The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-08-10
ARTHUR'S FIRST VETO.
The River and Harbor Bin Returned to tn
House Without the Presidents sigma
ture.

WAsHINGToN, D. c.. Aug. i.
For the second time in the history OF
Congress river and harbor bill has been
vetoed. Congressman were expecting that
the President would sign it, and accompany
his signature with message stating his OBJ
jections to some parts OF the bill and his
purpose to exercise his discretion under the
law in expending 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 distribu-
tion Of reports of the tenth census, but
the advent OF Secretary Pruden caused a
cessation OF hostilities. 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, and Speaker Keifer handed
Clerk Mcpherson the message, and he at
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 as the bill became more
Objectionable the more support it would re-
ceive.
of members sprang to their feet with mo-
tions to adjourn, and in a hasty manner the
Speaker declared that the motion had car
ried. Ex-Speaker Randall, who retained
his seat for some time after adjournment,
stated to a correspondent that he
would certainly vote to sustain the
veto. cit is a sound document,'' 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 fats. 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 time to be shadowed by their
astonishment. 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 the l'resi-
dents message vetoing the bill:
10 Ln6 House OF representatives: Having
watched with much interest the progress Of
House blI No. 6242, 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,
alter mature consideration, l am constrained
to return it herewith to the House of Repre-
sentatives, in which it originated, without my
SIGNATURE and with nv objections to its PASS
age. Many appropriations in the bill are
clearly for general welfare and most benefi-
cent in their character. Two of the objects
for which nrOViSiOn ia made IN
sidered so important that felt it my duty to
direct to them the attention Of Con
gress in my annual message in Decem-
Der last. 1 urged the vital Importance
of legislation for the reclamation of the
liHes along the Potomac front In April last,
by special message, 1 recommended an APP
preparation for the Improvement OF the Mis-
sissippi River. 1t IS not necessary that [
should say that when my signature would
make the bill appropriating for these and
other valuable national objects law it is
with greatreluctance and only undera sense of
ton to the bill is that 1T contains appropri-
atiOnS 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 in which it
Is proposed TO make improvements. L regard
such appropriation of the public money as
beyond the power given by the Constitution
to Congress and the President. feel more
bound to withhold my signature from the bill
because of the peculiar evils which manifest
ly result in this infractlon 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
taxed ia 70 he eynended for in1nroSsa.
ments in another State, they demand similar
benefits for themselves, and it is not
indemnify themselves for such use of public
funds by securing appropriations for similar
improvements in their own neighbofhOOd.
Bile. it secures more support This result is
invariable and necessarily follows the neg
lect to observe the constitutional limitations
imposed upon the law making power. APP
preparations for river and harbor improve
have alluded, increased, year by year, out of
proportion 20 the progress of the country,
great as that has been. In 1870, the aggregate
appropriation was $3975,S00; in 1915, $685.
$780, in 1880 So 976 500 and in 1881, Sll 451 800
while by the present act there is appropriated
While feeling every disposition to leave to
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
conclusion that as part of the law making
power of the Government, the duty devoives
upon me to withhold my signature from a bill
containing appropriations which, in my 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
PRESIDENT Is in effect directed to expend so
large an amount of money within so
brief period that the expenditure can not
be made economically and advantageously.
evil not to be measured by the value OF
that money to the people, who are taxed forit.
They sustain greater injury in the demoral-
izing effect produced upon those who are 1n-
trusted with official duty through all the
ramifications of the Government. These OBJ
jectiOns could be removed, and every con-
stitutional purpose readily obtained, should
Congress enact that one-h half only of the
aggregate amount provided for in the
bill be appropriated for expenditure dur
ing the fiscal year, and that the
sum SO appropriated shall be expended
only for such object named in the bill the
Secretary of War, under the direction of the
President, shall determine; provided that in
no case shall expenditures for any one pur-
pose exceed the sum now designated by the
bill for that purpose. l feel authorized to
make this suggestion, because of the duty
imposed upon the President by the Constitu-
tiOn to recommend to the consideration of
Congress such measures as he shall Judge
necessary and eNpedient, and because il is
my earnest desire that public works which
are in progress shall suffer injury. Con-
grcss will also convene in four months, when
this whole subject viii be open for your con-
gideratioD.
lSigned) CHESTER A. ARTHUR
Executive Mansion, August l, 1881.
During the five months of the pres
ent year there were filed at the Patent
Office Is, 244 applications for patents,
being 2,307 more than for the same