The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-06

In many of the districts the compensation of the Judge
is less than that OF the clerk marshal and in of
them does not equal the professional income Of at
orney OF respectable standing Men of distinguished
ability and merit unless they in auent circumstances,
cannot Afford therefore, to accept judicial appointment
policy which produces such results cannot be founded
IN wisdom Salaries, without being exravagan should
yet be high enough TO command the services Of the
best suited for public stations The Office OF Judge is,
under al! circumstances, one OF great dignity and respon
slbty The Judges expound the law, and the wisdom
OF their adudcatons the security for life liberty, and
property manly depends. isque important to have
an able and faithful administration Of the laws that
the laws themselves should be founded in wisdom; and
one OF the greatest caames which can befal country
Is to have an ignorant corrupt or incompetent Judiciary
The delicate nature Of the functions which judge Of
the courts OF the United States has TO perform renders
his position OF peculiar interest and importance His
Jurisdiction embraces not only affecting the rights
Of iyiduas. but also those involving the validity of
laws passed by Congress and the States None but men
OF eminent talents character, and learning should be in
trusted with powers like these And in times like the
present. when laws obnoxious to particular sections Of
the country opposed by volence and the authority Of
the courts openly set at defiance, reasonable effort
should be spared TO secure the services OF judges who
have not only the ability understand their dutes but
the rmDess to discharge them with fidelity. To obtain
them. just compensation must be paid; and there
fore recommend that such increase OF the salaries of The
judges be made as may be necessary 10 accomplish these
objects.
In conclusion, beg leave to say that in my opinion the
public interests would be promoted by the passage OF
law constituting the Attorney General the head of the
countesgn all commissions for judges, marshas, and
attorneys, and TO exercise the supervisory and appellate
control over all accounts connected with the expenses of
the Judiciary, which is now exercised by this department
Public buildings and Grounds.
Various appropriations having been made by the last
Congress for the improvement OF the mall and other pub
lc grounds III tins city, 1t was deemed proper TO have
plan projected by competent person, combining, far
practicable, beauty of arrangement with utility For
this purposes the services OF Mr. A. Downing, gen.
eman distinguished for his judgment and good taste in
the establishment OF pleasure grounds were engaged lie
has reported designs for grading laying out and planting
with the mall and several of the public squares
of which have been approved and partially execu
ted His plan for the Improvement OF the mall appears
to admirably adapted TO carry into effect the views OF
Congress. That portion of it which applies TO the
grounds west of 7th street, having been approved is par
tally completed But the plan in regard TO the Sec
ton OF 7h street involved change in the location
OF portion OF the canal ior which appropriation had
been made you did not feel at liberty to give il your
Official sanction until the wishes OF Conges should have
been expressed in regard to it, The diagram, exhibiting
the design in all its details, will be submitted TO Con-
gress and respectfully recommend its adoption, and
that the necessary appropriation be made to carry II
into effect.
The Treasury and Patent Office buildings have been
neatly painted in pursuance Of the order OF Congress
The work has been faithfully executed, and will doubt
less prove to- be great protection 10 the walls against
The eastern wing OF the Patent Office has been placed
under the direction and control OF Mr.. Thomas u Wal.
ter the arcsitec, Of the Capitol and will soon be ready
Tor use.
No appropriation having been made by the last Con.
gress for completing the western wing, 1t remains as II
at the date OF my last report
have caused plan to be made out by A1r Walter for
its completion, accompanied by detailed estimates OF The
cost This plan conemplaes some changes in the oris
nal design, which will tend greatly TO improve the
beauty, stability, and convenience oi the building The
plan and estimates will at the proper time be laid before
the Committees on Public Buildings Of the two houses
OF Congress. In my judgment, the public interests re.
Qnre that appropriations should be made tor the compile
lion of that wing with little delay possible The
present Of accommodation for the public officers
insufficient in extent iDconvenent IN Their location,
and insecure from danger by hre
The Office of the Department OF the Interior Is now
kept in rented building, which is ll-adapted TO such
purposes and contiguous to private dwellings whch
constantly expose it casualties The Pension Oflce is
also in rented apartments in the fourth story OF swim
der's BuldIng"
The Indian Office is in the War Department. and oc.
cupes rooms which the head OF that has as
surcd indspensably necessary Tor the accommo-
daiion OF his branch OF the public service
The Land Office is in the upper story OF the Treasury
building where il is kept TO the great annoyance OF 'he
Secretary oil the Treasury who IS Obliged 10 rent rooms
n believed that the paid for the use OF incon-
and unsafe buildings nearly equal to the inter-
est the cost OF constructing new one IN al respects
suitable for the purposes Of the department When 10
this fact are added The loss Of time in communicating
with the heads of the bureaus who scattered through
Ave or ak buildings. some OF which are more than
quarter OF mile distant from the office OF the head OF
the department. and the increase OF expense occasoned
hy the employment OF additional keepers, messengers.
wAichme and Iaborers. If will be found that true econ
omy will be promoted by the erection OF suitable build
ing for this department
The eastern wing Of tho Patent Office. including the
basement contains thirty besides the large saloon,
iwo hundred and sxtyeght feet long and sixty,hree
" ds which designed for the display OF models, The
Patent Once does not now, and probably will not for
years come, need third of these rooms. propose,
4A~t.- Aad In tr~es