The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-12-04

| Existing statutes prohibits the fitting out of
| armed expeditions and restrict the shipment
\ Of explosives, though the enactments in the
| latter respect were not framed with regard
to International obligations, but simply for
| the protection Of passenger travel All these
statutes were framed TO meet the special
emergencies that have already arisen. Since
modern ingenuity supplies means for the
| organization of hostilities without open re-
sort to armed vessels or TO ni1DuStering
! parties, see no reason why overt prepara-
| tlons in this country for the comm1 ssiOn of
| criminal acts such as aru here under con
| sideration should not be alike punishable,
whether such acts are intended to be COM
mitted in our own country or In foreign
| country with which we are at peace The
prompt and thorough treatment OF this ques-
| ton is one which intimately concerns the
| national honor. Our existing
NATURALIZATION LAWS
| also need revision. Those sections relating
| to persons residing within the limits Of the
United States in 1895 and 1898 have now
only a historical interest. Section 2172,
recognizing the citizenship of the children of
naturaiiZed parents, is am bIguOus in Its terms
and partly obsolete. There are special pro-
visions of law favoring the naturalization Of
those who serve in the army or in merchant
vessels, while no similar privileges are
granted those who serve in the navy or ma
rne CORPS uniform rule or naturalZa-
ton, such as the constitution contemplated
the status of persons born within the United
States, subject to foreign power (section
1892, and of minor children OF fathers who
! have declared their Intention of becoming
citizens, but have failed to perfect their nat
uralization 1t might be well to provide for
a central bureau Of registry, wherein should
be filed authenticated transcripts OF every
record of naturalization in the several fed
eral and state courts, and to make provision
also for the vacation OF cancellation of such
yhnrn frnv had hoo.
ticed upon the court by the applicant him
self, or where he had removed or forfeited
his acquired citizenship A just and uniform
law in this respect would strengthen the
hands of the government in protecting
its citizens abroad, and would pave the
way for the conclusion OF treaties
of naturalization with foreign countries.
The legislation of the last session effected in
the diplomatic and consular service certain
changes and reductions which have been
productive of embarrassment The popula-
ton and commercial activity of our country
are steadily on the increase. and are giving
. rise to new, varying and often delicate re-
lationships with other countries. Our for
eign establishment now embraces nearly
double the area Of operations that it did
twenty years ago. The confinement of such
a service within the limits of expenditure
then established is not, 1t seems to me, in &C.
cordance with true economy, and a COM
munity of sixty millions of people should be
adequately represented in its intercourse
with foreign nations. project for the re-
organization of the consular service and for
recasting the scheme of extra territorial jul
risdiction is now before you. Ii the limits of
short session Will not allow it's full consid-
Grafton l trust you will not fail to make
suitable provision for the present needs of
the service. 1t has been customary to de-
fine in the appropriation acts the rank Of
each diplomatic office to which a salary is
attached l suggest that this course be
abandoned and that it be left to the presi-
dent with the advice and consent of the SEN
ate, to Tx from time to time the diplomatic
grade of the representatives of this govern
ment abroad, as may seem advisable; pro-
vision being definitely made, however, as
now, for the amount of salary attached to
the respective stations.