River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-12-09

element more dangerous 20 continued colonial
relations between Cuba and Spain than that
which inspired the insurroction of Yarra. an
element opposed to granting any relief from
misrule and abuse, with no aspirations after
freedom, commanding no sympathes in gen.
erous breasts, aiming % rivet stiI
stronger tho ehackles Of slavery
and oppression, has sliced many OF
the emblems Of power in Cuba and under
professions Of loyalty TO the mother country
as exhausting the resources of the rslasd and
Is DONG acts which are at larilnce with those
principles OF justice, libe.attv and of ligbt
when give nobility Of character 10 a republic
IN the Interests OF humanity, OF civilization
and OF progress, 1t is to he hoped thu, evil
lnnuehce may soon ayerted
THE CASE o. THE vmeIYIus.
The steamer vlr inius was. on The 9eth al,
OF september. $50, duly registered at the
sport OF Now York as a part I'll Nm. common.
clal marine Of the United States On the an
nay OF October, 1870, having the certificate of
her register IN the usual legal form. shesailed
hon viU P,rI VI NoW sork, aud has not since
Deeh within the ter toral iurisdictio, of the
United States IN the AID NJ Oefobcr last
S wn.o sa'ihp uuaor the dag of the United
nu;ae9 y" the high seas. she was forcihly
ssi 1 hy the Spgnlsh gunb0at Tornado.
S""~ was carried into the port Of
santiago de Cuba, where many of her pas
sengers aud crew were uhumanlv aud so far,
were without due process 81 law put 10 death
IL IS o well-estabEshpd principle. asserted bv
the United States from the beginning OF her
national Independence, recognized by Great
Britain and other maritime powers. aud stated
by the senate ~ resolution passed unaul-
mously the 4th of June 1858, that Americas
vessels ON the high seas, in uue of peace,
bearing the American flag remain under the
jurisdiction OF the county to which they be-
long, and Therefore any visitation, mOlcsta-
iInVt m aha 3 4. a.
sci by force on the pant of foreign power is
IN derogatlol OF the sOyerelgnI Of the United
States. In accordance with these principles
the restoration If ia, VuPinius aud surrender
OF her passengers and crew, and a due repara-
ton TO the flag. and the punishment
OF the authorities who had been
guilty OF Illegal acts OF violence were demant-
ed. The Spansa Government has rccog-
niZed the justice Of the demand aud has ar
ranged for the immediate delivery Of the
vessel and Tor the surrender Of the SURVIVORS
OF the passengers and crew, and for q salute
TO the flag, and Tor 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 aud
also towards indemuiiying those who may
be shown 70 be entitled to
indemnity. copy Of a protocol OF
conference between the Secretary of State
and the Spanish Minister, in which ire terms
of this arrangement were agreed to, - trans
mitted herewith The correspondence ON this
subject with Re legation OF the United States
IN cypher and by cable, needs the verfcation
of the actual text OF the correspondence. 1t
has seemed to me to be due to the importance
OF the case rot to submit this correspondence
until the accurate text can be received by mail
II is expected shortly, and Will bu submitted
when received.
In taking leave or this subject Tor the pres
ent. l wish 70 renew tie expression "a my
convection that the existence OF African slave
ry IN Cuba rs the principal cause OF the lament
able condition of the island. ! do not doubt
that that Congress shares with me the hope
that it viii soon be made TO disappear, aud
peace and prosperity NAV follow its abo-
htlon. The embargOmg of American
vessels in Cuta; the cruelty
to American citizens detected in
no act OF hostility to the Spanish Govern
ment, the numbering Of prisoners taken with
arms in thelr hands, aud finally the capture
upon the high seas Of vessel sailing under
the United States flag aud bearing a United
States registry has eliminated IN an Outburst
OF indignation that has seemed for the time
to threaten war. Pending negotiations be-
tween the United States and the Government
of Spain on the subject-of this capture,
have authorized the Secretary If the Navy to
put our navy on war footing, to the extent
at least of the entiIe annual appropriation TOR
that branch Of the service, trusting TO Con-
gress to respond the public opinion Of the
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Assuming. from the action Of the last Con-
gress in appointing Committee on Privileges
aud Elections to prepare and report TO this
Congress a constitutional amen imeut to pro-
vide better method of elocting the President
and Ylce-President of the United States, and
also from the necessity OF such an amend
ment, that there will be submitted e. the
state legislatures, for ratification, such an inn
provement in our condition, suggest two
Others for your consideration First, to au-
thorlze the Executive to approve Of so
much Of any measure passing the Two houses
of Congress as his Judgment may dictate with
out approving the whole the dsappr0vcd
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, aud If passed by a two
thlrd vote of the two houses then to become
law without the approval Of the President.
I would add TO this u provision that
there should be no legislation bv Congress
during the last twcnty-fOur hours of its SIT.
ting, except upon acts, and 10 order to give
the executive an opportunity to examine and
approve or disapprove Understandings. Sec
ond, 10 provide py an amendment, when an
extra eesslon ct Congress Is convened by eX-
scutive proclamation, that legislation during
the continuance Of such extra sessions bpcon-
fined to such subjects as tile executive may
bring before II from time TO time Ia writing.
The advantage 20 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 20 the
subjects Of legislation by Congress Ii more
are required, il is always IN the power of Con-
gress, during their term of office 10 provide
for sessions at any time. The first OF these
amendments would protect the public against
many abuses, aud the expenditure I public
money, which creep into the appropriation
bills aud other important measures passing
during the expiring hours OF Congress, To-
which, otherwise, due consideration cannot bs
given.
OUR FINANCES.
The receipts OF the government from an
sources for tbc last fsca! year were S337,73S,
2O4 aud the expenditures on all account
S2,903, i02.45, thus showing an excess of re-
ceipts over expenditures of Si3, 1872 $50. But
It Is not probable that this favorable exhibit
will be shown tor the present fiscal year. IN
deed, il is very doubtful whether, except with
great economy on the part OF Congress
in making appropriations, aud the
same economy IN the administration OF
the various departments Of the Government,
the revnucs will not fall short OF meeting the
annual expenses including interest on the
public debt | commend TO Congress such
economy, aud point out two sources where II
seems TO me IL might commence, tU-wit III