Presidential Vetoes: James K. Polk and the Rivers and Harbors Bill
In 1846 Congress passed the Rivers and Harbors Bill. It authorized the expenditure of $500,000 to improve conditions for navigation on rivers and harbors. Specifically, the bill provided federally funded internal improvements on small harbors, many of which were located on the Great Lakes. After the bill was passed in the House, it passed in the Senate by a vote of 34 to 16 on July 24, 1846. The bill was not universally supported however and the central point of debate was whether this was something that was a national issue or a purely local one.
After the bill passed, opponents lobbied for a presidential veto. They found a willing audience in President James K. Polk, who vetoed the bill on August 3. Polk believed that this was unconstitutional. His objection was that the bill unfairly favored particular areas, including those which had no foreign trade. Polk believed that these problems were local and not national. Polk was concerned that passing the Rivers and Harbors Bill would encourage legislators to compete for favors for their home districts. History has proven Polk correct. He saw this as a type of political corruption that would harm the republic.
In vetoing this bill, Polk had his hero Andrew Jackson in mind. Jackson had vetoed the Maysville Road bill in 1830 on similar grounds. Henry Clay and his Whig Party supported both bills because they believed the national government had a responsibility to support local improvements of this nature.
Southern Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly supported Polk's veto, while, as expected, it was condemned by politicians from both parties from the Great Lakes region. They saw the veto as an attempt by Southerners to slow down the rapid economic growth of the Midwest.
After the bill passed, opponents lobbied for a presidential veto. They found a willing audience in President James K. Polk, who vetoed the bill on August 3. Polk believed that this was unconstitutional. His objection was that the bill unfairly favored particular areas, including those which had no foreign trade. Polk believed that these problems were local and not national. Polk was concerned that passing the Rivers and Harbors Bill would encourage legislators to compete for favors for their home districts. History has proven Polk correct. He saw this as a type of political corruption that would harm the republic.
In vetoing this bill, Polk had his hero Andrew Jackson in mind. Jackson had vetoed the Maysville Road bill in 1830 on similar grounds. Henry Clay and his Whig Party supported both bills because they believed the national government had a responsibility to support local improvements of this nature.
Southern Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly supported Polk's veto, while, as expected, it was condemned by politicians from both parties from the Great Lakes region. They saw the veto as an attempt by Southerners to slow down the rapid economic growth of the Midwest.