The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-12

cannot concur The United States must hold
in their intercourse with every power that
the the status of their citizens is to be re-
spected and equal civil privileges accorded to
them without regard to creed, and affected by
| no considerations save those growing out of
domiciliary return TO the land of original al
legiance, or of untitled personal obligations
which may survive, under municipal laws,
after such voluntary return.
The negotiation with Venezuela relative to
the rehearing of the awards of the mixed COM
mission constituted under the treaty of 1856,
was resumed i'll view OF the recent acqllles-
cence of the Venezuelan envoy in the princi-
pal point advanced by this government that
the effects of the old treaty could only be set
aside by the operation Of new convention.
A result in substantial accord with the adj
Yisory suggestions contained in the joint res
oluiion OF March 3, 1888, has been agreed
upon and will shortly be submitted to the
Senate for ratification.
FINANCIAL LEGISLATION.
Under section 1863, of the Revised Statutes
all funds held in trust by the United States
and the annual interest accruing thereon,
when not otherwise required by treaty, are
to be invested in stocks of the United States,
bearing rate of interest not less than five
per centum per annum. There being now
no procurable stocks paying so high rate
of interest, the letter of the statute is at
present inapplicable, but its spirit is
subServed by continuing to make in
NeSllnellIS OF ms nature III GuTTClll
bearing the highest interest now paid. The
statute, however, makes no provision for the
disposal of such accretionS. 1t being con-
trary to the general rule Of this government
to allow interest on claims, | recommend the
repeal of the provision in question, and the
disposition, under a uniform rule, of the pres
ent accommodations from investment OF trust
funds.
The inadequacy of existing legislation
touching citizenship and naturalization de-
mands your consideration. While rec0gniZ-
ing the right Of repatriation. no statutory
provision exists providing means for renounc-
ing citizenship by an American citizen,
native-born OF naturaliZed, nor for termin-
ating and vacating an improper acquisition
of citizenship. Even q fraudulent decree of
naturalization cannot now be cancelled. The
privilege and franchise of American citizen
ship should be granted with care, and
extended to those only who =. intend
in good faith To assume its duties and
responsibilities VIXEN attaining its priv
leges and benefits; it should be with
held from those who merely go through the
forms of naturalization with the intent OF
escaping the duties of their original allegi-
ance without taking upon themselves those
oftheir new status, or who may acquire the
rights of American citizenship for no other
than a hostile purpose toward their original
governments. These evils have had many
fragrant illustrations.
| regard with favor the suggestion put
forth by one OF my predecessors that pro
vision be made for u central bureau OF record
Of the DEGREES of naturalization granted by
the various courts throughout the United
States now invested with that pawer.
The rights which spring from domicile in
the United States, especially when coupled
with a declaration of intention 10 become
citizen are worthy of definition by statute.
The stranger coming hither with intent to re-
MAN. establishing his residence in our midst
contributing to the general welfare, and. by
his voluntary act, declaring his purpose to
assume the responsibilities of citizenship,
thereby gainsan inchoate status which icglSia-
ton may properly define. The laws of certain
States and Territories admit domicilcd alien
to the local franchise, comforting on him the
rights of citizenship to a degree which places
him III the anomalous position of being
citizen of a State and yet not OF the United
+ States within the purview Of Federal and in
ternational law. 1t is important within the
scope of national legislation 10 define this
right of alien domicle as distinguished from
Federal naturalization.
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 succor langulshlng III
terests in the Antilles steps were taken to at
tain those ends by treaty Of commerce. y
similar treaty was afterwards signed by the
Dominican Republic. Subsequently over
lures were made by Her Brittanic Majesty's
Government for a like mutual extension of
commercial intercourse with the British
| West Indian and South American dcpendcn-
cies, but without result
y,fii tl,,lr
nation the treaties signed with Spain and
Sqnto 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 in
adequate considerations. Upon sugar alone
duties were surrendered to an amount far eX-
ceeding all the advantages offered i'll ex-
change. Even were it intended to relieve our
consumers, it was evident that, so long as the
exemption but partially covered our importa-
ton, such relief would be illusory.
To relinquish revenue so essential seemed
highly improvident at a time when new and
large drains upon the Treasury were contem
plated Moreover embarrassing questions
would have arisen under the favOred-nation
clauses of treaties with other nations.
As n further objection it is evident that
tariff regulation by treaty diminishes that
independent control over its own revenues
which Is eSSentlal IOf lile safety anu NelldIc
of any government. Emergency calling for
an increase of taxation may at any time
arise and no engagement with foreign power
should exist to hamper the action OF the Gov
eminent.
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 q claim to like treatment in respect OF
vessels coming to the United States from
their home ports. This Government, how
ever, holds that the privileges granted
by the act are purely geographical
enuring to any vessel OF any for
Segn power that may choose to engage in
within the defined zone, and no warrant ex-
lists under the most favored nation clause for
the extension of the privileges in question to
vessels sailing to this country from ports out
side 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 considerate treatment. 1t rests
with Congress to consider what legislative
action may increase facilities of intercourse
which contiguity makes natural and desira-
bic. earnestly urge that Congress recast the
appropriations for the maintenance of the
diplomatic and consular service on q footing
commensurate with the importance of our
national interests AT every post where a
representative is necessary, the salary should