New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-02
THE VETO TYRANNY.
tor OF The Tribune

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Many hearty thanks to Mr. Benn for his
clear and comprehensive article on this subject In
to-days issue, and the same TO yourself for its
publication. Your readers great debtors fer
your recent able exposure of the legal bitterness
and low impudence Of our Governor In his recent
veto messages. The absolute right of the people TO
govern themselves lie the cornerstone on which all
legislation rests. Hence provision is made In
our Federal and State constitutions for the three
separate DEPARTMENTS known as the legislative. the
executive, and the judicial. with the understanding
that each OF these shall be Independent Of the other
In law-rnaking The founders OF the Republic found
themselves entirely without experience In popular
legislation; they. therefore. feared that our legsla
ton might become rash and objectionable II It
restrained certain points The best
restraint that they knew anything about a
qualified veto the part OF the executive. The
English idea OF perfect law called for the ascent
of the Commons the Lords and the King; but II
the King willed he could say: Il deny my APP
prevail" and there legislation checked. The
Stuarts and the Tudors had commonly used the
veto. although the last time that IT used in
British legislation was by William H. In 1892.
Probably its to-day by Victoria would lead to
revolution and her dethronement. Jealous
the people of the rights OF Englishmen
When. moreover. our fathers adopted this expedi-
ent. It with the expression OF the fears
that 1t might be abused by vain tyranncal ex-
ecutives. Lest they should touch upon the sacred
rights of the people. neither jefferson nor Adams
ever used the veto power at all in their twelve
years of Presidential service. Washington. Madi-
son and Monroe used II but times In their
Joint administration of twenty-four years The
eXigences of party politics became pressing.
however. under Jackson. that he began to use
the veto very freely Since that time. unhappny.
all our Presidents have followed his example with
lamentable degree OF ease TIL now, the veto IL
used about commonly woodman swings
his axe. Think Of Grover Cleveland during one
term OF office. vetoing than 400 separate acts
OF Congress Think Of this small Governor of
New-York vetoing 1876 acts of State Legislature
within the last three months hectoring the law
publicly boasting OF his achievement wonder
full feat of craftsmanship! The people elected a
Legislature TO make laws for the State and him
self simply Executive. and yet he is allowed
TO put &j of its enactments under his heel. But the
humiliating fact. which should make 100000 Of
freemen blush, is found in the disgrace that this
oppression is sanctioned under Constitutional pro-
they must be while he p-actises upon them
this high handed one man dictation
NeW-Jersey understands better than New y Ork
how 10 shake OFF this monarchical abuse II It's
Governor dsapproves OF bill, he can return II to
the legislature with his objections but II a ma
torty OF the two making houses re-enacts the bill
on a second vote II takes its place as law. the
opposition Of the Governor TO the contrary notwith-
standing. Either let all our laws be passed on a
two-third vote. require that vote for none VIII
Constitutional Convention. now In session. lay
aside all secondary amendments until II has Sc
cured 10 the State the primary and fundamental
right popular government. at least on an equal
ity with sister of New-Jersey and thus save
us from further humiliation from this veto tyranny
under the dictation of a defiant Governor. who has
10 hand in law-nakinR I. \.
Nau 1891