The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-07


would be for the interest of proprietor, under like en-
cunssnces. thus to contribute 10 The co0sruoiio0 OF
these works For the practical operation OF such grants
thus far ia advancing the interests OF The States ~
which the works are located, aud al the same time the
substantial interests Of all the other States, ny eanen
cling the value and promoting The rapid sse OF me puoc
domain, refer you 10 the report OF the Secretary OF the
intenor A careful examination. however, whi snow
that this experience is the result oil lue DISQUALIFICATION
and will be lar irom adoding announcement 10 rcck
less or indiscrimnate extension OF the pIlnciple.
/ commend 10 your favorable consideration the men
OF genius OF country who, ny their inventions and
discoveries in and AT. have contributed largely
the improvements OF the age. Without IN many IN
Stances. securing fos themselves anything like ade-
quate reward. For many interesting details upon this
subject refer you to the appropriate reports. and espe
ciaIly urge upon your early attention the apparently
slight. but really important, notifications OF existing
laws therein suggested
The liberal spin, which has 80 long marked the action
oil Congress in relation TO the District OF Columbia, VIII
have no doubt continue TO be manifested.
The erection OF ssylum for the insane OF The Dis
ic OF Columbia aud OF tbs army and nayy OF the Un
demand for materials and labor during the past summer
but u preparation for the reception Of PATIENTS, before
the return ot another winter, anticipated and there IS
the best TO believe, from the plan and conem
plated arrasxemeuls which have been devised, with the
large experience furnished within the last few years
relation 10 the nature and treatment Of the disease that u
will prove asyum indeed 10 this most helpless and al
hiced class Of suteeTs and stand noble monument
wisdom and mercy.
Under the ac's OF Congress of August 81, 1852. and
Of Mach3 1853, designed 10 secure for the cities OF
Washington aud Georgetown an abundant supply OF
good and wholesome water, il became my duty 10 exam
the report and plans Of The engineer who bad charge
OF the surveys under the act first named The best II
not the only plan, calculated 10 secure permanently the
object sought was that which contsmplates aki0g the
from the Great Falls Of the Potomac, and,
quently, gave to il my approval.
For the progress and present condition OF this important
work, aud Tor Its demands, Tar appropriations are
concerned refer you 10 the report OF the Secretary OF
Wat
,;,i,o of he's
now been operation for so long period OF time, and
has. its general theory and much Of its Details become
so familiar TO the cnuntry. and acquired 50 entirely the
public confidence that II modified in any respect II should
only be in those particulars which may adapt the
increased extent, popnation and legal business OF the
United States In this relation, the organization OF The
courts is 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 ccu, being dsyolved on The district judges in
all those States, or parts OF States
The spirit OF the constitution and due regard 10 JUS
placed on The same footing in regard to the Judicial ri
bunals | therefore commend 10 your consler ration this
important subject, which, my Judgment, demands
SPEEDY acton o. Consfess will present % YOU u
mend Tor the enlargement and modification of the present
judicial system
The ACT OF Congress establishing the Smithsonian Ia.
su,ion provided that the President of the United States
and other persons therein designated, should constitute
an establishments BY ha, name, and that the members
should hold slated and special meetings tor the super
vison OF The affairs OF The Institution. The organization
not having taken place. seemed 10 proper that il
should be effected without delay. This has been done
and an occasion thereby presented for inspecting the
condition ofihe Institution, and apprecang its
ful progress thus far and its high promise OF great and
general usefulness.
have omitted 10 ask your favorable consideration for
the estimates OF works OF local character in twenty
OF the thiTtyone States, amounting to one million
hundred and fifty thousand tive hundred dol
lars, because, independently OF the grounds which have
often been urged against the application the federal
for works of this character inequality with
sequen injustice il inherent in the OF the PROPOSE
lon and because the plan has proved entirely inadequate
10 the accomplishment 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 dscu sson and has stood
deep craven line OF division between statesmen OF
eminent ability and patriotism. The rule OF strict con-
suciion OF all powers dele Iated by the States the
general government has arayed Itself from lime time.
axainst the rapid progress OF expenditures from the
i,oual treasury works of local character within
States Memorable ~ an epoch in The history OF this
subjec! Is the message OF President Jackson OF The 9Th
OF May 1880, which met the system of internal improve
mel ~ lis comparative infancy bat rapid had been
is growth that the projected in that
Tor works OF this character had the zlAr ming
amount OF more than one hundred millions OF dosrs
In thai message the President admitted the dcuty OF
bringing back the operations OF the government to the
construction OF the constitution up 1885, aud marke
- an sdmonitoy proof Of the necessity Of guarding
that instrument With seep'ess vigilance against the
thoriy OF precedens which had not the sanction OF its
most plainly defined powers
Our government exists under written compact be-
tween sovereign States, uniting for specific objects, and
with specific grants TO their general agen, Ii, then, in
the progress OF it's there have been de-
pafurea from the terms and latent OF the compact, il
and will ever be- proper to refer back 10 The liked stand
ard which our fathers left and TO make effort
TO conform our action TO H. II would that the fact
OF principle having been resisted from The fret BY many
OF the wlsest and mos patriotic oil The republic. and
policy having provoked constant Strife without
lag a conclusion which can be regarded satisfactory
TO ls most earnest advocates should suggest the inquiry
whether there may be plan likely to be crowned by
happier resuli-. Without perceiypy any sound dsnc
uon or intending to assert principle opposed 10
needed Tor the protection OF internal com
the seaboard for the protection OF foreign
submit TO yoa whether Il may not be safely anticipated
tha II the policy settled agans spproprIa-
mons by ihs general government or local improvements
Tor the benefit OF commerce, localities requiring expend
torres would not, by modes and means clearly legitimate
and proper, RAISE the fund for snch c0nstnc
IONS as safety or other interests OF their commerce
nigh; require
L thai can be regarded a system. which. in the
penence OF more than thirty years, has Al time 30
comm anded the public judgment give tbs character
oil settled po'cy-wnch, though II has produced
works o. conceded importance, has been attended with
an expenditure quite disproporuona,e to their value.snd
has Resulted IN squanderng large upon objects
winch nave answered no valuable purpose be Interests
OF all the States require be abandoned unless hopes
may be INDUCED for the future which find no warrant in
the past.
With anxious desire for the completion OF the work
which regarded by all good citizens with sincere in
teresf have deemed i my duty to ask your hands
deliberate reconsideration OF the question: with hope
Substantial interests Of the country, your VISION NAV
equal to the task OF devsing and maturing ola
which. applied TO this eubjeci may promise someth M
better tnao constant STRIFE the SUSPENSION OF the powers