The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-05-05
WASHINGTON.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS, ETC,
Bui and the Army Appropriation
Bin How the Veto Was Re.
ceived Ia the House Mis-
celIaneous Matters.

Washington, April 1.-The President to
day signed the army appropriation bin anC
returned the deficiency bill to the Hous,
with the following veto message
TO the House of Representatives;
After mature consideration of the bin en-.
titled an act making appropriations To sup.
ply certain deficiencies in appropriation for
the service of the Government for the fiscal
year ending june so, 1880, and for other pur.
poses, return il TO the House of Represen-
uves, in which ii originated. with my objeo.
lions To It's passage The bill appropriated
about 5000, 900, Of which over 100000 is
for the payment Of fees Of United States
Marshals and Of general and special deputy
Marshals during the current fiscal year and
their Incidental expenses. The appropria-
ti,ns made in the bill are needed to carry on
the operations OF the Government and
to Mlhll It's obligations from the
payment of money long since due to its otl-
GERS for services and expenses essential 10 the
execution of their duties under the laws of
the United States. The necessity for these
appropriations is SO urgent and they have,
also BEEN so long delayed, that il the bill
before me contained 40 permanent or gen.
eral legislation uncOnnectei with these APP
preparations, il would receive my prompt
approval. Ii contains, however, provisions
which materially change, and, by implca-
ton, 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 rs unneC-
essary, Oppressive and unconstitu-
tional. On the other hand il has been
maintained with equal zeal and earpestness
that the election laws are indispensable
to fair and lawful election and are clearly
warranted by the constitution. Under these
circumstances, to attempt to pass an appro-
priation bill modifying or TO repeal those
laws, Is 10 all these conditions 90 the passage
of needed and proper appropriations, which
tends to deprive the executive Of that equal
and independent exercise of discretion and
judgment which the constitution contem-
plates. The objection to the bill, therefore,
to which ! respectfully ask your attention, is
that it gives marked and deliberate sanction,
attended by no circumstances of pressing
necessity, to the questionable and, as | am
clearly of opinion, dangerous practice of
lacking upon appropriation bills general
and permanent legislation. This practice
opens wide the door to hss,y, in
considerable and sinister legislation.
1t invited attacks upon the independence
and constitutional powers Of the executive
by providing an easy and effective way of
constraining the executive discretion /;
although of hats this practice has been repor-
ted by all political parties when clothed with
power. 1t did not prcya until forty years
after the adoption ofthe constitution, and it
is confidently believed that il is condemned
ny the enlightened Judgment Of the country,
States which have adopted new constitutions
during tho last quarter of century have
generally provided remedies for the ell.
Many of them have enacted that no law
shall contain more than one subject, which
shall be plainly expressed In its title. The
constitutions of more than half tho States
contains substantially this provision on some
other of like intent and meaning. The pub
lie welfare will be provided in many
WAYS by return to the
early practice Of government, and TO true
rule Of legislation, which is, that every meas
ure should stand on its own merits ! am
firmly convinced that appropriation bills
ought not to contain any legislation not rela-
tive to the application and expenditure Of
money therein app opriated. and that by
stric, adherence to this principle al important
and much needed reform will be accom-
plished. Placing my objection to the bill on
this feature of its frame iorbear any com
ment upon the important general and per.
manent legislation which il contains as n
matter for specific and Independent, considra-
ton. RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
Executive Mansion, May 4, 1880.