Page:Writings and Speeches of Grover Cleveland.djvu/471

CHAPTER XIX.

SOME NOTABLE VETOES.

I.

Of an Appropriation for Celebrating Decoration Day.^[1]

Buffalo, May 8, 1882.

To the Common Council:

At the last session of your honorable body a resolution was adopted directing the city clerk to draw a warrant for five hundred dollars in the favor of the Firemen's Benevolent Association.

This action is not only clearly unauthorized, but it is distinctly prohibited by the following clause of the State Constitution:

No county, city, town or village shall hereafter give any money or property, or loan its money or credit to, or in aid of any individual, association or corporation, or become directly or indirectly the owner of stock in or bonds of any association or corporation; nor shall any such country, city, town, or

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1. While the ordinance making this appropriation was still pending, Mr. Cleveland wrote the following letter to the Chairman of the Committee having the matter in charge:
   Buffalo, May 7, 1882.

   John M. Farquhar, Esq.

   Dear Sir: I have tried very hard, but failed to find a way, consistently to approve the resolution of the Common Council appropriating $500 for the observance of Decoration day.

   If my action has the effect of stopping the payment of this sum for the purpose, and you attempt to raise the necessary sum by subscription, you may call on me for $50.

   Yours very truly,⁠
   

   Grover Cleveland.