Speech #590089151

I supposed that would be the answer. and yet to my mind it is not a good one. I had hoped that this bill would be regarded as a new departure in the matter of naturalization. Heretofore the naturalization of foreigners has been a farce in this country. I have never known in fifty years of observation of but one refusal when a man applied for naturaltzation. I think that under the provisions of thisbill a great majority of the courts could be convicted of an offeise if they continued to naturalize men as they heretofore have done. I find that in section 25 it is provided: That any person who knowingly aids. advises. or encourages any person not entitled thereto to apply.for or to secure naturalizationShall be punished. etc. How often have judges admitted men to naturalization when they knew that they had no statutory qualifications. when they knew that they were not well affected toward the institutions of the United State�. when they knew that there was no disposition on their part to secure the good order and happiness of the same. They know that often they are profoundly ignorant of the character. institutions. and principles of our Government. and what is necessary to the good order of society. Hundreds and thousands of men every year are naturalized where there is this flagrant disregard of the law. The courts admit men as a matter of course who file applications that are presented to the court. and it is often regarded as a joke rather than anything more seriousthis naturalization of a citizen of the United States. I am hopeful that this inaugurates a new era. that it imposes upon these men who seek naturalization the idea that a boon is being conferred uponthem. that there is something in naturalization here that they ought to be suitors for. that they ought to be willing to make sacrifices for. and the idea of bringing up as an imposition upon the alien the consideration of a man having to travel 10. 15. or 100 miles in order to secure naturalization and citizenship in this country is to my mind farcical in the extreme. There are Federal courts everywhere within reasonable limits and within reasonable time. They have ample opportunity for attending to this duty. they will attend to it if they are required to. Let me remind you that the frauds whenever they occur. the hundreds of men who � .are fraudulently and unjustly admitted to participation in our citizenship. are perpetrated in the State courts and not in the I Federal courts. and therefore I think if we are to make any change at all. we should go in the other direction and not loosen up the methods of naturalization.