Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1853-12-22

ject sought, was that which contem-
plates taking the water from the
Great Falls Of the Potomac, and, con-
sequently, gave to it my approval.
For the progress and present con-
dition Of this important work, and
for its demands, so FAR as appropria-
tons are concerned, | refer you to
the report of the Secretary of War.
The present judicial system of the
United StatesYhas now been in ope-
ration for so long a period of time,
and has, in its general theory and
much Of its details, become so fimil-
lar to the cou ntry, and acquired so
entirely the public confidence, That if
modjGed in any respect, it Should
only be in those particulars which
may adapt it to the increased extent,
population, and legal business Of the
United States In this relation the
organization Of the. courts is now
confessedly inadequate TO the duties
10 be performed by them; in conse-
quence Of which the States of Flor
ida, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas, and Cal
ifornia, and districts Of other States.
are in effect excluded from the full
benefits of the general system, by
the functions of the circuit court be-
ing deyolved 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
'alI the States of the Union should be
placed upon the same footing in re-
gard to the judicial tribunals. /
therefore commend to your conside-
ration this important subject; which,
III my judgment, demands the speedy
action of Congress. ! will present
to you, if deemed desirable, a plan,
which l am prepared to recommend,
for the enlargement { nd modification
Of the present judicial system.
The act of Congress establishing
the Smithsonian Institution, provided
that the President of the United
States, and other persons therein des-
ignated, Should constitu tie an 'estab-
lishment' by that name, and that the
members should hold sta ted and spe-
cial meetings for the sd peryi4ion of
the affairs Of the Institution. The
organization not having taken place,
it seemed to me proper bat it should
be effected without delay. This has
been dc me; and an occasid n was there
by presented for inspecting the con-
dition of the Institution thus far, and
its high promise of great and general
usefulness.
have omitted to ash your favor
able consideration for the estimates
Of works of a local charaet Ter in twenty
seven Of the thilty-on e States, a.
mounting 10 one million seven hun
bred and flty-four thousa nd five hun
drcd dollar ), because independently
OF the grou Ids which have so often
been urged pgainst the application of
the federal feEenue'for works Of this
char lcter, inequality with consequent
Injustice is Inherent in the nature Of
the lropositipn, and because the plan
has proved entirely inadequate to the
accomplishments of the objects sought.
The subject Of internal improve
ments, claiming alike the interest and
good will of all, has, nevertheless,
been the basis Of much political dis
cussion, and has stood as deep gra-
ven line Of division between states
men of eminent ability and patriot
ism. The rule OF. strict construction
y an powers lueIeSateu Wy the 'otateS
ID the genen IL government has ar
-ayed ITSELF fpm time to time, against
,he rapid progress of expenditures
rom the national treasury on works
# Il local character within the States.
Memorable as; epoch in the history
If this subject is the message of
President jackson. of the 9th of
Way, 1880, which met the system of
Internal Improvements in its eompar-
tive infancy; but SO rapid has been
IS growth, that the projected appro-
'riations in that year for works Of
his character bad risen to the alarm
ng amount Of more than one hun
red million dollars.
In that message The President ad- /
nitted the difficulty Of bringing back
be operations Of the government TO
he construction of the constitution
ct up in 1898, and marked it as an
dmonitory propf of the necessity Of
uarding that Instrument with sleep 5
sss vigilance dgainst the authority
f Precedents, which had not the |
motion of its most plainly defined i
overs