The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-05
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.


ident's utterance in his messrge regarding
our naturalization laws. He said:
Our naturalization laws should be so revised
as TO make the inquiry into the character and
good disposition toward our government Of the
persons applying for citizenship more thorough.
This can only be done by taking fuller control
of the examinations. by fixing the time for hear
ing each application and by requiring the pres
ence of some one who shall represent the gov
eminent in the inquiry. Those who are the en-
emies of social order, or who come to our shores
TO swell the injurious influence and to extend
the evil practices Of any association that deties
our laws, should not only be denied citizenship
but domlclle.
1t has been a standing and well grounded
complaint that the naturalization laws are
not what they should be. At the time of
their enactment the country was sparsely
settled and there was a call for immigra-
ton. The United States We're reaching
out for people to develop the resources of
the vast republic. Strength of numbers was
sought There was also a sentiment pre-
Yalent that America was to furnish an
asylum for the down trodden and OPP
pres ed of all nations Men who loved free
dom, who believed in democracy, and could
not, therefore, be happy as subjects, were
invited to become citizens of the great re
public, the doors of which were thrown
widely open. The invitation has been too
generously accepted. Not only have the
class desired come, but others have taken
advantage of the American free heartadness
and generosity, and fiocked here by the
thousands. Among those who have come
have been many who hold all govern
ments in disrespect. These are
the anarchists, the socialists, the
communs s-men who could not reside in
safety abroad and who are threat to au-
tAority everywhere. They are revolution
ists-criminals, in fact, at heart, and if not
in deed it is because they are physically
afraid to offend the law. These men have
taken advantage of our liberal naturaliza-
ton laws, and our loose and almost crimi-
nal Interpretation and application of these
laws, to become citizens Of the republic,
and thus they hold and exercise power
equal to that enjoyed by the same number
of native-born men. Some of our large
cities are almost controlled by this ugly
and dangerous element, which also makes its
presence felt in state legislatures and
in the halls of Congress. Scoundrels as
these men are, and threatening as they are
to government itself, they are citizens and
can vote, and our statesmen and politicians
dare not offend them.
1t is high time that a stop was put to the
coming Of these dangerous people. This
cannot be done with any degree of success.
1t is and necessarily must continue an easy
matter for strangers to gain entrance to
the republic, in spite of laws and regula-
l.. Al,
clude the Chinese have taught the almost
utter impossibility of erecting wall which
cannot be scaled. 1t would be difficult to
frame statutes more prohibitory than those
against the Chinese, and vet we believe it
is generally conceded that the Mongolians
come and go at will, though not through
the gates entered by other foreigners. 1t
is possible, however, to avoid the confer
ring of citizenship upon the great majority
of the unwelcome strangers, and in this
way the danger will be Iessened, if not re
duced to the minimum. 1t is the ballo
which makes the Anarchist so dangerous
in this country. As common criminal,
with no other power than that which he
can exercise physically, he can be dealt
with somewhat easily, for then he has no
influential friends 70 defend him in his ugly
course; but when he has a ballot at his dis
posal, he will not lack for support of pow
erful kind.
We sincerely hope that in this matter
Congress will act upon the recommends
ton of the President, and so amend our
naturalization laws that it will be difficult
if not impossible for an undesirable or I'm
worthy foreigner to become a citizen of
the United States. The law should not be
made to hinder the admission of good men
who want to enjoy the benefits Of freedom
in government, and who will give strength
to the American community, but it should
see to it that before the rights and privi-
leges of citizenship are conferred the appli-
cant is worthy that he is devoted to the
republic above all other governments, and
that he will give promise of not abusing
the grand gift of American citizenship.