The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-06-12
IN THE SENATE TOO.
VETO OVERRiDDEN IN THE UP
PER BRANCH.
Fifty-six Members oppose and Only Five
Stand by President CIeveIand-Mr. Vest
Makes Another Bitter Attack on the
Chief Magistrate-His Veto Was Sc
verely Criticised.
The Rivers Bill a Law.

w HASHING1ON, june t.-AS SOOu
the Senate met to-day Mr. Vest, who.
in the absence of Mr.. Frye, is in
charge of the rivers and harbors bill,
sought to have the Presidents veto of
that measure brought up. This was
opposed by Mr.. Pettigrew, in charge
of the Indian appropriation bill con-
ference report.
Mr.. Vest urged that the suspension
and possible destruction of the work
of improvement of international
water ways was Of more moment than
any other one subject, save that of
the national honor. 1t was imper-
ative that the question be settled now,
SO that if the veto was sustained it
could be determined whether any
other rivers and harbOrs bill was to
be framed.
The bill and veto were taken up,
yeas 35, NAYS 10, the negative vote
being cast bv Messrs Bate, Chiffon,
Harris, Palmer and Villas, Democrats,
and Brown, Morrill,. Pettigrew, Pritch-
ard and Teller, Republicans.
Mr. Vest said that the veto contained
statements which, however much he
might respect the high Office of Presi-
dent, ought not to 90 unchallenged.
He did not question the Presidents
veto prerOGative, but the trainers of
the constitution never had intended
that this power should DC used in the
ordinary affairs of the government.
1t was to be power to meet extra
ordinary contingencies when popular
passion had led TO hasty legislation
or when a constitutional question was
| involved. The early Presidents who
stood nearest to the constitution eN-
ercised the veto power but seven
times--twice by Washington, five
times By Madison and never by Jeifer-
Son or John Adams.
The President had. Mr.. V"st said,
stated that the bill made direct APP
preparations of $l4. 900, while in
fact they aggregated l2,G0S, ,99J, a
difference of SI,ag1 100. This was
hardly characteristic OF the emana-
tions of Mr.. Cleveland.
| Mr.. Vest took up other items. show
| ing hat the totals were less than the
| Presidents statements would indica tie.
| AS to the general charge of cXtrava-
| gance. in connection with the vast in
tereSts involved and the extent Of the
| country, and the fact that the river
and harbor bill covered two years this
measure was reasonable. There were
| items open to question, but III all
| legislation this was result of com
promise. He had addressed d letter
to General Craighiil chief OF engineers,
asking for the facts as to the state
ment of the President that he
had learned from official sources that
/ the bill contained appropriations in
| tended to serve private interests. Cen
eril Craighill made no reply. but in
response to d telcgraphic query
answered that the letter had been
IRE eferred to the secretary of war for
Instructions. Up to this date no in
| formation had been given. $50, for
reasons best known 20 the administra
tiOn," he said bitteri Y, lit is considered
best not to go into details. but to in
iulge in general and historical decla m
ations as to the alleged extravaganza
and favOritisrn in it.
| Mr. Vest said that he believed that
one of the present changes applied to
| The Brunswick, Ga. EarbOr, one of
The best and most economical i'm
orOvements In the country. He spoke
Of cheaper rates Of anspOrtatiOn re-
sulting from Improvements at the 500,
New Orleans. Baltimore, New York,
Boston and elsewhere. In the plat
form on which Mr.. Cleveland was first
dominated was strong plank for
water improvements, and his early
message indorsed these provements.
The speaker prophes:ed that in the
lear future legislation would be di-
.ected to further development of IN
.ernational commerce and cheapening
;ransporta ton.
PASSED WITH LITTLE OPPOSITION.
After some further debate, the vote
was called for and the 6iIl passed over
he veto, Sc TO ), and is now law.