Speech #590131751

I believe that the effect of the passage of this bill would be not only to validate certificates in which a mere recital was not made in compliance with section 39. but to validate also the certificates in cases where the other provisions of section 39 were not in fact complied with. In his argument the gentleman from New York held and takes the other position. The gentleman says. however. that section 39 of the act of March. 1903. is not a section in a naturalization law. but an immigration law. and that many of the courts and the parties applying for naturalization knew nothing about it. It is difficult to conceive of a case where a court has had its attention called to the language of the antianarchistic clause and has made the examination required by the section. and yet has failed to recite this fact on the face of the certificate. because the. section itself is positive that no certificate shall be valid that does not state that on its face. There is little doubt that in all cases in which the court has actually made the examination and required the person applying for naturalization to give an affidavit that he is in sympathy with the principles of our Constitution and Government the certificate would. in fact. show it. I believe this is a most important provision. I believe in cases in which it has not been complied with the certificates ought not to be validated. and therefore oppose this bill.