The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-12-05

footing to the extent at least OF the
entire appropriation for that branch
of the service, trusting to Congress
and the public opinion of the Amer
ican people to justify my action.
Assuming from the action of the
last Cons gress in appointing Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections,
to prepare and report to this Con
gress a constitutional amendment to
provide a better method of election
the President and Vice President of
the United States, and also from the
necessity of such and amendment,
that there will be submitted to the
State Legislatures for ratification
such an improvement in our condi-
tion, / suggest two others for your
consideration: First-To authorize
the executive to approve of so much
of any measure passing the two
Houses of Congress, as his Judgment
might dictate, without approving the
whole; the disapproved portion or
portions to be subjected to the same
rules as now, to-Wit: to be referred
back to the House in which the meas
ure or measures originated, and if
passed by two-thirds vote OF the
two Houses then to become a law
without the approval of the Presi-
dent. Iwould add to this a provi-
sion that there should be no legisla-
ton by Congress during the last
twenty-four hours of its sitting ex-
cept upon vetoes, lii order to give
the executive an opportunity to ex-
anime and approve, or disapprove
understandingly. Second, to pro
vide by amendment that when an ex-
ira session of Congress is convened
by Executive proclamation, legisla-
ton during the continuance of such
sessions shall be confined to such
subjects as the Executive may bring
before it from time to time in writ
ing. The advantages to be gained
by these two amendmentsa are obvious
One session in each year is provided
for by the Constitution, in which
there are no restriction as to the sub-
jects of legislation by Congress. II
more are required, it is always in the
power Of Congress during their term
Of Office to provide for sessions al
any time The first of these amend
ments would protect the public
against the many abuses and waste
of public moneys which creep into
appropriation bills and other impor.
tant measures passing during the ex
piring hours of Congress, to which
otherwise due consideration cannot
be given.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The receipts of the Government
from all sources for the last fisca
year wele $336,73S S,2O4, and the
expenditures on all accounts
$3.50, ,345. .245, thus showing an exces;
of receipts over expenditures o.
$43, ,29S, $50, but it is not probable
that this favorable exhibit will be
shown for the present fiscal year
indeed, it is very doubtfuf~7hether
except with great economy on the
part of Congress in making appro.
priations, aad the same economy in
the Administration in administering
the various departments Of the gov
crnment, the revenues will not fall
short of meeting the annual ex-
pences including interest on the
public debt. l commend to congress
such. economy, and point out two
sources where it seems to me it might
commence; to curtail the appro-
priations for public buildings, in the
many cities where work has not been
commenced; in the appropriations
for river and harbor improvements
in those Localities where the improve
ments are of but little bene
fit to general and for for
tifcations there is still more fruit
full source of expenditure, which ]
viii point out later in this message.
l refer to the easy method Of manu-
featuring claims for losses incurred
in the suppression of the late rebel
lion. I would not be understood here
as opposing the erection OF good, sub
stantial and even ornamental build
ings by the Government whenever
such buildings are needed. In fact,
l approve of the Government own
ing its own buildings in all sections
Of the country, and hope the day is
not far distant when it will not only
possess them, but will erect in the
capital suitable residences for all
persons who now receive q com
from quarters or rent at
.he Governments expense, and for
he Cabinet, thus setting an example
20 the States which may induce them
% erect buildings for their Senators.
But 1 would have this work con-
lucted at times when the revenues
IF the country would abundantly
Justify it.
The revenues have materially fal-
en- off for the last five months of the
present fiscal year from what they
we're expected to produce, owing to |
he general panic now prevailing, !
which commenced about the middle |
If Septe nber last. The full effect |
If this disaster, ifit should not prove
o be a blessing in disguise, is vet to
De demonstrated, In either event,
t is your duty to heed the lesson,
ind provide by wise and well consid
red legislation, as lar as it lies in
'our power, against its occurrence.
nd to take advantage of all benefits
hat may have occurred. My own
Judgment is, that however much in
iViduals may have suffered, one
0ng step has been taken towards
pecie payments, and that we can
ever have pertinent prosperity
ntil specie basis is reached, and
hat specie basis cannot be reached
nd maintained until our exports.
xclusive of gold, pay for our i'm
orts. interest due abroad, and other
pecie obligations, 30 heavy as to
ave an appreciable accumulation
the precious metals In the coun- J
y from products of our mines. The
eVelopement of mines of precious {
etals during the past year, and
Development of them i
II years to come, are gratifying in I
leir results. Could but one.half .
: the gold extricated from the e
ines be retained at home, our ad- 7
snce towards specie payments '
ould be rapid to increase our ex- t