Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-12-16

mercy.
Under the nets of Congress Of August 81
1852, and of March 3, 1853, designed to Sc
cure for the cities of Washington and George
town an abundant supply Of good and whole
some water, it became my duty examine the
report and plans of the engineer who hlt
charge ofthe surveys under The act first named
The best, If not the only plan, calculated tc
secure permanently the ob ect sought. was that
WHICH contcmplates taking the weter from the
Great Falls of the Potomac, ai.d, consequently.
gave to it my approval.
For the progress and present condition OF
this important work, and for its demands, so
far as appropriations are 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 loag a
period of time, and has in ito general theory
and much of its details, become 50 famlia- 70
country, and acquired entirely ,hn public
confidence, that If modified in any respect, II
should only be in those particulars which may
adapt it to the increased extent, population, and
. legal business Of the United States.
In this relation the organization of the courts
is now confessedy inadequate to the duties to
be performed by them: in consequence Of
which, the states of Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa,
Texas and California, and districts of other
| States, are in effect excluded from the full
benefits of the general system, by the functions
of the circuit court being devolved on the dis
trict Judges in all those States or part of
States
The spirit of the constitution and due
I regard to Justice require that all the States Of
the Union should be placed on the same foot
ing in rcgnrd to judicial tribunals | therefore
commend to your consideration this important
subject, which, in my Judgment, demonds the
I,, rf | To
you, if 1 smod desirable, plan, which | am
prepared 10 rrcomm nd, for the enlargement
and modification of the present judicial system
The act of Congress establishing the Smith
sonnn Institution provided that the President
of the United States and other persons therein
designated, should constitute an "cstablsh-
mcnl' by that name, and the members should
hold stated and SPECIAL meetings. for the super
vision of the affairs oi the Institution.
The organization not having taken place, it
seemed tc me proper that it should be effected
without delay. This ha1 been don"; and an
occasion was thereby presented for inspecting
the condition of the Institution, and apprecial-
ing its successful progress thus far, ami It's
high promise OF great and general usefulness.
| have omitted to ask your favorable consi-
deraton for the estimates of work of local
character in twcnty-scvcn of the thirty one
and iily-fonr thousand FIVE hundred dollars,
because, independently of the grounds which
have SO cttcn bccr urged against the applica-
ton of tie federal revenue for works of this
character. inequality with consequent injustice
is inherent in the nature OF the proposition, and
because the plan has proved entirely made
nna'G to the ACCOMPLISHMENT of the objects
sought.
Tho subject of internal improvements claim
lnr al ':e the interest and good will of all, has,
nevertheless, been the basis of much polite
discus. On, and has stood deep craven line
of division ketwcon statesmen of eminent
abi y and patro .sn. IL r.lr + strlc, con-
structon # all po" crS delegated by the States
to the general government has arrlycd itself
from time TO time against the rapid progress Of
expenditures from the national treasury on
works of l1cal character wi'hn the 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
/ ot internal improvements in It's complrltlve in
fancy: bur so rapid had been lis growth. that
the projected appropriations in that year for
works of this character had risen 10 The u llrm-
ing amount of more than one hundred million
of dollars.
In that message he President admitted the
difficulty of brln ing back the operations of the
government to the construction of the cOnst-
tuition set up in l7!lS, and marked it an
admoaitory proof of the necessity of guarding
that instrument with Sccpleas vigilance against
the authority of rrcced,rt0 whi-h tad 10, the
sanction OF lts must planly defined powers.
Oar government exists under written
compact between sovereign States. uniting for
specific objects, and with specific grants to
rnnir general agent. Ii then in the progress
of its administration, there have been departures
from the terms and intent of the compact, it is,
and will ever De, proper to refer back to the
fixed standard which our fathers left us, and to
make n stern effort to conform our action to 1t.
1t would seem that the fact of principle
having been resisted from the first by many
of the wiseSt and most patriotic men OF the ret
public, and policy having provoked conStan-
strife, without arriving alta conclusion which
can be regarded as satisfactory to its most
earnest advocates, should suggest the inquiry
whether there may no! be plaza likely to be
crowned by happier results.
Without perceiylng any sound distinction, or
intending to assert any principle as opposed to
improvements needed for the protection of IN
ternal commerce, which does not equally app'y y
to improvements upon the seahoard for the pro
lection of foreign commerce, submit to vcn
whether it NAV not he safely anticipated thar, il
tons by the gGLera, gGYCrnment for local i'm
provements for the benefit OF commerce, locall-
ties requiring expenditures would not ty
modes and means clearly Legitimate and proper,
raise the fund necessary for su h constructions
as the safety or other interests OF their com
mcrce might require.
If that can be regarded as system, which
in the experience OF more than thHy years,
has at no time so commanded the public judy
mcnt as to give it the character of a settled
po icy-which, though 1t has produced some
works ofcouceded Importance, has been atten-
dcd with an expenditure cutie disproportonate
to their value,--and has re:ulted IN sQuander-
ING large suns upon objects which hageanswer-
ed no novaluable purpose the interests OF all the
States require il to De abandoned, unless hopes
may be indulgcd for the future when find no
warrant IN the past.
With an anxious desire for the completion
of the works which are regarded by all good
citizens with sincere interest, have deemed
it my duty to ask at your hands dcllhe-
rate reconsideration of the question, with n
=. homo that animated nv n desire to promote the