The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-12-10

first day Of October last, while sail
ing under the flag Of the United
States, on the high seas, she was for
cibly seized by the Spanish gunboat
/ Tornado, and was carried into the
port Cf Santiago de Cuba, where
many Of her passengers aud crew
were instantly, and so far at least as
relates 20 those who were citizens Of
the United States, without due pro-
cess Of law, put TO death. It * a
well-established principle, insisted on
by the United States from the begin
ming of their national independence.
recognized By Great Britain and 9th
eT maritime powers, and stated by
the Senate in resolution passed un-
animouslv an the 10th Of June. 1855.
that american vessels OF the high
seas, in time Of peace, bearing the
American flag, remain under the iur-
.siictiOn Of the country to which thev
belong, any therefore anv violation.
mOlestation or detention Of such yes
sci By force, or By the exhibition Of
force, on the part Of foreign power.
is in der0gation Of the sovereignty Of
the United States. In accordance
with this principle, the restoration Of
the Nirginius and the surrender Of
the survivors Of her passengers and
crew, aad due reparation TO the flag
and the punishment Of the authorities
who had been guilty Of the Illegal
acts Of .0!enee, were demanded
The spanish Government has recGr-
q zed the justice Of The demand. and
has arranged for the immediate deliv-
cry Of the vessel aud Of the surren-
der Of the survivors Of the passengers
and crew, and for salute % the fac.
aud for proceedings looking 10 tie
punishment Of those who NAV BE
proved To have been guilty of Illegal
acts OF violence towards citizens Of
the United States, and also towards
indemnifying those who NAV be
shown TO be entitled 20 indemnity.
4 copy Of protocol Of 4 confer
ence between the Secretary Of State
and Spanish Minister, in which the
terms of this arrangement were
agreed 10, is transmitted herewith
The correspondence On the subject
with the legation Of the United States
in Madrid was conducted in cvpher
and by cable, and needs the veriiica-
ton of the actual text Of the cores
[ pondence.
1t has secmeI to me to be due to
the Importance Of the case not to sub
nit this correspondence until the ac-
tual text can be received BY mail. 1t
is expected shortly, and will be sub
mitted when received.
( SLAVERY IN CUBA.
I In taking leave Of this subject for
the present, | wish to renew the ex-
preston of nv conviction that the e1-
istenee Of African slavery in Cuba is
principal cause Of the lamentable
condition Of the island. | do not
doubt that Congress shares with NE
the hope that it VIII soon be made 20
disappear, that peace and prosperity
may follow It's abolition. The embar-
going of American estates in Cuba.
cruelty 10 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 a vessel sailing under the
United States flag. and bearing
United States registry. has culmina-
ted in an outburSt Of Indignation that
( has seemed for a time TO threaten
war. Pending the negotiations be-
tween the United States and the Gov
ernment Of Spain on the subject Of
this capture, | have authorized the
Secretary of the NAVY to put our
Navy on 4 war footing, to the extent
at least of the entire annual aDprOUri-
alton for that branch Of the service.
trusting to Congress and the public
opinion Of the American people 10
justify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Assuming, from the action Of the
last Congress in ordering the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections to
prepare and report to this Congress Il
constitutional amendment to provide
a better method of electing the Presi-
dent and Vice President Of the Uni
ted States, and also from the neeessi-
ty Of such an amendment. that there
will be submitted to the State Legis-
latures for ratification such an i'm
provement in our Constitution. | sub
nit two others for vour considera-
tiOn.
First-To authorize the executive
to approve of so much of anv meas
ure passing the two Houses Of Con-
gress as his Judgment may dictate
without approving the whole, the dis
approved 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 meas
ures originated, and if passed by
two-thirds vote Of the two Houses.
then to become law without the ap-
proval OF the President. would
add to this a provision that there
should be no legislation bv Congress
during the last twenty-four hours Of
its sitting, except upon vetoes. in or
der to give the executive an oppor-
tunity to examine and approve or
disapproye bills understandineIy
Seeond-To provide by amend
ments 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 as
the executive may bring before 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
are no restrictions as to the subject of
legislation by Congress If more are
required it is always in the power Cf
Congress during their term of Office
to propose a session at any time The
first Of these amendments would pro-
teet the public in the many abuses
and waste Of public moneys which
creep into appropriation bills and 9TH
er important measures passing during