The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-01-04

on the opposite side OF the river. The sub
jeet Of adjustment of these causes Of diff
Guilty is under consideration between the
two republics. The government Of the
United States Of Columbia has paid the
award in the case Of the steamer MontiiO,
signed by the authorities of that government
some years since, and the amount has been
transferred to the claimants.
It is with satisfaction that | am able to
announce that the Joint commission for the
adjustment of the claims between the United
States and Mexico. The convention of 1868
the duration of which has been several
times extended, has brought its labor to a
close. From the report of the agent of the
United States which accompanies the papers
transmitted herewith, it will be seen that
within the time limited by the commits
sion 1917 claims on the part of
citizens of the United States against
Mexico was referred to the commission
of these claims were di missed disallOwed, and in
lS6 cases awards we've made in favor Of the claim
aats against the Mexican republic, amounting ia
the aggregate to 81, l75r 1920. Within the same
900 claims the part of the citizens of the Next
republic against the United States referred
to the commission; OF these claims S3l were dis
missed disallOWed, and in 1857 cases awards we're
made in favor of claimants against the United
States amounting in the aggregate to $50, A.
By the terms Of the commission the amount OF these
awards is to be deducted from the amount awarded
in favor of Ctizeas against Mexico, and the bal
only to be paid by Mexico to the United States
to make provisions for their proportion Of the
awards in favor of its own citizens.
invite your attention to the legislation which
will be necessary to provide for the payment in this
connection. am prepared to he able to express the
acknowledgment due Mr.. Thornton the umpire
Of the commission, who has given to the cOnsdera-
tiOn OF the large number Of claims submitted to
him. much time, unWearied and patient; and that
the fairness and intelligence, which well known
to belong to the accomplished representative Of
Great Britain, and which are likewise recognized
by the representative in this country Of the Te-
public Of Mexico, Monthly payments Of very
small part of the amount due by the government
of Venezuela, to citizens of the United States on
account Of claims, the latter against the govern
ment continue to be made with reasonable Punctu-
atty. 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. possibly be accepted at
least without the consent Of the holders of .eTif-
Gates OF indebtedness Of Venezuela These are so
mach depressed that it would be difficult, If not
impossible, to ascertain their disposition Of the
subject.
In another message, have called the attention
of congress to the necessity OF legislation with re-
gard to
FRAUDULENT STANDARDIZATION,
and to the subject of expatriation and election Of
nationality. Numbers Of persons Of foreign birth
seeking a home in the United States, the ease and
facility with which honest emigrant may, after
the lapse of a 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 safeguards which experience has proved
necessary for the protection of the honest natural
lied citizens of paramount importance. I be very
simplicity of the requirements Of the law en- this
question afford opportunity fer fraud, and the want
of uniformity in the proceedings and records Of the
various and in the forms Of the certificates Of
naturalization issued afford q constant source Of
difficulty. 1 suggest no additional requirements
to the acquisition Of citizenship beyond those now
existing, but invite the earnest attention Of con-
gTesS to the necessity aud wisdom Of some pTOvis-
ions regarding uniformity in the records and Certif
Gates, and providing against the frauds which fire.
quenty take place, and for the vaCatng OF record
Of naturalization obtained fraud. These proYis-
ions are needed in aid and for the protection of the
honest citizens Of foreign birth, and for the want
of which he is made to suffer not unfrequenuy.
The United States has insisted upon the right of
eXpatriatiOn and has obtained, after long Strug-
gle, an admission OF the principles cOntended for
by AGO uisition therein the part of many foreign
powers, and by the conclusion of treaties on that
subject. 1t is however. but Justice to the govern
mpnt to which such naturallZed citizens have for
mery owed allegiance well to the United
States that certain fixed and definite rules should
be adopted governing such cases. and providing
how such eXpatTatiOn may be accomplished. While
emigrants in large numbers become citizens Of the
United States, either by formal acts as the effect
of q series of facts and circumstances, abandon
their citizenship and to be entitled to the pro-
lection of the United States, but continue on GER
tain occasions to assert their claim to protection in
again invite yOur attention to the necessity Of leg
iSlatiOn regarding
MARRIAGES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
contracted abroad, and concerning the status Of
American women who may marry foreigners, and
of children horn of American parents in foreign
country. The delicate and complicated questions
continually occurring with reference TO naturaliEL
ton expatrstOn and status of such persons have
been referred to- induce me to earnestly direct your
attention again to these subj cts. In like manner
I repe4t my Recommendation that some means be
provided for hearing the determination of the just
and subsidizing claims Of aliens upon the govern
menl of the United States within reasonable linn
it8tiOn, ana OF such may hereafter arise While,
by the existing provision Of the law, the court Of
claims may, in certain cases. be resOrted to BY an
alien claimant, the absence Of general provisions
governing all such cases. and the want OF q tTibu-
nal skilled in the disposition of such cases upon
recognized, fixed and settled principles either pro-
vides no remedy in many deserving cases, or COM
pelS consideration of such Claims by congress or
the executive department OF the government Il
is believed other governments in advance OF the
United States this question, and that the prac-
tice now adopted is entirely unsatisfactory.
Congress, by an act, approved the Sd OF March,
1878, authorized the inhabitants OF the territory OF
name of Colorado, and thereon provided for the ad
mission of said state which formed into the union,
upon an equal footing with the original states A
constitution having been adopted and ratified by
the people of that state, and an acting governor
having certified to me the facts, as provided by 'ad
act, tOget her with copy Of such constitution aud
provided for in the said act, and the
provisions of said act Of congress- having been daily
complied with, issued proclamation on the LIST
August, 1876, copy Of which IS hereto attached.
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR
sho that the army has been lively employed dur
ing the year in Subduing at the request Of the Indian
bureau, certain Wild bands of the Sioux Indian
nation and in preserving peace at the sOuth during
the election. The commits ion constituted under
set Of July Gath, 1876, to consider and report on
the whole subject of reform and reorganization OF
the whole army in August past, and has collected
v hole mass Of statistics Of points barring on tho
subject before II. These are under cOnsidera-
ton and their report Is progressing. lam advised
though, by the president Of the commission, that
it win be impracticRble to comply With the clause