Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-12-04

Vessels Oh INC uIB u oOooi iu thto VI
peace, bearing the American flag re-
main under the jurisdiction of the
country to which they belong, and
therefore any visitation, mol station
or change of destination Of any such
vessel by force on the part of for
eigu power is 10 derogation of the
sovereignty of the United States
L. accordance with these principles
the restoration of the Virginius and
surrender OF her passengers and crew
and due reparation to the flag, aud
the punishment of the authorities
who had been guilty OF illegal acts
OF violence were demanded The
Spanish Government has recognized
the justice of the demand and has ar
ranged for the immediate delivery
of the vessel and for the surrender
of the survivors of the passengers
aud crew, and tor 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 towards citizens OF
the United States, AID also towards
indemnifying those who may be
shown to be entitled to indemnity
A copy OF d protocol ola 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, in cipher and by cable,
needs the verificatron of the actuaI
text of the Jurisprudence. 1t has
seemed to me to be due To the i'm
portance of the case not to submit
this correspondence until the acurate
text can be received by mail 1t is
expected shortly, and will be SUBJ
mi.ted when received,
In taking leave of this subject for
the present, | wish to renew the ex.
preston of my conviction that the
existence of African slavery 10 Cuba
is the principle cause Of the lamenta-
BILE condition ofthe island, | do no,
doubt thai Congress shares with me
the hope that will soon be made to
disappear, and peace ahd prosperity
may follow it's abolition. The embar
going of American vessels in Cuba;
the cruelty to American citizens de-
tected in no act of hostility 10 the
Spanish Government, the numbering
Of prisoners taken with arms 10 theil
hands, and finally the capture upon
the high seas OF vessel sailing un.
der the United States flag and bear.
ing United States registry has cul
minated in an OutbursJ OF indignita.
ton that has seemed for the time Il
threaten war. Pending negotiation,
between the United States and tn,
Government Of Spain on the subiec
Of this capture. | have authorized th,
Secretary of the Navy to put our ma.
Wy on a war footing, 90 the extent al
least of the entire annual appropria
ton for that branch of the service
trusting to Congress to respond tn,
public opinion of the American PEG.
| PIE 10 JustlIy my actlon.
c NsTITUTIoNAL AMENDMENT.
Assuming from the action of tn,
last Congress in appointing a Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections I,
prepare and report TO this Congress
constitutional amendment to provid,
a better method of electing the Pres.
ident and Vlce-President of the Unit
ed States, and also from the necessit,
of such an amendment, that there vii
be submitted To the state legislatures
for ratification, such an improvement
in our condition, suggest Two other
for your consideration: First. to au-
thorize the Executive to approve OF s,
much of any measure passing the TIVE
houses of Congress as his judgmen
may dictate without approving tn
whole; the disappr owed portion or pc
tons to be subjected to the same rule
as now, to-wii: To be referred bacl
to the house in which the measure O
measures originated, and if passed b,
two thirds vote of the two houses
then to become a law without the ap
proval of the President. | would ado
u this a provision that there Shout,
BE no Legislation by Congress durin!
the last twenty four hours of its sit
ting, except uponsacts, and IN order t
give the executive an opportunity /,
examine and approve or disapprove
understand ngly. Second, to provid,
by an amendment, when an extra ses
sion of Congress IS convened by exc,
utive proclamation, that Legislation
during the continuance of such extr,
sessions be confined TO such subjects
as the executive may bring before i
from time to time in writing. Tn,
advantages 10 be gained by thes,
amendments are obvious. One ses
sion in eacn year is provided for by
the Constitution, in which there are II,
restrictions as to the Subjects oflrgis.
ton by Congress. 1t more are requir
ed it is always in the power Of Con.
gress, during their term of office L
provide for sessions at any time. TIL,
first of these amendments would pro
tect the public against many abuses
and the expenditures of public money
which creep into appropriation bill
and other important measures passin.
during the expiring hours of Congress
to which, otherwise, due considera
ton cannot be given.
| OUR FINANCES
The receipts of the government
from all sources for the last fiscal yea
were $437, 738, 2O4, and the expendi-
lures on all accounts $500, 34O,245
thus showing an excess of receips
over expenditures of $43, 362,959. Blu
it is not probable that this favorable
exhibit will be shown for the presen
fiscal year. Indeed it is very doubt
tul whether, except with great econ
omy on the part of Congress in max
ing appropriations, and the same eco,
omy in the administration of the yari
GUS departments of the Government
the revenues will not fall short o
| mppfi ncr thn animal avnaucaa ;,,.i. n.