Speech #590088967

I fully concur in what has just been said by the gentleman from California . I yield to no man in my desire that we should have no one admitted to citizenship but those who are capable of it and who will make good citizens. I believe that the first place where we should exercise the greatest care is in the admission of foreigners or immigrants. for I am a believer in the doctrine that this great continent of North America should belong to Americans. and that we should permit none to come here and settle who will not in process of time become worthy to share and uphold the blessings of this Republic. I have read this bill but cursorily. yet it seems to me that it does some things that are entirely uncalled for. I shall favor the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois in reference to the reading and writing of some language. for I believe that there may be people who emigrate to this country after they are. say. 40 or 50 years of age and who have lived among their own people all the timepeople speaking their languagewho may not be able to read and write and speak the English language though they have resided in the country five years. and -who yet would make good citizens. This bill requires that there should be furnished all the evidence. It seems to me. that is necessary. and more too. without the paragraph to which I wish to call attention. I find on page 9 a provision in the bill that. it seems to me. is entirely unnecessary and which will in many cases work a great hardship to many who may desire to become naturalized. Commencing on line 17 there is the provision that at the time of filing his petition there shall be filed with the clerk of the court a certificate from the Department of Commerce and Labor. if the petitioner arrived in the United States since January 1. 1900. stating the date. place. and manner of his arrival in the United States. and the declaration or intention of such petitioner. which certificate and declaration shall be attached to and made a part of said petition. The previous sections of this bill make it necessary for him not only to declare. but to show by two witnesses who have known him intimately. that he has been here at least fie years and will make a good citizen. loyal and well affected to the Government. I do not know. though there may be some such. of any statute by which every immigrant coming to this country is reported to the Bureau of Commerce and Labor and has been since 1890. Certainly I do know. that there are many who would make excellent citizens that have come across the border from Canada. of which there is no record.