Speech #690098498

JOHN E. RAKER had another great conception for our future homogeneity and safety. which had he lived might have been brought to fruition. After the immigration act of 1924 had been signed by President Coolidge on May 26. 1924. JOHN E. RAKER said to me.about as follows: JOHNsON. one other change will be necessary to carry out the policy which the fathers of our Government intended. Early In congressional actionabout 1803they provided that persons who might be naturalized should be "free white" persons. The war of 1861 to 1865 made a change necessary. Following the adoption of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. Congress amended the naturalization laws to read as follows: SEC. 2169. The provisions of this title shall apply to aliens being free white persons. and to aliens of African nativity and to persons of African descent. (R. S. 1878. p. 880. 1 Comp. Stat. 1801. p. 1833.) Now that the quota act is permanent legislation. and restriction and selection is here for as long as this Government shall endure. Judge RAKER believed that an amendmert would be needed to that section of the naturalization law. He said that under the quota law no Africans will come from Africa. We have 11.000.000 negroes in our population. They need protection. He declared that we should go back as a base for naturalization to the words our fathers gave us: Those who may be naturalized shall be white persons. Judge RAKER and all members of the committee foresaw at the time of the passage of the 1924 act the situation that would be brought about by immigration from Mexico. Congress must adjust that situation. the quicker the better. It will be a great task.