Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-12-15

30, 1888. amounted 10 the sum of fifty
three million Two hundred and eighty mine
thousand four hundred and s:xty-fiye dol
lars. ! recommen ded the extension OF
the land system over the territories OF
Utah and New Mexico. with such modi-
fica.Ions as their peculiarties may r.
q';re.
Regarding our public domain as chiefly
valuable To provide homes for the indus
,rious and enterprising, am not prepar-
ed TO recommend any essential change In
the land system. except by notifications
in favor of the actual settler. and an ex-
tension of the pre- -emption principle. in
certain classes for reasons and on grounds
which will be fully developed in the re-
ports to be laid before you.
Congress representing the proprle!ors
sf the territorial domain. and charged es
pecially with power to dispose of terri
tory belonging to the United States. has
for long course ofyears. beginning with
the administra ton Of Mr. Jefferson, eX-
ercised the power to construct roads
within the territories, and there are so
manv and such obvious. distinc tions be-
tween this exercise of power, and that
OF making roads within the States. that
the former has never been considered SUBJ
lect to such objections as apply to the lat
ter, and such may be considered the set
tied construction Of the power Of the
Federal Government upon the subject.
Numeros applications have been and
no doubt will continue TO be made for
grants of land in aid of the construction
Of railways. II is not believed 10 be
within the intent and meaning of the Con-
stitution, that The power to dispose Of the
public domain should be used otherwise
than might be expected from a prudent
proprietor, and therefore that grants OF
land to aid in the construction of roads
should be restricted 10 cases where it
would be for the interest of proprie tor
under like circumstances thus 10 contrib
ute 10 the construction of these works.
For the practical operation of such
grants thus far i'll advancing the interests
of the States in which the works are To-
Gated, and at the same time the subStan-
tial interests in all the other States, by
enhancing the value and promoting the
rapid sales of the public domain. refer
you TO the report of the Secretary of the
Interior. "A careful examination, however,
will show that this experience is the
suit ola just discrimination, and will be
far from af1ording encouragement. 10
reckless or indiscriminate extension of
the principle.
| commend tn your favorable consider
ho &c Of
who by their inventions and discoveries
in science and art have contributed large
~ to the Improvements Of the age, with
out, In many instances, securing for
themselves anything Ike an adequate re-
ward. For many interesting details up
on this subject refer you TO the appro-
pirate reports. and especially urge upon
your early attention the apparently slight
but really important notifications Of ex-
listing 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 for the in
sane Of the Distric: of Columbia and of
the army and navy Of the United States,
has been sOmew hat retarded, by the 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 beleive. from
the plan and contemplated arrangements
which have been devised, with the large
experience furnished within the last few
years in relation to the nature and treat
ment Of The disease, that il will prove
an asylum indeed to this afflicted and
most hell less class of sufferers and stand
as a noble monument OF wisdom and mer-
cy.
Under the act of Congress of August
3lst. ! $50. and of March Sd. 1853, de-
signed to secure for the cities of Wash
ington and Georgetown all abundant sup
ply of good and wholesome water, ii be-
came my duty TO examine the report and
plans of the engineer who had charge of
the survey under the act first named
Tie best. if not the only plan, calculated
to secure permanently the object sought,
was that which contemplates taking the
water from the Great Falls of the Poto-
mac. and. consequently, gave 10 it my
approval.
For the progress and present condition
of this important work. and Tor its de-
mands, so far as appropriations are con
cerned, | refer you TO the Secretary of
War.
The present judicial system of the u
nited States has now been in operation
for SO long period of time, and has, in
its general theory. and much OF its de
tails, become SO familiar to the country,
and acquired So entirely the public conf
dcnce. that if modified in avery respect i;
should only be in those particulars which
mn ada nj II tn the increa sed eYfenf If