Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-12-11

. raj government IN works Of internal i'm
provement. prevailed ia the highest degrei
during the first session of the FIRST congres
that had the honor to meet in nv pre
sent situation. When the bill aulhorizin,
subscription on the part of the Unite,
/ States for stock in the Maysville and Lex
Ington turnpike company, passed the two
houses, there had been reported, by the
committees Of internal improvements, bill
containing appFopris tons for such objects
exclusive of those Of the Cumberland
road, and for harbors aud light houses, q
the amount Of about one hundred and sis
millions OF dollars. Ia this amount wa.
included authority TO the secretary Of the
treasury TO subscribe for the stock Of diff
ierent companies 10 a great extent, and
the residue was principally for the direct
cons,ruction of roads by this government
10 addition to these projects, which had
been presented TO the two houses, under
the sanction and recommendation Of their
Respective committees on internal improve
menis, there were then still pending be
fore the committees. and the memorials
to congress, presented, but not preferred
different projects for works Of similar
character, the expense OF which cannot be
estimated with certainty, but must have
exceeded one hundred millions of dollars
Regarding the bill authorizing sub
scription TO the stock of the Maysville and
Lexington turnpike company as the en-
terlng wedge OF a system, which, however
weak at first. might soon become strong
enough TO rive the bands of the union
asunder; and believing that if its passage
was acquiesced in by the executive and
the people, there would no longer be any
limitation upon the authority of the gene
raj government in respect to the appropri
alton Of money for such objects, deemed
It an imperative duty TO withhold from it
the executive approval Although, from
the obviously local character of that work
might well have contented myself with
a refusal to approve the bill upon that
ground, yet, sensible Of the vital impor
lance of the subject. and anxious that my
views and opinions in regard to the whole
matter should be fully understood by con-
gress and by my constituents, felt it my
duty 20 go further. therefore embraced
that early occasion 10 apprise congress,
that, in my opinion, the constitution did
not confer upon IT the power to authorize
the construction Of ordinary roads and
canals within the limits of a state, and 10
say respectfully. that no bill admitting
such a power could receive my official
sanction. | did so in the confident ex
pectation that the speedy settlement OF
the public mind upon the whole subject
would be greatly facilitated by the differ
ence between the two houses and myself,
a al ha har ucfIon nj the 40
veral departments of the federal govern
nent in regard TO it. would be ultimately
secured.
So far at least as il regards this branch
of the subject, my best hopes-haye been
realized Nearly four years have elapsed
and several sessions Of congress have IN.
Itervened, and no attempt, within my re.
collection, has been made to induce con.
gress to exercise this power. The appli
! cations for the construction Of roads and
canals, which were formerly multiplied
upon your flies, are no longer prcseated
and we have good reason to infer that the
current Of public sentiment has become
SO decided against the pretension as ef
/ fectually to discourage its re assertion So
thinking, derive the greatest satisfaction
from the conviction, that thus much al
/ least has been secured upon this impor,
tant and embarrassing subject.
From attempts TO appropriate the ma
] tional funds to objects which are confess
, eddy of local character, we cannot,
trust, have any thing further TO apprehend
] NV views in regard 10 the expectancy Of
making appropriations for works which
are claimed to be of national character
, and prosecuted under state authority, as
ri suming that congress have the right TO dc
r so, were stated to congress in my annua
message Of 1880, and also in that contain
ing my objections to the Maysville TOAD
= bill.
So thoroughly convinced am that nc
, such appropriations ought TO be made by
1 congress, until a suitable constitutional
6 provision is made upon the subject, ane
so essential do | regard the point to the
I highest interests Of our country, that
;. could not consider myself as dlschargine
. my duty to my constituents in giving tn
a executive sanction TO any bill containing
such an appropriation. IL the people o
the the United States desire that the pub
lie treasury shall be resorted to for the
= means TO prosecute such works, they vii
n
), ton, prescribing a rule by which The
n atio.iaI character Of the works is to b
. tested, and by which the greatest practl
r. Bile equality OF benefits may be secured L
= each member of the confederacy. Hi
. effects of such a regulation would be mos
!. salutary in preventing Improbable expen
!. ditures, in securing our legislation iron
+ the pernicious consequences oil scram
bic for the lsvors OF government, and I
! depressing the spirit of discomfort whic
i must inevitably arise from an unequal dis
). tribution of treasures which belong alik
h TO all
q There is another class ofappropriatIon
!. or what may be called, without lmaproprI
, ETY., internal improvements, which hay'
a. always been regarded as standing, uPo,
. different grounds from those to which
= have referred allude to such as have
!; for their object the improvement Of on
oeI harbours, the removal Of partial and fem
" v poIary distractions in our navIgabiee river
y >. for the facility ano security of our foreIs
- ,.rarnHu when