The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-08-05
VETOED

A wise thing indeed WAS the veto by the
President of the Riv2r and Hlrbor bill
passed by Congress afew days ago. He has
by this act of his, shown the people that
he is prepared to stand by the best in
terests of the country, notwithstanding
the venality of members of both Houses
of Congress. HeIe is the text OF the
Presidents message vetoing the bill
Having watched with much interest
the progress OF House bill, No. 6,242, en-
titled 'An act making appropriations for
the construction, repair and preservation
of certain works on rivers aud harbors,
and for other purposes, and having since
it was received carefully examined it,
after mature consideration | am con-
strained to return it herewith to the
House of Representatives in which it or
iginated without my signature and with
my objections to its passage.
Many of the appropriations in the bill
are clearly for the general welfare and
most benefcent in their character. Two
OF the objects for which provision is made
were by me considered 80 important that
l felt it my duty to direct the TO the at
tention OF Congress. Ia my annual mes
sage in Decent Der last urged the vital
importance OF legislation for the reclaim
alton of the marshes and for the esta6-
lishmeut OF the hnrbor lines along the
Potomac front Iu April last, by special
message, l recommended an appropTia-
tion Tor the improvement OF the Mlssis-
sippi River. 1t is Got nece' sary that
say that when my signature would make
the bill appropratiug Tor these and other
valuable national objects a law, it is
with great reluctance and only under u
sense of duty that | withhold it. My
principal objection TO the bill is that it
contains appropriations Tor purposes Lot
for the common defence or general well
fare, and which do not promote commerce
among the States. These provisions, on
the contrary, are entirely for the benefit
of the particular localities IN which II Is
proposed to make the improvements.
regard such appropriation OF the public
money as beyond the power given by the
Constitution to Congress and the Presi
dent l feel the more bound to withhold
my signature from the bill because of th,
peculiar evils which manilestly result
from this iuiraction of the Constitution
Appropriations OF this nature, to be de
voted purely to local objects, tend to !
increase i'll number and in amount. Al
the citizens of one State find that none.
to raise which they in common will
the whole country are taXrd--is TO be eX
pended for local i'm orovenenis in III
other State, they demand similar bsuefl
for themselves, aud il is not u4uaturu
that they should seek to indemnify them
selves tor such use Of the public fund
by securing appropriations tor simila
improve mruts Ia thrir own ueighbo rhoo
Thus, MS the bill becomes more objection
abb, il secures more support. The T,
suit is invariable, and nee, sSlrily follow
a neglect to observe the constitution,
limitations imposed upon the law-makir
puwtr.
The appropriations for river aud ha
bnr improvements have, under the il
fnences TO which l have alluded, il
creased year by Year out of proportion
the progress of the country, great as th
has been, In 1870 the aggregate Appr
priation was SO 975 500; in 1875. sc CAS-
5l7. so; in 1880 IS 976 500; and in 1853
il.45l, 800; while by the present a
there Is appropriated SIS 7I3, S75,
Whilr feeling every disposition IN lea
TO The Legislature the responsibility
drtermiuipg What amount should be a
propriated for the purposes Of the hi
so long as the appropriations are eonhn
TO objects indicated by III" grant Of po
er cannot escape tbs conclusion thi