toffices[1] and post roads.[2]_

[1] The beneficence and usefulness of the postoffice every one can
appreciate; it ministers to the comfort of all, rich and poor.

Placing the management of the postoffices with the general government
secures greater efficiency and economy than would be possible if it were
vested in the states.

[2] Congress generally uses roads already in existence. These are
regularly selected, however, and declared to be post roads before they are
used as such. The "road" may be a waterway.

But under authority of this clause congress has established some post
roads. The principal highway thus established was the Cumberland road from
the Potomac to the Ohio. The Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways
were built under the authority and with the assistance of the United
States as post and military roads.

_Clause 8.--Copyrights and Patents._

_To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing, for
limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their
respective writings and discoveries._

No one denies that an author or inventor is entitled to a fair reward for
what he has done. But if every one were at liberty to print the book or to
make the article invented, the due reward might not be received.

The wisdom of granting this power to the general government becomes
apparent when we consider how poorly the end might be secured if the
matter were left to the states. A person might secure a patent in one
state and be entirely unprotected in the rest.

For further information upon this subject, see pages 318-19.

_Clause 9.--United States Courts._

_To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court._

Under this provision, congress has thus far constituted the following:

1. United States Circuit Courts of Appeal, one in each of the nine
judicial circuits of the United States.

2. United States Circuit Courts, holding at least one session annually in
each state.

3. United States District Courts, from one to three in each state. See
pages 307-9.

4. A United States Court of Claims, to hear claims against the government.
Such claims were formerly examined by congress.

Although not strictly United States Courts, the following may also be
mentioned here, because they were established under authority of this
clause:

1. The Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.

2. A Supreme Court and District Courts in each territory.

"Constituting" these c