The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-07-09
THE VETO MESSAGE.
10 the HoMse Of Represenkafiues.

10 h6 HOUSE OF Representatives:
Ireturn the Bill which originated in the
House Of Representative. entitled IAN act
to extend for a limited period, the presen,
laws for laying and collecting duties on i'm.
posts with the following objections.
1t susPends--in other words, abrogates
for the time, the provision of the act of
1899, commonly called the Compromise
Act. The only ground on which this
solemn adjustmsnt Of great and aglating
question, seems TO have been regarded as
expedient, in the alleged necessity of estab
fishing by Legislative enactment, rules and
regulations for assessing the duties TO be
levied on imposis after the 30,h of June,a ,ac-
cording to the home valuaiion and yet the
Bill expressly provides tb at, 'ifi before the
6rst of August there be no further Legislation
upon the subject, the laws for laying and
collecting duties shall be the same as though
this ac, had not been passed. In other
words, that the act Of 1893, imperfect as il
is considered, shall in that case continue to
be executed as law ,under such rules and
regulations as previous slater had prescriS-
ed, or had enabled the Executive Depart
ment 10 prescribe for the purpose-leaving
the supposed chasm in the Revenue laws
just as il was before.
am certainly far from being dsp osed 10
deny, that additional legislation upon the
subject is very desirable-on the contary
the necessity as well as difficulty of estab-
fishing uniformity in the appraisment to be
made in conformity with the true intention
Of that act was brought TO the notice OF
Congress in my message to Congress at the
opening of its present session. Blu. however
sensible / may be of the embarrassment 10
which the Executive in the absence of all
aid from the superior wisdom of the Legis
lature, will be liable in the enforcement of
the existing laws; l have not. with the sin.
ceres! wish TO acquiesce in its pressed will
been able to persuade myself thai the exi.
gency of the occasion is SO great as to jnsti-
fy me in signing the Bill ir question, with
mypresent views of its character and effects.
The existing laws, as am advised, aye
sufficient TO authorize and enable the COL
lecting officers, under the directions Of the
Treasury, TO levy the duties imposed by
the act of 1888.
That act was passed under peculiar cir
cumstances, 10 which il is not necessary that
shonld do more than Barely allude-whatev-
er may be in theory its character, have al.
ways regarded il as imposing the highest
moral obligation, II has now existed for
nine years unchanged in any essential par
,iculars, with as general aequiescence it is
believed Of the whole country as ever man.
ifested for any Of her wisely established in.
stitutions. 1t has ensured to it the repose
which always flows from truly wise and
moderate councls--a reposs the more strik.
ing because of the long and angry agitations
which proceeded it. This salitary law
proclaims in express terms the principal
which, while it led to the abandonment of
scheme Of indirect taxation, founded on
false basis, and pushed to dangerous excess
jus!iies any enlargement oil duties chat
may be called for by the real exigoncies of
the public service. II provides, shat duties
shal! be laid for the purpose of raising such
revenue as may be necessary TO an enesni.
cal administration Of the government Ii is,
therefore in the power of Congress to lay
duties, as high as its discretion may die
tate tor the necessary uses of the govern
ment, wit hout infringing upon the objects
Of the act Of 1893. do not doubt that the
necessities of the government do require an
incras of the tariff of duties above twenty |
per cent-and as little doubt but that
Congress, above as well as below that rate
may SO discriminate to gve incidental pro-
lection TO manufacturing industry--thus to
make the burihens which it is compelled TO
impose upon the people for the purpose Or
government; productive of deudle benefit.
This, most OF the reasonable opponents Of
productive duties seem willing 10 conceede
if we may judge from the manifestation of
public opinion in all quarters This is all
that the manufacturing interest really re-
quire. am happy, in the persuasion, that
this double object can be most easily and
effectualy accomplished at the present
juncture. without any departure from the |
spirit and principle OF the statute in question.
The manufacturing classes have now an
opportunity, which may never occur again |
of permantly identifying their interest with
those Of the whole country and making
them, in the highest sense of the term, a |
national concern. The moment is propit-
Gus 10 the interests Of the whole country in
the introduction Of harmony among all It's
parts and its several interests. The same
rate OF imposts, and no more, as will most
surely re-estabish the public credit, will