Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-08-08
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
MONDAY MORNING, August =, 1854.
VETO OF THE RIVER AND IIARBOR BILL
BY RITCHIES L. PRYOR

MONDAY MORNING, AUGUST =, 1854.
VETO OF THE RIVER AND IIARBOR BILL.
Probably the most delicate subject upon which the
President be called to act is TINT which c"ntcn-
plates voting money TO the States in the shape of sub.
sides to general aud local interests. The practice IL
self is surrounded with difficulties and dangers. 1t Is
at to run into extravaganza, without, license or lln-
ta,on, hy opening the door to extending and increas'
ing applications, oach basng its claim upon lrecc-
ding appropriations and a ending i'll gigantic ai'd
powerful system, which, established, would
bankrupt the treasury, no matter now great inc puo-
lie revenues. Look at its progress thus i"r- we
have seen Congress uniting in favor OF plils r"h'am
ing appropriations to objects entirely Local III 'ler
character We have seen combinations ot interests
controlling both houses. This has given rise to what
is called the practice Of log-rong. How to d'scrrn-
mate between rival interests and how to arrest an
evil of such growing magnitude is duty which cam
not fail to give rise To pcrplc1ing responsibilities
failure to discharge ths duty promptly and lrarlessly
would result in great, ii not fatal, injury To the coun-
try. The legislation of Congress must be confined II"
the exercise of the powers conferred hy the consu-
tion The great republican idea which refuses t" re-
vidual and local schemes, must be constantly kept i'll
view. 1t is easy for plausible and powerful men, re-
presenting different doctrine, to argue that TINT is
national work which is simply local; and
80 one departure from the straight path Of
duty is rapidly followed by Others. We
have scen Congress, influenced by the argu-
men.s OF such me and by desire for local popularity,
voting away vast upon objects that would make
the fathers of the constitution stare if 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 in
crease Of commerce, that such example as lc is
now asked to approve will be succeeded by others,
until there will hardly be State with river, harbor
creek or inlet within its borders, thar will not in
way or another, hereafter be dependent upon the
national treasury. 1t is the duty Of the President
therefore, to nterpose his power against such an i'll
fiucncc so threatening; and although denunciations
will be showered upon him without stint, il is better
that this should be SO than that he should be held
guilty by posteri,y for neglcctng to discharge deli
cate and imperious obligation.
The whole idea of appropriations for rivers and
hurbors, as advocated by such statesmen Us Senator
Badger and other Wing leaders, grows, i'll the first
pace out of the Inherent belief that the money of the
people is TO be used for classes and not for the whole
and ingenuity make it otherwise. lu the next
place. they think that there cannot be too much lcs-
lation The world, with them cannot he governed too
much. The people cannot be happy unless Congress is
continually taking into its hands the affairs OF the peo
ple Now we take the broad ground thut indvdualcn
crry capital and enterprise fur certain ele
nou;s uf public happiness than the loose and uncer-
tain aid furnished by Congress TO personal and local
projects. Apart from the purtia tendency OF the
practice Illustrated in the harbur bill vetoed by the
may prosper, and apart from the future dangers that
may and must arise il this practice is allowed to grow
into system, the Whole history uf the world clearly
shows that individual energy aud skill nre much more
certain couduce to tho general welfare than the c-
eislatou advocated by the friends of the river ana
hnrbor bill.
The veto OF the President has been received by the
Democratic party in Congress with general satisac-
top and cannot full to be responded In by the coun.
trv with the sumo feeling Prompt, decided and clear,
il shows him to be true the constitution, true to the
rights Of the Sta,es, and true to the constitutional i'll
crcsts u the people. When the President fulfs his
promise US to full discussion of tho subject i'll his
next annual message, We satisfied will be found
but his position gives no sanction the idea that
section of the Union can cons,utionally receive be-
ncs from appropriations that cannot he made for all
sections Washington E"ion.