Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-08-18


upon Congress to raise the dulles accord
ingly, imposing them in spirit of wis,
discrimination, for the two fold object o
affording ample revenue for the Govern
ment, and incidental protection to the va
rlous branches of domestic industry.
also pressed, in the most emphatic but re.
speciful language could employ, the ne
cessity of making the land sales available
to the Treasury as the basis of public
lcredit. ! did not think that could stand
excused, much less justified, before the
People of the United States, nor could |
reconcile it TO myself 10 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 commun.
Gated in advance Of any definite action OF
Congress on the subject either OF the Ia.
riff or land sales, under high sense OF
public duty, and in compliance with an
express injunction of the Cons,tion-so
that if collision, extremely to be depre-
seemingly arisen between the Executive
and Legislative branches of the Govern.
ment, il has assuredy not been owing to
any capriclous interference, or TO any
want Of plain and frank declaration of
opinion on the part OF the former. Con-
gress differed in its views with those of
the Executive, as it had undoubtedly q
right to do, and passed bill virtually for
a time repeating the proviso of the act Of
the 9TH September, lS4l. The bill was
returned TO the House in which il origin.
a,ed, with my objections to its becoming
a law. With view to prevent, if posi-
BILE, an open disagreement of opinion on
point so important. took occasion to de-
clare that regarded it as an indispensa.
Bile prerequisite to an increase Of duties
above 30 per cent. that the act Of the 4th
September, should remain unrepealed in
its provisions. My reasons for tina. opin.
ion were deliberately set forth in the mes
sage which accompanied the return of the
bill-which no Constitutional majority APP
pears to have been found for passing into
a law.
The bill which is now before me, pro-
poses, in its 9th section, the total repeal
Of one Of the provisos in the act Of Sep.
TENDER, and while it increases the duties
above 90 per cent, directs and uncondl-
.ional 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 mea-
sure which, IN my deliberate judgment,
is in conflict with great public interests,
or of returning it to tho House in which
1t originated, with my objections. With
all my anxiety for the passage Of a law
which would replenish an exhausted Trea-
sury, and furnish sound and healthy en-
enlargement TO mechanical industry, |
cannot consent to do so 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 me to this conclusion, refer to
my previous Messages to Congress, and
briefly subioin the following:
/. The bill unites two subjects, which,
so far from having any affinity to one
another, are wholly incongruous in their
character. Ii is both 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, or rejecting that which he might
otherwise approve. This is a species Of
constrant to which the judgment of the
Executive ought not, in my opinion, to be
subjected. But that is not my only OBJ.
Lection to the act in its present form. -
The union of subjects wholly dissimiar in
their character in the same bill, if it grew
into practice, would not fail to lead to
consequences destructive Of all wise and
conscientious legislation. Various mea-
sures, each agreeable only to small mi
noiity, might, by being thus united, and
the more the greater chance of success,
lead TO the passing OF laws, of which no
single provision could, il standing alone,
command majority IN its favor.
,. While the Treasury is in state oil
extreme embarrassment, requiring every
uuidl WINCH IL Gun Hihhe dNdiIdUie, uUu
when the Government has not only TO lay
additional taxes, but TO borrow money to
meet pressing demands, the bill proposes
to give away fruitful source of revenue
which is the same thing as raising mo-
ney by loan and taxation-not to meet
the wants Of the Government, but for dis
tribution, proceeding which ! must re.
gard as highly impolitic, if not unconsti-
tutional.
A brief review of the present condition
Of the public finances will serve TO illus
trate the true condition of the Treasury
and exhibit ms actual necessities. On the
9Th of August, Friday last, there was in
the Treasury, in round numbers,
So, $50, 900
Necessary 10 be re-
tanned to meet trust
funds, $360,000
Interest on public
debt duein October, $4,000
To redeem Treasury
notes and pay the
interest, 100000
Land distribution,
under the act of
the 4th September,
ls4l, 100000
| on mn