The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-12-13

OF permanent and general nature, might b.
revised and rewritten SO as to be embraced II
one volume or at most two volumes of ordnar,
and convenient size, and respectfully recon
end to Congress 10 consider the subject, and i
my suggestion be approved, to devise slct plar
as 10 their wisdom shall seem most proper fo
the attainment the end proposed. One 0
unavoidable consequences OF the present Insur
recti9n is the entire suppression in many place
OF all ordinary means OF administering civl
Jusife by the officers and IN the forms of exis
tIt Aw; this is the case IN whole or in part IL
all ibe insurgent States, and as our armies ad
vance upon and take possession Of parts of those
States, the practical evil becomes more apparent
There are no courts nor officers TO whom the cit
izen ol other States may apply for the enforce
meat of their lawful claims against citizens of
the insurgent States, and there Is a vast amount
o: debt constituting such claims. some have es.
tinated il as high as two hundred million
dollars, due in large part from insurgents il
open rebellion TO loyal citizens who are even
nov making great sacrifice IN the discharge
OF her patriotic duty TO support the govern
ment. unCer these circumstances have been
urgently solicited 10 establish BY military pow
er courts 20 administer summary Justice in such
Cases thus far declined to do it, not because
bad any doubt that the end proposed, the col
lecs;nn OF the debts, was jus: aud right IN itself
but because l have been unwilling to go beyond
the pressure Of necessity in the unusual exer-
cise Of powers; but the powers of Congress, I
suppose, are equal 10 the anomalous occasion,
aud therefore | refer the whole matter TO Con-
gresS, with the hope that plan may be devised
for he administration OF Justice 10 all such parts
OF fhe insurgent states and territories as NAV
under the control of this government, whether
by voluntary return 10 allegiance and order,
or hY the power OF our arms. This, however,
to br temporary substitute, and to cease as soon
as the ordinary courts can be re-es-tabIished in
peace. K is important that some more conve-
nent means should be provided, if possible, for
the adjustment of claims against the govern
menl, especially in view of the increased num-
Der bv reason of The war. 1t is as much :he
duty OF government 10 do prompt justice against
itselI in favor of citizens as 1t is to administer
the same between private indv lduals. The
invaitigation and adjudication OF claims IN their
ma Il IS aptsah ts be ing. lind.aa aa dePaFmeQt he be-
gress VIII be more than usually engaged for
same time to come with great National queS-
tons It was intended bv the organization of
the Court of Claims mainly to remove this
branch Of business from the halls OF Congress,
bot while the Court has proved to be an efec-
tive and valuable means of investigation, it in
a great degree fails 20 effect the object of its
creation, for want OF power TO make It's Judg-
ments final. Fully aware of she delicacy, not
TO say the danger of the subject commend to
your careful consideration, whether this power
of making judgments final may not properly
be gwen 10 the court, reserving the right of
appeal on questions OF law to the Supreme
Court, with such provisions as experience may
have shown to be necessary.
ask attention 10 the report of the Posmas-
fer General. the following being a summary
statement of the condition of the Department.
The revenue from all sources, during the fiscal
wear ending June 80, 1861, including the annu-
al permanent appropriation OF seven hundred
thousand dollars for the transportation OF free
mail matter, was nine million forty-nIne thou
sand two hundred and nlnety-six dollars and
forty cents, being about two per cent. less than
the revenue for 1860 Tn the same time the
expenditures were thrteen million six hundred
aud SIX thousand seven hundred and fifty hIne
dollars and eleven cents, showing decrease OF
more than eight per cent as compared with
those Of the previous year and leaving an ex-
cess of expe enditures over the revenue fo7 the
last fiscal year OF four million five hundred and
ifty-seven thousand four hundred and sixty-two
dollars and seventy-one cents. The gross
revenue for the year ending June goth, 1908,
is estimated at an increase of four per cent. on
that of 1861, making six million SIX hundred
and eighty-thrte thousand dollars, 10 which
should be added the earning ofthe depart nent IN
carving free matter, viz: seven hundred thou-
sand dollars, making nine million three hun
drpd and eightV-three Thousand dollars. The
total expenditures for 1868 are estimated at
twelve million five hundred and twentyeIght
thousand dollars, leaving an estimated deficlen-
cy of three million one hundred and fortv-hve
thousand dollars, 10 be supplied from the Treas
urv in addition to the permanent appropriation.
The present insurrectIon shows, | think, that
the extension of this District across the Poto-
mac river at the time of establishing the Capt.
tai here was eminenily wise, an consequently
that the REIMBURSEMENT OF that portion OF 1t
which lies within the State of Virginia was un-
wise and dangerous. / submit for your con-
the expedIency OF requiring the
restoration OF the original boundaries thereof,
through negotiations with the State OF Virgin
ia.
The report of the Secretary OF the Interior,
with the accompanying documents, exhibits
the condition of the several branches of the
public business pertaining tc the Department.
The depressing influence OF the insurrection
have been especially felt IN the operations of
the Patent and General Land Offices. The
cash receipts from the sale of public lands dur
ing the past year have exceeded The expenses
of our land system only about two hundred
thousand dollars. The sales have beer en-
.irely suspended in the Southern States, while
the interruptions TO the business of the coun-
IL. Z 4