Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-11

people 10 return to the practice of q wise and judicior'
economy both In public and private expenditures.
An nvrrflowing treasury has led To habits If proligalny
and extravaganza in our legislation. IL has induced Con
>. Ia max, large appropriations. to objects for which
they never would have provided had 1t been Necessary to
raise the amount Of revenue required to meet them by in
creased taxation or by loans. We are now compelled To
pause in our career, and to scruiiniZe our expenditures
with the utmost vigilance; and in performing this duty. |
pledge my cooperation to the extent Of my constitutional
competency.
|; ought I. l- observed ut the same time that true public
economy does not consist in Withholding the means neces.a.
rs !" accomplish important national objects in:rustel 10 Ii
by the Constitution, and especially such rs may be necessa'
rs for The common defence. In the present crisis of the
country it is our duty to confnc our appropriations 20 OBJ
i,ri. Of this character, unless in cases where Justice to ia
%iiyidu,l, may demand a different course. In all case, care
ought to be taken that the money granted by Congress shall
lie faithfully and economically applied.
Under the Federal Constitution, every bill which shall
have passed the House Of Representatives and the Senate
shall. before il becomes a law he approved and signed 10y
the President; and if not approved, he shall return it viii
his objections 10 that house in which i, originated In or
der to perform this high AMI responsible duty, sufficient
,lme must be- allowed the President 10 read aad eXainin,
every bill presented TO him for approval. Unless Nj, h,
afforded. the Constitution becomes a dead letter in thi- par
! ticulsr: and even worse, it become, a IncaIGS OF deception
oar constituents, seeing the Pr ,sidrnis approval aud .i:na.
lure a,,ache! to each act Of Congress, ARE induced 10 be-.
Here that he la. actually performed this duty, when, ia
truth, %notlineis Is. in many cases, more %nniounGed.
From the practice of Congress, such an examination Of
each bill Is the Constitution requires, has been rendered i'm.
possible. The most important; bu,incs, "f each session is
generally crowded into is last hours. and the ALTERNATIVE,
presented To the President is either 10 violate the Consiiiu
tional duty which he owes to the people, and approve bill,
which, for want Of time, IL u Impossible" ~" >uUui! have CN
aniucl. or, by hi. refusal Ia do this, subject the c0.atry
and individuals to great loss and Inconvenience.
Besides, a practice has rrownnr" Of late years to !eg.aty
in lIjropriation bills, Il; the last hour, Of the session. on
m"N and important subjects. This practice coa>.r,.n. tie
President either 10 sunrr measures Ia become laws which
Lr doc. not approve, or In incur the risk ~ Stupriu. tia
wheels of the government by vetoing an appropriation I'LL.
Formerly, such bills were confined to specific appropri.
ton. ior carrying into effect existing laws ana the wriLes.
rahIi.lrd policy o! the country. and little time WAS then rc
ugirrd by the President for their examination.
For my own part, have deliberately determined TINT
.nl! approve no bill which have not examined and !:
VIII be 4 case Of extreme and most urgent necessity which
shall ever induce ma TO depart from hi. rule. therefore
respectfully, but earnestly. recommend that the two house.
would allow the Frcsidcu, AZ least two days pre-, iuas to H.,
adjournment Of each session within wlic. no new bill .siEIll
be presented TO him for approval. Under the existing join.
rule one day is allowed: hu' this rule has been hitherto -
constantly suspended in practice, tEat important bill, con.
tinuc to he presented to him up Ill! the Very last momra.,
of The session. In a large majority %; eases no grca; public
inconvenience can arise from thr wan; OF time 10 examine
Their provisions, because the constitution has lyclareIrhtt
il i bill he presented 10 the President within the last ten
days Of the session he Is not required 20 return il. either
with an approval or with 4 veto, lin which ease il shall not
be Il law 1t may thea lie over, and be- taken up and pass.
ed AZ the next session. Great Inconvenience would OILY lee
experienced in regard 10 appropriation bills, but fortunate
Is, under the late rXccl!cn. law allowing 4 salary. instead Il
Il per diem. To members Of Congress. the expense and iucon.
vcnicnce Of "A called session will be greatly reduced.
cannot conclude without commenting to your favorable
consideration the interests Of the people VI this District
Without a representative "n he ioor Of Congress, 'hry have
Tor ibis very reason peculiar .ltlu- upon our jus, regard
r" tln-I know, from my Ions tcIuaintdHc, with them, :Iry
are cluiucnjiy entitled.
JAMES BUCHANAN.