American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-27
FRIDAY MORNING, Dec. 81, 1914.


NAruRAIIzATIoN Laws. The Hon. f. Joy
Morris offered the following resolution in the
House of Representatives, on Tuesday last
Resolped, That the Committee on the Judi
ciary be instructed TO inquire into the expedl-
ency of amending the naturalization laws so
that the name of every cmigTant shall be regis
tered at the Custom House, certificate OF
which registration shall be indispensable proof
of the term of residence necessary to natural-
zation; and also further to amend the law so
that the right of suffrage shall not be granted
until two years after naturalization; and to in
quire what other amendments are necessary to
the naturalization laws for the prevention OF
the frauds now practised under them, and for
the preservation of the purity of the elective
franchise.
We are at loss to conjecture what objcc-
ton there can be to the adoption of this reso-
luton by any member who prizes the purity OF
the elective franchise; nor do we suppose, that
members who are in favor Of preserving the
ballot box free from corruption will interpose
any obstacle to the passage of Tie resolution;
but there may be political demagogues in the
not enttle them to the free and uncorrupted
sutlrages of the peoples and from such we may
expect opposition, as their reliance for re-olec-
ton would be on the votes of foreigners who
are manufactured into citizens as voters maybe
required.
Mr.. Morris asks for nothing in the resolution
which any honest American can refuse. 1t is
certainly right, that there should be registry
of the arrival of every emigrant, as Afford
ing the best, and the only evidence which
ought TO be admitted, of the time of his resi-
dence in the United States. Under the exist
inc laws men are naturalizea who have not re-
sided in the country the required time; and
thus the legal voters are defiauded of their
rights. The present system gives rise to much
perjury and corruption, and should be at once
abolished. The second branch of the resolu-
ton is no less indispensable TO secure purity in
the exercise of the elective franchise; for it is
notorious that parties invite and influence tor
eirners to become naturalizcd legally or illegal
". in order to secure their votes at an election,
ana even pay Tic cAPChSeS Vi 'i''H "
ton BY requiring a residence OF two years
subsequent to naturalization, before admitting
foreigners to vote, the evil of which we have
lust spoken Will be remedied, and the corrup-
ton which now prevails be prevented.
The House of Representatives may reject
all attempts to place the right of suffrage upon
/, q respectable and honest footing, and thus en-
deavor to encourage the impairment interior
ence of aliens in our elections; but we caution
members to beware how they excite public in
dignation upon this subject. There is spirit
abroad which is gathering strength, and cannot
be ouelled American citizens will not submit
to be ruled by foreign criminals and paupers,
or by those who have no identity of feeling
with the people Of this country. They Will
compel their representatives to change the nat
uralizaton laws, SC as to prevent the tiagrant
outrages and frauds which are perpetrated un-
der the present system. The States have the
mower to act on the subject, and they will act to
protect themselves; but Congress must also act
The people will see to this, and at future cleo
tons will reject with contempt, those members
who neglect to perform their duty. The Amer
lean party will sweep out of power all who re-
fuse to modify the naturalization laws in accor-
dance with justice and the public safety,