The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-12-15

grants Of land, in aid Of the construction
of railways. II is not believed 10 be within
the intent & meaning Of the Constitution,
shas the power to dispose Of the public
domain, should be used otherwise than
might be expected from prudent propri.
etor. and. therefore. that grants of land TO
aid 10 the construction Of roads should be
restricted to cases, where it would be to
the interest of proprietor. under like
circumstances, thus to contribute 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 oca-
ted, and at the same time the substantial
interests to all the other States, By enhan
; cling the value and promoting the rapid
sale Of the public domain, | refer you to
: the report of the Secretary Of the lnteri-
or. A careful examination. however, will
. show that this experience is the result of
just discrimination, and will be far from
affording encouragement 10 reckless or
indiscriminate extension Of principle.
/ commend TO your favorable consider
alton the men of genius Of our country
who, by their inventions and discoveries
in science and art, have contributed large.
ly TO the improvements of the age, with
out, in many instances securing for them.
selves anything like an adequate reward.
For many interesting details upon this
subject refer you 10 e appropriate re.
ports and especially urge upon your early
attention the apparently slight, but really
import mt notifications Of existing laws
therein suggested.
The liberal spirit which has SO long
marked the action OF Congress in relation
to the District Of Columbia, will, have
no doubt, continue TO be manifested.
The erection OF an asylum tor the in
sane OF the District OF Columbia, anC
eof the army an navy Of the Il. S, hai
been somewhat retarded. b, the great de
mand for materials aud labor during the
past summer; but iu preparation Tor the
reception OF patients before the return .
another winter. is anticipated; and there
is the best reason to believe from the plan
and contemplated arrangements which
have been devised, win the large expe
riecne furnished within the disease. thai il
will prove an asylum indeed to this most
hopeless and afflicted class OF sufferers.
and stand as noble monument Of wisdom
and mercy.
Under the acts of Congress Of Angus,
Sl.l852 and March 8, 1853 desi Sned to
secure for the cilies OF W ashington aud
Georgetown an abundant supply OF goot
and wholesome water; il became my du
ty TO examine the report and plans Of the
engineer who had charge Of the survey,
under the act first named The best !
not the only plan, calculated TO secure
permanently the object sought, was tha
which contemplates taking the water from
the Great Falls Of The Potomac. and. con
sequenty | gave to it my approval.
For the progress aud present condition
of this important work, and Tor its de
nands. so far as appropriations are con
cerned, | refer you TO the report Of th'
Secretary oil War.
d. The present Judicial system OF the Uni
ted States has ow been in operation fol
no long period cf lime, aud has, in it.
general theory and much oil its details
become so familiar to The country. anC
acquired so entirely the public conf Ience
that if modified in any respect, it should
only be in those particulars which may
adapt il to the INCREASED extent. popuIa
tion, and legal business of the UuiIed
States In this relation the organ lzalior
of courts is now conIeSsediy inadequate
TO the duties to be performed by them; ir
consequence Of which, the States oi Flo
rida, Wsco sin, Iowa, Texas ana Cali
fornia. and districts ot other States, are
in effect excluded from the full benefit o
the general system. by The functions o.
the cireuil court being devoIved on the
district judges 10 those States, or parts d
States. ,a1, .....
.y The spirit Of the Constitution. and q
due regard 10 justice. require that oil the
States of the Union should be placed OF
,the same footing in regard 10 the judicial
tribunals. | therefore commend to your
consideration this important subject
which, in my judgement, demands the
speedy action OF Congress | will presen
+ TO sou, Il deemed desirable, plan, which
lam prepared TO recommend, for the
enlargement and modification OF the pres
ent Judicial system.
' The act OF Congress establishing the
Smithsonian Institution provided that the
President of the United Slates, aud other
persols therein designated should con
stiiu.e an establishment" by that name.
and that the members should mold stated
and special meetings lor the supervision
Of the affairs OF the Iu,ltuton, The or
ganization moi having taken place. it
seemed 10 me proper that it should be ei
iected without delay. This has been
e donei aud an occasion was thereby pre-.
asnled ior inspecting the condition oi the
institution. and apPreeising It's success
flll progress thus far and lis high promise
Of great and general usefulness.
ts- ] have omitted TO ask your favorable
consideration for tho estimates oi works
OF local character in twenty seven ot
the thirty.one States, amounting TO one
million seven hundred and fiji, -four thou.
sand five hundred dollars, because, indie.
pendenlly oil the grou ds which so often
have been urged against the application
il the federal revenue for works ol his
4 character. inequality with consequent in
justice Is inherent in the nature OF tho
proposition, and because the plan has
proved entirely inadequate TO the accom-.