The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-08

is at least great question. In some cases the
provisions of the treaties furnish some guide,
in others it seems to the persons claiming the
benefits of citizenship while living in Il tor
eign country, contributing in no manner to
the performance of the duties OF a citizen OF
the United States and without intention at
any time to return and undertake those duties.
to use the claims to citizenship of the United
States simply rs a shield from the performance
of the obligations OF citizen elsewhere.
The status OF children born of American
parents residing in foreign country, of
American women who have married aliens, of
American citizens residing abroad, where
such question is not regulated by treaty, are
all sources OF frequent difficulty and discus
sion. Legislation on these and similar ques-
tons, and particularly defining when and
under what circumstances expatriation can be
Or is to be presumed, is espe-
cially needed. In this connection I earnestly
call the attention OF Congress to the difficult
ties arising from fraudulent naturalization.
The United States wisely, freely and liber-
ally offers its citizenship to all who may come
III good faith to reside within its limits, on
their complying with certain prescribed rea-
sonable and simple fornialties and conditions.
Among the highest duties Of the Government
is that to afford firm, efficient and equal pro-
lection to all its citizens, whether native born
or naturaliZed.
Care should be taken that right carrying
with it such support from the Government
should not be fraudulently obtained, and
should be bestowed only upon full proofs of a
compliance with the law, and yet frequent in
stances are brought to the attention OF the
Government OF illegal and fraudulent natural
ization, and of the unauthorized use OF GER
titicates thus improperly obtained.
In some cases the fraudulent character of
the naturalization has appeared upon the face
o: the certificate itself: i'll Others examination
discloses that the holder had not com piled
with the law, and in others, certificates have
been obtained where the persons holding
them, not only were not entitled to be natural
lZed but had not even been within the United
States at the time OF the pretended naturaliza-
ton. Instances OF each OF these classes of
fraud are discovered at our Legations, where
the certificates OF naturalization are presented
either lor the purpose OF obtaining passports
or i'll dem snding the protection OF the Lega-
ton.
When the fraud is apparent on the face of
such certificates they are taken up by the repre-
sentatives OF the Government and forwarded
to the department OF State, but even then the
record OF the court III which the fraudulent
naturalization occurred remains and duplicate
certificates are readily Obtainable upon the
presentation OF these tor the issue of passports
or in demanding protection OF the Govern
ment The fraud some times escapes notice and
sach certificates are not unfrequently used III
transactions of business to the deception and
injury of innocent parties. Without placing
any additional obstacles in the way of the
obtainment of citizenship by the worthy and
well intentioned foreigner, who comes in good
faith to cast his lot with ours, / earnestly
recommend further legislation to punish
fraudulent naturalization and to secure the
ready cancellation Of the record OF every ma
turalization made il fraud.
Since my last annual message the exchange
has been made of the ratification OF treaties
of extradition with Belgium, Ecuador. Peru
and Salvador; also OF II treaty OF commerce
and navigation with Peru, and one of CON-
merce and consular privileges with Salvador.
ali Of which have been 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 Congress 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 Gov
eminent. 1t will be observed from this report
that the amount OF receipts over expenditure
has been but 50, $50 30 for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1874, and that for the current
fiscal year the estimated receipts over exnendl-
lures will not much exceeds .O00 900.
In view of the large national debt existing,
and the obligation to add one per cent per an
nun to the sinking fund-a sum amounting
now to over S34,O0O,O0O per annum-I sub
nit whether revenues should not be increased
or expenditures diminished to reach this
amount of surplus. Not to provide for the
sinking fund is a partial failure to comply
with the contract and obligations Of the Gov
eminent. At the last session OF Congress
ysrv considerable reduction was made in tae
rates of taxation and in the number OF articles
submitted to taxation, the question may be
asked whether or not in some instances un-
wisely.
In connection with this subject too, VEN
ture the opinion that the meaus OF collecting
the revenue, especially from imports, have
been so embarrassed 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 treasury and to the prejudice OF
the interests OF honest importers and tax
payers. The Secretary Of the Treasury IN his
report favors legislation looking to an early
return to specie payments, thus supporting
views previously expressed IN this message
he also recommends ECONOMY III dppIopil-
atoms; 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 passed at the
last session of Congress, unless modification
should become necessary by reason OF the
adoption Of measures for returning to specie
payments. In these recommendations l cor
daily join.
I would suggest to Congress the propriety
OF adjusting the tariff so as to increase the
revenue and at the same time decrease the
number of articles upon which duties are
levied. Those articles which enter into our
manu- features, and are not produced at home,
it seems to me, should be entered free. Those
articles OF manufacture which we produce a
constituent part Of, but do not produce the
whole, that part which we do not produce
should be entered free ALSO
| will instance fine wool, dyes etc. These
articles must be imported to form part OF the
manufacture of the higher grades OF wooden