Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-17
A PRECIPITATION BILL?
Nearly All in Shape for Presidential
Signature.
Adjournment Draws Near So Far M
Routine business IL Concerned
Time Of signing.

The sundry civil bill was today signed by
the Vice President, and, having been signed
by the Speaker last evering, it now goes to
the White House In the absence of the
President immediate action cannot, of
course, be taken upon 1t. and 1t will pro-
ably not become n law until some time next
week. This will make two appropriation
bills in the hands of the President-the river
and harbor and the sundry civil. The In
dian bill was signed on Wednesday. The
time on the river and harbor bill expires
tomorrow, having reached the President on
the Ith and one Sunday intervening There
are rumors that the President left veto
message to be sent to congress OIL this bill,
but this is not credited, because there is
now no opportunity for such a message to
be delivered to the House, where the bill
originated, before the ten days are gone.
Ihe House yesterday adjourned until Mon
day, and thus the belief is gaining ground
that the President has determined to let
this bill become a law without his signature.
me fact however. is generally overlooked
that the President Is not compelled to an
nounce his signature within the ten days of
constitutional limitation.
lie may sign a bill at the last moment of
the tenth day and announce his signature
on the eleventh day, aud, some authorities
hold. this would constitute a legal sigma
ture. But with Congress in session the re-
suit would be the same, I'm either view Of
the case. The Constitution reads thus on
this point: IF any bill shall not be return
ed by the President within ten days (Sun-
days excepteD after 1t shall have been pre-
sented to him, the same shall be Il law, in
like manrs,r as IL he had signed 1t, unless
the Congress, by their adjournment, pre-
vent It's return, In which case 1t shall not
be law"
In view of this language there would seem
10 De some doubt as to the exact rights of
the executive on the pending river and
harbor bill. The adjournment of the House
10 Monday does not constitute an adjourn
ment of the Congress- in the sense of the
Constitution
Should the President not return to the
city by Monday in time TO sign the sundry
civil bill on that day II IS possible that
there may be another difficulty over the
appropriation to pay those who are pro-
vided for in this measure annually. The
third extension resolution runs up to ana
including Monday, the 10th. This date was
set at the suggestion of the republicans
who opposed long extensions. and We're de-.
sirovs OF making final adjournment more
probable. This difficulty. however may be
avoided by the use of the mails and 1t is
probable that the bill win be sent to the
President at Gray Gables for his sigma
ture, in which case there would be plenty
OF time, as, again. the date of the sigma
ture, rather than the date of its announce
ment, go, erns.
The confer renee report on the general de-
hciency bill having been agreed to In both
houses. that measure will, in all probability
be ready for signatuye on Monday. Then
the Congress will have finished all of its
routine work. and the hour of final ad-
5ournment seems to be comparatively close
at hand.