Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-20

copy of the message and have given IL careful Pc
sTusals and well, indeed, might Mr.. Leak back out;
tence in the message but what is authority against
hims The bill in question for the dislribu-
lions of the proceeds of the lands among the several
States, as also a partial distribution of the lands
themselves. Jackson. in his veto, after reviewing
the different deeds of cession, shows concusiveIy,
that no distribution Of the lands their proceeds
among the States could be consistent with the condi
ton of the different deeds Of cessien and the Con-
sttuon of the United States makes all of these
pacts binding the present Government, he concud
ed that Congress rad no right 10 pass such bill.
But independent of the want of power in Congress
10 do this, the old General expressly declares that
there other considerations which would compel
him to veto the bills and these considerations have
as strong application heretofore, and in my
opinion should be decisive of the fate of this Saun
ders bobby, send you the enclosed extract, which
hope you will be able 10 publish in your valuable
Journal. These extracts contain the portion Of the
message showing the fatal policy of distribution.
SPECTATOR.
Esl0ct from JacksOn's Vefo Message Of the Land
Bill, Dec. 4. lS33-StGtcsnianS -Nanua-.Appen-
dir, =. 81:
But there other principles asserted in the bill
which should have iCapelleG the 10 withhold my sig
nature, had not seen in it violation Of the COM
pacts by which the United States acquired title
large portion of public lands 1t reasserts the prin
ciple contained in the bill authorizing subscription
to the stock Of the Maysvie, Washington, Paris,
and Lexington turnPIke-road company, from which
/ was compelled to withhold my consent for reasons
contained in my message on the 9Th May, 1880, 10
the house of representatives.
The leading principle then asserted was, that Con-
gress possesses constitutional power appropri
any part of the moneys Of the United States for
objects of local character, within the States. That
principle, can not be mistaken in suPposing, has
received the unequivoca sanction of the American
people, and all subsequent reflection has but satisfied
more thoroughly, that the interest of people,
and the purity of government, if its existence,
depend on its observance. The public lands are the
pAfth he TInit Itbo
eys arising from their sales, part of the public
revenue. This bill proposes to raise from and APP
proPrlats portion of this public revenue certain
states, providing expressly, that it shall be 0oDLed
to objects of internal Improvement or education Iuitin
those states" and then proceeds appropriate the
balance TO all the states, with the declaration, that it
shall be applied 10 such purposes as The legislatures Of
tie said respective states shall deem proper The for
appropriation is expressly for internal improve
ments or education without qualification as to the
kind OF improvements, and therefore in express vio-
lailon OF the principle maintained in my objections
to the turn2ikeroad BILL above referred To- The lat
Ter appropriation IS more broad and gives the money
TO be applied to any local purpose whatsoever. Il
will not be denied that under the provisions of the
bill, portion of the money mi ht have been applied
10 making the very road 10 which the bill of 1880
had reference, and must of come within the
scope OF the same principle. If the money of the
United States cannot be applied to local purposes
- through its agents. little can it be permit
ted TO be thus expended through the agency of the
stale governments"
Il has been supposed that with all the reductions in
our revenue which could be speedily effected BY Con-
gTess, without injury the substantial interests of
the country, there might be for some years to come
surplus OF moneys in the treasury. and that there was
IN principle, no objection to returning them to the
people by whom they paid. As the literal &C.
cOmPllshment oil such an object is obviously imprac-
ticable 1t thought admissible as the nearest an
Proclamation to II, 10 hand them the state gov
ernmens, the more immediate representatives of the
people 10 be by them applied to the benefit of those
10 whom they properly belonged. The principle and
the object was, to return 10 the people unavoidable
surplus Of revenue, which might have been paid by
them under system which could not al once be a.
abandoned but even this resource which at one time
seemed TO be almost the only alternative to save the
general government from gras2Ing unlimited power
over internal Improvements, was suggested with
doudbs of its constItutionaIity.
DuI 'hls Oil assumes new principle. It's object
IS not 70 return 10 the people vodabe surplus
o! revenue paid In by them but TO surplus for
distribution among the states. 1t seizes the entire
proceeds OF one of revenue and sets Them apat
as surplus, making II necessary to raise the money!
loI supporting Inc government and meeting the gener-
al charges from other sources. Ii even throws the
entire land system ugon the customs for its support
ana makes the public lands perpetual charge upon
the treasury Ii does return the ne ople mon
eys accidentally or unavoidaby paid by them to the
government, by which they are not wanted but COM
Pes the people TO pay moneys into the treasury for
Inc mere purpose OF creating surplus for distribution
10 thelT Stale governments.
II this principle be admitted it is not Difficult,
ready Ibls oll by throwing the land system on the
revenues from imports for support virtually dstIib-
ntes among the State part of those revenues. The
proportion may be increased from time to time with
out any departure from the principle now asserted
until the State governments shall derive all the funds
necessary for their support from the treasury of the
United States; if sufficient supply should be oh.
talne4 by States and by Others the deficient
states might complain, and put an end to all fur.
lher dI1lcuty, Congress, without assuming auv new
principle, need go but step further and put the
salaries OF all the State governors Judges and othel
omcers' with sufficient for other expenses in
their general appropriation bill.
Al appears TO me that more direct road to con-
solidatlon cannot be devised. Money is mower and
lslat government which pays all the public officers
oiIne Staies, VIII all political power be substantial
~ concentrated. The State governments if oo5ern
ients they might be called would lose ali their indie
Pendenee and dgnIty-she economy vi ch now dis.
ungulshes them would be converted into protusion
Hunted only by The extent of the supply BEING tht
oepehoants OF The general government and lookino
70 us treasury as the source of all their emonmen,s
the Stale officers, under whatever names thew miob
pass, and by whatever forums their duties NIGH n.
prescrbed would in effect be the mere stinendiar;e
and instruments OF the central power.
am quite sure that The nteIlipent neonIa ~ on
several States will be satisfied, on Ii,e +eAecon
that il is neither wise safe to release The rnh5
other local Legislatures from their responsjhiii, =
IevyIng the taxes necessary to support their S,.,.
governments and vest it in Congress, over mosT -
whose menbers they have no control.
They will not think il expedient that Conpres
shall be die Axgatherer and pay master of ali ihei
state goVernmentss thus ANAL gamatiug all their officer
InOs of common interest and cos,1so,, faal