The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-08-04

another state, they demand similar bene
fits for themselves. 1t is not unnatura
that they should seek to indemnify
themselves for such use of public fund,
by securing appropriations for similal
improvements in their own heighbor
hood.
Thus, as the bill becomes more OBJ
jectionable, it secures more support
This result invariably and unnecessari
ly follows a neglect to observe the con
stitutional limitations imposed upon the
law making power.
The appropriations for river and har.
Dor improvements have, under influences
to which I have alluded increased year
by year out of proportion to the pro
gress of the country, great as that has
been. In 1870 the aggregate appropri
alton was S3,975,900. In 1875, S6,648,
$3.50. In 1880, SS,976,5OO and in
1881, S11,451, 300, while by the present
act there is appropriated S1S,743,S75
While feeling every disposition to leave
to the legislature the responsibility OF
determining what amount should be
appropriated for the purposes of the bill,
so long as appropriations are confined
to objects indicated by the grant Of
power, l cannot escape the conclusion
that as a part of the law making power
of the government the duty devolves
upon me to withhold my signature
from the bill containing appropriations
which in my opinion greatly exceed in
amount the needs of the country fol
the present fiscal year, il being the
usage to provide money for these pur.
poses by annual appropriation bills
| The President is in effect directed tC
expend so large an amount of money
within SO brief period that the ex.
penditure cannot be made economically
and advantageously. The extravagant
expenditure of public money is an evi
not to be measured by the value of that
money The people who are taxed fol
it sustain greater injury in the demoral
izing effect produced upon those who
are entrusted with official duty through
all the rami6cations of the government
These objections could be removed and
every constitutional purpose readily OBJ
tanned should congress enact that one
half only of the aggregate amount pro
vided for in the bill be appropriated fol
expenditure during the fiscal year ano
that the sum so appropriated be ex
pended only for such objects named il
the bill as the secretary of war, under
the direction of the President, shall de
termine, provided that in no case shal
the expenditure for any one purpose ex
ceed the sum now designated by the
bill for that purpose. l feel authorized
to make this suggestion because of the
duty imposed upon the President by
the constitution to recommend to thu
consideration of congress such measures
as he shall Judge necessary and exped
lent, and because it is my earnest desire
that the public works which are in pro
gress shall suffer no injury. Congress,
will also convene again in four months
when this whole subject will be opei
for their consideration.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Executive Mansion, August l, 1881
On Wednesday the bill was carried
over the Presidents veto by two
thirds vote in both houses. A repub
lican congress has assumed the respon
sibility fthisplundering law, the Pres
dent first informing the leaders that h
would not consider an adverse vote q
a criticism or slight, which dismisse
from every members mind the ide
that he would incur Arthur's displea
ure by refusing to sustain his veto.