The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-05-06
ANOTHt II VETO.
The Deficiency Bill Vetoed by Hayes Because 4
Assures the Freedom Of Elections.


Assures the Freedom Of Elections.
Washington, May 4,-The President" sent to
the House to day the following message vetong
the Deficiency Appropriation bill:
To the House Of Representatives
After mature consideration Of the bill entitled
ian act making appropriations to supply certain
deficiencies in the appropriations for service Of
the government for the fiscal year ending June
3Oth, 1880, and for other purposes" return 1t to
the House of Representatives In which 1t orgi
nated with my objections to its passage The
bill appropriates about SS 100000, of which over
5000 900 is for the payment Of fees Of United States
marshals and of general and special deputy mar
shsls earned during the current fiscal year and
their incidental expenses. The appropriations
made in the bill are needed to carry on the oper
atiOns Of the government and to fulfill Its obliga
tions for the payment of money long since due
to Its officers for services and expenses essential
to the execution of their duties under the laws Of
the United States, The necessity for these appro.
priatiOns is so urgent and they have been al.
ready so long delayed that II the bill before me
contained no permanent or general legislation
unconnected with these appropriations 1t
would receive my prompt approval. 1t contains,
however, provisions which materially change
and by implication repeal important parts Of the
laws for the regulation of United States elections.
These laws have for several years past been the
subject Of vehement political controversy and
have been denounced as unnecessary, oppressive
and unconstitutional On the other hand 1t has
bnav
ness that the election laws are indispensable to
fair and lawful elections and are clearly Warran.
ted by the Constitution. Under these Circum,
stances to attempt in an appropriation bill modi.
hcation or repeal Of these laws is to annex con.
dition to the passage Of needed and proper ap.
prOpriahons, which tend to deprive the Execu.
tive Of that equal and independent exercise OF
discretion and judgme mt which the Constitution
cOntemplates. The objection to the bill there.
fore to which respectfully ask your attention is
that 1t gives marked and deliberate sanction, at.
tended by no circumstances Of pressing necessity
to questionable and, as l am clearly of the opin,
ion, the dangerous practice Of tackiDg upon ap
preparation bills general and permanent legisa
ton. This practice opens wide the door to hasty
attacks upon the independence and constitution.
| al powers of the Executive by providing an easy
and effective way Of Constraining Executive dis
cretion Although of late the practice has been
resorted to by all political parties when clothed
with power, it did not prevail until forty years
after the adoption of the Constitution and 1t Is
confidently believed that 1t is condemned by the
enlightened judgment Of the country. The Statet
which have adopted new constitutions during
the last quarter of a century haYe generally pro
vided remedies for this evil, Many Of them have
enacted that no law shall contain more than one
subject which shall be plainly expressed In It's
title. The constitutions Of more than half the
States contain substantially this provision OF
some other Of like intent and meaning Public
welfare will be promoted in many ways by re
turn to the early practice Of the government and
to the true rule of legislation which is that every
measure should stand upon Its own merits. I am
| firmly convinced that appropriation bills ought
not to contain any legislation not relevant to the
application or expenditure of money thereby ap,
proPriated and that by strict adhesion to this
principle an important and much needed reform
will be accomplished
Placing my objection to the bill on this feature
of its frame fOrbear any comment upon the i'm
portant general and permanentleg legislation which
1t contains as matter for specific and independ
ent consideration.
[signedl RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, May 4, 1880.