Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-10

last, under tho act OF llth February 1871, calling
for twelve millions eight hundred and scventy-nine
thousand two hundred and eighty acres under
acts of September 2S, 1850, and March %, 1852
calling for twelve millions five hundred and five
thousand three hundred and sixty acres; making
total of twenty-five millions three hundred and
eighty four thousand six hundred and forty acres
" 1t is believed that experience has verified the
wisdom and Justice Of the present system, with re-
gard to the public domain, in most essential par
ticularS.
You will perceive, from the report of the Secrc-
tary of the Interior, that opinions, which have Of
ten been expressed in relation to the operation oi
the land system, as not being Il source OF revenue
to the federal treasury, were erroneous. The net
profits from the sale Of the public lands to June
30, 1858, amounted TO the sum of ilty-threc mil
lions two hundred and cighty-ninc thousand four
hundred aud sixty five dollars.
l recommend the extension Of tue land system
over the Territories Of Utah and New Mexico, with
such notifications their pcculiaritcs may re-
quirc. -.ls.
Regarding our public donain,as chiefly valuable
to provide homes for the industrious aud cnlcrpriS
ing, | am not prepared to recommend any essential
change in the land system, except by notifications
in favor Of the actual settler, and an extension Of
the prc-cmptiom principle i'll certain cases, for
sous, anu on grounds, which will be fully develop
cd in tho reports to be laid before YOU.
Congress, representing the proprctorS of the
territorial domain, and charged especially with
power TO dispose of territory belonging To the
United States, has, for long course OF wears, be-
Cunning with the administration of Mr.. Jstfcrsou,
exercised the power to construct roads within the
territories; and there are SO many and Obvious
distinctions between this exercise Of rowei and
that Of making roads within the States, That The
former has ncv CT been considered subject To such
objections aS apply to the latter, and sucll,may
now br considered the settled construction OF The
power OF the federal government uEou tho subject.
Numerous applications have been, and no doubt
viii continue 10 be, made Tor grants OF lmid, in aid
al tho construction OF railways. II is not believed
to hc within the iutcnt and meaning Of the colst-
tuton that The power to dispose Of the public do
main, should he used otherwise than might he en-
pcctcd from prudent proprietor, and, therefore,
that grants of land TO aid in the constructions Of
roads should he restricted TO cases. Wberu II would
bc Tor the interest OF proprietor, under like cir
Gums. .anccS thus to contribute to the construction
OF these works. For ;lic practical operation Of
such giants thus far. IN advancing the interests Vi
The States III which The works arc located, and at
the same time the Substantial interests Of all the
other States, by cnlaucmg the value and prolrot
ing the rapid sale Of The public domain, refer you
to the report Of The Secretary ol t!ic Interior. 4
careful examination, however, viii show that this
cApcricilcC is !hc result ol Just determinations
and will be- far from al0rdlng encouragement 10 II
reckless or indiScrminatc extension of tic prilci.
pie.
| commend 10 your favorable consideration the
men Of gcns OF oar country, who, by their invcn
tiOS and discoveries IN SCIENCE ald art, havc CON
tributed largely 10 The improvements of The age,
without IN nauy instances. secHri@e IorthemScycS
auyihing like an adequate reward For many in
lcrcsting details upon This subject refer YOU 80
tc appropriate reports, aud especially urge upon
yuur carly attention the apparently Slight, but re-
ally important, notifications o! existing laws there
iu suggested.
I'hc liberal spirit which has 50 long marked The
action Of Congress IN relation 10 tho District o
Columbia. will, have no doubt, continue 10 tc
manifested
The erection OF an sylum for tho insane OF the
District OF Culuubia aud of The army aud navy 0i
the Il. States, has been somewhat retarded, by The
great demand for materials and labor during the
past summer; but full preparation for the recep-
ton of patients. before the return OF another Win
ter is anticipated aud there is the best reason TO
believe, lruti the plan aud contemplated arrange
montS which have bccn devised, with the large eS-
pcriclcc furnished within the last few yeats i'll
ation TO the nature aud treatment Of the disease,
that it will prove an asylum indeed 10 this most
helpless and afflicted class of sufferers, and stand
as il noble monument of wisdom and mercy.
- l-nd..T The acts OF Congress OF August 81, lS52,
and of March 3, 1858, designed to secure for the
cities ofWaShngton aud Georgetown, AN abundant
supply Of good and wholesome water, II became
my duty Ia examine the report and plans ot tlic en-
ginncr who had Charge OF the surveys under the
act first naucd. The best, if not the only plan,
calculated to secure permanently the object sought,
was that which contcmp9tcs taking the water from
the Great Falls Of the Potomac, and, consequently,
| gave to it NV approval.
For the progress and present condition ol this
important work, and for its demands, 50 far as ap
preparations are concerned, refer you to the re-
port OF the Secretary of War.
The present indicial system Of the u. States has
now been in operation for so long period of time,
and has, in It's general theory and much OF its de-
tails, become So familiar to the country, and ac-
quircd so cntircly the public confidence, that if
modified in any respect, it should only be in those
particulars which may adapt it to the Increased
extent, population, and legal business of the Unit
cl STATES, In this relation, the organization of the
courts is uow cppicsScdly inadequate to the duties
TO he periormed hy them; in eonscquenceof which,
the States of Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas, and
California, and districts of other States. in et.
feet excluded from the full benefits Of the general
system 10y the functions of the circuit court being
dcvovcd on the district Judges in all those States,
or parts Of States.
The spirit OF tic constitution aud due regard
to Justice require that all the States OF the Union
should he placed the same footing in regard TO
the judicial Tribunals. ] therefore commend to
yoGr consideration this important subject, which,
in my Judgment, demands the speedy action OF
Congress. | will present TO you. If deemed deSir
able, plan, which am prepared torccommcnd, to
for the enlargement and modification OF the pre-
sent judicial system. vi
The act uf Congress establishing the Smithsonian
Il Al
ted States, and other persons therein designated.
should constitute an establishment 10y tat name,
and that lhc members should hold stated and spe-
cal meetings for tie supervision Of the affairs Of
the Institution. The organization not having ta-
ken place, it sccncd TO me proper that il sllond
he effected without delay. This has been done;
aud an occasion WAS thereby presented for inspect
ing the condition OF the Institution, and appreciat
ing lis succcssful progress thus far, aud its high
promise ot great and general usefulness.
have omitted TO ask your favorable coDsidera-
ticn for The estimates of works of local character
in twenty seven of the tirtv-one States, amount
ing to one million seven hunored and ffty-lour
thousand FIVE hundred dollars, because, iudepend-
emily of the grounds which have Oilcu been nrg-
ell against the application oi the federal revenue
for works Of this character, inequality with couSc-
tucrt ustice is inherent in the nature Of the pro-.
position, and because the pian bas proved entirely
inadequate to the Accomplishment Of the objects
sought.
The subject Of internal improvements, claiming
alike the interest and good will Of all, has, never
thecSs, been the basis of much political discus
sion, and has stood as deep craven linc of diyis-
ion between statesmen Of eminent ability and patri-
oiSm. The rule of strict construction of all pow.
crs delegated by the States to the geuelal govern
Hcnt has araycd itself, tlom time to time, against
the rapid progress Of expenditures from tho nation
al treasury on works OF losa character within the
States. Memorable rs 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