Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-29
RIVERS AND HARB0RS
Bill for Their Improvement Vetoed
by the President.
His REFERENCE TO FUTURE CONTRACTS
Amount Of Money Covered by the
Appropriations.
TEXT OF THE MESSAGE

The following is the text of the Presi-
dents message sent to Congress today
giving his objections to the river and har-
bcr bill:
To the House Of Representatives:
l return herewith, without approval.
House bill numbered 1877, entitled. IAN act
making appropriations for the construction,
repair and preservation of certain public
works en- rivers and harbors and for other
PURPOSES
There are AIT items Of appropriation con-
tanned in this bill, and every part of the
country is represented in the distribution
Of its favors. 1t directly appropriates or
provides for the immediate expenditure of
nearly s14,OO0,000 for river and harbor
work. This sum is in addition to appro-
priations contained in another bill for
similar purposes amounting to a little more
than S,0o00oO. which have already been
favorably considered at the present session
Of Congress. The result is that the con-
templated immediate expenditures for the
objects mentioned amount to about $17, ,OOO-
600.
Authorization of Contracts
A more startling feature Of this bill is
Its authorization of contracts for river and
harbor work amounting to more than $62,-
100000. Though the payments on these
contracts are in most cases so distributed
that they are to be met by future appro-
priations, more than S}OOO0OO on their ac-
count are included in the direct appropria-
tons above mentioned. OF the remainder
nearly S2OG20.C0O will fall due during the
fiscal year ending June 80 1885, and
amounts somewhat less in the years i'm
mediateiy succeeding. A few contracts of
a like character, authorized under previous
statutes, are still outstanding and to meet
payments on these more than $4,000
must be appropriated in the immediate
future.
If, therefore, this bill becomes a law. the
obhgations which will be imposed on the
government. together with the appropria-
tons made for immediate expenditures on
account or rivers and harDors. will amount
TO abe ut eighty millions of dollars. Nor is
this all. The bill directs numerous SURVEYS
and examinations, which contemplate new
vcrk and further contracts and which
portend largely increased expenditures and
Oblige tions.
There is no ground to hope that in the
face of persistent and growing demands
the aggregate OF appropriations for the
smaller schereS rot covered by contracts
Will be reGuced or even remain stationary
For the fiscal year ending June 81, 1895
such appropriations, together with the in
Stallments on contracts which will fall due
IN that year. can hardly be less than thir-
ty millions of dollars: and it may reason
ably be apprehended that the prevalent
tendency toward increased expenditures of
this sort and the conceaiment which post
pcned payments afford for extravaganza
will Increase the burdens chargeable to this
account in succeeding years.
His DisnpprOval.
In view of the obligation imposed upon
me by the Constitution, 1t seems to me
quite clear that 1 only discharge a duty
to our people when l interpose my disap-
prova- of the legislation proposed.
Many of the objects for which it ap-
rropriates public money are not related to
the public welfare, and many of them are
palpably for the behefit of limited localities
or in aid of individual interests.
On the face of the bill it appears that not
a few of these alleged improvements have
be zen so improvidently planned and prose-
cuted that, after an unwise expenditure
OF millions OF dollars, new experiments for
their accC nlplishn ent have been entered
upon.
While those intrusted with the manage
nent of public funds in the interest of all
the people can hardly justify questionable
expenditures for public works by pleading
the opinions of engineers or others as to
the practicability of such work, 1t appears
that SCme of the projects for which ap-
propriations are proposed in this bill have
been entered upon without the approval
or against the objections of the examining
engineers.
1 learn from official sources that there
are appropriations contained in the bill to
pay for work which private parties have
actually agreed with the government to do,
In consideration of their occupancy of pub
lie property.
Extravaganza of the Measure.
Whatever items of doubtful propriety may
have escaped observation or may have
been tolerated in previous executive ap-
prevails Of similar bills, 1 am convinced
that the bill now under consi leration opens
the way to insidous and increasing abuses,
and is in itself so extravagant as to be es-
pecially unsuited TO these times of depress-
ed business and resulting disappointment
in government revenue. This considera-
ton is emphasized by the prospect that the
public treasury will be confronted with 9TH
er appropriations made at the present ses-
sion of Congress amounting to more than
100000.
individual economy ard careful expen-
diture are sterling virtues which lead to
thrift ard comfort. Economy and the
eXaction Of clear justification for the an
preparation of public moneys by the serv-
ants of the people are not only virtues but
solemn obligations.
To the extent that the appropriations con-
tanned in this bill are instigated by private
interests and promote local or individual
projects. their allowance cannot fail to
stimulate vicious paternalsm and en-
ready too prevalent, that their attachment
to our government may properly rest upop
the hope and expectation of direct and
especial favors, and that the extent to
which they are rea. zed may furnish an
estimate of the value of governmental care
l believe no greater danger confronts US
as nation than the unhappy decadence
among our people Of genuine and trust
worthy love and affection for our govern
ment as the embodiment of the highest and
best aspirations of humanity and not as
the giver Of gifts, and because its mission
is the enforcement of exact Justice and
equality. and not the allowance Of unfair
favoritfsm.
I hope l may be permitted to suggest at a
time when the issue of government bonds
to maintain the credit and financial stand
ing of the country is a subject of criticism,
that the contracts provided for In this bill
would create obligations of the United
States amounting to $4,000, ,OOO no less
binding than its bonds for that sum.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. May 20, 1896.
A Lively Debate Expected.
That the friends of the river and harbor
bill were fully prepared for the veto of
their pet measure by the President, and
that they do not purpose that they shall
be overmatched in the logical discussion of
the arguments submitted bv ho procf5an+