The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-07-03
A MALICIOUS VETO.

Fitz John Porter relief bill. 1t is
not necessary to remark that his
action will prove surprise to the
country at large, first, because it
had been given out that ne would
approve the measure should Con-
gress pass it, and second, because
the public quite generally believes
that the relief proposed In the bill
was all too little considering the ma
ture and enormity of the wrong
done to a brave, loyal
and efficient officer. How Mr.
Arthur could have found it in
his heart to veto the bill is kome-
thing mysterious. The Senate, de.
spite its Republican majority,
finally recognized that great injas-
tice had been done Gen. Porter. and
after O thorough investigation OF
all the facts 80 far as they could Do
ascertsined at this ..late day, and
after an earnest, animated die cu.sion,
covering several sessions and during
which all that could be arrsyed
against the old soldier was again
brought out and reaeserted with a
degree Of vindictiveness that ought
never to be manifest in delibera,
tive body of the dignity and char.
acter of the United States Senate,
the bill was passed, Republicans as
well &c Democrats voting for it. In
the Houee 1t was sgain discussed
when members in whom party
hate is stronger thanithe spirit oi
justice voided their spleen sgainst
the abused soldier to their hearts
content. But here again the bill
received the endorsement of the
majority, whence 1t was sent to the
President for the approval neces>
sary to make it operative. and
that approval he withholds. Per-
haps no official act in President
Arthur's career smack stI1 niger of
righteousness than This refusal
to permit slight reparatioA to a
man who stands 10 the position Ct
one who has been cruelty and wi
fully slandered, maligned snd pun
ished by the nation which he loved
served and fought to uphold. The
President may be able to find excuse
and justification for his veto, but in
view of the fact that the bill was
passed after one of the longest
and bitterest fights ever known
in Congress, and in view of the
other fact that the country heartily
endorsed the action of the ational
Legislature, Mr.. Arthur will have to
present something Of Importance
that has been overlooked before he
can make the people believe he was
not actuated by petty hate and IN
worthy apite.
1t is not likely the bill can be
passed over the Presidents veto, as
it could not receive the necessary
two.thiTds vote in the upper branch
ofCongress. However, the President
will not fatter himself that bis veto
can perpetuate the infamy done to
General Porter, for in the minds of
the people the stain put upon the
name and fame of the soldier have
been erased, and no action Of 8 par@
tisan President can revive it. And
furthermore, in all probability the
next Congress and the next Presi.
dent will be sbls, not only to
wipe out the ugly record that the
Republicans have so long held up
against General Porter, but will a SO
be able to make reparation in more
than a sentimental sense for the
wrong done the latter.
Since the above was written ne WE
has been received of the Passage OF
the bill by the House over the veto
This is as far as it can go, as the
Senate is too partisan to rebuke-tht
unwise and unjust action cf Mr.
Arthur.