Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-12-10

guage, AMI reporting them to Con-
gress for its action.
An act of Congress approved 3Oth
September, 1850, contained a provi-
sion for the extension If the Capitol,
according to such plan as might be
approved by the President, and APP
propriated 100000 to be expended
under his direction, by such archi-
tect as he should appoint to execute
the same. On examining the vari-
GUS plans which had been submitted
by different architects, in pursuance
OF an advertisement of a committee
OF the Senate, no one was found to
be entirely satisfactory, and it was,
therefore, deemed advisable to COM
bine and adopt the advantage ofsev-
eral. The great object to be accom-
plished was, to make such an addi-
ton as would afford ample and con-
venient halls for the deliberations of
the two Houses of Congress, with suf-
ficient accommodations for specta-
tors, and suitable apartments for the
committees and officers OF the two
branches of the Legislature. 1t was
also desirable not to mar the harmo-
ny and beauty of the present struc-
ture, which, as specimen Of archi-
lecture, is so universally admired
Keeping these objects in view, con-
cluded to make the addition by wings
detached from the present building,
yet connected with it by corridors.
This mode of enlargement leaves the
present capitol uninjured, and affords
great advantage for ventilation and
the admission of light, and will ena-
BILE the work to progress without in
terrupting the delibera tons of Con-
gress. To carry this plan into effect,
| have appointed an experienced
and competent architect. The cor
ner stone was laid on the Fourth day
of July last, with suitable ceremonies.
Since which time the work has pro-
crossed with commendable rapidly,
and the foundations of both wings
are nearly completed.
again commend to your favora-
bic regard the interests of the district
ofColumbia, and deem it only neces-
sary to remind you, that although its
inhabitants have no choice of repre-
sentatives in Congress, they are not
the less entitled to just and liberal
consideration in your legislation
My opinions on this subject were
more fully expressed in my last COM
munication. Other subjects were
brought to the attention Of Congress
In my last annual message, to which
would respectfully refer, but there
was one of more than ordinary inter-
est, to which | again invite your spe-
cial attention, | alludc to the recon-
mendation of the appointment of
commission to settle private claims.
Justide to individuals, as well as to
the Government, imperatively de-
mands that some more convenient
and expeditions mode than an appeal
to Congress should be adopted.
1t is deeply to be regretted, that in
several instances, officers of the Gov
eminent, in attempting to execute the
law, for the return Of ''fugitives from
labor, have been openly resisted,
and their efforts frustrated and de-
feated by lawless and violent mobs-
that, In one case, such resistance re-
suited in the death of an estimablc
citizen, and in others, serious injury
to those officers and to individuals
who were using their endeavors to
sustain the laws. Prosecutions have
been instituted against the alledged
offenders, so far as they could be
identified, and are still pending.
have regarded it as my duty, in these
cases, to give all aid legally, in my
power, to the enforcement of the Law 5,
and shall continue to do so, when
ever and wherever their execution
may be resisted. The act of Con-
gress for the return Of 'fugitives from
labor" Is one required and demand
ed by the express words of the Con-
stitution. The Constitution declares,
that no person held to service or la
Dor in one State under the laws there
OF, escaping into another, shall, in
consequence of any law or regulation
therein, be discharged from such SER
vice, or labor, but shall be delivered
upon claim ofthe party to whom such
service or labor may be due. This
constitutional provision is equally
obligatory upon the Legislative, the
Executive and Judicial departments
OF the Government, and upon every
citizen of the United States. Con-
gress, however, must from necessity
first act upon the subject, by prescri-
bing the proceedingsnecessary to as
certain that the person is a fugitive,
and the means to be used for his re-
storation to the claimant. This was
done by an act passed during the first
term Of President Washington. which
was amended by that enacted by the
last Congress, and it now remains
for the executive and judicial de-
partments to take care that these laws
be faithfully executed: This iniunc-
ton OF the constitution is as pre- emp
tory, and as demanding as any other;
it stadds exactly on the same foun-
dalton as that clause which provides
for the return of the fugitive from JUS
ticp nr tbaf ,,h.ok Jo.I. ~