The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-23
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Congress Of the United States:

public bereavement, caused by the recent and
sudden death of Thomas A. Hendricks, Vice
President Of the United States. His dis
tinguished public services, his complete integ-
rity and devotion to every duty, and his per-
country's history.
Ample and repeated proofs of the esteem
and confidence in which he was held by his
fellow-countrymen were manifested by his
election to offices of the most important trust
and highest dignity; and at length, full Of
years and honors, he has been laid at rest
amid universal sorrow and benediction.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
It is gratifying to announce that the rela-
tions of the United States with all foreign
powers continue to be friendly. Our position
after nearly a century of successful c%onstitu-
tional government. maintenance of good faith
In all our engagements, the avoidance Of COM
plications with other nations, and our consist
ent and amicable attitude toward the strong
and weak alike, furnish proof of a political
disposition which renders professions of good
will unnecessary. There are no questions of
difficulty pending with any foreign govern
ment.
Early in March last war broke out in Cen
trail America, caused by the attempt of Guate-
mala to consolidate the several States into a
single government. In these contests be-
tween our ~neighboring states the United
States forbore to Interfere actively, but lent
the aid of their friendly offices in depreciation
OF war and to promote peace and concord
among the bclligerents, and by such counsel
contributed Importantly to the restoration of
tranquility in that locality.
The interest of the United States in O prac-
teal transit for ships across the strip of land
separating the Atlantic from the Pacific
has been repeatedly manifested during tho
last half century. My immediate predecessor
caused to be negotiated with Nicaragua a
treaty for the construction, by and at the sole
cost of the United States, of q canal through
Nicaraguan territory, and laid it before the
Senate. Pending the action of that body
thereon, I withdrew the treaty for re-exam-
ination. Attentive consideration of its pro-
visions leads me to withhold it from re-sub-
mission to the Senate.
In the application of the acts lately passed
to execute the treaty of 1880, restrictive of
the immigration of Chinese laborerS into the
United States, individual cases of hardship
have occurred beyond the power of the Exec
utive to remedy, and calling for judicial de-
termination.
CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION.
The inadequacy of existing legislation touch
ing citizenship and naturalization demands
your consideration. While recognizing the
right OF expatriation, no statutory provision
exists providing means ~forrenouncirg citizen
ship by an American citizen, n~ative-born. or
naturalized, nor for terminating and vacating
an improper acquisition of citizenship. Even
a fraudulent decree of naturalization cam
not now be cancelled. The privilege and
franchise of American citizenship should
be granted with care, and extended
to those only who intend in good
faith to assume its duties and responsibilities
when attaining its privileges and benefits;
it should be withheld from those who merely
go through the forms of naturalization with
the intent of escaping the duties of their Or
iginal allegiance without taking upon them
selves those of their new status, or who may
acquire the rights of American citizenship for
no other than a hostile purpose against their
original governments. These evils have had
many fragrant Illustrations. T regard with
favor the suggestion put forth by one Of my
predecessors that provisions be made for a
central bureau of record of the DEGREES of
naturalization granted by the various courts
throughout the United States now invested
with that power.
The rights which spring from domicile in
the United States, especially when coupled
with a declaration of intention to become a
citizen, are worthy of definition by statute.
The stranger coming hither with intent to re-
main establishing his residence in our midst,
contributing to the general welfare, and by
his Involuntary act, declaring his purpose to
assume the responsibilities of citizen
ship. thereby gains an inchoate status
which legislation may properly define. The
laws of certain States and Territories admit
a domiciled alien to the local franchise, con-
ferring on him the rights of citizenship to a
degree which places him in the anomalous po-
sition of being a citizen Of q State and yet
not of the United States within the purview
of Federal and international law. 1t is I'M
portant within the scope of national legiSla-
ton to define this right of alien domicile as
distinguished from Federal naturalization.
COMMERCIAL TREATIES.
The commercial relations of the United
States with their immediate neighbors and
with Important areas of traffic near our
shores suggest especially liberal intercourse
between them and us. Following the treaty
of 1883 with Mexico, which rested on the
basis of a reciprocal exemption from customs
duties, other similar treaties were initiated by
my predecessor. Recognizing the need Of
less INSTRUCTED traffic with Cuba and Porto
Rico, and met by the desire Of Spain to sue
cor ~languishing interest in the Antilles, steps
We're taken to attain these ends by a treaty Of
commerce. A similar treaty was afterward
signed by the Dominican republic. Suisse
quently overtures were made by her Britain
mic Majesty's government for a like mutual
extension of commercial intercourse with the
OAS ScSU 1uuluu anu SOUCu american de-
Tendencies; but without result
THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
1 Earnestly urge that Congress recast the |
appropriations for the maintenance Of the di-
TIoro,.1r'c end consular service on O footing
commensurate with the Importance of our
national interests. At every cost where a !
representative is necessary. the salary should
be so graded as to permit him to live with
comfort With the aSclOOmpOt of 91p-
quate salaries the so-called notarial extra
official fees, which our officers abroad
are now permitted to treat as personal
perquisites, should be done away with. Every
act requiring the certification and seal of the
officer should be taxable at schedule rates,
and the fee therefore returned to the treasury.
BY restoring these revenues to the public use
the consular service would be self-Suppolting,
even with a liberal increase of the present
low salaries. In further prevention of abuses
a system of consular inspection should be
instituted.
THE TREASURY.
The report of the secretary of the treasury
fully exhibits the condition of the public
finances and of the several branches OF the
government connected with the department.
The suggestions of the secretary relating to
the practical operations of this important de-
partlnent, and his recommendations in the
direction of simplificatiOn and economy, par
ticularly in the work of collecting customs
duties, are especially urged upon the atten-
ton of Congress.
The ordinary receipts from all sources for
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1885, were
1922 500, 706.3S. Of this sum SlS1, All .939.a
was received from customs and SIP 49S, 1854
from internal revenue. The total receipts, as
given above, were &&24,S9 lG3.5 81 less than
those for the year ended June 80, 1854. This
WV