The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-12-07

ucOOCUo0 ikVm TUG oWOous oWokucu Al tovoa
of our citizens against Mexico, and the
balance only to be paid by Mexico to the
United States, leaving the United States to
make provision for their proportion of the
awards in favor of its own citizens. l in
vite your attention to legislation which will
be necessary TO provide for the payment
in this connection. am prepared to be
able to express the acknowledgment due
Mr.. Thornton, the umpire of the commits
sion, who has given to the consideration Of
the large member of claims submitted to
MIN much time, unwearied patience and
that fairness and intelligence which are
well known to belong to the accomplished
representative of Great Britain, and which
are likewise recognized by the representa-
tive in this country of the Republic of
Mexico.
VENEZUELA CLAIMS.
Monthly payments of very small part
of the amount due BY the government OF
Venezuela to the citizens of the United
States, on account of the claims of the lat
ter 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 PROPOSE
ton, however, could not,it is supposed, prop
erly be accepted, at least without the con-
sent of the holders of the certificates of
indebtedness of Venezuela. These are so
much dispersed that il would be difficult,
if not impossible, to ascertain their dispo-
sition on the subject.
FRAUDULENT NATURA-IZATlON.
In another message have called the
attention of Congress to the necessity Of
legislation with regard to fraudulent natur-
alization, and to the subject of repatriation
and election of nationality. Numbers of
persons of foreign birth, are seeking home
in the United States, and the ease
and facility with which the honest
emigrant after the lapse of reasonable
time becomes 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 naturali
cation and the safeguards which exper-
fence has proved necessary for the protec
ton of the honest nsturalized citizen Of
paramount Importance. The very simplicity
in the requirements OF the law on this
question affords opportunity for fraud, and
the want of uniformity in the proceedings
and records of the various courts, and in
the forms Of the certificates of naturaliza-
ton issued, afford constant source of DIFF,
ficalty. | suggest no additional requir-
ments TO the acquisition of citizenship
beyond those now existing, but invite the
earnest attention of congress to the neces
sity and wisdom of some provisions regard
ing uniformity in the records and certificates
and providing against the frauds which
frs quentiy take place, and for the vacating
of records of naturalization obtained by
fraud. These provisions are needed in aid
of, and for the protection of the honest
citizen of foreign birth, and for the want of
which he is made to suffer not unfre-
quently. The United States has insisted
upon the right Of expatriation and has
obtained after a long struggle an
admission of the principle contend
ed for by acquiescence therein on
the part of many foreign Powers and by
the conclusion of treaties on that subject.
1t is, however, but justice to the govern
ment to which such naturaliz d citizens
have formerly owed allegiance as we'll as to
the United States, that certain fixed and
and definite rules should be adopted gov
erning suck cases and providing how ex-
patriation may be accomplished. While
emigrants in large numbers become citizens
Of the United States, it is also true that
persons, both native born and nataralized,
once citizens of the United States, either
by formal act or as the effect of series of
facts and circumstances, abandon their
and cease TO be entitled to the
protection of the United States, bat con-
claim to protection in defiance of treaty
provisions, and in this connection | again
invite your attention TO the necessity of
legislation concerning marriages of Ameri
IAN citizens contracted abroad, and con.
,erning the status of American women
sho marry foreigners, and of children born
If American parents in foreign countries.
The delicate and complicated questions
continually occurring with reference to
repatriation and the status of such persons
IS | have referred to, induce me
o earnestly direct your attention again to
he subject.
CLAIMS OF ALIENS.
In like manner | repeat the recommeu-
alton that some means be provided for |
fearing determinations of the just and ex-
sting claims of aliens upon the govern
r. Al. Il
BILE limitation, and of such as may here
fter arise. While by existing provisions
[ law the Court Of Claims may, in certain
ases, be resorted to by an alien claimant,
he absence of any general provisions
overning all such cases, and the
ant of a tribunal skilled in the
lsposition of such cases upon recognized,
xed and settled principles, either provides
o remedy in many deserving cases, or
ompels the consideration of such claims
y Congress or the executive department
the government. 1t is believed that
her governments are in advance of US
pom this question, and that the practice
DIV adopted is entirely satisfactory.
ADMISSION OF COLORADO.
Congress, by an act approved the Sd of
arch, 1875, authorized the inhabitants Of
e Territory of Colorado to form a State
'vernment, in the name of the State of
dorado, and therein provided for the
mission of said State when formed into
e Union upon an equal footing with the
igiaal States. A constitution having !
en adopted and ratified by the people of !
e State, and an acting Governor having
rtihed to me the facts, as provided by I
id act, together with copy of such con- !
tuition and ordinances, as provided for
said act, and the provisions of said act
Congress having been complied with, !
ued my proclamation on the LIST day of e
lgust, 1876, a copy of which is hereto d
nexed. I
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary shows that >
2 army has been actively employed dur 2
: the year in subduing, at the request OF /
: Indian Bureau, certain wild bands of !.
, Sioux Indian nation, and in preserving !,
ace at the South during the election. =
e commissioners constituted under the 2
Of July "a, 1876, to consider and re- ?
TT on the whole subject of the reform .
d reorganization of the whole army, met y
August last, and has collected a large q q
ss of statistics on points bearing on the p
beet before it. These are now under u
and THAR royorf 10 rroc-as u