The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-04
IS 4 law IN SPITE OF GROVER
Action of the Senate on the
River and Harbor Bill.
More Than n Two. thirds Vote on tho Bill
Pettigrew Scores CleveIand-says He
DisreEards the Law and Uses His Inn
perial Wnl-House Refuses to Pay tho
Richmond Locomotive Works.

WASHINGTON, June 3.-The Senate
to-day passed the river and harbor bill
over the Presidents veto by the vote Of
50 to 5. This was the last step In max
Ing the bill effective and II Il now law.
The Affirmative vote was fifteen more
than the two-thirds required to pass
measure over veto. The vote was
taken after three hours Of spirited de-
bate, during which the President WAS
Criticised and defended, the remarks at
times being directly and bitterly per-
sonsl. The opposition to the veto was
expressed by Senators Vest, Sherman.
Pettigrew, HRwley and Butler, while
the veto WAS defended by Senators Villas,
Hill and Bate.
MIR. Vest, who was first to take the
moor, said the veto contained statements
which, however much he might respect
the high office Of the President, ought
not to go unchallenged. The Senator
did not question the Presidents veto
prerogative, but the trainers of the con-
stitution never had intended sha, this
power should be exercised in the ordi-
nary affairs Of the Government. II was
to be power to meet extraordinary
emergencies when popular passion had
leo to hassy question or when q con-
eitutioHal question WAS involved.
Mr.. Sherman, who followed, said he
would vote to pass the bill over the
veto because the improvement of the
waterways OF the country WAS one of
the most Important branches of national
Development and one in which other
great nations were showing even greater
advance than the United States. The
Senator expressed the opinion that the
veto power could not be directed against
an appropriation bill. The Legislative
branch was given the exclusive right to
appropriate money.
ut is time curb this daily exercise of
the veto power" declared Mr.. Sherman.
ut IL most extreme power and o dan.
gerous one, unless exercised only In the
most extreme cases involving constitu-
tionAl questions. But this wise restric-
sion ts set aside and We have veto
every week or so, every day or So"
Mr.. Villas (Dem., Wis } said that the
Dill contained important appropriations
for his State, but he could not bring
himself to the conviction that this great
burden should be added TO the distressed
shoulders of the people OF the country.
He regarded the criticisms Of the veto
By Mr.. Vest As excessively minute and
incense quential.
Mr.. Berry lDem., Ark while depre-
eating sxIrAvsgant appropriations, re-.
GREETED that the attack should be d.
rected against the bill. which most
benefited the agricultural classes.
Mr.. PestiRrew (Rep., s. D expressed
the belief that the time had come for o
M
veto power 10 prevent its usurpation OF
legislative functions and the over. riding
OF majority rule.
1.-THE present occupant of the White
House," continued Mr.. Pettigrew, "is
not content with the violation OF the
constitution by the exercise Of the veto
power alone, but with an utter disre-
gard OF his sacred oath of office, as we'll
81 OF the constitution, he overrides the
10 vs., Influences Congressman with pat
ronsge, enriches his fsvorites at the
public expense; in fact, permits no re-
straint but his imperial will. He has
refused to enforce the laws of Congress
so often that the list OF violations is
next only to the list OF vetoes.
He has sold bonds at private sale, TO
his favorites and former associates upon
terms and st price many millions of
doliars below the market price OF the
bonds On the day of such private sale.
In view OF these facts, 1t is time for
congress to give some attention to these
usurpAtions. II this Government Ia to
survive we can no longer look with In
difference upon the shameful autocracy
OF Grover Cleveland"
Mr.. Bate (Dem., TENN supported the
Veso and opposed the bill. The issuance
UR hoh
said, or else q tariff bill, which would
overtop even she Mckinley bill.
Mr.. Stewart Pop, New opposed the
veto. because he thought river and har.
Dor improvements were meritorious.
Mr.. Hill upheld the veto power, de-
claring that she fine distinctions and
limitations which had been stated were
In the brains OF Senators, but not in the
constitution. Senators had quoted Jack
son, but Mr.. Hill reminded them that
Old Hickory himself insugursted the
vetoing Of river and hsrbor bills, and In
1892 interposed the frat veto OF such q
measure.
In conclusion Mr.. Hill offered o reso-
luton proposing an amendment to the
constitution providing that the Presi-
dent may veto . specific item of sn ap-
propristion bill without vetoing the
entire bill.
This closed the speech akIng and
the vote WAS taken, resulting In the
passage of the bill over the Presidents
veto, yeas Sc, nsys5.
House Proceedings.
The House to- day began clearing the
decks for final Adjournment by extend
Ing the leRgth of the daily sessions.
The House met at II o'clock and aat
OUr Increasing Sa|AS