Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-04

lssist in the administration of the laws, and
you'd be lasting benefit TO the people by
placing before them IN q more accessible and
Ineligible form the laws which 80 deeply
concern their interests and their duties.
am informed by some whose opinions I
respect, that all the acts Of Congress now in
force and Of q permanent, general nature,
might be revised and rewritten 30 as TO be
in one volume, or at least two vol
umes Of ordinary and convenient size; and
/ respectfully recommend 10 Congress to con-
slider the subject, and if my suggestion be ap-
proved, 10 devise such plan IS to their wis
dom shall seem most proper for the attain
ment Of the end proposed.
HoRTHERN cLAIKs IN REBEL STATES.
One of the unfavorable consequences OF the
present inSurrection is the entire suppression
In many places oil all ordinary means Of ad-
ministering 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 prsc-
teal evil becomes 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
lnsurgent States, and there Is a vast amount
Of debt constituting such claims. Some have
estimated it as high as 100000 dollars,
due in large part from insurgents in open re
bellion to loyal citizens, who are even now
making great sacrifices in the discharge OF
their patriotic duty to support the Govern
ment. Under these circumstances have
been urgently solicited TO establish by mill
tary power, courts to administer summary
Justice in such cases. / have thus far de-
clined to do il, not because / had any doubt
that the end proposed, the collection Of debt,
was Just and right in itself, but because
have been unwilling to 60 beyond the pres
sure of necessity in the unusual exercise of
power. But he powers Of Congress, sup
pese, are equal to the anomalous oc-
casion; and therefore, refer the whole
matter to Congress, with the hope that
a plan may be devised for the administration
of justice in all such parts of the insurgent
States and territories as may be under con-
troll of this Government. whether by vol
untary return to allegiance ana order or Dy
the power of our arms. This, however, is
not TO be a permanent institution, but tenn
porary Substitute, and to cease as soon as the
ordinary courts can bereestablished in peace.
CLAIMS AGAINST TIE GOVERNMENT.
It is important that some more convent
ent means should be provided if possible for
the adjustment of claims against the Govern
ment, 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 in favor ofciti-
| zens as it is to administer the same
between private individuals. The in-
vestigation and adjudication of
all the claims in their nature belong to the
Judicial department; besides it is apparent
that the attention of Congress will be more
than usually engaged for some time to come
with great national questions. It was in
| tended by the organization of the Court Of
| Claims mainly to remove this branch Of busl-
ness 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 want of power to make its judgmente f.
nal. Fully aware of the delicsey, not to say
the danger, of the subject, commend to your
| careful consideration whether this power Of
making judgments final may not be properly
! given to the Court reserving the right Of ap-
peal on questions of law to the Supreme
Court, with such other provisions as expert
ence may have shown 10 be necessary.
TIE POSTAL DEPARTMENT.
/ ask attention to the report of the Post
master General, the following being sum
mary statement Of the condition Of the De-
partment The revenue from all sources
during the fiscal year ending 3Oth June, 1861,
including the annual permanent appropria.
ton of $500, 900 for the transportation Of
free mail matter was SO, ,049, 296.4O, being
about two per cent. less than the reve1
nue. of 1850. The expenditures were $l3,-
606, ,T09.ll, showing decrease OF more than
8 per cent. as compared with those of the
previous year, and leaving an excess of ex-
penditures over the revenue for the last fiscal
year of over 1851, ,4s2 IL. The gross reve-
nue. for the year ending June Both, 1853, Is
15si---t-l i--s-~--s-v vf f,vIF POf UcEIJ. On
that of 1861, making $s,6s3, 900; to which
should be added the earning Of the Depart
ment for carrying free matter, viz: 500, 900,
making $9, ,3S2, OO0 The total expenditures
for 1863 are estimated at Sl2, 52s, 900, lesv-
ing an estimated deficiency Of 50, ,334, 900 to
be supplied from the Treasury, IN addition to
the permanent appropriation.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The preseut insurrection shows, 1 think,
that the extension of this district across the
Potomac river at the time of establishing the
capital here, was eminently wise, and conse.
quently, tat the REIMBURSEMENT of that por-
ton Of it which lies in the STATE Of Virginia,
was unwise and dangerous. l submit for
your consideration the expediency Of regain
ing that part Of the district and the restora-
ton of the original boundaries sthereOfthrough
negotiations with the State of Virginia.
THE INTERIOR.
The report of the Secretary of the Interi-
Or with the accompanying documents exhib-
it the condition Of the several branches of
the public business pertaining to that De-
partment. The depressing influences OF the
insurrection have been especially felt in the
operations of the Patent and General Land
Office. The cash receipts from the sales of
public lands during the past year have ex-
ceeded the expenses of our land system
only about two thousand dollars. The sales
have been entirely suspended in the South
ern States, while the interruptions to the
business of the country, and the diversion of
large numbers of men from labor to military
service have obstrueted settlements In the
new States and Territories of the North
west ~
The receipts Of the Patent Office have de-
olined In nine months, about loo, 900 dollars,
rendering large reduction of the force en-
ployed necessary to make it self sustaining.
The demand upoa the Peusion Office will be
largely increased by the insurrection. Eu-
z
the casualties of the existing war, have al
ready been made. There is reason to believe
thst many who are now upon the Pension
Roll and in receipt OF the bounty of the
Government are in the ranks of the
insurgent army or giving them aid and com
fort The Secretary Of the Interior has
directed the suspension Of the payment of the
pension of such persons, upon proof of their
disloyalty. l recommend that Congress au-
thorize that officer to cause the names of such
L AZ