Speech #590131721

Mr. Speaker. it seems to me that this is a very important bill and a dangerous one. The report accompanying it sets forth that in violation of the act of 1903 there have been thousands of certificates of naturalization issued which are null and void because there was no compliance with the requirements of that act. that there should be filed an affidavit setting forth. among other things. that the applicant did not possess those disqualifications enumerated in the act which are usually attributed to those persons whom we commonly style anarchists. and also " reciting and affirming the truth of every material fact requisite for naturalization." The certificate issued by the court must show compliance with this requireinent. his bill proposes to make all those illegal naturalization certificates valid just the same as if all the requiiemnents of law had been complied with. To that I am opposed. It is said in explanation that neither the court nor the applicants were familiar with the provisions of the act of Congress. There is an old legal maxim that "ignorance of the law excuses no man." Certainly it does not excuse a court or an applicant for naturalization. I am one of those who believe that naturalization is a privilege that ought not to be carelessly or illegally conferred-