Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-06

Secretary of the Treasury. Its length compels
us to defer comment to a future and q more
convenient time. !.
THE Observation-Disclosures IMPROVE
The Presidents Message makes allusion to
the River and Harbor Bill which was vetoed
just before the close Of the last session Of Con-
gress. 1t is possible that some Of our readers
may not remember the circumstances connected
with that veto, and may not understand the
allusion which the President makes to it in his
recent communication to Congress. We allude
TO the subject, therefore, for the purpose ofpre-
senting the point to our readers, in connection
with those views Of the Message which have q
direct reference to the subject Of internal i'm
provements.
The River and Harbor bill of the last,session
had very specious and deceptive title. That
title declared as fully as q title can declare,
that the intent of the bill was to provide for
the completion Of works which the Federal
Government had already undertaken. But
that title was entirely deceptive, for the bill
was really and truly regular River and Har-
Dor bill many Of its provisions going to the
full extent Of the internal improvement policy.
General Pierce very properly refused to give
his approval to such an enactment: but it was
presented to him at'such q late period of the
last session. few hours only before the adj
journment--that he could not fully communi.
cate his objections to Congress. He, there
fore, vetoed the bill-sending short message
to the House in which it originated, and pro-
missing a more detailed expression Of his views
on the subject Of internal improvements by
the Federal Government at the opening OF
the present session. a z sg1k@
It seems, however, that the President did
not Wish 10 incumber his annual message with
an elaborate question !; and, therefore, only al
luded to the subject in his recent communica-
ton to the two Houses Of Congress promising
special Message atan early day. In this
connexion we would remark that the short veto
message which we have mentioned above, was
not read in Congress during the last session
some member making an objection which pre-
vented the reading. The message was, never
thsess, made public; and it is the same which
we laid before our readers and commented on
ct the close Of the last session.
On this subject we have nothing to say in
addition to what we have already said and re-
peated more than once. We are thoroughly
and entirely opposed to the idea that the Fed
eral Government has the authority under the
Constitution to..prosecute general system OF
Internal Improvements. and we have earnestly
wished and do most earnestly wish to see the
government remove the corrupting subject
from the halls Of Congress by giving the States
permission 10 levy tonnage duties in order to
improve harbors and facilitate the navigation
Of rivers. We hold It TO be clear and unques-
1ionable, that the trainers Of the Constitution
looked to the laying Of tonnage duties as the
legitimate source from which revenue might be
derived for the benefit Of ports and rivers.
On this point we could not express our
present views more clearly and distinctly
than by repeating what We said when
General Pierce vetoed the River and Har-
bor bill Of the last session. We said then,
and we repeat now, that we cordially sus-
tain the action of the President in preventing
that bill from becoming law, because we be-
lieve that any extended system Of internal Inn
provements by the Federal Government must
he eminently dangerous, and prolific of corrup
zion, whilst the benefits which would accrue
from IL, even in the most favored localities,
would not be Commensurate with the heavy
outlays IL would require. There are improve
ments of national character which may right
fully be made by means furnished from the fed
eral treasury; but it is difficult TO draw the
line Of distinction and whilst ipternalimprove-
ment bills embracing moro than one objectare
sanctioned It win be impossible 10 prevent log
rolling combinations for local and unnecessary
improvements. At one time we hoped that
Congress would at its last session dispose Of
the whole matter by authorizing the States 70
levy tonnage duties; and we trust II will not
be long ere that important step is taken. When
that is done improvements demanded by ma
tionaI considerations can be considered and
treated with regard to their separate merits, an
distinct congressional enactments.
or course we cannot anticipate the exact
viewsby which the Presidentwill justify his veto
As we seid on former occasion, we trust that
he win foalow in the footsteps Of Mr.. Polk. In
that event, we will be able not only TO sustain
his action, but Justify his reasoning. There
are points in the, message which sense o
duty will force us to criticise but we trus
that our objections maybe confined TO as mar
row a compass as possible. However this may
be, we shall not hesitate in stating our opinion
fully and freely and frankly, no matter wh'
may differ from them.
supreme Court Of the United states.