The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-12-03


this principle the ssstorsuon- of tho Viz
and crew, and q due repArAtion to tho flaGs
had been guilty Of the Illegal acts Of VIC.
eminent has recognized the justice of the
demand, and has arranged for the immo-
| diato doiivorery Of the vessel, and for the
gers and crew, and for salute TO the flag,
and for proceedings looking TO public
punishment Of those who may b proved
TO have been guilty of illegal acts Of vic.
lenco towards citzons of the United
States and also to indemnify those who
may DO shown 70 10 entitled 70 10 domnity.
A COPY OF the protocol of conferences be-
| tween the secretary Of state and the
Spanish minister, in which the terms Of
| this arrangement were agreed, istrans-
mitted herewith. The correspondence on
this subject, with the legation with tho
United States in cipher and by cable,
needs the notification Of the actual text
OF the correspondence. 1t has seemed to
| me TO DO due 60 the Importance Of the case,
not 10 summit this correspondents until
an accurate text can DO received by mail,
|
mittsd when received. In taking caro- OF
this subject for tho present, / wish TO re-
now tho expression Of my conviction that
tbo existsuos Of hyese 90. ~
/ AysreAs sLAvERvIseulA
is ths principle cau,o d. The lAneuSAblA
conditson Of that island. do not doubt
that Congress shares with mo in tho hope
that it soon will DO made to disappear, and
that pooco and prosperity may follow its
abolition. Tho embracing Of American
estates in Cuba and cruelty 10 American
citizens, dstrActsd no act Of hostility TO
the spanish government. The murder
ing OF prise ners taken with arms in their
hands, and finally tho capture upon the
high seas Of . vessel sailing under the
United States nag, and bearing . United
States register, Terminated in An outburst
Of Indignation. which seemed for time to
threaten war. Pending negotiations be-
tween the United States aud tho govern
mont Of Spain on The subject Of this cap
ture. 1 have authorized tho secretary VI
the navy to put our navy on war-footing
to the extent at least Of the entire annual
appropriation FOR that branch OF service,
trusting TO Congress and the public opin-
ion Of the American people to justify my
action. rlB'fl
METHOD OF ELEcTINo PRKsIpRET.
Assuming from tho action Of the last
Congress in appointing 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 neces-
sity Of such an amendment, that there
will be submitted to our state Legislatures
for ratification such an improvement in
our condition, I suggest two others for
your consideration:
| First, to authorixo tho executive to ap-
provo VI 90 much Of any measure, pass-
ing the two houses Of Congress, - his
judgment may dictate, without approx.
ing the whole, the disapproved portion or
| portions, TO DO subjected 10 the same rules
| Is nOw--to 30 referred back to the house
in which the measure or measures origin
ated and IL passed by two-thirds vote Of
the two, houses 10 become . law without
the approval Of tho president. l would
add ~ this q provision that there
should be no legislation by Congress
during the Last twsnty-four hourA, Of its
Betting, except upon Voices, IN sofdsf 70
Eive the executive en- opportunity 20 ext
anime and approve or disapprovs undor-
standiLgly.
Second to provide by amendment that
when an extra session OF congress IL con-
vsinod by executive proclamation,
legislation during the continuance Of
such extra session shall be confined to
such subjects ~ the executives may bring
before il from time to time in writ
ing.
The advantages TO be gained by these
two amendments are obvious. Ono ses-
sion in zach year 10 provided for by the
constitution in which there are no restrie-
tions - " ths subjects OF lsgislatieu BY
congress. II moro are required il 10 al
ways in the power Of congress during
their term OF ONCE TO provide for sessions
al any time. The hrst OF these amend
ments would protect tho public against
the many abuses and waste Of public mon.
les which creep into appropriation bills
and other important measures passed dur
ing tho expiring hours Of congress, tc
which due consideration cannot be given
THE TREASURY.
The receipts Of the government from al
sources for the last dseAl year wers $333,
73S2OA, and tho sxpsnd lures on all FAC
: counts wore 500, SA0, PAS, this showing q
excess Of receipts over expenditures @
$43,S92,9oo. But it 10 not probable ths
this favorable exhibit will be shown TO
tho present fiscal year. Indeed 1t IL YER
doubtful, whether, except with grea
economy on the part Of Congress II
making appropriations and the sam
economy in the administration in minis
, tering the various debts Of the govern
: ment, the revenues will not fall short c
: meeting the annual expenses, includin
b interest on the national debt. l common
( to congress such economy, and point on
h two sources where il seems 70 me 1t nigh
: commence, to-wit:
o WHERE TO ICoNoNIZE.
y in appropriations TO public buildings !
a tho many cities whore the work has nc
been commenced in the appropriation
for river and harbor improvements
those localities whsre the improvement
= aro Of bat little benefit 70 general CON
D .ae.. s-.;.'.i .-"-~- - a-P~-i ;s"-- --S;-
l will point out latter in this message.
y refsre TO the easy method Of manufactul
ing claims for losses incurred in tho sess,
ton OF the late rebellion.
PUBLIc BUILDINGS.
O would not DO understood ~ oppoisn
. tho erection Of good substantial building
j. by tho government, wherever such builC
h ings are needed in fact, i approve Of tn
;. government owning its own buildings i
10 all sections Of tho country, and hope tn
10 day is not far distant when 1t will not onl
possess them, but erect in the capital sui
able residences for all persons who no.