The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-10
The Veto.

H~~O
AS the first veto which was ever given to
River and Harbor Bill, we publish that sent
into Congress on the LIST inst, by President
Arthur. Last week we referred to it, and also
notwithstanding the objections of the Presi-
dent, and is now a law The President dis
charged what he believed to be his duty, and
Congress has doubtless done the same. The
message presents the reasons for the Presi-
dents action very perspicuously and forciby
and will be accepted by the rejecting public
as conclusive. That many of the items in the
bill are devoid of all national interest no one
will question. That the policy of the govern
ment should be to discountenance appropria-
lions from the national treasury for such does
not admit of serious argument. Guided by
the Constitution it was the Presidents duty
to interpose his objections to wasteful expen-
ditures of public moneys, not affecting the
general welfare and only designed to aid IN
the political and personal schemes OF MEM
bers of Congress and political bummers. But
for the message the bill would have passed
into law without that scrutiny from the pub
lie and exposure of its extravagances which
have followed attention being drawn to it in
this prominent manner. 1t now stands before
the country upon :ts merits. and the public
judgment will determine whether the Presi-
was justified in Withholding his signature from
it,or whether Congress reflected public opinion
by enacting it into law without his sigma
ture.
The conservative judgment of the country
will sustain the position of the President. 1t
is founded in good morals, in political wis
dom, and concern for the general welfare. The
trading methods by which the. bill was enlarged
to its present proportions dickering and
log-rolling which entered into its framework
the Generalization which must attend such
pernicious eglslation-constitute public NAL
feasence that can be defended neither in ethics
nor public policy. 1t is one of the evil ten
denotes of the times. that members of Con-
gress do not reach to the height of their con-
stitutional obligations, or consult that high
sense of public morality that should charac-
terize the w-makers of this great Republic.
Their votes and their works, too often, are
guaged by merely selfish considerations
some local bill intended for their personal ad-
vancement, and foreign to the broader view
and higher duty of representatives in ma
tional sense. The President was anxious that
a commensurate appropriation should be
made for the improvement of the Mississippi
as great continental waterw ay, and the re-
camation of Potomac flats, which is especial
ly within the peryiew of national legislation
and other appropriations affecting the com.
merce of the country, which could be proper
ly recognized by Congress. In these he man.
ifested an appropriate comprehension of the
scope of River and Harbor Bill such as he
could give his sanction to- But to endorse by
his signature appropriation to be expended
on insignificant creeks and so-called rivers
which have no national relation, and could not
by the most strained contortion be classed
under national legislation, would have been
to stultify himself, and pervert his Office to
the level OF the politicians who seek this kind
of leverage to bring them into local promi
hence.
The bill. however, has become a law, and
the appropriations which it contains fol
meritorious improvements, as well as those
which have no merit, will be expended, and
commerce as well as demagogues be bene
fitted. The President did his duty as he I'M
derstood it, and majority of the members OF
J cd no nUo Good
to do as they considered best for their constit-
uents, possibly.
The disreputable efforts ofsome of the Dem
ocratic papers of Virginia, to construe the
veto into hostile act towards the South dc
not deserve respectful notice. The President
had sent special communication to Congress
to urge an appropriation for the improvement
of the Mississippi river, and in his veto mes
sage he refers to this appropriation-by fal
the largest of any embraced in the bill-as one
that it would have afforded him pleasure te
approve But it was loaded down by so many
items which have no merit in them, he coulG
not, consistent with his views Of the Consti
tuition and its commands, affix his signature
|
good. Apart from this one item for the i'm
provement of the Mississippi river, the bulk O
the appropriations are for Northern and
Western improvements, SO this kind of criti
cism will have no other effect than to expose
the partzan malignity OF those who indulge
in it. The good sense and honesty of the
Southern people will sustain the President
whatever may be the assaults of patizan pen
ny-a-liners.
The yote by which the bill was passed ovel
the Presidents veto has no political signif
canoe, as parties were pretty equally divided
In the affirmative in the House there were u
Republicans, 4 Democrats and Greenback
ers, and in the negative 80 Republicans, q
Democrats and one Greenbacker Forty-fvt
pairs were announced. Barbour, Tucker
Wise, Cabell, Garrison and Fulkerson voteG
with the majority. Paul, Dezendorf and Jor
genson were not recorded. In the Senate Il
Republicans and % Democrats voted to over
rule the veto, and 10 Republicans, Demo
Gratis and Independent, Davis, voted to sus
tain it. Gen. Malone is not recorded as vOt
ing either way. aooni.rsr nua-l
This, however, is not the last of this mat
ter. 1t will be brought up in the fall cleo
tions, and if we mistake not, will be as harsh
ly condemned as was she salary grab few
years ago. That proved to BIZ milestone
around the neck of many politician who
had not the courage to resist the temptation
to take, under the forms of law, So 900 out O
the public treasury, to which he was nst in
equity entitled. A similar result may await
some of those who have been equally culpa
Bile in support of this great national steal.
The Potomac flats are to be reclaimed now
that the RIVER and Harbor bill has become q
law. So soon as the Kldwell claim on thu
malaria breeding flats in front of the city car
be disposed of, work will begin under the RiY
er and Harbor appropriation to finish out the
ragged edge of the river front and cause thai
now rcpulslve locality to become one of the
most charming and attractive portions of the
Capital City. With substantial sea-wal
along the proposed new line of the river front
giving good depth of water at the wharves
and landings, and the utilization OF the sever.
al hundred acres of land reclaimed for parks
lakes, drives, and prOmenades, interpreted