New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-03

cate of her rccster IN tho usual legal FORM she sailed
from tho Port Of New-York and has not since been
within the territorial Jurisdiction OF the United States
On slst day OF October last while sailing under the
flag OF the Uaed States the high she was forci
bly, seized by Spanish gunhoat Tornado aud car
ried into the port OF Santiago dc Cuba whore OF
her passengers and were inhumanly-and, 80 Tar
least relates TO those who were citizens on the
United States. without due process OF law-put to
death II Is wclestablshed principle, asserted by the
United states from the beginning OF their National iu-
dependence, recognized by Great Britain aud other
maritime powers and stated by the Senate in resou
tlon passed unanimously the 10th OF June 1853 that
American vessels on the high seas ia time OF peace
bearing the American dag remain under tho turisdie-
lion OF the country 20 which they belong ana therefore
any visitation moestation. detention OF such VesScl
by force by the exhibition of force on the part OF
foreign power is In derosaton of the sovereignty OF the
United States. In accordance with tins principle, the
restoration of the Virglnius and the surrender
of the survivors OF her passengers and crew,
and due reparation TO the nag, and the
punishment Of the authorities who had been
guilty OF the illegal acts of violence demanded
TIE Spanish Government has recognized the justice OF
the demand, and has arranged for the immediate de-
livery the vessel and for the surrender OF the sur
viyors OF the passengers and crow and for salute 10
the ag and for proceedings looking to the punishment
those who may proved 20 have been guilty OF lille
gal acts OF violence toward ci-izens Of the United
states and also toward lndcmnlyluR tiosc VINO h1 w
shown 10 be entitled 10 indemnify.
PREPARATIONS MADE FOR POSSIBLE WAR.
a copy of protocol OF a conference between the
Secretary and the Spanish Minister. In which
OF this arrangement were agreed TO- Is trans
mitted herewith. The correspondence on tbs subject
with the Legation OF the United states Ia in cipher and
by cable and needs the verihcaon OF the actual text
OF the correspondence It has seemed to me to be due
10 the Importance OF the 10 submit this CORE
spoudence until the accurate text can he received by
mail. Ii Is expected shortly, and will be submitted
when received In taking leave OF this subject Tor the
present wish to the expression OF my conviction
that the existence Of African slavery in Cuba IS pIinc
pal cause OF the amcntable condition o. the ISLAND
do not doubt that Congress shares with the hope
that it sill be made TO disappear and that peace
ana prosperity may follow It's abolition. The embargoing
OF American estates in Cuba cruelty TO American czcns
detected IN OF hostility to the Spanish Government
the numbering OF prisoners taken with arms In their
hands aud finally, the capture upon tho high seas Of
vessel sailing under tho United states flag and bearing
United states registry has eliminated IN an outburs
OF ind gnation that has seemed for time to threaten
war. Pending negotiations between the United states
snd the Of Spain the subject OF this cap
ture have authorized the Secretary of the Navy to pat
our navy on footing. to the extent at least. OF the
entire annual appropriation for that branch OF the ser
wee trusting Congress and the public opinion Of the
American people to justify my action.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION SUGGESTED.
Assuming, from the action OF the last Congress in
appointing Committee Privileges and Elections 10
prepare 10 report TO this Congress constitutional
amendment TO provide better method OF eecttng the
President and yice-Prcsldent OF the United sates. and
also from the necessity OF such amendment, That
there will no submitted TO the Safe Legislatures Tor
ratification such an improvement In Constitution,
suggest two others for your consideration:
FIRST 10 authorize the Executive to approve
OF 20 muoh Of any measure passing the two
aIU may
approving the whole, the disapprovei portion or
portions TO be subjected TO the rules 10
wit, TO be referred back 10 tho House In which the
measure originated and, passed By two
thirds vote OF tho two Houses then TO become Il law
without the approval Of the President would
add TO this provision that there should be
legislation by Congress during the last "A hours Of i
r.ng except upon vetOcs in order TO give the Execu
tive an opportunity to examine and approve or diSap
prove bills understandngly Second. to provide by
amendment that when extra session OF Congress IL
convened By Executive proclamation, legislation during
continuance OK such extra session shall be confined
to such subjects as the Executive may bring before
1t from time to time in writing The advantages
to gained by these two amendments obvious One
session each year provided for by the Constitution
In which there restrictions to the subjects OF
legislation by Congress II more are required IL Is always
in the power of Congress during their term OF Office to
provide for sessions at any sine. The first OF these
! amendments would protect the public against the many
abuses and waste OF public money which creep into
appropriation bills and other Important measures pass
ing during the expiring hours OF Congress, to which
otherwise due consideration cannot be gwen
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Tie receipts Of the Government all sources for
tho fiscal year t333T39 2Oi and expenditures
all accounts, tsoOSl52i thus showing Of
ceipts expenditures OF si3.3929j9 but It is not
probable thar favorable exhibit will shown
the present fiscal year; indeed. it is very doubtful
whether except with great economy the part OF
| Congress in making appropriations and the
economy 10 administering the various departments OF
Government the will not fall short OF meeting
actual expenses, including interest on public debt
commend to Congress such economy and point out two
sources where 1t TO iE might commence. to
wit: in appropriations for public buildings III the
many where work has not been commenced and
in the appropriations for river and harbor improvement
in those localities where the improvements OF but
little benefit 10 general commerce. and for fortifcation
would not DO understood here as opposing
the erection OF good, substantial. ana
mental buildings by the Governpent wherever
such buildings are needed; In fact / approve
OF the Government owning its own buildings
in all sections the country and hOps the day is not
far distant wheC 1t will not only possess them but will
in the capital suitable residences for all persons
who comm utation for quarters or rent at
the Governments expense. aud for the Cabinet, thus
setting an example the States. which may induce
buildings for their Senators; bat would
have this work done az tne whom tho revenues OF the
country abundantly justified it.
There is a still more fruitful source OF expenditure
which will point out later in this message. refer 10
the easy method Of manufacturing claims for losses
CURED In suppressing tho late rebellion.
LESSONS OF THE PASiC-SPECIE PAYMENTS RECON-
nENDED,
The revenues have materially fallen OF for the nr:
Ave months Of the present fiscal year from they
we're expected produce owing to the general panic
ilirn hon tho