The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-07
WAsu,NcroN Feh q 70,


RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF AMERICAN CITIZENS.
Immediately after the reading of the journal the
House proceeded, as the business in the morning
hour, to the consideration of the bill reported
from the Committee Foreign Affairs concern
ing the rights Of American citizens in foreign
States.
Mr.. CBANLER, (dem.) of N. Y, addressed the
House in criticism Of the bill, which, he said, re-
minded him Of the great natural wonder OF
America, the cataract of Niagara, which was re.
markabe for its great "roar.' The title Of this
bill was the ''roar" while the bill itself was
the "fal," and great was the "fall thereof ~
Laughter.) He commended that the question was
an international one, and was not to be controlled
by any act Of Congress. No such act could con.
troll foreign State. The question could only be
arranged by treaty, based upon the American
Interpretation OF the right of expatriation
and OF naturalization. He suggested that
an International Congress should be held,
either in America or in Europe, to amend the
public law in the American view of the question
which is, that every man has the right to expa-
trate himself for good cause, and that after being
natuazed abroad he owed no allegiance to the
original government The world had moved on
since the European and Asiatic principle of public
law bad been established, and il was desirable
that the new principle should be declared by an
International Congress. Az to the bill reported
by the Committee on Foreign Affairs its very first
line made distinction between American citi.
zens. No such distinction existed In law: the
naturalized and native born had exactly equal
rights and Congress was derelict in its duty in
allowing any such distinction to be made or Sc
riously considered for "A moment. Referring to
the right OF travel claimed for American citizens
by Mr.. Banks, he said that a more absurd PROPOSE
ton had never disgraced q legislative body. or
course they had q right TO travel the question
was whether the American people had the pluck
to fight for the right TO travel. In conclusion he
protested his preference for the substitute offered
BY Mr.. Jenckes.
The morning hour being on the point Of expir-
ing, few remarks on the same subject were made
by Messrs. Boyer and Woodward. Mr.. Boyer
gave notice of the substitute. simply declaring
that all naturalized citizens OF the United States in
foreign States are entitled 10 and shall receive
from the government the same protection AZ Is
accorded to natural born citizens In like situation
and like circumstances, and requiring the Pres-
dent to inform Congress OF any contravention Of
such principle.
The bill then went over until the morning hour
of Tuesday next
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
Mr.. BLAINE. (reD.) Of Me-, from the Committee
on Appropriations, reported the Army Appropra-
ton bill, amounting TO $50, 900, 900. II contains a
provision for the gradual reduction Of the army
until the military force 10 reduced 10 twenty-five
regiments OF infantry, seven regiments Of cavalry
aud five regiments Of artillery. No new commits
sion shall be issued in any regiment except TO
West Point cadets as second lieutenants. The
Secretary of War Ia directed TO consolidate
the regiments a. rapidly a. the requirements Of
the public service and the reduction in the num-
Der Of officers will permit until the foregoing mini
mum is reached. This provision 10 not to be
construed 80 as 10 deprive any officer In commits
sion OF whatever promotion may be open 20 him
BY the occurrence Of vacancies among his superi.
ors In rank. Such promotions, however, are to
be always made so az to facilitate and not to OBJ
struct, the consolidation Of regiments. Mr.. Blaine
explained briefly the items OF the bill. The de.
hciency Of last year he attributed to the Indian
war and there was no apprehension Of Q deficiency
Tor the ensuing year. General Grants estimate
had been made with the greatest eNactness, and
with degree Of rigid economy wholly unknown
to the army ON its peace establishment preceding
the war. BY the official statement Of the Secre.
tary OF War the total expenses of the army for
the four years Of Mr.. Buchanan's administration
exceeded $50, 1000, 900, making an average
Oh nearly s22 900. 900 year In gold. The army at
that time was composed Of nineteen regiments in
all so that each regiment cost considerably over
million year In gold. The army at the present
time was composed Of siyty regiments. and the
total appropriations required by General Grant
were but f33, 100000 . year In paper money,
making little more than half . million dollars O
year 70 each regiment. 10 regard 10 other appro-
priations for the year Mr. Blaine gave a brief
recapitulation, AZ follows For the Aayr.
Us QQ9r lY4.--Ses7RNnp&VUoUrs Sn61Si
OossS sIs 900 900 In god under Mr.. Bunchsn.
ans administration coutvs, legislative and Judi