The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-07-06
SENATOR DAVIS TALKS OF We
TOES.

iOne Of the strongest campaign docu-
n1ents which the Republicans VIII haye
for use In the coming campaign wiz be
the report Of the Senate committee on
pensions. OF which Senator Davis is
chairman. The report takes up the
cases of eight special pension bills which
were vetoed by the President and dis
cusses their merits In detail, closing by
recommending their passage, the Presi-
dents objections TO the contrary not
withstanding. The most important and
interesting part of the report IL Q discus
sion Of the veto power and the damages,
which In the opinion Of the committee,
it's too frequent exersise bring. Senator
Davis's temperate but sharp and incisiye
language 10 recognized in this part OF
the discussion and he sets down the
legal points In Q manner which shows
plainly that Cleveland has not only
usurped the powers Of Congress In the
matter, but has the mistaken idea that
his Judgment In these cases Is superior
TO any other. The following extract
will show the tenor Of the report, which
is one Of the most severe arrangements OF
the false pretentions and arrogance OF
the present administration that has
been made. IL should be put into the
hands of every soldier. 1t says:
Since NAV 8, 1885, 1ss special acts granting
pensions 10 individuals have been disapproyed
BY the president. These dieapprovals were
based, Ia great majority Of the cases, upon
congress has erred 10 its Judgment upon mere
questions of fact II IL, Of course. impossible
for the president TO examine the mass OF
dend G sicS Il inysriabiV exsmined by
the committee, and It follows that when be
disagrees with congress upon the questions Of
fact IN these cases bis judgment must DC
I'm which the facts are always stated with suf-
flcicnt fullness, but upon the report OF some
subordinate In the bureau Of pensions This
Is thus enabled to review the action Of con-
Rress by the express direction OF the pfesi-
dent. This method OF consideration Is an
Arrangement by the executive OF the exercise
OF the right Of congress TO waive that strict
proof which 70 required In ordinary cases In
the department. Usurpafions move rapidly
In republics from smsai op,ecm % tnose o. me
the executive to disapprove any legislative
measure cannot be denied. But the duty uu-
deniably also exists that II shall not be used In
such q manner, or upon any occasion or pre-
text, as to make its exercise operate a. an en-
croachment upon the powers OF other depart
ments Of the government. The right 10 90 use
change the ordinary method Of legislative ac-
ton by q majority vote, upon proper subjects
of legislation, merely because the executive
proof or. the expediercy Of relief, does not, I'm
the opinion of your committee, exist. Such a
Of the executive power, max
ing it limitiess, Is fraught with dangers TO the
Of congress and 10 its constitu-
tionai powers, and 1t clearly Implies that a
factious or usurping president who proposes
to subordinate 10 his will that department to
which the constitution has confided the prin-
cipal powers Of government, can rightfully do
this and prevent the will of the people from
taking statutory form, except by two-thirds
vote Of each house Of congress