The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-12-04

'ENWORTH WEE1
civilization and of progres. 1t 10 to
hoped that this evil influence may be SOC
averted.
THE STEAMER vIR6iNIUS
was, on the 26h Of Septembes, 1870, dnl
registered 1t the port Of New York = pa
Of the commercial marine of the Unite
States. On the 4th Of October, 1870, havin
the certificate Of her register in the ueu,
| legal form, she sailed from the port Of Ne
York and has not since been within The terri
tOrial Jurisdiction Of the United States. .
the 3lss Of October Last, vhis Giliny I'D
to Gag Of The United 8tstsa, n the hi6
seas, she vas Sorcsably ssizsd By the SPANS
gunboat, Tornado, and vss carried into ID
port of Santiago de Cuba, where many Q
her passenger and crew were inhumanly
and 90 far, At least, ~ related to those wh
we're citizens of the United States, were with
out due process OF Law, put . DEATH knl
veil established principle, aaerts1 b. Oh
United State. from the beginring a nG1ioea
Independence, recognized By Gresg Britain
and other maritime powers, sd Glatsd b,
the Senate in q resolution pased unanimonsi,
on the 1G.h of June, 1858, that Americas
vessels in the high seas in tiiae of peace,
BEARING THE AMERICAN FLAG
remain under the jurisdiction of the country
to which they belong, and therefore any
visitation, molestatioa q distinaioa OF such
vessel or force on the part Of foIei2n
power is an indignity to the sovereignty Of the
United States. In accordance with this prin.
ciple the restoration of the Virginius and the
survivors of her passengers and crew, and q
due repsration to the flag and the pun.
ishment of the authorities who had been
guilty of the illegal acts of violence. were
demanded. The Spanish government has
recognized the justice of the demand, and has
arranged for the immediate delivery Of the
vessel, and for the surrender &C the SURVIVORS
of the passengers and crew, and for . salute
to the flag, and for proceedings looking TO
the punishment of those who may be proved
70 have been guilty Of illegal acts of violence
towards citizens of the United 6tstes, and
ako to indemnifying those who may be
shown to be entitled to indemnity A copy
Of the protocol of conference between the
Secretary of State and the Spanish minister,
in which the terms of this arrangement we're
agreed to, il transmitted herewith. The chr.
on this subject with the legs.
ton with the United States, in cy pher ;snd
BY cable, needs the veri6cation of the actual
text of the correspondents, and it has seemed
to me to be due to the import .nce Of the case
not to submit this correspondents until the
actual text can be received hy mail; it is ex-
pected shortly and will be submitted when
received. In taking leave Of this subject for
the present / wish TO renenew the expression
Of
MY CONVICTION
hat the existence of African slavery in Cuba
is principle cause of the lamentable condi-
ion of the island. i do not doubt thst Con-
yress sharea with me the hope that il soon
will be made to disappear. and that peace
md prosperity may:fellou iis'abolition. The
,mbargoing Of A merican estates in Cuba,
:ruelty to American citizens, detected in no
lct of hostility towards the Spanish govern
nent, the numbering OF prisoners with arms
IN their hands AMI finally the capture, upon
he high seas, Of a vessel sailing under the
United States flag and bearing United
States register; eliminated in an Outbnrst of
Indignation that has seemed for time to
hreaten war. The pending negotiations be-
ween the United States and the government
# Spain, on the subject Of this capture
rave authoriz d the Secretary Of the Navy,
o put our navy on war footing, TO the ex.
ent at leas, Of the annual appropriation for
hat branch of the service. Trusting to Con-
,ress and the public opinion Of the Ameri-
an people TO justify my action.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Assuming from the action Of the last Con.
.ress on appointing Committee on Privi-
eyes and Elections. To prepare and report
o this Congress a con-iitu' 'onal amendment
o provide better method OF elec,ing the
resident and Vice President Of the United
tates; and al-o from necessity Of snch an
mendmsnt there will he submitted to the
tate Legislatures for ratification such an
Improvement in our crniirinn. | suggest
wo Others for yonr consideration:
First-To an.horike the Executive 10 ar
rove OF 40 much of any measure passing
he two Houses of Congress- "a hi- Judgment
lay dictate, without approving the whole. |
he disapproved portion or portions to be |
nbject to the same rules a. now, to be re-
Erred back To the House in which the |
MEASURE or measures originated, and
passed bv tvo-thIrds vote.
( the two houses to become a Law withou i
he approval Of the President. / would add |
o this provision that there should be no |
agi-lation by Congress during the last twen- |
' four hours Of its sitting, except upon |
etoe-, and in order TO give the executive an
pPorfunity to examine and approve or dis
pprove Understandings.
Second.-To provide by amendment that |
then an extra session of Congress is con-
ened nv executive proclamation, the legis- |
alton during the continuance Of such extra |
ession. shall he confined to snch subjects a
he executive NAV bring before it from time |
D time. The advantages to be gained by
hese two amendments are obvious. One |
pssion in each year IL provided bv the con-
titntion, in which there are no restrictions
g to the subjects Of legislation by Congress.
{ more are required, il il always in the |
'ower of Congress during the term Of Its OF,
ce, TO provide for sessions at any time The
mt of these amendments would
PROJECT THE PUBLIC
gainst the many abuses and waste of public
nonies which creep into appropriation bills,
nd other important measures passing during
he expiring hours of Congress, to which due
cannot be given.
RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENT.
The receipts Of the government, from all
ources, for the last fscsI year, were 1893,
IS, 204. and the expenditures, on all &C
cunts, 1920, 304, 2i5. thus showing an excess
4 receipts over expenditures of Si3, 392, 959,
vat it ia not probable that this favorable ex-
ibit will be shown for the present fiscal
ear; indeed, il Is verv doubtful whether,
kept with great economy on the part OF
congress in making appropriations, and the
anne economy in the Administration, in min
stering the various debts of the government,
he revenues will not fall short Of making
nnual expenses, including the interest on
he public debt. ! commend to Congress
uch te-4-H 20
ECONOMY,
nd point out two sources where il seems to
ne it might commence, to-wit: In the ap-
'ropristions for public buildings in the many
ities, where work has not been commenced,
n the appropriations for river and harbor
Improvements in those localities where the
are but Of little benefit to gen.
raj commerce snd Notifications, There n !