The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-12-18
11dE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To The Congress- the United States.

OISulSneu puDlC SERVICES MS complete lnJeg-
rity and devotion to every duty, and his per-
sonal virtues will find honorable record in his
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.
1t 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 constitu-
tional government, maintenance of good faith
In all our engagements, the avoidance of COM
plcations 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
VIII unnecessary. There are no questions of
difficulty pending with any foreign govern
ment.
Early in March last war broke out in Cen
tral America, caused by the attempt of Guate-
nala to consolidate the several States into
single government. In these contests be
tween our ncighborng 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 belligerents, and by such counsel
contributed Importantly to the restoration of
tranquility in that locality.
The interest of the United States in a prac-
teal transit for ships across the strip of land
separating the Atlantic from the Pacific
has been repeatedly manifested during the
last half century. NV immediate predecessor
caused to be negotiated with Nicaragua
treaty for the construction, by and at the sole
cost of the United States, of canal through
Nicaraguan territory, and laid it before the
Senate. Pending the action of that body
thereon. | Withdrew the trpatX- for
nation 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 1850, 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 eXpatratiOn, no statutory provision
exists providing means for renouncing citizen
ship by an American citizen. native-born. or
naturazed, nor for terminating and vacating
an improper acquisition of citizenship. Even
fraudulent decree of naturalization can
not now be cancelled. The privilege and
franchise of American citizenship should
he granted with care, and extended
to those only who intend in good
ldllIl 10 aSSllllc lS duties ana RESPONSIBILITIES
when attaining its privileges and benefits:
it should be withheld from those who merely
90 through the forms of naturalization with
the intent of escaping the duties of their or
lglnal allegiance without taking upon them
selves those of their new status, or who NAV
acquire the rights of American citizenship for
no other than hostile purpose against their
original governments These evils have had
many tlagrant illustrations. / regard with
favor the suggestion put forth by one of my
predecessors that nrONiSpuS la n
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
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
SNIP, thereby gains an inchoate status
which legislation may properly define The
laws of certain States and Territories admit
domlciled alien to the local franchise, con-
ferring on him the rights of citizenship to a
degree which places him in the anomalous po-
sltlon of being citizen of a State and vet
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 nv tbn 1aCira of in 70 enc
cor languishing interest in the Antilles, steps
were taken to attain these ends by a treaty of
commerce. a similar treaty was afterward
signed by the Dominican republic. Suisse
quently overtureS We're made by her Britain
nc MaIestyS government for like mutual
extension of commercial intercourse with the
British West Indian and South American de-
Tendencies; but without result
THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE
l 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 a
representative is necessary the salary should
be so graded as to permit him to live witt
comfort. With the assignment of ade
qnate salaries the so-called notarial extra
Dhclal fees, which our officers abroad
are now permitted TO treat as persona
PerquisiteS, should be done away with Every
act requiring the certiiication and seal of tho
officer should be taxable at schedule rates
and the fee Therefore returned to the treasury
by restoring these revenues to the public us,
the consular service would be sclt-supporting
oven with liberal increase of the prcsen
ow salaries. In further prevention of abuse
system of consular inspection should b
instituted
THE TREASURY.
The report of the secretary of the treasr -
fully exhibits the condition of the public
finances and of the several branches of TIN
government connected with the department
The suggestions of the secretary relating T.
the practical operations of this important de
partInent, and his recommendations in tn
direction Of Simplifcation and economy, pan
tlcularly in the work of collecting custom
duties, are especially urged upon the atten
ton of Congress.
The ordinary receipts from all sources 70
tine fiscal year ended June 80, 1852 wer
So $50, IO63S. OF this sum SlSl Az, a39 3
was received from customs and 81 .49S 125 )
from internal revenue. The total receipts a
given above were S44 $50 1854 less tina
those for the year ended June 30, 1884. Til
1lmlDntiOn fol 81