Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-08-04
The Great Steal Vetoed.


WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The follow
ing is full text of the presidents mes
sage, vetoing the river and harbor bill:
To the House of Representatives:
have watched with much interest the progress
of house bill, No. 6242, entitled an act making
appropriation for the construction, repair and
preservation of certain works on rivers and har-
bors, and for other purposes" And having, since
it was received, carefully examined it, after
ture consideration 1 am constrained to return it
herewith to the house of representatives in which
it originated, without my signature, and with my
objections to its passage. Many appropriations
in the bill are clearly for general welfare and most
beneficial in their character. Two of the objects
for which provision is made, were by me- consid-
cred so important, fe,t it my duty to direct them
to the attention of congress. In nv
annual message in December last, 1 urged
the vital Importance of legislation for
reclamation of marshes and to establish harbor
lines along the Potomac front. In April last, by
special message, l recommended an appropria-
tion for the Improvement of the Mississippi river.
1t is not necessary to say, that VIXEN my sigma
ture, which would make the bill appropriating
money for these and other valuable national OBJ
jeets a law, it is with great reluctance and from
sense of duty tina. withhold my signature.
MY PRINCIPAL OBJECTION
to the bill is that it contains appropriations fer
purposes not for common defense or general wei
the states. These provisions, on the contrary
are entirely for the benefit of particular localities
in which it is proposed to make improvements. /
regard such appropriation of public money as
beyond the powers given by the CON
stitution to congress and the president feel
more bound to withhold my signature frem the
bill because of the evils which manifestly result
from this infraction on the constitution. APP
preparations Of this nature to be devoted purely
to local objects, tend to increase in number and
AS thn nIti NJ Oh fnA hat
the money. to raise which they in common with
the whole country Is taxed, is expended for local
improvement in another state, they demand
similar benefits for themselves and it is not un-
natural they should seek to indemnify themselves
for such public funds by securing appropriations
for similar improvements in their own neighbor-
hood. Thus, as the bill becomes more objection
able, 1t secures some support. This result is in
variably and necessarily followed by neglect to
observe the constitutional limitations imposed on
the law-makisg power.
APPROPRIATIONS
for river and harbor improvements have under
the influences to which have alluded, increased
year by year, out of proportion to the progress
of the country. great as that has been. In 1870
the aggregate appropriations was So ,9I5 900; in
1875, Sc, ,64s ,5l7; 1880, $S,e76, ,500 1881, SILL
45l 300; while by the present act there is appro
priated $ls, ,73S,75O While feeling every dispo-
sition to leave to the legislature the responsibility
of determining what amount should be appro-
priated for the purposes of the bill. long as the
appropriations confined to objects indicated
by the grant of power, l cannot escape the con-
cusion that part of the law making power of
the government, the duty devolyes on me to with
hold my signature from the bill containing appro-
priations, which in my opinion, greatly exceed in
amount and the needs of the country for the
present fiscal year. 1t being the usage to pro-
vide money for these purposes by the annual ap-
preparation bills, the president is in effect. dI-
rected to expend so large an amount of money
within so brief period, that the expenditure
cannot be made economically and advantageous
ly. Extravagant expenditure of public money
is an evil not to be measured by the value Of that
money to the people who are taxed for 1t. They
sustain greater injury in the demoralizing effect
produced in those who are intrusted with official
duty through all the ramfcations of govern
ment. These objections could be removed and
SHOULD congress enact that cne-half only of the
aggregate amount provided tor in the BILL be ap-
propriated for expenditure during the fscal year,
aud that the sum so appropriated be expended
only for such object named in the bill the
secretary of war, under direction of the presi-
dent, shall determine, provided that in no case
shall the expenditure for any purpose exceed the
sum now designated by the bill for that purpose.
FEEL AUTHORISED
to make this suggestion because of the duty i'm
posed upon the president by the constitution to
recommend to the consideration of congress su ch
| measures as he shall judge necessary and expedi-
ent aud because it is my earnest desire that the
public works which are in pYo ress shall suffer no
injury. Congress will also con- us, again in -four
| months, when this whole subject will be open for
their consideration.
(Signed) CHFsTER A. ARTHUR.
Executive Mansion, Aug. L. 1882.
CIRCULATION.
There is much speculation concern
ing the chances of success in an at
tempt, tomorrow, to pass the river and
harbor bill over the presidents veto.
The bill ordinarily passed the house
the 17th of June; 119 yeas against AZ
nays; and the senate July II; yeas 80,
nays %, with 19 senators paired.