Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-02


| share for our industries in the general com
petitive markets, it il 9 matter Of serious
concern that want of means for participation
| in these exhibitions should too often exclude
our producers from the advantages enjoyed
by those of other countries. During the past
| wear the attention of Congress was drawn to
| formal invitation, in this regard, rendered
| by the governments of England. Holland.
Germany and Austria The Executive has in
some instances appointed commissioners
This 10 a most unsatisfactory expedient for
without provision to meet the necessary
working expenses of the commission il can
effect little in behalf of an exhibition. An
| international Invention exhibition is TO be
held in London next May. This will cover q
| field of special importance in which our
country hold. the foremost rank. but the Ex-
ecutive is at present powerless 20 organize
proper representation of our vast national
| interests in this direction. / have
| in several previous messages referred to this
subject 1t seems 10 me that statute
/ giving to the executive general discretionary
| authority 10 accept such invitations and to
appoint honorary commissioners without sala-
~. and placing at the disposal of the Secretary
of State a small fund for defraying their
reasonable expenses would be of great
public utility.
COLLISIONS AT SEA-CoPYRIGHT.
This government has received official
notice that revised International regulations
for preventing collisions at sea have beea
adopted by leading maritime powers except
the United States, and it came into force on
the LIST of September last. For the due
protection of our shipping interests the
provisions of our statutes should at once be
brought into conformity with these regula-
tons. The question of seeming to authorize
composers and artists copyright privileges in
this country in return for reciprocal rights
abroad, is one that may justly challenge your
attention. Ii is true that convention
will be necessary for fully accomplishing
this result, but until Congress shall by
statute fix the extent to which foreign holders
of copyright shall be here privileged. it has
been deemed inadvisable to negotiate such
conventions. For this reason the United
States were not represented at the recent
conference at Berne.
NEUTRALITY AND NATURALIZATION.
recommend that the copy of the neutrali-
ty laws of the United States be so enlarged
as to cover all potent acts of hostility COM
mitted in our territory and armed against the
peace here of friendly nations. The existing
statutes prohibit the fitting out of armed ex-
petitions and restrict shipment of explosives,
though the enactmens in the latter respect
were not framed with regard to international
obligations; but simply for the protection of
passenger travel. These statutes were to meet
special emergencies that had arisen. Other
emergencies have arisen since and modern
ingenuity supplies means for the organization
of hostiities without open resort to armed
vessels or to fllibustering parties.
l see no reason why every preparation in
this country for the punishment of criminals
for such acts as are here under consideration,
shall not be alike punishable, whether such
acts are intended to be committed in our own
country or in a foreign country with which
we are at peace. Prompt and thorough treat
ment of this question intimately concerns
the national honor. Our existing naturaiza-
ton laws also need revision. Those sections
relating to persons residing within the limits
of the United States in l775 and 1898 have
now only historical interest. Section PIP,
recognizing the citizenship OF the children of
naturalized parents is ambiguous in its terms
and partly obsolete. There are special pro-
visions of law fsvoring the naturalization of
those who served in the army or in mer chant
vessels, while no similar privileges are
granted those who have served in
the navy marine corps Uni
form rules of naturalization such as the
constitution contemplafes should, among
other things, clearly define the status of
persons born within the United States, sub
ject to foreign power (sect 1922 and of minor
children of fathers who have declared their
intention of becoming citizens, but have
failed to perfect their naturalization. 1t
might be wise to provide for a central
bureau of registry, wherein should
be filed authentic transcripts of every record
] ,f oNar ali h.. "a.
courts, and to make provision also for
vacation or cancellation of such record in
cases where fraud had been practced by the
/ applicant himself, or where he had removed
his acquired citizenship. A just and uniform
law in this respect would strengthen the
hands of the government in protecting its citi-
zens abroad, it would pave the way for the
conclusion of the treaties of naturalization.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
! The legislation of the last session effected
in diplomatic and consular service certain
changes and reductions which have been pro-
ductive Of embarrassment The population
and commercial activity Of our country are
steadily on the increase, and giving rise to
new, varying and often delicate relationships
| with other countries. Our foreign establish.
ment now embraces nearly double the area
of operations that it occupied 20 years ago.
| The confinement of such service within limits
of expenditure then established is not it seems
to me in accordance with true economy. A
community of sixty millions of people should
be adequately represented in its intercourse
with foreign nations. A project for the re-
| organization of the consular service and for
recasting scheme for jurisdiction is now
before you. If the limits of short session
will not allow of its full consideration
trust you will not fail to make provision for
the present needs of the service.
Ii has been customary to define in the ap-
preparation acts the rank of each diplomatic
Office to which salary is attached; suggest
that this course be abandoned. and that il be
left to the President with the advice and
consent of the Senate to fix from time to time
the diplomatic grade of representatives of
this government abroad, as may seem advis-
sble-provision being definitely made, how
ever, as now, for the amount of salary at
tached to these stations.
TREASURY AND FINANCES.
| The condition of our finances and opera.
tons of the various branches of the public
service which are connected with the treasury
department are very fully discussed in the
report of the secretary. 1t appears that the
ordinary revenues for the fiscal year ended
June 30th. 1884, were: From customs
1874 ,067, 1916; from internal revenue
1921 ,5s6,072 sc; from all other sources
s31 ,s66,S07,65. Total ordinary revenues
sS4s.579, 500 80.
Tha