St. Cloud Democrat., 1861-12-12

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has failed to provide .Chaplains for the
Hospitals occupied bJ volunteers. This
subject was brought to my notice, and I
was induced to draw up the form Of let
ter, one copy Of which, properly addressed
to each of the persons, cnd at the dates
respectively M med and stated in sohed-
ule containing also the form of the letter,
marked GA" and herewith transmitted.
These chapl'ins catered upon the du-
ties designated, at tho times respectively
statet! in the schedule, and have hbored
faithfully therein ever siuce. therefore
recommend that they be compensated at
the same rate as chaplains in tn: army
further suggest that general provision be
made for chaplairs to serve at HOSPITALS as
with regiments.
The report Of the Secretary of the Ma
Wy presents in -detai., the operations of
that branch of the service, and the activi-
ty and energy which have characterized
its administration aud the results of meas
ures to increase its efficiency and power.
Such have been the additions by con-
struction and purchase, that it may almost
be said that navy has been created and
bro't iato service since our difficulties COM
meueed. Besides blockading our ezten-
sive eeast, sqsadrons larger than ever be-
fore assembled under our flag, have been
put .aoat and perfo, med deeds which have
increased our naval renown.
nj ofk ~ tho
Recommendation of the Secretary of the
Navy for h more perfect organization of
the Navy, by introducing additional grades
in the service. The present organization
is defective. and unsatisfactory, and the
suggestions submitted by the Department,
will, it is believed, if adopted, obviate the
difficulties alluded to, promote harmony,
and increase the efficiency ofthe Navy
There are three vacancies on the bench
of tho Supreme Court. Two by the de-
cease of j Justices Daniels and Mclean, and
one by the resignation of Justice Camp.
bell. I have 80 far forborne making nom-
inations to ill these vacancies, for reasons
which l will now state.
Two of the outgoing Judges resided
within the State, are now overrun by re:
volt, so that if SUCCESSORS were appointed
in the same localities, they could not serve
upon their circuits, and many of the most
competent men there probably would not
take the personal hazard of accepting to
serve even here upon the Supreme Bench.
have been unwilling to throw all the
appointments Northward, thus disabling
myself from doing justice to the South on
the return Of peace. Although, may re-
mark, that to tran:fer to the North one
which has heretofore been in the South,
would not with reference to territory and
population, be unjust.
During the long and brilliant judicial
career Of Judge Mclean, his circuit grew
into an empire altogether too large for any
one Judge to give the courts therein more
than nominal attendanee-rising in pop
ulatiou from 1,470,o00 ia 1881 to 9,l5l,
4O5 in 1860.
Besides this the couatry has generally
outgrown our present judicial system. If
uniformity was at all intended, the system
requires that all tho States shall be accom-
modated with circuit courts attended by
supreme judges, while in fact Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Florida, Texas,
California and Oregon, have never had any
such court, nor can this be well remedied
without change Of the system, because
the adding of justices to the supreme court
enough for the accommodation Of all parts
Of the country with circuit courts, would
create court altogether too dangerous tor
a judicial body ofany court, and the rule
of il be one that will increase as new States
come into the Union
Circuit courts are useful or they are not
useful. If useful, no State should be de-
MED them if not useful no State should
have them. Let them be provided for all,
or abolished as to all. Three moditica-
tioas occur to me here, which l think
would be an improvement upon our pres
ent system. ..
Let the Supreme Court bo of sufficient
number in every event. Then, first, let
the whole country be divided into circuits
of convenient size, tho Supreme Judges to
serve in q number of them corresponding
70 their own number, aud Independent
Circuit Judges be provided for all The rest.
Or, secondly, the Supreme Judges be rest
ed from circuit duties !; and Circuit Judges
provided for all the circuits. Or, thirdly,
dispense with Circuit Courts altogether,
leaving the judicial functions wholly to
the District Courts and an Independent
Supreme Court.
Respectfully recommend to the eoosid-
Grafton Of Congress the present condition
of the statute laws, with the hope that Con-
eress will be able to find an easy remedy y
for the many inconvenience and evils which
constantly ombarrass those engaged in the
practical administration of them.
Since the organization Of the Govern