Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-09-15

REMEDIES TO PREVENT EErHAvAGANCE.
It is apparent by this exhibit that so far
rs concerns most OF the itcm4 to which the
act Of August >, 1899, relates, there can be no
need of further appropriations until after
the close Of the present session, If, how
ever, any action should seem to I've Unnecessary
in respect to particular objects it will be en-
urely feasible to provide for those objects by
appropriate legislation. II IS possible, for
example, that delay until the assembling
of the next Congress to make additional
provision for the Mississippi river improve
ments might be attended with serious con-
sequences. II such should appear to be the
case just bill relating to that subject would
command my approval.
This leads me to offer a suggestion, which
I trust will commend itself to the wisdom Of
Congress. Ia il not advisable that grants of
considerable sums of money for diverse and
independent schemes of internal JIM
proyement should be made the subjects vi
separate and distinct legislative enactment:
1t will scarcely be gainsaid, oven by Tho
who favor the most liberal expenditures for
such purposes as are sought TO be accom-
plished by what is commonly called the
River and Harbor bill, that the practice
of grouping in such bill appro-
priatious for great diversity OF
objects, widely separated either in
their nature or in the locality with which
they are concerned, or in both, is one which
modiable. 1t inevitably tends to secure the
success Of the bill as a whole, though many
of the items, If separately considered, could
scarcely fail of rejection. By the adoption
of the course l have recommended, every
member of Congress, whenever opportunity
should arise for giving his influence and
vote for mentorious appropriations, would
be enabled so 10 do without being called
upon to sanction others undeserving
his approval So also, would the
Executive be afforded thereby a full
opportunity TO exercise his constitutional
prerogativs Of opposing whatever eppropria-
tons seemed to him Objectionable, without
imperiliug the success Of others which com
mend themselves to his Judgment. II may
be urged, in opposition to these suggestions,
that the number of works of internal inn
prOvement which are justly entitled TO gov
Ornamental aid is so great as TO render i'm
practicable separate appropriation bills
therefor, or even for such comparatively
limited number as make disposition of
! large sums Of money. This objection may
be well founded, and whether it be or not,
| the advantages which would DO likely
| to ensue from the adoption Of the course
| hay0 recommended may perhaps be more
[ eiectually attained by another which l re-
| spectfully submit to Congress as an alter
native proposition. 1t is provided by the
] constitutions Of fourteen Of our States that
| the Executive may dlstpprOye any item or
items Of a bill appropriaung money where
upon the part OF ths bill ap-
proved shall be law and the part
disapprovod shall fail to become law
unless repassed according TO the pro-
visions prescribed for the passage Of
bills over the veto of the Executive. The
States wherein some such provision as the
foregoing is a part of the fundamental law
are Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida,
Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Penn
IT I
| mend to your careful consideration the
question whether an amendment of the
| Federal Constitution in tho particular indi-
Gated would not afford the best remedy for
what is often grave embarrassment, both
TO members of Congress and TO the EXecu-
tive, and is sometimes serious public mis-
chief.
THE NAVY.
The report Of the secretary Of the navy
states the movements of the various squad
rJns during the year in home and foreign
waters, where our officers and seamcn, will
such ships US VIC possess, have continued tC
illustrate the high character and excellent
discipline of the naval organization. On the
2lst of December. 1881, Information was re-
ceived that the exploring steamer Jeanette
had been crushed and abandoned in the Arctic
ocean. The officers and crew, after a journey
over the ice, embarked in three boats for the
cluSt of Siberia One Of the parties under
Melville, reached the land, and, falling IL
with natives was saved. Another uudel
Lieutenan.-C Commander De Long, landed il
a barren region, near the mouth of the Lens
river. After six weeks had elapsed al
but two of the number had died from
fatigue and starvation. No tidings hayt
been received from the party in tn,
third boat, under command Of Lieutennn
Chipp, but a long and fruitless investga
ton leaves little doubt that all its mem
bers persisted at sea. As a slight tribut,
to their heroism, give in this communica
ton the names Of the gallant men whC
sacrificed their lives on this expedition
acknowledgements George w. ID,
Long, Surgeon James NJ. Amber
, Jerome j. Collins, Hans Halmer Erickson
Heinrich II. Kaacke, George w. Boyd
: Walter Lee, Adolph DRESSER, Carl A
, Gortz, Nelse Iyerson, the cook All sam
and tho Indian AleXy. The officers and mel
in the missing boat were Lieutenant Charlie
w. Chip, Commanding William Dunbar
Alfred SWeetman, Walter Sharve0, Albert
I Kuehne Edward Star Henry d. Warren an'
Peter l.. johnson. Lieut. Giles b. Harder aul
! Master William II. Scheutze are now bring
ing home the remains of Lieutenant d.
. Long and his cOmrades.
In pursuance Of the directions Of Congress
, tho Rodgers, fitted out for the relief of tn
+ Jeanette in accordance with the act o
: / Congress- of AHrCl 3, 1881, sailed from san
Francisco June 10, under the command o
Lieutenant Robert NJ. Berry. On Noycmbe
, 20 she was accidentally destroyed by fir
i while in winter quarters IN st. Lawrence
Bay, bat tie officers and crew rucceeded il
escaping TO the shore, Lieutenant Bern,
I and one of his oriCtrs, afte
making a search for the leanuctte atom
{ the coast of Siberia, fell AN VITA Chief En-
e gineer Melyillo's party and returned horn
by way of Europe, The o,EOr officers ant
the crew Of the EodVafs we're brought from