Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-17

10 0au EauclScO, OoIlIOrn1a. line route
was selected with my full concurrence,
as the one, in my judgment, best calcu-
lated to attain the important objects
contemplated by Congress.
The late disastrous monetary revul-
sion may have one good effect should it
cause both the Government and people
to return to the practice of a wise and
judicious economy both in public and
private expenditures.
An OVERLOOKING treasury has led to
habits of prodigality and extravaganza
in our legislation. 1t has induced Con-
gress to make large appropriations to
objects for which they never would have
provided had it been necessary to raise
the amount of revenue required to meet
them by increased taxation or by loans.
We are not compelled to pause in our
career, and to scrutinize our expendi-
lures with the utmost vigilance; and, in
performing this duty, l pledge my CO.
operation to the extent of my constitu-
tional competency.
1t ought to be observed at the same
time that true public economy does not
consist in Withholding the means nee
essary to accomplish important national
objects intrusted to US by the Constitu-
ton, and especially such as may be nee
essary for the common defence. In the
present crisis of the country it is our
duty to conine our appropriations to
objects of this character, unless in cases
where justice to individuals may demand
q different course. In all cases care
ought to be taken that the money grant
ed by Congress shall be faithfully and
economically applied.
Under the Federal Constitution, "ev-
cry bill which shall have passed the
House of Representatives and the Sen
ate shall, before it becomes q law" be
approved and signed by the President:
and, if not approved, che shall return
it with his objections to the House in
which it originated" In order to per-
form this high and responsible duty,
sufficient time must be allowed the Pre-
sident to read and examine every bill
presented to him for approval. Unless
this be afforded, the Constitution be-
comes a dead letter in this particular;
and even worse, it becomes a means OF
deception. Gus constituents, seeing the
Presidents approval and signature at
tached to each act of Congress, are in
duced to believe that he has actually
performed this duty, when. in truth,
nothing is, in many cases, more unfoun-
ded.
From the practice of Concres such
an examination of each bill as the Co..
~stitutiou requires, has been rendered
impossible. The most important bust,
ness of each session is generally crowd
cd into its last hours, and the alterna-
tive presented to the President is either
to violate the constitutional duty whi,l
lie owes to the people, and approve b:lI'
which, for want of time, it is impossible
he should have examined, or, by his re.
tusal to do this, subject the country anc
individuals to great loss and inconve.
nienee.
Besides, a practice has grown up O
late years to legislate in appropriation
bills. at the last hours of the session, OIL
new and important subjects. This prac
tice eonstrains the President either tt
suffer measures to become laws which h,
does not approve, or to incur the risl
of stopping the wheels of the Govern
meht by voting an appropriation BILL
Formerly. such bills were confined tt
specific appropriations for carrying int
effect existing laws and the well estab
lished policy of the country, and littl
time was then required by the Presiden
for their examination.
For my own part, | have deliberatel,
determined that l shall approve no bill
which l nave not examined, and it vii
be a case OF extreme and most urgen
necessity which shall ever induce me t
depart from this rule. / therefore, re
spectfully, but earnestly, recommen
that the two Houses will al ow the Ere
s;dent at least two days previous to tn
adjournment of each session wi hi
which no bill shall be presented to hin
for approval. Under the existing join
rule, one day is allowed; but this rul
has been hitherto so constantly suspcn
ded in practice, that important bill
continue to be presented to him up til
the very last moments of the session.
In a large majority of cases, no grea
public Inconvenience can arise from tn
want of time to examine their provision:
because the Constitution has declare
that, if a bill be presented to the Pres
ident within the last ten days of tn
session, he is not required to return i
either with an approval or with a vet'
tin which case it shall not be a law.
1t may then lie over, and be taken u
and passed at the next session. Gre;
inconvenience would only be expericnc
ed in regard to appropriation bills; bu
fortunately; under the late excellent la
allowing a salary, instead of a per dieu
to members of Congress, the expeus
and Inconvenience of a called sessio
will be greatly reduced.
l cannot conclude, without commend
ing to your favorable consideration til
interest of the people of this Distric
Without a representation on the foe
of Congress, they have for this very re;
son peculiar claims upon our regard
To this l know, from my long acquail
ance with them, they are cminentl
entitled.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1857.
HARD TIMES IN MINNEsoTA.-Tim
are so hard in Minnesota that the pc