The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-12-15

or in derogation OF the laws or o
good name of every honest either.
On many occasions it has been
brought to the knowledge Of the
Government that certificates of nat
ur~alization are held and protection
or interference claimed by parties
who admit that not only they were
O within the United States at the
time of the pretended naturalization,
but that they have never resided in
the United States. In othC., the
certificate and record Of the court
show ON their face that the person
claiming to be n~aturalized had not
resided the required time in the
United States. In others, it is ad-
mitted upon examination that the re-
ouirements of law have not been
complied with. In some cases even,
such certificates have been matters of
purchase. These are not isolated
cases, arising at rare intervals, but vf
common occurrence, and which are
reported from all quarters Of the
globe Such occurrences cannot and
do not fail to reflect upon the Gov
ernment and iDjure all honest citizens.
Such a fraud being discovered, how
ever, there in no practicable means
within the control of Government by
which the record of naturalization
q be vacated and should the GER
tifcate be taken UP as it usually is by
the diplomatic and consular repre-
sentatives Of the Government to
whom il may have been presented,
there is nothing to prevent the per-
son, claiming to have been natural,
lied, from obtaining a new certif-
cate from the court in place of that
which had been taken from him.
The evil has become so great and Of
such frequent occurrence that | can
not too strongly recommend that
some effective measures be adopted
to provide a proper remedy and
for the vacating Of any record
thus fraudulently made, and punish
ing the guilty parties to the transac
ton in this connection. | also refer
to the question Of expatriation
and the election Of nationality. The
United States was foremost in up
holding the right of expatriation, and
was principally instrumental in over
throwing the doctrine of perpetual al
legiance. Congress has declared the
right of expatriation to be a natural
and inherent right Of all people; but
while many other nations have laws
providing what formalities shall be
necessary to work a change of ale
glance, the United States has enact
ed the provisions of law, and has in
no respect marked out how and when
e1patriation may be accomplished by
its citizens. Instances are brought
TO the attention Of the Government
where citizens of the United States,
here naturalized or native born, have
formally become citizens or subjects
of foreign powers, but who neverthe-
less, 10 the absence Of any provisions
of legislation on these questions,
when involved in difficulties or when
it seems to be their interest. claim to
be citizens Of the United States, and
demand the intervention of a Gov
eminent which they have long since
abandoned, and TO which for
years they have rendered no
nor held themselves in
any way amenable. In other cases,
naturalized citizens, Immediately af-
ter naturalization, have returned to
their native country, have become en-
gagged in business, have accepted Of
fees or pursuits inconsistent with
American citizenship, and evinced no
to return to the United States
until called upon to discharge some
to the country where they are
residing, when at once they assert
their citizenship, and call upon the
representatives of the Government to
aid them in their unjust pretension.
1t is but Justice to al bona fde citi-
zens that no doubt should exist ON
such questions, and that Congress
should determine by enactment of
law how repatriation will be accom-
plished, and change of citizenship be
established. L also invite your at
tention TO the necessity Of regulating
by law the
STATUS OF AMERICAN WOMEN WHO
MAY MARRY FOREIGNERS,
and of defining more fully that Of
children born in a foreign country of
American parents who may reside
abroad. and also of some further pro-
vision regulating or giving legal ef-
feet to marriages Of American citizens
contracted in foreign countries. The
correspondence submitted herewith
shows a few of the constantly occur
ing questions on these points presen-
ted TO the consideration of the Gov
eminent. There are few subjects to
engage the attention of Congress on
which more delicate relations are de-
pending.
NEW STATE DEPARTMENT BUILDING.
In the month of July last the build.
ing erected for the Department Of
State was taken possession of and
occupied by that department. | am
happy to say that the archives and
valuable papers Of the Government
in the custody of that department are
now safely deposited and properly
cared for.
OUR NATIONAL FINANCES.
The report Of the Secretary of the
Treasury shows the receipts from
customs for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1874, to have been $685.
l03,S33 60, and for the fiscal year
ending June so, 1875, to have been
1857, l67.722 35, a decrease for the
last fiscal year of IS, 1856, Ill "a. The
receipts from internal revenue for the
wear ending Both June, 1874, were
Sl02, 409, 7s4 30, and for the year
ending the Both of June, 1875, were
Sll0,001,4 93 So. an increase Of ST.
597, 70s 6s. The report also shows
a complete history of the workings
Of the departments for the last wear,
and contains recommendations for
reforms and for Legislation which 1
concur IN, but cannot comment on so
fully as ! should like TO do If space
would permit but will ccnfne myself
TO q few suggestions which I look