The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-29

very grave uILuuGuCc duU CGI IbdAul5 WIN
the utmost anxiety. for no one can think
over it as long and carefully as | have
thought of it without seeing that we are
beginning, perhaps, struggle that may
last as long 10 this country as a similar
struggle lasted in what we are accustomed
to call the mother land. There the strug-
gle lasted for two centuries before it was
ultimately decided 1t is not likely
to last so long here but it may last until
every man in this chamber is in his
grave. 1t is question whether or no the
house of representatives has a right to say
we will grant supplies only upon the con-
dition that grievances are redressed; We
are the representatives OF the tax payers
of the republic, we, the house of represen-
tatives, alone have right to originate
money bills, we the house Of representa-
tlves have alone the right to originate bills
which grant the money of the people: the
senate represents the states; we represent
the tax payers OF the republic, we there
fore by the very terms of the constitution
are charged with the duty of originating
the bills which grant the money of the
people; we claim the right which the house
OF Commons. in England, established after
grant the money of the people unless there
Is redress of grievance. Upon the as
sembling of this congress, in pursuance of
call for an extra session, which was made
necessary by the failure of the fortv. .fifth
congress to make the needful appropria.
tlons for the support Of the government.
the question was presented whether an
attempt, made in the last congress, to en-
graft, by the construction of new principles
upon the constitution, should be persisted
in or not. The congress has
ample opportunity and time to
pass the appropriation bills and also to en-
act any political measure which may be
determined upon in separate bills by the
usual and orderly method OF proceedings.
| But the majority Of both houses have
deemed it wise to adhere to the principles
asserted and maintained in the last con-
gress by majority of the house of repre-
sentatives. That principle is that the
| house OF representatives has sole right to
| originate bills for raising revenue, and
therefore has a right to withhold appro-
| priations upon which the existence of the
government may depend unless the senate
and the president shall give their assent
to any legislation which the house may see
fit to attach to the appropriation bill. To
establish this principle is to make the rad.
Iical, dangerous and unconstitutional
Ichange in the character of our institution
1.-The various departments of the govern
lment and army and navy are established
by the constitution or by laws in pursu.
anoe thereof Their duties arc clearly de.
fined and their support is carefully pro
vided for by law. The money required fol
this purpose has been collected from tht
people and is now in the treasury ready
to be paid out as soon as the appro
priation bills are passed. whethe
the appropriations are made o
, not the collections Of taxes will go on, tn
, Ipublio money will accumulate in the treas
: ury. 1t was not the intention Of tn
{ trainers Of the constitution that any singi
branch Of the government should hav
power to dictate the conditions upon whic
, this treasury should be applied to purpose
, for which it was collected, Any such in
5 itenti0n if it had been entertained wOul
have been plainly expressed IN the o0nst
: tuition. That a majority Of senate now COZ
}, curs in the cI&im Of the mouse a3d
/ to the gravity of the situation, bu
: does not alter the question at issue: tn
a doctrine if maintained will result 10 tn
: consolidation of unchecked and sjespOt
!. power in the house of representatives;
d bare majority of the house will be the go'
e lernment; theexecutive will no longer |
10 what the trainers Of the constitution il
. tended. an equal aad independent branc
of the government. 1t is clearly the col
l. stitutional duty Of the President to exc
Il else to discretion and judgment upC
u all bills presented TO him without constrai
G or duress from any other part Of the go
/; ernment. To say that majority of eth
Is or both b0uso CT congress may insist n a.
Sc proval of a bin under penalty Of stopp!I
as all of the operations Of the goyernme
as for want Of necessary supplies. is to del
it to the executive that share Of legislati
OF power which is plainly conferred by Il
~ second section Of the seventh article of t
to constitution 1t strikes from the c5nstit
to ton the qualified Negative OF the pre-
IN dent. 1t is said this should be done b
SIS cause it is the peculiar function o: t
on house Of representatives IL re
e. resent the will Of tka people, but
is single branch or department. OF the &c
Do IernmeDt has exclusive authority to spe
"a fer the American people; the mt
Z authentic and solemn expression of th
th will is contained in the constitution OF t
sh United States; by that constitution Il
ut. have ordained and established COVE
he ment whose powers are distributed amO
las coordinate branches which. as far as p
go- EsibIe, consistently with harmonious
operation, are absolutely independent
OF each other; the people Of this c0un
vas are unwilling to see the supremacy OF
as constitution replaced by the omnipote
ese of any department. Of
to government. The enactment OF tAls DILL i
ia law will establish precedent which Y
not tend to destroy the equal independence
ign the several branches of the governme
ec- Its principles places, not merely the
ion ate and executive. bnt Judiciary, a
ary under the coerciYe dictation Of the hou
rec the house alone will be the Judge of "
are constitgtea grievance and also of
7ote means and measure of redress.
ana An act Of congress to protect election
Py DOW grievance complained OF, but
the house may, on the same principle, de
ep- mine that any other act of congress,a tr
up made By the president with the advice
loTy consent of the senate, nomination or
the pointment to Office, or that decision
op- nn;n;on of the ennreroa oonyt Is a q,
ould onoa ~ ana tbat the raeaepre If radress
lary w;tbboI5 snnronr;ations rennired for
ress snnnort of the attending branch of
uu- government.
anS .nS Believing that the bill is a DANCE
to .bo violation OF the spirit and means of
.onn a constitution, am compelled to retul
,",e Soe to the house in which it originated, '
~, .he; out my approval. The qualified negl
.he with which the constitution invests