The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-12-17

only as II last cxp"tlicnt. Had 1t been the
desire of the Omitted states to interfere in
the affairs of Cuba repeated opportunities
for 50 doing have been presented within the
last few years. But We have remained pas.
sivc. and have performed our whole duty and
all International obligations to Spain with
fricndshtr. fairness nn fidelity, aud with u
spirit patience and forhCaruuce which mega
tives every possible suggcst ION for desire
TO inter fcrc. or to al to the difference with
which she has been SUI u'rOunded. The govern
meut ot spain has recently submitted to our
munster ut Madrid, certain proposals which
1t is hoped may ne fonnd to he the basis If
not the actual submission of terms to meet
the requirements ofthe particular griefs of
which tht? Eovgrnment has fe,t itself entitled
to complaiu. These proposals have not yet
reached me in their text On their arrival
they will be taken into cureful examination
aud may, hope lead to sati factory ADJUST,
mCnt OF the question to which they rcferand
remove the possibility offurther occurrences,
such rs have given rise to our just complaint.
1t is understood iulsn thuo renewed iefforts
are being made to mt oduce reforms in the
Persuaded, however, that proper regard
for the interests of United States und of itS
citizens cntitle il to relief from the strain to
which it has been subjected b, the difference
of the questions, and the wrongs and losses
which arise frouI II contest with Cuba and
that tho interests of humanity itself demand
the cessation of strife before the wnoie Is
land shall hc laid waste, and larger sacrifices
OF lite be mudu,l shall deem 1t my duty should
my hopes Of satisfactory adjustment ofthe
early restoration "t peace and the removal
of furth 4 causes of complaint be unhappily
disappointed. to make II further communici-
tion to congress ut some period not far re-
mote, ANA during the present session, recon-
Inending what may then seem To me to be
necessary.
THE MEXICAN FRONTIER.
The Free Zone, so called, several years
since cstlblishcu by the Mexican govern
ment IN certain ofthe stutc' OF that republic
adjacent 10 our frontier, remains III fun OPP
cratiOn. 1t has always been materially injur-
ious to honest traffic for it operates Us an in
centive to the rcLders IN Mexico to supply,
without customs charge, the wants of inhab-
itants on this side of the line and prevents
the same wants from being supplied by mer-
chants of the United States, thereby to a con-
siderable extent detiuuding our revenue and
checking honest commercial enterprise. Dep
relations by armed balds from Mexico on
the people of Texas on the foitiers continue.
Though the main object of these incursions
is robbery, they frequently result i'll the mur.
der of unarncd and peaccably disposed per-
sons, and in some instances even the United
have been attacked Renewed remonstrances
on this subject have been addressed to the
Mexican government, but without much np.
parent effect. The military force of thi+
government dispo>able for service in that
Quarter IS quite inadequate to ctfcctualy
the incursi"ns are equal made. An exper'
iment of an armed vessel on the Rio Granuc
for that purpose, Is on trial, and II is hoped
at it not thwarted by the shailowneHs OF
the river ana otEer natural obstacles, II may
materially contribute to the protection to
the hcrdsIncn OF Texas
The prucednns of the joint commission
nnder the convention between lhe United
states and Mexico, ON the Fourth of july,
l'6s, on the subject of claims, Will soon DC
brought to c osc. The result of these pro-
ccrdlngs Will Inen be communicated to CON
Srcss.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The court OF the commissioners OF the Alaba-
Yna claims has prosecuted Its important duties
very assiduyusly, and very satisfactorily. II con-
yeRed and was org lnzed On the 25d day OF July,
and by the terms ur the act under which IL was
The act, provided, however, that should 1t be
found impracticable to complete the work OF the
court before the expiration Of the year. the Presl-
mid In
u period VI not more than six months duration
beyOnd the expiration OF one year. Having re-
ctived satisfactory evidence that II would be I'M
pOrtant to complete the work within the time
hNed, issued u proclamation, copy OF which Is
presented herewith, extending the time Il the
duration OF tile court for period OF SIX months
from and after the 22d day OF July. report
made through the clerk OF thc court communiea-
ted herewith, shows the cond tion OF he cal ndar
ON the 18Th OF November last, and the large
amount Of work which has been accomplished.
