The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-02
What Democrats Think of the Veto

The democrats in the house have not
sufficient numbers to pass the army bill
over the president veto, as the vote taken
on Thursday shows. But there is man
ifest disposition on the part of leading
democrats to treat the question fairly, and
present it TO the president in such shape
that he will not be able to oppose it on the
ground that it in any way curtalls the
powers of the civil authorities. The opin-
ions of some of the leading democrats on
the first reading of the veto will indicate
the feeling and probably final action on the
subject:
Senator Beck, of Kentucky, was greatly
surprised that the president, 10 view OF his
own votes while member of congress and
of his past conduct in politics, and in view
OF his cabinet officers and their past opin
ions, should veto bill like this after hav-
ing advocated and voted for bills so much
more Objectionable than this one. If the
states OF this Union are not competent to
keep their own peace at the polls, they are
not fit to be states. That is about the
amount of it. One of the probable re-
suits of the vetoes will be that congress
will 90 into general legislation, which will
mean protracted session.
Senator Hill, of Georgia, was hopeful
that peaceable and satisfactory solution
of the whole question will be reached be-
fore any serious crisis in the affairs of the
government arrives. While he regretted
exceedingly that the president was en-
ploying the great influence OF bis ONCE to
increase sectional animosities, he was con
fident that the democratic party has sense
and patriotism enough to protect the IN
terests of the government and OF the peo-
pie in the impending crisis. He thought
there was no apprehension OF revolution
and disorder in the administration Of the
government. There is way out of it,and
he thought the way would be found in am
pie time to avert an extreme issue.
Senator Cox; of Texas, says he went in
to this controversy rather reluctantly and
in Difference to the views of the older
democratic members from the East and
West, but he never will be willing to back
down,
Mr.. James Phelps, of the Second Con-
necticut district, had not thought the
President would veto the bill, as there was
nothing in it to veto. In his opinion the
right TO command the presence of armed
troops at the polls was abhorrent to the
instincts of free people. 1t was indeed
utterly subYersiYe of the principles OF q
tree government and destructive Of free
dom itself A free election was mpossiblf
when even the shadow of military power
fell upon the ballot box. The law demand
ing the existence of the statute had beer
demanded only as d war measure, and al
excuse for it had passed away. He though
there was no necessity for executive dis
approval of Legislation on the subject, anC
to him it seemed impossible for the Presi
dent, without an inconsistency which wa
unknown to the principles of sound states
manship, to disapprove or return the bill
on the ground that it contained extraneou
legislation. When the President was
member of the House he voted for amend
ments to appropriation bills Incorporating
independent legislation. He also votet
for the articles of impeachment ofAndrev
johnson, because Mr.. johnson had bee
charged, among other official Irregular
ties, with having improperly exercised th
veto power.
Mr.. John Goode, of the Second Vii
ginia district, thought the democrat
would stand firm, as it is a measure agree
upon by them, and they should maintai
their position.
Mr.. Thomas r. Cobb. of the Second In
diana district, said the democrats ough
to stand firm; they should not yield a
inch. The bills should be again tendere
the President and ample time given hiI
to reflect In Mr.. Cobb's opinion there
nothing In the message showing states
nd Is ho .
refuse to sign the bill he should suffer tn
consequences. Mr.. Hayes had no NOR
right to coerce Congress than Congress
had to coerce him. Mr.. Cobb will stan
firm, and thinks the other democrats wi
do likewise. The Northern democrats, b
thought, would be unit
Mr.. John Q Kenna, of the Third We;
Virginia district said the message itself
very weak document and seems to b
based on the idea that the repeal of til
law is unnecessary, as it has not for som
time been resorted to. He felt sure thu
there will be no backdown by the demo
Gratis.
Mr.. Thomas H. Gunter, of the Fourt
Arkansas district, favored going on repea
ing the riders, aud if the President COZ
tinued vetoing the bill the democrats wouI
stay here till December before they woul
appropriate one dollar.
Mr.. Samuel l.. Sawyer, of the Eight
Missouri district said he intended to stan
squarely by his party.
John q. Carlisle, of the Sixth di
trlct Of Kentucky said he he'd hoped thu
the President would base the veto G
grounds that would not have rendered
sacrifice of principle on the part of Congrel
necessary. But as it is it leaves no alte
native but to stand up TO it and make
square fight, or to surrender, which last b
could not do. The President lett no plac
to escape. 1t is unfortunate for the couI
try, which has already had enough of ez
element, 1t is not a strong message an
more than one third Of it is taken up
le,turlng the House for practices that tn
President committed himself TO when h
was in Congress. 1t is the first veto mes
sage where general appropriation bl
has been vetoed, and the first veto eve
sent to Congress because the bill repeale
law.
Mr.. B. B. Lewis, of the Sixth Alabam
district, said the President made q grea
mistake both as q President and reput
lican, and had taken upon himself the RI
spOusbility of denying the appropriation
IN the bill. In his opinion the sixth sec
ton, which is 80 Objectionable to the Pres
dent, is entirely germane and within ,h
province OF Congress to regulate matter
ol that kind. The democrats, he sale
should be very prudent. They should b