The Portland daily press., 1896-06-05
The Presidents Seal.

The Presidents Seal.
fully examined, and being found COR
reotly enrolled the chairman affixes 20
the bill certificate Of this fact. and it is
sept to the House where the bill is re-
ported as correctly enrolled. The Speaker
then signs his nam4 at the end of the
bill, which is next sent to the Senate for
the signature Of the Vice President, or
the President of the Senate pro tempore.
Bills during this Congress have usually
been signed by the Vice President; but
on several OCCASIONS, in his absence, SEN
ator Frye has signed the bills, as Presi-
dent pro tampore.
The River and Harbor bill having been
duly signed, was sent to the President
There were large mum Der of parchment
Sheets and it made quite u large pack
ge. The Presidents allowed by the Con-
stieution ten days (not counting Sun
days. in which to approve or refuse to
approve bill. If he does lot act upon
it in that time, and Congress continues
in session, the bill becomes u law with
out his approval The Wilson tariff bill
became law in this way. If Congress
adjourns before the ten days expire, such
bills as the Pesident does not approve
fail. This is called the "pooket veto,''
and is Sd much dreaded that mem
bars often, at the last hours Of first ses-
sion, get verbal amendments made of
their bills which would otherwise pass
in order to throw them into conference
hat nd floro tn
remain until the next session.
: : Ii was thought by some that the Presi-
dent might allow tn River and Harbor
bill to become law by the expiration OF
tho ton days. But he determined to veto
it, and in due time one Of his secretaries,
Mr.. Pruden. who has for years borne
messages from the White House, ap-
Feared at the Hail of the House Of Repre-
sentatives He was met by Assistant
Doorkeeper Kennedy, and conducted to
a position in the main aisle. opposite and
facing the Speaker, and distant nearly
the width of the Hall.
''Mr. Speaker, a message from the Presi-
dent" announces MIR. Kennedy, stand
ing with Mr.. Pruden at his right.
No matter what business may be going
on, the Speaker brings down his gavel,
ana announces: "The House will re-
oeive message from the President of
the United States
1hereupon Mr.. Pruden and Mr.. Ken
nedy bow to the Speaker, who is stand
ing, and Mr. Pruden addresses him as
"Mr. Speaker" The Speaker replies
''Mr. Secretary"
Then MIR. Pruden announces that he
brings from the President ga message
in writing" and delivers to Mr.. Ken
nedy a large envelope sealed with q red
seal This envelope Mr.. Kennedy brings
to the Speakers table. II is then opened
carefully SO as to preserve the seal intact,
fer the Presidents seals are in much de-
mand as souvenirs.
On the day when Mr.. Pruden brought
the River and Harbor bill back vetoed,
there was no doubt as to the contents of
the message in writing" SO bulky was
the package.
The message is read to the House. and
thon disposed Of by referring it to COM
~A4O1OOs Ny ASAAAA5 - FOOO w
day, or by at once proceeding to vote by
yeas and nays on the question Of passing
the hill over the veto. A two thirds vote
is required to pass bill under such cir
cumstances.
In the case of the River and Harbol
bill, it was referred TO the River and
Harbor committee. They made report
answering the message of the President
and reported the bill back to the House
AS soon as he report had been read, Mr.
Hooker demanded the previous question,
which the House ordered by large ma
jority. Thereafter no debate was posi-
BILE, although there was considerable
screaming on the part of q few Demo
Gratis who wished to speak.
The President does net, in disapprov.
ing bill. write upon the parchment
copy. He sends message stating his
lisapproval, which is accompanied by tho
bill
A vstued bill having boon passed ovel
tie veto by both House and Senate is
cont to tbs Secretary of State to be by
lin preserved in the archives.
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