Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-14
Ia, 1856

The President-Rivers and Harbors
We are not surprised to hear that Mr.
CLEVELAND wishes to serve a second
term, because we think there can be
no more natural or laudable ambition
than that of an honest President to
have his conduct endorsed by re-
election. Not so much Is TO the
integrity of the conduct; for that, We
suppose, is universally conceded; &C
knowledged in the hearts Of even the
most decided Republicans. But in
tegrity is merely the foundation of
wise statesmanship--that is, Of sound
principles directed by practical ability,
under an sppreciativc knowledge Of the
wants Of the country as well as Of the
wishes, and even Of what may in some
cases be thought to be the prejudices,
Of the people.
The river and harbor bill is q mea-
sure that involves oil these considera-
tions; and, therefore, Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS attitude towards it must affect
the prospects of his denomination.
Taking it for granted that he can have
no sciuples as to the constitutionality
Of internal improvements by the Gen.
eral Government, that being one Of the
questions that the war seems to have
settled. we suppose that he will rest
the veto he is said to contemplate, if,
indeed, be does contemplate one, on
other grounds-such as the extrava-
gance CT this particular bill, the USE
lsssness of certain works it embraces,
&c., &c. But the President knows
that the appropriations of this par
ticular bill cover the las. as well as the
present year; and he must be pre-
sumed to admit as practical matter
that the members Of Congress are in a
position to know much more accurate
ly than be can how far it may be
necessary to the passage Of measure
Of great general utility to concede
certain amount Of iautility. He knows
also that one great value of many Of
the works embraced in this bill is in
direct, being the water cure, aud the
only cure, for the injuries that rail
way monopoly and combinations have
brought upon the country, and that the
opposition Of the railways, which here
in follow their universal instinct, as de-
yeloped both here aud in Europe, in at
tempting to destroy water lines, does,
in fact, offer one Of the strongest argu-
ments in favor Of the bill. We pre-
sumo that the President is aware Of the
fact that the opposition to this bill in
the North and East, especially in New
York, has been and will continue to be
ascribed to jealousy Of the West and
South Us much as to solcitude for the
public good. lie cannot but know
that the notorious provincialism of New
York has been conspicucusly displayed
in hostility to any improvements which
she feared might injure her. In all
such cases, whether the amounts apprO-
priated have been large or small, New
York has denounced them as " steals, 4"
though she he's never hesitatsd to claim
what she herself may have wanted.
1t would be very unfortunate if such
opposition from sections and monopo-
lists should derive encouragement from
the President. For once let the South
and West suspect his sympathy with
such opposition and his influence would
be seriously crippled. Because, how
ever honest it might be-nay, no
doubt, would be--the injured in
teIests would be sure to couple such
action with other acts of the President
which have been regarded as in conilic!
with the best interests Of the nation or
in disregard Of deep-seated conviction.
Among these may be mentioned the
tariff utterances Of Mr.. MANNING, the
Presidents moulhpiece on commerce
spd finance, in the matter Of the free
introduction Of raw material, which
many are known to regard rs an attack
on the nsseent industries Of certain
stctioks, Us well as an invidious form
Of protection. The currency present
another issue OF even more pronouncst
and widespread and irreconcilAblc dill
(. fsrei ce OF opinion between Mr.. CLEvE
LAND and a majority Of his politics
friends. Hardly less Objectionable I,
avery large and influential part Of tn
United States is the internal-revenu,
system, TO which he Is regarded as CON
United.
TIE course pursued in the matter o
patronage has certainly cooled as many
of his Den ocratic friends as it has re-
joiced Of the MugwuUps. The policy
Of civil service, as practic,d BY Mr..
CLEVELAND, is condemned with great
positiven,ss by majority ofhis party
or, let US say. large numbers Of them.
For Mr.. CLEVELAND to veto the
river and hsrbor bill would be to run q
great risk Of making the next House Of
Representatives Republican body.
We will not enlarss upon this point.
But surely such result would put an
ineloSiou, md to Mr. CLEyELASD's
career.
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