The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-01-04

suggested by the Postmaster General. The
W ar and Navy Department already employ
steamboats, in their service, and although 1t
is by no means desirable that the Govern
meni should undertake the transportation Of
passengers or freight as business there can
be no more reasonable objection 10 running
boats, temporarily, whenever 1t may be ne
cessary TO put down attempts at extorllon,
TO be discontinued as soon as reasonable
contracts can be obtained
The suggestions of the Post Master Ge-
perai relative 10 the inadequacy Of the legal
allowance 10 witnesses in cases Of prosecu-
lions for mail depredations, merit your serl
Gus consideration. The safety OF the mails
requires that such prosecutions shall be et-
liClent, and justice TO the citizen whose time
is required 10 be gwen to the public, de-
mands not only tlat Ills expenses shall be
paid, but That he shall receive reasonable
compensation.
The reports from the War, Navy, and
POst-oilice departments viii accompany ;hls
communication, and one from the Treasury
department, will be presented to Congress
IN few days.
For various details in respect TO matters
in charge of these departments. | would re-
fer you 10 those important documents, saiis-
fed that you will find in them many valua-
Bile suggestions, which will be found well
deserving the attention of the legislature.
From a report made in December Of last
veaI by the Secretary Of State TO the Sen
! ate, showing the trial docket OF each of the
circuit courts and the number Of miles each
Judge has TO travel in The performance Of
his duties, great inequality appears in the
amount oil labor assigned 10 each judge
| The number of terms TO be held i'll each Of
the courts composing the ninth circuit the
distances bctweeen the places which they
/ sit, aud from thence 10 the seat Of govern
ment, are represented TO be such as to rem
der it impossible for the judge of that cir.
cult 10 perlotm, in a manner corresponding
with the public exigeucies, his term and oir-
cult duties 4 revision. therefore, Of the
present arrangement of the circuits seems
10 be called for and is recommended TO your
notice.
think it proper 10 recommend 10 your
notice the power assumed by Territorial
Legislatures to authorize the issue of bonds
by corporate companies on the guarantee Of
the Territory. Congress passed law IN
1886, providing ,hat no act Of Territorial
Legislature incorporating banks should have
the force of law until approved by Congress,
but acts of very excepiionablc character pre-
viously passed by the Legislature Of Flori-
da, were suffered to remain In force by vir-
tue Of which bonds may be issued 10 vcry
large amount by those institutions, upon The
faith of the Territory A resolution intend
ing TO be a Joint one passed the Senate a
the same session, expressing the sense o
Congress that the laws in question ough
not 10 be permitted TO remain in force un
less amended in many material respects, bu
it failed in The House of Representatives
Cor want Of time, and the desired amend
r mcnts have not been made The interest
, involved are of great importance, ard th
, subject deserves your early and careful al
lenrion.
The continued agitation Of the question re
: lativc 10 the best mode ofkeeplng & disburs
. ING the public money, still injurlonsIy affect
the business of The country. The susper
sion of specie payments in 1888, rendere
=. | llle use VI hStipSILC palINoi do lllCSGliOth u
- tie act of 1886, a source rather Of emba
rassment than aid, and Of necessity place
e the custody of most Of the public money a
d terwatd collected in charge OF the public o
J. fcers. The new securities for its salet'
" which this required, were principal eau;
4 of ny convenlng an aXtra session of Co
lie grcss; but in consequence Of dlsagGeeme
- between the two Houses. neither then II
ar at any subsequent period, has there be'
" any legislation oil the subject. The ello
D, made at the last session to obtain the a
'sl thorily Of Congress 10 punish the use
d. public money for private purposes as
n crime, measure attended under other G
lrs vernmenls with signal advantage, was al
e. unsuccessful from diversiles OF opinion
OF that body, Notwithstanding the ankle
Die doubtless felt by it TO afford every pracIiC
pr- BILE security. The result of this is still
1t leave the custody Of the public money vi
nd on, those safeguards which have been
ie- several years earnestly desired by the L
la eculivc; and as the remedy is only to
found in the action Of the Legislature,
on imposes On me ,hc duty of again subnliIu
he to you d,e propriely Of passing law, p
es Vidlno for The safe keepng of the put