The Grange advance., 1874-12-08

Spain command our profound
sympathy and must be accepted as perhaps
cause of some delay. A speedy settlement.
in part at least, of the questions between
these governments is hoped. In the mean
time waiting the results of Immediately
pending negotiations, defer further and
fuller Communication on the subject Of the
relations Of this country and Spain.
THE RIGHT OF ExPATRIAT1oN.
1 have again to call the attention Of Con-
gress to the unsatisfactory condition OF ex-
isting laws with reference to the election of
nationality. Formerly amid conflicting
opinions and decisions, it was difficult to
exactly determine how far the declaration Of
perpetual allegiance was applicable to citi
zens of the United States. Congress by
the act Of the 9th of July, 1868, asserted
the abstract right of expatriation as a fun
Notwithstanding such assertion and the ne
oessity OF frequent application of the prin-
ciple, no legislation has been had defining
what acts or formalities should work
expatriation, or when citizen shall be
deemed to have renounced his citizen
ship. The importance of such definition is
obvious. The repre- entatives of the United
States in foreign countries are continually
called upon to lend their aid and the protec-
ton Of the United States to
persons concerning the good faith or
realty of whose citizenship there is at least
great question. In some cases the ployis-
ions Of the treaty furnish some guide. In
others it seems lettto the persons claiming
the benefit Of citizenship while living in for
eign countries, contributing in no manner
to the performance of duties 81 citizens Of the
United States, and without the intention at
any time to return and undertake these du-
ties, who claim the citizenship Of the United
States simply as shield from the perform
ance of the obligations of citizenship. Where
the cases Of children born of American
parents residing in foreign countries; of
American women who have married aliens !:
such questions are not regulated by treaty
and are liable to be frequent, the difficult leg
islation on these and similar questions. and
particularly defining when and under what
circumstances expatriation can be accom-
plished or to be presumed, is especially nec-
essary. In this connection Iearnestlyhall the
attention Of Congress to the difficulty aris-
ing from the numerous frauds practiced
Among the highest duties of the GOV
ernment is that to afford firm, efficient and
efectual protection to all citizens whether
native born or naturalized. Steps should be
taken that the right, carrying with 1t such
be faudulently obtained, and should be be-
slowed only upon full proof of compliance
with the law. Frequent instances of illegal
and fraudulent naturalization, and of
unauthorized certificates thus improperly
obtained have come to light. In some cases
the fraudulent character of the naturaliza-
ton has appeared upon the face of the Ger
tificate itself, in others examination discloses
the fact that the holder had not complied
with the law. and in others certificates have
been obtained where the person holding
them was not only not entitled to be natur-
allied, but had not even been within the
United States at the time of their pretended
naturalization. Instances of each of these
classes of fraud are discovered at cur
legation where the certificates Of naturaliza-
ton are presented, either for the purpose Of
obtaining passports, or in demanding the
protection OF the legation. When the fraud
appears on the face OF such
certificates they are taken up by
the representatives of the government and
forwarded to the Department of State. But
then the record Of the court in which the
frauds arising occurred remains, and dupli-
cate certificates are readily obtainable upon
their presentation. In the issue Of
passports and in demanding protection Of
the government the fraud sometimes escapes
notice, and such certificates are not infre-
que ltly used in the transaction Of business,
to the deception and injury of innocent par
ties. without placing any additional obsta-
Gle to the obtainment Of citizenship by
the worthy and well-intentioned foreigner
who comes to cast his lot in good faith. l
recommend further legislation to punish
fraudulent naturalization aud to secure the
ready cancellation Of the record OF every
naturalization made in fraud.
TREATIES RATIFIED.
Since my last annual message the ex-
change has been made of the ratification of
treaties of extradition with Belgium, Labra-
dor, Peru and Salvador. Also OF treaty of
commerce and navigation with Peru and one
of commerce and consular privileges with
Salvador, all of which have been duly pro-
claimed, as has also declaration with Rus
sia in reference to trades marks.
TREASURY REPORT.
The report Of the Secretary of the Treas
uryR which by law is made directly to Con-
gress and forms no part OF this message, will
government for the last fiscal year, the
amount received from each source Of reve-
nue., and the amount paid out for each OF the
departments Of the government. 1t will be
observed from this report that the amount
Of receipts over expenditures has been but
81, ,344 ,88l.3 80 for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1874, and that for the current fiscal
year the estimated receipts over expendi-
lures will not much exceed nine millions Of
dollars. In view Of the large national debt
existing and the obligations to add one per
cent. per annum to the sinking fund, sum
amounting now to over thirty -four millions
per annum, ! submit whether the revenues
diminished to reach this amount Of surplus
Not to provide for the sinking fund, is par
tial failure to comply with the contracts and
obligations Of the government. = '.. -?
Al the last session of CONGRESS a very con.