Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-02
WASHINGTON, ID. G.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1865.
Naturalization, arc.
vESPASIAN ELLIS, Editor.
r. NJ. HEATH, Assistant.

f@ Naturalization, &c.
We publish to-day, a copy Of the bill pre-
scented TO the House Of Representatives, by the
Hon. Mr. Taylor, of Tennessee on the subject
of naturalization and the exclusion Of paupers
and criminals from our shores.
The passage of such bill as this, viii rene
dy some Of the evils which now exist, and will
go far to work out publication Of the ballot
box in the future.
Under its provisions, no foreigner who is
either pauper or criminal, viii be allowed to
land upon our shores, or if he reaches here,
without the evidence required to show that he
does not belong to either one Of these classes,
he viii be returned forthwith to the country
from which he came.
So far the provisions Of the bill will command
general assent.
1t is also provided that no foreigner can be
admitted ms citizen, till after twenty-one years
probation, nor even then if he has committed
any felony since his residence in the United
States. $50
This provision ought to command universal
assent and it will receive the support of all
who are not committed to the influences Of
foreignism or demagoguism.
A total repeal Of the laws Of naturalization
would be greatly preferred by us, but in the
present state of public opinion on this subject
It is perhaps, desirable to accept the term of
twenty-one years as compromise with those
Of our friends who dissent from the olicy Of a
total repeal.
Another important and essential defect in
the present system is remedied by the provis-
ion excluding all but the United States courts
from jurisdiction of the subject of naturalizing
foreigners.
Under Mr.. Taylor's bill, the judges of the
circuit and district courts of the United States
only can hear applications. Under the existing
laws, all the State and municipal courts, and
even clerks of courts take cognizance of such
applications, and citizens are mana tactured
with as little ceremony, and with less regard to
law or evidence, than is observed in any court
held by justice Of the peace in the country!
Hence it is that foreigners are frequently ad-
mitted as citizens, who have not changed their
clothes since their landing We doubt not,
from ali we have seen and heard, that thousands
Of persons are annually granted certificates of
naturalization, before they have been three
| months in the United States, and many even
! before they have been three weeks on American
soil By denying jurisdiction to other than
United States judges, it is to be hoped this evil
will be removed
An examination of the bill in all its details
will enable all right-minded men to discover
and to appreciate its merits, whilst its defects,
if there be any, can be easily cured by amend
ment.
We cannot hope, that at the present session
Of Congress, when so few days of the session
remain, and so many pressing matters are al
ready under consideration, that this bill will
bctaken up and discussed !; butwe rejoice that
the amendment Of the laws Of naturalization
has now been brought to the notice of the
House of Representatives and of the country,
| by the introduction of BILL with specific
propositions, unfolding some Of the material
changes desired by the American party"
and we doubt not, that at the next session,
these changes viii be effected
The movement made by Mr.. Taylor, was
proper one, and OPPORTUNITY made. The bill
viii 30 before the country for consideration
and discussion by the sovereign people, and
the next Congress win convene, with full
knowledge of the views and wishes of their
constituents respectively, on the questions now
presented. Let the discussion be commenced
amongst the people. Let tho bill be printed and
circulated broadcast throughout the whole land
10 that all may know its provisions, and be ready
to express their opinions for the guidance Of
their congressional representatives
We do not hesitate so say that we are in f.
vor Of all the principles contained in the pro-
visions Of the bill now presented