of the Republic a chief magistr President had succeeded to the dominant party was brought to committed in choosing a Vice were at variance with its own The new President wa Virginia family, and had cated at William and M Virginia and in both ho an extreme States right of Jackson's measures, and the removal of the resigned his seat in t of the Virginia legis from the journals th he himself had been son, however, on t provements, a fact into consideration constructionist me tariffs and interm bill for the distri of which the Whi standing among the Senate in o Tyler's record h the party should pecially in view Considering T should have a whose politica parently he prompt and tion among the Whigs Bal mid an Ohio delegation on pas dawn by the Secretary of the 3 Moreover, he stated in his ver which he said was dear on this point, a joint commites him what kind of a bank he found President desired a "fiscal age ing discounts and limited to dealing in on, a bill embodying these features we wal of the President and the Caline iteration or amendment and sent t He retained it six days, and cn St house in which it originated, but without of the bill were unable to command a to pass it over the executive veto, and ng the Whigs now knew no bounds. To to be an act of the most deliberate bad Shaving attended the Harrisburg cohaving accepted a Whig nomination, he tigations to support Whig policies. end that he would approve the bank bill with his wishes, his disapproval under the without justification. It has been sugwwel to reto the bill by a severe attack made ress by a prominent Whig while the bill is no doubt true that he was greatly Manual, vol. ii. p. 1406. 1841 bill embodying all its essential features, except that relating to the establishment of branches with the assent of the States, was introduced by Mr. Clay, and was passed by both houses by a substantial majority. The President retained the bill for more than a week for consideration, during which period the greatest anxiety prevailed among the Whigs as to its probable fate. Delegation after delegation waited on him and urged him to sign the measure. He hesitated, complained that the bill contained objectionable features, wept, promised to pray for guidance and asked by way of remonstrance why the Secretary's bill was not sent him.13 On August 16 he returned the bill without his approval. Great was the consternation among the Whigs. But a hope yet remained. Tyler had told an Ohio delegation on August 15 that he would sign the bill drawn by the Secretary of the Treasury if it were sent to him. Moreover, he stated in his veto message the rough outlines of a bill which he said was dear to him. Το remove all possibility of doubt on this point, a joint committee was deputed to ascertain from him what kind of a bank he favored. They were informed that the President desired a "fiscal agency divested of the power of making discounts and limited to dealing in bills of exchange. Thereupon, a bill embodying these features was prepared with the approval of the President and the Cabinet, passed both houses without alteration or amendment and sent to the President for his signature. He retained it six days, and on September 9 returned it to the house in which it originated, but without his approval. The friends of the bill were unable to command a two-thirds majority in order to pass it over the executive veto, and hence it failed. The indignation among the Whigs now knew no bounds. Το them Tyler's conduct seemed to be an act of the most deliberate bad faith. In the first instance, having attended the Harrisburg convention as a Whig and having accepted a Whig nomination, he was under strong moral obligations to support Whig policies. Finally, having given his word that he would approve the bank bill if drawn in conformity with his wishes, his disapproval under the circumstances seemed to be without justification. It has been suggested that he was moved to veto the bill by a severe attack made upon him through the press by a prominent Whig while the bill was under consideration. It is no doubt true that he was greatly 18" Statesman's Manual," vol. ii. p. 1406. |