Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-08-07
SPIRIT OF TEE MORNIHa PRESS

1no IBtotttGeReoT QUote0 Al 8lt1Cl0 from tho
New Orleans Delta, hooting the idea that the
revolutionary party of Spain are even ss we'll
disposed towards the sale Of Cuba - tho late
Governments patty. "a -.-
The IntsiHgsneer further explains that the
conservative Wing party Of Massachusetts,
do not entertain the slightest idea of sec
Honali.ing or sboliionizing the Wing party.
Writing Of the doinss Of Congress, and what
they left undone, the editor presents the fol-
lowing concise summary of leading bills which
still retain their respective places on the cal
sndsr of the Thirty Third Congress:
"The homestead bill, with the Senates
amendments; the Texas debt bill from the
Senate; the Senate bill to provide payment for
French spoliations prior to 1900; the ocean
House the bill establishing mail line to
Shanghai, by way Of the Sandwich Islands );
the bill establishing the Ramsey mail route
from New Orleans, by way Of Vera Cruz, to
Acapulco; the bill to establish ssubterrsnean
line Of telegraph to the Pacific; the bill to
provide q weekly mail to California; bill to
Increase the rates of postage; Senate bill to
provide payment to revolutionary officers or
their legal representatives; bill to extend
the benefits OF the bounty land system to the
officers and soldiers, seamen, 3d., Of the war
Of 1872; and ell the railroad bills embfaciDS
grants Of lands. The army and navy reform
bills are also among the subjects Of Importance
laid over. Mr.. Benefits land bill, granting
lands equally to the several States to aid in
port OF schools, was postponed, on his motion,
10 the third Tuesday In December next
"The Pacific railroad bill, 1t will be remem-
bereI, was postponed, on the motion of its
friends, to some day in December next, to allow
time for full report upon the surveys and
estimates.
"The committees have yet before them many
private claims and subjects Of inquiry"
The Union explains the views of the Presi-
dent, we take il for granted, inducing him to
veto the river and hsrbor bill, saying:
"Probably the most delicate subject up on
which the President can be called to act is that
which contsmplstes voting money to the States
An tho shape Of subsidies to general and local
interests. The practice itself is surrounded
with difficulties and dangers. 1t is apt to run
ton, by opening the door to extending and
increasing applications, each bssing its claim
upon preceding appropriations, and all ending
In q gigantic and powerful system, which, ence
established, would bankrupt the treasury, no
matter how great the public revenues. Look
ut its progress thus FAR. We have seen Con-
gress uniting In favor of bills containing ap-
preparations to objects entirely local in their
character. We have seen combinations of in
terests controlling both houses. This has given
rise to what is called the practice Of log-rol-
ling. How TO discriminate between rival in.
serests and how to arrest an evil Of such
growing magnitude, il duty which cannot
fail to give rise to perplexing responsibilities
A failure to discharge this duty promptly and
tearlssaly would rssalt in great, If not fatal
Congress must be confined to the exercise of
the powers conferred By the constitution.
The great republican idea, which refuses to
recognis Pc the public treasury as e fund to pro-
mote individual and local schemes, must be
constantly kept in view. 1t is easy for plsu
sible and powerful men, representing differ
EN- doctrine, to argue that that IL national
work which is simply local and 30 one depar.
ture from the straight path Of duty is rapidly
followed by others We have seen Congress,
Influenced by the arguments Of such men, and
by desire for local popularity, voting away
vast sums upon objects that would make the
fathers of the constitution stare ii they were
now among us. President Pierce, in looking
forward to the future, has anticipated, from
the advance of our people in wealth and in
population, and from the increase Of COM
mercs, that one such example as he il low
asked to approve will be succeeded by others
until there will hardly be a State with river
hnrbor, creek. Or inlet, within its borders, that
viii not, in one way or another, hereafter be
a dependent upon the national treasury. Tits
the duty of the President, therefore. to inter
pose bis power against such On influence 80
threatening; and although denuncistions will
be showered upon him without stint, 1t Ia bet
ter that this should be 20 than that he should
be held guilty by posterity for nsglecting to
discharge delicate and imperious obligs
ton"
The Sentinel again praises the River and
Harbor bill veto, and essays to make point
against tho Union for its alleged failure to
come promptly up to the defence Of the bonn
bardmsnt Of Greytown.