St. Landry democrat., 1882-08-12
ARTHUR'S FIRST VETO.
The River and Harbor Bill Returned to the
House Without the Presidents Sigma
iure.

fOr Ine SECOND ulne IN tno history OF
Congress river and harbor bill has been
vetoed. Congressman were expecting that
the President would Ign it, and accompany
his signature with Il message stating his OBJ
Jections to some parts OF the bill and hi:
purpose to exercise his discretion under the
law in expanding the money. Hence there
was great surprise when the veto message
was received and read in the House this
| afternoon. A dispute was in progress
: at the time relative to the proper distribute
ton of reports Of the tenth census, but
the advent of Secretary Pruden caused q
cessation of hostilties. He bore in his hand
a large roll of manuscript, which he held
aloft while awaiting recognition by the
Speaker, and was observed whispering the
contents of the roll to several Representa-
tives near him. The House became serious
in an instant aud Speaker Keter handed
Clerk Mcpherson the message, and he a.
once began the reading. Not over ten min
utes was occupied in its delivery, and the
silence in the chamber was only interrupted
once. This was when the clause was read
to the effect that rs the bill became more
Objectionable the more support it would re-
| ceive.
At the conclusion Of the reading, a score
OF members sprang to their feet with mo.
lions to adjourn, and in hasty manner the
Speaker declared that the motion had car
rled. EX-Speaker Randall, who retained
his seat Tor some time after adjournment,
| stated to correspondent that he
would certainly vote to sustain the
veto. sit is a sound document,D said
Mr.. Randall, "and meets with my appro-
baton, except in one particular. 1 agree
fully with the President regarding the Mis-
| sissipi River improvement, but we differ
as to the necessity for improving the Poto-
mac flats. None OF the great national i'm
provements will be likely to suffer, but
some local interests undoubtedly will. 'In
half an hour the chamber was deserted, as
the Republicans seemed anxious to ascer-
tain the sentiments of the Senate on the
question, and this unusually quiet resort
was soon made quite lively.
The effect Of the message on the members
was rather queer. Their disappointment
seemed for a time to be shadowed by their
establishment. Some Of them thought the
message was by no means complimentary to
the House, more than half were very sorry,
and considerable proportion were also very
angry.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Following is the full text of. tbs Presi-
dents message vetoing the bill:
To the House of Representatives: Having
watched with much interest the progress OF
House btll No. t242, entitled an act making
appropriation for the construction repair
and preservation of certain works on rivers
and harbors and other purposes, and having
since it was received carefully examined it,
after mature consideration, am constrained
to return it herewith to the House of Repre-
sentatives, in which it originated, without nv
signature, and with my objections.to it's pass
age. Many appropriations in the bill are
clearly for general welfare and most beneh-
cent in their character. Two of the objects
Tor which provision is made were by me con-
sidereu so important that felt it my duty to
direct to them the attention of Con
gress in my annual message in Deem
Der last: I urged the vital Importance
of legislation for the reclamation of the
marshes and for the establishment OF harbor
lines along the Potomac front. In April last.
by special message, recommended an aD-
preparation for the improvement of the Mis-
sissippi River 1t is not necessary that 1
should say that when my signature would
other valuable national objects a law, 1t is
with sreatreuctance, and only undera sense OF
duty, that withhold it. My principal objec-
ton to the bill is that it contains uppropri-
atlons for purposes not for the common good
Or the general welfare, and which do not pro-
mote commerce among States. These pro-
visions, on the contrary, are entirely for the
benefit OF the particular locations i'll which it
Is proposed to make improvements. regard
such appropriation OF the public money as
beyond the power given by the Constitution
to Congress and the President. l feel more
bound to withhold my signature from the bill
because of the peculiar evils which manifest
ly result in this infraction of the Constitution.
appropriations of this nature, to be devoted
purely to local objects, tend to increase in
number and amount. AS the citizens of one
State find that money, to raise which they in
common with the whole country are
taxed, is to be expended for improve
ments in another State, they demand similar
is n,lt
unnatural that they should seek to in
indemnify themselves for such use of public
funds by securing appropriations for similar
Improvements in their own neighborhood
Thus, as the bill becomes more objectiona-
Bile. 1t secures more support: This result Is
invariable and necessarily follows the neg
1ect to observe the constitutional limitations
imposed upon the law making power. APP
preparations for river and harbor improve
ments have under the influence to which /
have alluded, increased, year by year. out oi
proportion to the progress of the country,
appropria ion was $,915,90o; in 1875, S664s,-
5l7.50; in $780, $S916 500 and in 1884, 81 451 300
While by the present act there is appropriated
S1S,743,Ssj.
While feeling every disposition to leave tc
the Legislature the responsibility of deter
mining what amount should be appropriated
for the purposes of the bill; so long as appro-
priations are confined to the objects indicated
by the grant of power, 1 can not escape the
conclusion that, as Il part of the law making
power of the Government, the duty devolves
upon me to withhold my signature from bill
containing appropriations which, inmy opin.
ion, greatly exceed in amount the needs OF
the country for the present fiscal year. 1t
being the usage to provide money for those
purposes by annual appropriation bills, the
President is in effect directed to expend so
large an amount of money within
brief period that the expenditure can not
be made economically and advantageously.
Extravagant expenditure of public money is
an evil not to be measured by the value Of
that money to the people who are taxed forit.
They sustain greater injury in the democrat
izins effect produced upon those who are in
trusted with official duty through all the
of the Government. These OBJ
|ections could be removed, and every con-
stitutional purpose readily obtained should
Congress enact that one half only of the
aggregate amount provided for in the