The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-30

eminent, the question was presented
whether the attempt made in the last Con-
aress to engraft by construction new
principle upon the Constitution should be
persisted in or not. This Congress has am
pie opportunity and time to pass the appro
priation bills, and also to enact any politi-
cal measures which may be determined
upon In separate bills By the usual and
orderly methods OF proceeding. But the
majority OF both house bave deemed il
wise to adhere TO the principle asserted
and maintained in the last Congress by
the majority Of the House OF Representa-
tives. That principle is, that the House Of
Representatives has the sole right to origi-
nate bills for raising revenue, and there
fore has the right to withhold appropria-
tons upon which the existence OF the Gov
eminent may depend unless the Senate and
the President shall give their assent to any
legislation which the House may see fit to
attach TO appropriation bills. To establish
this principle is to make radical, danger
Gus, and unconstitutional change In the
character Of our institutions. The various
departments Of the Government, and the
army and navy, are established by The Con-
stitution, or by laws passed in pursuance
thereof. Their duties are clearly defined,
and their support is clearly provided for by
law. The money required for this purpose
has been collected from the people and is
now in the Treasury,
READY TO BE PAID OUT AS SOON AS THE AP
| PRECIPITATION BILLS ARE PASSED.
Whether appropriations are made or not
the collection of taxes will 60 on. The
public money will accumulate in the Trea-
sury. 1t was not the intention Of the
| trainers OF the Constitution that any single
| branch Of the Government should have the
| power to dictate conditions upon which
this treasure should be applied TO the pur-
poses for which it was collected. ANY such
intention, il it had been entertained, would
! have been plainly expressed in the Consti-
| tuition.
That majority OF the Senate now con-
ours in the claim OF the House adds to the
gravity OF the situation, but does not alter
the question at issue. The new doctrine, il
maintained, will result in consolidation OF
unchecked and deSpo.ic power in the House
OF Representatives. 4 bare majority OF the
uousc will become the Government. Tie
Executive will no longer he what the
trainers OF the Constitution intended, an
equal and independent branch OF the Gov
eminent. 1t is clearly the constitutional
duty OF the President to exercise his dis
creton and judgment upon all bills pre-
sented to him without constraiut or dllrcss
from any other branch OF the Government.
10 say that majority Of either or both OF
the houses of Congress may insist on the
approval OF bill under the penalty OF stop
ping all the operations of the Government
ior want or the necessary supplies, is to
deny to the Executive that share Of the
legislative power which is plainly conferred
by the I'd section OF the eth article OF the
Constitution. 1t strikes from the Constitu-
ton
TIE QUALIFIED NEGATIVE OF TIE PRESIDENT.
1t is said that this should be done because
it is the peculiar function OF the House OF
Representatives to represent the will of the
people. But no single branch or DEPART
ment OF the Government has exclusive all-
thority to speak for the American people.
| The most authentic and solemn expression
Of their will is contained in the Constit,l-
ton OF the United States. By that Consti-
tuition they have ordained and established Il
government whose powers are distributed
among coordinate branches. which, as far rs
possible consistently with q harmonious CO.
operation, are absolutely independent of
each other. The people OF this country are
unwilling to see the supremacy OF the Con-
stitution replaced by the omnipotcncc OF
any department Of the Government.
The enactment OF this bill into law will
establish Il precedent which will tend to de-
Stroy the equal independence Of the several
branches OF the Government. It's principal
places, not merely the Senate and the EN-
cculivc, but The Judiciary also, under the
cocrcive dictalion OF the House. The House
alone will be the judge Of what constitutes
a grievance, and also OF the means and
measures OF redress. An act of Congress
10 protect elections is now the grievance
complained Of. But the House may on the
same principle determine that any other act
Of Congress, 4 treaty made by the Presi.
dent with the advice and consent OF the
Senate, nomination or appointment to Of
tce. or that decision or opinion of the SUI
preme Court is 4 grievance, and that the
measure OF redress is to withhold the ap-
preparations required for the support OF
the offending branch Of the Government.
Believing that this bill is
DANGEROUS VIOLATION OF THE SPIRIT AND
MEANING OF TIE CONSTITUTION,
l am compelled to return it to the House in
which it originated without my approval
The qualified negative with which the Con.
stituton invests the President is a trust
that involves duty which he cannot de.
cline to perform. With a firm and consci.
cntious purpose to do what l can TO pre-
serve unimpaired the constitutional powers
and equal independence, not merely OF
the Executive, but OF every branch Of the
Government, which will be impcriled by
the adoption OF the principle OF this bill, |
desire to earnestly urge upon the House
of Represent atiyes a return to the wise and
wholesome usage OF the earlier days OF the
Republic, which excluded from appropria-
ton bills all irrelevant legislation. By this
course you will inaugurate an important
reform in the methods OF congressional
legislation; your action will be in harmony
with the fundamental principles OF the Con
stituton and the patriotic sentiment OF ma.
tionality which is their firm support; and
you will restore to the country that feelin"
Of confidence and security and the rePose
which are so essential to the prosperity Of
all our fellow-c citizens.
RUTHERFORD 3. HAYES.
| THE BLESSING OF STRONG NERVES