New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-30
THE VETO

THE VETO.
The veto message was completely and cor
rectly outlined in the Washington dispatch
of The TRIBUNE yesterday morning. An
outline however, necessarily does scant JUS
tice to this well reasoned and vigorous
paper, admirable alike in the strength ana
cleaness of its argument and the dignity
and moderation of It's tone. President hayes
is entirely decorous, but he places In the
most effective light one absurdlty OF the
Democratic pretensions, and we believe that
a candid perusal of his message will satisfy
any one not only that ne was fully Justified
in Withholding his signature from the Army
bill. but that he could not have signed 1T with
out gross violation of his duty. few
political dilettanti have maintained that
he ought to approve this particular bill, al
though the Legislative bill, which is yet to
come. might be more OBJ tionable. Inc
President demonstrates, however, that the
measure now returned to the House would be
miscbievouS in its immediate effects upon the
administration of the Government, and highly
dangerous as the beginning of radical ana
unconstitutional change in the character OF
our institutions He does not call it "revOlu-
lg
are so plainly exposed that we are curious
now to see what can be said in its defence.
The message has two principal divisions.
In the first the President shows why the
sixth section of the Amy bill cannot COM
mand his approval. In the second he points
out the consequences which must follow II
the principle is once established that single
branch OF the Government may coerce the
other branches by refusing the necessary sup
plies unless it is allowed to have It's will. The
reasoning on the first point is cOgent. Mr..
HAYES shows that the statutes already etfec-
tually prevent all military interference with
elections, and hence the sixth section OF the
Army bill is entirely unnecessary as safe
guard against the improper use of the
"bayonet at the polls" Yet certain duties
are imposed upon the Executive, not only. IN
keeping the peace at the polls, buC in the
enforcement of the election laws generally
and this rider to an Appropriation BIZ under
takes TO deprive him of all means of per-
forming his duty. The laws remain the
courts have declared their cOnstitutiOnality
and now Congress attempts to prevent the
President from executing them according to
his oath of Office. The mere statement Of the
absurdity. But the Democratic party
which has no object in this indirect and
cowardly attack, except the faclitatiOn of
deeds of violence and gigantic frauds, will
not venture openly to avOw its hostility to
the safeguards of far and free ballot 1t
leaves the laws upon the statute books because
it dare not take them off even il it could, and
II tries to tie the Presidents hands so that
the laws may be violated with impunity. For
the honor of the United States we may rejoice
that we have an Executive bold and positive
enough to put stop to such disgraceful
scheme.
With regard to the principle involved in the
incorporation of an Objectionable clause with
an Appropriation bill the Presidents language
is no less clear and convincing than in dis
cussing the dement's of the clarse itself. He
points out, with entire courtesy, the inevitable
tendency of the course which Congress pro-
noses, and reminds the House that it is main
tanning a principle directly at variance with
the plain provisions of the Constitution. 1t
was not the intention of the trainers of the
Government that any single branch should
have the power to impose its will upon the
others; there is no warrant even for the claim
that single branch should have the power
TO dictate the conditions upon which the
taxes may be applied TO the purposes for
which they were collected. "The new
doctrine, if maintained, will result in q con-
"solidation of unchecked and despotic power
in the House of Representatives.. A bare
"maiority of the House will become the Gov
"ernment. The Executive will no longer be
"what the trainers of the Constitution intended
an equal and independent branch OF tie
Government. 1t is clearly the constitutional
"duty of the President tOeIercise his discretion
"and Judgment upon all bills presented to him
"without cunstraint or duress from any other
"branch OF the Government. To say that ma
"iolity of either or both houses of Congress
"may insist on the approval of a bill under
1.-THE penalty of stopping all of the operations
"of the Government for want of the necessary
supplies, is to deny to the Executive that
"share of the legislative power which is plainly
conferred by the second section of the With
Article of the Constitution"
The Presidents message Is unaDsweTable.
1t leaves the Democratic party no road of
escape from surrender, aud it completes the
consolidation of the united and confident Re-
publican party in the support of their Official
leader In the defence of the position so ably
defined in this important paper, tho Republic
cans of all shades of opinion will stand by
their President to the very end.
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GOING TO JUMP on BLAINE"