Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-08-14

Message Of the President Of the United
= States on the River and Harbor Bin.
10 the House Of Represen atires.
have received the bill entitled an act
'making appropriations for the repair,
preservation, and completion Of certain
public works heretofore commenced under
authority of law" 1t reaches the in the
expiring hours of the session, and time
does not allow full opportunity for exam
lining and considering its provisions. or Of
stating at length the reasons which forbid
me to give it my signature.
z 1t belongs to that Gloss of measures which.
are commonly known as internal improve,
ments by the General Government, and
when. from very early period. have
been deemed Of doubtful constitutionality
and expo diency, and have thus failed to.
oo'aip the appreciation Of successive Chief
Ma, istTates.
On such an examination Of this bill as
it las been in my power to make, recog-
.hze in it certain PROV isions national iri
{ their character, and which, II they stood
alone. it would be compatible with nv
convictions of public duty TO assent 10, out,
are merely local, and not III my judgment
WdTIdnttu DA ally SAFE vi uuC CoHStIuCtlO0J
Of the Constitution.
To make proper aud sourd discrim;na-
tous between these different provisions.
would require deliberate discussion Of
genera! principles, as we'll as cafefh
ser.uny Of details. for the purpose oil
rightfully applying those principles to
each separate item of appropriation. =
Public opinion. with regard to the value
f and Importance OF internal improvements
in the country, is undivided. There IL d
disposition, Oh all hands, to have them
!, prosecuted with energy, aud to see the
, benefits sought TO be attained b; them full
: ly realized.
| The prominent point Of difference be-
tween those who have been regarded as
. the friends of a system Of internal improve
menis by the general government, and
, those adverse TO such system, has been
, one of constitutional power, though more
or less connected with considerations Of
, expediency.
Ny own judgment, II is well known,
has, on both grounds, been opposed to .,aa
general system OF internal improve nc nts, =
Try the Federal government. have en-
. tertained the most serious doubts, from the
!. inherent difficulties Of its application, as.
well as from past unsatisfactory experience,
whether the power could b. SO exercised
: BY the general government as to render
its use Advantageous ethics to the country
ut large, as easetual for the accomplish
meat Of the object contemplated.
shall consider il incumbent ON me to.
present 10 tongrrss, at its next session, q.
matered view OF the whole subject, and to-
endcasor todefsse, approximately at least,
) and according TO my OWN convictions, wl,at
appropriations Of this nature, BY the gene
. raj government, the gscas aterests OF the.
United States require, and the constitution
! will admit, and sanction ia case no snbsti-
'ase shenIf be devised, capable Of recon-
Cling differences, both Of conslitutionalily
and expediency.
! Ln the absence Of the requisite means.
and time for duly considering the whole
subject at present, aud discussing such
possible Substitute, it becomes necessary To-.
resurE the bill to the House Of Representa-.
tives in which il originated, aud for the
reasons thus briefly submitted to the con-.
siaeration Of Congress, to withhold from.
II my approval.
FRANKLIN PIERCE