Thirteen hundred ana eighty two claims have
been prcsCntcd,Of which SIX hundred and eighty
two had been disposed Of at the date Of the re-
port. am informed that one hundred and sew
cntY cases were decided during the month OF No
vember Argument are neng made IA ana ,1 deGl, eel,
dispatch consistent with the proper considera-
ton Of the questions submitted. Many Of these
claims are ON behalf OF mariners and depend on
the evidence OF mariners whose absence has de-
lyed the taking, or the return OF the necessary
evidence. 1t Is represented to me that II Will be
impracticable for the court 10 formally dispose OF
all the before 1t within the present limit OF
ITS duration. Justice TO the parties and claimants
claims, and obtaining the evidence In their
support suggests a short extension 10 enable the
court to dispose of all the claims which have been
presented. recommend the legislation, which
may be deemed proper TO complete the work be-
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
'The electric telegraph has become an essential
and indispensable agent In the transmission OF
business aud social messages. It's oper alton on
land ana within the limits OF particular states, Is
necessarily under the control OF the jurisdiction
within which IT operates The lines on the high
seas, however, are not subject TO the particular
control OF any one government. In 1869 a conces-
sion was granted by the French government % Il
cOmpan, which proposed % lay a cable from the
shore OF France TO the United States. Az that
time there was u telegraphic connection between
through the possessions OF Great Britain at ell
ther end of the line under control OF an assOeia-
tion which had at large outlay OF capital and at
great cost demonstrated the praCtiCabi OF
maintaining such means OF communication. The
cost OF correspondence by this agency was great,
possibly no too large at the time FOR proper re-
Enumeration for SO hazardous and so costly an en-
terprlsc. II was, however, heavy charge upon
a means Of communication which the progress
In the social ana commercial Intercourse Of The
world found 10 be necessity, ana the obtaining
OF this French concession showed that other cap
itnl than that already invested was ready TO en-
ter into competition, with assurance OF adequate
return for their outlay. In the absence OF inter;
national conventions on this subject, municipal
legislation may cover many points which appear
to me Important II not indispensable for the pro
lection OF the public against the eXtortions Which
may result from monopoly OF the right Oi oper'
ating cable kilograms, or from comOlhsu9h De-
Flrst,%%o line should be allowed TO land on the
shores OF the United states under the concession
from another power, which does not bd!nll the
right OF any other line or lines formed In th nit
ed states % land, and freely connect anu operate
through land lines.
SecSnd.-Nu line should be allowed TO land on
the shores OF the United States which Is not by
treaty stipulation with the government from
whose shores IL proceeds, or by prohibition In It's
charte or Otherwise TO the satisfaction OF this
government, prohibited from consolidating or
analgamatiOn with any other cable telegraph
ilA mr. A.. II IN %
regulating and maintaining the cost OF telegraph
Ing. ,
deuCc In the transmission Of the official messages
Of the governments ut the two countries between
Fourth. K power should be reserved TO the
two governments, either conJl or TO eaeh,
rs regards the messages dispatched ifol ltS
Shores AMI fix a limit To the charges To be de-
maudcd for the transmission Of messages.
present this subject 10 the earnest considera'
ton Of Congress In the meantine,aud unle 8 StuR-
grrSS 9th rwl>e directs, shall not oppose the
landing " any telegraph cable which comDlies
but Will feel II my duty to prevent the landing Of
any which does not conform To the hrst aud Sec
und points as stated, and which Will not stpudte
| to cGucedp this government the precedence IN
| the transmission Uf its official messages and WIN
not enter into satisfactory arrangement with
regard TO It's charges
EArURALIzATIOS AND EXPATRIATIOs.
Among pressing and impolt tant subjects 10
| which, in my opinion, the attention OF congress
| should be Directed are those relating 10 fraudu-
| lent nuturaZutlOns and eXpatriatiun Ihcl niled
states with great lberality, offers It's citizenship
TO an who IN good taith comply with the require
| mgntS Of the law. These requirements are as
| simple ana unOn as favorable terms TO the inni-
| grants the nigh privilege 10 which he is admit
| ted can or should permit ! do not propose any
| additional requirements 10 those 10 which the
| law demands, but the very simplicity and the
| want Of unncCcssa Y formality IN our laws have
made frau ulent naturalization not infrequehtto to
| the dsurrdlt and injury OF all honest citizens,
| whether native or naturaZed. Cases OF this
| character are continually being brought To the
notle Of the government by our representatives
| abroad, and also OF these persons resident in
| other countries most frequent, who, II they have
| remained IN this country long enough 10 entlue
| them 70 become Raturall2ed, have generally nOt
| much passed over that PERIOD ana haYe returned
to the country OF their origin, where they resi- lt,
| avoiding all duties To the Cuited states by thelr
| absence, and claiming 10 be exempt from AL
| duties TO the country OF their nativity and Cf
| their residence, by reason OF their alleged nat
urlliGatiun. II is due TO this government itself,
and to the great mass OF the naturallZod illcns,
VINO entire y, both in name aud IN act, lecome
| CltiLcus uI tho United States, thtt the highest
privilege " CitIenship of The United states should
not be held by fraud, or In derOgatlOn OF the laws
| aud II the good name OF every honest citizen,
| ON man occasions II has been brought " the
| knowledge Of the government that certlncates u
naturalization are held and protection or inter
ference claimed by parties VINO admit that not
| only they were not within the United States ~
| Tue tine uI Their pretended Naturalization, uu'
| that the have never resided IN the unltedstal
the certificates and records OF the court