Speech #510090427

I have spoken. sir. of the distrust of the people shown by the promoters of this bill. This distrust evidently enters the opened doors of the temples of justice and extends to the very courts in session there. The bill empowers the Federal supervisors "to observe and scrutinize the manner in which naturalizations are being made. and to aid the courts in the matter of preventing fraudulent naturalizations. and for these purposes to have at all times free access to all rooms where such proceedings are being conducted." The bill naively adds. however. that the provisions of this subdivision shall apply only to such "discreet or special supervisors " as shall be detailed by the chief supervisor. the inference being unavoidable that not all of the supervisors to be appointed are discreet or are to be safely intrusted with the difficult and delicate duties enjoined upon them by the proposed measure. All through the bill these Federal supervisors. appointed over the heads of the citizens and voters of the several States. are given powers in the registration. reception. and counting of votes where Congressional elections are involved. equal in every respect to the powers devolved upon the tried and trusted inspectors elected by the people. Thepresence and voice of the Federal supervisor are as potential as those of the inspector. more potential perhaps because of the stronger Federal power behind the supervisor. and which will stand ready to sustain and uphold him in his official action.