican organs is resorting to tn
usual practice Of Lying it through.
Again the Union says
ITO say that Andrew johnson one
signed ridered bill under protest is merel
10 say that be was weaker man tina
Rutherford B. Hayes. But Andrew John
son would not have signed that bill it b
had not known that protest was as goo
as veto, because the majority had tn
n
Notwithstanding his objections
Here you have it in a nutshell. S
Andrew johnson signed the bill under pre-
test because the majority had the two
thirds vote necessary to pass the bill not
withstanding his objections" 1t is moi
therefore, wrong to "starve the government
il two-thirds say so''-but it is all wrong
mere majority say so. The argument
too thin to pass even among the usual
credulous readers of republican organs, an
the Union must take some stronger pos
ton than any it has yet assumed, to max
its argument withstand the ordeal of dic
section by intelligent, well informed minds
The Objectionable legislation" complain
ed of by the Union is the failure CT con
Rress to vote money for republican part
purposes. Congress passed appropriate
bills for every branch of the government
providing literally for the marshals an
their deputies in the discharge of thei
legitimate duties, but it was distinct
stipulated that the money appropriated 70
the marshals and their deputies, shout
not be used as a corruption fund to pa
federal supervisors for doing the dirt
work of the republican party. This wa
the position taken by democrats at tn
beginning, il was the position maintaine
throughout the session-it is the platform
now. Mr.. Hayes. who usurps the office Q
president of the United States, positio
TO which he was never legally elected, an
which he secured by conniving with re
turning board thieves aud perjured scouu
drels, is the man. who, as the chosen in
strument of the staiwarts, vetoed tn
marshals bill after it had been passed by
democratic congress. On him and hi
party rests the blame, and no amount {
lodging will remove the we'll establishe
fact as 1t exists. This is the truth AT
cannot be controverted,
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Exemption Laws.
The exemption Of church property an
che property of charitable and benevoleu
!