National Republican., 1888-05-30
THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
"a ROMAN EMPEROR or \ RUS
SIAN CAR:

esting Remarks on the Democratic
"Onc-Man Power" Bar TO Legisla-
tion--Gen. Sheridan Promoted In the
Senate.
The Senate yesterday opened, as usual
with prayer by the chaplain and the rcad-
ing of the journal of the previous day. Then
numerous bills from the House Of Repre-
sentatives were presented and referred.
Then message was read from the prcsi-
dent returning without his approval bill
arpropriatng so, 900 for public building
at Youngstown, Ohio.
Tic President states as the grounds for
lis disapproval that there is no government
purpose to be served by the proposed build-
ing except postolllce purposes; that he was
Informed that the postoillcc was at present
well accommodated IN quarters under
lease which would not expire until 1892:
that letter written to the postmaster ask
ing for information had failed to elicit
reply; that such thing was unusual and
extraordinary.
Mr.. sherman said that the people of
Youngstown and its vicinity and the people
of Ohio would be surprised at the chardc-
ter OF the message just read. The people
would like the President to be impartial.
Youngstown was one Of the most flourish
ing towns Of the United States, with proba-
bly, 3O,Ot0 inhabitants, and with postal
revenue Of some $4,000. The President
has allowed bill to pass for Portsmouth,
Ohio, town which did not contain half the
population Of Youngstown. The reasons
given In the Presidents message seemed to
bc paltry Cn0t polite phrase, lie admitted
If postmaster had failed to reply to the
letter sent TO him, why was he not turned
out as failing in proper respect.
lie understood that the President was in
favor Of the bill reported by the senator
from Missouri (Mr NCst) allowing postoflice
buildings in towns of 1000 or 5000 inhabi-.
tants, and for which he (Ir. Sherman) in
fenced to vote when 1t was put In proper
form. lie disapprovcd of the way in which
the veto power was asserted In small matters
not affecting constitutional power nor any
question OF discretionary power. Congress,
he sid, ought to rise above such level.
Both houses of Congress had passed this
Youngstown bill by unanimous vote, and
they should now assert their power. With
the utmost kindness to the Presidcnt--fOr
lie liked him in many rcspects--he asserted
that IL tile President We're thus allowed to
veto measures that We're passed unanimous
ly, and where the principle was clear, Con-
rress would be abnegating its power and
surrendering its authority. The presidential
veto would DC as the veto of the Roman EN-
peror or the Russian CARA perpetual bar
rather than mere motion to reconsider, as
provided for 10y the constitution.
Mr., Sherman's remarks were replied to
by Mr.. Vest and Mr.. Call, and, after con-
siderable debate, the message was referred
TO the committee on public buildings and
grounds.
Three othcrveto messages of pension bills
were presented aud referred to the commit
tee ON pensions.
Mr.. Mandcrson, from the committee on
military affairs, reported the bill to revive
the grade of general of the United states
army. He said that its purpose was to re-
vive, during the lifetime of the present lieu
tenant general of the army, the grade of
general Of the army. Both those grades
were to cease with the life of Lieut.. Gen.
Sheridan. lie would not take up time in
referring TO the occasion which made the
bill proper one for immediate consider
alton, and he, therefore, asked unanimous
consent 10 have bill now considered.
Mr.. Berry objected, and the bill was
placed on the calendar.
Mr. Sherman moved that the Senate do
now proceed to the consideration of the
fisheries treaty in open executive session.
The motion was agreed to, and the pre-
siding officer declared that the Senate was
now IN open executive session for the con-
sideration of the fisheries treaty; that the
treaty was open to amendment, aud that
the Senator from Maine (Mr. Frye was ell
titled to the floor.
Mr.. Morgan inquired whether the treaty
was open to amendment on the reading of
the articles separately.
The presiding officer. The articles have
been separately read In committee of the
whole, and the chair holds that it is now
open to amendment, article by article.
Mr. Morgan. ] desire to submit motion
to postpone the further consideration of the
treaty.
The presiding officer asked Mr. Frye
whether lie would yield to have that mo-
tiOn made.
Mr. Frye declined to do 50.
Mr. Morgan. Then ! give notice that at
the conclusion of the senator's remarks |
will make motion to postpone.
Mr. Frye then proceeded to address the
Senate. A synopsis Of his remarks will be
found elsewhere in this paper.
The bill to revive the grade of general in
the United States army was again taken up
on motion of Mr.. Mandcrson, who moved
it,. passage.
Mr. Berry said he had objected to its CON
sideration because he believed that the bill
should not pass lie did not believe this
proper time to legislate on the subject. He
thought that the judgment aud reason Of
Congress, not its sympathies, should be APP
pealcd in legislation. 1t appeared to him
that the only object Of the bill was to give
$1,000 more pay to the lieutenant general
than he was receiving. lie demanded the
yeas and nays on its passage.
NJ hn git
silent after the suggestion Of the senator
from Arkansas that the sole purpose of the
bill was to give increased pay to the lieu
tenant general OF the army. IL that was its
purpose he would not have pressed it, nor
would the committee on military affairs
have authorized him to report it, nor would
the Senate pass it. lie did not need to refer
TO the distinguished career of Lieut.. Gen.
Sheridan. II was too well known to the
American people and to the world to need
reference to 1t now. Gen. Sheridan was the
last of the great central figures of the war
of the rebellion. This distinguished honor
conferred by the Continental Congress ON
Gen. Washington and by the Congress
of the United States on Gems Grant and
Sherman) should very properly be con
iened by an appreciative people in recogni-
Sheridan and of his distinguished career
since the war closed. The bill was not
urged at the time on the ground of sympa-
tiny, but on the ground Of Gen. Sberidan's
high deserts and Of proper appreciation
OF his services to the American people.
The bill was passed-yeas "a, nays 1.-THE
negative votes being given by Senators
Berry, Coke, Harris Reagan, Salisbury,
Vance, and Wilson of Maryland.
1t reads as follows
BE Il cadct6d, DE. SEC. /. That the grade of
lieutenant general of the army Is hereby dis