Harvard University Publications. Harvard Historical Monographs, No. 1. The veto power, its origin, development and function in the government of the United States (1789-1889)

The purpose of this Monograph is to track the development and operation of the veto in the United States government. The work is almost entirely the result of research into sources. Indeed, such a course was almost necessary, since very little has been written on this subject. The study is based on a list of presidential vetoes compiled from Congressional records, covering the period from the founding of the current government in 1789 to the end of President Cleveland's reign on March 4, 1889. For ease of comparison, vetoes are classified by topic; and most of the work is devoted to discussing these classes. However, in full consideration of the matter, it seemed necessary to add a summary of the origins in English and colonial precedent of the particular form of veto that exists in the United States. A chapter had been added on constitutional issues arising from the operation of the veto, and another chapter on the gradual development of power over a century of national government.