, 1869-02-20
THE NATURALIZATION LAVE.

There are penGipg Eclofc congress
scne thirty or forty plans for amending
the Naturalization laws. These are OF
two general classes: i. Those which
throw around the business new safe
guardp. 2. Those which abolish substan-
tally all distinctions between aliens and
native-born residents, by permitting the
former to become citizens ~ithout regard
to the length Of residence in this country
The several bills or the first class con-
tain two provisions, which are the prin-
Cipal features Of the reform: l. That all
natur1lizatiozs hereafter made shall be in
the United States CourIs, or before Com
missiene1s appointed by such Courts tor
such purpose, 2. That such nstura''z4-
tions shall be Issued, to take effect six
months aiter tLeir date; and. to make
allowance for this, the required time OF
previous residence to be shortened from
five years 10 four years aud six mouths.
One Of the bills pending provides for the
surrender Of all outstanding certificates
OF naturalization to the Cnited States
Courts, and the issue to the holders
thereof OF new oIes The difference be-
tween these two classes OF bills is very
wide. The one makes citizenship very
cheap-so chap that it will he Of very
little value. I, enables any European or
other aliep, without previous residence
for any fixed term, to become citiz,n
upon merely fling an application. Occc
declared citizen, he can return u his
native land and reside there, and, when
occasion needs It. demand American pro-
lection. The United States policy Of na.-
uralsza1iou has always been liberal, and
ne hope it will never be otherwise; but
it has been always upon the assumption
that naturalization was bona fdc, and
that it was sought with the intention moi
only to become citizen. but permane1
resident in the United States. An Amer
ican citizen, travelling abroad for pleas
u1e or business, having no other home O
country, ia and always will be treated a
an American citizen but an alien, VII
comes hither with nointcntion Of maxim!
this country his home, but merely to b
naturalized, and that he may return t
his native land and live there exemp
from the duties and obligations ofcitizen!
Is in no sense bona fde ci,izep, aud hi
naturalization ia an abuse and frau
upon the Nberality Of our laws. Uad@
the proposed removal OF existing rcs'rit
tions, every person touching our shore
if 50 disposed, may be declared citfzc
If our citizenship is worth anything,
should be confined to those who seek 1t
good feith, ard who propose to live he
and enjoy the privilege.
The end sought By The requirement til
all naturaliza.ions shall 20 into effect s
months after their date, Is - prevent /
rush for such papers Immediately prece
ing an election. 70 that extent It "
work we'll, and secure more careful c
animation Of each case. But the fr2r
and abuses OF naturalization do not G.
siss Of the Issue Of papers on the eve
election to persons honestly entitlet
become citizens; they consist in i.
wholesale issue Of papers to persons
entitled to them. THE men who will
sue naturalization papc1a by the re
flied up, signed and sealed by the oil
oi the court, will find little Diff cult,
ante-dating the papers. Indeed tho
successful naturalization frauds have t
those where old, cotfec-stained. and
tered certificates were issued, tnstea'
clean onep. The six months provls
therefore, will OF itself be no rrcven
of fraud. What is needed is changt
the law that shall make naturalizatso
judicial act, to be performed cxclusl
by United States Courts, or by register
commissioners appointed by such CO
for that purpose. The law .
stands 1t present contains NO pen
10. the many frauds and torg'
practtaod In the naturalization bus'l
ss &. s.,s Z: Hsxs4 4Ygsyaat ]zaaa I. e
Boston % Tho fSih dsy u Novsno@', ts's'