Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1885-12-11

BISMARCK, DAKOTA, FIR
ing more precise information of the sub
ject. 1 have invited her majesty's govern
ment to consider with us the adoption Of a
more convenient line, to be established by
meridian observations or by known geo
graphical features, without the necessity of
an expensive survey of the whole.
IAN officer of the navy, detailed for the
purpose, is on his way to Siberia, bearing
testimonial voted by congress to those who
generously succored the few survivors of
the Jeanette expedition. Inadequacy of ex-
istiRg legislation touching citizenship and
naturalization, demands your consideration.
While recognizing the right of expatrla-
ton, no statutory provision exists providing
means for renouncing citizenship by ali
American, native or naturalized, nor for
terminating an improper acquisition of cit
izenship. Even fraudulent decree of
naturallzatlon can not now be cancelled.
The privileges and franchises of American
citizenship should be granted with care
and extended to those only who intend in
good faith to assume its duties and respon.
sibilities when attaining its privileges and
benefits. 1t should be withheld from those
who merely 60 through the forms of natur-
allzatlon intent upon escaping the duties
OF their original allegiance, without taking
upon themselves those Of their new status,
or who may acquire the rights Of American
citizenship for no other than hostile pur-
pose toward their original governments. l
regard with favor the suggestion put forth
may be made for central bureau of re-
cord OF DEGREES of naturalization granted
by the various courts throughout the
United States, now vested with that power.
Rights which spring from domicile in the
United States. especially when coupled
with declaration of intention
Of 0eie% denition et1en by statute aus WORTHY Thys
laws OF certain states and territories admit
a domiciled alien to local franchise, confer
ring on him the rights of citizenship to
degree which places him in the anomalous
position OF being a citizen Of the state and
not of the United States, within the pur-
view OF federal and international law. 1t
is important within the scope of national
legislation to define the right Of an alien
domicile, as distinguished from federal
naturalization"
THE FINANCIAL QUESTION.
The president, after discussing our COM
mercial relations and opposing treaties
that tend to decrease our revenues, took up
the treasurer's report and said: 1t fully
exhibits the condition of the public
finances. The ordinary receipts, from all
sources, in the fiscal year ended June 30,
1885, were $322,690,9 ,960.38; of this sum $751;
All, ,9S9.a was received from customs and
$2O2, ,49S, 1854 from internal revenue. The
total receipts, as given above, were $24,-
1913, 1854 less than those for the year end
ing June 80, 1884. This dimunition enl-
braces the falling off of $13,595, ,55O.42 in re-
ceipts for shipment and $9,6S7 ,346.97 in the
receipts from internal revenue. The total
ordinary expenditures Of the government
for the fiscal year were $3.50, ,226,935, leaving
a surplus in the treasury at the close of the
fiscal year of $43, ,463, ,774.27. This is $40,-
029,S54.32 less than the surplus reported at
the close of the previous year. The amount
paid on the public debt during the fiscal
year was $45. .993, ,235 ,43, and there has been
paid since that date and up to November l,
1885, the sum of $S69,82S, leaving the
amount of the debt at the last date men,
toned, 1,514,475,860.47. There was, how
ever, at that time in the treasury appliable
sum Of $66 S1S292S8. Total receipts for the
current fiscal year, ending June 30 1885,
ascertained to October 81, 1885, and esti-
mated for the remainder of the year, will
be $315,OOO,0O0; expenditures ascertained
and estimated for the same time are
$245,OOO,0 600, leaving a surplus at the end of
i
that our revenues are in excess Of the ac-
tual needs of the government justifies
a reduction in the amount exacted
from the people for its support. We should
deal with this subject in such manner as
to protect the interests of American labor,
which is the capital of our workingmen.
Within these limitations certain reductions
should be made in our customs revenue. 1
think reduction should be made in the
revenue derived from the tax upon i'm
ported necessaries of life. Since February,
1878, the government has, under the com
pulsOry provisions of law, purchased sill
yer bullion and coined the same at the rate
this process up to the present date 2l5,-
75a13l silver dollars have been coined"
The president here entered into lengthy
discussion of the question, and ended by
recommending the repeal of the law.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
Il recommend the passage of law au-
sioners, three of whom shall be detailed
from the army, to be charged with the duty
OF careful inspection, from time to time, of
all the Indians on our reservations, or sub
ject to the care and control of the govern
ment, with view Of discovering their
exact condition and needs, and determin-
ing what, if any, Indians:may, with their
consent, be removed to other reservations,
with view of their concentration; what
Indian lands now held in common should
be allotted in seyeralty; in what manner
and to what extent Indians upon reserYa~
tiOns can be placed under protection of
our laws and subjected to their penalties,
and which, if any Indians. should be in
vested with the rights of citizenship. The
powers and functions of these commits
sioners in regard to these subjects should
be clearly defined, though they should, in
conjunction with the secretary Of the in
terror, be given all authority to deal def
nitely with such questions as are at pres
ent deemed safe and consistent; they should
also be charged with the duty OF
ascertaining Indians who might properly
be furnished with implements of agricM-
ture, and Of what kind; in what case the
support OF the government should be with
drawn; where present plan of distributing
Indian supplies should be changed; where
schools may be established, and where dis
continued; what steps shall be taken Oh be-
half OF the government to improve the stu
ation in the direction of self support and
complete civilization: that they ascertain
from such inspection what. if any, reserva-
tions may be reduced in area, and in such
cases what part not needed for Indian oc-