Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-12-06

Of the navy seems to require the mediate con
sideratlon OF Congress. Its system of crimes
and punishment had undergone no change for
half a century, until the last session, though its
defects have been often and ably pointed out,
and the abolition off particular species Of cor
pora. punishment, which took place, without
providing any substitute, has left the service in
a state of effectiveness, which calls for prompt
correction. | therefore recommend that the
whole subject be revised without DELAY, and
such a system established for the enforcement
of discipline, as shall be at once humane and
~effectual.
The accompanying report of the Postmaster
General, presents a satisfactory view of the OPP
e%rations and condition of that Department.
| am happy to find that the fiscal con-
dltion of the Department is such as to
justify the Postmaster General in recon-
mendlng the reduction of our inland let
ter postage to three cents the single letter
when prepaid, and FIVE cents when not
prepaid. He also recommends that the
prepaid rate shall be reduced to two cents
whenever the Of the Depart
ment, after the reduction, shall exceed
Its expenditures by more than five per
cent for two consecutive years; that the
postage upon California and other letters
sent by our ocean steamers shall be much
reduced; and that the rates of postage
on newspapers, pamphlets, periodicals,
and other printed matter shall be modi-
fed, and some reduction thereon made.
entertain no doubt of the authority
OF Congress to make appropriations for
leading objects in hat class of public
works comprising what are usually called
works of internal improvement This au-
thorlty suppose to be derived chiefly
from the power of regulating commerce
with foreign nations, and among the
States. and She power o laying and collec-
ting imposts. Where commerce is to be
carried on, and imposts collected, there
t must be ports and harbors, as well as
wharves and custom-houses If ships, la.
l den with valuable cargoes, approach the
: shore, or sail along the coast, light-hous.
S es are necessary at suitable points foI
e the protection of life and property. 9th.
e er facilities and securities for commerce
and navigation are hardly less impor.
b tant; and those clauses ofthe Constitu
ution, therefore, to which / have refer
red, have received from the origin o
the Govern ment a liberal and benef,
: cial construction.
It is a mistake TO regard expenditure.
judiciously made for these objects as ex.
o penditures for local purposes. The pos
ition, or site of the work, is necessarily
local but its utility is general.
a | may add, as somewhat remarkable
that among all the thirty-one States, Their,
Y is none that is not, to a greater or les
e extent, bounded on the ocean, or tn
Gulf of Mexico, or one of the great lake
or some navigable river.
d In fulfilling our constitutional duties
fellow-citizens, on this subject, as il
# carrying into effect all other powers con
ferred by the Constitution, we shoul
b consider ourselves as celebrating an
acting for one and the same country, an,
bear constantly in mind, that our regar,
e and our duty are due, not to a particuIa
1t part only, but to the whole.
therefore recommend that appropria
tions be made for completing such work
as have been already begun, and 70
s. commencing such others as may seem t
the wisdom of Congress to be of publ
d and general importance.
e The difficulties and delays, incident t
d the settlement of private claims by Con
gress, amount in many cases TO a denia
d of justice. There is reason TO apprehen
that many unfortunate creditors Of tn
l. Government have thereby been unavoid
ID ably ruined. Congress has so much busi
Re ness of a public character, that it is i'm
IS possible it should give much attention (
ID mere private claims, and their accumula
a. tion is now SO great that many claimant
must despair of ever being able to obtai
IN a hearing. 1t may well be doubte
n whether Congress, from the nature oft
1e organization, is properly constituted I
decide upon such cases. tits impossibl
nj that each member should examine tn
merits of every claim on which he
by compelled to vote; and it is preposterou
of to ask a Judge to decide a case which h
is has never heard. Such decisions ma
nc and frequently must, do injustice eithe
nr to the claimant or the Government, an
sr- perceive no better remedy for this grow
IN ing evil than the establishment of som
IN tribunal to adjudicate upon such claim,
ng beg leave, therefore, most respectful
ra- 10 recommend that provision be made b
an law for the appointment of a commissic
"a to settle all private claims against IL
~. United States; and as an er parte hearir
N must in all contested cases be very III
al satisfactory, I also recommend the a
" pointment of a Solicitor, whose duty
yn shall be to represent the Government b.
iP- fore such commission, and protect
ICY against all illegal, fraudulent or uniu
IS claims, which may be presented for the
10 e adjudication.
The act passed at yonr last session. MAXI