The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-06-10
THE VETO

FROM the pfesidenl by mr. Donelson, his
private Seeretary, returning the bill which
originated la lh,s House, and which had
passed both Houses, for authorizing a sub.
scrIptlon u the stock Of the Maysyile and
Washington Turnpike Road Company in
kentucky, with his reasons at large for
refusing TO sign the same.
10 the House Of Representations
Gentlemen-i have mature!y considered
the bill proposing to au,horise "a subscrlp- |
ton Of stock in the Maysvile, Washington,
Paris, and Lexington Turnpike Road
Company" and now return the same to the /
House of Representatives, in which 1t O.
riginated with my objections to its passage.
Since y friendly to the Improvement
OF our country by means Of roads and ca
mas, regret that any difference ofopinion
in the mode Of contributing TO it should
exist between Us; and il, in stating this
difference, 60 beyond what the occasion
may be deemed 10 call for, hope TO find
an apology in the great importance OF the
subject, an uDteigGed respect for the high
source from which this branch Of 1t has
emanatcd, and an anxious wish to be cor
rectly understood by my constituents in the
ischarge Of all my duties. Diversity OF
sentiment among public fanctionaries, &C
tuoted by Tie same general motives, on
the character and tendency Of particular
measures, 10 an incident common to ell
governments, and the moro 70 be expected
in one which, like ours, owes its existence
to the freedom Of opinion, and must be up
held by the same influence. Controlled,
as we thus are, by higher tribunal, before
which our respective acts will be CANVASS
ed with the indulgence due to the imper-
fections of our nature, and with that in
telligeuce and unbiassed judgment which
are the true ccrrec,iges Of error, all that
Our responsibility demand, is, that the
public good should be the measure Of our
views, debating alike their frank express
ion and honest maintenance.
In the message which was presented to
Congress at the opening Of It's present
session, endeavored to exhibit briefly my
views upon the important and highly in
teresling subject to which our attcnton IL
o now TO be directed. was desirons Of
presenting 10 the Representatives u. the
several states in Congress assembled, the
inquiry, whether some mode could not be
devised which would reconcile the jivcrsI-
government ever the subject of internal
Improvement, and the manner in which
these powers, if conferred BY the Copsti--
tuition, ought to be exercised. Tho act
which am called upon TO consider, has,
therefore, been passed with knowledge
OF my views on this question, no these are
expressed IN the message referred to. In
that document the following suggestion
will be tound:
CATER thcextinc,ion ofthe public debt
IL is not probable that any adjustment Of
the tsriH, upon principles satisfactory to
the people ofthe Unon, viii, until re-
mote period, fever. leave the Government
without considerable surplus in the treas
ury, beyond what may be required for its
current service As then the period sp-
proaches when the application of the rev
enue to the payment OF debt will cease, the
disposition Of the surplus will present
subject for the serious dcliheration of Con
gress, and It may be fortunate for the coun
try that it is yet to be decided. Cons,d
ered in ronncxion with the difficulties
which have heretofore attended app~oprl-
alions for the purposes ofln,ernal improve
meut, aud with those which this experience
tells us will certainly arise, Whenever
power over such subjects may bo exercised
by the General Government; it is hoped
that it may lead to the adoption OF some
plan which will reconcile the diversified
interests of the State, and strengthen the
bonds which unite them, Every member
OF the Union, in peace and iR war. will be
benefited by the Improvement of inland
navigation and the construction Of high
ways IN the several States, Let us then
endeavour 10 obtsin this benefit IN mode
which will be satisfactory To all. That
hitherto "adcp,ed hns been deprecated as
an infraction Of the Constitution by many
of onr fellow citizens; while by others II
has becn viewed as inexpcdrcnt. Al feel
that It has been employed at the expense
OF harmony in tho Legislative Councils"
and sdyertlng TO the Constitutional power
of Congress to make what consider n
proper disposition of the surplus revenue
l subloined the following remarks: "To
avoid these evils, II appears to me that the
most safe, Just a,ij federal disposition which
could be made of the surplus revanuc
would be it's appotiionmcnt among III.
several states according TO their ratio o
representation; and should this measure
not be found warranted by the Constitu-
tion, that it would be expcdicnt to pi opos,
to the States an amendment authorizing
H."
The Constitutional power Of the Fedora
Government 10 construct or promote work.
OF internal improvement, presents itself il
two points Of vlew; the first, as bearing
upon the sovereignty Of the states within
whose limits their execution is contempla
ted, if jurisdiction Of the territory whicl
they may occupy be claimed as necessar,
60 their preservation aud use; the second
a. asserting the simple right to appropri
ate money from the nations! treasury !,
aid Of such works when undertaken b,