The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-03
PAYABLE 10 the British post office) amounted to

10, or Is IS l0v per cent over the like receipts
for the preceding year
The reduction of postage, under the act of
March last, did not take effect until the com.
mencement of the present fiscal year. The ac.
counts for the first quarter, under The operation
of the reduced rates, will not be settled before
January next; and no reliable estimate Of the
receipts for the present year can yet be made
1t is believed, however, that they will fall far
short of those Of tho last year. The surplus
of the revenues now on hand is, however, so
large that no further appropriation from the
treasury, in aid of the revenues of the De
partment is required for the current fiscal
year; but an additional appropriation for the
year ending June 80, 1853, will probably be
found necessary when the receipts Of the first
TWO quarters of the fiscal year are fully ascer.
tanned. ~.'
. In his last annual report the Postmaster Gen
eral recommended reduction Of postage to
rates which he deemed as low as could be pru
IDENTIFY adopted, unless Congress was prepared
10 appro rate from the TT asury, for the support
OF the Department, sum more ian eq uIvslen.
To the mail services performed by it for the gov
crnmynt. The recommendations of the Post
master General, in respect to letter postage,
except on letters from and to California and
Oregon, were substantially adopted by the last
Congress. He now recommends adherence to
the present h tier rates. ald advises against
further reduction until justified by the revenue
of the Department..
He also rec 'mnrends that the rates of postage
on, printed matter be so revised ~ TO render
them more simple, and more unitorm in their
operation upon all classes Of printed matter. |
submil the recommend ilons OF the report to
your ftyornhtc consideration.
The public statutes Of the United State, have
now been accummul ing for moe than sixty
years, and, ut"r-pers"d with private. acts, are
scattered throu "a humorous volumes, and, from
the cost ct the whole, have become almost mac
crssibIe TO tive great ,nass of the community
lhey also exhibit mach If the iucongruity ana
impcrfecton Of hasty legislation. AS it seem
10 be generally conceded that there is no "com-
mon law OF the United States to supply the
defects of their legislation, it IS most important
that that lie isl .tioN should be rs perfect as
possible, ,tning every power intended to be
conferred every crime intended to be made
punishable, and pra,crbnJ the puns mrnt to b.
Inflicted In addition To some particular cases
spoken Of more al length, the whole cnmnal
code is now lame" taby defective. Some Of
fences are imperfrcty described, and Others are
entirely omitted; so that titgrant crimes may
be committed with impunity. The scale Of
punishment is not in all eases graduated accord
ing to the degree and nature OF the offence and
is often rendered more unequal by the different
modes OF imprisonment, or pententiary con.
fnemtnt, in the different States.
Many laws of Il permanent character have
been Introduced into appropriation bills, and it
is Ottea difficult To determine whether the par,
ticuIar clause expires with the temporary act
Of which 1t Is Il part, or continues in force II
has also frequently happened that enactments
AID provisions of law have been Introduced
into bills, with the title or general subject OF
winch they have title ornO cOnneXion or relation.
In tis mode of legislation so many enactments
have been heaNed upOn each otHer, and often
with bat little consideration, that, in many in.
stauces, it is difficult to search out and deter
mine what is the law.
The government of the United States is EN-
phaticaty a government of written laws. The
statutes should therefore, as far rs practicable.
not only be made accessible 10 all, but be eX.
pressed in language 80 plain and simple as to
be understood by all, and arranged in such
method rs 10 give perspicuity to every suffice,
Many II the States have revised their public
acts with gteat and manifest benefit and | re-
,'"mmcnd that pruv-i III be madc by law foI
the appointment Of n commission TO revise thu
hem in order, Supplying deficiencies. cor ert
ing inrongru,ties, simplifying their language,
ltd reporting them to Congress for it's action.
An act OF Congress approved 3Oth September,
1850, contained provision for The extension ol
the Capitol, according 10 such plan as might b.
approved by tie President, and appropriated one
hundred thousand dollars 10 BE- expended undrr
pi. direction, by such architect a. he should ap-
point b. execute the same. On examining the
various plans which had been submitted by DIFF
'rreut arrhIt' cts, Ia pursuance OF an advertise
ment by committee of the Senate, no one wa
found 10 be entirely satisfactory, and it wa
therefore deemed advisable 10 combine an
adopt the advantages Of several.
The great object TO be accomplished was 10
make such an addition rs would afford ample and
convenient halls tor the deliberat ous oC the two
houses OK Congress, with sufficient accummOda.
lions for spectators, and suittOl apartments for
the commit, cs aud officers of the Two branches
of the legislature. il was also desirable not 10
mar the harmony and beauty OF the prescu'
structure, which, a. a specimen Of architecture.
is 80 universally admired. Keeping tlese Oh
iyrts in view, ! concluded 90 make addition by
wings. detached from the present building, yet
connected with il by corridors This mode Of en-.
iargemont will leave the present e.. pItol uninjTr.
ed, and afford great advantages for ventilation AID
the admission oflight, and will enable the work
to progress without interrupting the dribera-
tons Of Congress. TO carry this plan into ef.
feet have appointed an eXperirnccd and compe.
tcHt architect The corner stone was laid on
the 4ih day uf July last, with suitable cpremo.
nics, since winch time tie work has advanced
with commemdable rapidity. ard the foundations
Of both wings are nov nearly complete.
/ again commend to your favorable regard
the ia erests Of Tn, Distinct Of Columbia, aud
deem il only necessary TO remind you, that al.
though its iuh bitants have no voice in the
choice Of representatives in Congress, they are
not the less entitled to Just AID LIBERAL con.
sheraton in your legislation Ny OPT ions on
this subject were more fully expressed in my
lastannIai communication.
Other subjects were brought to the attention
Of Congress in my last annual message, to
which would respectfully refer. But there
was one If more than ordinary interest to which
again invite your special attention. aludp
10 the recommendation for the appointment Of
a .f,,,p;-gi,, Ia uoitln priv.to altiuns .,vaipst