Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-05-31
MAYsvILLE ROAD BILL.

of Representatives the enroled bill entitled An act
su,horising subscription Of stock in the Msysvil!c
Washington, Paris. and Lexington Turnpike Road
Company" with his objections thorcto.
To the House II Representatives.:
Gentlemen; have .naturely considered the bill
proposing to authorize "a subscription Of stock in he
Maysve, Washington, Paris and Lexington Turn
pike Road Company" and now return the same 10
the House OF Representatives. IN which 1t originated
with my objections to its passage.
Sincerely friendly to the Improvement OF our coun-
Try BY mesns of roads and canals regret that any
difference OF opinion IN the mode oil contributing TO II
should exist between and If, stating this differ
ence, | GO beyond what the occasion may be deemed
TO call for, hope find apology the great I'M
portance oftbe subject unfei2ned respect for the
high source from which 1t emanated, and an anxious
wish to be correctly understood by my constituents iii
the discharge of all my duties Diversity of senti-
among public functionarcs, actuated by the
general motives on the character and tendency
Of particular measures is an incident to all
Governments, and the more TO be expected in one
which. Ike its existence to the freedom
of opinion, and must be upheld by the influence
Controlled, as we thu. are, by higher TRIBUNAL be-
fore which our respective will be canvassed with
the indulgence due to the nperectons uf nature,
and with that intelligence aud unbiased Judgment
winch the true correctvcs of error, oil that our
responsibility demands hat the public good should
nc the measure of our views. u,ctating alike thor
frank expression and honest maintenance
In The message which presented TO Congress,
tho opening OF ITS present session. endeavoured 10
cxhibI briefly my views upon the important and high
~ interesting subject TO which attention is
?" be directed was DESTROYS Of presenting to the
REPRESENTATIVES of the several Sta cs IN Congress
assembled. the inquiry, whether mrde could
be devised which would reconcile the diversity of
opinion concerning the powers OF THIS government
over the subject of internal improvement, aud the
manner IN which these powers, II conferred by the
Con. titution ought 10 be exercised. The act hich
am called upon to consider has therefore been pas
eed with a knowledge of my views this ques-
tior, these expressed IA the message referred
to. Ia that document he following suggestion will
be found:
AFTER the extinction Of the public debt, is not
probable that any adjustment of the tariff upon Prin
cpies satisfactory IL the people of the Union, wall
until remote period, II ever, leave the government
wi bout q considerable surplus in the Treasury be-
yond what may be- required for its current service
As then the period approaches when he application
of the revenue to the payment nt debt will cease, the
disposition OF the surplus will present subject for the
serious dPberatiOn of Congress- and IT may be- iortu
for the country that 1t is yet to be decided Cor
sidered in connection with the difficulties which have
Heretofore attended appropriations for purposes of m
tATnal improvement, and With Those which this CXpc
tells will certainly arse, whenever power
over such subjects may be exercised BY the Genera.
Government it is hoped hat It may lead the adop-
ton of some plan which Will reconcile the diversified
interests Of the states and strengthen the bonds which
unite them. Every number of the Union. IN peace
and in war, will be benefited by the improvement of
inland navigation and me construction of highways IN
the several States. Let us then endeavor attain
this benefit III mode which will be satisfactory 20 all
That hitherto "adupted has been deprecated IN
fraction of the Constitution by many of our fellow
citizens; while BY others 1t has been viewed mex.
pedient. AL feel that it has been employed ut the
expense of harmony IN the legislative councils; and
adveTIng TO he constitutional power OF Cong to
make what consider proper disposition of the sur
plus revenue, subjoin the following remarks: 'Po
avoid these evils, it appears to that the most safe.
iuai and federal disposition which could be made OF
the surplus revenue, would be- Its apportiOnment
among the several States according their ratio of
representations and should this not be found
warranted by the Constitution. that would be ex-
pcdient to propose to tie States amendment autho
rging IT.
The constitutional power Of the Federal Govern
ment 10 construct promote works of internal i'm
provement presents itself points of view; the
first as bearing upon the sovereignty of the States
within whose limits their execution 10 contemplated
II jurisdiction of the territory which they may
py be claimed necessary to their preservation and
the second asserting the simple right 10 APP
propTiato money from the national Treasury in aid ri
such works when undertaken by State authority, sur
rendering the claim Of jurisdiction. In the first
the question Of power s open one, and be de-
cided without the embarrassment attending the other
arIsIng from the practice Of the Government.
Although frequently and strenUousIy attempted
the power to this extent, has been exercised
by the Government IN single instance II does
not m my opinion, possess Il; and no bill. therefore,
which admits II, can recelve my official sanction.
Bot in the other view Of the power. the question
rs differently situated. The ground taken at ear
ly period ofthe Government, was. "tba, whenever
money has been raised by the general authority,
and is to be applied TO a particular measure ques-
ton arises, whether the particular b. within
the enumerated authorities vested IN Congress. If
IL be, the money requisite for 1t may be applied to
it; ifnot, such application can be made" The
document in which this principle was first advanced
is Of deservedy high authority, and should be held
in grateful remembrance for it's immediate agency
in rescuing the country from much existing abuse
and for it's conservative effect upon Of the most
valuable principles Of the Constitution. Phe SYM
rnetry and purity of the Government would doubt
less have been better preserved II this restriction Of
the power Of appropriation cOulb have been MAINTAIN
ed without weakening its ability to fulfil the general
Objects ofits institutions effect likely TO attend
lts admission, wIths andng its apparent fitness,
that every subsequent administration Ofthe Govern
meni, embracing Terod Of thirty out ofthe forty
two years of us existence has adopted a more en-.
larged construction Of the power IL 10 not nv pur-
pose 20 detaln you by n minute recital Of the acts
which sustain this assertion. but il IS proper that
should notice some Of the most prominent IN order
that The reflections which they suggest to my mind
may be better understood