Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-15


Gen. JacIson's Veto of sae Land Distribution Ban.
1t with pleasure ley beor readers the following
from esteemed friend Much has lately
relative Land Distribution SYSTEM and Gen.
opinions have many instances been Wofuiy mis-
represented The following extract from his veto
will place old General in PROF light before the pubc
For the Journal.
Jackson's Veto Message.
was present at Kenansville at the discussion be-
tween Messrs Ashe and Leak, and had my atten-
ton drawn by the reference of both the gentlemen
to one of the able state papers written by
Gen. Jackson,-I mean his veto land bill message.
Each of the gentlemen quoted from this message,
and in order to sustain himself cheerfully offered to
bear half of the expenses necessary to issue ten
thousand copies of it in pamphlet form for disribu
ton.
This offer intended as evidence of the sinceri-
ty of their respective opinions but in the conclusion
of their debate Mr.. Ashe stated as he was willing.
yea, anxious, to let the voters OF the District decide
who correct in his quotations from the message,
he wished Mr. Leak would adhere to his proposition
to have it printed, each of them bearing half of
the expenses From this Mr.. Leak backed out
This back ont clearly shows consciousness the
part of MIR. Leak that he had misouoted Jackson's
opinions the distribution of the lands among the
States. But in order entirely to satisfy myself,
procured copy of the message and have given it a
careful perusal, and we'll. indeed might Mr.. Leak
back out; for it does appear to that there is
not single sentence in the message but what is
thorty against him. The bill in question was one
for the distribution of the proceeds of the lands
mong the several States. also partial dstribu
tim of la nd in
after reviewing the different deeds of cession shows
conclusively, that no distribution of the lands or
their proceeds among the States could be consistent
with the condition of the different deeds of cession
and as the Constitution of the United States makes
all of these compacts binding the present Gov
eminent, he concluded that Congress had right
to pass such bill But independent of the want of
power in Congress to do this, the old General
pressy declares that there other considerations
which would compel him to veto the bill and
these considerations have strong application
as heretofore, and in my opinion should be decisive
of the fate of this Saunders hobby, send you the
enclosed extract, which hope you will be able to
publish in your valuable Journal These extracts
contain the portion of the message showing the fatal
policy of distribution. A SPECTATOR.
/ Dec. 4, 1S33.-Stotesman's Manual-Appendir, p.
! 81:
50 But there are other principles asserted in the bill
which should have impeed me to withhold my sig
nature, had not in i. violation of the compacts
by which the United States acquired title 10 large
portion of public lands II reasserts the principle
tanned in the bill authorizing a subscription 10 the
stock of the MaysvilIe, Washington Paris, and Lex
ington turnpike road company. from which was
PEELED 10 withhold my consent for CT ntaned
| in nv he to he
OF representatives.
! "The leading principle then asserted was, that Con-
gress possesses constitutional power 10 appropriate
any part of the moneys of the United States for OBJ
lects of a local character, within the states That
principle, can not be mistaken in supposng, has re-
ceIved the unequivoca sanction of the American peo-
ple and all subsequent reflection has but satisfied
more thoroughly that the interests of people, and
the purity OF our government if it's existence de-
pend on lis observance The public lands the
common property of the United States, and the mo-
neys arising from their sales, part of the
public revenue. This bill proposes to raise from and
appropriate portion of this public revenue to certain
providing expressly, that it shall be applied
to objects Of internal improvement or education wh'n
those sdtes and then proceeds to appropriate the bal
ance 10 all the states, with the declaration that ii shall
be applied to such purposes the legislature Of the
SAID respective states shall deem proper" The former
appropriation is expressly for internal improvements
education, without qualification to the kind of i'm
provemens, and therefore in express violation Of the
S principle maintained In my objections to the turnpike
road BILL above referred to- The latter appropriation is
broad and gives the money to be applied any
: local purpose whatsoever. 1t will not be denied that
under the provisions of the BILL portion of the mo.
ney might have been applied to making the very road
e TO which the bill of 1880 had reference, and must
course within the scope of the same principle
k If the money of the United States cannot be applied
ID TO local purposes through its agents." as little
it be permitted TO be thus expended through the
II agency of the state governments"
Is " 1t has been supposed that with all the reductions
in our revenue which could lie speedily effected b,
Congress, without injury to the substantial Interests
of the country there might be for years to come
surplus OF moneys in the treasury, and that there
e, was, principle objection returning them
" the people by whom they paid. AS the Iitera
y accomplishment of such an object is obviously i'm
practicable. it thought admissible as the neares
Us approximation 10 il, to hand them to the stat
n governments. the immediate representatives
the people, to be by them applied 10 the benefit
those to whom they properly belonged. The princi
pie and the object was, 10 return to the people
ID avollabe surplus Of revenue, which might have bee
le paid by them under system which could not ono
be abandoned but even this resource, which al on
time seemed 10 be almost the only alternative 10 saw
the general government from graspng unlimited pow
ed er over internal improvements suggested witt
m doubts of lis consitutionality.
IL s. But this bill assumes new principle Its obiec
is not TO return to the people unavoidable surpu
of OF revenue paid in by them but to surplus 70
a distribution among the states. Ii SEXES the entir
~ proceeds OF of and them apa
r surplus making it necessary to raise the money
tor supporting the government and meeting the gene
at al charges from other Ii even throws tn
entire land system upon the customs for its sur
TX port, and makes the public lands perpetual charg
to upon the treasury. 1t does not return to the people
moneys accidentally q uDaVOdahlV Maid NV I