Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-12-09
NUMBER 10.

the punishment OF those VINO may De proved TO
have been guilty of illegal acts of violence to-
wards citizens of the United States, and also to-
| wards indemnifying those who may be shown
to be entitled to Indemnity A copy of proto-
col of a conference between the Secretary of
State and the Spanish Minister, in which the
terms of this arrangement were agreed to, is
transmitted herewith.
The correspondence on this subject with the
legation of the United States at Madrid was con-
Quoted in cypher and by cable, and needs the
verifcation of the actual text of the correspon-
dence. 1t has seemed to me to be due to the
| Importance of the case not to submit this corre-
spondence until the accurate text can be received
by mail. 1t is expected shortly and will be sub
mitted when received.
/ In taking leave of this subject for the present
| l wish to renew the expression of my convic-
ton that the existence of African slavery in
| Cuba is principal cause of the lamentable con-
| dirion of the island / do not doubt that Con-
gress shares with me the hope that will be soon
| made to disappear, and peace and prosperity
| may follow its abolition.
| The embargo of American estates in Cuba,
| cruelty to American citizens detected in no act
| of hostility to the Spanish Government, the
| numbering of prisoners 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
| eliminated in an outburst of Indignation that
seemed for a time to threaten war. Pending
| negotiations 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 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 justify my action.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Assuming from the action of the last Con-.
gress in appointing committee on Privileges
and Elections to prepare and report TO this
Congress constitutional amendment to pro-
vide better method of electing the President
and Vice-President of the United States, and
also from the necessity for such an amendment,
that there will be submitted to the State Legis-
latures for ratification such improvement in our
Constitution, suggest two others for your con-
sideraton First-TO authorize the Executive
to approve of so much of any measure passing
the two Houses of Congress as his Judgment may
dictate without approving the WHOLE the disap-
proved 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 or measures
originated, and If passed by two-thirds vote
of the two Houses then to become law with
out the approval of the President I would add
to this provision that there should be no legis-
lation by Congress during the last twenty-four
hours OF Its sitting except upon Vetoes, in order
to give the Executive opportunity to exam
inc and approve or disapprove bills understand
ingly.
Second-To provide by amendment that when
an extra session of Congress is convened by Ex-
ecutive proclamation, legislation during the con-
tinuanee of such extra session shall be confined
to such subjects as the Executive may bring be-
fore it from time to time in writing.
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 restrictions as to the subjects
oflegislation by Congress. 1fmore are required,
it IS always in the power of Congress during
their term of office to provide for sessions at any
time. The first of these amendments would pro-
tect tho public against the many abuses and
waste of public moneys which creep into appro-
priation bills and other important measures pas
~, hoo e
which otherwise due consideration cannot be
given.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
The receipts of the Government from all
sources for the lsst fiscal year were 1888 738 204
and expenditures on all accounts $3.50 345 245;
thus showing an excess of receipts over expendi-
lures of $43. 1872, $50 But it is not probable that
this favorable exhibit will be shown for the pre-
sent 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 administering the various de-
partments of Government the revenues will not
fall short of meeting actual expenses, including
interest on the public debt. commend to Con-
gress such economy, and point out two sources
where it seems to me it ght commence-to w.t.
in the appropriations for public buildings in the
many cities where work has not yet been COM
menced in the appropriations for river and har-
Dor improvements In those localities where the
improvements are of but little benefit to general
commerce, and for Notifications. There is still
more fruitful source of expenditure, which will
point out later in this message L refer to the
easy method of manufacturing claims for losses
incurred in suppressing the late rebellion. I
would not be understood here as opposing the
erection of good, substantial, and even ornamen-
tai buildings by the Government wherever such
buildings are needed. In fact, L approve of the
Government owning its own buildings in all Sec
tions 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
rh0 f0f1O
quarters, or rent at Government expense, and for
the Cabinet, thus setting an example to the States
which may induce them to erect buildings for
their senator's But / would have this work con-
Quoted at time when the revenues Of the coun-
try would abundantly justify it.
REvENUEs-THE CURRENCY.
The revenues have materially fallen off for the
first five months of the present fiscal year from
what they were expected to produce owing to
the general panic now prevailing which COM
menced about the middle of September. The
full effect of this disaster if it should not prove
blessing in disguise is yet to be demonstrated.
In either event it is your duty to heed the lesson,
and to provide by wise and well-consdered Leg
isaton far as it lies In your power against its
recurrence, and to take advantage of all benefits
that may have accrued. My own judgment is
that however much individuals may have suffer-
| ed one long step has been taken towards specie
payments ; that we can never have permanent
prosperity until fair basis is reached and that
| a specie basis cannot be reached and maintained
until our exports exclusive of gold, pay for our
| imports interest due abroad, and other specie
obligations, or nearly so as to leave an appre-
ciative accumu alton of the precious metal in the
| country from the products of our mines. The
development of the mines of precious metals dur
| ing the past year, and the prospective develop
ment of them for years to come, are gratifying in
their results Could but one-half OF the gold ex-
| tracted from the mines be retained at home our
| advance towards specie payments would be
| rapid. To increase our exports sufficient cur
rency is required to keep all the industries ofthe
| country employed. Without this national as
| we'll as Individual bankruptcy must tensue. More
| imitation on the other hand, while it might give
temporary relief would only lead to initiation of
| prices, the impossibility of competing in our own
markets for the products of home skill and labor,
and repeated renewals of present experiences =
| Elasticity to our circulating medium, therefore
and Just enough of it to transact the legitimate
business of the country and to keep all industries
employed, is what is most to be desired. The
| exact medium is specie-the recognized medium
/ of exchange the world over. That obtained, we
| shall have currency IAN exact degree of elias
ticity. If there be too much of it for the egiti-
mate purposes oftrade and commerce it will flow
out of the country. If too little the reverse will
| result. To hold what we have and to appreciate
| our currency to that standard is a problem de-
serving of the most serious consideration OF Con-
gress. The experience of the present panic has
oroyen that the currency oft the country, based as
it is upon the credit OF the country, is the best
that has ever been devised. Usually in times of
such trials currency has become worthless. or so
much deprecated in value as to initiate the values
| of all the necessaries of life as compared with
the currency Every one holding it has been
anx. Gus to dispose of it on any terms. Now we
witness the reverse. Holders of currency hoard