Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-08-02
The Veto of the River and Harbor Bill.

10 the House OF representatives
Having watched with much interest the
progress of the House bill No. 6,242, enti-
tied San act making appropriations for the
construction, repair and preservation of GER
tain works on rivers and harbors, and for
other purposes" and having since it was re-
ceived carefully examined it, after mature
consideration am constrained to return it
herewith 10 The House of Representatives,
F! in which it originated, without my sigma
turc and with my objections to its passage.
Many of the appropriations in the bill are
clearly for the general welfare and most be-
inefficient in their characters. Two ofthe OBJ
jects for which provision is made were by
me considered 50 important that felt it my
duty 10 direct to them the attention ofCon-
gress. In my annual message in December
last urged.the vital Importance of lcgisla-
ton for the reclamation of the marshes an.l
for the establishment of the harbor lines;
along the Potomac front. In April last by
special message | recommended all appro-
priation for the Improvement of the Missis-
sppi river.
1t is not necessary that 1 say that when
my signature would make the bill appropri-
atug for these and other valuable national
OlJeClS 81 INV III Will iCuI ICIuClullCS, anu
only under sense of duty, that withhold
it. My principal objection to the bill is
that it contains appropriations for purposes
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 it is pro.
posed to make the improvements. | regard
such appropriation of the public money rs
beyond the powers given by the Constitu
ton to Congress and the President. | fee
the more bound to withhold my signature
from the bill because Of the peculiar evils
which manifestly result from this infractior
of the Constitution. Appropriations of this
nature to be devoted purely to local objects
tend to an increase in number and in
amount, rs the citizens of one state find tina,
moncy--to raise which they, in common
with the whole country, are taXed-is to be
expended for local improvements in anoth
cr state they demand similar benefits fol
(: themselves. and it is not unnatural that they
should seek to indemnify themselves fol
such Use of the public funds by securing ap
preparations for similar improvements il
) their own neighborhood. Thus, as the bill
: becomes more Objectionable it secures more
support. This result is invariable, and ne
cessarily follows Il neglect to observe the
constitutional limitations, imposed upon thu
: law-naking power. The appropriations fol
river and harbOr improvements have. un
der the influences to which have alluded in
creased, year by year, out ofproportion to the
progress of the country, great as that has
been. In 1870 the aggregate appropriation
WAS S5,915,900; in 1875, $664S, 5l7 so; il
1880, SS,97950O, and in 1881, $l1, 45l 300
while by the present act there is appropril
ted $lS,743,S75. While feeling every dispo
sition to leave to the legislature the respon
sibility Of determining what amount SHOULD
be appropriated for the purposes of the bill
SO long rs the appropriations are confined
to objects indicated, by the grant of power | can
not escape the conclusion that, part of TIL
law-making power OF the government, the dut,
devolves upon me to withhold my signature from
the bill containing appropriations which in IN.
opinion, greatly exceed in amount the needs o
the country for the present fiscal year. 1t bcn
the usage 10 provide money for these purposes b,
annual appropriation bills, the President is il
effect directed to cNprnd so large an amount q
money within 81 hriGfa period that the expcndi
turc cannot hc made economically and advan
tageously.
The cXtrayagant expenditure of public monr,
is IN evil not to be measured by the value Of tina
money to the people who are taxed for it. The,
sustain 4 greater injury in the demoraizing ctlcc
produced upon those who are entrusted with otii
cial duty through all the qualifications of govern
mcnt. These obligations could be removed ant
every constitutional purpose readily obtained
should Congress enact that onc-half only of tn,
aggregate amount provided for in the bill be APP
propracd for expenditure during the fiscal year
ana That the sum SOappropratcd be expended only
for such objects named in the bill the Secretary
of War; under the direction of the President, shal
determine; provided that in no case shall the cx
pcndturc Tor any one purpose exceed the sum nov