Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1886-07-09
Executive Approval of Laws.
There has heretofore existed a Gus

There has heretofore existed Il custom
at Washington for the President to be
personally in attendance at the Capitol on
the closing day OF the session and to re-
main in his room near the Senate cham
Der for the purpose of hastily signing the
numerous bills which are generally passed
through Congress at such rapid speed dur
ing the closing days of the session. In
this way it has been said thai, in past ad-
ministrations, the President has frequent
ly given his approval to laws in per
tunctory manner, without having the time
or opportunity to give them any examina-
ton at ALL In recent interview with a
Senator, President Cleveland, while not
signitying any purpose on his part to de
part from the custom of being present at
the Capitol on the closing day ef the ses
sion for the purpose mentioned, stated
nevertheless that he would certainly refuse
to give his approval to any laws until hi
had given them that careful consideration
which the constitution imposes upon the
President.
That the President is right in this con-
clusion there can be no doubt or dispute
but it will not necessarily follow that all
bills which are passed by Congress during
the last days of the session will tail to be
come laws for want of the executive ap.
proval. 1t was clearly not the intendment
of the constitution that the Legislative
branch of the government should remain
in session for several days after they have
ceased all work, for the purpose OF allow
ing the Executive branch to pass upon
their legislation; or that all legislation
of the last few days OF the session should
be imperative by reason of no opportun
ity being afforded the executive of exam.
lining and passing thereon.
For the purpose, therefore, of avoiding
that mischievouS result, while at the same
time discharging his duty with intelligent
care, it will be incumbent upon the Presi-
dent to adopt one of two alternatives. II
will become his duty either to tamiliarizt
himself in advance of their passage with
all bills that stand near the head Of the
calendars of the two Houses Of Congress
and will likely be passed, and keep pace
with such amendments as may be from
time to time engratted theron, and thus be
come enabled to promptly signify his ap
proval or disapproval of such measure.
upon their passage; or else he will have L
follow the construction which has hereto
fore been adopted by the Governors o.
this, and probably other States. upon d
similar constitutional provision, and take
time after tue adjournment OF Congress FOL
the consideration and approval of 'aw:
passed near the close of session.
Doubts have more than once been cts'
upon the c1nstiiutionality OF the courst
pursued by The Governors of Maryland
and the validity of laws approved 10y the
executive after the adjournment Of the
Legislative branch Of the government, hut
no Judicial determination Of the question
by the Cour's has ever been invoked. As
the uniform and uabrokcn line OF prccet-
cnt under the Federal government hss
been to recognize the necessity OF action
by the Executive while the Congress is
still sitting and tn exclude any eAccutive
gCrIuu aIcer rue au10uruntur u TIE c rs
lative body, it is not likely that Mr.
Cleveland will undertake 70 inau Lurate q
departure which might involve such
grave legal consequences Il IS probable,
therefore, that he viii adopt the other al
tentative and undertake to keep pace
with the proceedings of Congress and IA
miliarize himself in advance with laws
passed near the close of the session. though
it will obviously be a very laborious IN.
dertaking.