The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-05-29
GROVER YETOES IT.
The River and Harbor Mon
strositJ Killed By the
President.
ITS WICKED EXTRAVAGANCE
A Blow at National Credit Stern
Rebuke for Republican
Statesmen.
IT'S WICKED EXTRAVAGANCE

WASHINGTON, May 29 1Ss6--A mes
sage was sent to the House by President
Cleveland this afternoon vetoeing the
River and Harbor bill. is in part as fol-
lows
items ct appropriation contained in this
Dill, and every part of the country is rep
resented in the distribution of its favors
IL directly appropriates or. provides for
the immediate expenditure Of nearly four
teen millions of dollars for river and bar
Dor work. This sum is in addition to APP
preparations contained in another bill for
similar purposes, amounting to little
more than three millions of dollars, which
nave Re- already been favorably considered
at the present session of Congress.
The result is that the CONTEMPLATED
immediate expenditures for the objects
mentioned amount to about seventeen
millions of dollars.
A more startling feature of this bill is
us authorization of contracts for river
and harbor work amounting to more than
Slxty-tWo millions of dollars Though
bne payments on these contracts are IN
most cases so distributed that they are
10 be met by future appropriations,
more than three millions of dollars on
their account are included in the direct
appropriatI tons above mentioned OF the
remainder nearly twenty millions of
collars will fall due during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1896 and amounts
somewhat less in the years Immediately
succeeding. A few contracts of like
character, AUTHORIZED under previous
statutes, are stiN outstanding; and to
meet payments on these more than four
millions of dollars must be appropriated
in. the immediate future.
II, therefore, this bill becomes a law
the obligations which will be imposed on
the Government. together with the ap-
diture on account or rivers and har-
bors, Will amount to about efgnty mill
ions OF dollars. Nor is this all The
Dill directs numerous surveys and ex-
amlnatlons which contemplate new work
and further contracts, and which POP
tend largely increased expenditures and
obligations.
There is no ground to hope that in
the face of persistent and growing de-
mands the aggregate of appropriations
Tor the smaller schemes not covered by
contracts will be reduced or even remain
stationary. For the fiscal year ending
June 30 1898. such appropriations to-
gether with the instalments on contracts
which will fall due in that year can
hardly be less than thirty millions of
I learn from official sources that there
are appropriations contained in the bill to
pay Ior work which private parties have
90 IN consideration of their occupancy OF
public property.
Whatever items of doubtful propriety
may have escaped observation or may
nave been tolerated in preXionssexeeutiy
approvais OF similar bills, / am Convinced
tnat the bill now under consideration
opens tne way to inSidious and increasing
abuses, and is in itself SO extrayagant
as tP be especially unsuited to these times
or depressed business and resulting dis
appointment IN Government revenue. This
consideration is emphasized by the pros
peet that the public treasury will be con
lrontad with other aS,propriations made
at the present session of Congress
amounting to more than $500. 1000, COO IN
dlvlduai economy and careful expenditure
are sterling virtues which lead to thrift
and comfort. Economy and the exaction
q q clear justification for the appropriation
- pnpilc moneys 'oy the servants of the
obligations.
To the extent that the approximations
contained in this bill are instigated by
private interests ard promote local or
individual projects, their allowance cannot
fall TO stimulate a vicious patarnalsyn
ana encourage a sentiment among our
people already too prevalent that their
attachment 10 our Government NAV nron-
erly rest upon the hope and Expectation
of direct and especial favors, and that tne
extent to which they are realized NAV
lurnlsn an estimate of the value of gov
efhinenra1 care. / believe no greater dan
ger confronts us as nation than the un-
nappy deeadence among our people nf
genuine gen and trustworthy love and affee-
tlon Tor our government as the en1bodi-
ment OF the highest and best aspirations
OF humanity, and not as the gfver Of
gifts. and because its mission is the en-
forcement Of exact justice and equality
ism. | hope I may be permitted to sug-
gest at time when the issue of govern
ment ponds to-. maintain the credit and
financial standing Of the country Is
provided for in this Bill would a. create = cate
obligations of the United States amount
ing to slxty-two millions of dollars. no
less binding than its bonds for that