Daily national era., 1854-08-05

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The following message was yesterday re-
oeiyed by the House Of Representatives. Its
import was understood but twas not read
prior to the adjournment:
WASHINGTON, august 4, 1854.
To The House of Representatives.
Y have received the bill entitled An act
making appropriations for the repair, preser-
walton, and completion, Of certain public works
heretofore commenced under the authority OF
lawv 1t reaches me In the expiring hours Of
the session, and time does not allow full oppor-
tunity for examining and considering its pro-
visions, or Of stating at length the reasons
which forbid me to give il my signature IL
belongs to that class Of measures which are
commonly known as internal Improvements by
the General Government, and which, from Q
very early period, have been deemed Of doubt
full constitutionality and expediency, and have
thus failed to obtain the appreciation OF suc-
cessive Chief Magistrates
On such an examination Of this bill as it has
been in my power to make J recognise IN it
certain provisions national in their character,
and which, il 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 con-
struction of the Constitution.
To make proper and sound determinations
between these different provisions would re-
qere a deliberate discussion of general princi-
Piles, as well as careful scrutiny Of details,
for the purpose Of rightfully applying those
principles to each separate item of appropria-
tion. Public opinion with regard to the value
and Importance Of internal improvements in
the country is undivided. There is disposi-
ton, on all hands, to have them prosecuted
with energy, and to see the benefits sought to
be attained by them fully realized.
The prominent point Of difference between
those who hayc been regarded as the friends
of system Of internal improvements 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. My own judg-
ment, it is well known, has, on both grounds,
been opposed to a general system Of internal
improvements by the Federal Government,
have entertained the most serious doubts,
from the inherent difficulties Of its application,
as we'll as from past unsatisfactory experience,
whether the power could be 30 exercised by
the General Government as to render its use
advantageous either to the country at large or
effectual for the accomplishment OF the object
contSm plhtcu.
shall consider it incumbent on me to pre-
sent to Congrtss, at its next session, q matured
view Of the whole sui ject, and to endeavor to
d.fae, approximately at least, and according
to my own convictions, what appropriations OF
this nature by the General Government the
great interests of the United States require,
and the Constitution will admit and sanction,
in case no substitute should be devised capable
Of reconciling differences, both Of constitution
ality and expediency.
la the absence Of the requisite means and
time for duly considering the whole subject at
present. and discussing such possible substitute,
it becomes necessary to return this bill to the
House of Representatives, in which it origina-
ted and, for the reasons thus briefly submitted
to the consideration Of Congress- to withhold
from il my approval.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.