The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-16

the ground OF its unconstitutionality, and
TO report by bill or otherwise. This inyes-
tigatiou grows out OF Controller BOWERS
decision in the sugar bounty cases. Ray
of New York. in presenting the resoiutioE<
said that Mr.. BOWERS right 10 question
the constitutionality OF law was admit
ted on all hands TO be of doubtful legality.
Terry of Arkansas. on the other hand,
expressed the opinion that an executive
officer executed an unconstitutional law at
his peril
RAY called I'D the Boatner resolution d.
recting the committee on judiciary TO in
vestigate the right OF the comptroller of
the treasury to refuse 10 execute the sugar
bounty law on the ground of its alleged
unconstitutionality. and, IL Ii was found
that he had violated the law, to report
by bill or otherwise. which resolution had
been amended so as TO make the inquiry
general into the right OF executive officers
to refuse to execute laws on the ground
OF their unconstitutionality. This resolu-
ton was the outcome OF the decision OF
Comptroller Bowler In the sugar bounty
cases Ray explained the long controver-
sy which had resulted In the comptrollers
decision. 1T must be conceded on all
hands" said he, that the question Is not
free from doubt" The committee, he said,
had thought IL best to make the inquiry
general instead OF combining 1t 10 the right
of a single officer. The resolution was not
reported. he said. with view of censur-
Ing any officer, but to determine whether
II was proper TO recommend an amend
ment fer the enlargement or restriction OF
the scope of the law. The resolution was
adopted.
Baker. Rep, N H, led in the attack on
Secretary Morton for refusing 10 use the
seed appropriation in the current law. The
present bill again appropriated slSs,0o for
seeds I'VE will" ne added. force Secre-
ass Ma lay or
abandon his Office
Mr. Moses Dem, Ca, declared that John
c. Calhoun was not more OF nullifier than
j. Sterling Morton. He inveighed against
the growing tendency of executive officers
20 disregard the express wish or congress
IN the execution of the laws.
Boatner Dem, La. however, aroused
the greatest enthusiasm by his remarks.
THE feature OF Mr. Morton's action which
has aroused my indignation" said he,
more than any other, Is that II Is based
upon a sort OF false pretense. Antecedent
70 his decision that under the terms OF the
law he was not authorized TO expend the
approximation. there emanated from the
agricultural department report deroga-
tory 70 the congress OF the United States
The Individual who has found his way into
the agricultural department under this ad-
minlstratinn uaughteri considered 1t not
inconsistent with the dignity OF his posi-
ton 10 allow reports 70 SO out through tho
press that he had discovered great frauds
In the distribution OF seeds. do not know
/ whether those statements were true or
| false. but I know and I assert that the
publication OF any such scandals operating
against a body OF gentlemen without the
/ designation OF names Of the individuals
/ who had been found so small and corrupt
and so unfit fer the positions that they oc-
curie1. was not only an insult TO the con-
/ grezs Of the United States. bat eowardiy
attack that was Inconsistent with the dig
( nity ef any man who occupied 4 cabinet
position. fAuplausel
/ "As member Of the Fifty-thlrd congress
I resent and denoslnce the imputation that
that body as body or the preceding con-
/ crosses OF which I was member. were
I addicted to the sale OF seeds which We're
allotted TO chem for distribution. as an In
+ famous Islander. l believe that 70 abolish
7 the system Of distribution OF seeds would
( be advantageous 70 tire members 81 cor
gress. For every constituent who receives
/ a package Of seeds and who s. gfauhed 81
the compliment. there are others dissat-
/ isfied because they have not been likewise
favored. I am absolutely tired OF having
this body brought into disgrace and con-
tempt hy the executive officers OF the gov
/ eminent II has got u that point where
a mere subordinate offlcer refuses his royal
assent. y has got 10 that point where a
+ socoud veto power Is POSSESSED by mere
clerk whom the lawmakers by a two-thsTds
+ majority cannot reach" (Ap0lause)
Mr.. Livingston. Dem. Ga. then took ~
the r'l2Esf Aorton ~as The servant OF this
( house. sud he wanted him % know that he
I Rad ea.1 g. HE must either obey this
purpose or We win iupe8ch him He must
{ understand that this is a republican form
{ of government. ara no comptroller OF the
+ treasury or secretary Of agriculture can
nudity she laws passed by the national
{ leg3slatUrpi'
Meredith. nean. Va. followed 81 a sim
I liar strain At S O'Clock under the awr~~-
rrent. IRE seue~al debate closed and the
I house adjourned.