Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-06
THE VETO OF THE INTERNAL I'M
PROyEEENT BILL.


Yesterday we made few remarks touching
the recent veto, in which we stated our cordial
concurrence in that action OF the President
But the more we reflect upon the subject, the
more thoroughly are we convinced of the wis
dom of the course which the President has
pursued.
The late internal Improvement bill had a
speeious and plausible title-a title which in
dictated that its friends were ashamed Of its
provisions, or were afraid to aifix a title which
would show its true character. The title was
specious and plausible, yet the body of the
bill contained every character of appropriation,
so as to embrace all the features of a regular
River and Harbor bill, making veto impera-
tive.
We trust now that we will not be again
troubled with such schemes during the present
administration. The President does not, it is
true set forth his views with regard to the in
ternal improvement question, whilst the differ
ence between national and local works is given
a prominent position. At the beginning OF
the next session we may expect a message
which viii go fully into the subject, and en-
tighten the public as to the views Of the Exec
ntiye with regard to it. We trust it may be of
the character of the message which Mr.. Polk
sent TO Congress on the same subject. If so,
dangerous question, and a corrupting idea
will be removed from American politics.
1t is not the business of the federal govern.
ment to enter on a system Of internal improve
ments. The Constitution does not contemplate
such an exercise Of authority, and even if its
provisions embraced such legislation, the good
of the country would require that the power
should neverbe made active by congressional leg.
islation. A general system of internal improve
ments would soon destroy all the existing checks
on federal authority, and all the present guar.
antees Of State rights If the idea should be
firmly established, State pride and State indie
pendence would disappear at once-eyery com
monwealth would be suppliant at the foot
stool OF federal bounty, and every State be
transformed into mean and sycophantic beg
gar at the footstool Of patronage; and hum.
bled and broken in spirit would dwindle into
a subservient appendage Of federal authority.
We admit that there is distinction between
improvements OF a national character, and such
as are demanded by the selfshness or the ext.
geneies Of particular localities. But as we re-
marked yesterday, it is a difficult matter to de-
fine the line Of separation. Therefore we hope
TO see the whole subject settled by seeing the
assent of Congress given TO the system Of ton
mage duties. When that is done Congress will
be called on only to consider projects Of ma.
tional improvement, unineumbered with, and
uninhuenced by, the corrupt work Of logrolling
combinations.
it really seems TO us that every candid and
honest mind which is favored with u due pro-
portion Of correct intelligence, must perceive
the cenlralizing tendencies Of internal improve.
meut bills, and the irresistible tendency they
have to produce corrupt legislation. Many Of
the appropriations now demanded, are for the
purpose Of removing distractions to nayi-
CATION which have been occasioned by the
stupid interference Of federal authority, and
Of the residue, many are for merely local pur.
poses. and are calculated to debauch the States
Ito take away their pride and independence
and make them beggars for improper favors
when they should forward their own interests
by their own means.
Some weak.minded people seem TO think
that congressional appropriation costs them
nothing. Such weak minded people deceive
themselves most grossly. The appropriation
does cost them, for when they receive few
thousands. they must contribute heavily for APP
preparations to be expended elsewhere, and for
the benefit Of strangers, in many instances Of
rival interests. And The worst Of all is, that
those appropriations are almost invariably pro.
cured by corrupt means for unworthy purposes,
and are expended without judgment or discre-
ton, and without any regard either TO economy
or efficiency.
The true constitutional principle is TO give
the States the privilege of levying tonnage
duties. Then we will have every possible as
sarance that no unnecessary or ill-judged i'm.
proyements will be commenced, and every as.
surance that good sense andtrue economy will
be constantly considered. No city viii tax its
own trade unnecessarily, nor will it permit the
proceeds Of its taxes TO be expended injudi.
ciously and wastefully. Let each locality tax
its own trade for the benefit Of its own trade !;
and then the most effective surety will be OBJ.
tanned that the taxation will be as light as pos.
sible, and that the proceeds Of taxation will
be applied in the best possible manner The
federal government should not be looked to for
pecuniary assistance-for its aid is no better
than Greek horse.