Western Reserve chronicle and weekly transcript of the times. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1854-1855, 1855-01-10
Congressional,

= During the holidays Congress ha
/. been very busy doing nothing. Tn
only items of any interest which we no
tice are the Presidents veto-message o
the River and and Harbor bill, vetoed la.
winter, and a display of gaseorsnonsens
from Nix. SELLERS. The Know Nothing
member from Maryland. This latte
gentleman getting rather personal in hi
remarks was interrupted by a Southern
member, MA. KEIrT,) when he imme
diately cowed down, but when Ma GID.
DINGs ventured topose him by some close
question, he vented a torrent of black.
guardism which clearly proved that he
had no fear of a challenge from Mr.. G..
Nothing but bodily fear keeps some ruf-
fans in order. The following gives the
substance of the Presidents veto-mes-
sage, aud the tone of the remarks upon
it.
A message was receivd from the Pres
ident, giving reasons for vetoing the Riv.
err and Harbor bill. Owing to the late
day at which the bill was received, it be-
came necessary to state his objections,
announcing at The same time his purpose
to resume the subject for more delibe-
rate discussion at the present Session Of
Congress. He comedies that the two
Houses of Congress are entitled to an ex-
preston of the considerations which in
duced him to dissent from their conclu-
sions. No such expression as internal
improvements +" is found in the Consti-
tuition, and it has not sufficient meaning
to be of any value. He proceeds to ex-
anime the verious clauses in that instru-
ment, under which power for a system
of internal improvements is claimed, and
comes to the conclusion that there is NJ
such specific power for such works, and
provision broad enough to cove them.
Congress can only construct such works
as may be necessary to carry out the
specific plan of improvement or navy
ability of river and harbors be necessa-
ny for military or naval purposes. The
matter is a subjec: for legislative discus
sion. The message is a long one, and
the Pre- sident concludes, by urging the
policy of confirming appropriations by
general Government, to works necessary
to be constructed, from its undoubted
powers, and of leaving all others to in
dividual enterprise, or to separate States,
to be provided for out Of their resources,
or by a recurrence to the provision of
the Constitution, which authorize Con-
gre>s to give their consent for improve
ment of harbors.
Mr.. Noble introduced a bill, making
appropriations for continuing the public
works at Monroe, Michigan, and moved
that it be referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr.. Haven thought that the House
should instruct the Committee TO report
l 40 bills, the number of items in the Riv-
er and Harbor bill, vetoed by the Pres
dent. He knew of no other way TO OBJ
.ain the reasons why the President We
.oed that bill.
Mr.. Campbell was opposed to so many
bills. There should be a general bill for
River and Harbor Improvements, they be-
Irrational importance.
Mr.. Haven said the President had
promised his reasons at length for his late
lcts, and he wished, by the course he
lad suggested, to obtain them. He de-
tired the people to know whether the bu-
of the Legislature is to be confined
o Government officers alone.
Mr.. Garfield SAID the Constitution re-
luired the President to give his reasons
or the veto. He thought it but court
Gus to the President to delay %action, in
rider that his views might be placed on
he journal.