Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-12-12
zElAN MONTANA TERRITORY FRIDAY. DECEMBER r. 1878.

locking to the punishment of thos
who may be proved to have been guilt,
OF Illegal acts of violence towards eli
zcns OF the United States, ami MS,
towards indemnifying those who ma,
/, DO shown to be entitled to indemnity
A copy of q protocol Of a conference
between the Secretary of State ans
the Spanish Minister, In which tht
terms of this arrangement were agreed
to, is transmitted herewith. The cor
respondence on this subject with the
Legation Of the United States, in cY
phcr end By cable, needs the verifca
ton OF the actual text of the CORES
pondence. It has seemed NC to be due
to the Importance of tAe case not to
submit this correspondence until the
accurate text can be received by mail.
1t is expected shortly, and win be sub
mitted when received. iii taking leave
Of this subject for the present, / wish
to renew the expression in my conyic-
tion, that the existence Of African
slavery in Cuba is principal cause OF
the lanentabIe condition of the island.
l do not doubt that Congress shares
with me in the hope that it will soon
be made to disappear, and that peace
and prosperity may follow its abolition.
The embargoing of American estates
i'll Cuba; cruelty to American citizens
detected in no act of hostility to the
Spanish government; the numbering
OF persons taken without arms in their
hands; and, finally, the capture upon
the high seas of a vessel sailing under
the United States flag and bearing the
United States register, have culmi-
mated in an outburst of indignation
that has seemed for time to threaten
war. Pending the negotiations be-
tween the United States and the gov
ernment of Spain OH the subject of this
capture, have authorized the Secre-
tary OF the Navy to put our navy on d
war footing, to the extent at least Of
the entire annual appropriation of that
branch of the service, trusting to Con
gress and the public opinion of the
American people to justify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Assuming from the action of the
last Congress in appointing a Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections to pre-
pare and report to this Congress a
constitutional amendment to provide a
better method of cleetins the Presi-
dent and Vice President OF the United
States, and also from the necessity for
such a.i Len lalailt that there will be
suSnitte.. t0tiic State &c .y;sistsrrcs for
ratification sHcl, an iinprovefncnt. iIi
our condition, | suggest two others for
your consideration First. TO author
ize tile Executive to approve OF 50
much OF any measure passing the two
Houses Of Congress as his Judgment
may dictate without approving the
whole, the disapproyed portion or por-
tions to be subjected to the same rules
as now, to-wit: 70 be referred back to
.le House in which the measures origi
rated, and passed by two-tllirds of the |
two Houses, then to become law I
without The approval OF the President.
would add to this provision that
here should no legislation by Congress
Turing the last twenty four hours of I
ts sitting, except upon yetoes, in order
o give the Executive an opportunity
C examine and approve or disappreye
inderstandingly. Second: To provide
1y amendment that when an extra ses-
ion of Congress is convened by Exec
tire proclamation, the Legislature, T
Turing the continuance of such extra
essicn, shall be confined to such sub
ects as the Executive may bring be-
ore it from time to time in the sitting.
The advantage to be gained by these
w0 amendments are obvious. One
ession in each year is provided for by
he Constitution on which there are
10 restrictions as to subjects of legisla-
ion by Congress. IL more are required T
is always in the power Of Congress,
turing its term OF Office, to provide for
essions at any time. The first of these /
would protect the public ,
gainst the many abuses and waste of
nblic moneys which creep into the /
ppropriation bills and the other i'm !
ortant measures passing during the
xpiring hours of Congress to (Which, /
therwise, due consideration might be {
iyen. t
RECEIPTS OF TILE GOVERNMENT. j
The receipts of the Government t
'om all.sources for the last fiscal year 1
ere 1888, 733, ,2O4, and the expendi-
1res for all accounts $3.50, $40, ,245,
lus showing an excess of receipts
yer expenditures of 81, 392, $50. But !!
is not probable that this favorable J
xhibit will be shown for the present 9
seal year. Indeed, it is very doubt :
i whether, except with great econo- !
y on the part of Congress in making :
preparations, and the same economy
the administration of the various I
apartments of the Government, the 9
venue will not fall short of meeting y
e annual expenses, including the in .
rest On the public debt. | commend =
Congress chS'tconomy, and point I
it two sources where it seems to me = :,
might commence, to-wit: Appropn- !,
ions for public buildings in the many ! !
ties where work has not been COIN Z
enced, and in appropriations for river 7
id harbor improvements in those To- y
lities where the improvements are :.
but little benefit to general COM = Y
ornn and fnrf;fsnatinuS There Is d VI