New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-17
NATURALIZATION REFORM.

THE DEFEAT OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE BILL
WASHINGTON, June 15.-AbOut the most I'M
ookedfor thing that has happened in Congress this SEES
the overwhelming defeat sustained In the House
last week by Judiciary Committees bill to prevent
and punish frauds in naturalization. Such result was
unexpected because in the first place every one In Con-
gress or out with the exception of Democratic politicians
recognizes the urgent importance OF checking the grow
ing and larng frauds practced in the naturalization OF
foreigners. by which thousands of Illegal voters are
manufactured In the Eastern cities and In the second
place. because every ont of Congress regarded the
bill presented by the Judiciary Committee as wende-
yised and proper remedy for the evil. All thoughtful
men must the increasing mpurty of elections the
greatest danger to popular government In this
country. There are too many plain indications
to leave room for doubt that people are rapidly
losing their respect for the decisions Of the baOtbox
because they longer have confidence that 1t is GER
tain register Of the popular will The multitude OF con-
tested election cases In Congress furnish Illustrations
No one defeated by few hundred votes believes that he
has been fairly defeated and charges Of fraud and cor
ruption are always made and believed by the beaten
party The best men in the cities abandon politics as a
trcksters game, in which the greatest raScas
to win. Illegal naturalization fraudulent registration,
bsotbox stufng, and intimidation have become recog
nzed parts Of election machinery in the great cities and
these practices, confined to the cities, are fast
spreading to towns and villages and the country dis
tricts.
to undermine the whole system Of government ought
be party question:; but the Democrats according
their policy Of hnderng all reforms and throwing the
responsibility alike Of action and inacton upon the party
In power have thrown every obstacle they could in the
way and have made it especially incumbent upon
Republicans to unite in securing the early adoption Of
legislation 10 reform election abuses and restore and
preserve the purity Of the ballot.
The Judiciary Committee of the House. after long and
careful consideration of the subject brought in their bill
10 regulate naturalization, matter entirely within the
control of Congress- and which claimed its first attention
In effort toward the purifoaon Of elections The
bill contained excellent features. The single pro-
vision TO require the issuing Of naturalization papers
six months before any election at which they may be
presented evidence of the right Of their
vote, would alone have prevented nearly all
the frauds which the bill was designed 10
comedy, and which always perpetrated
during the excitement of the last few weeks days pre-
eeding election. The provision TO restrict the power
OF granting certificates OF naturalization TO United States
Courts except in districts where such Courts are not
cessibe, would have at once stopped the scandaous
practices Of the Courts Of NewYOrk and other cities
which have become machines for manufacturing fraud
uent voters With so much in its favor the overwhen-
ing defeat the bill got in the House remarkable.
OF the united opposition Of the Democrats was to
be expected They not the men 70 throw away any
Of the advantages they hold and would have no hesa
ton In voting for bill 10 facilitate and increase frauds
tom but the Judiciary Committee surely had right TO
expect backing from the Republicans than they
got The House scarcely had patience TO give decent
consideration TO the measure and after short debate,
In which forcibe arguments made against II,
proceeded 70 slaughter IL by vote OF l02 10 so.
Tho Republicans who Joined the Democrats were
chiefly from Western States that have underbd each
other in cheapening the right 10 vote IN the hope OF at
tractng foreign Immigration. These men were afraid
that few ignorant foreigners in their districts would
take oense they supported the BILL and that their
elections would thus be jeopardzed. They belong TO
that class Of small politicians whose action public
measure always depends on the effect they imagine 1t
will have their little personal interests. The question
with them was not whether the public inter
est demands remedy for the abuse Of fraudulent natu
REALIZATION but whether the Irish Germans In their dis
trcts would support them II they voted for the bill
Whatever happens must get ourselves reelected"
a. the theory Of all their votes and speeches One
nded of the anecdote Of Dean Swift 10 whom worth
less vagabond applied for aims. al must live, you
know" said the fellow. beg your pardon do E0t
eee the necessity, replied the Dean. Many people do
not see necessity OF returning such to Congress
md trust that their constituents VIII conclude AZ the
eext elections. - ... - .