Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1851-12-13
different States.

different States
Many laws of,a permanent character have
been introduced into appropriation bills, and
it is often difficult to determine whether the |
particular clause expires with the temporary
act of which it is part, or continues in force.
1t has also frequently happened that enact
ments and provisions of law have been intro
duced into bills, with the title or general sub
Iiect of which they have little or no connection
or relation In this mode of legislation SO
many enactments have been heaped upon
each other, and often with but little consider
alton, that, in meny instances, it is difficult to
search out and determine what is the law.
The Government of the United States is
emphatically government of written laws
The statutes should, therefore, as far as prac-
ticable, not only be made accessible to all, but
be expressed in language so plain and simple
as to be understood by all and arranged in
such method as to give perspicuity to every
subject Many of the States have revised
( their public acts with great and manifest ben
eft; and recommend that provision be made
by law for the appointment of a commission to
revixe the public statutes of the United States,
arranging them in order, supplying defcien-
cies, correcting incongruities simplifying
their language, and reporting them to Congress
for its action.
An act Of Congress approved soth of Sep
tember, 1850, contained a provision for the
extension of the Capitol, according TO such
/ plan as might be approved by the president,
and appropriated one hundred thousand dollars
to be expended under his direction, by such
architect as he should appoint to execute The
same. On examining the various plans which
had been submitted by different artchects, in
pursuance ofan advertisement by acommittee
of the Senate, no one was found entirely satis7
factory, and it was therefore deemed advisable
to combine and adopt the advantages of sever
al.
The great object to be accomplished was
20 make such an addition as would afford am
pie and convenient halls for the deliberations
the two houses Of Congress, with sufficient ac
comodations for spectators, and suitable apart
ments for the committees and officers of the
two branches of the Legislature.
4 It was alsodesirabIe not
to mar the harmony and beauty Of the pres
ent structure, which. as a specimen of archi-
lecture, is SO universally admired Keeping
these objects in view, l concluded to make
the addition by wings, detached from the pres
ent building, yet connected with it by corridors
!, This mode of enlargement will leave the pres
J ent Capitol uninjured, and afford great advan-
tages for ventilation and the admission of
Il light, and will enable the work to progress
without interrupting the deliberations of Con
gress. To carry this plan into effect I have
appointed an experienced and competent
= achitect The cornerstone was laid on the
r. Atl cF IT,,
since which time the work has advanced with
E commenable rapidity, and the foundations Of
both wings are now nearly complete.
! again commend to your favorable regard
/ the interests of the District of Columbia, and
: deem it only necessary to remind you, that
: although its inhabitants have no voice in the
3 choice of representatives in Congress, they
: are not the less entitled to just and liberal
consideration in your Legislation. My opinion
e on this subject were more fully expressed in
, my last annual communication.
S Other subjects were brought to the atten-
g ton OF Congress in my last annual message,
to which 1 would respectfully refer. But
there was one of more than ordinary interest TO
$ which I again invite yoar special attention.
: | allude to the recommendation for the ap-
! pointment of commission to settle private
claims against the United States Justice to
: individuals as well as to the Government i'm
peratively demands that some more convent
: ent and expeditions mode than an appeal to
o Congress should be adopted.
f 1t is deeply to be regretted that in several
e instances officers of the government in at
J. tempting to execute the law for return of fu-
e gitives from labor, have been openly resisted,
g ard their efforts frustrated and defeated by
!. lawless and violent mobs; that in one case
r such resistance resulted in the death of
an estimable citizen, and in others serious in
Iiury ensued to those officers and to individuals
r who were using their endeavors to sustain the
: laws. Prosecutions have been instituted a.
f gainst the alledged offenders, so far they
could be identified, and are still pending. I
have regarded it as my duty, in these cases,
f to give all aid legally in my power to the en-
forcement af the laws, and / shall continue to
e do so wherever and whenever their execution
may be resisted.
: The act of Congress- for the return of fugi-
: tives from labor is one required and demanded
r by the express words Of the Constitution.
:, The Constitution declares, "That no person
It held to service or labor in one State, under
n the laws thereof. escaping into another shall,
: in consequence of any law or regulation there
e in be discharged from such service or labor,
r but shall be delivered up on claim of the par
! ty to whom such service or labor may be due -
f This constitutional provision is eaqueally OBJ
/ igatory upon the Legislative, the Executive
and Judicial Department of the Government
r and upon every citizen of the United Sta
e tes.
e Congress, however, must, from the necessi-
y ty, first act upon the subject by prescribing
r the proceedings necessary to ascertain thai
e the person is fugitive, and the means to be
y used for bis restoration to the claimant This
n was done by an act passed during the first
: term of President Washington, which was
o amended by the last Congress, aud it now
i remains for the Executive and Judicial De
i partments to take care that these laws be
s faithfully executed. This injunction of the