I ask permission to devote a few moments attention to the Senator from Maine. I understand he complains that the naturalization laws of the United States have been abused for the purposes of fraud. The natural suggestion. then. would be to amend the laws and remove the temptation and the possibility of fraud as much as possible. The conditions he describes in New York would not be affected by the election laws. They are simply evidence of fraud. successful fraud. and that could not be prevented by any existing law. i As to the next proposition. does the Senator hold that because fraud existed in New York. about which I know nothingthe Senators from New York will no doubt defend their State as I would defend Illinois. if the imputation applied to Illinoisdoes the Senator mean to intimate that because of those frauds in New York this law ought to be extended over the whole fortyfour States of the Union? Is it not possible by legislation to amend the naturalization laws so as to afford no opportufnity for the methods of fraud he describes? I could myself make a suggestion that would occur to any Senator. I think. that. if .the Federal judiciary are to be trusted invariably. the power of naturalization be given to the Federal judiciary. Let it be given to them if that would of itself protect and prevent the abuses the Senator describes. If the naturalization laws had been honestly administered. I apprehend he will concede that the whole superstructure of fraud of which he complains would have fallen. there would have been no foundation for it. Because those laws were abused. therefore. must this law be wholesome - in its operation?
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naturalization