Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-12-06

| In open rebellion to loyal citizens, who arc
evennow making great sacrifice in the dis
charge of their patriotic duty to support
/ the Government Under these circum-
stances I have been urgently solicited to
tablish, by military power. Courts to ad-
minister summary justices in such cases.
| have thus far declined to do it, not
because had any doubt that the end pro
posed, the collection Of debt was Just and
right in itself, but because have been
unwilling TO 90 beyond the pressure of ne
eessity IN tie unusual exercise of power !;
but the powers of Congress I suppose are
equal to the anomalous occasion, and
therefore | refer the whole matter to Con-
gress with the hope that a plan may he
devised for the administration of lstice
in all such parts of the insurgent States
and territories as may be under the con-
troll Of this government, whether by vol
untary return to allegiance and order OF
by the power of our arms. -tH"
This, however, is not to be permanent
institution, but a temporary substitute, to
cease as soon as the ordinary courts can
be re-esta5lished in peace.
1t is important that some more conven-
lent means should be provided, if possible,
for the adjustment of claims against the
Government, and especially in view of
their increased number, by, reason of the
war. 81
1t is as much the duty of the Govern
ment to render prompt justice against it
self In favor of citizens, as 1t is to admins
ter the same between private individuals.
The investigation and adjudication of all
claims in their nature, belong to the judi
cial Department besides it is apparent
that the attention of Congress will be more
than usually engaged for some time to
come with great notional questions.
1t was Intended by the organization of
the Court of Claims mainly, to remove
this branch of business from the halls of
Congress, but while the Court has proved
to be An effective and valuable means Of
:, investigation, it in great degree, fails to
effect the object of its creation, for the
want of power to make its judgments
final -
Fully aware of the delcacy, not to say
the danger, of the subject, | commend to
your careful consideration whe Their this
power of making judgments final may not
be properly given to the court, reserving
the right of appeal on questions of law to
the Supreme Court, with such other pro-
visions as experience may have shown to
be necessary.
ask attention to the report Of the
Postmaster General; the following being a
summary statement Of the condition of
that Department The revenue from all
sources. during The fiscal year ending 30th
June, 1861, including the annual perma-
nent appropriation of 100000 for the
transportation Of free mail matter, was
$9,o49, 296 40, being about two per cent.
less than the revenue of 1860.
The expenditures were $13, COG, 100 H.,
showing decrease of more than eight per
cent. as compared with those of the pre-
yious year, and leaving an excess Of ex-
penditures over the revenue for the last
fiscal year Of $50, 462 II. The gross rev.
enue for the year ending June 30th, 1862
is estimated at an increase Of four per cent
on that of 1861 making $8.683, 600 to
which should be added the earning OF the
department for carrying free mater, VIZ ::
500 90, making 50 $50, 900. The total
expenditures for 1862 are estimated at
$50, $4,000, leaving an estimated def
cheney of So, 345 900 to be supplied from
the Treasury in addition to the perma-
nent appropriations. .....
The present insurreciiou shows, I think.
Tat the extension of this District across
the Potomac river, as the time of establish
ing the capital here, was eminently wise.
and, consequently, the ACCOMPLISHMENTS of
that portion OF it which lies in the State of
Virginia was unwise and dangerous. l
submit the consideration and expedien-
cy of regaining that part of the District,
and the restoration of the origonal bound
aries. through negotiation with tie State
of Virginia. -
The report of the Secretary Of Ante.
rior, with the accompanying dosanahsssx
hibits the condition of the several branch
es of the public bushes pertaining to that
department The depressing influences
of the instruction have been especially
felt in the operations Of the Patent and
| General Land Office. The cash receipts
from tie sales of public lands dnring the
last year have exceeded the expenses Of
our land system only 100000. The sales
have been entirely suspended in the South
ern States while the interruption to busi-
ness of the country, and the diversion of
large numbers of men from labor to mill
tary services, have obstructed settlements
in the rev States and Territories of the
Northwest. f@
The receipts of the Patent Office have
declined, in nine months, about 100000
rendering large reduction of the force
employed necessary to make it selfsustain-
ing.
The demands upon the Pension Office
will be largely increased by the insurrec-
ton. Numerous applications for pensions,
based upon the casualties of the existing
war, have already been made. There is rea-
son to believe that many who are now up
on the pension roll, and in receipt of the
bounty ofthe Government, are in the ranks
of the insurgent army, or giving them aid
and comfort. The Secretary of the Interior
has directed the suspension of the payment
Of the pension of such people on proof of
their disloyalty. [ recommend that Con-
gress authorize that officer to cause the
names of such persons to be stricken from
the pension list.
The relations of the Government with
the Indian tribes have been lately disturbed