Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-12-11


that this evil influence may soon be averted.
The steamer Virginius was, on the Goth day
of September, 1870, duly registered at the port
OF New York as part of the commercial
of October, 1870 having the certificate of her
register in the usual legal form, she sailed
from the port of New York, and has not since
been within the territorial jurisdiction of the
United States. On the 31st of October last,
while sailing under the flag of the United
States on the high seas, she was forcibly
seized by the Spanish gunboat Tornado, and
was carried into the port of Santiago de Cuba,
where many of of her passengers and crew
were lnhumanly, and so far, at least, as relates
to those who were citizens of the United
States, without due process of law. put to
death. 1t is a well-establiShed principle,
serted by the United States from the begin
ming of national independence, recognized by
Great Britain and other maritime Powers, and
stated by the Senate in a resolution passed
unanimously the 10th of June, 1858,
that American vessls on the high seas, in time
of peace, bearing the American flag. remain
under the jurisdiction the country to which they
belong, and, therefore, any visitation, moeS-
tation, or detention of such vessel by force on
the part of foreign power is in derogation of
the sovereignty of the United States. In ac-
cordance with this principle the restoration of
the Virginius and the surrender of the survi-
vors of her passengers and crew and due
reparation to the flag, and the punishment of
the authorities who had been guilty of the ille-
gal acts of violence, were demanded. The
Spanish Government has recognized the JUS
tice of the demand, and has arranged for the
immediate delivery of the 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 been guilty
of illegal acts of violence toward citizens of
the United States, and also toward indemnify
ing those who may be shown to be entitled to
indemnity. A copy of protocol of a confer
ence between the Secretary of State and the
Spanish Minister, in which the terms of this
o. tranSmit-
ted herewith. The correspondence on this
subject with the Legation of the United States
in cipher and by cable needs the verihication
of the actual text of the correspondence,
but it has seemed to me to be due to the
Importance of the case not to submit this cor
respondence until the accurate text can be
ceived by mail. 1t is expected shortly, and
will be submitted when received. In taking
leave of this subject for the present, 1 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. do not doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that it will soon be
made to disappear and that peace and pros
perity may follow its abolition. The embargo
ing of estates in Cuba, cruelty to American
citizens detected in no act of hostility to the
Spanish Government. the numbering of pris-
oners 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, has cul-
minated in an outburst of indignation that
L
ing negotiations sbetween the United States
and the Government of Spain the subject
of this capture, have authorized the Secre-
tary of the Navy to Put, our navy on a war
annual appropriation for that branch of the
service, trusting to Congress and the public
opinion of the American people to Justify my
action.
Assuming, from the action of the last Con-
gress in the appointing of Committee on
Privileges and Elections to prepare and report
to this Congress constitutional amendment
to provide better method of electing the
President and Vice-President of the United
States, and also from the necessity of such an
amendment, that there will be submitted to
the State Legislatures for ratification such an
Improvement in our condition, 1 suggest two
others to your consideration First to au-
thorize the Executive to approve of SO much
of any measure passing the two Houses of
Congress as his judgment may dictate, with
out 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 measure
measures originated, and if passed by two
thirds vote of the two houses, then to become
a law without the approval of the President.
I would add to this provision that there
should be no legislation by Congress during
the last twenty-four hours of its sitting, ex-
cept upon veto, and in order to
give the Executive opportunity to examine
and approve or disapprove understandingly.
Second, to provide, by amendment, that
when an extra session of Congress is convened
by Executive proclamation, legislation during
the continuance of such extra session shall be
confined to such subjects the Executive
may bring before it from time to time in writ
ing. The advantages to 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 to the SUBJ
jects of legislation by Congress. If more are
required, it is always in the power of Con-
gress, during its term of office, to provide for
sessions at any time. The first of these
the many abuses and waste of public moneys
which creep into Appropriation bills and other
important measures passing during the expir-
ing hours of Congress, to which otherwise due
consideration cannot be given.
The receipts of the Government from all
sources for the fiscal year were 1888, 73S, ,204,
and the expenditures on all accounts $780,
$40, 245, thus showing an excess of receipts
over the expenditures of $43, 392, 959; but it
is not probable that this favorable exhibit will
be shown for the present fiscal year. Indeed,
| it is very doubtful whether, except with great
economy on the part of Congress in making
appropriations, and the same economy in the
| administration in administering the various
| departments of the Government, the revenues
will not fall short of making the annual eX-
| penses, including the interest on the public
| debt. commend to Congress such economy,
and point out two sources where it seems to
me it might commence, to-wit: In the appro-
| priations for public buildings in the many
cities where work has not been commenced; il
| the appropriations for river and harbor i'm
prOvements in those localities where the i'm
| provements are of but little benefit to general
| commerce and Notifications. There is still
more fruitful source of expenditure, which
| will point out laterln this message. 1 refer tC
| the easy method of manufacturing claims
| for losses incurred in the suppression of the
| late rebellion. I would not be understood
| here as opposing the erection of good, sub
| stantial and even ornamental buildings by the
Government, wherever such buildings ar
needed. In fact, I approve of the Govermen
| owning it's own buildings in all sections of tn
| country, and hope the day is not far distan
| when it will not only possess them, but viii
erect in the capital suitable residences for per
| sons who now receive communication for quar-
ters or rent az the Government expense, ant
for the Cabinet, thus setting example t.
the States which may induce them to erec
| buildings for their Senators but would hav
this work conducted at times when the reve
nues of the country would abundantly just
fly it.
The revenues have naturally fallen off fo
the last five months of the present fiscal veal
from what they were expected to produce
owing to the general panic now prevailing
which commenced about the middle of Ser
tember last. The full effect of this disaster
if it should not prove to be "a blessing i'll dis
guise," is yet to be demonstrated. In eithe
event it is your duty to heed the lesson an
provide by wise and well-considere
Legislation, as far as it lies in you
power, against its recurrence, and t
take advantage of all the benefits that ma
| have accrued. NV own INDICTMENT is hOweyt