Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1855-03-27
The Presidents Reasons for Veto
ing the Steamer Bill.

The Presidents veto Of The Collins bill.
aGer giving the full Congressional history Of
The Collins line closes as follows: N,
"The Ac. Of July, 2l, 1852 provides:
"Tha, ], shall be the power o Congress o,
any lime a(ler Dec, 81. 1854, 10 terminate
the arrangeme for the additional allow.
ance herein provided FOR upon six months
no,ic>;" and il will be seen that, with The ex'
ceplion of the six additional trips required
by The act OF July 2l. 1852, there has been
no departure from the original engagement
bu, TO relieve the contractors from obiga'
lions: and yel, by the ac., last named. the
compensation was increased from three hun
dred and eigh.y.f thousand 10 eigh, hun
dred and fifty eight thousand dollars, with
no olher projection 10 the public interests
provided Than The right which Congress re-
served TO iIselG 10 terminate the conwOc, so
far as this increased compensation was con.
cerned aller six months notice. This last
notwithstanding primary considera.
lion lor the more generous action OF the
Governmenl-Ihe present bill proposes 10
repeal, so as 10 leave Congress no power 10
terminole the new arrangement To this
repeal the objections are, ia my mind nsu-
perable; becpuse in terms, !, ddprvcs me
Unhed States Of all future discretion rs 10
tho increase service and compen salion.
whatever changes may occur in The arl ol
navigation, its expenses, or the policy and
polidcai condition oi the country. The
gravity OF this objection is enhanced bv
other considerations. While The conracl.
ors are 70 be paid a compensation nearly
double The rale Of The original contracl, they
are exempted from several Of lis conditions
which has the effect Of adding sill more IL
lha, rate; while The further advantage is con
ceded 10 lhcm Of placing their new Privilc
ees beyond the control even Of Conrgess. 1.
II vii. be regarded as less serious objec
iion than that alreany stated, but one whicl
should moi bc overlooked. iha. the privile
ges bestowed upon The contractors are with
out correspondent advantages TO ihe Govern
: ment, which receives no sufiicien. pecunia
~ or other return Tor the immense outlay in
volved, while il could obtain the same ser
vice Of other parties a, less cost, and which
, If lbe bill becomes a law, will pay them
large ampun. Of public money without ade
quale consideration; that is, will in eifec
, confer gralui.y while poininally maxim
provision for the transportation Of The mail
q, the Unitnd States. To provide for ma
king donation of such magnitude, and I
! give 10 the arrangement The character Q
!, permahence which This bill proposes, woul
: be 10 deprive commercial enterprise Of th
benefits OF free competition, and TO eslaSl;s
!, a monopoly in violation Of The sounde,
. principles Of public policy, and of doubt,
compalibillv the Constitution. nn
r Of course no, tnmindful Of the fac. ,ha, Ii
. bill comprises various other appropriation
: which are more or less important 10 the put
: : lie interests; fof which reasons my objet
! |. lions TO il were communicated a, the fir'
:, meeting os The House following It's preser
: ,alion 10 me, inshe hope that, oy ament
men, 10 bills now pending, or otherwis,
;. suitable provision for all The objects in quei
!. lion may bsmade before the adjournment
= Congress" .,..l