Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-02
ENHANCEMENT we're agreed 70 IS rsusmltted

nert NTH.
The correspondence on this subject with the
Legation of the United States in Madrid was
conducted in cypber and by cable, and needs
the verthcation OF the actual text of the cor
Irsyortence. IL has seemed to me to be due to
the importance of ths case not to submit this
corrVsI Ondence until the accurate text can De
received by mail. Ii is expected shortly and
will be submitted when received.
In taking leave of this subject for the present
! Wlsh t0 renew the expression of my CONVECTION
that the existence OF African slavery in Cuba
il principal caEse of the lsmentahle condition
If the Island. do not Doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that 1t will soon be
made 10 disappear, and that peace and pros
ptrity may follow its abolition.
The embargong OF smeri an estates in Cuba
cruelty TO American citizens detected in no act
ct hostility TO the Spanish government; the
numbering Of prisoners taken WIKI arms in their
hands; and finally, the capture upon the high
seas OF vessel sailing under the United states
flag, and bearing United States registry, has
ca minated in an Outburst Ut indignation that
seemed for a time to threaten war. Pending
lie gOtiatiOns between the United States and the
gOvernme mt of Spain on the subject of this cap
ture, have authorized the Secretary of the
Navy TO put our navy on a war footing TO the
extent at least of the entire annual aPPropria-
ton fer that branch of the service, trusting to
Congress and the public opinion of the Ameri
can people to justify my action.
Assuming from the action of the last Con-
Rress in appointing a committee or "Privil-
eyes and Elections, to prepare and report to
this Congress a constitutional amend ment to
provide better method of electing the Presi-
dent and Nice-President of the u. s.: and also
I. ON the necessity of such an amendment, that
there will be submitted to the State Legisla-
lures for ratification such an Improvement in
our constitution, ] suggest two Others for your
consideration FiTst-To authorize the Exec
utive TO approve of so much of any measure
passing the two Hoo es of COngI ess as his judg
ment may dictate, without approving the
whole. The disapprOved 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 measures originated, and if passed
lNr TIM 1HVHz 1sa 49,
become law without the approval of the Pres
ident. / would add to this provision that there
should be no legislation by Congress during the
last twenty-fOuT hours of its sitting, except
upon vetOss, in order TO give the Executive an
opportunity to examine and approve or disap-
prove bills Understandings.
Second. To provide by amendment that when
extra SESSION OF Congress il convened by
Executive proclamation, legislation during the
continuance OF such extra session shall be con-
fined to such subject a. the Executive may
bring before it from time to time in writing.
The advantage to be gained by these two
amendments are obvious. one session in each
year IL provided for by the Constitution, Ia
which there are no restrictions as to the sub
iects of legislation by Congress If more are
required, IL Is always in the power of Congress,
during their term of office, TO provide for sea-
SONS at any time. The first OF these amend
ments would protect the public against the
many abuses and waste Of public MONEYS which
creep into appropriation bills and other inpor-
tant measures passing during the expiring hours
Of Congress, to which, otherwise, due consider
alton cannot be given.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The receipts OF the Government, from all
sources, for the last fiscal year, were 1888 49,.
2ci, and expenditures Oh all accounts so, 3i5,-
2i5; thus showing an excess of receipts over
expenditures OF Si3 392 953. But it is not prob
able that his favorable exhibit will be shown
for the present fiscal year. Indeed, it is very
doubtful whether, except with great economy
on the part OF Congress in making approprIa-
tOns, and tie same economy in administering
the various departments OF GOvernm emit, the
revenues will not fall short of meeting &C
tual expenses, including interest on the public
debt.
/ commend to Congress such economy, and
point out two sources where il seems 10 me 1t
might common e, TO wit: in the appropriations
Tor public buildings in the many cities where
work has not yet been commenced; in the
appropriations for river and harbor improve
ment in those localities where the i'm prove
ments of but little benefit to general COM
mrrce, and for Notifications.
There is a still more fruitful source of eXpen-
diture which / will point out later in this mes
sage. ! refer to the easy method of manutac-
turing claims for losses incurred in suppressing
the late rebellion.
/ would not he understood here as opposing
the erection Of good, substantial, and even or
namental buildings by the Government when
ever such buildings are needed In fact ap-
prove OF the Government owning its own build
iEgS in all sections OF the country, and hone the
day is not far distant when it will not only pos
SEES them, but will erect in the capital suitable
residences for all persons who now receive COM
mutation for quarters, or rent at Government
expense; and for the Cabinet, thus setting an ex-
ample 10 the states which NAV induce them to
erect buildings for their Senators But would
have this work conducted at "A time when the
revenues OF the country would abundautly JUS
tify it.
The revenues have materially fallen Off for
the first five months OF the present fiscal year
from what they were expected to produce,
owing TO the general panic now prevailing,
which commenced about the MIDDLE of Septe3-
Der last. The full effect of this disaster If il
should not prove blessing in disguise, y is yet
TO be demonstrated. In either event ii is YOUR
duty to heed the lesson and TO provide by wise
and well considered legislation, as far as it lies
in your power. against its recurrence, and to
take advantage of all benefits that may have
accrued.
by own judgment is that, however much in
dividuals may have suffered, one long step has
been taken towards specie payments; that we
can never have permanent prosperity until a
specie basis is reached; and that a specie basis
cannot be reached, and maintained, until our
exports, exclusive of gold, pay for our imports,
interest due abroad, and other specie obliga-
tons, or so nearly so as TO leave an appreciable
accumulation of the precious metals in the
country from the products of our mines. The
development of the mines OF precious metals
during the past year, and the prospective de-
velOpment of them for years to come, are graft
tying In their results. Could but one-half of
the gold extracted from the mines be retained
at home our advance towards specie payments
wOnld be rapid.
To increase our exports, sufficient currency
is required TO keep all the industries of the
well as individual bankruptcy must ensue
Undue imitation, on the other hand, while it
might give temporary relief, would only lead to
imitation OF prices, the ImpOssibility of COM
peting III our own markets for the products
OF home skill and labor, and repeated renewals
OF present experiences. Elasticity of our circu-
latiDg medium therefore, and Just enough OF it
to transact the legitimate business of the cOun-
try, and to keep all industries employed, is
what is most to be desired. The exact medium
Is specie, the recognized medium of exchange
the world over. That obtained, we shall have
currency OF an exact degree of elasticity If
there be too much of il for the legitimate pur-
poses of trade and commerce it will flow out of
the country. If too little, the reverse will re-
suit. To hold what we have and to appreciate
our currency to that standard, is the problem
deserving Of the most serious consideration of
Congress.
The experience of the present panic has
proeen that the currency of the country, based
as ii is upon the credit of the country, is the
best that has ever been devised. Usually in
times of such trials currency has become worth
less, or 30 much deprecated in value as to in
fate the values of all the necessaries of life as
compared with the currency. Every one hold
ing it has been anxious to dispose OF 1t on any
terms. Now we witness the reverse. Holders
of currency hoard it as they did gold in former