Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-12-13

'ublic domain in most ts enal part icuars.
You will perceive from the report of the Secretary "
II the Interior that opinions which have often been u
expressed Ia relation 10 the operation OF the land sys
EN- being o source OF revenue To the federal
treasury were erroneous. The net profits from the h
sale Of the public lands to June 30, 1853 amounted to
The sum Of 90, ,2o0, ,465 dollars, s
I recommend the extension Of the land system q
over tho territories Of Utah and New Mexico
with such notifications us their nccessarics may
require.
Regarding our public domains ns chief y valun- :
bic 10 providc homes for the industrious ana eu'
terpri!ng, am not prepared TO recommend any
change IN the land System, except by {
modification in favor Of the actual settler, aud nn
extension of tho presumption principle IN certain :
cases, for reasons, and on grounds. which will be
fully developed in the reports TO be laid before
you.
Congress, representing the proprictors Of the
territorial domain, aud clinrgcd especially with
power 10 dispose of territory belonging to the U.
States, has tor long course Of years, beginning
with the admit instration Of MIR. Jefferson, cxerc'-
scd power to construct roads within the terrific
rics; und there urc 80 many aud Obvious distiiic-
tions, between this exercise of power and that OF
making roads within the States, that the former
has never been considered subj ject TO such Obrc-
tiOns us apply TO the latter, and such may now
be considered the settled construction Of the pow
or OF the Federal Government upon the subject.
Numerous applications have been. aud no doubt
will continue to be. made for grants OF land, in |
aid OF the construction Of railways II /, not be- |
licycd t. be within the intent aud meaning OF the
Constitution, that the power to dispose oi the pub
lie domain, should be used otherwise than might
be expected from prudent proprietor, and, there
fore, tlut grants Of land to uid IN the construction
of roads should bo restricted TO Gases, where II
would be for the interest Of proprietor, under
like circumstances, thus to contribute TO the con-
siructon of these works. For the practical ope-
ration Of such grants, thus far, IN advancing the
interests Of the States IN which the works nrc To-
cated and ut tile same time the substantial inter-
ests Of all tho other States by enhancing the va
us und promoting the rapid sale Of the I'nblc do
main, refer you to the report Of the Secretary
of the Interior. A careful examination, howrv
er, will show that thi. experience is the result of
u Just discrin ninatiOn. and will b. far from nifor-
ding enc ragcinent TO II reckless or indiscriin-
mat, extension Of the principle.
| commend 10 your favorable consideration the
! mer Of genius Of our country, who, bv their in-
ventions and discoveries in science and art, have
contributed largely 10 the improvements Of til,
age, without, ir many instances, securing for
themselves anything like an adequate reward.--
For many intercsting ng details upon this subject
refer YOU to the appropriate reports, rnd especial
~ urge upon your early attention the apparently
| slight but really important. notifications Of exis.
ting laws therein suggested.
The liberia spirit which has so long marked
the action of Congress In relation to ihr District
will OF Columbia, have no doubt, continue 10 be
. manifested.
The erection of an asylum for the insane Of the
District Of Columbia, and Of the nrmy and navy
of the United States, hus been somewhat retarded
. by the great demand for materials nd labor du-
ring the past summer; but full preparation for the
reception of patients, before the return of anoth-
pr winter is anticipated; and there is the best
son to .lieve from, the plan and contempt tied ar
rungenents which have been devised, with the
T. large experience furnished within the last Few
wears In relation TO the nature and treatment oi
n the disease, that It will prove an asylum indeed
TO this most helpless and afflicted class of uffr
$ ers, and stand US II nube monument Of wisdom
n and mercy.
+. Under the acts of Congress OF August 81, 1852
y and Of March 1853, designed to secure for the
. cities of w ashngion and Georgetown an abun
dant supply of good and wholesome water, it be-
= came my duty 10 examine the reports and plan.
t Of thn engineer who hnd charge Of the surveys
nj under the net first named. The best if not tn
=, only plan, calculated 10 secure permanently tn
- object sought was that which contemplutes akn
:. the water from the Great Fulls Of the Potomac
" '. and consequently, gave it my approval.
~ For the progress aud present cond'iOn of thi
important wo T., and for its demands, SO far as ap
- propriations concerned, refer you TO the re
u port OF the Secretary OF War.
IN The present judicial system u the United State
or has low been in operation for so long period {
n. time, and has IN its general theory und much {
H. lis details, became familiar to the country, an
,- acquired entirely the pnbic confidence. that
n. modified in nny respect, it should only be in thos
ri. particulars which may adapt II to the increns'
extent, popnl,ion aud legal business of the Uni
-, ted States. In this relation. the organization {
" the courts are now conlsssedly inadequate to I'll
;. duties TO be performed by thom; in conscqucnc
y, of which, the States OF Florida, Wisconsin, Ii
II" wa, Texas und California, aud districts of oth'
'e STATES, in effect excluded from the full ben'
oc finn nj
" circuit being developed OH the district judges
rt' all these States, or parts Of STATES
nd The spirit OF the Constitution and due rcgaT
he to Justice require that all the States of tho Uno
his should be placed OH the footing in regard
at the udicuI tribunals. I therefore commend
,us your sderu,ion this important subject whit
for In my judgment, demands the speedy action
Congress. l will present to you il deemed d
r., sirublc, plan which | am prepared TO recon
viii mend, for the enlargement and modihc alton
IN the present Judicial system.
The act OF Congress establishing the Smiths
:o nan institution provided that the President Of Il
m United States, and other persons therein design
o., ted, should consuuiate un "estab'ishIneut'
'"' that name, and that the members should hold st
ted special meetings for the supervision of the
e'o furs Of the Institution. The organization u
ro- having taken place, II seemed TO me proper I'll
It should be effected without delay. This Il
; Of been done aud all OCCASION was thereby pr sent
III for inspecting the condition of the Institute
,a- and approaching its successful progress thus i
OBJ und its high promise Of great und general asef
law ness.
the huve omitted to ask your favorable consid
i,i. alton for the estimates Of lands Of local char
ter In twenty-seven Of :he thirty. one Stat
nm. umoun ntng to one million seven huudre, and ti
,"u four thousand five hundred donrs, because.
"" ,.m dcprndc ntly of the grounds which have been
vs., often urged against The application Of the fede
~. revenue FOR works fthis character inequalityw
Ne' consequent injustice is inherent In the nature
a'e the proposition, and because the plan has pro-
h,y' entirely inadequate to the accomplishment Of
10 objects sought.
mil The subjects Of internal improvements, clai
un. lug tho interest and good will Of ai, has, nev
ties theless, been the basis sf much political disc
=. q sion, aud mas stood US deep craven line betw
lion statesmen Of emiuent ability and patriotism
irsd The rule Of strict construction Of all powers
,her eguted by the States TO the general govern'n
hum has arruyed itself, from time TO time, against
and rapid progress Of the expenditures from the
y tional treasury OH works Of local clara 'er WI
.,., In the States. Memorable un epoct ia the
.an. tory Of this subject is the message Of Presd
.,. Jackson. Of the 9th Of May; 1880, which
the system Of internal improvements il its CO
ueiy Init llnd he..u