Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-06-04

PreSluent cleveland FRIDAY sent 10
the House of Representatives message
vetoing the River and Harbor Appro-
priation bill. The measure, the Presi
dent points out, contemplates expendi-
lures amounting TO about Sl7, 900, COO.
but its nest mischieyous feature be
shows in the following paragraphs
taken from the message:
A more startling feature of this bill
is its authorization Of contracts for
river and harbor work, amounting to
more than sixty-two millions of dollars.
Though the payments Of these contracts
arc, in most cases, SO distributed that
they are to be met by future appropria-
tions, more than three millions of
dollars on their accounts are included
in tho direct appropriations above men
toned. OF the remainder, nearly
twenty millions Of dollars will fall due
during the fiscal year ending june
Both, 1895, and amounts somewhat less
in the years Immediately succeeding.
A few contracts OF like character.
authorized under previous statutes, are
still outstanding, and TO meet pay
ments on these more than four millions
If dollars must be appropriated in the
immediate future
II, therefore, this bill becomes la v,
the obligations which will be imposed
on the government, together with the
appropriations made for immediate ex-
penditure on account of rivers and har-
bors, will amount to about $50, GOO, 600.
Nor is this all. The bill directs
numerous surveys and examinations
which contemplate new work and fur
Their contracts and which portend
largely, increased expenditures and obi-
cations.
There is no ground to hope that, in
the face Of persistent and growing de-
mands, the aggregate of appropriations
for the smaller schemes not covered by
contracts will he reduced or even ro-
main stationary. For tho fiscal year
ending June Both, 1898, such appropri-
ations, together with the instaments
on contracts which will fall due in
that year, can hardly be less than thirty
millions of dollars, and it may reason
ably be apprehended that the prevalent
tendency toward increased expenditures
OF this sort and the conceament which
postponed payments afford for eXtrava.
gance will increase the burdens charg-
able to this account in succeeding years.
In view OF the obligation imposed upon
me by tho Constitution ii seems to me
quite clear that | only discharge a duty
10 our people when | interpose my dis
approval of the legislation proposed.
Many of the objects for which il ap-
propriates public money are not re.
lated to the public welfare, and many
of them are palpably for the benefit Of
limited localities or in aid Of individual
interests. On the face of the bill it
appears that not few of those alleged
improvements have been 40 improvi.
IDENTIFY planned and prosecuted that,
after an unwise expenditure of millions
OF dollars new experiments for their
accomplishment have been entered
upon.
The President further states that the
bill makes appropriation for work
which private parties have agreed 10
% in consideration of their occupancy
OF public property, lie also calls atten.
tion to the fact that the appropria
tons made by Congress at the present
session amount to about $500,
0OO 600. and insists that economy and
careful expenditure are not only virtues
but solemn obligations. In conclusion
he says;
beliye no greater danger confronts
us as nation than the uuhappv tIera.
dence among our people of genuine and
trustworthy love and affection for OR
government as the embodiment Of
the highest and best aspirations of
humanity and not as the giver of aifts,
and because its mission is the enforce
ment OF exact Justice aud equality Aul
not the allowance Of unfair favoritis.,
hope may bp permitted 10 sug
5est, at time when the issue Of
government bonds 10 maintain the
Nreuit and financial standing OF the
country IS subject Of criticism, THAI
the contracts provided for in this hiii
would create obligations Of the Unitod
states amounting 70 siNty- two millions
OF dollars, no less binding than lis bonds
for that sum.
Congress Will doubtless pass the bill
oyer the veto, and thus assume the
entire responsibility, but it must be
admitted that the President sustains
ms disappruyal Of tie measure with
practical and cogent reasons.
ltwould be much better il the Presi
dent had the powel to veto separate
items IN We biil, and approve othcrs.
Many OF tho items are for legitimate
work whiIe many Of them are for pro.
iects absolutely worthless lar Years