The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1868-11-28
NATURALIZATION.

1t is thought that the next Congress
will make some changes in the natural
ization laws. The attention of the whole
country has been drawn to the manner in
which the manufacture of citizens has
been carried on in the great metropolis
of the nation. New York city, for the
past few years. She attracts the greater
attention because of the wholesale char
acter of her business. No honest man
Of either party but condemns the wicked
frauds that are annually perpetrated, not
cities If the naturalization laws now
on our statute books were honestly ad-
ministered, there would be no necessity
or wish for change by the majority of
our people. But it is notorious, and
cannot be successfully denied, that, they
are not so administered, and herce the
agitation of the question at this time.
The New York Tribune commits itself
to what might be called radical changes.
1t proposes to take natura lization from
the State courts and give it to the Fed
eral to extend suffrage, in eighteen
months residence, to all who will make
oath that they are and intend to remain
citizens of the United States, and that
they have committed no crime other
than treason or rebellion, and that they
give true allegiance to the Constitution
and the laws Frauds can be com
mittcd before Federal courts as easily as
in the State courts, and an eighteen
months test is too much or too little. Ii
there is a change made, it should be for
the better and not for the worse.
The Marysvillc appeal. in remarklng
on this subject, has the following:
We think the people would be pleased
to see change, but not for the worse.
They would favor law making an in
telligent test something like this: Every
foreigner who can read the Constitution,
and sign his name to declaration Of in
tention, shall be admitted to citizenship,
and be entitled to franchise rights in any
State on acquiring the time OF residence
required of every qualified voter. Such
a law would hold out no inducements to
parties to perretrate fraud, witnesses to
commit perjury. and judges to stain the
ermine Of the bench It would give
the most intelligent foreigners the right
of suffrage Immediately, and stimulate
the ignorant to fit themselves for the
same privilege. We do not think any
one can say this proposition smacks of
Know Nothingism. If it points any way
the index holds out towards Know
Something party.
Congress will undoubtedly make some
changes in our naturalization laws.
Something must be done to. stay the
frauds committed under the old law.
We cannot go back and lenethen the
time requisite to acquire citizenship, but
we think that it is incumbent upon the
people of the Republic, who desire to see
it successful over the aristocratic govern
ments Of Europe, TO see that it is not
overwhelmed by the desperation of rival
parties In acquiring new votes. Were it
possible to obtain an Intelligent test for
all, native as we'll as naturalized, we be-
lieve much good would come-if not at
present, surely in the future. Our gov
ernment cannot survive a yearly food of
ignorance, fortified by religious superst-
ton. It being true that Republican
government cannot be maintained only
by an intelligent people, it beEooves all
to keep in view the great principle CO.
equal with that which ensures life, lib
erty and the pursuit OF happiness.