Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-30
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Ets;afe 10 The House YetOlns The River
and HarhOr Bill.
p,SGERs or PATERNALIsM.
economy in the Expenditure of
puhIsc Money by Servants of the
crnmcnt Bond Issues.

House by President Cleveland this
nsnoon. votoins the river and harbor
w .te House OF Representatives.:
.I return herewith. without approval
l.c Bl no. 790. entitled, An act
rbas appropriations for the construc-
far repair and preservation Of certain
r.le works on rivers and harbors. and
Df other purposes There are AZ
fn Of appropriation contained in
rs tM and every part Of the country
l represented ga the distribution Of its
N.oe. lt directly appropriatcs. or pro-
Y for the immediate expenditure of
rry fourteen millions Of dollars for
re.-- ana harbor-work. This sum is.
n addition 90 appropriations contained
n another bin for similar purposes.
amounting 20 little more than three
of dollars. which have already
l.a ,ayoraby considered at the present
session of Congress. The result is that
re .oatom9latcd immediate expenditure
Co. tle objects mentioned amounts TO
a.oltseveatecn millions Of dollars.
"t moro startling feature Of this bin
it altaorzation Of contracts for river
and harhor-work. amounting to more
n.. sixty-two millions OF dollars
Though The payments on these contracts
sr. u most cases so distributed that they
ae ,o he met by future approximations.
u-o chan three millions OF dollars on
n.I account are included in the direct
appropriations mentioned above. or the
remainder. ncay twenty millions of dol
Oars wl fan due during the fiscal year
crs June 80, 1898. and amounts some
w.a, less in years Immediately succeed
rr A few contracts Of like character.
authorized under previous statutes. are
HN outstanding. and TO meet the pay
natfs on these more than four millions
90 dollars must be appropriated in the
immediate future. II. therefore. this bin
becomes a law. the obligations which will
b. imposed on the government. together
Vh the appropriations made for imme-
date expenditure on account of rivers
ari hutors. viii amount to above eighty
rHons OF dollars
'Nor is this all The bin directs nu-
u..ols surveys and examinations. which
contemplate new work and further con
t..,a. and which portend largely in
crease Expenditures and obligations.
There is no ground 20 hope that. i'm the
f.e Of the persistent and growing de-
aanis. the aggregate OF appropriations
,.r mailer schemes not covered bv con-
tracts WiI Dol reduced. or even remain
stationary for The fiscal year ending
June 80. lNs Such appropriations. to-
s.thor w.th the ilstaiments on contracts.
which wu nu due in that year. can
hardly De less than thirty millions Of /
0oIIs ana 10 may reasonably be- appre- /
leniai That the preveiant tendency to- /
ward Increased expenditures OF this sort.
aa. tle conceaimcnt which postponed /.
fFmnfs AFFORD for extravaganza. Will /
Increase the burdens chargeable to this /
account in succeeding years.
INSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION
300 view OF the obligation imposed upon
r. .y toe Constitution. It seems to be
ea.e clear that / only discharge my duty
a olr people when ! iuterpose nay disao-
N''.i ~ the legislation proposed. Many
le objects for which IL appropriates
l money are not related 10 the public
".ale end many of them are palnably
'f to benefit Of limited localities. or in
H no Individual interests on the face
H Did, 80 appears that not a few OF
Rose alleged improvements have been
- .mproulenuy planned and prosecuted
'Ls' after thc unwise expenditure Of mil
Hons M dollars. new experiments for their
ui..s'ment have been entered upon.
"..- those entrusted with the manage
a..' NJ public funds in the interest OF
te people can hardly Justify ques-
'.arc Expenditures for public work by
.s the opinions of engineers or
as % the practicablity of such
> - appears that some OF the projects
which appropriations are proposed IN
DID. have been entered upon without
approval or against the objections Of
ns engineers. j learn from Official
' .aa, there are appropriations con-
--. a the oil to pay Tor work which
parties have actually agreed with |
erHmcnt 20 do. ia consideration
Whatever items OF doubtful proprioty
ai have escaped observation. or may
'.ea tolerated in previous Executive
.F OF similar bills. am Convinced
' .ae b.u now under consideration
tae way 10 lusidious and increasing q
ana ls In itself $50 cxtravagant as I
specially unsuittd 20 these times Of
business ard resulting disap- !
iu government revenue This !
ration is emphasized by Tho pros q
Ht the public treasury VIII be con
With othcr appropriations made ;
- present session OF Congress |
ts 90 more than five hundred r
oi dollars. individual economy 3
.'e.li expenditures are sterling viz
"a..h lead % thrift and comfort. G
and the oxactica of clear jasu. 9
ior iho appropriation Of public =
iJ servants of the people are
,5 virtues. but solemn OBLIGATIONS.
VICIOUS PATERNALIsM.
'' ue extent that the appropriations fl
.l .a ibis bin are instgated by a
'-'e interests, and promote local or In 4
projects their allowance cannot i
stimulate a vicious paternalism. =
encourage a sentiment among our 5
already too prevalent. that their ,
.Hi % our government may pro
.e7' upon me hcpe and expectation
ana especial avors. ana that
extent 90 which they are realized may 7
.a ,ae estimate Of the value OF gov K
".rfal care. .