The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-05-09


tion bills. The public opinion Of the country
adopted Consultations have generally pro-
vtded remedy for the evil by enacting that
no law shall contain more than one subject,
The Consultations OF more than half 81 Tie
States contain substantially this provision
The public welfare will be promoted IN many
ways by q return 20 the early practice Of
Government and the true principle ~ Iegisla-
ton. which requires that every measure shall
stand OF fall according 70 its own merits.
II 10 were understood that 70 attach 20 An APP
preparation measure Irrelevant 70 the gem
erai object OF the bill would impcf1l. and
probably prevent tts Anal passage and ap-
airy practice Of Congress would be- accom-
plisled.
The best Justification that has been offered
pssion biz i that L i done for ONE
sake. 20 facilitate the Passage Of measures
hich are deemed expedient by all branches
Of the Government which participate In leg
fslafion-
IT CAV NOT NE CLAIMED
there Is any such reason for attaching this
amendment OF the Election laws TO the Army
appropriation bin. The history Of the meas
iority Of the House OF Representatives in
the last Congress was ia favor Of attaching
such section 20 this bill. IL Was
known that = majority OF the senate was OPP
posed 20 n, and that AS a separate measure
Il could not be adopted. II was attached to
the Army Appropriation bill TO compel the
nounced 20 the senate that the Army Appro-
priation bill would not he allowed TO pass un-
less the proposed amendments OF the Election
laws were adopted with IL. The Senate re-
fused 20 assent 20 the bill on account OF this
Irrelevant section. Congress tner.upon adj
iourned without passing an appropriation
bill for the Army. and the present extra ses.
sion II the Forty sixth Congress became
necessary 20 furnish means 70 carry on the
Government
THE POSITION TAKEN BIT THE HOUSE.
The ground upon which the action OF the
House Of Representatives Is defended has
been distinctly stated by many OF it, adyo-
Gates. week before the close Of the last
session OF Congress the doctrine IN question
was stated by one Of its ablest defenders as
follows:
'lt i our duty to repeal these laws. Il Is
not worth while 20 attempt 20 repeal them
except upon an appropriation bill. The Re-
Republican President would sign a bill for
such repeal. whatever objection 20 lcgisia-
tion upon appropriation bulls may be made
In AN ordinary case does not apply where
free elections and the liberty of the citizen
are concerned We have power 10 vote mon
ey- Let rs annex conditions 70 IL and insist
Epon redress OF grievances"
by another distinguished member OF the
House IL Was said:
The right of representatives OF the peo-
pie "a withhold supplies Is as old as English
liberty. History records numerous instances
where the Commons. feeling hat the people
were oppressed by laws that the Lords
methods OF Legislation. obtained redress IL
last by refusing appf opriations unless nc-
c1mpanied by rclirf measures.r
That question OF the gravest magnitude
course Of proceeding was fully recognized
also by Its defenders In the Senate. IL was
said by distinguished senator:
Perhaps no greater question In the form
we are brought 10 consider Il was ever con-
sidered by tue American Congress I'm time OF
peace, for y involves not merely the merits
proposes 20 repeal, but Involves the rights.
the privileges, the powers. the duties of the
two branches Of Congress and Of the President
OF the United States. IL il a question whose
Importance can scarcely be estimated. IL Is u
question that never YET has been brought so
sharply before the American Congress and
American people as II may be now IL
Il question which sooner or later
must be decided. and the decision must de-
terrntne what are the powers of the House Of
Representatives under the Constitution. ana
what Il the duty OF that House in view OF the
trainers Of that Constitution according 10 its
letter and its spirit. Mr.. President. should
possible condition 20 speak and 70 argue it,
with a very grave difiidence, and certainly
with the utmost anxiety for one can not
think over II As long and carefully as I have
thonsht of Il without seeing that we are at
she beginning perhaps OF struggle that may
last as long in this country As similar
struggle lasted in what we are accustomed 10
call the mother land. The struggle lasted 200
years before IL was decided. IL j. not likely
TO last 80 long here. but IL may last till every
man in this chamber Il IN his grave. IL - ths
question whether or not the House Of Repre-
supplies only upon condition that grievances
are redressed. We are the representatives
Of the taxpayers Of the Republic; We. the
the right 70 originate money bills;
we. the House of Represent
atives. have alone the right % originate bills
senate represents the States: we represent
the tax payers OF the Republic. We therefore
by the very terms Of the Constitution are
which grant the money o. the people: we
claim the right which the House OF Commons
In England established after two centurirso Of
OF the people. unless there Is redress OF
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.
Upon the assembl ng OF this Congress IN rur-
susnc- Of the call for m extra session which
was made nee. s-xry by the failure 81 the
Forty nth Congress 20 make needfnl appro-
priatioss for thu support Of tre Governments.
temps made in che last Congress 10 engraft
by construction new principle upon the
q. institution should be persisted IN or not.
ihis Congress has ample opportunity and
time 20 pass appropriation bills and
also 90 enact any political meas
ures which may be determined upon in
separate bills by the usual and orderly meth
DDS Of proceedings. Hut majority ~ both
Houses have deemed Il wise TO adhere 60 the
principle asserted and maintained in tho last
Congress by the msi prity of the House Of Rep
re-entntives. That principle Is that he House
OF Representatives has the sole right 10 origi-
nate bills for raising revenue. and therefore
has the right TO withhold appropriations upon
which the existcnc- Of the Govrr nment may
depend unless the senate and President shah
give their assent "a any legislation which the
House may see nc 70 attach 20 appropriation
bills To establish this principle a. to maze
radical, dangerous and Unconstitutional
change IN the character OF our insti-
tuttons- The various departments Of
the Government nni Army and Navy are
established by the Constitution or bylaws
passed IN pursuance thereof Their duties
are clearly defined. ana their support r. care
fully prov ided for by law. The money re-
qutred for this purpose has been collected
from he manila and a nav On, ha T,.n ..rx