The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-03
POWER OF VETO
Lively Discussion on Ques-
tiOn in Senate.
Presidents Action on River
and HarbOr Bill
Generally Condemned --FrequentUse
Of Veto Criticised.

WASHINGTON, June "a contest for
Senate met today.
Mr.. Vest (Dem., Mo- who In the abb
sence of Mr.. Frye is in charge OF the river
and harbor bill, sought to have Presidents
veto of that message taken up. This
was opposed by..Mr. Pettigrew (Rep., s.
D. in charge OF the Indian appropriation
bill conference report. Mr.. Vest urged
that the suspension and possible destruc.
tion OF the work OF improv cment OF in
ternal waterways was OF more moment
than any other one subject save that OF
national honor. Ii was imperative that
the question bs settled now, so that II
the veto was sustained IT could be de-
termined whether another river and har-
bor bill was to be framed. The bill and
veto were taken up; yeas, Ssi nays, 10.
Bate, Chiffon, Harris, Palmer, Viss' s;
Republican,, brown, Morrill,, pcttigrew,
Pritchard, Teller, 8. Total, 10.
1be veto message was then read. Mr..
Vest said the veto contained statements
which, however much ne might respect
the high Office of the President, ought
not to go unchallen ged. The Senator
did not question the Presidents veto
prerogati,e, but the trainers OF the con-
stitntion had never. INTENDED that this
power should be exercised In the
ordinary affairs OF the government. IL
was to be power 10 meet extraord mary
emergencies, when popular passion had
led to hssty legislation or when a con-
early PRESIDENTS, who stood nearest to
the constitution, exercised the veto
power but Sven times--twice by Wash
ington, tive times by Madison and never
by Jefferson or John Adams.
Mr.. Sherman said he would vote to pass
the bill over the veto, because the i'm
provement OF the waterways of the
branches of national development and one
In which other great nations were show
Ing even greater advance than the United
States.
at is time to curb the dsily exercise
OF the veto power" declared Mr.. Sher-
man. "lt is a most extreme power and a
dangerous one unless exercise -only in
stitutionnl questions. But this wise re-
stiction is set aside and we have veto
every week or So every day or so.'
The discussion OF the veto power was
continued by other senator's at consider
able length.
In The House.
The House met at IL O'Clock today.
only about 100 members were on the
floor. MIR. KEN Pop, Neb. }, made the
passed up before enough mem bers ap-
peared to enable the speaker to count a
quorum. Mr.. Curtis (Kep., Ia.) arose to
personal explanation Immediately after
the reading of the journal, and stated
that he was assured by n member of the
river and harbor committee that the vote
would not be taken on the motion TO
override the presidential veto Yesterday
until O'Clock. Relying upon that assur
snce he was not present when the vote
was taken. Had he been here he would
have voted ave.
81 am glad the gentleman has mad an
opportunity TO say that much" said Mr..
Dockery (Dem., Mo. }, who was cut off
yesterday. len thousaEd copies OF the
Presidents veto message and the report
of the river and harbor committee on the
message were ordered printed.