East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-12-10

Of convenient size, the Supreme Judges 10 serve
in number of them corresponding To their own
number aud independent Circuit Judges be
provided for all the rest. Or, secondly. the
Supreme Judges be relieved from Circuit du.
ties, and Circuit Judges provided for all the
Circuits, Or, thirdly, dispense with Circuit
Courts altogether, leaving the judicial functions
wholly 10 the District Courts and an independ-
ent Supreme Court.
| ! respectfully recommend to the considera-
tiou of Congress the present condition of the
statute laws, with the hope that Congress will
be able to find ap easy remedy for the many I'M
convcninces and evils which constantly embar-
rass those engaged in the practical adminisra.
tion of them Since the organization Of the
Government, Congress has enacted some 5000
acts and joint resolutions, which fiji more than
5000 closely printed pages, and are scattered
through many volumes. Many of these acts
have been drawn in haste and without sufficient
caution so that their provisions are often OBJ
scure in themselves, or in conflict with each
other, or at least so doubtful as to render it
very difficult for even the best informed persons
to ascertain precisely what the statute law really
is. 1t seems to me very important that the
statute law should be made as plain and intel
ligible as possible, and be reduced TO as small n
compass as may consist with the fullness and
precision of the will of the Legislature and the
perspicuity of its language. These well done,
would, think, greatly facilitate the labors of
those whose duty it is to assist in the admins
tration Of the laws, and would be lasting ben
eft to the people, by placing before them in a
more accessible and ineligible form the laws
which so deeply concern their interest and their
duties. | am informed by some whose opinions
respect, that all the acts of Congress now in
force, aud of a permanent and general nature
might be revised and re written, so as TO be
embraced in one volume, or at least two vol
umes of ordinary and convenient size. and
respectfully recommend to Congress to consider
the subject, and if my suggestion be approved
to devise such plan as to their wisdom shall
seem most proper for the attainment of the end
proposed.
One of the unfavorable consequences of the
present insurrection is the entire suppression.
in many places, of all ordinary means of admin.
istering civil justice by the officers, and in the
forms of existing law. This is the case in
whole or in part in all the insurgent States, and
as our armies advance upon and take possession
of parts of those States, the practical evil be-
comes more apparent. There are no courts or
officers to whom the citizens of other States
may apply for the enforcement of their lawful
claims against citizens of the insurgent States,
and there is a vast amount of debt constituting
such claims, some have estimated it as high as
s200,000,000 due in large part from insur
gents in open rebellion to loyal citizens who arc
even now making great sacrifices in tie n
charge of their patriotic duty to su, -, 80
Government. Under these o. -pPol' 'lG
have been urgently solicited TO establish br
.l''iieary power Courts to administer summary
!uss'cc ~ s'Sch cases. l have thus far declined
!" uc IT. not because had any doubt that the
end proposed (the collection of debit, was lust
and right in itself bnt because have been un.
Wiling &c 60 beyond the pressure of necessity
IN the unusual exercise of power, but the pow
ers of Congress, suppose, are equal to the
anomalous OCCASION and therefore, [ refer the
whole to Congress, with the hope that nlan
may be devised for the adrn;; 49, sfya VI justice
!" oil ~,--l paiVs OF the insurgent States and
territories as may be under the control of this
Government, whether by voluntary return to
allegiance and order, or by the power of our
arms Tins, however, not to be a permanent
institution, but temporary substitute, and TO
cease as soon as the ordinary courts can be re-
in peace,
1t Is Important that some more convenient
means should be provided, if possible, for the
adjustment of claims against the Government.
especially in view of their increased number. by
reason of the war. 1t is as much the DUTY Of
the government to render prompt justice against
itself III favor of citizens, us it is to administer
the same between private individuals. The in
vestigation aud adjudication of all claims in
their nature belong to the Judicial Department,
besides it is apparent that the attention of Con.
gress will be more than usually engaged, for
some time to come, with great national cues.
tons 1t was intended dy the organization off
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 effect
i've and valuable means of investigation. il in /
great degree fails to effect the object of its Gre
alton for want of power to make its Judgment
inal. Fully aware of the delicacy, not to saw
LANCER of the subject, commend to Your care
ul consideration whether this power of making
judgments final may not be properly given TO
he Court, reserving the right of appeal on
questions of law, to the Supreme Court with
UGH other provisions as experience may have
hown to be necessary
ask attention to the report of the Post.
master General, the following being a summary
tatement OF the condition of the Department: {
he revenue from all sources during the fiscal ,
ear ending the Both of June, 1861, including
he annual permanent appropriation of 100000 |
Or the transportation of free mail matter, was ,
9,Of9, 296 40, being about two per cent. less
han the revenue of 1860. The expenditures ,
'ere sl3,606,709 IL, showing decrease of !;
lore than eight per cent, as compared with !
hose OF the previous year, aud leaving an ex- !
ess of expenditures over the revenue for the =
'st fiscal year of over 1857 ,462 II. The :
ross revenue for the year ending June Both, :
500, is estimated at an increase of four per :
,nt. on that of 1861 making ss,6S3, 900, to :,