The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-12-05

Informed by some whose opinions resnect. that
all tine acts OF Congress in force, and of
permanent and general nature, might be revised
ana Rewritten so rs to be embraced in one vol
ume. or at least two volumes, of ordinary and
convenient size, and | respectfully recommend to
Congress to consider the subject, and if nv snr-
gcStion be approved, to devise such a plan as to
their wisdom shall seem most proper for the at
talnment of the end proposed.
MILITARY COURT FOR THE SOUTH.
One of the unlavorabe consequences of the
pres ent Instruction, is the entire suppression in
many places of all ordinary means of administer
ing 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
these States, the practical evil becomes more APP
parent There no courts or officers to whom
The citizens Ct other States may apply for the en-
forcemcnt of their lawful claims agalns citizens of
the inSurgent States, and there is a vast amount of
debt, constituting such claims. Some have esti-
mated it as high as 300 900 900 dollars due in
large parts from Insurgents in open rebellion to
loyal citizens, who are even now making great
sacrifices in the discharge of their patriotic duty to
support the Government. Under these circumStan-
ceS | have been urgently solicited to establish bv
mi itary power, courts to administer summary
ut, not because had any doubt that the end
prOposcd-thc collection of Clebt-was lust and
right In Itself, but because | have been unwilling
To 80 beyond the pressure of necessity in the unu-
Sual exercises OfpOwer. But the powers of Con.
greSS, suppose, are equal to the anomalous occa-
sion, and therefore | refer the whole matter 10
Congress with The hope that Il plan NAV he devised
tor the administration of Justice in all such parts
OF the inSurgcnt States and Territories as may be
under the control OF the Government whether by
Il voluntary return to allegiance and order, or by
the power oil our arms; this, however, not to be u
: permanent institution, but temporary substitute,
ana to cease rs soon the ordinary courts can be
re-estahllShcd in peace.
PAYMENT OF NATION DELEGATIONS
It's 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. It's as much the duty of the Government to
render prompt Justice against itself in favor of
citizens, rs it is to administer the sam. between
private individuals. The investigation and adju-
dcation OF all claims in their nature belong to the
judicial Department.; besides, it is apparent that
the attention of Congress will be more than usual
~ gagged Tor some time TO come with great ma
tional questions. 1t was intended by the 0rgani-
cation of the Court of Claims mainly to remove
this branch of business irOE the halls of Congress-
But while the Court has proved to be as effective
and valuable means of investigation, if, in n
great degree, fails to effect the object of its ere
alton for want of power to make its Judgment final
Fully of the dclicacy, not to say the
danger, of the subject, | commend to your careful
consideration whether this power of MIX ing iutig-
mentF final may not be properly given To- the
Court, rcServipg the right of appeal on questions
of law to the Supreme Court, with such other pro
visions az experience may have shown to be ne
cessary.
CONDITION OF THE POST OFFICE.
! | ask attention TO the report of the Post Master
General, the following being Il summary statement
of the condition Of the Department: The revenue
from all sources during the fiscal year ending the
3lth of June. SCI including the annual permanent
appropriation of 81 900 O00 for the TRANSFORMATION
OF free mail matter, was 50 - 296 10, being about
two per cent. less than the revenue of 1850 The
expenditures were Sl3,606, IL, showing Il de-
crease OF more than eight per cent as compared
with those OF Il previous year, and leaving an ex-
cess OF expenditures over the rcvenu" for the last
fiscal year, of over : .557 ,502,7l. The gross .ey-
cnue for the year ending June 80 so, * cstiml-
ted at an increase of four per cent on that of 1861
making S',663.000. to which should be added the
earrings of the Department for carving free mat
ter. viz, :!HG.000, making 50 ,s93 SEQ The to-
tai expenditures for lo6a estimated at Sl2 )
- 900; leaving an estimated deficiency OF So
3l5, geo To be supplied from tic Treasury in addi
ton to the present appropriation
REoEGAyIzIYG THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The present insurrection shows think, that the
extension of this District across the Potomac river
at the time of establishing the capital here as emf
ncntly wise, and consequently that the renquisE-
ment OF that portion Oft which lies in the State
of Virginia. unwise and dangerous. submit
for your consideration the expcdicncy of retaining
THAI part OF the District and the restoration of the
original boundaries thereof through negotiations
with the State of Virginia.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
The port of the Secretary of the Interior, with
the accompanying documents, exhibit the condition
OF the several branches of the public business per
tanning to that Department. The depressing in
! fluenccs eff the inSurrecon have been especially
felt i'll the operations of the Patent and General
Land Offices. The cash receipts from the sales of
public lands during the last year have exceeded the
expenses OF our land system only about s210 900.
The sales have been entirely suspended in the
Southern States, while the Interruptions to the bus
mess OF the country and the diversion of large
numbers OF men from labor to military service, has
obStructcd settlements in the new States and Ter
ritories of the Northwest. The receipts of the
Patent Office have declined in nine months about
Sl0o,OO0, rendering large reduction of the force
employed necessary to make il self suStaining.-
The demands upon the Pension Office will be large
" inci Gascd by the Instruction. The numerous
applications for pensions based upon the casualties
of the existing war have already been made
There is reason to believe that lany Who are now
upon the pension roll and in receipt of tie bounty
OF the Government, in the ranks of the nstr-
gent army, or giving them aid and comfort. The
Secretary fthe Interior has directed the suspen-
sion of the payment of the pensions of such persons
upon proof OF their dsloyaty. | Recommend that
Congress authorize that officer to cause the names
of such persons to be stricken from the pension
rolls.
THE INDIAN TRIBES.
The relations of the Government with the lndi-
an tribes have been lately disturbed by the nsur
rection. especially in the Northern Superintendent
cy, and in that of New Mexico. The Indian coun-
try south of Kansas is in possession of insurgents
from Texas and Arkansas. The agents of the
United States, appointed since the 18th of March
for this superintendent have been unable to reach
their posts, while the most of those who were in
Office before that time have espoused the nSurrec
tionary cause and assumed To exercise the power of
| agents by virtue OF commissions from the insurrcc
tionists. lt has been stated in the public press
that portion of these Indians have been organized
as military force, and attached to the army of
the insurgents although the Government has
official information upon the subject Letters have
been written To the Commissioner Of Indian AT
iairs by several prominent chiefs giving