The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-06


these claims e31 were dismissed or dis
allowed, and In 1877 cases awards were
made In favor Of the claimants against
the United States, amounting in all to
$3.50 49S Al. By the terms OF the Con-
yention the amount of these awards IS
to be deducted from the amount awarded
in favor Of our citizens aga!nst Mexico,
and the balance only to DO paid BY Mexi-
co to the United States, leaving the Unit:
ed States to make . provision for the
proportion OF the awards in favor Of its
citizens. In invite your attention to the
legislation which will be necessary to
provide for their payment.
In this connection l am pleased to DC
able to expreas the Acknowledgements
due to Sir Edward Thornton, the um.
pire Of the committee who has given 10
the consideration OF the large numoef OF
claims submitted 10 him, much time and
unwearied patience, and that fairness
and Intelligence, which arc vel known 10
belong to the accomplished representa-
live Of Great Britain, and which arc like
Vise recognized by the representative in
this county OF tho Republic of Mexico.
COLOMBIA.
The government OF the United States
OF Colombia has paid the award IN the
case Of the steamer Montijo, seized by
the authorities Of that government some
years since, and the amount has been
transferred 10 the claimants.
VENEZUELA.
Monthly payments Of very small
part OF the amount due by the Govern.
mento Of Venezuela to the citizens OF tae
United States on account Of claims OF the
latter against that Government, continue
to be made with reasonable punctuality.
That Government has proposed TO change
the system which II has hitherto pursued
in this respect by issuing bonds for part
OF the amount Of the several claims. The
proposition however, could not, 1t is sup.
posed, properly be accepted, at least
without the consent OF the holders oil the
certificates Of; Indebtedness Of Venezuela.
These are 90 much dispersed that itwould
be difficult, Il not impossible, to ascertain
their disposition on the subject.
NATURALIZATION AND REPATRIATION
In former messages have called the
attention OF Congress TO the necessity Of
legislation with regard to fraudulent
naturalization, and to the subject OF ex-
patriation and the election Of nation.
Atty. The number OF persons Of foreign
birth seeking home in tue United
States, the ease and facility with which
the honest emigrant may, after the lapse
OF . reasonable time, become possessed
OF all 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 safeguard which experience has
proved necessary for the protection OF
the honest naturalized citizen, OF para
mount importance. The very simplicity
in the requirements OF law on this ques-
ton afford an opportunity for fraud, and
the want Of uniformity in the proceed
ings and records OF the various Courts
and in the forms OF the certificates OF
naturalization issued, afford constant
source Of difficulty. | suggest no ad-
ditional requirements to the acquisition
Of citizenship beyond those now existing,
but | invite the earnest attention OF Con-
gress to the necessity and wisdom Of some
provisions in regard to uniformity in the
records and certificates and prOvidinS
against the frauds which frequently take
place and for the yacating oil record Of
naturalization obtained by fraud. These
proceedings are needed in aid and for
the protection OF the honest citizen Of
foreign birth and for the want OF which
he is made to suffer not unfrequently.
The United States has insiSted on the
right Of repatriation and has obtained,
after long struggle, an admission OF the
principle commended for by acquiescence
therein on the part Of many foreign
powers, and by the conclusion OF treaties
on that subject. II Is, however, but JUS
tice TO the Government TO which such
naturalized citizens have formerly owed
allegiance, as we'll US to the United States,
that certain fixed and definite rules should
be adopted governing such cases and pro.
viding how repatriation may be accom-
plished. While emigrants in large NUM-
bers become citizens Of the United States,
it lie also true that persons, both native
born and naturalized, once citizens OF the
United States, either by formal acts or as
the effect OF a series OF acts and circum-
stances, abandon their citizenship and
cease 10 be entitled 10 the protection OF
the United States, but continue to assert
claim to protection. In the absence
OF provisions on these questions,
and In this connection, l again invite
your attention TO the necessity OF legis-
lation concerning marriages OF American
citizens contracted abroad and concern
Ing the status OF American women who
may marry foreigners and OF children
born OF American parents in foreign
countries. The delicate and complicated
questions continually occurring with ref
erenoe to naturalization, repatriation
and the status OF such persons as l have
above referred to, induce me to earnestly
direct your attention again to these sub.
jects.
In like manner / repeat my recommen-
dation that some means be provided for
the hearing and determination OF the
first and subsequent claims OF aliens upon
the Government Of the United States,
within q reasonable Limitation, and OF
such as may hereafter arise. While by
existing provisions OF law the Court Of
Claims may be in certain cases resorled
to by an alien claimant, the absence Of
any general provisions governing all such
cases, and the want Of tribunal skilled
in the disposition Of such cases upon
recognized, fixed and settled principles,
either provides no remedy in many de.
serving cases or compels a consideration
Of such claims by Congress or the Exec.
utiye Departments OF the government.
II Is believed that other governments are
in advance Of the United States upon
this question, and that the practice now
adopted Is entirely unsatisfactory.
COLORADO.
Congress, by an act approved on the
Sd day OF March, 1875, authorized tho
inhabitants OF the Territory OF Colorado
to form 4 State government, with tho
name OF the State OF Colorado, and therein
provided for the admission OF said State,
when formed, into the Union on an equal
footing with the original States. A con.
stitution having been adopted and ratified
by the people OF that State: and the act.