The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-29

Allowance Uf II Would Stimulate
Vicious Paternalism.

wAsHINaToN, May 20. The President
has vetoed the river and harbor bill. his
message Is as follows 81 return here
without approval House bill numbered
1877, entitled, AN act making appropri-
ations for the construction, repair and
preservation of certain public works on
rivers and harbor and for other pur-
poses
'Ihere are four hundred and seventeen
items OF appropriation contained in this
bill, and every part of the country Is
represented in the distribution Of it's
favors. 1t directly appropriates or pro-
vices for the Immediate expenditure OF
nearly fourteen millions OF dollars for
river and harbor work. This sum is IN
addition to appropriations contained in
another bill Tor similar purposes amount
ing TO little mere than three mill On
dollars which has already been favor
ably considered at the present session of
Congress. The result is that the con-
templated immediate expenditures for
the objects menioned amount TO about
seventeen millions of dollars.
- A more startling feature of this bill is
its authorization of contracts for river
and harbor work amounting 10 more than
s62, 600, 000 Th9 payments on these con-
tracts are in most cases so distributed
that they arctic be.met bv future sppro-
account are included in the direct apprc-
priations above-nien u ioned. OF the re-
mainder nearly .S20. coo will fall due
during the fiscal year ending June 80,
1898, and amounts somewhat less in the
years Immediately succeeding. A few
contracts OF a like character, authorized
under previous statutes are still oatstsnd-
Ing, and to meet payments Oh these more
than "a. 600, 600 must be appropriale1 in the
immediate future"
The President further says: "Many OF
the objects tor which it, appropriates
ppb money are not related TO the ru bli:
welfare, and many OF them are palpably
for the benefit of limited localities or in
aid OF individual interests. TN the face
OF the bill II appears that not few OF
tbess alleged improvements have been so
improvidently planned and prose,
that after an unwise expenditure OF mil
lions OF dollars, new experiments for their
accomplishment have been entered upon.
IL learn from official sources that there
are appropriations contained IN the bill
to pay for work which private parties
have actually agreed with the govern
ment TO do, In consideration OF their oc-
curancy OF public property. Whatever
articles OF doubtful propriety may have
escaped observation or may have been tol-
Grated in previous executive approvals of
similar bills, am convinced that the lii
now under consideration orens the way
is in itself so extrava2ant as to be espc-
ialiy unsuited to these times Of depressed
business and resulting DISAPPOINTMENT
IN government revenue. This 'consideM-
tion Is en- phasiZed by tho prospect that
the public treasury will be confronted
with other appropriations made at the
present session o! Congress amounting 10
more than five hundred millions OF dol,
lars.
"Indvldual ,;scodomy and careful ex.
penditure are stesling virtues which lead
TO thrift and comfort. Eoonomy and
the exaciion of clear Justification for the
appropriation OF public moneys by the
servants of the people are not only vir-
tues but solemn obligations. 10 the
extent that the appropriations contained
III this bill are instigated by pri ivate
interests and promote local or indi-
vidual projects, herr allowance cam
not fail to stimulate a vicious pa
tcrnalism and encourage scrti-
nent among our people. elready-too. prev
alent, sthai.their attachment 20 our gov
ernment may properly rest uppnst he hone
and expectation OF direct knd' especial
favors, and that the extent to which thew
are realized may furnish an estimate of
the value oil governmentsI care.
u believe no greater dsnsnr confronts
us as nation than the unhappy decad-
encc smong our people of genuIne ana
trustworthy love aud affection for our
government as the emp dlment OF the
highest and best aspirations OF humanity
and not as the giver of gifts, and because
It's mission Is the enforcement OF exact
justice and equality aud not the alloy-
ance of unfair favorilisms.
II hope NAV be permitted to suggest
at time when the issue OF government
bonis 10 ma ntain the crep 1t and financial
etanding OF the country. is a subject OF
criticism. that the contracts provided for
IN this oill would create obligations OF
the United States mounting 90 S62. UO0.-
600. no less binding than its bonds for
that gum. I"
tSigned) GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executing Mansion. May 70, 1895.