St. Cloud Democrat., 1861-12-12

whose opinions ! respect, that all the acts,
Fof Congress nov in force aud Of perma-
nent and tangible nature, might be revised
and rewritten SO a. to be'embraced in one
yolumn, or at least two volumns of ordina-
ry and convenient size, audi respectfully
recommend to Congress to consider the
subject, and if MY suggestion be approved,
to devise such u plan as to their wisdom
shall seem most proper for tho attainment
Of the end proposed. One Of the unfavor-
able consequences Of the present insurrec-
tion is the entire suppressiou,in many pl.-
.ces, of all ordinary means Of administering
civil justice by the officers in the form Of
existing laws. II .:tt
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 these States, the practical evil becomes
more apparent. There arc no courts or Of
6cers to whom the citizens of other States
may apply for their lawful claims against
citizens Of the iusurgent States, and there
is vast amount Of debt constituting such
claims. Some have estimated it as high
as $200,oO0,O00, due in large part from
insurgents, in open rebellion to loyal citi-
zcns, who arc even now making great sac.
ri6ccs in the discharge of their patriotic
duty to support the government Under
these circumstances I have been urgently
solicited to establish, by military power,
courts to administer summary justice in
such cases
I have thus for declined to do it, not
because [ had any doubt that the end pro-
posed, the collection of tho debt, was Just
and right in itself, but because have been
unwilling to go beyond the pressure of ne
cessity in the unusual exercise of power {;
bnt the powers of Congress, I suppose, are
equal to the anomalous occasion, and there
fore l refer the whole matter to Congress
with the hope that plan may be divised
for the administration Of justice in all such
parts o. the insurgent States and terrific
rles as may be under the control of this
government, whether by voluntary return
to allegiance and order, or by the power of
our arms. This, however, not to be per-
manent Institution, and to cease as soon as
the ordinary courts can be re established
1t is important that some more conve-
nient means should be provided, if possible
tor the adjustment Of claims against the
Government, especially in view of the in
creased number by reason of the war. 1t
is as much the duty of the Government to
render prompt justice against itself in fa-
vor OF citizens, as it is to administer the
same between private individuals. The
investigation and adjudication of all claims
in their nature belong to the judicial de-
partment; 4; besides, it Is APPARENT that the
attention of Congress will be more than
usually engaged for some time to come
with great national questions. 1t was in
tended 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 efec-
tive and valuable means of investigation.
1t has failed in efficiency from the want
of power to make its judgments final
Fully aware of the deficiency, 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
enee may have shown to be necessary.
l ask attention to the report of the Post
Master General the following being sum-
mary statement of the condition of that De-
partment: The revenue from all sources du-
ring the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1861,
including the annual permanent appropria-
ton of $4,000 for the transportation of free
mail matter, was $9,049, ,296, 40, being about
two per cent. less than the revenue of 1860.
The expenditures were $1S,606, 100 II,
SHOW ing . decrease of more than eight per
cent, as compared with those of the previous
year, and leaving an excess of expenditures
over the revenue for the last fiscal year OF
$55, ,462 II. The gross revenue for the year
ending June 30th, 1868, is estimated at an in
crease Of four per cent. on that of 1861, ma
king $8,683,O00, to which should be
added the earnings of the department for car
rying free matter, viz, $700, 600, making &c.
$4,000 The total expenditures for 1868 are
estimated at $12, ,528, 900, leaving an estimated
deficiency of $3,342, 900, to be supplied from
the Treasury, in addition to the permanent
appropriations.
The present insurrection shows, think,
that the extension Of this District across the
Potomac river, at the time of establishing the
capital here, was eminently wise, and, eonse-
quently, thlt the REIMBURSEMENT of that por-
ton of it which lies in the State Of Virginia
was un y ise and dangerous. submit to your
consideration the expediency.of regsining tha:
part Of the District, and the rest oration Of the
original boundaries, Through negotiations
with the State Of Virginia.
The report Of the Secretary Of tho Interior,
with the accompanying document, exhibits
the condition Of the several branches Of the
public business pertaining to that department..
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 last year have exceeded the expenses Of