Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-10
The Prasident,a Veto.

On Wednesday last, President Pierce sent to
the Senate, message vetoing Miss Dix's bill
granting land to the States for the benefit of the
INDECENT insane. Common rumor had represented
the Cabinet as being in pickle over the question
and from the circumstance that the bill was ad-
yocated by leading Democrats, and passed by a
Congress in which the party is largely in the
ascendant, it is not improbable that some shiyer-
ing in the wind was experienced. But "strict
construction" carried the day.
The message is quite elaborate, discussing full
ly the constitutional question involved and also the
question of expsdency. The President takes the
ground that the bill is both unconstitutional and
inexpedient, and therefore wthholds from it his
approval. He thinks Congress has no right to
make provision for eleemOsynary Institutions, and
that sound policy requires all such subjects to be
left 10 the wisdom and benevolence of the res
pective States. Ii Congress, he says, have power
to make provision for the INDECENT insane, it has
the same power to provide for the INDECENT who
are not insane Well, whenever Congress shall
see Ct to distribute the public lands among all the
States tobe used for any purpose they may choose,
it will be nothing more than is fair and right
Many of the States have already received large
donations of the kind, and it is high time that the
public auds-in the words of the Virginia deed of
session, quoted by the Presdentshould be ''dispOs
ed of 'tor the use and benefit of all the States,
Virginia inclusive"
The regret felt by some friends of the bill on
account of the Presidents course, is mitgated by
the fact that the arguments used to support the
veto apply with equal force to the homestead bill
and other similar schemes. 1t is not certain,
however, that Gen. Pierce has SO far committed
himself A Democratic organ-the Washington
SentiaeL-is not entirely satisfied upon the point,
1t says the arguments Of the message give good
and sufficient foundation for the belief that the
President will veto any act distributing or giving
away the public lands, "uneSs the reservation with
regard to prudent prOprietorship may come into
play. This is the pinch of the hill, however, and
we are sorry it was not overcome" And even
the Star-the gossiPPiug organ and usually we'll
posted its inability to enlighten the
public as to what the message MEANS $50 far as the
future is concerned, which is the all important
question"
A general desire was manifested by Senators to
discuss the veto, and the message was laid on the
table, to be taken up at same future day for that
purpose. Mr., Brown, of Mississippi, defended
the bill against the argument funconstitutionalty,
L fst.
by the requisite majority. He alsomade spirited
pass at Mr.. Douglas, Of Illinois, who is an adj
vocate of the homestead bill, asking him how he
could justify himself for giving lands for the ben
eft of the sane and refusing them to the Insane
giving them to voters and refusing them to persons
not entitled to vote. The Little Giant bristled up
to reply, but playful remark by Mr.. Badger
arrested personalities and terminated the debate in
good humor.