Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-14

of Congress, in insisting On attaching
important political legislation to the appro-
priation bills, in order to compel the Senate
to concur in measures which their best
Judgment ard sense of duty condemned, was
not only contrary to sound policy but to the
general course Of precedent.
The most distinguished statesmen have
always held that the appropriation bills
should be kept free from all general lessla-
ton, and the records OF Congress show that
Whenever appropriation bills containing
general legislation have sent to the Senate,
and the Objectionable matter stricken out,
the House has with hardly an exception
acknowledged the correctness of this prin-
ciple by acquicscing in the action OF the
Senate.
A notable instance of this kind occurred
during the last days of the Thrty-third
Congress. The House appended five sections
to the Civil aud Diplomatic appropriation
bill changing the Tariff laws and materially
reducing the Customs duties on silks, wool,
iron. and other commodities The tariff was
then leading question. Men in and out oil
Congress felt a. strongly upon 1t a. they now
do in regard to the Federal election laws.
and the report Of the debate which took
place in the Senate on 4 motion to strike
ont the tariff sections from the Civil and
Diplomatic Appropriation bill shows that
the majority Of the Senate in 1850 was as
determined in resisting the Entertainments
of the House as was the Senate. which, last
week, allowed two important appropriation
bills to fail rather than be clerced into APP
proving Objectionable measures. We find
in the New York Times the following ex-
tracts from debate, which kept the Sen
ate in session nearly all night. Upon that
occasion Senator Biyari, of Delaware,
father Of the present Senator Biyard, said
SENATOR JAMES \. EAYARD On COERCION.
am not willing, by my vote, to sanction
the adoption OF general system of legisla-
ton on the appropriation bills for any and
place on them The effect must necessarily
be to stop the discussion of matters Of gen.
eral legislation and then what becomes Of
our country as a free country, and what
becomes of our legislative bodies as bodies
in which thera Is so be full, fair, and free
discussion and investigation Of measures, the
effect Of which IS aftcrward to be Judged OF
by the people OF the country? Ii you can
coerce minority by placing them in this
position. tina. either they must abandon the
discussion of the principles of a measure
and adopt it, or they must stop the wheels
of government by voting down an appropria-
ton bill which is necessary for its support,to
what fearful consequences may it not lead?
Sir, whether it be political combination or
sectional combination Is not the question
it is combination of some kind 1t is COM
bination fer the purpose of coercivc legisla-
ton. ! care not from what source 1t
springs it is a violation of right; 1t is a
violation, not OF mere forms, but OF those
rules of order which lie at the foundation OF
deibe.ativc assemblies. By my vote no
such general legislation, in itself perfectly
right and proper in all respects, shall
be tackled to an appropriation bill.
Sir, il the issue comes-l say it de-
liberatcly, and others will agree in it-that
if my vote can defeat this appropriation
bill, rather than tack this general leg isla-
ton to it, am perfectly willing to take the
responsibility Of the rejection of the bill. |
know that the result must come hereafter,
beyond all question, if this precedent is set.
regard the proposition to incorporate
new tariff system into the Civil and Diplo-
matte Appropriation bill as one of a revolu-
tionary character. believe that if We shall
suffer the House Of Representatives to attach
a condition, and such a condition, to their
assent to an appropriation bill-to the prin-
cipal one of the appropriation bills we shall
establish a precedent which can never be
revoked and which will leave the Senate
AMI the whole Government under the coer
Give dictation Of majority of the other
branch OF the Legislature. II the
public service l. ended, then the govern
ment itself ceases. This, Sir, is the way, in
which they being about change of Ministry
in Great Britain. 1t is proposed to try the
same process in this country. speak, Sir,
only for myself but do not hesitate to de-
clare that will, if need be, stand here pro-
testing against this innovation until Sunday
morning, the 18th of March next, shall come
to relieve us of all further duties here.
PERNICIoUs AND DENORALIZING EXAMPLE.
Senator Bright, Of Indiana, said
The object of the bill is a good one 1t is
for a general reduction in our tariff system,
and Of that approve. But We ought to
bear in mind that in insisting upon it on this
bill, VIC shall be setting most pernicious
and demoralizng example for future legis-
lstors. 1t is important that VIC should keep
the great public measures of the session, the
appropriation bills, free from all these geo
graphical and general questions.
TO WHAT SUCH LEGISLATION LEADS.
Senator Hunter, Of Virginia. who had
charge Of the bill, and who favored the tariff |
sections, was fair enough to admit that the |
practice of introducing general legislation in
appropriation bills was pernicious, and de-
nounccd any attempt on the part OF Que
branch Of Congress 10 coerce the other. He |
said:
If a majority here are in favor Of meas
ure which is proposed 10y majority there.
and agreed to il, is that coercion? Not at
all, Sir; but if majority here were opposed
to it, and the House of Representatives were
then to insist upon it, it would be wrong
and il would be cOercive. Whenever that state
of things occur. admit it would be wrong
and coerciyc. This practice Of lacking is
mschievOus, because it leads in the same
body to improper legislation. Especially is
il mi<chieyOuS, as it affords a temptation to
one house to practice upon another on one
OF these appropriation bills.
SENATOR TorCEY' VIEWS.
Mr.. Toucey, OF Connecticut, said
For enc, am ready to put it to the people
of this country. Of every section of the cOun-
try, whether they will justify anybody, in
the House Of Representatives or the Senate,
in undertaking to force upon us a violation
Of the right OF Il portion CT the people of this
or stop the Wheel of government.
THE CONSEQUENCES To TIE COUNTRY.
Mr.. Clayton, of Delaware, said.
But, Sir, if the proposition were even Just,
it has been rightly described by my colleague
Mr. Bayard and other, in its present
form and place, as Il measure Of coercion,
REVOLUTIONARY HtdSuIc, that Will Dc utttuueu |
in the future with the most disastrous con-
sequences to the country.
VIEWS OF sTrTHEV \. DOUGLAS.
Senator Douglas, Of Illinois, said
Even if the bill were right in itsoif, if its
provisions were correct ] could not consent,
by my vote, to put 1t On this appropriation
bill, Tor the reason that such Il course is
-. /
to override all the rules, all the uSiges, all
the safeguards which time and experience
have thrown around your legislative pro-
,ceding, IN order to insert this provision in
your Civil and DIPLOMATIC Appropriation
bill.
W heneyer you establish this precedent, that
I'll, .ra !, a., asa, |