The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-08-11
VETO OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR
BILL.

Following is the full text Of the Presidents
message vetoing the River and Hsrbor bill
To the House Of Representatives:
Having watched with much interest the pro-
gress Of House bill No. 62i2, entitled San act
making appropriations for the construction, re-
pair and preservation Of certain works on rivers
and harbors, and for other purposes"
and having, since 1t was received, carefully
examined it, after mature consideration l am
constrained to return it herewith to the House OF
Representatives. in which II original ted, without
my signature and with my objections to its
passage. Many appropriations In the bill are
clearly for the general welfare and most benef.
cent III their character. Two OF the objects for
which provision Is made were by me considered
so important that 1 felt it my duty to direct to
them the attention of Congress. In my annual
message in December last urged the vital i'm
portance OF legislation for reclamation OF the
marshes and for the establishment Of harbor
lines along the Potomac front In April last,
by special message, recommended an appro-
priation for the Improvement OF the Miss
lssippi river. 1t Is not necessary that
I say that when my signature would
make the bill approprating for these aud
other valuable national objects law it is
with great reluctance and only under a sense
of duty, that l withhold it. My principal OBJ
lection to the bill is that it contains appropria-
tons for purposes not for common defense or
general welfare. 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 il is proposed
to make the improvements. l regard such ap-
preparation OF public money AZ beyond the
powers given by tho constitution to Congress
and the President feel more bound to with
hold my signature from the bill because Of pecul-
lar evils which manfestly result from this in
fraction OF the constitution. Appropriations
of this nature, to be devoted purely 20 local OBJ
jects, tend to increase In number and amount
As citizens OF one State find that money to
raise which, in common with the whole country,
they are taxed, is to be expended for local inn
provements in another State, they demand
similar benefits for themselves; aud it is not
unnatural that they should seek to indemnify
themselves for such of the public funds by
securing appropriations for similar improve
ments in their own neighborhood. Thus, as the
bill becomes more objectionable, it secures
more support. This result is inevitable, and
necessarily follows neglect to observe the con-
stitutional limitations imposed on the law
making power.
Appropriations for river ,nd harbor i'm
provements have, under the influences to which
have alluded, increased year by year out of
proportion to the progress OF the country,
great ~ that has been. La 1870 the aggregate
appropriation was 3,075, 900 ; in 1875 Is, 648,-
5l7.50 i'll 1880, IS, $40, 800, and in 1881, $l1,-
451, 300 while by the present act there is APP
disposition to leave to the Legislature the re-
sponsitility OF determining what amount should
be appropriated for the purposes OF the bill
so long as appropriations are confined to the
objects indicated by the grant Of Congress-
l cannot escape the fact that, part Of
the law-making power Of the Government,
the duty devolves upon me to withhold my sig
nature from bill containing appropr ations
which, III my opinion, greatly exceed il, amount
the needs OF the country for the present fiscal
year. 1t being the usage TO provide money for
these purposes by IN annual appropriation bill,
the President ic Ill eject directed to expend so
large an amount Of money within 80 brief a
period that expenditure can not be made econ
omically and advantageously Extravagant ex-
penditure OF public money is an evil not to be
measured By the value Of that money to the
people who are taxed for it. They
sustain greater injury III the demorallzing
effects produced upon those who are intrusted
with official duty, through all the ramifcations
OF government. These objections could be
removed and every constitutional purpose
rea Oily obtained should Congress enact thas
one-half only OF the aggregate amount pro-
vided for in the bill be appropriated for ex-
penditure during the fiscal year, and that the
sum so appropriated be expended only for such
object named In the bill as the Secretary Of
War, under direction Of the President, shall
determine provided that in no case
shall expenditure for any one Purpose exceed
tue suiu now uesiguateu Nv VII Ior tnat Pur-
pose. I feel authorized to make this suggestion
cause Of the dutyimposed upon the President
by tho constitution to recommend to the con-
sheraton of Congress such measures a. he
sball iu lge necessary and expedient. and be-
,ause 1t my earnest desire that the public
works which are in progress shall suffer no
injury. Congress will also convene again in
four months. when this whole subject will be
open for their consideration.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Aug ]. lss2.