The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-05
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES ON THE RIVER AND HARBOR b


STATES ON THE RIVER AND HARB0R b
On Friday yesterday afternoon at about o'clock the
river and harbor bill having previously passed both houses
of Congress the following message was received in the
House of Representatives President Pierce We shall
refer to this message at length tomorrow
TO the House Of Representatives
have received the bill entitled making appro-
prations for the repair preservation, and completion Of
certain public works heretofore commenced under autho
y of law 1t reaches the expiring hours of
sion, and time does not allow full opportunity for exam
lining and considering its provisions of stating length
the which forbid to give it my signature
1t belongs that class of which commonly
known internal improvements by the general govern
ment and which, from very early PERIOD have been
deemed of doubtful consttutionay and expedency and
thus failed obtain the appreciation of successive
| Chief Magistrates.
On such examination of this bill il has been in my
power to make recognise in it certain provisions
tiona in their character and which, if they stood alone
would be compatible with my convictions of public duty
to assent to- but the time it embraces others which
merely local. and not in my Judgment warranted by
any safe or true construction of the constitution
To make proper and sound determinations between
these different provisions would require deliberate dis
cussion of general principles, well careful scrutiny
of details for the purpose of rghtully applying those
principles to each separate item appropriation.
Public opinion with regard to the value and importance
of internal improvements in the country undivided There
is disposition all hands to have them prosecuted with
energy and to the benefits sought be attained by
them fully realized.
The prominent point Of difference between those who
have been regarded the friends of system of internal
improvements by the general government and those adj
to such system has been of constitutional
power though less connected with considerations
| of expedency.
Ny Judgment it is well known has both grounds
been opposed "a general system of internal improve
mens" by the federal government have entertained thu
serious doubts from the inherent difficulties of its
application well from past unsatisfactory experience
whether the power could be exercised by the genera
government render it's advantageous either to thu
country at large or eectua for the accomplishment Of the
object contemplated.
shall consider it incumbent to present to Con
gress its session. maured view Of the whole sub
ec and to endeayor to define approximately at least
according to my own convictions what appropriations
this nature by the general government the great Interests
of the United States require and the constitution will adj
nit and sanction in substitute should be devised
capable Of reconcing differences both of consttuonalt,
and expediency H *.
In the absence of the requisite and time for dull,
considering the whole subject at present. and discussing
such possible substitute it becomes necessary return
this bill the House of Representative in which it orgi
nacd and, tor the reasons thus briefly submitted to tn
consideration of Congress- withhold from my approval
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
! WASHINGTON, August 4, 1854.