The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-12-14

! understand, entered upon the duties des-
| ignated at the times respectfully stated IN
the schedule, and have labored faithfully
therein ever since, therefore recommend
that they be compensated at the same rate
as chaplains in the army. further suggest
that general provision be made for chap
lains to serve at hospitals as well as with
regiments.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
presents in detail the operations of that
branch of the service. and the activity and
energy which have characterized its ad min
istration, and the results of measures to in
crease its efficiency and power. Such have
been the additions, by constr uction and
purchase, that it may almost be said ma
Wy has been created and brought into SER
vice since our difficulties commenced. Be-
sides blockading our extensive coast, squad
rons larger than ever before assembled under
our flag have been put afloat, and pei form
ed deeds which have increased our naval
renown.
would invite special attention to the
recommendations of the Secretary ofthe Navy
for more perfect organization, as it is de-
fective and unsatisfactory, and the sugges-
tons submitted by the Department will. it
is believed, if adopted, obviate the Difficult
ties alluded to, promote harmony and in
crease the efficiency of the navy.
respectfully recommed to the considera-
lion of Congress, the present condition of
the statute laws, with the hope that Congress
will be able to find an early remedy for
many inconvenience and evils which con-
stantly embarrass those engaged in their
practical administration. Since the organ
iZation of the government Congress has en-
acted some five thousand acts and joint res
olutons, which fill more than 1000 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
obscure in themselves or conflict with each
other. It is difficult even for the best in
formed persons to ascertain especially what
statute law really is. 1t seems to me very
important that the statute law should be
made as plain and Ineligible possible,
and be reduced to as small compass as
may be consistent with the fulness and
precision of the will of the legislature and
the perspicuity of its language This well
done, would, 1 think, greatly facilitate the
Iabors of those whose duty it is to assist in
The administration of The laws and would be
lasting benefit to the people, by placing
before them in more accessible and intelli-
gible form the laws which so deeply concern
their interests aud their duties.
/ am Informed By some whose opinions l
respect, that all the acts of Congress now in
in force and of paramount and general ma
ture, might be revised and rewritten 50 as
to be embraced in one volume. or at least
two volumes of ordinary and convenient
size, and respectfully recommend to Con-
gress to consider the subject, and if my
suggestion be approved, to devise such a
plan as, to their minds, shall seem most
proper for the attainment of the end pro-
posed.
There are three vacancies on the bench
of the Supreme Court-two by the decease
of Justices Daniels and McLean-and one
by tie resignation of Justice Campbell /
have so tar forborne making nominations to
fill these vacancies for reasons which l will
now state: Two of the outgoing Judges
resided within the States now overthrown
by revolt, so that if successors were appoint
ted 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 UNIV illing to throw all the ap
pointments Northward, thus disabling my
{ return of peace, although may remark
| that to transfer to the North one who has
herei ofore been in the South, would no.
: with reference to the territory and population
be unjust. During the long and brilliant
, career of Judge Mclean; his circuit grew
into an empire altogether too large for any
one Judge to give the courts more than a
nominal attention = rising in population
from / 100000 in 1881 to 6,1OI, 4O5 in
| 1861. Beside this, the country has gener,
ally outgrown our present Judicial system
2 if uniformity was at all intended. The sys-
: tenn required that all States shall be accom-
r modated with Circuit Courts attended by
Supreme Judges, while in fact Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Iowa. Kansas, Florida. Texas,
t California and Oregon have never had such
{ Courts nor can this be wellremedIed without
t change of the system, because the adding of
5 Justices to the Supreme Courts enough for
D the accommodation of all parts of the country
0 with Circuit Courts, would create Court
: altogether too cumhrous for judicial BODY
e of any sort. and the evil, if it be one, will
e 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
e have them. Let them be provided for all
$ or abolished as to all. A modification oc-
: ours to me here which think would be an
$ Improvement upon our present system.
5 Letthe Suprememe Court be ofconvenienI
f number in every State-then let the whole
$ country be divided into circuits of conven-
f lent size. the Supreme Judges to serve in a
! number corresponding TO their own number.
and let independent circuit Judges be proyi-