Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-16

Our gOOd relationship With Russia cOntln-
ues. An officer of the navy, detailed for the
purpose, is now on his way to Siberia, bear
ing the testimonials voted by Congress to
those who generously succored the survivors
of the unfortunate Jeanette expedition.
1t is gratifying to advert to the cordiality
of our intercourse with Spain. The long
pending claim of the owners of the ship Ma
sonic, for loss suffered through the admitted
dereliction of the Spanish authorities in the
Philippine islands, has been adjusted by arbi-
tration, and an indemnity awarded. The
principal of arbitration in such cases, to
which the United States have long and con-
sistently adhered, thus receives a fresh and
gratifying confirmation. Other questions
with Spain have been disposed of or are I'M
der diplomatic consideration with view to
just and honorable settlement
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 for renouncing citizen
ship by an American citizen, native-born, or
naturalized, nor for terminating and vacating
an improper acquisition of citizenship. Even
a fraudulent decree of naturalization can
not now be cancelled. The privilege and
franchise of American citizenship should
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 hostile purpose against their
original governments. These evils have had
many fragrant illustrations. I 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 declaration of intention to become
citizen, are worthy of definition by statute.
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
degree which places him in the anomalous po-
sition of being citizen of a 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 1888 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
were taken to attain these ends by treaty of
commerce. A similar treaty was afterward
signed by the Dominican republic. Subse-
quently Overtures were made by her Britain
mic Majesty's government for a like mutual
extension of commercial intercourse with the
British West Indian and South American de-
Tendencies; but without result.
On taking office, withdrew for re-exami-
nation the treaties signed with Spain and
Santo Domingo, then pending before the Sen
ate. The result has been to satisfy me of the
inexpediency of entering into engagements of
this character not covering the entire traffic.
These treaties contemplated the surrender by
the United States of large revenues for made
quate considerations. Upon sugars alone
duties were surrendered to an amount
far exceeding all the advantages
offered in exchange. Even were
it intended to relieve our consumers, it
was evident that so long as the
exemption but partially covered our impor-
tation, such relief would be illusory. To re-
lnquish revenue so essential seemed highly
improvident at time when new and large
drains upon the treasury were contemplated.
Moreover, embarrassing questions would have
arisen under the favored-nation clauses of
treaties with other nations.
As further objection, it is evident that
tariff legislation by treaty diminishes that in
which is essential for the safety and welfare
of any government Emergency calling for
an increase of taxation may at any time
arise, and no engagement with a foreign
power should exist to hamper the action of
the government.
By the fourteenth section of the shipping
act, approved June 26, 1884, certain reduc-
tions and contingent exemptions from ton
mage dues were made as to vessels entering
ports of the United States from any foreign
port in North and Central America, the West
India Islands, the Bahamas and Bermudas
Mexico, and the Isthmus as far as Aspinwall
and Panama. The governments of Belgium,
Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Sweden
and Norway have asserted, under the
favored-nation clause in their treaties with the
United States, a claim to like treatment
in respect of vessels coming to the United
States from their home ports This govern
ment, however, holds that the privileges
granted by the act are purely geographical,
enuring to any vessel of any foreign power
that may choose to engage in traffic between
this country and any port within the defined
zone, and no warrant exists under the most
favored nation clause for the extension of the
privileges in question to vessels sailing to this
country from ports outside the limitation of
the act.
Undoubtedly the relations of commerce
with our near neighbors, whose territories
form so long a frontier line difficult to be
guarded, and who find in our country, and
equally offer to us, natural markets, demand
special and considerable treatment. 1t rests
with Congress to consider what legislative
action may increase facilities of intercourse
which contiguity makes natural and desir-
able
THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE
earnestly urge that Congress recast the
appropriations for the maintenance of the di-
plomatic end consular service on footing
commensurate with the Importance of our
national interests. At every post where
representative is necessary, the salary should
be so graded as to permit him to live with
comfort. With the assignment of ade-
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 certifcation 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
Al L