The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-12-15
THE CASH OF THE STEAMER uorr,co

The government of the United States of
Columbia has paid the award in the case of
the steamer Montigo seized by the author
tiles of that government some years since
and the amount has been transferred to the
claimants.
MEXICAN CLAIMS.
1t is with satisfaction [ am able to announce
that the joint commission for the adjustment
of claims between the United States and Mex
leo, under convention of 1858, the duration of
which has been several times extended has
brought its labors to close From report OF
an agent of the United States which accom-
| panles the papers transmitted herewith IL VIII
be seen that within the time limited by the
commissioner 1917 claims on part OF citizens
of the United States against Mexico
were referred to tho commission.
or these claims S31 were dismissed or dlsal-
lowed, and in 1856 cases awards were made IN
faVor tf the claimants against the Mexican
republic amounting in the aggregate to
"a 125, 1872 o. Within the same period 900
Republic against the United States we're
referred TO commission. OF these CLAIMS $50
were dismissed or disalloweu, and in 1877 cases
claims made in favor Of the claimants against
the United States, amounting to $3.50, 49S Al
BY the terms OF the convention the amount
of the awards is to be deducted from the
amounts awarded in favor OF our citizens
| against Mexico, and the balance only to be
! paid by Mexico to the United States, leaving
! the United States to make provisions for their
proportion of the awards in favor of its own
citizens | invite your attention to the legis-
| latlon which will be necessary to provide for
! payment.
| In this connection, l am pleased to be able
to express the acknowledgements due to Sir
Edward Thorton, the umpire OF the Commits
sion, who has given to the consideration of the
large number of claims submitted to him.
| much unRnnalp6 nafianca al firm
ness and Intelligence which are we'll known to
belong to that accomplished representative of
Great Britain, and which are likewise recog-
nlZed by the representatives IN this country of
the Republic of Mexico.
THE VENEZUELAN CLAIMS.
The amount due by the Government OF Ven
eZuela to the citizens Of the United States on
account of claims Of the latter against that
government continue to be made with pune
tuality. That government has proposed to
change the system which it has hitherto pur-
sued in this respect by issuing bonds for part
of the amount OF the several claims. The
proposition, however, could not it is supposed
properly be accepted, ut least without the en-
! sent of the holders OF certificates of the in
debtedness OF VeneZueis, these are so much
depressed that it would be dificult, if not i'm
possible, to ascertain their disposition on the
subject.
FRAUDULENT NATURALIZATIoN.
LII lOIUSI IueSSdSe nave called Lu6 dLC6u-
ton OF Congress to the necessity of legisla-
ton with regard to fraudulent naturalization.
and to the subject of expatriation and the
election OF nationality. The number OF per-
Sons Of foreign birth seeking home in the
United States; the ease and facility with
which the honest emigrant may, after the
lapse OF reasonable time, become possessed
| of ell the privileges OF citizenship Of the
/ United States and the frequent occasions
which induce such adopted citizens to return
to the country OF their BIRTH render the
subject Of naturalization and the
safeguards which experience has proved
necessary for the protection of the
honest naturalized citizens of paramount in
! portance. The very simplicity in requirements
! OF law on this question afford opportunity for
fraud, and the want of uniformity in proceed
inga and records of the various courts and in
! the forms of the certificates of naturalization
issued afford constant source of difficulty.
l suggest no additional requirements to the
acquisition OF citizenship beyond those now
existing, but l invite the earnest attention of
Congress to the necessity and wisdom Of some
provisions regarding uniformity in records
and certificates, and providing against the
rauds which frequently take place, and
of the vacating OF record
of naturalization obtained in fraud. These
provisions needed in and for the protection
of the honest citizens of foreign birth, and for
the want Of which he is made to suffer expa-
triation. Not unfrequently the United States
! has insisted upon the right Of expatriatioD,
and has obtained after long struggle an
admission Of the principle contended for by
acquiescence therein on the port of many for
| eign powers and by conclusion of treaties on
that subject. 1t u.s. however, but justice to
the Government to which naturaliZed citi-
zens have formerly owed allegiance, as
to the United Sta es, that certain fixed and
definite rules should be adopted governing
such cases anc providing how expatriation may
be accomplished. While emigrants in large
numbers become citizens Of the United States.
1t III also trus that persons, both native and
naturalized are citizens of the United States.
either by formal acts as effort of q series of
facts and circumstances abandon their citizen
ship and cease to be entitled To the protection
of the United Statee, but continue, on con-
veEient occasions. to assert claims to protection,
in the absence of provision on these questions
and in this connection l again invite your at
tention to the necessity OF legislation Concern
ing the marriages of American citizens con-
tracted abroad aid concerning the status of
American women who may marry foreigners
and OF children born CT American parents Ill q
foreign country, The delicate and complicate
questions continually occurring with reference
to naturalization expatration. and the status
of such persons as l have above referred to,
induce me to earnestly direct your attention
again TO these subjects.
In like manner, [ repeat my rec
OmmendahOn thai some means be
provided for the hearing and
determination of the just and subsisting
claims Of aliens upon the government of
the United States within a reasonable linn
itation, and of such as may hereafter arise.
While by existing provisions of law the
Court of Claims may be in certain cases re-
sorted to by an alien claimant, the absence
of any general provisions governing all such
cases, and the want of a tribunal skilled in
the disposition Of such cases upon reorgan-
led fixed and settled nciples, either pro-
vides no remedy in many deserving cases, or
compels a consideration of such claim
by congress, or the executive de-
partnents OF the government 1t is be-
Iieved that other governments are in
advance of us upon this question, and that
the practice we adopted IL now unsatisfac-
tory.
ADMISSION OF COLORADO.
Congress, by act approved March 8
1875, authorized the inhabitants of the ter
ritory of Colorado TO form state govern
ment with the name of state of Colorado,
and therein provided for admission of said
state when formed into the union upon an
equality with the original states, constl-
tuition, having been adopted and ratified by
the people of that state aud the acting gov
ernor having certified to me the facts as
provided by said act, together with a copy
of sucl constitution and ordinances as pro-