Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-12-07
CoSSrIAS SERVICE.

The reorganization for the consular service is
matter of serious Importance TO our national In
tereSts- The number OF existing principal con-
sular Offices is believed TO be greater than is at ali
necessary for the conduct Of the public business
moderate number Of principal offices, each sup
ported by salary sufficient TO enable the incunl-
bent 10 live In comfort, and so distributed as TO Sc
cure the convenient supervision through subordi
nate agencies, Of affairs over 4 considerable dis
ulct. l repeat the Recommendations heretofore
made by me, that the appropriations for the
maintenance of our diplomatic and consular SER
vice should be recast, that the so-called notarial
or unofficial fees which representatives abroad
S ar I3T 70 tTSs Is Li p
inspection should be instituted and that limited
number of secretaries Of legation at large should
be authorized
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
AS authorized by the congress preliminary Steps
have been taken for the aSSenlblage at this CAPT
tai during the coming year. the representatives
OF South and Central American states, together
with those of Mexico, Hayti and San Domingo, TO
discuss sundry important monetary and CONNER
cial topics excepting in those cases where from
ence of border line incapable of being guarded
reciprocal commercial treaties may be found cN>
pcdient.
freer mutual exchange of products can be most
advantageouSly arranged by independent but Co
operative legislation. In the mode last mentioned
the control of over taxation for revenue will be al
ways retained in our own hands unrestricted by
conventional agreements with the governments
In conformity also with congressional authority,
the maritime powers have been invited 10 confer III
Washington in April next upon the practicabilty
of deviSiug uniform rules and measures for the
greater security of life and property at sea. \
disposition TO accept on the part of number OF
the powers has already been manifested, ana II
the cooperation of the nations chiefly Interested
shall be secured, important results may be conf
deuty anticipated
TONNAGE DUTIES.
The act of June &c, 1884 and the acts amenda-
Fls,FIDS
given rise TO extended correspondence with foreign
nations with whom have existing treaties OF
navigation and commerce, and have caused wide
and regretable divergence of opinion in relation 10
the imposition of the duties referred to. These
questions are important, and l shall make them
the subject of a special aud more detailed com
munication at the present session.
NATURALIZATION LAWS.
With the rapid increase of immigration to our
shores and the facilities of modern travel abuses
of the generous privileges afforded by our natur-
aliZatiOn laws can for their careful revision. The
easy and unguarded manner in which certificates
of American citizenship can now be obtained, has
induced n class, unfortunately large, to avail
themselves of the opportunity to become abSolved
from allegiance to their native lands and Yet by a
foreign residence to escape any just duty and CON
tribution of service to the country of their pro-
posed adoption. Thus, while eVading the duties
of citizenship to the United States, they may make
prompt claim for its national protection, and de
mand its intervention in their behalf. International
complications of a serious nature arise, and the
correspondence of the state department diScloSeS
the great number and completely of the questions
which have been raised Our laws regulating the
issue of passports should be carefully revised,
and the institution of central bureau of registra-
ton at the capital is again strongly recommended.
By this means fun particulars of each case of nat,
ulTlllZatiOn in the United States would be secured
and properly indexed and recovered, and thus
many cases of spurious citizenship would be de-
tecteI, and unjust responsibilities would be
avoided.
PENSIONS.
The number of pensioners added to the rolls
during the fiscal year ended June So 1SSS is 20 %
increase of pensions was granted In SIG
from he T Is 2ng for
ious causes and at the close of the year the num-
her of persons of all classes receiving pensions
War of 1872; 10 7S7 widows of those who served
in that war; 5000 soldiers of the Mexican
War, and 5,10t widows of said soldiers.
One hundred and two different rates of pensions
are paid to these beneficaries, ranging from 81 to
S4166G per month. The amount paid for pensions
during the fiscal year was S1S75, S61 o. being an
increase over the proceeding year OF S5,3OS, $50 y
Tie expenses attending the maintenance of
operations of the pension bureau during that
period was S3362, 574G7, making the entire
ing 2l.2 per cent. of the total eXpendi
lures of the government during the year.
am thoroughly convinced that our internal pen
sion laws should be revised and adjusted to meet
far possible, in the light of our experience,
all mcritOIiOuS cases. The fact that one hundred
and two different rates of pensions are paid can
tice to the pensiOner or to the government; and
the numerous private pension bills that are passed.
predicated upon the imperfection of general laws
While they increase IN many cases the existing III
equality and injustice, lend additional force
to the recommendations for a revision OF
the general laws this subject. The
Iaxity of ideas prevailing among large
number of our people regarding pensions is be
coming every day more marked. The principles
upon which they should be granted are in danger
of being altogether ignored, and already pensions
are often claimed because the applicants are as
much entitled other successful applicants
rather than upon any disability reasonably attrib
uted to military service. If the establishment
of the various precedents be continued
partisan and other nnWorthy and irTeVeIant con
sideratons, and if the honorable name of veteran
unfairly become, by these means, but another
term for one who constantly clamors for the aid
of the government there is danger that injury
will be done to the fame and patriotism of many
whom our citizens all delight to honor and that
prejudice will be aroused unjust to meritorious
applications for pensions