Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-12-06

him. much time, unwcaried patience,
aud that fairness and intelligence,
which are well known to belong to
the accomplished representative of
Great Britain, and which are likewise
recognized by the representative in
this country Of the Republic of Mex
leo.
VENEZUELAN CLAIMS.
Monthly payments of very small
part of the amount due by the gov
eminent of Venezuela to citizens of
the 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 it has hitherto pursued 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,
at least without the consent Of the
holders of certificates of the indebt-
cdness of Venezuela. There is so
much depression that it would be
difficult if not impossible to ascertain
their disposition on the subject,
FRAUDULENT NATURALIZATION.
In former message l have
called the attention Of Con-
gress to the necessity of legisla-
ton with regard to fraudulent nat
uralization, and to the subject of ex-
patriation and the election of nation
ality. The number of persons of for
cign birth seeking home in the U.
S., the ease and facility with which
the honest emigrant may after the
lapse of reasonable time become
possessed of all the privileges of citi
zenship of the United States, and the
frequent occasions which induce
such adopted citizens to return to the
country of their birth, make the SUBJ
ject of naturalization and the safe
guards which experience has proved
necessary for the protection of the
honest naturalized citizens of para
mount importance. The very sim
pllcity in the requirements Of the law
on this question affords opportunity
for fraud, and the fact of uniformity
in the proceedings and records of the
various courts, and in the forms of
the certificates of naturalization is
sued, affords constant source of
difficulty. I suggest no additional
requirements to the acquisition of
citizenship beyond those now exist
ing, but invite the earnest attention
of Congress to the necessity and wis
dom of some provisions regarding
uniformity in the records and certifi-
Gates, and providing against the
frauds which frequently take place.
and for the vacating of record
of naturalization obtained in fraud.
These provisions 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 upon the right of
EXPATRIATIoN,
and has obtained, after long strug-
gle, an admission of the principle
contendcd for by acquiescence there
in on the part of many foreign pow
ers and by the conclusion of treaties
on that subject. 1t is however. but
justice to the Government to which
such naturalized citizens have for
merly owed allegiance as well as to
the United States that, certain fixed
and definite rules should be adopted
governing such cases and providing
how repatriation may be accomplish
ed, while emigrants in large numbers
become citizens of the United States.
So it is also true that persons, both
native born and naturalized, once cit
liens of the United States, either by
| formal acts, or a series of circum.
stances, abandoned their citizenship
and cease to be entitled to the pro.
lection of the United States, but con-
| tinue on convenient occasions to
assert claim to protection in the
absence of provisions on these ques
tons.
And in this connection again in.
vite your attention to the necessity OF
legislation concerning the marriages
of American citizens, contracted
abroad, and concerning the status OF
American women who may marry
foreigners, and of children born Of
American parents in foreign coun.
try. The delicate and complicated
questions continually occurring in
reference to naturalization, expatria-
ton 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 man.
ner repeat my recommendation that
means be provided for the hearing and
determination of the just and subsist-
ing claims of aliens upon the govern
mcnt of the United States within 6
reasonable limitation, and of such a!
may hereafter arise while by exist
ing provisions of law the Court o.
Claims may be, in certain cases, re
sorted to by an alien claimant, the alb.
sence Of any general provisions gov
erning all such cases and the want OF
a tribunal skilled in the disposition OF
such cases, upon fixed and settled
principles, either provides no remedy
in many deserving cases or cOmpels {
consideration of such claims by Con
gress or the Executive Department.
of the government.
1t is believed that other govern
ments are in advance of the United
States upon this question and that thu
practice now adopted is entirely un
: satisfactory.
COLORADO.
| Congress, by Act approved Marcel
Sd, 1875, authorized the inhabitants o
the Territory Of Colorado to form ,
State government with the name O
the State of Colorado, and therein
provided for the admission of sale
State, when formed, into the Uniol
upon an equal footing with the orig
inal States. A constitution having
: been adopted and ratified by the PEG
pie of that State, and the Acting Gov
ernor having certified to me the fact
as provided by said act, together will
a copy of such constitution and ordi
nances, as provided for in the sai(
act, and the provisions of said act o
Congress having been duly complied
: with, issued proclamation upol
the LIST of August, 1876, copy o
which is hereto annexed.
THE ARMY.
The report of the Secretary of Wa
shows that the army has been active
ly employed during the year in sub
DUNG, at the request of the Indial
bureau, certain wild bands of thu
Sioux Indian Nation, and in preserv
ing peace at the South during the cleo
ton.
The Commission constituted, under
the act of July oath 1876, to consider
and report on the whole subject oil
Reform and the reorganization o.
the army has collected a large mass o
statistics and opinions bearing on tn,
subject before it that are now under
consideration, and their report il
progressing. l am advised though by
the president of the commission, tina
it will be impracticable to comply
! with the clause requiring the repor
to be presented through me to Con
grcss on the first day Of this session, a!
there has not been time for that ma
ture deliberation which the impor.
lance of the subject demands. There
, fore l ask that the time of making
n M