Speech #530032623

Mr. Speaker. in continuation of the remarks I began yesterday upon this bill to amend the naturalization laws. I wish to say that the bill is not harsh in any of its provisions. and is not intended to be. I would willingly amend the bill in the seventh line of the first section so as to make the meaning perfectly consistent with my statement of yesterday. that is. as a qualification for naturalization. that a man shall be able to read the Constitution of the United States. by adding the words "in any language." so that its mezining will be unmistakable. Also. in accordance with a suggestion made by my friend from Mississippi . I am willing to strike out of line 4 in section 5. the words. "being the next highest courts of record to the supreme courts of said States." because the language. "courts of the highest original common law jurisdiction." would cover the same. and the striking out of the words I have indicated would prevent any confusion whatever. . I desire to amena the bill not only by the addition of the section of which I spoke on yesterday. to require certification from these decrees and judgments of naturalization to the State De.partment for record. but an additional clause that nothing in this bill should be construed as in any wise affecting the property rights of aliens in any of the States where they reside. Now. sir. it will be observed by gentlemenwho have examined the question that our laws touching the status of the rights of aliens in this country. not only to naturalization but their rights of property. are in a very confused condition. They are inneed of revision so as to clearly put upon our statute books all those rights consistent. on the one hand. with the powers of the Government and the duties of the Government to see to it that their rights are preserved on the one hand. that no impositions are made upon it and nofraudulent citizens are made. In order that I may presen b more clearly these rights I desire the indulgence of the House to present the following views: As to the constitutional power of Congress to pass a law denying to aliens the right to become naturalized or to acquire and own a feesimple title to lands within the States of the Union I have no doubt. but many good lawyers either doubt the existence of such a power or believe emphatically that Congress has no such power. Let us examine the question as to the rights of aliens and of our governments. State and Federal. over them.