White Oaks eagle. (White Oaks, N.M.) 189?-190?, 1896-06-04
RIVER AND HARBOR BILL We
TOED.

Washington, May 29th-The presi-
dent has vetoed the river and harbor
bill. In the IN sage he says:
IF this bill becomes law The oblga-
tions which wi | be imposed on the
government together with appropria
tions made for immediate expenditure
on account CT rivers and harbols will |
amount to about $4,000. 600, nor is this
all. The bill directs numerous surveys
and examinations which contemplate |
new work and further contracts and |,
which portend largely increased expen
ditures and obligations. There is no
ground to hope that in the face of the
persistent and growing demands that
the aggregate appropriations for small
er schemes not covered by cont acts
will be reduced or even remain station
ary.
"In Wow of the obligation imposed
upon me by the constitution, it seems
to me quite clear that only discharge a
duty to our people when interpo5e my
disapproval of the legislation proposed.
Many of the objects for which it appro-
PIRATES public money, are not related to
the public welfare, and many of them
are palpably for the benefit of limited
localities or in aid of individual inter
ests. On the face of the bill it appears
that not few of these alleged improve.
ments have been so improvidently
planned and prosecuted that after the
unwise expenditure of millions of dollars
new experiments for their accomplish
ment have been entered upon. While
those entrusted with the management
of the public funds in the interest Of
the people can hardly justify question
able expenditures for public work by
pleading the opinions of engineers and
others as to the practicability Of such
work, it appears that soJuA Of the pro
iects for which appropriations are pro-
posed in this bill have been entered
upon without the approval or against
the objection of the examining engineer
| learn from official sources that there
are appropriations contained in the bill
to pay for work which private parties
actually agreed with the government TO
do in consideration of tn, ir occupancy
of public property,
Il am convinced that the bill now
under consideration opens the way to
insidous and increasing abuses and is,
! believe, so extravagant as to be espe-
cially unsuited to these times OF dc.
pressed business and resulting disap.
pointment in government revenue This
consideration is emphasiz ii by the
prospect that the public treasury is to
be confronted with other appropriations
made by the present session Of congress
amounting to more than Sj00,000000.
Individual economy and careful expen-
ditures are sterling virtues which lead
so thrift and comfort. Economy and
the oxacion OF clear Justification for
the appropriation Of public moneys by
tho servants Of the people are not only
virtue but solemn obligations.
"To the extent to which appropria-
tions contained in this bill are insiiga-
tod 10y private interes aud to promote
local OF individual projects, their allow
ance cannot tail to stimulate vicious
patornaism aid encourage sentiment
among our peap'e already too prevalent,
that their attachment to our govern
ment may properly rest upon the hope
and expectation Of direct and special
favors aud that the extent to which they
are realized may furnish mn estimate Of
the value of governmental care.
II believe no greater danger confronts
us as nation than thut unhappy de
cadence among our people 0f genuine
and Trustworthy love and affection for
. our government as the embodiment OF
the highest and best aspirations of
humanity aud not as the giver of gifte
and because its mis- ion H. the enforce
ment of exact justice aud equality and
not the Allowance Of unfair favafitiem.
! hope | may he permitted To sugg 81 NJ
, this time. when the issue ~ government
bonds 10 maintain the credit aud linan
cial standing ot the country IL the sub
j ject ~ criticism that the contracts pro
yidol for Ia tLis bill would create obi