The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-12-12

The United States 10 supply the defects Of
their legislation, il is most important that
that legislation should be as perfect as pos.
sible, defining every power intended 10 be
made punishable, and prescribing the pun.
| ishmen TO be inflicted. In addition to some
| particular cases spoken of more at length,
| The whole criminal code is now lamentably
defective. So ne offences are impcrfectIy
described. und others nre entirely omitted:
so tina, fragrant crime may be committed
with impunty. The scale of punishment is
not in III cases graduated according to the
degree and nature Of the offence, and is Of.
ten rendered more unequal by the different
modes Of imprisonment, penitentiary con-
finement, in the different States.
Many laws Of n permanent character
have been introduced into appropriation
bills, and it is often difficult to determine
whether tho particular clause expires with
the temporary act Of which il is u part, or
continues in force. 1t has also frequently
happened that enactments and provisions of
law huvo been introduced into bills, with
the title or general subject of which they
have little or no connection or relation. In
this mode oflrgisation so many ensctments
have been heaped upon each other, and Of
ten with but IIlile consideration, that, in
many instances, il is difficult to search out
and determine what IS the law.
The government OF the United States is
emphaticaly government of write laws.
The statutes should, therefore us far as
practicable, not only be made accessible to
all, but be expressed in the language so
plain and simple as to he understood BY all
and arranged in such method as to give
perspicuty to every subject. Many Of the
State, have revised their public acts with
great and manifest benefit: and | recon-.
mend that provisit n be made by law for tho
appoini mont of commission to revise the
public statutes Of tho United States, arrang.
ing them IN order. supplying Deficiencies,
correcting incongru'ies. simplifying their
language, and reporting them to Congress
for its ac'Ion.
An act of Congress approved 30th Sep
TENDER, 1850, contained q provision for the
extension of tho Capitol, according to such
plan as might be approved by the President,
and Appropriated one hundred thousand dol.
lars to be expended under his direction, by
such architect as he should appoint 10 exc
cute The same. On examining the vnri"us
plans which hat been submitted by differs
ent architects. in pursuance Of an aGvcr.
tlsemenl by a committee OF the Senate, no
one was found to be entirely satisfactory,
and it was therefore deemed advisable to
combine and adopt the advantages of several.
The great object 10 be accomplished was
10 MIKE such an addition as would afford
ample and convenient halls for the deher-
atoms OF The two Houses of Congress, with
sufficient accommodations Tor spectators.
and suitable apartments for the committees
and officers OF the Two branches OF the LIE,
gIsalure. 1t was also desirable not 10 mar
the harmony aud beauty of The present
structure. which, as specimen OF archi-
lecture. is so universally admired. Keep
ing these objects in view. concluded 10
make the addition by wings, detached from
the present building. yet connected with it
by corridors. This mode Of enlargement
r Will leave the present Capitol unlnjured,
and afford great advantages for ventilation
and The admission Of light, and will enable
the work to progress without in,errupting
, the deliberations of Congress. To carry
this plan into effect have appointed an
5 experienced and competent architect. The
corner stone was laid on the 4lh day of Ju-
~ last, with suitable ceremonies, since
r which time the work has advanced with
commendable rapidly, and the foundations
2 Of ooth wings are now nearly complete.
again commend TO your favorable re-.
gard The interests OF The District OF Column
+ Ola. anc deem 1t only necessary TO remind
you, that although It's inhabitants have no
voice IN the choice OF representatives IN
congress, they are not the less enlrl d 10
just and liberal consdera' ion IN your le-
s's'a!ion. MY opinions on tins subject
were more fully expressed in my las, annual
OmmunIcaiiOn.
Other subjects were brought TO the al
D tenlion oil Congress in my las, annual mes
sage, to which would respectfully refer.
: But there was one oil more than ordinary
interest to which again invite your special
7 attention. allude 10 the recommendation
! Tor the appointment of commission to
{ settIe private claims against the United
I States. Justice 10 individuals as we'll as
= 10 me Government imperatively demands
mat some more convenient and pxped,-
# t,ous mode than an appeal 10 Congress
2 should be adopted.
. II IS deeply to be regretted, that IN sever.
= al instances, "flicers OF the Government, in
9 attempting to execute the law for the re,
l.. turn oil iue'tves from labor, have been
II openly resisted. and their efforts frustrated
and defeated bv lawless and violent mobs;
G that IN one case such resistance resulted in
: the death OF an esilmable citizen, and in
o officers aud to individuals who were using
n their endeavors 10 sustain the VS.. Pros.
6 ecutiODs have been Instituted against the
n alleged offenders. so far as they could he
identified, and are stIll pending. | have re.
d oarded II nsmv duty, IN tn $" cases, to give
q all and legally IN INV poo r. H. the enforce
>. ment OF tie laws, and | shall continue to
d" 50 wherever aud whenever Their .x.cu
), ,Ion may b. resisted.
the act Of Congress for the return o! iu-
$ g't'vrs from labor 5 one required and de,
s manded ny the express words oil the Con.
sl'IutiOn.
The Constitution declares, "Tha, no per.
!, son held to service OF labor in one State.
under the laws thereof, escaping into ano.
y ,her. shall in consequence of any law or
r, regulation therein, be discharged from such
4 service or labor. but shall be delivered 10
l nInIp r,Gs b.