Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-12-05

! to give the courts therein more than nOmin-
al attendance, rising in population from one
million four hundred and seventy thousand
and eighteen, in 1880, to six millions one hun.
dred and 6ty-one thousand four hundred and
FIVE in 1860 Besides this, the country, gen
orally, has outgrown our present judicial sys,
| TEN.
If uniformity was at all intended the sys.
! TEN requires that all the States shall be acco-
modated with Circuit Courts, attended with
! Supreme Judges, while, in fact, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Florida, Texas, Ca
lifornia and Oregon have never had any such
courts
Nor can this well be remedcd without change ofthe
system because the adding Of judges to the Supreme
Court enough for the accommodation Of all parts of the
country with Circuit Courts would create court alto
gether too numerous for judicial body Of any sort and
the evil of it be that will increase as new states come
! into the Union.
Circuit courts are useful they not useful. If
useful state should be denied them. If not useful
state should have them. Let them be provided for
all or abolished as to all.
Three notifications occur to me, either of which,
think would be an improvement upon present sys-
TEN. Let the Supreme Court be OF convenient number
in every event.
Then first let the whole Country be divided into cir
cults of convenient size the Supreme Judges in
number of them corresponding to their OWE number,
and independent Circuit judes be provided for all
| the rest
VI
Circuit duties and Crcnit Judges provided for all the
| Circuits.
Or thirdly dispense with Circuit Courts altogether,
leaving the judicial functions wholly to the District
Courts and an independent Supreme Court.
REVISION OF STATURE.
respectfully recommend to the considera-
tion of Congress the present condition OF the
statue laws, with the hope that Congress
will be able to find a. easy remedy for many
of the Inconvenience aud costs which con-
stantly embarrass those engaged in the prac-
tcal administration of them.
Since the organization of the government
Congress has enacted some five thOuand acts
and joint resolutions, which fill more than
six thousand closely printed pages, and are
scattered through many volumes Many OF
these acts have been drawn in haste and with
out sufficient caution, so that their provisions
are often obscure in themselves, or in conflict
wish each other, or at least so doubtful as 10
render it very difficult for even the best inform
ed persons to ascertain precisely what the sta
tute law really is.
1t seems to me very important that the sta
tute laws should be made as plain and intelji-
gent as possible, and be reduced to as small
compass as NAV consist with the fullneSS and
precision of the will of the legislature end
the perspicuity of its language These well
done, would, | think, greatly facilitate the Ia
bOr of those whose duty it is 10 assist in the
administration of the laws, and would be
discharge of their pat; ;iotc duty it is to assist
in the administration of the laws, and would
be discharge of their patriotic duty to sup
port the government under these crcumStan-
ces | have been urgently solicited to estab-
lish by military power, coruts to administer
summary justice in such cases. | have thus
far declined to do it, not because | had any
doubt that he end p"oposcd-thc collection
of the debts-was just and right in itself,
but because have been unwilling to 60 be-
yond the pressure of necessity in the unusual
exercises of power Bat the powers of Con
gress, | suppose, are equal TO the anomalous
occasion, and therefore. | refer the whole
matter to Congress with the hope that plan
may be diviSed for the administration of justice
in all such parts of the iusngent states and
territories as may be under control Of this gov
! ernment, whether by voluntary return 10
allegiance and order, or by the power of arms; /;
this, however, not to be a permanent institu
ton, but temporary substitute, and to cease
as soon as the ordinary courts can be re eStab-
lished in peace
should be provided. if possible for the adjustment Of
claims against the government, especially in view OF
their increased number Oy reason OF the war.
1t is much the duty of the government to render
prompt justice against itself in favor OF citizens as 1t Is
to administer the same between private individuals
The investigation and adjudication of claims in their
nature belong 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.
1t was intended by the organization of the Court Of
Claims mainly to remove this branch of business from
the Halls of Congress but while the cont has proved
to bean effective and valuable means OF investigation
it in great degree fails effect the object of its
ton for want OF power to make its judgments final.
Fully OF the delicacy, not to say the danger OF
the subject. commend to your careful consideration
whether this power of making judgments final may not
propcrlv be given TO the Courts reserving the right of
appeal on questions of law the Supreme Court, with
such other provisions as experience may have shown to
be necessary.
eral the following being summary statement OF the
condition OF the departments
REVENUE
The revenue from all sources during the fiscal year.
ending June 80 1851 including the annual permanent
appropriation Of hundred thousand dollars for the
transportation of free mail matter nine million forty
inc thousand two hundred and ninety-six dollars and
forty cents being about two per cent less than the rev.
enue EXPENDITURES
For 1860 the expenditures $3 COG 759 H. shows
decrease OF more than eight per cent, compared
with those of the previous year, and leaving
of expenditures S557 462 II. The gross revenue
for the year ending June 20 1851 making S. $50 OOO
which should be added the earnings of the department
in carrying free matter, viz 100000, making 1888.
The total expenditures for 1868 estimated at $2
52s 900 leaving estimated deficiency OF 50 46 000 to
be supplied from the Treasury in addition TO the perma
nent appropriation.
The present nsurreCton shows, think, that the ex,
tension of this district the Potomac river at the
time Of establishing the capital here, emnenty
wise and cOnseque ty that the REIMBURSEMENT of that
portion Of it which lies within the state OF Virginia, was
unwise and dangerous.
submit to your consideration the eXpediency of re
gazing that part of the district and the restoration of the
original boundaries thereof throught negoons wish the
state of Virginia.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.