Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-12-11

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have now been accommodating for more than
sixty years, and, interspersed, with pri-
vate acts. are scattered through numerous
volumes and from the cost of the whole
they have become almost inaccessible to
the mass of the country. They also ex-
';lblt much Of the incongruities and i'm
PROJECTIONS of basty legislation
As It seems to be generally conceded that
there Is no common law of the t. States.
to supply the defects of their legislation.
1t Is most important that the legislation
should be as perfect as possible, defining
every power intended to be conferred. eve
ry crime intended to be made punishable.
and describing punishments to be infic-
ted. In addition to some particular cas-
es spoken Of more at length, the whole
criminal code is now lamentably defective
Some offences are imperfectly described.
; others are entirely omitted. so that
1 fragrant crimes may be committed with
impunity. The scale of punishment is
not IN all cases graduated according to the
degree and nature of the offence. and is
often rendered more unequal by the DIFF
ferent modes of Imprisonment by peniten-
tlary confinement In the different States
Many laws of a permanent character
have been introduced in appropriation
bills, aud it is often difficult to determine
whether the particular clause expires with
the temporary act of which it is a part. or
continues In force. 1t has frequently hap
pened that provisions of law have been in
/ troduced into bills with the title or gener-
al subject of which they had little or no
connection or relation In this mode Of
legislation so many enactments have been
passed, and often with but little consider
alton that in many instances it is difficult
to search out and determine what is the
/ law
The government of the United States
IS emphatically government of written
laws. Yhe statutes should therefore. as
far as practicable, not only be made aces
slbLe to all, but be expressed in language
SO plain and simple as to be understood By
all, and arranged in such method as to
give perspicuity to every subject Many
Of the States have revised their public
acts, with great and manifest benefit. ard
( | recommend that provision be made by
law for the appointment of a commission
to revise the present statutes of the IT, S
arrange them in order, supply DEFICIENCIES.
correct lncOngrulties, simplifying their
language, and reporting them to Congress
for its action.
An act of Congress- approved 30th Sep
TENDER, 1850, contained provision for
such extension of the Capitol As might be
approved by the President, aud aDDropri
ated ; 09000, to be expended under his
fiT ht-c Z.
/ point to execute the same.
On examining various plans which have
been submitted by different architects pur-
suant to an advertisement by a commit
tee 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 OBJ
ject to be accomplished was to make such
an addition as would afford ample and con
venIent halls for the deliberations of the
/ two Houses, with sufficient accommoda-
tons for spectators and suitable apart
mentS for the committees and officers of
: the two Houses.
( 1t was desirable not to mar the harmo-
ny aud beauty of the present structure,
which as a specimen of architecture. is 50
universally admired Keeping these OBJ
jects in view, concluded to make the adj
dltion by wings detached from the present
( building, yet connected with it By corri-
/ doris. This mode Of enlargement will
leave the present Capitol uuiniured. and
affords great advantages for ventilation.
and the admission Of light. and will ena-
Die the work to progress without Interrupt
ting the deliberations Of Congress.
/ TO carry this plan into effect, | have
appointed an experienced a0d 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 expedition
and the foundations of both wings are now
nearly completed.
/ l again commend to your favorable re-
gard the interests Of the District of Co
lumbia, and deem it only necessary to re-
mind you that, although its inhabitants
have no voice in the choice of representa-
tiyes in Congress. they are nevertheless
entitled to just and liberal consideration
/ in your legislation.
My opinions on the subject are more
fully expressed in my last annual mess
age
Other subjects were brought to the at
teution of Congress in my last annual
message, to which l would respectfully re-
I fer but there was one of more than ordi-
nary interest. to which [ again invite your
! special attention. I allude to the recon-
mendation for the appointment of com
mission to settle private claims against
the United States. Justice to individu-
ais as well as the government imperative
4 ~ demands that some more convenient
and expeditions mode than the present
should be adopted.
1t is deeply 70 be regretted that in some
instances officers of the government. in
attempting to execute the law for the re-
turn of fugitives from labor. have been
openly resisted and their efforts frustra-
ted and defeated by lawless and violent
mobs; that in one case such resistance re
suited in the death of an estimable citi-
zen, and in another. serious injury ensued
to the officers and to individuals who were
using their eudeavors to sustain the laws.