The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-08-25

most emphatic but respectful language l
could employ, the necessity Of making the
land sales available 10 the Treasury as the
basis of public credit. | did not think that
could stand excused, much less justified,
before the People Of the United States, nor
could | reconcile il to myself to recon-
mend the imposition Of additional taxes
upon them, without, Of the same time,
urging the employment Of all the legitl-
mate means OF the Government towards
satisfying its wants. These opinions were
communicated in advance Of any dehnItiye
action Of Congress on the subject either OF
the tariff or land sales, under high sense
of public duty, and ~ compliance with an
express injunction Of the Constitutions
that if collision, extremely TO be depre-
Gated as such collisions always are, has
seemingly arisen between the Executive
and Legislative branches of the Govern
ment, il has assuredly no. been owing to
any capricious interference or to any want
of plain and frank declaration of opinion
on the part OF the former. Congress diff
fered in its views with those of the Exc
cutive, as it had undoubtedly q right TO do,
and passed bill virtually for time re-
psaling the proyiso Of the act Of 4ih Sep
tember, le4l. The bill was returned 10
the House 10 which it originated, with my
objections TO its becoming law. With
view to prevent, if possible, an open d'sa-
greement Of opinion on point so lmpor-
tant, took occasion to declare that | re-
garded it as an indispensable prerequisite
to an increase Of duties above 30 per cent.
I tia, the act Of the 18th Of September should
remain unrepealed in its provisions. MY
reasons for that opinion were deliberately
set ,orth 10 the message which accompa-
MED the return Of the blll--whIch no con-
siitutlonal majority appears to have been
found for passing into law.
/ The bill which is now before me propo-
ses, in lis eth section, the total repeal OF
one of the provisions in the act Of Sepiem-
Der, and while it increases the duties above
20 per cent. directs an unconditional dis.
triouiion OF the land proceeds. am there
fore subjected second time, 10 the period
u Il iCN uuNSt W bNNN5s4ff VI Nf'AN'
giving my approval to measure which,
"a my deliberate judgment, is 10 conflict
with great public interests or OF returning
I II TO the House 10 which It originated,
with my objections. With all my anxiety
for the passage Of law which would re.
pIenish an exhausted Treasury, and fur
nish u sound and healthy encouragement
to mechanical industry, | cannot consent
TO do 50 at The sacrifice Of the peace and
harmony OF the country, and the clearest
convictions Of public duty.
For some of the reasons which have
Brought lie TO this conclusion, ! refer to
my previous Message to Congress, and
briefly subloin the following =
] /. The bull unltes two subjects, which,
so far from having any affinity to ono an.
other, are wholly incongruous 10 their
character 1t is both a revenue and an
appropriation bill. Ii thus imposes on the
Executive, IN the first place, the necessity
either of approving that which he would
reject, or rejecting that which he might
otherwise approve. This is species oil
constraint TO which the judgmen, Of the
Executive ought not, in my opinion, 10 be
subjected. But this IS not my only objec.
ton to the act in its prescn, form. The
union Of subjects wholly disSimilar in their
character IN the same bill, if il grew into
practice, would not fail 10 lead to couse.
quences destructive Of all wise and consci.
encious legislation. Various measures,
each agreeable only TO a small minority
i might, by being thus united, and tho more
tho greater chance OF success, Iced to the
passing Of laws, Of which no single Proyis.
T.. .,,;,d, il standing alone, command a
=. While tho 1'fe1.e
extreme embarrassment, rctf~..,.,.. -,
dollar which Il can make availaElr, -,
when the Government has not only 10 Law
additional taxes. but to borrow money 10
meet pressing demands, the bill proposes
to give away fruitful source Of revenue
which IS the same thing as raising mo.
ncy BY loan aud taXaiion--nOt to meet the
wants Of the Government, but for distrlbu.
ton, proceeding which must rcgnrl as
highly lmpoliIic, Il not unconstitutional.
A brief review Of The present condition
Of tic public finances will serve TO illus.
trate the true condition of the Treasury
and exhibit its actual necessities. On the
9th Of August, Friday last, there was in
the Treasury,
in round numbers, s2l50 nnn
Necessary to DO retained 10
meet trust funds, 100000
Interest on public debt duo
In October 30 900
To redeem Treasury notes
and pay the interest. 100000
Land distribution. under tho
act Of the ith September,
l54l, G40,000
-~-sl 1904 900
Leaving an available amount Of s970ooo
-. - -
The Navy Department had drawn 70.
questions on the Treasury nt that ,ino 70
meet debts actually due, amoup,,in.t 49,