Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-11

jsct by Congress, with n view system the organi
cation Of the several departments, and more appro
pirate division Of the public business, will not probabl,
occur.
The. most important duties of the State Department
relate 70 our foreign affairs by the great enlarge
ment OF the family Of nations the increase of
mercc and the corresponding extension Of consular
system the business of this department has boon great
increased In ,sprescnt organization, many duties
OF domestic nature and consisting Of details de-
volved on the Secretary of State which do appro
priaeiy belong to the foreign department. the govern
mcnt and may properly be transferred TO some, other
department One. of these grows out of the present
state OF the law concerning the Patent Office which,
lew years since, was subordinate clerkship, but has
become a distinct bureau of'great Importance. With
an excellent internal organization, it is still connected
with the State Department In the transaction its
business questions of much importance and
TO the community, frequently arise, which, by exist
ing laws, arc referred for decision board Of which
the Secretary OF State is member. These questions
are legal and the conncxon which exists between
the State Department and the Patent Office, max with
great propriety and advantage, be transferred the
Attorney General.
la his last annual message to Congress Mr. Madison
invited attention 10 apropcr provision for The Attorney
General as an important improvement in the cxecu-
tive establishment" This recommendation was rcpea.
ted by some Of his The official duties of
the Attorney Genera, have been increased within
few years. and his Office has become ono of great inn
portance. Ills duties may be still further increased
wi'h advantage to the public interests AS exccu-
tive officer his residence and constant attention at the
seat OF government are required Legal questions in.
vo,ing Important principles and large amounts of pub
lie money, constantly referred him BY the Pres
iueW executive departments tor his examination
and decision The public business under his official
management before the judiciary had been augment
cd by the extension OF territory, the acts Of
Congress authorizing suits the United States for
large bodies of valuable public lands greatly to in
crease his labors and responsibilities therefore re-
commend that the Attorney General be placed on the
same ootng with the heads Of the other
partmcnts, with such subordinate officers, provided by
law Tor his department. may be required todischarge
we'd upon him.
Congress possess the power of exclusive Regulation
over the District OF Columbia and commend the in
erests of its inhabitants your favorable consideration
The people of this District have Legislative body of
their own, and must condc their local well their
general interests TO representatives in whose election
they nave no voice, and over whose official conduct
they have no control Each member of the National
Legislature should consider himself their immediate
representative, and should be the ready to give
attention TO their interests and wants, because he not
responsible 10 them. | recommend that u liberal and
generous spirit may characterize your
ation to them shall be disposed TO show pro-
per regard for their wishes; and within constitutional
limits, shall at all times cheerully cooperate with you
Tor the advancement OF their welfare.
trust 1t may not be deemed inappropriate to The
castor Tor me TO dwell for moment ON the memory of
the most eminent citizen Of country, who during
the summer that is gone by has descended TO the tomb
The enjoyment of contemplating at the advanced age of
near iour score years the happy condition of his
try, chccred the last hours OF Andrew jackson, who
departed this life in the tranquil hope of blessed I'M
morta!ity-His death happy, his life had been
emncntlv useful He had an un;ltcring confidence in
the virtue and capacity of the people, and in the per-
manencc OF that free government which he had largely
contributed to establish and defend. His great deeds
had Secured TO him the affections of his fellow Citizens
and was his happiness witness the growth and glory
OF his country which he loved well. He departed
amidst the bcnedictions of millions of frccmcn. The
nation paid its tribute TO his memory his tomb. Com
ing generations will learn from his example the love
oil country and the rights of man. la his language
similar occasion TO the present, 81 you
fellow citizens TO the guidance of Almighty God, with
a full reliance His mercu providence Ter the main
,enance OF free institutions: and with an earnest
suppcation that whatever errors il may be my lot TO
commit in dischargng the ardoous duties which have
dcvoyed on me, will find remedy in the harmony
and wisdom of your counscls.''
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, December ,, 1915