Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-06-28
SHERROD WILLIAMS.
GEN. HARRISON'S REPLY.

NoRrH BEND, MAY LIST, 1886.
Sir have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of your letter of the 7thi utimo, in which
you request me to answer the following questions :;
let. "Will you, if elected President of the u. s..
sign and approve bill distributing the surplus
venue f,he U. s. to each State, according to the
federal population of each, for eternal improvement
education, and to such other objects the Legts-
lature of the severa: States may see fit to apply
the same7"
ID. "Will you sign and approve a bill distribut-
ing the proceeds of the GALES Of the public lands
each State according to the federal population of
each, for the purposes above specified 2"
Sd. "Will you sign and approve bills making
appropriations to improve navgable streams above
ports Of entry1"
4th. "Will you sign and approve (fit becomes
necessary to secure and save from depreciation the
revenue and finances of the nation, and to atfoad
uniform sound currency TO the People of the U. S.
bill with proper notifications and restrictions J
char:ering Bank of the u. S.
9th. "Whatis your opinion to the constitu-
tional power Of the Senate or House of Represen-
tatives of the Congress- of the United States, to
expunge or obli,efa,e from the journals the re-
cords and proceedings Of u previous session."
From the mnaner 10 which the four first ques-
tons stated, it appears that you do not ask my
opinion as to the policy or propreiy ofthe measures
to which they respectfully refer; but what would
be my course, if they were presented to me lbeing
in the Presidential chair of the U. 81 in the
shape of bills that had been dolly passed by the Sc
nate and House of Representatives.
From the opinions which have formed Of the
intention Of the Constitution, TO the cases 10
which the vote power should be exercised by the
Persistent ] would have commended myself with
giving affirmative to the four frs, qnes
tons 7 but from the deep interest which has beer
and indeed is now, felt in relation to all these sub
jects, think it proper to express my views upon
each one separately.
answer, then lst. That the immediate return
Of the surplus money which Is, or ought to be, II
the Treasury of the u. S. ne possession Of The
People, from whom il taken, IL called for by
every principle of policy and indeed, of safety to
our institutions, and know OF no mode OF doing
it better than that Recommended by the present
Chief Magistrate in his first annual message t,
Congress in the following words: 10 dUOid hes,
eris IL appears 10 me as The 1.oa s9fe juai and Jcde
raj dispostion uhih could BE- made Of the surplus re-
renue, ,oould be its apporfiOnmert among the SEQ
eraf States according 10 the ratio Of representation
This disposition has reference to state OF ihngi
which now actually exists, with the exception Of
| the amount Of money thus 20 be disposed of --fo
u
it could not have been anticipated by the Presidep
that the surplus above the real wants Of convent
ent expenditures Of the Government would 0ecOmt
80 lsrgea that retaining II m the Tfoasuary wonl'
| so much diminish the circulating medium as great
| ly to ernbsUsss the business Of the country.
What other disposition cSn be made Of 1t all
view to get II into immediate circulation bat Il
place II m The hands of the tis,e sathnutes : -
SO great ia the amoont. and Fspidy is At ~
oresslng that II could nsi Nc expended Tor Yer!
considerable lime on the comparatively few object
10 shleh II could be appropriated b. tie Genera
Government but the desired di.inbuiian Gmpngs
the People eonld be Immediately effected BY ID
States, from the infinite s'neiy Of asys IA ~hie
II might be employed by them. BY them n aigb
be loaned 10 their own banking institutions or eve
10 indi.dnsls--s mode 81 distribution by the Geo
ersl Government which sincerely hope is IN tn
contemplation Of DO friend TO bic country.
"a. Whilst have always broadly admitted tia
The rablie lsnds were The eonncn property Of q