The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-23
A New Naturalization Law.

In the second session OF the Fifty-first
Congress. the House Committee on the
Judiciary made an investigation into GER
tain alleged illegal practices Of the United
States courts. and particularly into the
manner in which aliens were naturalized
in the Federal courts at Boston. with the
sanction of Judge THOMAS L. NELSON OF
the District Court OF the United States for
the District OF Massachusetts.
An investigation was conducted through
subcommittee OF which the Hon. Will
LIAM c. OATES Of Alabama was member.
Mr.. OATES is Il Representative in tho pres
ent Congress and has recently introduced a
very important bill to amend the natural
ization laws. This bill, with some slight
amendments. was reported favorably by
the Judiciary Committee on the 14th inst.
and is now on the House calendar.
The bill does not affect any alien who has
already filed II declaration OF intention to
become a citizen. or any other person who
has acquired rights under the existing laws
to that end. Its operation Is wholly pros
pective. Tho requirement Of a continuous
residence in the United States for five years
preceding the admission OF an alien to citi-
zenship is retained: but the bill prohibits
the naturalizing Of any one who has ever
been convicted OF felony or other in
famous crime. or OF a misdemcanor involv-
ing moral turpitude. Anarchists and po-
lygamists are also excluded from admission
to citizenship. and SO are all persons who
have Immigrated to the United States in
violation OF any Of our laws, as well as all
aliens who cannot read tho Constitution Of
the United States.
Provision is also made for the naturalza-
ton of any Indian born in this country who
has adopted tho manners and customs OF
civilized life.
Mr.. OATEs's bill goes on to prescribe the
form Of petition which shall be used by an
alien who applies for naturalization, and
directs that notice In writing of the pres
entation Of such petition shall be given to
the District Attorney. Solicitor. or Public
Prosecutor whose duty 1t is to represent
the United States or any particular State
IN the court where tho application is made.
1t is declared to he the duty of such District
Attorney or Public Prosecutor "to defend
tho Government against such petition and
to see that the allegations thereof are fully
proven" No applicant is to be admitted to
citizenship upon his own uncorroborated
0NlueHce' anu Nlliul lulSo SWedllus III any
material matter. on the hearing OF tho ap-
plication. Is made punishable as perjury.
An important change is made by the bill
In respect to the courts which shall possess
the power to naturalizo aliens. The Fed
sraI tribunals are to retain the jurisdiction
In this respect which they now possess. but
in the State courts aliens are to be admit
ted to citizenship only by the tribunals "of
the highest original common law jurisdic-
ton. whether called Supreme. Circuit. Dis
trict. Superior. or Courts Of Common Pleas.
the Same being courts Of record and having
seal and Clerk" The effect Of this change
inNew York would be to deprive the county
courts OF the jurisdiction which they now
exercise In cases OF naturalization.
Most Of tho changes which this measure
would effect seem to us expedient and Ad-