New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-02

In April last by special message os the Missis-
an appropriation for the improvement 4i s cav that
sipp River. 1t is not necessary yhe h;l apDropri-
atino for these and other valuable Natona opyeo"o
law il is with great reluctance anu 4n oLiec
of duty that withhold IT, n,y atlons for
nnrnoses not for the common defence OF ecno,a, e
welfare and which do not promote coDneice .'ns or
The states These provisions on the contrary @ aio
entrrv for the benefit of the particular localtioS
i'm which il is proposed 10 make the Improvement %
/ regard such apprOpra ion OF the pu olc lnonoS 90
beyond the powers given by the tOnsutuuion "
CONGRESS and the President. feel the more boun1
TO withhold my signature from me Dill pccdusV 49,, "
the peculiar evils which manifeSIy result o o,i
infraction of the Constitution Appropriations VI
tins nature to be devoted purely to local oo'ects
tend to an increase in number ana Ill amount. 20
the citizens of one state find that m0ney-tO raisc
which they in common with the whole country I aII
taxed-is to be expended ior loctn
improvements in another State, they demand SIM
liar benefits for Themselves and It Is not un,tuf m
that they should seek TO indemnify themselves loT
such use OF the public funds by securing applopII
atlOns for similar improvements III thelr oM
neghborhood. Thus, as the bill becomes more lnorI or -
iectonable II secures more support ms result Is
lnvariable and necessarily follows neglect 10 90
serve the constitutional limitations imposed upon
The law making power. .
mentS have, under the influences 40 when nave
alluded increased year by year out OF proportion 10
the progress Ofhe country, great IS that has hcen
In 1870 the aggregate appropi WaSo.9 . ~
in / $40, b6,04S $3.50; Ill 1850, SS,0IO,oOU anu
III 1881, 81 ,4Jl 800; while by the present aci
there is appropriated TlS,713,o75.
While feeling every disposition 10 leave TO the
Legislature the responsibility o. determining What
amount should be appropriated for the pur-
poses OF tine bill 50 long rs the dppro-
nriatlous are confined TO objects indicated
Dy the grant of power cannot escape he cOncI1slOh
that as a part OF the Law making power OF the Gov
ernncnt tae duty devolvcs upon me 10 withhold
INV signature from the bill coma nlug apptoprla-
tons which IN my opinion greatly exceed IN amoun,
the needs of the county fOr Jhe present fiscal year.
Il I. to
poses by annual appropriation Dhis, the Irel lde!it IS
In effect aireccd 10 eA pend SO large an aiount Ol
money within 80 bIIei period that the expenditure
cannot he made economically ana adFanldgrousiy'
The cXtraVagant expenditure OF puDhG money Is
an evil not 10 be measured by the yJiue OF
taxed fOr it. They sustain greater IL
Jury in the demOrazing effect produced upon
those who are intrusted wlth official duty through
all Inc ram nicatIOuS OF Government. lhcse ODJec-
uons could ne removed and every constitutional
ul DOS errady obtained should Congress enact that
ne-half only of the aggregate amount provided lOr
IN the bill be Appropriated for expenditure during
the fiscal year ana that the appropriated be
expended only for such Objects numed IN tAe Dll as
the Secretary Oi War uadCr the direction OF tue
President shall determine. provided thdt IN no case
shall ne expenditure Tor any one purpose exceed
the Sulu now designated 0y the Dlll IOr mat pur-
pose. feel authorized 10 make TINS suggestion be-
cause of tne duty imposed upon the PRESIDENT by
the Constitution to recommend to the consideration
of CONGRESS such measures a5 C shall Judge ncces-
sary ana eXpedIent and because il NY earnest de-
sire tnat the public works which arc III progress
shall suffer inj uly. Congress VIII also convene
again III four months. when this whole subject viii
be open Tor their consideration.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.