Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-07

ming perhaps of q struggle that may last long in
this country as a similar STRUGGLE in what we are
centuries before it was ultimately decided. 1t is
not likely to last SO long here but 1t may last
til every man in this chamber is in his grave. 1t
lis question whether or no the house OF repre-
| sentatives has the right to say: We will grant
supplies only upon condition that grievances are
redresstd We are the representatives of the tax
PAYERS of the republic. We. the house of repre-
sentatives, alone have the right to originate
money bulls. ,We.the house of representatives..
have alone the right to originate bills which grant
money to the people. The senate represents
the states; we represent the tax payers Of the re-
public We therefore. by the very terms of the
constitution, are charged with the duty of orjgi-
mating bills which grant the money of the pt o.
pie. We claim the right which the house of com
mons in England established after two centuries
Of contest to say we will not grant the money of
the people unless there is redress of griev-
anceS.' " .uaat |Ha.#. #H. #...f = "
Upou the assembling of this congress in pur-
suance of the cal tor an extra session, which
was made necessary by the failure of the 18th
congress to make neediul appropriations for the
support of the governments the question was pre-
scented whether the attempt made In the last
congress to engraft, by construction,
A NEW PRINCIPLE ON THE CONSTITUTION,
should be pers listed in or not. This congress
has ample opportunity and time to pass the APP
preparation bills and also to enact any political
b easures which may be determn d OH in separate
ings But the majority of both houses have
deemed 1t wise to adhere to the principle assert
ed and ma ntained in the last congress by the
majority of the house of REPRESENTATIVES That
principle is that the house of representatives has
the sole right to originate bills for raising reve-
nue., and therefore has the right to withhold ap-
preparations on which the existence of the gov
eminent may depend. unless the senate and
president shall give their assent to any legisla-
ton which the house may see fit to attach to the
appropriation bills.
To abljSh this Drj0cjnlp : n mako q rodico
dangerous, and unconstitutional change in the
character of our institution The various de-
partments of the government and army and navy
are established by the constitution or by laws
passed in pursuance thereof. Their duties are
clearly defined and their support is carefully pro-
vided for by law The money required for this
is now i'll the treasury ready to be paid out as
soon as the appropriation bills are passed,
whether the approp ratOns are made or not the
collection OF taxes will 90 on,
THE PUBLIC MONEY WILL ACCUMULATE
in the treasury. 1t was not the intention OF the
trainers of the constitution that any single branch
of the government should have power to dictate the
conditions upon which this treasure should be APP
piled to the purposes for viii h it was collected
Any such intention, if it had been entertained,
would have been plainly expressed in the constitu-
ton. That the majority of the senate concurs
in the claim of the house. adds to the gravity of the
situation, but does not alter the question at issue.
The new doctrine, if maintained, will result in the
consideration of the unchecked and despotic power
ia the house of representatives. bare majority of
the house Will become the government. The execu-
tive will no longer be what the trainers of the con-
stitution intended-an equal and independent
branch of the government.
1t is clearly the .. -. 81,
CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY OF THE PRESIDENT
to exercise his discre ion and judgment upon all bills
presented to him without Consraint duress from
any other branch of the government To say that
the ma jority of either both houses of cou gress
may insist on the approval of bill under penalty of
stopping the operations OF the government for want
OF necessary supplies is to deny to the executive that
duty of Legislative power which is plainly conferred
by section of the seventh article of the constitu
on. 1t strikes from the constitution the qualified
negative Of the president.
1t is said this should be done because is the pe-
culiar function of the house of representatives
represent the will of the people; but no single
branch or department of the government has excn-
sve authority to speak for the American people
The most authentic and solemn expression of their
will is contained in the constitution of the United
States. By that constitution they have ordained
and estab ished government whose powers are dis
tri6uted among coordinate branches which, as far
as possible consistently with harmonious cooper
atson, are absolutely independent of each other The
people of the country are unwilling 10 see the
premacy of the constitution replaced by the ON.
impotence of any department of the government.
The enactment OF this bill into law
.". ESTABLISH PRECEDENT
which VIII tend 10 destroy the equal importance
of the several breaches of the government. It's
principle places, not merely the senate and ex-
ecut1ve, but the judiciary, all under the coercive
the judge OF what constitutes grievance and also
of the means ana measure of redress. An act OF
congress to pl OteCt 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 adj
vice and consent Of the senate, "A nomination or
appointment to office, or that decision or opin-
ion of the supreme court is a grievance, and that
the measure of redress is TO withhold app opria-
lions required for. the support OF the offending
branch of the government
Believing that this bill is dangerous violation of
the spirit and meaning OF the constitution, |
compelled to return it the house in which it orig-
mated EH# as# faE a
WITHOUT APPROVAL. ..-...-. Esd. .... 81.
The qualified negative with which the constitution
invests the president is trust that involves duty
which / CANNOT decline to perform conseientiously
in doing what | can to preserve unimpaired the
stitutional powers and equal independence, not
merely of the executive, but of every branch of the
grv rnment Which will be imperiled by the
adoption of the principle of this bill. l desire
earnestly urge on the house of representatives a
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 inaugu ate important reform
in the method of congressional legis alton. Your
action will be in harmony with the fundamental
principles of the CONSTITUTIONS and the patriotic SEN
tment of the nationality which is heir firm support
confidence security and repose which is so essential
to the prosperity of all of our fellow citizens.
.lp.Esr s=rna RUTHERFORD b. HAYES.