Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-25
THE NATIONS CAPITOL
DeSpotiC Rule Of the Chief EX-
eCutiVe.
Grover CleVeland'S Abuse Of the
Veto Power.
Senator Stewart Advances Plausible and
Important Reasons for His Con-
Stitutional Amendment.
Congressman Dinsley Lays Before the
House Some Facts Concerning Uncle
Sans Nail Service on Sea
and Land.
The Post office Appropriation Bill, the
International Marine Confer
ence Bill and Others
Passed
WASHINGTON, May "a.
Senate.

Mr.. Allison, from the committee on appro
priations, reported back the deficiency bill
for expenses of collecting the revenue, AM
the Indian appropriation bill.
Mr.. Stewart called up the joint resolution
offered by him on the l4.h, for constitu
tional amendment reducing to simple ma
jority vote necessary to override Presi
dental veto and addressed the Senate on tn
subject.
Mr.. Stewart said: No man ever lived VIII,
could safely be entrusted with the lbertie
of the people. No people ever surrendere,
their liberties to one man without losing
them eventually. The veto power is
most striking illustration of the irresistbl,
desire in the human nature to appropriate al
the liberties of the people. 1t is the essen
tial element of despotlsm, Incorporated int,
the constitution on the false assumption tina
every President would exercise it, if at all
with extreme caution. The whole number
of Presidential vetoes, up to the incoming
Presidential administration, was only 1873
In little over three years Cleveland has We
toed l72 bills and pocketed so.
Washington, during the eight years of his
administration, vetoed two. Lincoln during
four years, only one. The people do no
realize the growing power of the Executive
The President has 100 900 offices at his dis
posal, while member of Congress is moi
even allowed to give evidence of the qualit
cation of an applicant for office. The vast
revenue of the government is practically
used by the administration as private fund
to augment the power of the Executive
The legislation of Congress, no matter
how secured or by whom devised, is permit
ted by this administration. The loan OF
accumulated funds in the treasury to sucl
national banks as might be in favor with the
administration, without interest or reward tC
the government would be an interesting ex
hibit for the consideration of the people
The various rulings and determinations OF
the treasury department, whereby speca
privileges are granted merchant princes II
the great city of New York and elsewhere al
the expense of the people, furnish al
Illustration of the almost unlimited discre
tionary power exercised by the Executive, tt
the benefit of his friends and the destruction
of his enemies. Mr.. Stewart referred to the
litigation of the land claims in California
the raid of the Attorney General on the Bel
Telephone Company and the treaty making
power. Mr.. Stewart quoted several edtora
articles from the Washington Post the
most devoted friend of the President
magistrate and the real reasons for his vetoes
and his other executive acts. One article
drew a parallel between Napoleon |. taking
the imperial crown in the cathedral of NOtre
Dame, crowning himself, and 'Groyel
Cleve land the |, also man of destiny re-
nominating himself in St. Louis on the fifth
of June next. No one denied Cleveland'
absolute ownership of the democratic party.
Before reaching Washington he sent word to
the democratic members of the House to dis
count our precious metals, and in all things
to do the bidding or Wall street. The re
fusal of patriotic democrats to abandon theil
golden bond holding ring challenged the ad
mlration of the country. The House had
seemed to be an impregnable fortress agains
any assault from Wall street, but it had fall
en- at the wave of the hand of Grover Cleve.
land l. At present the growing power OF
this imam of destiny had but to continue
unresisted another term of four years, to Sc
intrench Grover Cleveland l il
the White House that nothing bu
resolution could remove him
Never before, in the hands of one man
had such vast powers and resources been in
trusted by a contidng people 1t remained
to be seen whether he would be able to full
fill the expectations of his post by initiating
Napoleon and crowding himself. The mos
alarming feature connected with the exercise
of the veto power was that it no longer at
tracted attention. The people were fast be-
ing educated to regard the Executive as the
source of power. 1t was absurd to suppose
that one man in the White House, charged
with mul,ifarious duties, could more deliber.
ately examine legislation than a ma jority OF
Congress, aided by its committees, with nc
other business but to perfect and pass laws
1t was equally absurd to suppose that one
man in the White House absorbed aud mon
opolized all the honor and integrity of the
nation. The first step in the way of reform
in legislation and administration, was to re
store to Congress the legislative power, ts
the end that the peoples Representatives
might defend the rights of their constituents
regardless of the frowns or smiles of an am
bilious Executive. He had great respect fo
Grover Cleveland's sagacity and ability, ant
above all his matchless will power. The
trouble was, he was too strong for th'
weak restraints imposed upon him by thu
constitution and laws. If not restrained h,
would ultimately lead to monarchy. The
| people admired courage. independence, au
dacity and will. These qualities were pos
sessed in high degree by Cleveland. Th'
| selection by Cleveland of the money King
and bondholding aristocracy of Europe an'
America as his allies, proved his sagacit,
and sh owed his appreciation of the necessit
of the use of money in accomplishing Napo
leouic schemes. If such assertions didn
arouse the people to action before 1t was to
late, it would be because the boldness an
daring of this s.man of destiny dazzled an
blinded them.
The presiding officer announced the az
| pointment of a select committee to examin
into the questions touching the meat produt
of the United States, as follows: Senator
Vest, Plum, Manderson. Cullom and Coke.
The conference report on the pension al
preparation bill was presented and agreed Il
The Senate then proceeded to execuiiv
business ard later adjourned.
House.
After routine business the House went II
to committee of the whole on the postofhc
appropriation bill.
On motion of Mr.. Blount of Georgia, tn
appropriation for mail messenger service wa
increased from $500, 900 to $3.50, 200.
i The house passed the postoffice approprii
ton bill.
Before the bill was passed, however, thei
was n long deba on the inefficiency of ii
mail service in the west and south. desu
tory discussion on subsidies and free shil
was bi ought about by Mr.. Dingley of MaiE'
with criticism of compensation allowed