Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-21

the army and navy Of the United States.
has been some what retarded, bythe great
demand for materials and labor during the
past summer; but full preparation for the
reception of patients, before the return of
another winter. is anticipated: and there
Is the best reason to believe, from the
plan andcontemplateda arrangements which
have been devised. with the large expe-
rtence furnished within the last few years
In relation to the nature and treatment of
the disease, that it will prove an assy-l
lum indeed to this most helpless and at
hIcted class of sufferers, and stand as a
noble monument of wisdom and mercy.
Under the acts of Congress of August
81. 1852, and of March 4. 1858, design
ed to secure for the cities of Washington
and Georgetown an abundant supply of
good and wholesome water, it became nv
duty to examine the report and plans -
the engineer who had charge ofst,bo ~
yeys under the act of frst -, Tue nut Tn
secure norn r-1 ~ plan, calculated to
secure ,sss e...anentiy the object sought,
- lat which contemplates taking the
water from the Great FAILS of the Poto-
mac and, consequently. gave to it my
approval.
For the progress aud present condition
OF this important work, and for its de-
mands, SO far as appropriations arc con-
cerned, refer you TO the report CT 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 and much OF its details, be-
come so familiar to the country. and ac-
quired so entirely the public confidence,
that It modified in any respect, it should
only be in these particulars which may
adapt 1t to the increased extent. popula-
ton. and legal business of the United
States. In this relation, the organization
OF the courts Is now confessedly made
quate to the duties to be performed by
them in consequence of which, the
States of Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tex
as, 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 devolved on
the district judges in all those States, or
parts of States
The spirit of the constitution and due
) of the Union should be placed on the same
footing in regard to the judicial tribunals
L therefore commend to your considera-
ton this Important subject, which, in my
judgement demands the speedy action of
Congress. l will present to you. if deem
ed desirable, plan which l am prepared!
to recommend, for the enlargement and
modification of the present. judicial sys-
TEN.
The act of Congress establishing the
) Smithsonian Institution provided that the
President of the United States, and other
: persons therein designated, should con-
stitute an establishment by that name,
and that the members should hold stated
meetings for the supervision of the affairs
of the Institution. The organization not
having taken place, it seemed to me pro
per that it should be effected without de-
lay. This has been done; and an occasion
was thereby presented for inspecting the
condition of the Institution, aud apprecia-
ting its successful progress thus far. and
its high promise of great and general use
fulness.
! have omitted to ask your favorable
consideration for the estimates of works
of y local character in twenty seven of
the thirty-two States, amounting one mill
ion seven-hundred and fifty-four thousand
five hundred dollars, because, indepen-
IDENTIFY of the grounds which have so of
ten been urged against the application of
the federal revenue for works of this char
acter, inequality with consequent inlus-
tice is inherent in the nature of the pro-
position. and because the plan has proved
entirely inadequate to the accomplishment
of the subject 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 a deep craven line of division between
statesmen Of eminent ability and patriot
ism. The rule of the strict construction
of all powers delegated by the States to
the general government has arrayed it.
self from time to time. against the rapid
progress of expenditures from the national
treasury on works Of local character with
in the States. Memorable as an epoch in
the history OF this subject is the message
| of President Jackson, of the 9th of May,
| 1880, which met the system of internal
! improvements in its comparative infancy;
but so rapid had been its growth, that the
projected appropriations in that year for
works of this character had risen to the
alarm; .rg amount of more than one hun
dred milliCus of dollars.
In that messS "a the President admitted
the difficulty of br,.,, giHg back the opera
tons of the government % INC construction
of the constitution setup in I'e.end mar
ked it as an admonitory proof OF Ire ne
cessity of guarding that instrument win
sleepless vigilance against the authority o. ,
precedents, which had not sanction of its
most plaiuly-det fined powers