Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-16

The amount received therefore, was 623,637
dollars. The quantity sold the second and
third quarters of the year 1883, was l,609.9l9
acres; and the amount received therefore, 2, 226,
S75 dollars.
The whole number Of land warrants issued
Under existing laws, prior to the 30th OF Sep
tember last was two hundred and slxty-slx
thousand and forty two; Of which there were
outstanding, at that date; sixty-six thousand
nine hundred aud forty seven. The quantity of
land required to satisfy these outstanding war
rants IS four million seven hundred and seventy
eight thousand one hundred ard twenty acres.
Warrants have been issued to Both of Sep
tember last. under the act of llth February
1877, calling for twelve million eight hundred
and seventv-nine thousand fwo hundred and
eighty acres; under acts Of September g, 1850,
and March Y, 1852, calling for twelve million
five hundred and Ave thousand three hundre,l
and sizey acres; rrtsssss1ss totcf Ufsr7ssst5 Gee
million 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
regard to the public domain, in most essential
particulars.
You will perceive the report Of the Secretary
of the interior that opinions, which have often
been expressed i'll relation to the operation OF the
land system, as not being s3urca of revenue
to the federal treasury, were erroneous. The
nett profits from the sale OF the public lands to
June 30,s 1858, amounted to the sum OF fifty
three million two hundred and eighty nine thou
sand four hundred and SiXty-fye dollars.
| recommend the extension Of the land syS-
TEN over the Territories Of Utah and New Mex
leo, with such notifications as their peculiari-
ties may require.
Regarding our public domain as chiefly
valuable to provide homes for the Industrious
and enterprsing, | am not prepared to recon-
mend any essential change IN the land system,
except by notifications III favor of the actual
settler, and an extension OF the pre-emptlOn
principle in certain cases, for reasons, and on
grounds which will be fully developed in the
reports to be laid before you.
Congress, representing the proprietors Of the
territorial domain, and charged especially with
power to dispose OF territory belonging to the
United States, has, tor hong course of years,
beginning with the administration, Of MIR. JET
terSon, exercised the power to construct roads
within the territories; and there are SO maay
and obvious distinctions between this exercise
of power and that of making roads within the
States, that the former has never been consid-
cred 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 upon 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. IS
to dispose of the public domain, should be used
otherwise than might be expected from fru-
dent proprietor, and therefore, that grants of
i BE rtstfitted to Cases where It would be tor the
interest OF a proprietor, under like circumstan
ceS, thus to contribute To the construction OF
these works. For the practical operations of
such grants, thus far, III advancing the interests
of the States in which the works are located
and at the same time the substantial interests
of all the other States, by enhancing the value
and promoting the rapid sale of the public
domain, | refer you 10 the report of the Secre-
tary OF the Interior. A careful eXamination,
however, will show that this experience is the
result of just discrimination and will be far
from aifordlhg encouragement 70 q reckless or
indiscriminate extension of the principle.
commend to your favorable consideration
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 instances, securing
for themselves any thing like an adequate
reward. For many interesting details on this
subject, / refer you to the appropriate reports,
and especially urge upon your early attention the
apparently slight, but really important, modif-
cations of existing laws therein suggested.
The liberal spirit which has so long marked
the action of Congress in relation to the Dis
trict ofColum5ia will, / have no doubt, con-
tinue to be manifested.
The erection of an asylum for the insane Of
the District of Columbia, and of 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 prePera-
tlontor the reception of patients, before the
return OF another wluteris anticipated; and there
is the best reason to believe, from the plan
and contemplated arrangements which have
been devised, with the large experience fur.
nished within the last few wears in relation to
the nature ana treatment of the disease. that it
will prove an asylum indeed TO the most help
less and afflicted class of sufferers. and stand
as q noble monument of wisdom and mercy.
Under the act of Congress of August 81,
1852, and of March 3, 1853, designed to secure
for the cities of Washington and Georgetown
an abundant supply Of good and wholesome
water, 1t became my duty to examine the report
and plans OF the engineer who had charge OF
the surveys under the act firss 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 ofthe Potomac, and consequently gave
it my approval.
For The progress and present condition of
this important work, and for its demands, so
tar 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 long
period Oftime, and has, in its general theory
and much Of its details, become so familiar to
the country, and acquired so entirely the pub
lie confidence, that if modified in any respect,
it should be in those particulars which may
adapt il to the increased extent, pepulat on,
and legal business Of the United States. In
this relation, the organization of the courts is
eOnfessedly inadequate to the duties to be per-
formed 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 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 foot
ing in regartf TO the judicial tribunals, there
Tore commend to your consideration this
important subject, which, in my Judgment,
demands the speedy action of Congress. L