I would like to correct some errors gentlemen have unwittingly falleif into in regard to. the eharacter of this legislation. The gentleman from Kansas I Mr. CAMPBELL] has just said that this legislation is to correct defects resulting not from the conduct of the applicant for naturalization. but to correct errors of our courts. I deny this. That is not the language of the law. There are duties imposed upon the individual. as well as upon the courts. Let me read the statute: All courts and tribunals and all judges and officers thereof having jurisdiction of naturalization proceedings or duties to perform in regard thereto shall. on final application for naturalization. make careful inquiry into such matters. and before issuing the final order or certificate of naturalization cause to be entered of record the affidavit of the applicant and his witnesses so far as applicable. reciting and affirming the truth of every material fact requisite for naturalization. All final *orders and certificates of naturalization hereafter made shall show on their face specifically that said affidavits were duly made and recorded. and all orders and certiilcates that fail to show such facts shall be null and void. Here is a duty imposed upon the applicant. It is an affidavit from the applicant that must be made. it is the affidavit of his witnesses that must be made and filed. not simply reciting the facts that exclude him from the class of anarchists. but recites every material fact essential to naturalizationeverythingfacts that the courts can not be advised of except through his affidavitsthe affidavits that are antecedent to the making of the record. that must be completed before the duties of the clerk in making the record begins. or the duty of the court in authorizing the certificate begins.
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naturalization naturalizationeverythingfacts