Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-16

such amendments as he proposed; ana
whether or not II was not better TO take
what they could probably get as a rider
TO an appropriation bill, rather than to
risk getting nothing.
To this Mr.. Pickler replied that he
did not know what the President would
do. but he did know that the House should
do its duty. regardless of the attitude
or action of the President. (Applause.)
Apropos to this colioquy the venerable
ex-Speaker Grow Republican). OF Penn
sylvania. addressed the House nrieny
upon the necessity Of resenting the en-
croachment upon its prerogatives ny tne
Executive. He said:
CLEVELAND. THE KING" \
'Under the congratulated parlia-
mentary law. 1t has always been Regarded
as an invasion OF the prerogatives OF
Parliament for any one to refer IN It's
discussions to the opinion OF tho King
on any question pending before It.
A Member: Is Mr. Cleveland tine
KingT
Mr.. Grow: In reference to matters OF
this kind, he occupies the same relation
to the houses OF Congress that the sover-
eien in Great Britain does to Parliament.
The President exercises the veto power;
and II we do not have on any given mea-
sure the two-thirds vote necessary 10
pass them, he is so far the King.
I'm the last Congress we had before us
on one occasion bill headed: The BIZ
of the Secretary Of the Treasury
what has that officer TO do win
placing a bill in this House? We have
here attempts by the secretaries OF the
departments to influence legislation. who
have sent Ia here letters to be read with
reference to pending measures, and in one
case a letter was read here from the
President OF the United States having re-
ference to measure then pending
in the House, and just about to be voted
upon. trust such practices will be dis
continued.
This House owes 1t to itself to
make the President understand that he
has nothing to do with the action OF
this legislative bouy till a bill formally
passed is presented to him for his APP
prevail. (Applause) Only in that con-
t.ngency has he the right to express his
approval or disapproval.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
'sNor has any one of the heads Of the
departments, except the Secretary OF
the Treasury, the right to communi-
cate his views uncoveted to this House.
That officer may report to this House
on important measures affecting the reve-
nues; but when he sends here a bill
headed, The Bill OF the Secretary OF the
Treasury the House owes II to itself
to return that bill TO him, and to say
that he cannot invade in that way the
prerogatives OF this body, any more
than can the President OF the United
States, by having a letter read here just
on the eve Of vote upon an important
measure.
Il am well aware that the majority
In this House to-day will take no notice
of any such interference. 1t is not in
that view that l am raising this ques-
ton. l simply urge that the Legislative
Department of the government owes it
to itself to resent any attempt on the
part of the Executive or his clerks to
influence the vote of this House on pend
ing legislation" (Applause.)
Mr.. Stone gave notice that tomorrow
he would ask the House to proceed
with the consideration OF the bill under
the fve-minute rule, with the expecta-
ton Of reaching a vote before adjourn
ment.
The committee then arose. and, at 405
o'clock, the House adjou--0d.