The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-07-02
Another Veto Message.

6D
THE JUDICIARY BILL RETURNED II
CONGRESS DlSAPPROyED. /.
The Presidents Objections to the Measur,
and the Grounds Upon which
they are Based
WASHINGTON, June 23.-Tbe fol
lowing is the text of Mr.. Hayes mes
sage vetoing the bill 70 which it re
fers:
To the House Of Representatives.:
After careful examination the bill
entitled IAN act making appropriation
for certain Judicial expenses" l re-
turn it herewith to The house of rep
resentativee, in which it originated,
with the following objections to its
approval: The general purpose OF the
bill is to provide for certain Judicial
expenses of the government for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1880, for
which the sum Of S., $780, 900 is appro-
priated. These appropriations are
required to keep in operation the
general functions Of the Judicial de-
partment ct the government, and il
this part of the bill stood alone there
would be no objections to it's approv-
al. 1t contains, however, other pro.
~visions to which l desire respectfully
to ask your attention. AT the pres
ent session Of congress, . majority Of
both houses favoring a repeal of the
congressional election laws embrac-
ed in title 26 of the revised statutes,
passed a measure for that purpose as
part of q bill entitled an act making
appropriation for the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial expenses of the
government for the fiscal year end
ing June 80. 1880, and for other pur-
poses.
Unable to concur with congress
In that measure, on the 29th of May
last l returned the bill to the house
Of representatives, in which it origI-
mated, without my approval, for that
further consideration which the con-
stitaticn provides. On reconsidera-
ton the bill was approved by less
than two-thirds Of the house and fail
ed TO become 9 law. The election
laws, therefore, remain valid enact.
ments and the supreme law of the
land binding not only upon all pri.
vate citizens, but also alike and
equally binding upon all who are
charged with the duties and response
bilities of the legislative, the execu'
tive and judicial departments of the
government. 1t is not sought by the
bill before me to repeal the election
laws. Its object is to defeat theil
enforcement. The last clause of the
frat section is as follows:
"And 40 part Of the money hereby
appropriated is appropriated to pay
any salaries. compensation, fees oil
expenses under or in virtue Of title
&c of the revised statutes; or of any
provision of said title"
Title 26 of the revised statutes
referred to in the foregoing clause. re
lates to the election franchise ant
contains the laws now in force regu
lating the congressional elections
The section of the bill reaches mucl
further. 1t reads % follows;
Section 2. That the sums appro.
priated in this act for the persons
and public service embraced in thu
provisions are in full for such persons
and public service for fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1880, and no departmen
or officer of the government shall
during the fiscal year. make any
contract or incur any liability fol
future payment of money under any
of the provisions of title a6 of thu
revised statutes of the United States
authorizing the appointment of gener
al or special deputy marshals for ser
vice in connection with elections O.
any election day until appropriation
sufficient to pay such contracts o.
pay such liability shall have frs
been made by the law"
This section of the bill is intended
to make an extensive and essentia
change in existing laws. The follow
ing are the provisions of the statute:
on the same subject which are now il
force;
Section 2,679. No department Q
the government shall expend in an,
one fiscal year any sum in excess Q
appropriations make by congress 70
that fiscal year or any sum in exces
of appropriations made by congress
for that fiscal year or involve tb'
government in any contract for th
future payment of money in exces
of such appropriations"
Section 2,732. No contract @
purchase on behalf of the Unite
States shall be made unless tho sam
is authorized by law or is under a
appropriation adequate to its fulfil
ment, except in Wal and navy depar
ments for clothing, subsistence, forag'
fuel, quarters of transportation, which
however, shall not exceed the nece'
sites Of the current year."
} The object of these sections of th
revised statutes is plain. 1t is, frs
to prevent any money from being e,
pended unless appropriations hav
been made therefore ; and, second,
prevent the government from bein
bound by any contract not previousl
+ authorized by law, except for certai
necessary purpose in the war and n'
; Wy department.
Under the existing laws the failur
of congress 10 make the sppropril
tons required for the execution of th
provisions of the election laws woul
not prevent their enforcement. Th
right and duty to appoint the generl
and special deputy marsbsls whic
they provide for would still remsiI
. and the executive department Of ii
E government would also be empowere
Q to incur the requisite liability f
! their compensation. But the secon
9 section of this bill contains q prohit
! ton not found in any previous legi
!. ~lstion. It's design is to render Il
election laws imperative and . des
4 lI~. Ir.;c. <ha rav< Eocal voos