Omaha daily bee., 1889-02-15
THE NATURALIzATION Law.

The bill reported to the house of rep
resentativcs from its committee on
judiciary, providing for the amendment
of the naturalization law, is a measure of
Importance. Changes in the law which
will prevent its abuse, which will ele-
vate the character of citizenship by
shutting out persons who are unworthy
of 1T, and which will give all practicable
assurance that those who hereafter be-
come citizens of the United States will
understand and be fitted for the
great privileges and responsibilities
involved, are undoubtedly to be
desired. The report of the COM
mittce accompanying the bill states
that now any sort of criminal may OBJ
tain all the benefits of citizenship in
the United States by making an atfi-
davit OF intention before the clerk of
the court, while the generally careless
practice of judges allows an alien, how
ever bad his character or ignorant he
may be, to become a citizen. The law
does not deny citizenship to persons
who have come into the country in fla
grant violation of the Immigration laws.
The naturalization law dates back to
original act has been amended
but once, such amendment SIM
ply providing that declaration
of intention may be made before clerk
of any of the courts named in the
statute. The only safeguard against
improper or unworthy persons becom-
ing citizens is in the requirement that
it shall be made to appear to the salts
faction of tho court that the applicant
for citizenship has during the specified
period "behaved as man of good moral
character, attached to the principles of
the constitution of the United States,
and we'll disposed to the good order and
happiness of the same" Obviously
there is ample latitude here for a care
less judge, or one who has
political purpose to serve, to grant
citizenship to persons wholly unfit ed
for 1t, and it is a matter Of common
knowledge that this is widely done.
The recurrence OF every important
election makes citizens throughout the
country of thousands who are unworthy
of that boon. When this law was passed
by the Seventh congress there were
very few aliens of the Objectionable
classes coming into the country, and a
liberal sentiment prevailed, under the
influence Of Jefferson, regarding the
extension Of citizenship. But it must
be conceded that the conditions have
changed. and rs the privilege OF being
an American citizen is of greater value
now than then the necessity OF guard
ing it more carefully is stronger. The
alien who now renounces his alle-
glance to his native land and takes
upon himself the obligations of citi-
zen OF the United States, secures the
protection of one of the most powerful
and respected nations, with opportuni-
ties which no other country can give.
1t is certainly the right OF the nation
to have the strongest possible assur-
anccs that the man whom it takes to it's
guardian ship and its privileges is
worthy of them.
The bill reported by the committee
will OF course require very careful and
deliberate consideration. There is no
demand for hasty action, and it is not
supposed that there will be final action
upon it by the present congress. But it
will be ready for the next congress, and
in the meantime it can receive full pub
lie discussion.