Speech #590091406

This. in my humble judgment. calls for far more speedy action than many of the questions that are today largely occupying the public mind and receiving attention at our hands. I do not profess to possess superior knowledge in reference to either of the subjects involved. but trust that I may be pardoned for making as to each several suggestions which occur to me as pertinent and material and that will tend. at least in part. to lesson the evils of which the nation complains. As to immigration: 1. I would provide by law that only persons should be admitted at all to whom our consular officers at the place of departure. or at the place nearest the immigrants home. would give a certificate showing that he had furnished evidence satisfying him of the standing of the prospective immigrant at his ]iome. so that he would not make an undesirable citizen of our country. � 2. That such prospective Immigrant should particularly furnish to the consul evidence of the fact .that he was of good moral character. had not been convicted of crime. and was such a person. by reason of health and strength. that neither he nor his family would likely become a charge upon the country. 3. That such Immigrant should make affidavit that it was his bona fide purpose to immigrate to this country with a view of becoming a citizen thereof. and that he would not return to his home. with a view of residing there. within a period of fiveyears. 4. Where such Immigrant is a man of family. the certificate herein provided for should be sufficient to provide for the admission of his wife and children under 18 years of age. but for all children above 18 aseparate affidavit should be furnished. 5. Our consuls should. in issuing certificates to families. limit them to such families as have a male parent or two sons above the age of 16 years. upon whom the mother or wife. as the case may be. and the children could depend for support. 6. Certificates should not Issue at all to persons over the age of 60 years. 7. That the immigration offiders in this country should only admit such persons as are contemplated by and hold the certificates hereinbefore provided for. 8. Our immigration officers In this country should be required to keep a record of all immigrants comipg to this country holding such certificates. the same to show a full description of the immigrant. including his age. appearance. height. weight. color of hair and eyes. physical marks. and anything else that would tend to show the identity of the person. together with the date of his admission. The certificate issued by the consul abroad should be filed as a part of the public record of the immigration office in this country. showing the authority for making such entry. 9. Our immigration officers should furnish a certificate showing this entry and record. either to the immigrant himself or to any persons in his behalf. to be used. among other things. in connection with his application for naturalization. if he should make application for such. 10. Each immigrant should pay to the consul abroad a fee of $2 in American money for the certificate. such fee to be accounted for by the consul in settlement with the Government of his country. and a fee of $3 to the immigration officer in this country. to be accounted for In the same way. 11. Each immigrant should have $50 upon his admission into this country. as evidence of the fact that he will not become a charge upon the country. As to naturalization. around the right to naturalization I would throw such. safeguards as would not only tend to elevate those seeking to secure the right of suffrage. but. moreover. would add every possible requirement that would tend to prevent the practice of fraud in connection therewith. Among other things. I would suggest: 1. That those seeking naturalization should be able to write the English language and to Intelligently speak the English language. 2. That five years residence should be required of immigrants coming into this country before having the right to make a preliminary declaration of intention to become a citizen of this country. 3. That ten years residence should be required before securing the right of citizenship. 4. That the preliminary application for admission to citizenship should be made at least two years before the granting of the permanent certificate. but In the case of minors admitted under the age of 18 years no preliminary declaration should be required. but they must have resided in this country continuously for the prescribed ten years. 5. That persons seeking to be naturalized should reside in the State in which they seek naturalization at least one year priorto the granting of the same. and in the county. city. or town in which they seek such naturalization at least three months prior thereto. residence. however. anywhere In the United States to be computed in making up the full time limit of ten years as prescribed above. 6. Each applicant seeking admission should be required to produce before the court hearing his final application for admission to citizenship a certificate from the immigration officer at the port at which he entered showing the date of his admission to the country and a full copy of the record entry made at the time of his admission. showing his description and identity as the person he represents himself to be. and he should also be required. by at least two witnesses. to prove his residence within the State. city. county. or town in which the application is made for the period above specified. that he is a lawabiding citizen. of good moral character. attached to our institutions. and has forever renounced all allegiance to all foreign powers. and especially the one of which he has formerly been a subject. 7. That jurisdiction to grant certificates of naturalization should be limited to the circuit and district courts of the United States exclusively in cities and towns where such courts are held. and in places where there are no Federal courts then in the courts of record of general jurisdiction in the city. town. or county wherein the applicant resides. 8. That all applications for naturalization should be heard In open court. and upon the admission to citizenship that fact should be certified to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor. at Washington. D. C.. under the seal of the court. embodying as a part of the record a copy of the certificate filed by the applicant of his admission to the country. 9. That no certificate of naturalization should be granted by any court. State or Federal. within sixty days of any Federal. State. county. city. or town election. 10. That the applicant for naturalization should pay all costs incident to the same. including the cost of the certificate. also the cost of the papers required to be certified to the Department at Washington. together with a fee of $1. to pay for recording such certificate of citizenship in the Department. 11. That the Government. through its accredited representatives. should have the right to appear and oppose the awarding of the certificate of naturalization. and appeal from the order granting the same should be allowed to the Government. and an order rejecting the same should be appealable by the applicant. and that the Government should have the right to move to cancel and vacate certificates of naturalization believed to have been improperly or fraudulently secured. 12. That all certificates of naturalization should be vacated and annulled upon the holder thereof returning permanently to his native country after remaining therein for a period exceeding two years. 13. That heavy fines and punishments should be prescribed for all violations of the naturalization laws as well on the part of the person seeking naturalization as of persons aiding and abetting. directly or indirectly. in connection therewith. These are some suggestions that present themselves to me as tending somewhat to remedy the complaints justly made against the present system. and I shall be more than content if. by anything that I may have said or suggested. material assistance .will be rendered in this great and important task which so urgently calls for prompt and vigorous action on our part.