Speech #510040844

I think the gentleman from Minnesota has unintentionally somewhat mislead the House as to the purport of this bill. This bill does not debar any man from becoming a citizen of the United States. It does not prevent any one from becoming a naturalized citizen. The simple object of the bill is to stop the enlistment of men who will not become citizens of the United States. of men who want to sail under theAmerican flag. but are not willing to take out naturalization papers. All that it requires from any seaman enlisting is that he shall have declared his intention to become a citizen. The main object and purpose of the bill is to prevent the practice of enlistment on foreign stations of men who enlist at one foreign port. take the high pay of American seamen. and desert at the last foreign port touched at before their vessel comes to the United States.