Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-08-23
yeto % DC Riyer ana 1Iarhor am.

Veto ofthe River and Harbor Rnl.
The democracy, throughout the coun.
try will hail withpleasure. the Presidents.
vetosof the River and Harbor Bill We
expected nothing else of, Gen. Pierce.
The manner in which he has disposed of
all assaults on the treasury for local pur-
poses, clearly indicated that the ruinous
and unconstitutional policy of appropri-
atiUns for river and harbor improvements
would meet with his unqualified approba-
ton. We have no confidence, apart from
any constitutional scruple, in the govern
ment carrying on any system of internal
improvements. Tho experience of our
own country, as well as The world, proves
that individual enterprise and energy,
can accomplishment in ten years, at less
cost, than the agents of the government
in twenty. The twenty thousand miles
OF railroad now in our country, fully prove
the capacity, energy and ability of the
States to attend to their own improve
ment, and the development Of their own
resources. Internal improvement, BY the
general government, if carried on to any
extent. would be source Of corruption
unequalled, and end in bankrupting the
treasury and impoverishing the country.
We refer our readers to the message be-
ow:- VulIey Dem.
To the House Of Representatives
have received bill entitled d" An act
making appropriations for the repair,
preservation and completion of certain
public works heretofore commenced un-
der the authority of law" Itreaches me
in the expiring hours of the session, and
time does not allow fall opportunity for
examining and considering its Eovisions,
or Of stating, at length, the reasons which
forbid me to give it my signature. 1t
belongs to that class of measures which
are commonly known rs internal improve
ments by the general government, and
which, from very early period, have
been deemed Of a doubtful constitutional
ity and expediency, and have thus failed
to obtain the appreciation Of successive
chief magistrates.
On such an examination of this bill as
1t has been in my power TO make, [ re-
cognize in it certain provisions, national in
their character, and which, if they stood
alone, it would be compatible with my
conviction of public duty to assent to, but
at the same time. it embraces others
which are merely local. and not in my
judgment, warranted by any safe or true
construction Of the Constitution.
| 10 make proper and sound discrimina-
tions between these different provisions,
would require deliberate discussions Of
general principles, as well as careful
scrutiny of details. for the purpose of
rightfuIIy applying those princi pies to
each separate item of appreciation.
Public opinion, with regard to the val
tie and importance Of internal improve
ment is undivided. There is a DISPOSE
| ton on all hands, to have them prosecu
ted with energy, and to see the benefits
sought to be attained by them fu ly real
lied. The prominent point Of difference
between those who have been regarded
as the friends of system OF internal
improvements by the general govern
mrnt, and those adverse to such sys.
tenn has been one OF constitutional power,
though more or less connected with ex-
pediency' My own judgement. it 10 we'll
known, has on both grounds, been oppos
ed to- general system Of internal i'm
provements by the federal government
have entertained the most serious
doubts from the inherent difficulties Of its
application, as we'll as from unsaL, facto-
ry experience. whether the power could
be- SO exercised by the general govern
ment as to render its use advantageous
either to the country at large or eFectual
to the object contemplated.
| shall consider it incumbent on me to
present to Congress. at its next session, a
matUr0d view Of the whole subject, and
endeavor TO define, proximateIy. at least,
and according to my own convictions.
what appropriations Of this nature by the
general government the great interest the
government Of the United States REF ui1e
and the Constitution will admit and sane
ton. in case no substitute should be dcvi
scd capable of reconciling differences.
both of cUnstitutionality and expcdiency.
In the absence Of requisite means and
time. for duly considering the whole sub
ject at present, and discussing such pos
Sible substitute. it becomes necessary to
return this bill to the House of Represent
atives. in which it originated. and for the
reasons thus briefly submitted to the con-
sideration Of Congress, to withhold from
1t my approval.
! FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. August 4. 1854.
AN IMPORTANT Law SU1T.-Thcre is