Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-05

new DOfk, ana mas not since Deen Whit
the territorial jurisdiction of the United
States. On the 31st day of October last
while sailing under the flag of the United
States on the high seas, she was iorcibly
seized by the Spanish gunboat Tornado
and was carried into the port of Santiago
de Cuba, where many Of her passengers
were inhumanly, and, so far at least as re-
lates to those who were citizens of the Uni
ted States, were without due process of law
put TO death.
THE LAW OF THE CASE.
Itisa well established principle, asserted
by the United States from the beginning OF
their national independence, recognized by
Great Britain and other maritime powers,
and stated by the Senate in resolution
passed unanimously on the 10th OF June,
1858, that American vessels on The high
seas, in time of peace, bearing the Ameri-
can flag, remain under The jurisdiction of
the country 10 which they belong; and,
therefore, any visitation, molestation or de-
tention of such vessel, by force or by the
exhibition of force, on the part of foreign
power is an insult to the sovereignty of the
United States.
OUR DEMANDS ON SPAIN.
In accordance with this principle, the
restoration OF the Nirginus and the sur
render of the survivors of her passengers
and crew and due reparation To the flag,
and the punishment of the authorities who
had been guilty of the illegal acts of
violence, were demanded. The Span
iSh Government has recognized the justice
of the demand and has arranged for the
immediate delivery of The vessel and for
the surrender of the survivors of the pas
sengcrs and crew, and for a salute TO the
flag and for proceedings looking to the pun
ishmenl of those who may have been gull
ty of illegal acts of violence toward citizens
oftheUnited States, and also toward indem-
nirying those who may be shown to he en-
titled to indemnity. a copy of protocol
of conference between the Secretary Of
state and the Spanish minister, in which
the terms of this arrangement wore a2reeG
to is transmitted herewith. Our CORE
spondeuce on this subject with the legation
OF the United States is in cypher, and by
cable, and needs the vcriiicatiOn of the act
ual text Of the correspondence. 1t has
seemed to me to be due to the Importance
of the case not TO submit this correspond
euce until the accurate text can he received
by mail. 1t is expected shortly and will
he submitted when received
In taking leave of this subject for the
present | wish to renew the expression of
my conviction that the existence of African
/ slavery in Cuba is principal cause of the
! lamentable condition of the island. l do
not doubt that Congress shares with me in
I the hope that il will soon be made to dsap-
| pear, and that peace and prosperity may
| follow its abolition. The embargoing of
| American estates IN Cuba, cruelty to Amer
| lean citizens detected in no act Of hostility
! 10 the Spanish government, the numbering
! of prisoners taken with arms in their hands,
| and finally, the capture upon the high seas
| of a vessel sailing under the United States
/ flag, and bearing United States registry,
| has eliminated in an outburSt of indigna-
| ton that has seemed for time TO threaten
| war; Pending negotiations between the
| United States and the government of Spain
on the subject of this capture, 1 have au-
aI.Nr t,,fNl tl.nS tl,n ...,l
our navy on a war footing, to the extent at
least OF the entire annual appropriation for
| that branch of the service, trusting TO Con-
| gress and the public opinion of the Ameri-
| can people TO justify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Assuming from the action of the last
! Congress in appointing committee on
privileges and elections TO prepare and re
port TO this Congress constitutional a.
| mendment to provide better method Of
| electing the President and Vice President
Of toe United States, and also from the ne
cessity of such an amendment, that there
will be submitted to the State legislatures
for ratification such an improvement in oui
constitution, l suggest two other constitu
tional amendments for your consideration
first, to authorize the Executive to APP.
prove of so much of any measure passing
the two Houses of Congress rs his iudg
ment may dictate, without approving the
NbpIc VI IL, tlt IllIbN tu VI IlDT
tons to be submitted TO the same rules rs
now, 10 wit: To be referred back TO Tho
| House in which the measure or measures
originated, and il passed by two-third'
vote of the two houses, TO become law
| without the approval of the President.
would add to this provision that there
should be no legislation by Congress with
in the last twenty flour hours of its sitting
except upon vetoes, in order to give the
executive an opportunity to examine and
approve or disapprove bills understand
| ingly. Second, to provide by amendment
that, when an extra session of Congress l.
convened by executive pr exclamation, leg
| iSlation during the continuance of such eX
ira sessions shall be confined TO such sub
jects as the executive may bring before /
from time 10 time in writing. The advan
tages to be gained by these two amend
ments are obvious. One session in eacl
year is provided for by the constitution, IL
which there are no restrictions as to th
subjects of legislation by Congress. l
more are required, 1t is always in the pow
er of Congress during their term of oflic
10 provide for sessit MS at any time. Tn
inst of these amendments would protec
the public against the many abuses an,
loss of public moneys which creep into ap
preparation bills and other important meas
ures passing during the expiring hours o
Congress, to which, otherwise, due consid
Grafton cannot be given.
-, -" w -,
tbe government from all sonrces far tb
last fiscal year, were s333, 73s, 2Oi, and III
expenditure on all accounts, S2g0, 3l5 ,2ia
Thus showing an excess OF receipts owe
expenditures OF s43,392 s59' But 1t is no
possible that this favorable exhibit Will b.
shown for the present fiscal year. Indeed
it is very doubtful whether, except will
great economy on the part OF congress II
making appropriations, and the same econ
I omy in administering The various depart
ments OF the government, the revenues VII
| NOT fall short nf mpptinu The actull DpnSpS