The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-12-10

stocks paving so high a rate of interest the letter
OF the statute IS at present unapplicabe, but its
spirit is subseryed by con inuing to make invest
ments of this nature in current stock bearing the
highest interest now paid.
The statute, however, makes provisions for
the disposal of such a creation it being contrary
to the general rule of this government to allow
interest on claims. l recommend the repeal of
the provision IN question, and the disposition
under uniform rule of representing accumula-
tons from investment of trust funds.
NATURALIZATION.
The inadequacy of existing legislation touching
citizenship and naturalization demands your con-
sideration. While recognizing the right of ex-
patriation, no such provisions exist providing
means for renouncing citizenship by an American
citizen, native born being naturalized, for
terminating an improper acquisition of citizenship.
Even fraudulent decree OF naturalization cannot
now be recalled.
The privilege and franchise of American citizens
should be guarded with care, and extended to those
only who intend, in good faith to assume its duties
and responsibilities when attaining its privileges
and benefits. 1t should be withheld from those
who merely 60 through the forms of naturaliza-
ton, with the intent of escaping the duties of their
original allegiance, without taking upon them
selves those OF their new status, who may ac-
quire the rights of American citizenship for no
other than hostile purpose toward their original
government. These evils have had many fragrant
Illustrations
regard with favor the suggestions put forth by
one of my predecessors that provisions may be
made for central bureau of record for the decree
of naturalization granted by the various courts
throughout the United States, now invested with
that power, the right of which springs from domi-
ce in the United States, especially when coupled
with declaration of intention to become citizen,
which worthy of definition by statute. The
stranger coming hither without intent to remain
and establishing his residence in our midst, CON
trbutng to the general welfare, and by his volun-
tary act declaring his purpose to assume the
responsibilities of citizenship, thereby gains
inchoate status, which legislation may properly
define.
The laws of certain states and territories admit
domciled alien to the local franchise, comforting
on him the rights of citizenship to degree which
places him in the anomolous position of being
citizen of state and yet not of the United States
within the purview of general and international
law 1t is important within the scope of national
legislation to define the right of alien domiciIe as
distinguished from federal naturalization.
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
The commercial relations of the United States
with their immediate neighbOrs, at and within i'm
portant of traffic near shores suggest
especially liberal intercourse between them and
the United States. following the treaty of 1882
with Mexico which rested on the basis of recip-
| rocal exemption from customs duties. Other simi-
lar treaties were initiated by my predecessor, rec
ognizng the need of the least obstructed traffic
with Cuba and Porto Rico, and not by the desire OF
Spain to succOr the languishing interests in the
Antillers Steps were taken to attain these ends
by treaty of commerce.
A similar treaty was afterwards signed by the
Dominican Republic. Subsequently Overtures
made by her Britanic magesty's government
for like mutual eXtenson OF commercial inter
course with the British West Indian and South
American dependencies, but without result. On
taking office | Withdrew for re examination the
treaties sgned with Spain and San Domingo then
pending before the senate. The result has been to
satisfy me of the ineXpediency of endorsing an en-
gagements OF this character not covering the entire
traffic
The treaties contemplated the surrende: by the
United States of large revenues for inadequate con-
sderations Upon sugar alone duties were sur
rendered to amount far exceeding all the adj
vantages offered in exchange. Then were it in
tended to relieve our consumers it was evident that
so long as exemption but partially covered our
transportation such relief would be illusory. To
relinQuish revenue essential seemed highly
imprOvident at time when 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 the tariff
regulation by treaty diminishes that independent
control over its own revenues which is ef 'ntla Tor
the safety and welfare OF any government An
emergency calling for an increase of taxation may
at any time arise, and no engagement with foreign
power should exist to hamper the government. BY
the fourteenth section of the shipping act approved
June 26, 1884,, certain reductions and contingent
exemptions from tonnage dues were made as to yes
sells entering the ports of the United States from
any foreign port in North and Central America.
The West India islands, the Bahamas, the Ber-
midas, Me.ico, the tsthmus as lar as Asplnwail, al
Norway have asserted under a favored nation
clause in their treaties with the United States,
claim to like treatment in respect to vessels coming
to the United States from their home ports. This
government, however, holds that the privileges
granted by. the act are purely geograph-
foreign power that may choose to engage in
tariff between this country and any part within the
defined zone, and no warrants exist under the most
favored national clause for the extension OF the
| privileges in question to vessels sailing to this
country for ports outside the limitation of the act
| Undoubtedly the relations of commerce with our
near neighbors, whose territories form so large
frontier line, difficult to be guarded, and who find
| in our country and equally offer to us natural
| markets. demand special and cOnsiderate treat
| ment. 1t rests with congress to consider what
legislative action may increase the facilities of the
! interior, which contiguity makes natural and de-
| sirabie
CONSULAR SERVICE.
earnestly urge that congress recost the apprc-
| priations for the maintenance of the diplomatic
| and consular service on footing commensurate
| with the importance of national interests AT
every post where there is representative, it is
necessary the labors should be graded as to per-
nit him to live with comfort. With the 3ssign-
ment of adequate salaries the so-called notarial
extra official fees which our officers abroad are now
permitted to treat as personal pervuls1tes should
| be done away with.
1 deem it 5xpedient that a well devised measure
for the reorganization of the extra territorial courts
| in oriental countries should replace the present
system, which labors under the disadvantage of
combining judicial and executive functions in the
same office. In several countries generous offers
have been made of promises for housing the lega-
| tions of the United States. A grant of land for
| that purpose was made some years since by Japan,
and has been referred to in the annual message OF
my predecessor. The Siamese government has
| made gift to the United States of commodious
| quarters in COngkOk.
Every act requiring the certificates and seal OF the
officer should be taxable at schedule rates. and the
fee therefor returned to the treasury. By restor-
ing these revenues to the public use, the consular
service would be selfsupporting, even with a lib
eral increase of the present low saleries, and In
further prevention of abuses a system of consular
| inspection should be instituted. The appointment
of limited number of secretaries of legation at
large, to be assigned to duty whenever necessary,
and in particular for temporary service at mis-
sions which, for any cause, may be without a
head should also be authorized
favor also the authori zation for a detail of OIL
GERS of the regular service military naval at
taches at legations. Some foreign governments
do not recognize lhe union of consular with diplo
matte functions. Italy and Venezuela will only
receive the appOintee in one of his two capacities
but this does not prevent the requirement of bono
and submission to the responsibilities of Officer
whose duties he cannot discharge The super
added title of consul-gener l should be abandoned
: | at all missions.
The superadded title of consul generals should
be abandoned at all missions.
In BoreO the late minsear was permitted to pur
chase building for the government for the lega
tion's use, in China the premises rented for th
: legation favored as TO local charges. AT Tan
gier the qouse occupied by our representative ha
J been for macy pears the property of this govern
ment, having been given for that purpose in 10o
by the Sultan of Morocco. L approve the sugges
ton heretofore made, that in ew of the condition
of life and administration in the eastern countries
the legation buildings in China, JAPAN Corea
: Ciaf rd ho nIxnp npd an