Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1853-12-15
lConrLuded from first pace. J


have been devised, with the large experience
furnished within the last few years in relation
TO the nature and treatment of the disease, that
it will prove an asylum indeed to this most help
less and afflicted class of sullcrcs and stand us
noble monument Of wisdom and mercy.
Under the acts of Congress of August 81 =,
1852, and of March 3, 1888, designed to Sc
cure for the cities of Washington and George
town an abundant supply of good and whole
some water, it became my duty to examine the
report and plans Of the engineer who had
charge Of the surveys under the first act
named. The best if not the only plan cal
cuNtcd to secure permanently the object
sought, was that which contcmpIutcs taking
the water from the Great Falls of the Potomac,
and, consequently, gave it my approval.
For the progress and present condition Of
this important work, and for its demands, so
far as appropriations arc concerned, | rcIcryou
to the report of the Secretary Of War.
The present judicial system Of the United
States has now been in operation for so long IL
period of time, and has, in its general theory
and much of its details, become so familiar to
the country, and acquired so entirely the pub
lie confidence, that if modified in any respect,
it should only be in those particulars which
may adapt it to the increased extent, popua-
ton, and legal business of the United States,
In this relation, the organization of the courts
is now conlcsscdIy inadequate to the duties to
be performed by them; in consequence of
which, the states Of Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa,
Texas and California, and districts of other
states, arc in effect excluded from the full ben
Gifts of the general system, by the functions of
the circuit court being dcvolvcd on the district
judges in all those states, or parts Of states.
The spirit Of the constitution and due re-
gard to justice require that all the states Of the
Union should be placed on the same footing i'll
regard to the judicial tribunals. | therefore
commend to your consideration this important
subject, which, in my Judgment, demands the
speedy action Of congress. will present to
you, if deemed desirable, plan, which | am
prepared to recommend, for the enlargement
and modification Of the present judicial system.
The act of congress establishing the Smith
sonian Institution provided that the President
of the United States and other persons therein
designated. should constitute an establish
mcnt by that name, and that the members
should hold stated and special mccingsfur the
supervision Of the affairs Of the institution
The organization not having taken place, it
seemed to me proper that it should be effected
without delay. This has been done and an
occasion Was thereby presented for inspecting
the condition Of the institution, and appreciate
ing its successful progress thus far, and its
highest promise of great and general influence.
! have omitted to ask your favorable con-
sdcratIon for the estimates Of works of Il local
character in twcnty-scvcn Of The thiMy-onc
states, amounting to one million seven hundred
and lify-four thousand five hundred dollars,
because, independently Of the grounds which
have so often been urged against the 0ppIlca-
ton Of the federal revenue for works Of this
character, inequality with consequent injustice
is inherent in the nature Of the proposition,
and because the plan has proved entirely in
adequate to the accomplishment of the Objects
sought.
The subject Of internal Improvements, claim
ing alike the interest and good will of ALL Inns,
nevertheless, been the basis Of much political
discussion, and has stood as deep craven line
between statesmen Of eminent ability and pat
rioism. The rule of strict construction Of all
noror, dnIorofoI Nv, tbc ,totn. to five rorcr,I
government has arraycd itself, from time to
I r' ",''',s' wv I"p'" paot9y' ',e o
'Io'. uo n"T'' ,''',".y 0'i Io,"o 81 " o,'
epoch in the history Of Ibis 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
81 ioP'u n!o Dccn It's GROWTH ,l"' ''iG P'occcu
"PproPI1''TnS IN tlo' year ior WORKS Oh ,'ll5 8
cIaFoc'cr' oo risen 10 inc nor'll'lS amount ol
'''2'c ''ltH one N'llurco m'lIionS OIL oo''tFS'
III That message the President admitted the
difficulty of bringing back the operations OF
the government 10 the construction OF the con-
stItutlon set up in l79S, and marked 1t as an
admonItory proof OF the necessity of guarding
that instrument with sIc,cpIcss vigilance against
the authority OF DrccCuCntS. which had NOT the