Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-07
The Executive and Liquidation.

Just before leaving Washington
yesterday President Coolidge express
ed himself as pleased with the work
of Congress during the session which
ended Saturday. In connection with
the work Of the session 1t has been
pointed out that the President APP
proved practically all OF the bills that
were passed. Withholding his sigma
ture only from a few that reached
him in the last hours, and regarding
which he did not feel that he was
sufficiently informed to pass final
judgment The failure Of these bills,
which were of minor importance. re-
wives interest in q. long ques-
ton regarding presidential approval
Of legislation.
The Constitution Of the United
States provides that every bill shall
before it becomes a law be signed by
the President. or. If vetoed by him,
passed over his veto by D. two-thiris
vote. This contemplates that Con.
gress shall have the right to, insist
upon its action in case OF executive
disapproyal. But the Constitution
likewise provides that IF any bill
shall not be returned by the Presi.
dent vetoed within ten days after it
shall have been presented to him the
same shall be b law in like manner
a. II he had signed it, unless the Con-
gress by their adjournment prevent
its return, in which case 1t shall not
be law
1t has been argued that this pro-
vision of the Constitution, while per-
haps justifiable in the days OF its
adoption in view Of the comparatively
small volume Of business then trans
acted by Congress, is no longer suit
able to legislative conditions. 1t has
been urged that tho Constitution be
amended in that respect to make the
ten-day period granted for executive
consideration extend over a. recess Of
Congress to include ten Legislative"
days. In other words, the suggestion
has been made that within the life
OF one Congress bills should retain
their vitality regardless Of recess.
periods, giving the President oppor-
tunity Of examination and considera-
ton, and Of signature or veto, and
Congress the opportunity to pass by
two-thirds vote vertthe veto.
In some Of the States the governor
has the right OF bill signing Tor spec
flied period after the adjournment
Of the Legislature. This involves also
the right Of veto after adjournment,
but q veto without legislative power
to pass the measure despite the OBJ
jections Of the executive. There has
been no serious suggestion that the
President should have the right to
sign after adjournment during recess.
AS the Constitution stands now the
executive has the advantage In the
matter OF bill signing or vetoing at
the end Of the session. He may in
effect disapprove q measure without
formally so declaring. He ID never at
any time required to state his reasons
Of disapproval in ease Of q veto.
though he usually does that. In the
case Of o pocket veto as failure to
sign in the last hours Of the session
Is called, explanations are. Of course,
not in order. The plea Of lack Of time
for examination sunless, and many
important measures have been lost
by thus reaching the President In the
anal rush, when there is no chance
to consider them. and sometimes
physically no time even for signature.
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