Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10

dred and sixty dollars.
recommend the extension Of the land system over the
Territories of Utah and New Mexico with such modifca
tons as their pecuiarities may require
Regarding public domain as chiefly valuable to pro-
vide homes for the industrious and enterprsing not
prepared to essential change In the land
SYSTEM except by notifications in favor Of the actual set
tier and extension of the presumption principle in
tain cases. for and grounds which will be fully
developed in the reports to be laid before you
Congress- representing the propretors of the territorial
domain and charged especially with to dispose OF
territory belonging the United States has for long
Of years. beginning with the administration of Mr.
Jefferson exercised the power TO construct roads within
the Territories and there so many and obvious dis
nctons between this exercise of and that of max
ing roads within the States that the former has
been considered subject such objections apply to the
latter and such may be considered the settled con-
structon of the power of the Federal Government upon
the subject
| Numerous applications have been, and doubt win
continue to be- made for grants of land in aid of the
strucon of railways 1t not believed to be within the
intent and meaning of the Constitution that the power to
dispose of the public domain should be used otherwise
than might be expected from prudent proprietor, and
therefore, that grants of land to aid in the construction Of
should be restricted to cases where would be for
the interest of proprietor, under like circumstances,
thus contribute the construction OF these works For
practical operation Of such grants thus far In adyanc
ing the interests of the States in which the works are To-
Gated and the time the substantial interests Of
ali the other States by enhancing the value and promo
the rapid sale of the public domain refer you to the
report of the Secretary of the Interior careful exam
suit of just discrimination and will be far from afford
ing encouragement to reckless or ndiscrminate extern
| sion of the principle.
commend to your favorable consideration the men of
genius of country who, by their inventions and dis
coveries in science and art have contributed largely to
the improvements of the age, without many instances,
securing for themselves any thing like adequate re-
ward For many interesting details upon this subject
refer you the appropriate reports and especially urge
upon your early attention the apparently slight but really
important notifications of existing laws therein suggested
rhn fubip p6 he
of Congress in relation to the District of Columbia WILL
have no doubt, continue to be manifested
The erection of 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 but full
preparation for the reception of PATIENTS before the re-
turn of another winter anticipated and there is the
best 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 and treatment of the disease, that it will
prove asylum indeed to this most helpless and afflicted
class of sufferers and stand noble monument Of wis
| dom and mercy.
Under the of Congress of August 81 1852 and of
March 1885, designed to secure TOR the cities OF Wash
ngton and Georgetown abundant supply of good and
wholesome water it became duty examine the report
plans of the engineer who had ahage OF the surveys
under the first named The best if not the only plan
calculated permanently the object sought
that which contempaes taking the water from the Great
Falls of the Potomac and consequently gave to it my
approval.
For the progress and present condition of this impor
tant work. and for its demands far appropriations
concerned refer to the report of the Secretary
| Of War;
The present judicial system of the United States has
been in operation for long period of time, and
has, in its general theory and much fits Details become
familiar to the country and acquired so entirely the
public confidence that modified in any respect should
only be in those particulars which may adapt to the
increased extent population and legal business of the
United States In this relation the organization of the
courts is confessedy inadequate to the duties to be
4 u
of Florida Wisconsin, Iowa. Texas and California and
districts of other States in effect excluded from the.
full benefits of the general system by the functions the
circuit court being devoved the district judges in all
| those States parts of States
The spirit of the constitution and due regard to JUS
tice require that all the States of the Union should be
placed the footing in regard to the judicial tri
bunas therefore commend to your consideration this
important subject which, in my Judgment demands the
speedy action OF Congress. will present to you,
deemed desirable, plan which am prepared to
mend for the enlargement and modification Of the pre-
| sent judicial system.
The act of Congress establishing the Smithsonian In
situton provided that the President of the United States
and other persons therein designated should constitute
an establishment by that name and that the members
should hold stated and special meetings for the superyi
sion Of the affairs Of the institution The organization
not having taken place, it seemed proper that it
should be effected without delay This has been done
and an occasion thereby presented for inspecting the
condition of the institution and approaching its success
full progress thus far, and its high promise Of great and
general usefulness.
10 favorable consideration Tor
the estimates of works Of local character in twenty
seven of the thirty-one States amounting million
hundred and ftyour thousand FIVE hundred dol
lars because, independently of the grounds which have
so often been urged against the application Of the Federal
revenue for works of this character inequality with
sequent injustice is inherent in the nature of the propo
ston and because the plan has proved entirely made
quate to 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 discussion and has stood
deep craven line of division between statesmen Of emf
nen ability and patriotism. The rule Of strict
ton Of all powers delegated by the States the General
Government has srrayed ITSELF from time to time against
the rapid progress Of expenditures from the National
Treasury works Of local character within the States
Memorable epoch in the history of this subject is
the message Of President jackson of the 9th Of May
$780, which met the system Of internal improvements in
its comparative infancy; but rapid had been its growth
that the projected appropriations In that year for works
Of this character had risen to the alarming amount Of
more than hundred millions Of dollars.
In that message the President admitted the difficulty
of bringing back the operations Of the Government the
construction of the constitution set in 179S and mark
ed 1t admonory proof of the necessity of guarding
that instrument with sleepess vigilance against the
horty of precedents which had not the sanction Of its
most plainly defined powers
| Our Government exists under a written compact be-
tween sovereign States uniting for specific Objects and
with specific grants TO their general agent IT, then, in
the progress of its administration there have been depar
lures from the terms and intent Of the compact Ii is and
viii be- proper to refer back to the fixed STANFORD
which fathers left us and to make stern effort to
conform action to It, IL would that the fact Of
principle having been resisted from the first by many
of the wisest and most patriotic OF the republic and
policy having provoked strife without arriving