Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-08-20
VETO NJ ESS A GE,
No. 4.


states.
II is with unfe igned regret that | find myself
under the necessity Of returning TO the House OF
Representatives, with my objections, bill emit
lied "An TO provide revenue from imports, md
10 change and modify existing laws Imposing du.
ties on imports and for other purposes" Moth
ing be painful any indiv dual called
upon to perform tho chief Executive duties under
our limited Constitution, than 10 be constrained
TO withhold his assent from important mea sure
adopted by the legislature; Yet he would neither
fulfil the high purposes Of his station, nor consult
the true in teress. the solemn I'LL Of the PeO-
pie, the common constituents Of both branches of
the Government by yielding his we'll cons dered,
most deeply fixed, and repeatedly declared opin
ions matters Of great public concernment to
those of a ordinate Department, withou, re-
qucsting that Department seriously 20 re exam
me the subject OF their difference. The exercise
Of some independence of judgment IN regard to
all acts Of legislation, is plainly implied IN the
responsibility Of approsi ing them. Al all tunes a
Gu,y--it becomes peculiarly solemn and impe-
ra,ive one, when the subjects passed upon by Con
gress, happen. TO involve, IN the present IN
stance, the most momen ious issues, to affect
riously the various parts OF n great country, and
10 have given rise III all quarters TO such a con.
fct opinion. To render it impossible 10 conJec-
ture. with any certainly, on which side the ma
itv really is. Surely, If the pause for reflection,
Intended by the wise authors of the Constitution,
by referring the subject back to Congress for
consideration, be ever cxpedIent and necessary,
il is precisely such a the present.
On The subject of distributing the proceeds of
the sales Of the public lands, in tho existing state
Of the finances, it has been my duty to make
known my settled convictions various
sions during the present session of Congress
A, the opening Of the extra session, upwards Of
twelve months ago, sharing fully in the general
hope Of returning prosperity and credit, recon-.
mended such a distribution; but that recommen-
"a hon SIy lah
condition that the duties imports should
exceed the rate OF 30 per cent provided by the
Compromise act Of 1888. These hopos wero -
a litile encouraged and these views strengthened
bv the report of Mr.. Ewing then Secretary Of
the Treasury, which was shortly thereafter laid
before Congress, in which he recommended the
imposition of duties at the rate of 20 per cent.
ad ralorem all free articles, with specified ex-
ceptons, and stated, "If this measure be adopted,
there Will be received IN the Treasury from Gus
TONS. IN the last quarter OF the present wear,
USu,) S530o,0oo, IN AL Of the year 1912, a
bout So 800 900; and in tho year 1913, after
tho final reduction under the act Of March :,
1888, about $50 s0O,Oo0; and adds ali is beiiev-
ed that after the heavy expenditures required by
the public service in the present year shall have
been provided for, the revenue which viii accrue
from Ina, a nearly proxilnate rate OF duty. VIII
be sufficient TO defrny the expenses OF the Iov>
eminent, and leave a surplus TO he annually APP
piled TO the gradual payment of the national debt.
leaving the proceeds of the public lands 10 be
DISPOSED of as Congress shall "see tit" was
most happy that Congress, at the time, seemed
entirely concur IT the recommendations OF the
Executive. and, antIcipa'inG the correctness OF
the Secretary's conclusions, and IN view of an
actual surplus, assed The Distribution act of the
4ih September last. wisely limiting It's operation
bv two conditions. having reference, both of them.
10 n possible state Of the Treasury, different from
that which had been anticipated by the Secreta.
nv Of the Treasury and 10 the paramount neces-
sites Of the public service. 1t ordained that, 'if
time during the existence Of that act. there
should be imposition OF duties on imports ~
consistent with the provision Of the act of the
ID March, 1888, and beyond the rate of duties
fixed by that act, 10 w.t. 20 per cent. on the val
of such imports or any OF them. then Tho dis
iribu,ion should be suspended md should continue
so suspended, until that cause should he remov ed"
Bv previous clause it had, IN like spirit Of
wise and cautious patriotism, provided for anoth-
er in which all are even now agreed that the
proceeds of tho sales OF the public lands should
be used for the defence OF the country. 1t was
enacted that the act should continue and be in
force until otherwise provided by law. unless the
y. States should become involved in war with
any foreign power. IN which event. from the com
mencement OF host,hties, the act should be
pended until the cessation of hos,ilities.
Not lang after the opening of the present ses,
sion Of Congress, tho unprcc edented and extranr.
binary difficulties that have recently embarrassed
the finances nf the country began to assume a
serious aspect. 1t soon became quite evident
that the hopes under which the act Of 4th Sep.
TENDER was passed. and which alone Justified II in
the ewes either of Congress. who imposed. or of
the Executive. who approved the first Of the
conditions Just reclted. were not destined 10 be
fulfilled. Under the pressure. therefore. Of the
embarrassmen's which had thus Unexpectedly ari-
SEN il appeared TO me that the course TO be pur-
sued had been clearly marked out for the govern
ment by tina, act itself The condition contem,
plated IN IT. as requiring suspension OF lis ope-
ration. had occurred /, became necessary, in
the opinions of all. raise the rate of duties up
on imports above 20 per cent. and with a view
TO provide available means meet present ext
gencies. and TO lay the foundation for a success
ful negotiailon Of a loan fell il inrnmhanf IN.