Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-12-22
$500 PER ANNUM, In ADVANCE.


laIed to secure permanently the object
sough. was tha. which contemplaies
taking the water from the Great Falls Of
the Potomac, and consequently | gave IL
my approval. For the progress and
present condition Of this simportani work.
and for its demands so far as approIria,
tions are concerned, refer you TO the re-
port of the Secretary Of War.
The present Judicial system of the
United States has now been in operation
for so long period of time. and has. ia
its general theory and much Of iis de.
tails, become so familiar 10 the country,
and acquired so entirely the public con-
fidence, that, If modified in any respect.
il should only be in those particulars
which may adapt i, to The increased ex-
tent, population and legal business of tho
United States.
10 this relation, the Organization of
Courts is now confessedly inadequate TO
the duties to be performed by them, in
consequence of which the States of
Florida. Iowa, Texas and California. aud
districts of olher States. are, in effect.
excluded from the full benefits OF gene.
raj sy stem, by the functions Of the Circuit
Court being devolved on the District
Judges in all those States or paris Of
States. w
The spirit OF the constitution and q
due regard TO justice. require that all the
States Of The Union should be placed on
the same footing in regard to the judicial
irihn ort II th
consideration This impor,an, subject,
which. in my judgment, demands the
speedy action OF Congress. will pre-.
sent to you. IL deemed advisable, plan
which am prepared 10 recommend for
the enlargement and modification of the
present judicial ~ stem. as
The &C, of Congress establishing the
Smithsonian Institution, provided ihst
the President Of the United States. and
other persons therein designated, should
constitute an establishment by tha, name,
and that the members should hold stated
and special meetings. Cor the supervision
Of The affairs of the institution. The
organic alton no, having taken place. il
seems to me proper that il should be
effected without delay. This has been
done, and an occasion was thereby
presented for inspecting the condition of
inc institution, aud sPprecia,ing its sue
cessful progress thus far, and its high
promise of grea, and general usefulness.
have omitted TO ask your favorable
considera ton for The estimates Of works
of a local character in twenty. seven Of
the thirty one States, amounting to Sl.-
754, 5000, because, independently of the
grounds which have so often been urged
against the application OF the federal
revenue for. works Of this character,
inequality. with consequent in justice. 10
inherent in the nature OF The proposition.
and because the plan has proved entirely
inadequate to The accomplishment, Of the
object sought.
The subject of internal improvements.
claiming alike the interests and good will
Of oil, has nevertheless been the basis Of
much political discussion, and has stood
as deep craven line of division be,ween
statesmen of eminent ability and pat
rio,ism. The rule Of strict construction
of all powers delegated by the States to
The General Government. had arrayed
itself. from time TO lime, against tho pro-
gress OF expenditures from the national
treasury on works OF local character
within the United States. Memorable
as an epoch in the history of this subject,
is the message OF President Jackson, of
The 9th of May. 1890, which met the
system Of internal improvements in its
comparative infancy, bu: so rapid had
been lis growth. that the projected ap-
preparations in that year for works Of
this character. had risen to the alarming
amoun, Of more than SlOO 900 900.
In that message, the President ad.
mit,ed the difficulty Of bringing back the
operations Of the Government 10 that
construction of the constitution se, up
in 1898, and marked il as an admoni,ory
p!SS;;: oif inc necessity Of guarding tina,
instrument with sleepless vigilance, q.
gainst the authority Of precedents which
had not the sanction OF It's mosi plainly
defined powers.
Our Government exists under q writ.
ten compact between sovereign States.
nni'ing for specific objects and with
specific grants % their general agent. Ii I
then. III The progress Of its adminis,ra.
'inn, there have been departures from
The terms aud inients Of the comna.,
i. is and ever will be proper 10 refer back
10 The fixed standard which our fathers
lett us, aud to make a strung effort 10
confirm our actions to il. |, would seem
that The iaci OF principle having been
resisted rom the frs. by many Of the
w'ses' and most patriotic men Of the rs.
pubic, and policy having. proyoked
cons,an. strife. wi.hoa. arriving al :
eonc.usio" which can be rsgasded a.
satisfactory TO its mos, earnesi advocate.
should suggest the inquiry, whether ,hers
may 40, be a plan likely TO be crowned
by happier resul,s.
without psrceiving any sound d;..
'lnctlon, or intending 10 assert anv r,;r.
cipa' as opposed to improvements nnon
The seaboard. for the protection of1ors;gn
N IN M II