Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-08-16
The PrcSident'sTuessagc ,VctOing the
River and HarbOr,B
he House of Representatives. i:

~ "1e AAO~oe " AupeSoHtuttOeO'
| have received the bill entitled can act ma
king appropriations for the repair, preservation
and completion of certain public works heretofore
commenced under the authority of law" 1t
reaches me in the expiring hours of the session,
and time does not allow full opportunity of ex-
amining and considering its provisions, or of sta
ting at length the reasons which forbid me to
give it my signature. 1t belongs to that class of
measures which are commonly known as inter-
nal Improvements by the general government,
and which, from very early period, have been
deemed of doubtful constitutionality and cxpedi-
ency, and have thus failed to obtain the approba-
ton of many of the Chief Magistrates. On such
an examination of this bill as it has been in my
power to make, | recognize in it certain provis-
ions, national in their character, and which, if
they stood alone, it would be compatible with
my convictions of public duty to assent to, 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. To
make proper and sound discrimination between
these different provisions, would require delibe-
rate discussion Of the general prnciples,as well as
careful scrutiny of details for the purpose ofrght
fully applying those principles to each separate
item of appropriation. Public opinion with re-
gard to the value and Importance of internal i'm
provements in ihe country is undivided. There
is n disposition on all hands to have them prose-
cuted with energy, and to see the benefits sought
to be attained by them fully realized. The pro-
minent point of difference between those who
have been regarded as the friends of system of
internal Improvements by the general govern
ment, and those adverse to such u system, has
been one of constitutional power, though more or
less connected with considerations of expediency.
My own judgment it is well known, has on both
0rpu hnnn n n Of
internal improvements" by the federal govern
ment, as well as from past unsatisfactory expert
ence by general government, as to render it ad. |
vantageous either to the country at large, or eff
ectual for the object contemplated. shall con-
slider it incumbent on me to presentto the present
Congress at it next session matured view of the |
whole subject, and to endeavor to define, approx
imately at least, according to my own convic-
tons what appropriations ofths nature byGeneral
Government, the great interest of the United
States require, the Constitution will admit and
sanction, in case 10 substitute should be devils
ed capable of reconcling the differences both of
constitutionaity and expediency. In the absence
of the requisite means and time for duly consider
ing thewhoie sub ject at present, and discussing
such possible substitute, it becomes necessary to
return the bill to the House of Representatives,
in which it originated, and for the reasons thus
briefly submitted to the consideration of Congress-
withhold from it my approval.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, D. c., Aug. 4, 1854.
We believe this act will meet the general ap-
probation of the people, throughout the country
Those living in some localities, and whose pecu-
liary interests would be promoted by the passage
If the BILL may be dissatisfied, but no others S
We're the government to establish the custom of
making improvements in the navigation of every
reek, and the construction of every harbor in
he country, where the people of those places, f
night ask for them, there would be no end to ap-
and millions of dollars annually,
,ould be thrown away in the construction of use
ess works. If appropriations for the improve 6
lent of Rivers and Harbors are ever made by =
lie general government, they should be national t
nd not local in their character; and when bill o
ONES up for the signature of the President, d
hch is not of this class, it is unquestiona5lv y
is dutv to reject it. VI. -