The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-12-16

so SlgDally dlSregarded.
Since my last, message the exchange has
been made of the ratification Of treaty OF
commerce and navigation with Belgium,
and of conventions with the Mexican Repub-
lic for the further extension of the Joint
Commissions respecting claims with the
Hawaiian Islands for commercial reciprocity
and with the Ottoman Empire for eXtradi-
ton, all of which have been duly pro-
claimed.
The Court of Commissioners of Alabama
claims has prosecuted its important duties
very assiduously and very satisfactorily. III
convened and was duly organized on the I'D
day of July, 1874, and by the terms of the
act under which it was createdswas 10 exist
for one year from that day. The act pro-
vided, however, that should II be found I'M
practicable to complete the work of the
Court before the expiration of the year, the
President might by proclamation extend the
time of its duration TO Il period not more
than six months beyond the expiration OF
one wear. Having received satisfactory evl-
dence that = would be impTacticable to COM
plete the work within the time originally
fixed, L issued a proclamation, copy OF
which is presented herewith, extending the
time of duration of the Court period OF SIX
months from and after 22d July last. The
report made through the clerk of the Court,
communicated herewith, shows the condi-
ton of the calendar on the list November
last and the large amount of work which
has been accomplished. Thirteen hundred
and eighty-twO claims have been presented,
of which six hundred and eighty-two have
been disposed of at the date of the report
recommend the legislation which may be
deemed proper to enable this Court TO COM
plete the work before it.
CLAIMS OF ALIENS.
recommend that some suitable provision
be made, by the creation of a special court
or by comforting the necessary jurisdiction
upon some appropriate tribunal for the con-
sideratiOn and determination OF the claims
of Aliens against the Government of the
United States which have arisen within some
reasonable time, or which may hereafter
arise, excluding all claims barred by treaty
provisions or otherwise, 1t has been found
impossible to give proper consideration to
those claims by the Executive Department
of the Government. Such tribunal would
afford an opportunity to British subjects to
present their claims on ACCOUNT OF acts COM
mitted against their persons or property
during the Rebellion, as also to those sub
ieets Of Great Britain, whose claims, having
arisen subsequent to the ninth day OF April,
1865, could not be presented to the late COM
mission organized pursuant to the proYls-
ions of the Treaty of Washington.
OCEAN TELEGRAPH MoNOPoLIEs. o.
TThe President recites at some length the
history Of the laying of the several ocean
telegraph cables connecting this country with
Europe, and expresses dissatisfaction with
the fact, that, although three lines are now
in operation, there has beenno reduction in
the rates charged, as might reasonably have
been expected. lie recommends, there
fore
First. No line should be allowed to land
on the shores of the United States under the
concession from another power which does
not admit the right of any other line or lines
tod C4afna to 1ar an
freely connect with and operate through
land lines. Second, no 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 1t pro-
ceeds, or by prohibition i'll its charter or
otherwise, to the satisfaction of this Govern
ment, prohibited from consolidating or
matchmaking with any other cable telegraph
line, or combining the rights for the purpose
of regulating and maintaining the cost OF
telegraphic communication. Third, all
rights be bound to give precedence in the
transmission of official messages of the Gov
ernments of the two countries, between
which it may be laid. Fourth, power
should be reserved to the two Governments,
either conformity or to each, as regards the
message dispatches from its shores, to tlX a
limit to the charges to be be maintained for
transmission of messages. | present TINS
subject to the consideration of Congress in
wise directs, shall not oppose the landing
of any telegraphic cable which complies with
| and assentS to the points above enumerated,
/ but will feel it my duty to prevent the land
| ing of any which does not conform to the
! first and second points as stated, and which
will not stipulate to this Government the
precedence in the transmission of its official
messages, and will not enter into satisfactory
| arrangements regarding its charges.
! NATURALIZATION AND EXPATRIATION.
Among the pressing and important sub
! jects to which, in my opinion, the attention
! of Congress should be directed, are those in
relation to fraudulent naturalization and
| eXpatriation. The United States, with great
liberality, offers its citizenship to all who in
! good faith comply with the requirements of
/ law. These requirements are as simple and
| upon as favorable terms to the emigrant As the
! high privilege to which he is admitted can or
should permit. l do not propose any addi-
tional requirements to those which the law
now demands, but the very simplicity and
want of necessary fOTmality in our law have
made fraudulent naturalization not infre-
quent, to the dlscredit and injury of all
| honest citizens. whether native or natural
! lied. Cases of this character are cOntinu-
ally being brought to the notice of the Gov
ernment by our representatives abroad, and
! also those of persons resident in other cOun-
| tries. Frequently, those who have remained
in this country long enough to entitle them
TO become naturalized, have returned to the
country Of their origin, where they reside,
avoiding all duties to the United States by
their absence, and claiming to be exempt
| from all duties to the country of their Dativ-
ity and of their residence by. reason Of theiI
alleged naturalization. It is due to this
Government itself, and to the great mass OF
| naturalized citizens who entirely, both in
! name and in fact, become citizens of the
! United States, that the high privilege of cit
| izenship of the United States should not be
held by fraud or derogatiOn of the laws and
of the good name of every honest citizen.
......The evil has become so great and OF
such frequent occurrence that cannot toe
strongly recommend that some effective
measures he adopted to provide proper
| remedy for the vacating of any records
fraudulently obtained, and of Furnishing
guilty parties to the transaction.
In this connection refer also to the ques-
tion of eXpatriation. The United States wa:
foremost in holding the right of eXpatria-
ton, and was principally instrumental in
| oVerthrowing the doctrine of perpetual ale.
glance. Congress has defined the right o.
| eXpatriatiOn TO be a national inherent righ
of all people; but while many other nations
have laws providing what formalities shal
be necessary to work change of allegiance
the United States has enacted the provisions
of no law, and has in no respect designated
how and when eXpatriatiOn may be accom-
plished by its citizens. Instances are
brought to the attention of the Government
where citizens of the United States, herr
naturaliZed or native born, have formal!
become citizens or subjects of foreign pow
erS, but who nevertheless in the absence
any provisions of legislation on these ques
tiOns, when involved in difficulties, or whel
it seems to be their interest, claim to be cit
iZens of the United States, and demand tn
Intervention of a government which the,
! have long since abandoned and to which TO
years they have rendered no service nor lalt
! themselves in any way aEenable. In othe
; cases naturalized citizens, immediatel
after naturalization, have returned to thel
, native lands and have there becom
engaged in business, and have accepted office
and engaged in pursuits, content with Amer
ican citizenship, and have evnced no inten
/, to return TO the United States until calle
j upon to discharge some duty to the countr
where they are residing, when at once the
assert their citizenship and call upon th
, representatives of the Government 10 al
them in their unjust pretensions. IL Is ol
, Justice to bona fide citizens that no douL
should exist on such questions, and TN
Congress should determine by enactment
law how eXpatriation will be accOmpllshe
and change of citizenship be established.
also invite your attention to the necessity
| ,,t,,, gof