Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-12-11

authorities who had been guilty of the illegal acts
Of violence, were demanded. The Spanish Gov
eminent has recognized the justice Of the demand
and has arranged for the immediate delivery OF lhc
vessel. and for the surrender Of the survivors OF
the passengers and crew. and FOR salute to the flag
and for proceedings looking to the punishment OF
those who may be proved TO have becn
guilty Of Illegal acts Of violence towards
citizens of The United States, and also to-
ward ndennifyng those who may be shown to be
entitled 10 indemnity. copy of u protocol OF
3 conference between the Secretary OF State and
the Spanish Minister, in which the terms OF
this arrang cement were agreed 10, IL transmitted
herewith. The correspondence on TINS subject
with the Legation OF the United states - IN clpner
and by cable, and needs the verifcatiOn OF the
actual text OF the correspondence. 1t has seemed
to me to be due TO the Importance Of the case not
To submit this correspondence until the
accurate text be received by mail.
II is expected shortly, and will
be submitted when received In taking leave or
this subject for the present | wish 10 renew the
expression Of my conviction that the existence OF
African slavery in Cuba il Il principal cause OF the
lamentable condition Of the Island | do not doubt
that Congress shares with me the hope that II Will
soon be made 10 disappear, and that peace ana
prosperity may follow ts abolition, The embar-
going of American estates in Cuba, cruelty TO
American citizens detected In act of hostility TO
the Spanish Government, the numbering of prison.
ers taken with arms in their hands and finally the
capture upon the high seas of vessel
sailing under the United States flag and
bearing United States registry, have cul-
seemed for a time 10 threaten war. Pending ne
gotiations between the United States and the
Government Of Spain on the subject OF this cap
ture, have authorized the Secretary of the Navy
to put our navy on IA war footing, TO the extent, at
least, of the entire annual appropriation for that
branch of the service, trusting to Congress and
the public opinion of the American people to JUS
tify my action.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Assuming. from the action of the last Congress
in insiructing the Committee on Privileges ana
Constitutional amendment to provide better
method Of eiecng the President and Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States and also from the
necessity Of such an amendment, that
there will be submitted to the State Legis-
latures for ratification such an Improvement i'll our
Constitution, suggest two Others for your consid-
Grafton: First, to authorize the Executive 10 APP
prove Of 30 much of any measure passing the two
Houses of Congress as his judgment may dictate,
without approving the whole, the disapproyed por-
ton or portions TO be subjected to the same rules
az now. to Wit to be referred back to the house
in which the measure or measures originated, and
If passed by twO-thirds vote of the TWO houses,
then to become law without the APP
proval of the President ! would add to
this provision that there should be no legislation
by Congress during the last twenty four hours of
It's sitting except upon veto in order to give
the Executive an opportunity to examine and APP
prove or disapproye undcrstandingly. Second, to
provide, by an amendment, that when an extra ses-
sion Of Congress is convened by Executive proc
amatiOn, legislation during the continuance
of such extra session shall be confined to
such subjects as the Executive may
bring before II, from time TO time. in writ
ing The advantages 80 be gained by these
two amendments are obvious. One session in
each year is provided for by the Constitution, in
which there are no restrictions as to the subjects
Of legislation by Congress. If more are required
1t IL always In the power of Congress, during its
term OF Office to provide for sessions at any time
The first of these amendments would protect the
public against the many abuses and waste of pub
lie moneys which creep into Appropriation bills
and other important measures passing during the
expiring hours Of Congress, TO which otherwise
due consideration cannot be given.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
The receipts of the Government from all sources
for the last fiscal fiscal year were 1888 i3e 2Oi, and
the expenditures all accounts $3.50, 245, thus
showing an excess OF receipts over the eXpendl-
lures of Si3 3 49, but il i not probable that this
favorable exhibit will be shown for the present
fiscal wear. Indeed il is very doubtful whether.
except with great economy on the part of Congress
III making appropriations, and the same economy
in the Administration III administering the various
departments of the government the revenues Will
not fall short of making the annual expenses, IN
Guiding the interest on the public debt. | com
mend to Congress such economy and point out two
sources where it seems to me 1t might commence,
to-wit: In the appropriations for public buildings
in the MANY cities where work has not been com
menced; i'll rnc appropriations forriger and harbOr
improvements in those localities where the i'm,
proyements are of but little benefit to general
commerce and fortifcations. There
is still more fruitful source
Of expenditure which | will point out later
in this message. | refer to the easy method of
manufacturing claims for losses incurred in the
suppression of the late rebellion.
would not be understood here a. opposing the
erection of good substantial, and even ornamental
buildings by the Government. wherever such build
mgs are needed In fact, | approve of the Govern
ment owning its own buildings in all sections OF
the country, and hope the day is not far distant
when II VIII not only possess them, but will erect
in the Capital suitable residences for all persons
who now receive Communication for quarters or rent
at the Governments expense, and for the Cabinet
thus setting an example 10 the States which may
induce them to erect buildings for their Senators ;
but would have this work conducted at times
when the revenues of the country would abundant
ly justify 1t.
THE PANIC AND SPECIE PAYMENTS
The revenues have materially fallen off for the
last five months of the present fiscal year from
what they were expected 10 produce, owing to the
general panic now prevailing, which commenced
about the middle of September last The full ef-
feet of this disaster, If II should not prove to be
"a blessing in disguise, is yet TO be demonstrated
In either event il Is your duty to heed the lesson
and provide by wise and well-considered le.isla
tion far 1t lies in your power, against its
curreuCe, and to take advantage of all the benefits
that may have accrued My own Judgment is that
however much individuals may have suffered one
long step has been taken towards specie payments
that we never can have permanent prosperity until
an entirely new basis Is reached and main
taned-unti our exports, exclusive OF gold, pay
for our imports interest due abroad, and other
speCulations so heavy A. to leave an apprcciable
accumulation of these metals In the country from
the products Of our mines The development of
mines of precious metals during the past year, and
the prospective development Of them for years to
come, are gratifying in the extreme; could but
one-half the gold extracted from the mines be re-
tanned NJ home, our advance toward specie pay
ments would be rapid To increase our exports,
sufficient currency Is required TO keep all the in
dustres OF the country employed. without this
national as we'll as individual bankruptcy must en-
sue Undue imitation on the other hand. while 1t
might give temporary relief, would only lead to an
imitation of prices, and the impossbility of compel
ing in our own markets for the products of home
skill and labor, and repeated renewals of such ex-
perienets. Elasticity to our circulating medium.
therefore, and just enough of ii TO transact the
legitimate business of the country and TO keep all
the industries employed is what is most desired
The exact medium is specie, the recognized medium
OF exchange, the world over. That obtained we
shall have u currency Of an exact degree Of elas-
city II there be too much OF il for tine legitimate
purposes of trade and commerce. il viii flow ont
Of the country; II too little OF it, Tie reverse will
~ Il 4 ~