Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-25

THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE En-
ECUTIYE.
Thus speaks the Philadelphia Press Of
recent date, relative to Senator Bayard's po-
sition on the question of political legislation
on the appropriation bills:
Senator Bayard assumes that the measures
referred to are necessary to the peace and well
fare of the country; next, that the Congress
represents the majority OF the American peo-
Pile; and that President Hayes is not justified
in having his own opinions, OF in exercising
his constitutional power respecting them. The
simple answer to all this is that the Presi-
dents constitutional rights are as sacred as
those Of the two houses; that they do not de-
pend on the caprice Of either or both of them
that if they choose to be governed by their
opinions and their party inclinations, he has
the same right; that they no more represent
the whole people than he does; that, in point
Of fact, neither does. but all together do; that,
under our system, the independence of the
executive is not to be controlled by an acct
dental, much less fraudulent majority in
both houses, or either house; and that, in
adopting the theory which he appears to have
accepted, Senator Bayard has done violence to
his intelligence as we'll as his independence.
No one will dispute that the Presidents
constitutional rights are as sacred as those
of the two houses, bat has he right to over
ride the rights and wishes of Congresse The
assumption that the majority in Congress
does not represent majority of the people
that it is an accidental or fraudulent major
ity-is statement SO absurd as to require no
controversy. The truth is that the Demo
cratic majority in the two houses represents
majority of more than half million on
the popular vote of the whole people, while
MIR. Hayes represents only the minority, and
owes lis present position both to accident
and fraud. When he or bis supporters for
him assumes to represent the whole people
Ito declare that views which he opposes to
those held by the majority in Congress are a
reflex of the will of the people-their pre-
sumption passes all bounds.
Senator Bayard is right in declaring that
the political legislation proposed by Congress
is necessary to the peace and Welt ire of the
country. That legislation has been demand
ed by large majority of the people of the
whole country, who believe that the elections
ought to be left free and untrammeled by
any Observation-Disclosures. They also insist
that the jury box be opened to men of in
telligenoe, provided they have not been guilty
of crimes, to the end that in the Southern
States intelligent judgments in cases of
vital Importance may be obtained. When a
minority of people, represented at Washing
ton by single-man..who purchased his power
by the most shameless prostitution of tho
Office of President, sets itself. up as the arbi
trator-the final judge-of all the legisla-
ton affecting the rights of the majority, it
is time to call halt.
When majority of Congress in both
branches adopts laws, in obedience to the
wishes of their constituents, it is not the
province of the executive to interpose any
objections or obstacles to them. He is but
the executive officer. of the republic, called
to execute the will of the people as expressed
by their representatives. When he attempts
to go further, or to interfere with the province
of the Legislative authority, he transcends
his authority. He is but an instrument of
the legislative branch, nothing more, and
the sooner the fiction of his independence is
dispelled the better it will be- He was never
intended to be independent OF the legislative
power. Mr.. Hayes may learn before long
that he is the servant, not the master, Of