The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-12-09
NATURALIZATION.

| renew the recommendation of my last
annual message that existing legislation
concerning citizenship and naturalization
be revised. We have treaties with many
states providing for the renunciation of
citizenship by naturalized aliens, but no
statute is found to give effect to such en-
gagements, nor any which provides need
full central bureau for the registration of
naturalized citizens. Experience suggests
that ocr statues regulating extradition
might be advantageously amended by n
provision for the transit across our terri
tory, now convenient thoroughfare of
travel from one foreign country to an
other, of fugitives surrendered by a for
eign government to a third state. Such
provisions are not unusual in the legisla-
ton of other countries, and tend to prevent
the miscarriage of justice. 1t is also de-
sirable in order to remove present uncer-
tainties, that authority should be con-
ferred on the secretary of state to issue a
certificate In case of an arrest for the pur
pose of extraditiop to the Office before
whom the proceeding pending, showing
that requisition for the surrender of the
person charged has been duly made.
Such certificate, if required to be receIv-
ed before the prisoners examination,
would prevent long and expensive
judicial inquiry into charge
which the foreign govern
ment might not desire to press.
1 also recommend that ex-
press provision be made tor the
Immediate discharge from custody of per-
sons committed for extradition. where the
president is of opinion that surrender
should not be made. The drift of senti-
ment in civilized communities toward a
full recognition of the rights of property
in the creations of the human
intellect, has brought about the
adoption by many important ma
tions of an International copy right
convention, which was signed at Berne, on
the 2Sth of September, 1885. Inasmuch
as the constitution gives to congress the
and the useful arts by securing
| for limited times to authors
vnd inventors the exclusive right
to their respective writings and discover
les, this government did not feel war
ranted in becoming signatory, pending
the action of congress upon measures of
international copyright now before II, but
the right of adhesion to the Berne conven-
l UlOn ncreuIueT HAS DbcH T6heTNous bIhbb
that the subject will receive at your hands
the attention it deserves, and that the
just claims of authors SO urgently pressed
will be duly needed. Representations con
tinue to be made to me of, the injurious
effect upon American artists studying
abroad, and having free access to the
art collections of foreign countries,
of maintaining discriminating
| L.. -, n.
works of their brother artists of other
countries, and am induced to repeat my
recommendation for the abolition of that
tax.
CONSULAR SERVICE.
Pursuant to provision of the diplo
matte and consular appropriation act, ap
proved July l., 1886, the estimates sub
mitted against the secretary of state foi
the maintenance of the consular service,
have been recast on the basis of salaries
for all officers to whom such an occur
renee is deemea advisable. Advantage
has been taken of this to redistribute the
salaries of the officers now appropriated
for in accordance with the work performed
the Importance of the representative
duties of the incumbent and the cost OF
llNl0K db bdCu DObbs u Hc ldbJ COHbiuttH
tion has too often been lost sight of In
the allowance heretofore made. The com.
pensation which may suffice for the de
cent maintenance of a worthy and capa
BILE officer in position Of onorous and
representative trust, at post readily &C
cessible, and where the necessities of lifs
are abundant and cheap, may prove M
inadequate pittance in a distant land
where the better part of years pay il
consumed in reaching the post ol
duty and where the comforts of ordinary
civilized existence can only be obtained
with difficulty at exhorbitant cost.
trust that in considering the submitted
schedules no mistaken theory of economy
will perpetuate system which, in th'
past, has virtually closed to deserving
talent many Offices where capacity an,
attainments of high order are iDdispen
sible,a land not few instances have brough
disrepute on our national character ans
entailed embarrassment and even suffer
ing on those deputed to uphold ou
dignity and interests abroad.
COMMERCIAL MATTERS.
In connection with this subject earn
estly reiterate the practical necessity Of
II
worthy inspection and repor
of the manner in which the absence o.
such reliable information, and efficiency
can scarcely be awarded, or its Opposite
, corrected and increasing competition in
: trade has directed attention TO the consu
: lar reports printed by the department o
r state. and the efforts of the government
to extend the practical usefulness of thes
reports have created wider demand 70
them at home, and spirit of emulation
abroad, constituting record of tn
: changes occurring in trade, and of th
Z progress of the arts and inventions o
foreign countries. They are sought foi
By all interested in the subjects which
they embrace.
4 THE TREASURY.
: !. The report of the secretary o
= THE treasury exhibits in detail th
I condition OF the public finances and O
I the several branches Of the government
o related to his department. / especial
y direct the attention of the congress to th
i recommendations contained in this an
;, the Iast preceding report Of the secretar.
f touchingthe simp plification and amendmeT
+ Of the laws relating 70 the collection {
our revenues and in the interest of ecoi