Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16

nave OStu ucNlSSus WIN Tic idi -rrc Ca
perience furnished within the last few
years in relation to the nature and
treatment of the disease, that it win
prove an asylum indeed to this most
helpless and afflicted class of sufferers,
and stands as a noble monument Of
wisdom and mercy. ,.r.a tsf
Under the acts Of Congress Of August
81, 1852 and Of March 8. 1853, design
ton and Georgetown an abundant supply
of good and wholesome water, it became
my duty to examine the report and plans
Of the engineer who had charge of the
surveys under the act first named The
best, if not the only plan calculated to
secure permanently the object sought
was that which contemplates taking the
water from the Great Falls of the Poto-
mac, and, consequently gave it my ap-
provsl. - r-.....l.fs, fe.
For the progress and present condi-
ton Of this important work, and for its
demands, so far as appropriations are
concerned, / refer you to the report of
the Secretary Of War. i1oHa ..es.
The present judicial system of the
United States has now been in opera
tion for so long period OF time. and has,
in its general theory cnd much of its
details, become so familiar to. the coun-
try, and acquired SO entirely the public
confidence, that ii modified, in any re-
spect, it should only be in those particu-
lars which may adapt il 10 the increased
extent, population and legal business Of
the United States. In this relation, the
organization of the courts is now con-
fessedly 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 sys-
TEN, by the functions of the circuit court
being levolved on the district judges in
all those States, or parts Of States.
The spirit Of the Constitution, and a
due regard to justice require that all the
States Of the Union should be placed on
the same footing in regard to the iud :
cial tribunals. l there fore commend TO
your consideration this important sub
jcct, which in my judgment, demands the
speedy action OF Congress. | will pre-
sent TO you, IL deemed desirable, a plan,
which am prepared to recommend, for
the enlargement and modification OF the
present judicial sy stem.
The act Of Congress establishing the
Smit hsonian Institution provided that
the President Of the United States, and
other persons therein designated, should
constitute an "establishmentn by that
name, and that the members should hold
stated and special meetings for the super
vision OF the affairs Of that Institution -
The organization not having taken place,
1t seemed 10 me proper that II should be
effected without delay. This has been
done; and an occasion was thereby pre-
sented for inspecting the condition OF
the Institution, and appreciating It's sue
cessful progress thus far, and'its high
promise ofgreat and general usefulness.
have omitted to ask your favorable
consideration for the estimates Of works
OF local character in twen,y.seven Of
the thirty-one States, amounting to one
million seven hundred and fifty-four
thousand five hundred dollars, because,
independently of the grounds which
have so often been urged against the ap-
plication OF the federal revenue for works
Of this character, inequality with conse-
quent injustice Is inherent In the nature
OF the proposition, and because the plan
has proved entirely inadequate to the &C.
complishment OF the objects sought.
The subject of internal improvements,
claiming alike the interest and good will
OF all, has, nevertheless, been the basis
Of much political discussion, and has
stood as n deep craven line Of division
between statesmen Of eminent ability
and patriotism. The rule Of strict con.
struetion Of all powers delegated by the
Statcs 10 the general government has
arrayed itselI, from time 10 time, against
the rapid progress Of expenditures from
the national treasury on works OF a local
character within the States. Momora-
BILE as an epoch In the history Of this
subject In the message OF President Jack
son, Of tho 97th OF May, 1890, which
met the system of!nternal improvements
In Ia comparative infancy; but so rapid
had been Its growth that tho projected
appropriations In that year Tor works Of
this character had risen 10 tho alarming
amount Of more than ono hundred mil.
lions Of dollars.
In that message tho President admit.
ted the difficulty Of bringing back the
operations of the government 30 the con-
structlon OF the constitution set up In
1893, and marked II rs un admonitory
proof OF The necessity OF guarding that
instrument with sleepless vigilance
against the authority Of pre- sedents,
which had not the sanction Of It's most
plainly defined powers. Our govern,
mont exists under n written compnc
between sovereign states, uniting 70 =
specific objects, and with specific
grants to their general agent. II, then,
In the progress Of ts administration,
there have been departures from the
terms and intent OF the compact, Il H.,
and will ever be, proper TO refer back TO
the fixed standard which our fathers left
US, aud to make stern effort to con-
form our uctlon To IL.
IL would seem that tho fact Of a prn-
ciplc hav ing been resisted from the frat
by many of the wsest and most patriot.
ic men Of tho republic. and policy have
ing provoked constant strife, W ithout nr
irving at conclusion which cah be re-
gar dcd as satisfactory TO It's most earn.
est advocates, should suggest the enqui.
ry whether there may not be plan
likely TO be crowned by happier results
Without porcoiying any sound dlstinc-
ton, or intending 90 assert any prlnci-
pie ns opposed 10 improvements needed
for the protection of finternal commerce.
which does not equally apply 20 I'm provo.
ments upon the scaboard for the protec.
tion OF foreign oommei CO i submit TO you,
whether L may be safely anticipated that II
that policy wore once settled against ap.
propriaiions by the general government
/ for local improvements for the benefit
oi commerce., localities requ lflng expen.
dlIures would not, by modes and means
clehrly legitimate aud proper, raise the
fund necessary for such constructions NJ