Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-08-31
:. and 10 Law the foundation

eut exipencies, and TO lay the foundation
for : successful negotiation of loan. !
fel, 4 incumbent upon me to. urge upon
Congress 70 raise the duties accordingly,
imposing them in spirit of wise dis
elimination, for the iwofold object of af-
fording ample revenue for the Govern
ment, and incidental protection to the va
rious branches of domestic industry. /
also pressed, in the most emphatic but
respectful language | could employ, the
necessity OF making the land sales availa-
bic to the Treasury as the basis of public
credit. I did not think that could stand
excused, much less justified, before the peo-
pie Of the United States. nor could rec
oncile it to myself TO recommend the i'm
position Of additional taxes upon them,
without, at the same time, urging the en-
ployment Of all the legitimate means Of
the Government toward satisfying its
wants. These opinions were communi-
Gated in advance of any definite action of
Congress on the subject either ofthe tariff
or land sales. under high sense of pub
lie duty, and in compliance with an ex-
press injunction of the Constitution, so
that il 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 not been owing TO
any capricious interference, or to any
want of plain and frank declaration OIL
opinion on the part Of the former. Con-
gress differed in lis views with those OF the
Executive, as it had undoubtedly right
to do, and passed bill virtually for a
time repeating the proyiso ofthe act ofthe
4th September. l84l. The bill was re-
turned 70 the House ir which it original
ed, with my objection to its becoming a
law. With view to prevent, if possible
an open disagreement of opinion on a
point so important, took occasion TO de.
clare that | regarded it as an indispensa.
BILE prerequisite TO an Increase of duties
above 20 per cent, that the act Of the Alb
September should remain unrepealed in
its provisions. My, reasons for that opin.
ion were deliberately set forth in the mes
sage which accompanied the return OF the
bill-which no Constitutional majority
appears 10 have been found for passing
| into law.
The bill which is now before me FRO
poses, in the 9th section, the total repeal
of one Of the provisos in the act Of Sep.
TENDER, and while it increases the duties
above 20 per cent. directs an uncondition
al distribution of the land proceeds. lam
therefore subjected a second time, in the
period Of few days, to the necessity o.
either giving my approval to measure
which. in my deliberate judgment, is in
conflict wnh great public interests, or o
returning it to the House in which it orr
gina.ed. with my objections. With all my
anxiety for the passage of law which
would replenish an exhausted Treasury
and furnish a sound and healthy encour
agement 10 the mechanical industry, lean
not consent to do so at the sacrifice of tht
peace and harmony ofthe country, and til,
clearest convictions of public duty.
( For some Of the reasons which have
brought me to this conclusion, l refer t
my previous Messages TO Congress, and
briefly subioin the following:
1. The bill uniles two subjects, which
so far from any afinityto ooe another, arr
wholly incongruous in their character
1t is both a revenue and an appropriation
bill. 1t thus imposes on the Executive
in the first place, the necessity of either
approving that which he would reject, o.
rejecting that which he might otherwis,
approve. This is species of constrain
to which the judgement OF the Executive
ought not, in my opinion, to be subjected
But that is not my only objection to tn,
act in its present form. The union o
subjects wholly dissimilar in their char
acter in the same bill, if il grew into {
practice, would not fail to lead to conse
quences destructive oil all wise & conscien
tious legislation. Various measures, eacl
agreeable only to small minority, might
by being thus united, and the more th,
greater chance of success, lead 10 the pas
| sing of laws. of which no single provision
could, if standing alone. command ma
ljority in its favor.
g. While the Treasury is in a state o
extreme embarrassment, requiring every
dollar which it can make available, anc
when the Government has not only to Law
additional taxes, but to borrow money t.
meet pressing demands. the bill proposes L
give away fruitful source of revenue
which is The same thing ss raising money
by loan and taxaiion-not TO meet the
wants ofthe Government, but for distribu
ton, proceeding which mus! regard a:
highly impolitic, ifnot Unconstitutional.
/ A brief review OF the present condition
! Of the 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, Their
i was in the Treasury, in round nun
bers. $3.50. O0I
Necessary TO be retained to meet