Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-12-09

ported.
The expenditures Of the department for the
fiscal year ending on the 30th June, 1857, as
adjusted by the Auditor, amounted to SII ,5O7,-
$40. To deiray these expenditures there was to
the credit of the department on the LIST July,
1856, the sum of $3.50 ,299; the gross revenue
of the year, including the annual allowances for
the transportation of free mail matter, produced
IS 1851; and the remainder was supplied by
the appropriation from the treasury of So $780,
00O granted by the act of Congress approved
August IS, 1856, and by the appropriation of
1865 ,SS3, made by the act Of March 3, 1857,
leaving 1882, 1863 to be carried to the credit Of
the department in the accounts of the current
year. l commend to your consideration the re-
port Of the depa tmeut in relation to the estab-
lishnent OF the overland mail route from the
Mississippi river TO San francisco, California.
The route was selected, with my full concurrence,
as the one, in my judgment, best calculated to
attain the important objects contemplated by
Congress.
The late disastrous monetary rcyulsion NAV
have one good effect should il cause both the
government and the people to return to the prac-
tice Of a wise and judicIous economy both in
public and private expenditures.
An overlooking treasury has led TO habits of
prodigaty and extravaganza in our legislation.
1t has induced Congress to make large appropria-
tons to objects for which they never would have
provided had it been necessary to raise the
amount Of revenue required to meet them by in
creased taxation or by loans. We are now COM
PEELED to pause in our career, and TO scrutinize
our expenditures with the utmost vigilance and
in performing this duty, pledge my co-opera-
ton to the extent of my constitutional compe-
tency
oiuhf to hon ks - h., - Il.
true public economy does not consistln withhold
lug the means necessary to accomplish important
national objects entrusted 10 us by the constitu-
ton, and especially such as may be necessary for
the common defence. In the present crisis of the
country it is our duty TO con6ne our appropria.
tions to objects of this character, unless in cases
where justice TO individuals may demand diff
feren! course. In all cases care ought to be taxi
en- that the money granted by Congress shall be
faithfully and economically applied
Under the federal constitution &c every bill
which shall nave passed the House Of Repre-
sentativcs and the Senate shall, before it be-
comes law" he approved and signed by the
President and if not approved, g he shall re-
turn it with his objections to that house in which
il originated" In order to perform tn is high
and responsible duty, sufficient time must be al
lowed the PresIdenttor read and examine every bill
presented to him for approval. Unless this be af-
f0rded, the constitution becomes dead letter in
this particular and even worse, it becomes
means of deception. Our constituents, seeing
the Presidents approval and signature attached
to each act of Congress, are induced to believe
that he has actually performed this duty, when,
IN truth, nothing is, in many cases, more un.
founded.
From the practice of Congress, such an exam
/. 4 Il
has been rendered impossible. The most impor-
tant business of each session is generally crowd
ed into its last hours, and the alternative pre-
scented to the President is either 10 violate the
constitutional duty which he owes 10 the people
and approve bills which, for want Of time, il is
impossible he should have examined, or by his
refusal to do this, subject the country and indl-
ylduals to great loss and Inconvenience.
Besides, practice has grown up of late years
to legslate on appropriation bills at the last hours
Of the session on new and important subjects.
This practice constrains the President either to
suffer measures TO become laws which he does
not approve, or to incur the risk of stopping the
wheels OF government by voting an appropria-
ton bill. Formerly, such bills were confined 10
SPECIFIC appropriations for carrying into effect ex-
listing laws and the well established policy Of
the country, and little time was then required by
tine President for their examination.
For my own part, have deliberately deter
mined that l shall approve no bill which have
not examined, and 1t will be case of extreme
and most urgent necessity which shall ever in
| duce me to depart from this rule | therefore
respectfully, but earnestly, recommend that the
two houses wonld allow the President at least
two days previous to the adjournment of each
session within which no new bill shall be pre-.
scented to MIN for approval. Under the existing
JOINT rule one day is allowed; but this rule has
been hitherto so constantly suspendedsin practice
that important bills continue to be presented to
him up till the very last moments of the session.
In large majority OF cases no great public in
convenience can arise from the want of time to
examine their provisions, because the constitu.
ton has declared that if bill be presented to
the President within the last ten days Of the ses-
sion he IS not required TO return it, either with
an approval or with a veto, Sin which case II
shall not be law = 1t may then lie over and
be taken up and passed at the next session.
Great Inconvenience would only be experienced
In regard to appropriation bills; but fortunately,
under the late excellent law allowing a salary ,in-
stead of of a per diem, to members of Congress
the expense and inconvenience of called ses-
sion will be greatly reduced.
cannot conclude without commenting to
your favorable consideration the interests of the
people Of this district. Without representa-
tive on the floor of Congress, they have for this
very reason peculiar claims upon our Just re-
gard. To this know, from my long acquaint-
ance with them, they are emiuently entitled.
JAMES BUCHANAN
Washington, Dec s, 1857.