Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1851-12-05

also frequently happened that enactments and
provisions oflaw have been introduced into bills
with the title or general subject 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 consideration, that, in many instances,
II IS difficult to search out and determine what
is the law.
The Government Of the United States is en-
phatlcally government Of written laws. The
statutes should, therefore, far as practicable,
not only be made accessible to all, but be eX
pressed in language so plain and simple to be
understood by all, and arranged in such method
as to give perspIculty to every subject. Many
OF the States have revised their public acts with
great and manifest benefit; and | recommend
that provision be made by la W for the appoint
ment of a commission to revise the public sta
tutes of the United States, arranging them in
order, supplying deficiencies, correcting incon-
gruitleS, simplifying their language, and report
ing them to Congress for its action.
An act OF Congress approved Both September,
1880, contained 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 ap-
point TO execute the same. On examining the
various plans which had been submitted bv diff
ferent architects, In pursuance of an advertise
ment by 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 to be accomplished was to
make such an addition as would afford ample
and convenient halls for the deliberations of the
two Houses of Congress, with sufficient accom-
modauons tor spectators, and suitable apart
ments for the committees and officers of the two
branches of the Legislature. IL was also desi
rable not to mar the harmony and beauty of the
present structure, which, as a specimen of
chitecture, is SO universally admired. Keeping
these objects in view, | concluded to make the
addition by wings, detached from the present
/ building, yet connected with it by corridors.
This mode of enlargement will leave the present
Capitol uninjurcd. and afford great advantages
for ventilation and the admission Of light, and
will enable the work to progress without inter
rupting the deliberations of Congress To carry
this plan into effect | have appointed an expe-
rIcnced and competent architect. The corner
stone was laid on the 4th day of July last, with
suitable ceremonies, since which time the work
has advanced with commendable 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
1t only necessary to remind you, that although
It's inhabitants have no voice in the choice o:
/ representatives in Congress, they are not the
less entitled to just aud liberal consideration
in your legislation. My opinions on this subject
were more fully expressed in my last annual
communication.
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 interest to which again
| invite your special attention. allude to the
recommendation for the appointment of a COM
mission TO settle private claims against the
United States. Justice to individuals as well as
to the Government impcratiYely demands that
some more convenient aud expeditions mode
than an appeal to Congress should be adopted
1t Is deeply to be regretted that in several in
stances officers of the government, in attempting
! to execute the law for the return Of fugitives
from labor, have been openly resisted and their
efforts frustrated and defeated by lawless and
violent mObS that in one instance such resist
ance resulted III the death of an estimabIe citi-
zen, and in others serious injury ensued to those
officers and to individuals who were using their
endeayors to sustain the laws. Prosecutions
| have been instituted against the alleged oden-
dcrs, so far as they could be identified, and are
still pending. | have regarded 1t my duty,
IN these cases, To give all aid legally in my
power TO the enforcement OF the laws, and
shall continue to do 50 wherever and whenever
their execution may be resisted.
The act of Congress for the return Of fugitiyes
from labor IS one required and demanded by the
express words of the Constitution.
The Constitution declares, g That no person
held to service or labor in one State, under the
I 8 laws thereof, escaping into another shall, III
consequence Of any law regulation therein,
! . be discharged from such service or labor, but
/ shall he delivered up on claim of the party to
whom such service or labor may be due. -
This Constitutional provision s-eqnalIy obliga-
tory upon the Legislative, the Executive, and
Judicial Departments of the Government, and
upou every citizen of the United States.
Congress, however, must from necessity, first
act upon the subject, by prescribing the pro-
ceedings necessary to ascertain that the person
is 4 fugitive, and the means to be used for his
restoration to the claimant. This was done by
an act passed during the first term Of President
Washington, which was amended by that enact
ed by the last Congress, and ii now remains for
the Executive and Judicial Departments to take
care that these laws be faithfully executed.
This Injunction of the Constitution is peremp-
tory and as binding as any other; it stands eX-
actIy on the same foundation as that clause
which provides for the return of fugitives from
Justice, or that which declares that no bill of
attainder or er post factO law shall be passed. or
that which provides for an equality of taxation,
according to the census or the clause declaring
that all duties shall be uniform throughout the
United States, or the important provision that
the trial of all crimes shall be by Jury. These
several articles and clauses of the Constitution,
all resting on the same authority, must stand or
fall together. Some objections have been urged
against the details of the act for the return of
fugitives from labor but it is worthy Of remark
thatthe main opposition is aimed against the Con-
stituton ITSELF and proceeds from persons and
classes of persons, many of whom declare their
wish to see that Constitution overturned. They
avow their hostility to any law which shall give
full and practical effect TO this requirement of
the Constitution. Fortunately, the number of
these persons is comparatively small and is
believed to be daily diminishing, but the issue
which they present is one which involves the
supremacy and even the existence of the Con-
/ sttution.
Cases have heretofore arisen in which indi-
viduals have denied the binding authority of acts
- md haN In