The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1868-12-19

The examinations OF Claims against Inc
United States by the Hudson Bay Com
pany and the Puget Sound Agrictural
Company, on account of certain posses
sorry rights in the State of Oregon and
the Territory Of Washington, alleged By
these companies in virtue Of the provision
of the treaty between the United States
and Great Britain, Of June 18th, 1913,
has been diligently prosecuted under the
direction of a joint international commits
sion, to which they were submitted for
adjudication by the treaty between the
governments Of July 1st, 1868, and will,
it is expected, be concluded at an early
day.
No practical regulation Of controversy,
relative to the Colonial trade and fisher
les, can be accomplished by treaty be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain until Congress shall have expressed
its Judgment concerning the principles
involved.
Three other questions, however, be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain remain open for adjudication. These
| are the mutual rights of naturaliZed citi-
zens; the boundary question, involving
the title to the island Of San Juan, on
| the Pacific coast, and the mutual claims
arising since the year 1854, Of the citi-
zens and subjects of the two countries for
injuries and depredations committed un-
| der the authority of the respective gov
ernments. Negotiations upon these sub
jects are pending, and l am not without
hope of being able to lay before the Sen
ate for its consideration, during the pres
ent session protocol calculated to bring
to an end these justly exciting and long
+, controversies.
We are advised of the action of the
Chinese government upon the liberal and
auspicious treaty which was recently eele-
bratcd with its plenipotentiaries at this
Capital.
Japan remains theatre of civil war,
marked by religious incidents and politi-
cal severities peculiar to that long isolated
1 place. The Executive has hitherto main
tanned strict neutrality among the belli-
gerents, and acknowledges with pleasure
that it has been frankly and fully sustain
ed in that course by the enlightened con
treaty powers. namely: Great Britain
France, The Netherlands, North Germany
and Italy.
Spain having recently undergone e q
revolution marked by extraordinary
unanimity and preservation of order, the
provisional government established al
, Madrid has been recognized. The
friendly intercourse which has SO long
and happily existed between the two
countries, remains unchanged.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
I renew the recommendation contained
in my communication to Congress, datee
July last, copy of which accompanie
this message, that the judgment of tn
people should be taken on the propriety
of so amending the Federal Constitution
that it should provide for an election o
President and Vice President by the di
: rect vote of the people instead of throug1
!, the agency of Electors, and of making
Il them ineligible for reelection to sec
ond term: for distinct designation of tn
), person who shall discharge the duties O
Il President In the event of vacancy i
o the event of vacancy in that office b
/ death resignation or removal of bot
l President and Vice; for the election c
u Senator to the U. S. Senate directly
/ the people of the several States instea
i of by Legislatures, and for the limitatio
/ to period of years of terms of the Fec
y eral Judges. Profoundly impressed wit
9 the propriety of making these importa,
i notifications in the Constitution, / r'
., spectfully submit them for the early an
mature consideration of Congress. w
d should, as far as possible, remove all pr
le texts for violation Of the organic la
r by remedying such imperfectness as tin
8 and experience may develop, ever remer
y bering that the Constitution which at ar
L time exists until changed in an explic
Sc and authentic way, is the Constitution
In the whole peoples sacredly obligatol
s. upon all.
" In the performance of the duty impos.
ut upon me by the Constitution, have th1
IS, communicated to Congress information
ar the state of the Union and recommendt
ne for their consideration such measures
'lr have seemed to be necessary and expeo
X ent. IF carried into effect it will be Il
it accomplishment of the great purpose
ed which the Constitution was ordaine
A which it comprehensively states, was
Ia form more perfect Union, establi
he Justice, insure domestic tranquility, pr
of vide for the common good and the genel
MS welfare, and secure the blessings of liber
of to ourselves and our posterity. In Co
ly gress are vested all legislative powe
and upon them devolves the responsible
ed as we'll for framing unwise and exeessi
ry laws as for neglecting to devise and ado
in measures absolutely demanded by t
N wants of the country. Let us earnest
he hope that before the expiration Of Q
it terms of service now rapidly drawing
ual close, an All-wise Providence will
he guide our counsels as to strengthen a
an. preserve the Federal Union, insl
.ea reverence for the Constitution, rest
of prosperity and happiness to our VIII