American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-30
WAsHINGToN SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST &c. 1851

from time to time agltated, as was the case last,
the attainment of the object as ever In my
opinion, the reason Of this delay in the action
OF Congress ID, that there has been earnest and
weii.difected effort emanating from the people
or their Representatives.. Such an effort can
longer be postponed, il seems 70 me, without re-
proach to ourselves and injustice TO our local legs
atare the Congress Of the United States, IN with
holding from them an authoritative exposition OF
our wants Inthe necessity Of this reform include
not merely the civil. but also our criminal law;
The inequality and insuhicienoy of punishment
in certain classes Of crinesnof which there, are,
doubtless, nagrnnt examples within your own
knowledge, is most serious evil. The inadequacy
Of fiponshment in those cases of homicide which,
sr9ngh ths aneerain prineiples q the law, Or .hs
of huma life; hardened yill4nys With Al the chan.
81 Ss e
confident of expiating the offence by an imprison.
ment OF two to eight Years in a comfortable peni-
tentiary There also exists the very great evil Of
petty offences, the trial Of which is too
long deferred For these, parties are too often sub
jected before trial to imprisohlnent in the crowded
Jail breathing it. infected atmosphere of vice, and
in case OF conviction, the slight punishment Of
which the offence 10 dremed worthy HAS no re-
forming inf fromi its long delay; and perhaps
from communicating associations in jail, this petty
oilenee nee becomes the stepping stone TO crime y
these seemingly trifling cases has been discour-
aged, but this will certainly result in encour-
agement ofcrin1e for, there is no other tribunal
II will be taken as license for wrong. They
stltute, as in every community, a large Glass Of
cases, not sufficiently serious to justify the long
delay, dangerous consequences, and enormous exi
pense which attend the5trial of them, but yet de-
manding some restraining, reforming punish
ment, following quickly uponIthe commission ofthe
offence itself cannot pass over in this
evil Of gambling, which 1t 10 well known exists to
fnghtfui extent in this city. u The present laws
very stringent yet they boldly defed ,andl have
yet to know Of a single conviction Under the Peni
tentary act. Now and then the fine OF s 5Os paid to
the Corporation, a email per cent. upon the gains
from the, very victim who may have informed The
failure to convict does not from any Want Of
vigilance and effort on the part of the Officers Of
the Government, when a Case, is broughtite their
s fence @ and Is al last pesors he ba ~oaia be for
fcited, and the evil in new hands flourish ranky
as ever The remedy must be this, TO invest the
Federal or Corporation officers with power to enter
| these places Of infamy, and in summary manner
to abate the evil by the arrest Of the parties and
the forfeiture Of all the instruments OF the game,
If nothing else be effected, let us at least have
| law enough which can be executed, to purge our
most public avenue Of tho nuisance. Although the
| heavy pense Of administering the criminal law
In this District does not fall upon its ctizens yet
il is but proper that this portion Of the general evh
should be adverted to for the information and ac-
ton of Congress. x ~ aNaaE lsla aa1N aE5- nY
If, then, we are satisfied Of the necessity of this
measure, and that il ia demanded by public opins
ion, let earnestly present it to Congress upon
its own broad merits; let us reclaim 1T from asso
citation with any particular plan or personal con
troversy; let us not ask Tor or willingly receive any
Temporary partial relief let fr miy insist
only upon revision and codi6cation OF our laws,
but il necessary, change Of the essential system
itself II is proper that we should invite the CO.
| operation of the authorities of Georgetown; that
with united purpose and effort we may seek the
consummauon of this measure. And if SO, there
can be no doubt that the Congress of the United
States acting not only as the faithful conservator
of our rights but also the jealous guardian of ts
own honor, will extend 10 the seat IoI Government
| and it's citizens, what is the blessing of many and
the ambition Of all the States Of this Union, sys
tenn of iurisprudence enlightened in its spirit sim
pie in its terms, and cheap in the facilities Of en-
ljoyment. #H
i In concluding this communication, Il cannot for
bear to congratulate you upon the present condi-
II enjoys degree of health which compares most
fayorably with the healtbiest cities of the world
II is exempt in great measure from VICIOUS and
disordcE!y population; its police has been aug
rnented in mum bers and improved in efficiency. 1t
possesses well established system public schools,
which is largely distributing its healthful currents
throughout the community, The Smithsonian In
stitution lie rapidly accomplishing the catholic
conception by it's noble founder, accommodating and
dispensing, through lectures and other means, the
richest treasures Of science and learning. The
presence Of the high officers of the General Gov
ernment and the annual assembling Of Congress
| exercises favorable influence upon its popu-
| lation, and contribute to give dignity and re-
finement 10 it's society The extent and value
of. the improvements by the Corporation with
in the last few years, also those by private indi
viduals, exceeding in elegance and cost those Of
any preceding year, manifest its general prosper
ity and onward progress, Among the improve
mcnts now making by the General Government,
the extension Of the Capitol and the improvement
of the public grounds aremore particularly deserv-
ing OF our notice. The former presents an event
which marks an era in the history and progress Of
our country, not only of local advantage and inte
rest to city, but pre.eminently national in its
associations and consequences; the latter under the
| ft.ts. ~
the phn of improvement, opens new fountains OF
health and not limited in its
influence to physical comfort, but becoming, by its
substitution for other pleasures and exciternents,
the source Of moral sentiment and culture.
In confirmation of this perhaps too pa rtial opin-
ion of the advantages Of Washington, let me pre-
sent in conclusion, the language Of the orator at
the laying Of the cornerstoue OF the extension OF
tho Capitol in reference to our city, which has
been, IL may be said, his own home for many years
in the vice of the country and the theatre of his
most brilliant achievements. a#E
And 10 bring home this idea 10 tho present oc-
'casion, who does not feel that, when President
Washn gton laid his hand on the foundation OF
the first Capitol building, he performed great
work OF perpetuation of the Union and the Con
'stituton Who does not feel that this scat oi the
General Government. healthful in its situanon'
central In its position, near the mountains rom
whence gush springs of wonderful yirtue, teem.
ing with Natures richest products and yet hot
q far from the bays and the great estuaries OF
the sea, easily accessible and generaliy agree.
Ls able in climate and association, does give
strength 10 the Union OF these States; that this
= city, bearing an immortal name, with it's broad
streets and avenues, its public squares and mag
= nifGent edifices Of the General Government,
.' erected for the purposes of carrying on within
them the important business of the several De-
partmens; for the reception Of wonderful and CO.
= rious Inventions, the preservation of the records
i OF American learning and genius; Of extensive
collections Of the products of nature. and art,
brought hither for study and comparison nom
all parts Of the world; adorned with numerous
cburches, and sprinkled over, am happy 10 say