The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-06
VETO OF THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.

VETO OF THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
Probably the delicate sub upon which The Pres
ideni be called is that which contemplate
ing money the States in the shape of subsidies gen
era and local interests The practice itself is surrounded
with difficulties and dangers 1t apt to run into exay-
agance without license limitation by opening the door
extending and increasing applications each basng lis
claim upon preceding appropriations and all ending in g
gautc and powerful system which, established would
bankrupt the treasury how great the public
nues Look its progress thus far We have Con.
gress uniting in favor of bills containing appropriations
objects entirely local in their character We have seen
combinations of interests controlling both houses This
has given rise what is called the practice Of log-rolng
How discriminate between rival interests, and how
to arrest a, evil of such growing magnitude is
duty which fail give rise to psrplcxing re-
s}onsbi!ities failure discharge this duty promptly
and fearlessy would result in great if not fatal injury
the country The legislation Of Congress must be confined
to the exercise powers conferred by the constitution
The great republican idc which refuses recognise tho
public treasury as fund promote individual and local
schemes, be constantly kept in view. II is easy
for plausible and powerful men, representing different
doctrine, argue that that is national work which
simply local so departure from the straight path
gres 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
if they were among President Pierce in lookingr
ward the future has anticipated from the advance Of our
people in wealth and in population and from the increase
of commerce. that such example as be is asked to
approve will be succeeded by Others until there will hardly
be State with river harbor creek inlet within its bor
ders that viii not in way another hereafter be
dependent upon the nationa treasury II is the duty
the President therefore, nerpose his power against such
influence threatening and although denunciatons
will be showerel upon him without stint it Is better that
this should be than that he should be held guilty by
posterity for neglectng to discharge delicate and i'm
perious obligation.
The wboeide of appropriations for rivers and harbors
by such statesmen Senator Badger and other
wing leaders, grows in the first place. out Of the inherent be-
ethat the money Of the people to be used for classes and
not for the whole and ingenuity make it otherwise
In the place they think that there cannot be too much
legislation The world with them be governed
much The people be happy unless Congress
tinualy taking into its hands the affairs OF the people
Now, take the broad ground taat individual energy
capital and enterprise, far certain elements
Of public happiness than the loose and uncertain
aid furnished by Congress personal and local projects
Apart from the partial tendency Of the practice illus
trated in the harbor bill vetoed by the President by
which millions taxed that few may prosper and
apar, from the future dangers that may and arise if
this practice is allowed to grow into SYSTEM the whole
history of the world clearly shows that individual energy
and skill much certain to conduce the general
welfare than the legislation advocated by the friends Of
the river and harbor bils
The of the President has been received by the dem
ocrac party in Congress with general satisfaction and
not fail to be responded TO by the country with the
feeling. Prompt decided and clear, it shows him be
true 10 The constitutions The rights Of the States
aud the constitutional interests of the people When
the President uls his promise TO fall discussion Of
the snbiect in his annual message satisfied
will be found thai his position gives sanction the idea
that section Of the Union conssituonally receive
benefits from appropriations that cannot be made for nil
sections