Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-06-06
VETOED.


The President D1sapproves of tho River
and Harbor Bfl-He considers II Toe
WASHINGTON, May 3o-As had been
confidently expected. the president
sent to the house yesterday a message
vetoing the rivers and harbors appro-
priation bill The full text of the mes
sage is as follows:
To the House Of Representatives: Isreturn
entitled IAN act making appropriations for the
construction repairs and preservation of GER
tain public works on rivers and harbors, and
for other purposes"
There are 4i7 items of appropriation con-
tanned in this bill. and every part of the coun-
try is represented in the distribution OF favors-
mediate expenditure of nearly Si4,O000o for
river and harbor work This sum is in addi-
'dition to appropriations contained in another
bill for similar purposes. amounting to a little
more than g. zoo. &C., which has already been
favorably considered ut the present session of
congress The result is that the contemplated
immediate expenditure for the objects mem
toned amount to about 81. 00o.0 900
more startling feature of this bill is its
authorization OF contracts for river and harbor
work amounting to more than $4,000 900.
Though the payment of these contracts are, in
most cases, distributed that they are to be
met by future appropriations. more than S.
100000 on their account are included in the
direct appropriations above mentioned
Or the remainder nearly s2o,0so,O1o will fall
due during the fiscal year ending June 80, 1898,
and amounts somewhat less in the years i'm
mediately succeeding. A few contracts of q
like character, authorized under previous
statutes. still outstanding and to meet
payments on these more than 100000 must
be appropriated in the Immediate future II.
therefore, this bill becomes law. the obIiga-
tions which will be imposed on the govern
ment. together with the appropriations made
for immediate expenditure account OF
rivers and harbors. will amount to about IS -
OOo. OOa
Nor is this all. The bin directs numerous
surveys and examinations. which contemplate
new work and further contracts. and which
portend largely increased expenditures and
obligations. There is no ground to hope that
In the face Of persistent and growing demands
the aggregate of appropriations for the smaller
schemes not covered by contracts will be re-
duced or even remain stationary. For the fiscal
year ending June -, 1888, such appropriations,
together with the inStallments contracts
which will be due in that year. can hardly be
less than S3O.0D.0D. and it may reasonably be
apprehended that the prevalent tendency to-
wards increased expenditures OF this sort and
the concealmcnt which postponed payments
AFFORD for extravaganza will increase the bur-
dens chargeable to this account in succeeding
years
In view OF the obligation imposed upon me
by the constitution it seems to me quite clear
that only discharge a duty to our people
when interpose my disapproval Of the legis-
lation proposed. Many OF the objects for
which it approprfates public money are not re-
lated to the public welfare, and many of them
are palpably for the benefit of limited local
tiles or in aid of individual interests Ga the
face OF the bill. 1t appears that mot a few of
these alleged improvements have been SO i'm
providently planned and prosecuted that after
an unwise expenditure OF millions of dollars
experiments for their Accomplishment
has been entered upon.
While those entrusted with the management
of public funds in the Interests of all the
people can hardly justify questionable eXpend-
lures for public works by pleading the opin-
ions Of engineers or others to the practical
the projects for which appropriations are pro-
posed in this bill have been entered upon with
the examining engineers learn from official
sources that there appropriations con-
tanned in the bill to pay for work which pri-
vate parties have actually agreed with the gov
eminent to do in consideration of their occu
pancy Of public property.
Whatever of doubt about the propriety may
have escaped observation may have been
tolerated In previous executive approvals OF
similar bills, am convinced that the bill now
under consideration will open the way to in
sidious and increasing abuses, and is itself so
extravagant as to be especially unSuited to
these times of depressed business and result
ing disappointment in government revenue
This consideration is emphasized by the
prospect that the public treasury will he con-
fronted with other appropriations made at the
present session of congress amounting to more
than soo0.OoOo 900. Individual economy and care
full expenditures sterling virtues whic b
lead to thrift and comfort Economy and the
exaction of clear justification for the appropri-
alton OF public moneys by the servants of the
people not only virtues, but solemn obli-
cations.
To the extent thai the appropriations con-
tanned in this bill are instigated by private in
tereStS and to promote local or individual pro-
| jects their continuance cannot fail to stfmu-
| late an injurious paternalism and encourage a
sentiment among our people, already too prev
| a1ent, that their attachment to our govern
ment may properly rest upon the hope
| and expectation OF direct and especial
| favors, and that the extent to which
| they realized may furnish an
estimate of the value of governmental care
| believe no greater danger confronts us
| nation than the unhappy decadence among ouI
| people of genuine and trustworthy love and at
| lection for government as the embodiment
| of the highest and best aspirations OF humanity
| and not the giver of gifts, and because its
| mission is the enforcement of exact justice and
| equality and not the allowance of unfair favor
1 itiSm.
| hope I may be permitted to suggest at &
| time when the issue of government bonds K
| maintain the credit and financial standing Of
| the country is subject of criticism. that the
| contracts provided for in this bill would Gre
| ate obligations of the United States amount
| ing to S52. ,n0i. less binding than its
| bonds for that sum. GROVER CLEVELAND.
| Executive Mansion. May IS 1895