The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-30

elgner may become to certain extent clti-
zen in one State, and yet be for years not a
citizen in another.
What is most needed is due regard TO the
Importance of the act of comforting citizen
ship, and that desirable reformation will pro-
baby be secured if the bill Just introduced
into Congress by Mr.. Jenckes becomes a law.
It's provisions are, briehy:-Residence with
out interruption of four years and six months
at the time of application; declaration of
bona fde intention; remuneration of foreign
allegiance resignation of any title of nobility;
date and place Of birth, also place of birth of
parents; date of leaving his native country
and of arrival here, at what port and in what
vessel; description of the petitioner, embra-
cling name, age, business, residence, height
complexion, color of eyes and hair, and
any other distinguishing outward
marks. He must have resided a year
in the State where applying have pre-
served a good moral character, be attached
to the principles of the Constitution and we'll
disposed toward the Government. The most
important section declares that 'the Circuit
and District Courts of the United States shall
have sole and exclusive jurisdiction of all
applications of aliens to be admitted to be-
come citizens under this act Registers in
bankruptcy are empowered to take testimony;
but no State court power, or authority can
have anything to do with naturalization. The
act also provides for careful and proper proof
that the applicant has fulfilled the preliminary
conditions, and is worthy of the privilege
sought. Due provision is made for preserving
testimony and recording the names of appli-
cants. Supposing everything to be right,
the Court grants the citizenship; but in
order to prevent the rush just before
election, when party spirit runs high,
it is provided that the act of naturalizing
shall be of no legal force until after the lapse
of six months; at the expiration of that period
the proper certificate shall be issued and thus
the work will be finished. This paper, which
must be produced before the registrars and
inspectors of election, will contain the de-
scription of the party, which will do away
with the outrage OF voting upon dead mems
papers. Aliens who have served a year in our
army may be naturaliZed without further re-
sidence if honorable discharged. Children
under age become citizens as now, by the
naturalization of the parent. No woman shall
lose her citizenship because she is the wife of
an alien. Once Il month the clerks of the
United States courts shall forward to the State
Department list Of all persons naturalized
These are the main provisions of a much
needed act. Other sections guard against
fraud, and specify Che manner of administer
ing the law. The great feature is the taking
of naturalization into the hands of the Gene
raj Government. That Will put an end to the
New York process of manufacturing citizens,
and wipe out one of the worst disgraces of
the time. No well-meaning man will object
to any reasonable safeguard against the abuse
of so high an act of authority as the making
of a citizen. The opposition, if any there
may be, to the general purport Of Mr.
Jenckes bill, will come from those who care
more for party success than for honesty;
those who are always opposed to strict cleo
tiOn laws and III favor of the largest liberty to
do wrong.