Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1842-08-27

curing Il suspension OF It's operation, had
occurred. II became necessary. in tho
opinions Of all to raise the rate OF duties
upon imports above twenty per cent, and
with view both to provide available
means to meet present cxigencies. and
to Law the foundation for a successful ne
gotiaton o! loan, felt it incumbent up
on nc to urge upon Congress TO raise the
duties accordingly, imposing them in a
spirit Of wise discrimination, for the two
fold object Of afforiing ample revenue for
the Government, and inchle, tai protection
to the various branches Of Gomcstic indus
try. also pressed, IN the must emphatic
but respectful language | could employ,
the necessity Of making the land sales
available to the Treasury as the basis of
public credit. lid not think that could
stand excused, much less justified, before
the people or,h United States, nor could
| reconcile ii to myself to recommend the
imposition Of additional taxes upon them,
without, at the same time. urging the en-
ployment Of all the legitimate means Of
the Government towards satisfying its
wants. These opinions were communica-
ted in advance Of any defni,ive action Of
Congress on the subject either of the tariff
or land sales, under high sense Of public
duty, and in compliance with an express
injunction Of the Constitutions that if
a collision, extremely to be deprecated as
such collisions always are. has seemingl y
arisen between the Executive and Lcgis
lative branches Of the Government, it has
assuredy not been owing to any capri
cious interference, CT to any want OF a
plain and frank declaration clopinion, on
the part Of the former. Congress differ
ed in It's views with those OF the Exeal
tive, as it had undoubtedly right to do,
and passed a bill virtually for a time re-
repeating the proviso Of the act Of the 4th
OF September, l641.
The bill was returned TO the house in
which it originated, with my objections to
its becoming a law. With view to pre-
vent, if possible, an open disagreement OF
opinion on u point so important, took oc-
casion to declare that regarded it as an
indispensable prerequisite 20 an increase
Of duties above 90 per cent, that the act
OF the 4lh September should remain unre-
pealed in its provisions. My reasons for
that opinion were deliberately set forth in
the message which accompanied the re-
turn Of the bill-which no constitutional
majority appears to have been found for
passing into law.
The bill which is now before me pro
poses, in its 9th section, the tota! repeal
Of one of the provisos in the net Of Sep
TENDER, and while it increases the duties
above 20 per cent, directs an uncondi-
tional distribution Of the land proceeds
arm therefore subjected second time. in
the period Of few days, to the necessity
OF either giving my approval TO meas
ure which, in my deliberate judgment, is
in conflict with great public interests, OF
Of returning it 20 the house in which orr.
gnated, with my objections.-With al
my anxiety for the passage Of a Law
which would replenish an exhausted treas
rry, and furnish a sound and healthy en-
enlargement to mechanical industry,
cannot consent to do SO, at the sacrifice O.
the peace and harmony Of the country
and the clearest convictions Of public duty
For some Of the reasons which have
brought me to this conclusion, refer te
my previous messages TO congress, ant
briefly subjoin tile following:
!. The bill unites two subjects, which
SO far from having any affinity to one an
other, are wholly homogeneous in their
character. 1t is both a revenue and an
appropriation bill. 1t thus imposes OF
the Executive, in the first rlace, the nc
cessity Of either approving that which he
would reject, or rejecting that which he
might otherwise approve.
I This is species OF constraint to which
the judgment Of the Executive ought not
in my opinion, to be subjected. But tina
is not my only objection to the act in it.
present form. The union Of subject;
wholly dissmilar in their character in the
same bill, it grew into practice, would
not fail to lead to consequences destruc
tive OF all wise and conscientious legisla
ton. Various measures, each agreeable
only to a small minority, might, by being
thus united. and the more the create,
chance of success, lead to the passing oil
laws, Of which no single provision could
If standing alone, command majority in
its favor.
g While the Treasury is in state 81
extreme embarrassment, requiring every
dollar which it can make available, and
when the Government has not only to Law
additional taxes, but TO borrow money tc
meet pressing demands, the bill proposes
to give away fruitful source OF revenue
which is the same thing as raising mon.
ey by loan and taxation-not to meet the
wants Of the Government, but for distri-
button, proceeding which mus. regard
as highly impolitic if not unconstitutional.
A brief review ofth present condition
Of the public finances will serve to illus
tratc 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,
S2,l5O.ooo
Necessary to he retained 10 meet
trust funds. 100000
Inst public debt due in O.to-
/ Der, 10000
To redeem Treasury notes and
] pay the interest, 100000
Land Distribution, under the act
| of the 4th September l84l, $4,000
--$l lac. 00O
-
Leaving an available amount Of S97O,OaO
The navy Department had drawn re-