The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-12-24

many and obvious distinctions between this ex-
ercise Of power and that Of making roads within the
States that the power has been considered subject TO
sucl objections applying TO the latter and such may
now lie considered the settled construction Of the
! Federal Government upon the subject. Numerous
applications have been and no doubt will csntinue TO
be made for grants Of lands in aid Of tho construction
| of highways. -
It is believed to be within the intent and mean.
ing Of the Constitution, that the disposition of the
public domain should be otherwise than must be ex-
pected from prudent proprietor, and therefore that
grants Of land to aid 10 the construction Of roads
should be restricted to cases where il would be for
the interest OF proprietor under like circumstances
to contribute to the construction of the work. For
the practical operation Of such grants thus far in adj
vancng the interests of the State in which the work
are located and at the time the substantial in.
teresls Of all the other States in enhancing the value
and promoting the rapid sale Of the public domain,
refer YOU the report Of the Secretary of the ncr.
or. careful examination, however, will show that
this experience is the result of wise discrimination,
and will be FAR from affording encouragement To a
reckless indscrimnatc extension Of the principle
] commend 10 your consideration the men of genius
OF country who by their inventions and discoye.
rcs in science and art have contributed largely to the
Improvement of the age without, in many instances,
securing for themselves any thing like an adequate
reward For many interesting details upon this sub,
ject refer you TO the appropriate report and esn,
i
slight but really important notifications Of existing
laws therein suggested.
The liberal spirit which has so long marked the
action Of Congress in relation the District of Co.
lumbia will, have doubt, continue to he manifes
ted The erection Of an Asylum for the District of
Columbia and for the army and navy of the IJn,ed
States, has been somewhat retarded BY the great de-
mand for materials and labor during the summer Inn,
full preparation for the reception of patients before
the return OF another winter is anticipated and there
l.. l.l--
tcniplatcd arrangements which have been devised
with the large experience furnished within the last
few years in relation TO the nature and treatment nj
discaseS that it will prove asylum indeed Ia This
helpless and afflicted class of sufferers and stand
! as a noble monument OF Wisdom and Mercy.
Under the acts of Congress, of Aug, 81. 1850 and
March 3, 1883, designed secure for the cities of
Washington and Georgetown an abundant suppIv of
good and wholesome water, according to the renort
Cf the Engineer who had charge of the surveys Under
the act first named, the best il not the only Man
calculated TO secure the object sought was that which
contemplated taking the water from the great falls of
the Potomac, and consequently gave it nv approy
al. For the progress and present condition OF thi,
important work and for its demand, so far as annro
prations concerned, refer You to the report Of
the Secretary of War.
The present Judicial system of the United STATES
has now been in operation for so long a period of
time and has, in its general theory and much of IFS
detail become SO familiar to the country and acquired
entirely the public confidence, that if modified in
any respect it should only be in those particulars
which may adapt it TO the increased extent popula
ton and legal business Of the United States In his
relation the organization of the courts is now comics
sey inadequate to the duties to be PEI formed by them
in consequence ot which the States of Florida Wis
consin, Iowa, Texas and California and districts Of
other states, are i'll effect excluded from the full ben
Gifts Of the general system by the functions of the
Circuit being devolved on the District judge in all
these states parts Of states. The spirit of the
Constitution in regard to justice requires that all the
states of the Union should be placed ON the same
footing in regard to the judicial tribunals. | there
fore recommend TO your consideration this important
subject, which in my judd mcnt demands the speedy
action OF Congress. will present to YOU if deemed
desirable, plan which am prepared to recommend
for the enlargement and modification Of the present
judicial system.
The act of Congress establishing the Smithsonian H.
suc provided that the President the United States
and other persons therein designated should constitute
an establishment by that name and that the members
shall hold stated and special meetings for the superyis
ion of tho affairs Of the institution. The organza ton
not having taken place il seemed me proper that il
sht uid be done without delay This has been done and
occasion WAS thereby presented for inspecting the
condition of the institution and apprecating its
m progress thus far and its high promise of great and
general usefulness.
have omitted to ask yolr favorable consultation for
the estimate OF works of local character in twenty
seven Of the thirty states amounting 10 ,7a5 be-
cause Independently of the grounds which have so often
been put forward against the application of the federal
for works of this character equality with
consequent injustice, is inherent in the of the
propusai, and because the plan found entirely mad
cquate to the accomplishment of the object sought
The subject of internal improvements claiming alike
and good Of all, has nevertheless been
the basis of much political discussion. Ii stood IL
dcepsraven line between the statesmen of eminent ab
lily and patriotism The rule Of strict construction of
all the powers delegated by The States the General
Government has engaged itself from time TO time agais
the rapid progress OF expenditure. from the national
treasury in works of local character within the States
NeIr crablc epoch in the history of this subject
the message Of President Jackson of 9Th of May le39
which met the stem of internal improvements in its
comparative infancy; but rapid had been its growth
that the projected appropriations in that for works
Of this character had arisen to the alarming amount of
more than s. 100 100000.
In that message the President admitted the
difficulty Of bringing back the operations
OF the government TO the construction of the
Constitution sci up in 1898. 1t should be marked
as an adnonitory proof Of the necessity Of guard
ing that instrument with sIeepless vigilance
against the authority Of precedents which had not
the sanction of its most plainly defined powers
/ Our government exists under Il written compact
with sovereign Safes, uniting for specified objects
and with special grants. II, then, in he progress
of its administration there have been departures
from the terms and intent of The compact, it is,
| and ever will DC proper to refer back to the fixed
standard which our fathers left US, and make a
stern determination to conform our action to it,
| II would seem that the fact of principle having
been resisted from ihe first by many Of the wis
es, and mos, patriotic men of The republic, land the
policy having provoked constant snifc wnhou,
having arrived at a conclusion which can be re-
garded as satisfactory TO its most earnest advo-
cates, should suggest the inquiry whether there
may no, be plan likely to re crowned by any
happier results.
Without perceiving any sound distinction Or in
tending to assert any principles as apt to advance
ard needed for The prOtectiOn of internal improve
men,s and commerce which does not apply to i'm
provements upon the seaboard for the protection
of foreign commerce, submit 10 you whether il
may not be safely anticipated that if the policy
were at once against appropriations by the gene
raj government for local improvements and fol
the benefit of commerce, localities requiring
expenditures would not be made and most clearly
leg,timatey and properly to raise tho fund me-
cessary for such sruction the safety Of 9TH
er interests Of their commerce may require. II
that can be regarded as system, which in the
If mora than thirty years has at A,