Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-05-08
ion which the house may see fit to attach to the

ton which the house NAV see lit to attach to tn,
appropriation bills
To establish this principle is to make radical
dangerous, and unconstitutional change in the
character of our iusIitut ons The various de
partHenrs OF me government ana army anu navy
are established by the constitution or by laws
passed in pursuance thereof Their duties are
e!eariy defined and their support Is carefully pro
Hlueo l0r oy law. The money required tor IL is
purpose mas been collected from me people and
now III the treasury ready to be paid OUT a>
soon as lhe appropriation bills are passed,
neither the appropriations are made or not, the
objection OF taxes will go on,
THE PUBLIC MONEY! WILL ACCUMULATE
in the treasury. It was not the intention OF the
trainers OF the constitution that any single branch
q the government should have power to dictate the
conditions upon which this treasure should be APP
pied to the purposes for viii h it was collected
any such intention, if it had been entertained,
"ouIa nave been plainly expressed in the conSttu-
ton. That the majority OF the senate now concurs
in the claim of the house adds the gravity of the
SITUATION, but does not at-r the question at issue.
Inc new doctrine, if maintained will result in the
consideration Of The unchecked and dtsrot;c power
IN the house OF Representatives. bare majority of
Inc mouse Will become the government. The exeou-
I've VIII no longer be what the trainers Of the
StItufIon Intended-au equal and independent
bEanch OF the government.
1t is clearly the
CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY OF TIE PRESIDENT
to exercise his discretion and judgment upon all bills
presented to him without constraint or uress from
any other branch of the government To saw that
the majority of either both houses of congress
may insist on the approval of bill under penalty of
stopping the operations of the government for want
OF necessary supplies is deny TO the executive that
duty OF legislative power which is plainly conferred
by section of the seventh article of ts constlru
on. 1t strikes from the constitution the qua fed
negative Of the president.
IL is said this should be done because it is the Pc
cuIlar junction of the house of representatives TO
represent tbs viii of the people; but single
branch or department of the government has exc n
SiEe antnorlty to speak for the American people
Inc most authentic aud solemn expression of their
VIII Is contained in the constitution of the United
States BY that constitution they have ordained
and estaO ished a government whose powers are dis
tributed among coordinate branches which as far
as possible consistently with harmonious Cooper
atson, are absolutely Independent of each other The
people OF the country unwilling TO see the su
premacy of the constitution replaced by the ON
lpotenc9 Of any department of the government
he enactment of this bill into law
WILL ESTABLISH 4 PRECEDENT
which will tend to destroy the equal importance
OF the several branches of The government. It's
principle places, not merely the senate and ex-
ecuuYe, but the Judiciary, all under the Coercive
dctat on of the house. The house alone will be
the Judge OF what constitutes grievance and also
{" 'l, inc means AMI measure of redress An act OF
congress 10 protect elections is now the grievance
complained OF. but the house may on the same
principle determine that any other act OF con-
greSS already made by the president with the ad-
vice and consent of the senate, a nomination or
appointment 10 office or that decision or opiu-
ION OF the supreme court is a grievance, and that
tuC A4SdSul6 Vi TedEeSs ls 10 WllQlOld app OprIa-
TONS required for the support OF the offending
branch Oh the government.
Believing that this bill is dangerous violation Of
the spirit and meaning of the constitution, l am
compelled to return it to the house in which it origi
mated
WITHOUT MY APPROVAL
The qualified negative with which the constitution
invests the president is trust that involves duty
which L cannot decline to perform conseentiously
in doing what can to preserve unimpared thu con
sttutlonal powers and equal independence not
merely of the executive but of every branch of the
gov rnment which will be imperiled by the
adoption of the principle of this bill. 1 desire
earnestly TO urge on the house OF representatives
return to the wise and wholesome usages of the
earlier days of the republic, which excluded from
appropriation bills all Irrelevant legislation By
this course you will naugu ate an important reform
IN the method of congressional legislation. Your
action will be in harmony with the fundamental
principles of the constitution, aud the patriotic
tment or the nationality which is heir firm support
and you will restore to tho country that feeling of
confidence security and repose which SO essential
to the prosperity Of all of fellow citizens
RUTHERFORD b. H AYES.