The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-12-15
NO. T..

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of power and that of making roads with
in the States, that the former has never
been considered subject to such objections
as apply to the latter, and such may now
be considered the settled construction of
the power of the. federal government up
on the subject.
Numerous applications have been, and
no doubt will continue to be, made for
grants of land, in aid Of the construction
of railways. 1t is not believed to be
within the intent and meaning of the
Constitution, that the power to dispose of
the public domain, should be used other
wise than might be expected from pru-
dent proprietor, and, therefore, that grants
of land to aid in the construction of roads
should be restricted to cases where it
would be for the interest of proprietor,
under like circumstances, thus to contrib
ute to the construction of these works
For the practical operation of such grants
thus far, in advancing the interests of
the States in which the works are located,
and at the same time the substantial in
terests of all the other States, by en-
HANGING the value and promoting the rap
id sale Of the public domain, / refer you
to the report of the Secretary of the In
terror. A careful examination, however,
will show that this experience is the re-
suit of just discrimination, and will be
far from affording encouragement to a
4 reckless or indiscriminate extension of
the principle.
| commend to your favorable consid-
Grafton the men of genius of our country,
who, by their inventions and discoveries
in science and art, have contributed
largely to the improvements of the age,
without, in many intances, securing for
themselves anything like an adequate re-
ward. For many interesting details upon
this subject refer you to the appropriate
reports, and especially urge upon your
early attention the apparently slight, but
really important, notifications of exist
ing laws therein suggested.
The liberal spirit which has so long
marked the action of Congress in rela-
ton to the District of Columbia will, I
have 10 doubt, continue to be manifested.
The erection of an asylum for the in
I
the army and navy of the United States,
has been somewhat retarded, by the great
demand for materials and labor during
the past summer; but full preparation for
the reception of patients, before the re-
J turn of another winter, is anticipated;and
there is the best reason to believe, from
the plan and contemplated arrangements
which have been devised, with the large
experience furnished within the last few
years in relation to the nature aud treat
ment of the disease, that it will prove an
asylum indeed to this most helpless and
afflicted class of sufferers, and stand as
noble monument of wisdom and mercy.
Under the acts of Congress of August
81, 1852, and of March 8, 1853, designed
to secure for the cities of Washington 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 Potomac, and,
consequently, l gave to it my approval
For the progress and present condition
of this important work, and for its de-
mands, SO far as appropriations are con-
cerned, | refer you to the report of the
Secretary of War.
The present judicial system of the Uni
ted States has now been in operation for
so long period of time and has in its
general theory aud much of It's details,
become so familiar to the country, and
acquired so entirely the public confidence,
that if modified in any respect, it should
only be in those particulars which may
adapt it to the increased extent, popula
tion, and legal business of the United
States. In this relation the organiza-
ton of the courts is now confessedly in
adequate to the duties to be performed
by, them; insconsequence 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 devol-
we'd 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 judicial
tribunals. | therefore commend to your
consideration this important subject,
which, in my judgment, dem ands the
speedy action of Congress. l will pre-.
sent to you, if deemed desirable, plan
which | am prepared to recommend, for
the enlargement of the present judicial
system.
The act of Congress establishing the
Smithsonian Institution provided that the
President of the United States, and 9TH
er persons therein designated, should con-
stitute an establishment by that name,
and that the members should hold stated
and special meetings for the supervision
Of the affairs of the Institution. The or