The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-09-15
NEW -SERIES.----V0L. 2, NO, 6

Slack and Swift of Boston, and advocated by
Messrs. Phelps of Boston, Kimball Of Salem,
and Carey of Ipswich, and agreed to by 4
vot of 927 yeas, to 80 nays. =.
(The above is copied from the Boston
Statesman and Weekly Post, of Friday morn
ing, May 25, 1859
NO. 2.-MAssAcHUsETTs.
AN ACT restricting the several Courts established by
the laws of this Commonwealth, from exercising ju-
rBdiction in cases of Naturalization.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of
Represen tatives, in General Court assem-
bled, and by the authority of the same as.
| followsj
SEC. l. 1t shall not be lawful for any
Court established by the laws ofthis Com
monw ealth, or for any clerk thereof to re-
ceive or entertain any primary or final dec
laration, nade by or on behalf of an alien, to
become citizen Of the United States. or to
receive any registry Of an alien, or to enter
tain jurisdiction for the naturalization Of
aliens.
SEC. 2. Any clerk or other person, who
shall record or file any such application or
declaration, or undertake to issue certif-
cate of naturalization, to any person SO here
after applying, shall be liable to fine often
dollars, and costs Of prosecution, to be re-
covered by complaint before any Justice of
Of the Peace or Police Court, in the county
where the offence was committed.
SEC 8. This act shall take effect from
and after it's passage.
Approved by the Governor, February 81,
1855. ..
NO. 3.-MAssACHUsETTs.
Relolved, concerning Natura lization and
theNationalizing of the general Government.
Resolred, That the political institutions of
our National and State Governments are
based upon peculiar system very distinct
in its general spirit and principles from the
governmental policy OF the older nations oi
the earth. This system necessarily presup-
poses state OF society and concurrent public
opinion that have never, as yet had any ex-
istence elsewhere. Both theory and prac-
tice conclusively prove that republican in
stitutons are especially adapted to an edu-
Gated aud intelligent people-a people capa-
Bile of and in some measure at least accus-
toned to the exercise Of self government,
which is its distinguishing and essential char
acteristic. A popular organization of gov
ornp nj Ire hnci tha
and assured existence OF that sound and pro.
| gresSive social condition which is its great
object to cherish and carry along to the high
est possible stage of prosperity and advance
ment. ...,. ....n
Reso1ue'l, That sound philosophy and prac-
teal experience alike declare, that free in
stitntons can be safely confided only to the
control of free men--of men free from the
delusions and darkness of ignorance, and
free from the abject depression caused. by re-
lgious, personal and politica! despotisms.
Resolued, That foreigners born under in
fluences hostile to such popular institutions,
and trained up in state of society incom-
patible with them, can in general have no
sober appreciation Of their privileges, and no
sufficient comprehension of their true char
acter and purposes, and that aliens are there
fore commonly incapable of of exercising the
full franchise of citizen of our republic with
advantage to themselves, or safety to others.
Resolved, That were commend these impor.
liant truths to our delegation in Congress and
request them TO use their endeavors to pro-
duce such alteration in the naturalization laws
will extend the term of residence now re-
qured as prerequisite to entitle aliens born
to the political rights and privileges of citi,
zenship. And we further request them to
exercise their influence to place the Offices
Of the government, both at home and abroad,
exclusively in the hands of native born cit
izens Opposed to every kind of despotism) as
being at once the best entitled to the honors
and emoluments thereof, and the best quail
ged to understand and promote the interest
and sustain the dignity Of the country.
Resolved, That the Governor be requested
to forward copy Of these resolves to each
OF the present members and members elect
Of the congressional delegation Of this COM
monwealth.
Approved by thesG overnor April ls, 1856.
-,.g NO. 4.-MAINE. ..r.a.. d.
AN ACT arnuling the the naturalization powers of
courts in this State. -
Be it enacted by the Senate and House OF
Representatives in Legislature assembled,
as follows: lsa'
Sec. l. No court created by the authori-
ty OF this State, however extended its juris-
dictlon, or by whatever name designated.
nor any functionary pertaining to said court,
shall hereafter hold or exercise any iuris-
dicton in the administration of the laws Of
Congress, commonly known as the Natur al
zaton laws; nor shall said court take cog.
nizance of any application of any alien to be
admitted to become citizen, to make any
record or grant, or issue any certificate or
other document or paper, whereby any alien
shall be naturalized or made citizen of the
United States: Provided, that all cases where
application has already been made and filed
in any court, shall be saved from the opera
ton Of the foregoing section. ,-s,.s..
SEC. 3. This act shall take effect from
and after its approval by the Governor.
4 Approved March l6, 1856. fh.s e~@