The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-12-19

with every power that the status of their
citizens Is to be respected and equal civil
privileges accorded to them without regard
to creed, and affected by no consideration
save those growing out of domlciliarY return
to the lnnd of original allegiance or oil untul-
filled personal allegations which may sur
vive under municipal laws, after such volun-
tary return.
VENEZUELA.
The negotiation with Venezuela relative
to the rehearlny of the awards of the mixed
commission constituted under the treaty of
1886, was resumed in view OF the recent
aquiescence of the Venezuelan Envoy on the
principal point advanced by this Govern
ment that the effects OF the old treaty could
only be set aside by the operation of a new
convention.
A result in substantial accord with the ad.
visory suggestions contained in the joint
resolution of March Sd, 1888, has been agreed
upon and Will shortly be submitted to the
Senate for ratification.
CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION.
The inadequacy OF existing legislation
touching citizenship and naturallz alton de-
mands your consideration. While recognize
ing the right of eXpailatlon, no statutory
provisions exist providing means for re-
nouncing citizenship by an American citizen,
native born or naturalzed, nor for termi.
mating and vacating an improper acQuisl-
ton OF citlzenSipi eVena fraudulent decree
of naturalization can not now be Cancelled.
izenship should be granted with care and ex-
tended to those only who intend, in good
faith, to assume its duties AMI responsible.
ties when attending its privileges any bene.
fits. 1t should ne withheld from tn0s who
merely go through the forms of naturallZa.
ton with the intent Of escaping the duties of
their original allegiance without taking up
on themselves those OF their new statue, or
who may acquire the rights OF American
citizenship for no other than n hos tile pur-
pose toward their original government.
These evils have had many tagrant illustra-
tions. regard with favor the suggestion
put forth by one of my predecessors that
provision may be made for central
bureau of record OF the DEGREES of natursl-
ization granted by the various courts
throughout the United States now invested
with that power. The rights that spring
from domiciie In the United States, especial
ly when coupled with declaration of in.
tention to become citizen, are worthy OF
definition by statute. The stranger coming
hither W til intent to remaln establishing
his residence in our midst, contributing TO
the general welfare, and by his vol
untarY act declaring his purpose
to assume the responsibility Of citizen.
ship, thereby gives an incohoate
states which legislation may properly de-
fine. The laws of certain states and Terri
tories admit a domicied alien to the local
franchise, comforting on him the rights of
citizenship to degree which places him In
the anomalous position OF being citizen of
State ami yet not of the United States within
the purView of Federal and international
law. 1t is important within the scope oil
National legislation to define this right OF
alien domicile as distinguished from Federal
naturalization.
OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
The commercial relations OF the United
States with their immediate neighbors and
with important areas OF trai1i; near our
shores suggest especially liberal intercourse
between them and US.
RECIPROCITY.
4 Following the treaty of 1888 with Mexico,
which rested on the basis OF a reciprocal ex-
emption from customs duties, other SIM
liar treaties were initiated by my
predecessor Recognizing the neeI
of less INSTRUCTED traffic with Cuoa
and Porto RIGA, and met by the desire of
Spain to succor languishing Interests in
the Antilles steps were taken to attain
those ends by tqeaty of commerce.
similar treaty was afterwarl signed by the
Dominican Republic subsequently over
lures were made by Her Brltanc Malesty's
Government Tor IA ike mutual extension of
commercial intercourse with the British
West India ami south American depen-
dencies but without result. On tax
Ing Office 1 Withdrew for re eXamln alton
the treaties signed with spain and San Do
mingo, then pending before the Senate. The
result has been to satisfy me OF the mex
pediency of entering into engagements of
this character net covering the entire trat-
fic These treaties contemplated the sur
render by the United states OF large
revenues for inadequate considera-
tions. Upon sugar alone duties were sur
rendered to an amount far exceeding all the
advantages offered in exchange. Then, were
1t intended to relieve our customers, it was
evident that so long rs the exemption but
partially covered our importation such re-
lief would be illusory. To relinquish rev.
enue so essential seemed highly 'mprovi'
dent at n time when new and large drains
upon the Treasury were contemplated.
Moreover, embarrassing questions wo I'D
have arisen under the favored nation clauses
OF treaties with other nations.
TARIFF REGULATION BY TREATY.
Asa further objection, it is evident that
tariff regulation by treaty diminishes that
independent control over its own revenues
which Is essential for the safety and welfare
of any Government An emergency exist
ing for an increase of taxation may mt any
time arise and no engagement with for
eign power should exist to hamper theactlon
OF the Government BY the fourteenth sec.
ton of the Shipping Act, approve June %,
1894, certain reductions and contingent eX-
emptlons from tonnage dues werelmade as to
vessels entering ports OF the United states
from any foreign port in North ana central
America. The West India Islands, the BAHIA
mas and Bermudus, Mexico. and the Isthmus
as far as Aspinwall and Panama, the Gov
ernments of Belgium, Denmark Germany,
Portugal and Sweden and Norway have as
serted under the favored nation clause in
LnelI JTtHllcb WIN JuG OHltOl Olu1oNt ~ ClhiFA
TO like treatment in repect to vessels
vessels coming 10 th) United
States from their home ports. The
Government however. holds that the privl-
| leges granted by the act are purely geo
graphical, iuuring to any vessel OF any for
el9n power that my choose IN 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 ques-
| ton to vessels sailing to this country
| from ports outside the limitation of the
| act. Undoubtedlyt the relation OF commerce
| with our near neighbOr5, whose territories
| form so long frontier line difficult to be
| guarded, and who find in our country and
! equally offer to us natural markets, demand
| special and considerate treatment. Ii rests
| with Congress to consider what legislative
| action may Increase facilities OF interc curse
which eontlguity makes natural aud desir
| able.
SALARIES or C. rVsULs.
earnestly urge that Congress recast thu
| appropriations for the maintenance of TIT
| diplomatic AMI consular service on foot
| Ing commensurate with the Importance o
| cur National interests. At every post wherI
! representative is necessary, the salary
Hhould be so graded rs TO per nit him to live
| IL comfort. With the assignment of AIDE
quate salaries the so called notorial extra
| official fees which oar officers abroad ar
II