The Anaconda standard., 1896-05-30
IT IS EXTRAVAGANT
The President Vetoes the River and
HarbOr Bill, and Explains.
DOES NOT SUIT THE TIMES
While the Treasury Is In such an
Uncertain Condition. the Exec
utive thinks Ii Wise Not to
Allow the Appropriation.

Washington. May 2s.-The president
has vetoed the river and harbor bill.
giving as one reason for his action that
the bill opens the way to increasing
abuses and is itself so extravagant as
to be especially unsuited to these times
OF depressed business and the resulting
disappointment in the governments
revenue. The message is as follows:
To the House of Representatives: I
return herewith, without approval. the
house bill numbered 1877. entitled An
act making an appropriation for the
construction. repair and preservation OF
certain public works on rivers and har-
bors, and for other purposes There
are Az items of appropriation contain
ed In this bill. and every part of the
country Is represented in the distribu-
tion OF It's favors. II directly appropri-
ates or provides for the Immediate ex-
penditure of nearly $4,000, 900 for river
and harbor work. This sum is in ad-
dition to the appropriations contained
In another bill for similar purposes,
amounting to a little more than s3,OO0.-
900. which have already been favorably
considered by the present session OF
congress. The result is that the con-
templated immediate expenditures for
the objects mentioned amount to about
sl7 ZOO, 900.
The most startling feature of this
bill is Its authorization of contracts for
river and harbor work amounting to
more than s62. 900. .000 Though payments
OF these contracts are. IN most cases,
so distributed that they are to be met
by future appropriations, more than 49,
100000 on their account are included in
the direct appropriations above men,
toned. or these. nearly $4,000. 900 will
fall due during the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1898, and amounts to somewhat
less In years Immediately succeeding.
Few contracts OF a like character au-
thorized under previous statutes, are
still outstanding. and to meet payments
on these. more than $4,000 900 must be
appropriated for the immediate future.
IT, therefore, this bill becomes law.
obligations which will be imposed upon
the government. together with the ap-
preparation made for immediate expen-
diture on the account of rivers and har-
bors will amount to about $50. 600 OOO
Nor is this all. The bill directs numer-
Gus surveys and examinations. which
contemplate new work and further
contracts. and which portend OF largely
increased expenditures and obligations.
There is no ground to hope that. in the
face of the persistent and growing de-
mands, the aggregate of appropriations
contracts. will be reduced or even re-
main stationary. For the fiscal year
ending June 80. 1898. such appropria-
tions, together with installments on
contracts. which Will fall due In that
year, can hardly be less than $50. 900. 900;
and II may reasonably be apprehended
that the prevalent tendency towards
increased expenditures OF this sort and
the concealment which postponed pay
ments afford for extravagance, will in
crease the burden chargeable to this
account In succeeding years.
I'm view OF the obligation imposed
upon me by the constitution. II seems
to me quite clear That l only discharge
a duty to our people when the people
interpose my disapproval OF the legis-
lation proposed. Many of the objects
for which II appropriates public money
are not related TO public welfare, and
many of them are palpably for the ben
eft OF limited localities or In aid of in
dividual interests. On the face of the
bill. II appears that not a few of these
alleged improvements have been so inn
providently planned and prosecuted
that after an unwise expenditure OF
millions OF dollars, new experiments for
their accomplishment have been en-
tered upon. While those entrusted with
the management OF public funds In the
interest OF all people can hardly justify
the questionable expenditures for pub
lie work by pleading opinions OF en-
gtneers or others as to the practicable
ty OF such work. II appears that some
OF the projects for which the appro-
priations are proposed, this bill has
been entered uron without the appro-
val or against the objections OF exam
lining engineers. l learn from official
sources that there are appropriations
contained in this bill to pay for work
which private parties have actually
agreed with the government TO do in
consideration of their occupancy OF
public property. Whatever was OF
doubtful propriety may have escaped
observance, ON may have been tolerated
in previous executive approvals OF SIM
liar bills. l am convinced the bin now
under consideration opens the way to
insidioas and increasing abuses and Is
itself so eNtravagant as to be especially
unsuited TO these times OF depressed
business and resulting disappointment
in the governments revenue.
This condition Is emphasized by the
prospect that the public treasury will
be confronted with other appropria-
tons made at the present session OF
congress. amounting to more than
$500 900. 600. Individual economy and
careful expenditures are sterling vir-
tues which lead TO thrift and comfort
believe no greater danger confronts
us as a nation than the unhappy de-
cadence among our people OF genuine
and trustworthy love and affection for
our government as the embodiment OF
the highest and best aspirations OF hu-
manity. and not as a giver OF gifts.
and because its mission Is the enforce
ment of exact justice and equality. aud
not the allowance of unfair favoritiSm.
hope l may be permitted TO suggest
at a time when the issue of government
bonds 20 maintain the credit and finan-
clal standing OF the country Is the sub
jeCt OF criticism that the contract pro-
vided for in this bill would create obn-
cations OF the United States amounting
20 $50 900 900 no less binding than its
bond for that sum
Grover Cleveland"
xr.s, A.. A. xxs-.