The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-12-11

country, contributing in no manner to
the performance of the obligations and
duties of citizen of the United States,
simply as a shield from the performance
of the obligations of citizens elsewhere.
The status OF children born of Ameri
can parents residing in foreign cOun-
try, of American women who have mar
ried aliens, of American citizens resid-
ing abroad, where such question is not
regulated by treaty, are all sources sof
frequent difficulty and discussion. Le-
islation on these and similar questions,
and particularly defining when and un-
der what circumstances expatriation can
be accomplished or is to be presumed, is
especially needed.
In this connection l earnestly call the
attention of Congress to the difficulties
arising from fraudulent naturalization.
The United States wisely, freely, and lib
orally offers its citizenship to all who
may come in good faith to reside within
its limit on their complying with certain
prescribed reasonable and simple formal
tiles, and conditions Among the high
est duties of the Government is that to
afford firm, efficient and equal protection
to all its citizens, whether native born
or naturalized. Care should be taken
that right carrying with it such sup
port from the Government should not
be frauduleutly obtained, and should be
bestowed only upon full proof of a COM
pliance with the law. There are fire.
quent instances of illegal and fraudulent
naturalization and of the unauthorized
use of certificates thus improperly OBJ
tained. In some cases the fraudulent
character of the naturalization has ap-
peared upon the face of the certificate
itself; in others, examination discloses
that the holder had not complied with
the law, and in others certificates have
been obtained where the persons holding
them not only were not entitled to be
naturalized, but had not even been with
in the United States at the time of the
pretended naturalization. Instances of
each ofthese classes of fraud are discov-
cred at our Legations, where the certifi-
Gates of naturalization are presented Ell
ther for the purpose of obtaining pass
ports or in demanding the protection of
the Legation. When the fraud is open
on the face of such certificates, they are
taken up by representatives of the Gov
ernment and forwarded to the Depart
ment of State. But even the record of
the Court in which the fraudulent natu-
ralization occurred remains, and dupli-
cate certificates are readily obtainabIe
upon the presentation of these, for the is
sue of passports or demanding protec-
tion of Government The fraud some
times escapes notice, and such certificates
are not unfrequently used in transactions
of business, to the injury of innocent par
ties. Without placing any additional OBJ
stacle in the way of the obtainment of
citizenship by the worthy and well inten-
toned foreigner, who comes in good
faith, would earnestly recomend further
legislation to punish fraudulent natura-
lization, and to secure the ready cancel
lation of every naturalization made in
| fraud
Since my last annual message the ex-
change has been made of the ratification
of treaties of extradition with Belgium,
Ecuador, Peru, and Salvador; also, of a
treaty of commerce and navigation with
Peru, and one of commerce and consular
privileges with Salvador, all of which
have n.duly proclaimed, as has also
declaration with Russia, with reference
to trade marks.
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE TREASURY,
Which by law is made directly to Con-
gress, and forms no part of this message,
will show the receipts and expenditures
of the Government for the last fiscal
year, the amount received from each
source of revenue, and the amount paid
out for each of the departments of the
Government. It will be observed from
the report that the amount of receipts
over expenditures has been but 81, ,344,-
8S2 80 for the fiscal year ending June
10, 1874, and that for the current fiscal
year the estimated receipts over expen-
ditures will not much exceed So, 100000
In view of the large National debt ex-
isting, and the obligation to add one per
cent. to the sinking fund, amounting
now to $34 100000 per annum, submit
whether the revenues should not be in
creased or expenditures diminished to
reach this amount of surplus. Not to
provide for the sinking fund is partial
failure to comply with the contracts and
obligations of the Government. At the
last session of Congress very consider
able reduction was made in the rates of
taxation and in the number of articles
submitted to taxation; the question may
well be asked whether or not in some in
stances unwisely.
In connection with this subject too, is
the opinion that the means of collecting
the revenue, especially from imports,
have been so embarrsed by legislation
as to make it questionable whether or
not large amounts are not lost by failure
to collect, to the direct loss of the Treas
ury and to the prejudice of the Interests
of honest importers and taxpayers.
The Secretary of the Treasury, in his
report, favors legislation looking to
specie payments, thus supporting the
views previously expressed in this mes
sage. He also recommends economy in
appropriation, and calls attention to the
loss of revenue from repeating the tax
on tea and coffee without benefit to the
consumer; recommends an increase of
ten cents a gallon on WHISKY, and
further, that no modification be made
in the Banking and Currency Bill, pass
ed at the last session of Congress, unless
modification should become necessary
by reason of the adoption of measures
for returning to specie payments. In
tbaSa T