Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1846-08-12
priations for similar improvements 10 other

In its operation II Wilde oppressive auu
unjust towards those States whose repre-
sentalives and people either deny or doubt
the existence ofihe power, or think ils ex-
ercise inexpedien,. and who, while they
equally, contribute 10 the treasury, caunot
consistently with their opinions engage 10
the general competition for share Of the
public money. Thus large portion Of
the Union in numbers and in geographical
extent, contributing its equal proportion
of taxes TO the support of the government.
would, under The operation of such sys'
tenn, be compelled 10 see The national
trcasure-the common stock ofall--une.
qually disbursed, and often i'm 2rovidenlly
wasted for The advantage Of small sections,
INSTEAD of being applied to the great ma
tional purposes in Which all have a com.
mon interest, and for which alone the
power to collect the revenue was given.
Should the system Of internal improve
ments proposed prevail, allthese evils will
multiply and increase with the increase Of
the number Of the States, aud The exten.
sion of the geographical limits Of the set
lied portions Of our country. With The
increase Of our numbers aud the extension
of our settlements. the local objects de-
manding appropriations Of the public mo.
ney for their improvement will be proper
tionately increased. In each case The ex-
penditures Of the public money would con-
fer benefits, direct or indirect, only on
section, while these sections would be-
come daily less in comparison with the
whole.
The wisdom of tie framers ofthe con-
stlution 10 withholding power over such
objects from the federal government, and
leaving them to the local governments of
The States, becomes more and more man.
ifest st1wi!h every years experience of the
operations OF our system.
In a country Of limited extent, with but
few such objects of expenditure, Gf the
form of government permitted ii,) COM
mon treasury might be used for their i'm
provement with much less inequality and
injustice than in one of the vast extent
which ours now present in population aud
territory. The treasure of the world would
hardly be equallo the improvement Of
every bay, inlet, creek, and river in our
country which might be supposed to pro
mote the agricultural manufacturing, or
commercial interests of neighborhood.
The federal constitution was wisely
adapted in its provisions TO any expansion
of our limits and population aud with the
advance of the coDfederacy of the States
in Tho career of national greatness, it be-
comes The more apparent that the harmo-
ny Of the Union, and the equal justice 10
which all its parts are entitled, require that
tie federal government should confne its
action within the limits prescribed by the
constitution TO lis power and anuthorily.
Some Of the provisions Of this bill are not
subject 10 the objections stated. and did
they stand alone, / should not feeli to be
my duty 10 withhold my approval.
If no constitutional objections existed
to the bill, there are others Of serious ma
ture which deserve some consideration
1t appropriates between one aud two mil
lions of dollars for objecis which are Of
no pressing necessity ; and lhisis propos:
ed al. a lime when the countsysisa sngaged.
in foreign war, and when Congress at
its present session has authorized loan
or the issue Of treasury noiesto defray the
expenses Of the war, 10 be resorted TO u.
the 'exigencies of The government shall
require it," Ii twould seem. to be the die
tate of wisdom under such circumstances
TO husband our means, and not 10 waste
them OH comparatively unimportant OBJ
jects, so that we may. reduce The loan or
issue of reasury notes, which may become
necessary, 10 the smallest practical sum.
II would seem 10 be wise too, 10 abstain
from such expenditures with a view 10
avoid The accumulation of a large public
debt, the existence of which would be op-
posed to the interests Of our people, as
well as to the genius Of our free instila-
tions.
Should this bill become law, the prin-
ciple which it establishes will inevitably
lead to large and annually increasing
appropriations and drains upon the trea
sury, for it is not to be doubted that nu
merous other localities not embraced in It's
provisions, bul quite as much entitled 10
the favor of the government as those
which are embraced, will demand, thro'
their representatives in Congress, 10 be
placed on an equal footing with them.
With such an Increase of expenditure must
necessarily follow either an increased pub
lie debt, or increased burdens upon The
people by taxation, to supply the treasury
with the means Of meeting The accumula-
ted demands upon it.
With profound respect for the opinions
Of Congress, and ever anxious. as far as
can consistently with my responsibility TO
our common constituents, 10 cooperate
with them in the discharge Of our respect
i've duties, it is with unfeigned regret that
l find myself constrained, for The reasons
which have assigned, to withhold my
approval from this bill.
JAMES X. POLK.
Washington, August3d, 1916.