The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-12

10 indemnity. A copy of a protocol of
a conference between the Secretary of
State and the Spanish Minister, in which
terms Of this arrangement were agreed to,
is transmitted herewith. The correspon-
dence on this subject with the legation
of the United States in Madrid was con-
Quoted in cipher and by cable, and needs
the verifcation of the actual text of the
1t has seemed to me TO
be due TO the importance of the case not
to submit this correspondence until the
actual text can be received by the mail.
1t is expressed shortly, and will be sub
mitted when received.
In taking leave of this subject for the
present, / wish to renew the expression
of my conviction that the existence of
African slavery in Cuba is a principal
cause of the lamentable condition of the
island. do not doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that it will soon
be made to disappear; that peace and
prosperity may follow its abolition.
The embargoing of American estates
in Cuba, cruelty to American citizens
detected in no act of hostility to the
Spanish government, the numbering of
prisoners t. ken with 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 eliminated in an outburst
of indignation that has seemed for a
time to threaten war. Pending negotia-
tions between the United States and the
government of Spain on this capture, /
have authorized the Secretary of the
Navy to put our navy on war footing,
to the extent, at least, of the entire an
nual appropriation for that branch of
the service, trusting to Congress and the
public opinion of the American people
to justify my action.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Assuming from the action of the last
Congress in instructing the Committee
on Privileges and Elections to prepare
and report to this Congress constitu-
tional amendment to provide a better
method of electing the President and
Vice-President of the United States,
and also from the necessity of such an
amendment that there will be submitted
to the State Legislatures, for ratification,
such an improvement to our Constitu-
tion, suggest two others for your con-
sideration: first, to authorize the Execu-
tive to approve of so much of any mea-
sure passing the two houses of Congress
as his judgment may dictate, without ap-
proving the whole, the disappoved por-
ton or portions to be subjected TO the
same rules as now, to-wit:> to be referred
back to the house in which the n easure
or measures originated, and if passed by
a two-thirds vote of the two houses, then
to become law without the approval OF
the President l would add to this a
provision that there should be no legis-
lation by Congress during the last twen-
ty-four hours Of its sitting, except upon
vetoes in order to give the Executive an
opportunity to examine and approve or
disapprove bills understandingly. Sec
ond, to provide by amendments 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 ses-
sion in each year is provided for by the
Constitution, in which there are no re.
strictions to the subject of legislation by
Congress- If more are required it is al.
ways in the power of Congress during
their term of office to propose session
at any time. The first of these amend.
ments would protect the public in the
many abuses and waste of public money.
which crept into appropriation bills anG
other important measures passed during
the expiring hours of Congress, to which
otherwise due consideration cannot be
given.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The receipts of the government from
all resources for the last fiscal year were
1888, ,73S, ,204, and the expenditures on al
accounts $500, ,345, PAS, thus showing al
excess of receipts over expenditures o
$43, 1892, ,959. But it is not probable tha
so creditable an exhibit will be show
for the present fiscal year. Indeed, it i
very doubtful whether, except witt
great economy on the part of Congress il
making appropriations, and the sam
economy in administering the variou
departments of the governmet, the reve
nues will not fall short of meeting tn
actual expenses. including interest OF
the public debt 1 commend to Con
gress such economy, and point out tw
sources where, it seems to me, it Nigh
commence, to wit: In the appropria
tions for river and harbor improvement
: IHOSG Hu6IC the prove
ments are of bnt little benefit to genera
commerce, and for Notifications The1
is still more fruitful source of exper
diture which 1 will point out later i
this message. Irefer to the easy metho
| of manufacturing claims of losses incul
i red in suppressing the late rebellion.
, would not be understood here as oppo
| ing the erection Of good, substantia
t and even ornamental buildings by th
f government wherever such buildings al
: needed. In fact, 1 approve of the go,
: ernment owning its own buildings
= all sections of the country, and hope IL
f day is not far distant when it will NJ
] only possess them, but will erect in IL
e capital suitable residences for all ii
a persons who now receive commutatiC
e for quarters for rent, at government e,
= pense, and for the Cabinet, thus setti1
J, an example to the States which may i
T duce them to erect buildings for the
h Senators; but would leave this wol
! until a time when the revenues of Il