The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-02

" ants. Aheee Mons were communicated
in advance 81 any definite action Of Congress
on thesubiect either Of the Tariff or Land
Sales, under 3 high sense 81 public duty, and
~ compliance with an express Injunction Of
the conslitutlon-so that If collision ex.
tremely 70 he deprecated as such collisions
always are, has seemingly risen between the
Executive and Legislative branches Of the
It has assurediy not been owing |
10 any capricious interference, or 10 any
want Of plain and frank declaration on the |
part Of the former. Congress differed in it's |
views with those of the Executive, asit had |
undoubtedly right to do, and passed bin
virtually, for time repeating the proviso Of
the act of the 9TH September, I84l. The bill
was returned to the House in which il ORR
glnated, with my objection to its becoming
law. With view-to prevent, if possible,
an open disagreement of opinion on a point
SO important, took occasion to declare that
t'regarded as an indispensable prerequisite
TO an increase Of duties above 90 per cent.
that the act of the 4th of September should
remain unrepealed in it's provisions. Ny
reasons for that opinion were elaborately set
forth in the message which accompanied the
return of that bill-Which no constitutional
majority appears 10 have been found for pas
sing into law,
The bill which is now before me proposes,
in its 9th section, the total repeal Of one of
the provisions in the act of September, and
while it increases the duties above 90 per
cent, directs an unconditional distribution of
the land proceeds. am therefore subjected
second time, in the period of few days, to
the necessity Of either giving my approval TO
measure which, in my deliberate judgment,
is in conflict with great public interests, or
OF returning it to the House in which it orr
ginated, with my objections. With all my
anxiety for the passage Of law which would
Teplenish an exhausted Treasury, and fur
nish, sound and healthy encouragement to
mechanical industry, cannot consent to do
so at the sacriiee Of the peace and harmony
ofthe country, and the clearest convictions
of public duty.
Forsone of the reasons which have brought
me to :his conclusion, refer to my previous
messages to Congress, and briefly subioin the
following;
1. The bin unites two subjects, which, so
far from having any affinity to one another,
are wholly incongruous in their Character
Il Is both areVenue and an appropriation bill.
II thus imposes on the Executive, in the first
place, the necessity of either approving thai
which he would reject, or rejecting that
which he might otherwise approve. This il
species Of conBtraint to which the judgment
of the Executive ought not, in my opinion
TO be subjected. But that is not nv onl,
objection 10 The act in its present form. The
union of subjects wholly dissimilar In theil
charaCter in the same bill, If il grew into
practice, would not fail 70 lead 70 consequen'
/ ces destructive Of all wise and conscientioui
legislation. Various measures, each agreea
BILE only to a small minority, might, by beinI
thus united, and the greater chance Of sue
at e
single provision could, if standing alone
command majority in its favor.
2. While the Treasury is in a state Of ex
treme embarrassment, requiring every dolla
: which it can make available, and when th
, Government has not only to lay additions
taxes, but to borrow money to meet pressing
demands, the bill proposes to give away
fruitful source ofTevenue-W hichis the sam
thing as raising by ban and taxation-not t
meet the wants Of the Government, but fo
! distribution, proceeding which must re
gard as highly impolitic, if not unconstitu
. tional.
q A brief review of the present condition
> the public finances will serve to illustral
I the true condition Of the Treasury, and s2
n hibit its actual necessities:
9 On the 9Th of August, friday
> last, there was in the Trea-
}, Necessary to be retained to
70 meet trust funds S360,000
e Interest on publiedebt, due
n ia October $4,000
4 To redeem Treasury notes
al and pay the interest 100000
= Land distribution under the
act of 4th Sept. 1e42 $4,000 $1,160,O
t, Leaving an available amt of $s7O,O
= The Navy Department had drawn requ
sitions on the Treasury, at that time, to me
al debts actually due, among which are bi
a under protest for $l,414 900: thus leavil
Is an actual deficit Of $444 900.
!: There was on hand about 500 900 of u
a. issued Treasury notes, assisted by. the a
ett cruing revenue, amounting to about $I5e
4 600 per week, exclusive Of receipts on U
M paid bonds, TO meet fequisitions for the arm
- and the demands of the civil list.
,s The withdrawal of the sum Of S64O, 900,
4 be distributed among the States, 30 soon
:. the statements and accounts can.be madeg
Il and completed, by virtue of the pro visions
- the act Of 4th September last, of which near
- rooiety goes TO q few States, and only sbo
~ $3.50 600 is TO be divided among ell &
:. States, while it adds materially to the sembi
I'll easements Of the Treasury, affords tot
to States no decided relief
vel No immediate relief from this state OF thln
ie lis anticipated, unless, what would mr.
s. deeply be deplored, the Government cou
8. be reconciled "a Tie negotiation Of loans
1n ready authorized ~ law, e arate Of discOu
es ruinous in itself, and calculated most Sc
ously 70 adecr ihe pal Sc credit. 50 great
ct the depression d trade, that even i the pi
! SEN bin were Is becon law, and prove
=. be uroductive, some time would elapse hefe
a. snficient supplies would flow into {
~ Treasury, while, in.ths mean time, It's 81
81 barrassnients would BE continually augmel
s. ed BY the aemi-annual distribution Of {
~ land proceede.