The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-12-14

were. approximate ly SO ,ooo, 900 less than
the receipts from the same source for a
corresponding portion of last year. Should
this decrease continue at the same ratio
throughout the fiscal year, the surplus
would be reduced by, approximately, $50,
0Oo. 900. Should the revenue from GUS
toms suffer much further decrease dur
Ing the fiscal year. the surplus would
vanish. A large surplus is certainly un-
desirable. The need of strict economy in
our expenditures IS emphasized by the
face that we cannot afford to be par
simonious In providing for what Is essen
tial to our national wel!-being.
The integrity Of our currency is beyond
question: and under present conditions
IT would be unwise and unnecessary to at
tempt a reconstruction of our entire
monetary system The same liberty should
be granted the secretary of the treasury
TO deposit customs receipts as is granted
him in the deposit Of receipts from other
sources.
immigration and Naturalization.
We cannot have too much immigration
of the right kind and we should have
none at all of the wrong kind. The need
IS to devise some system by which un-
desirable immigrants shall be kept out
entirely, while desirable immigrants are
properly distributed throughout the coun-
try. At present some districts which need
immigrants have none; and in others,
where the population Is already congested.
immigrants come In such numbers as TO
depress the conditions of life for those
already there. During the last two years
the immigration service at New York has
been greatly improved and the corrup-
ton and inefticiency which formerly ob-
tanned there have been eraSicated- TINS
service has Just been investigated by
committee of New York citizens OF nigh
standing. Their report is now receiving
the attention of the secretary of COM
merce and labor.
The special investigation OF The subject
of naturalization under the direction Of
the attorney general, and the consequent
prosecutions reveal n condition OF affairs
calling for the immediate attention of the
congress. Forgerles and perjuries of
, shameless and flagrant character have
been perpetrated not only in the dense
ceuters of population, but throughout the
country; and it is established beyond
doubt that very many so-called citizens
of the United States have no title what
ever to that right, and are asserting and
enjoying the benefits of the same through
the grOSSest frauds.
1t is never TO be forgotten that citizen
ship is. TO quote the words recently used
by the supreme court OF the United State.
an Questionable heritage" whether it pro-
ceeds from birth within the country or
is obtained by naturalization; and we
poison the sources of our national charac-
ter and strength at the fountain, if the
privilege is G imed and exercised without
right, and by means of fraud and corrup-
ton. The body polite cannot be sound
and healthy If many of its constituent
members claim their standing through the
prostitution of the high right and cali
ing of citizenship. 1t should mean some
thing TO become a citizen of the United
States; and In the process no loophole
whatever should be left open to fraud.
Frauds and Frauds.
Recent Investigations have shown a
deplorable state of affairs in these three
matters OF vital concern. BY various
frauds and by forgeries and perjuries thou
sands of acres of the public domain,
embracing lands of different character
and extending through various sections
acquired. 1t is hardly necessary 10 urge
the Importance of recovering these dis
honest acquisitions, stolen from the peO-
pie, and of promptly and duly punish
ing the offenders l speak in another
part Of this message of the widespread
crimes by which the sacred right Of cit
izenship is falsely asserted and that in
estimahle heritage" perverted 10 base
ends. BY similar means-that is. through
frauds, fOrgeries and perjurics. and by
shameless briberies-the laws relating to
the proper conduct Of the public service
IN general and to the due administra
ton OF the postoffice department have
been VIGOROUSLY violated. and many in
ulCSultUtS nave DSeQ JOuIU, ana the con-
sequent prosecutions are in course OF
hearing or on the eve thereof For the
reasons thus indicated. and so that the
government may be prepared TO enforce
promptly and with the greatest effect the
due penalties for such violations OF law,
and to this end may be furnished with
sufficient instrumentalities and compe-
tent legal assistance for the investisa-
tons AID trials which will be necessary
at many different points Of the coun-
try, ! urge upon the congress the neces-
sity of making the said appropriation
purposes. to he expended under the d.
rection of the attorney general.
ST s have been taken by the state de-
partment looking TO the making OF bribery
an eXtraditahle Offense with foreign DOW
ers The need of more effective treaties
covering this crime IS manifest. The
EXPOSURES and prosecutions Of Official
corruption in St. Louis Mo. and other
cities and states have resulted in a num-
Der OF givers and takers of bribes be
coming 1ugitVes in foreign lands
bribery has not been excluded in extra
ditIon treaties heretofore as the neces-
Slty Tor it Las not arisen. While there
NAV nave been as much official corrup-
tlon IL former years. there has been
more developed and brought 10 light in
the immediate Iast than in the preceding
century OF our countryS history 1t
should be the policy of the United States
TO leave no place on earth where n cor
Fupt man fleeing from this country can
rest IN peace There is no reason why
bribery should not be included in ali
treaties as eXtraditahle The recent
amended treaty with Mexico. whereby
this crime was put in the list Of extra
ditable onenses, has established a salu-
tary precedent IN this regard Under
this treaty the state department has
asked, and Mexico has granted. the ex-
tradition OF one of the St. Louis bribe-
gives.
There can be no crime more serious
than bribery. Other offensos violate one
law. while corruption strikes at the foun-
dation of AL law
Alaskan Boundary.
For several years past the rapid devel-
opment of Alaska and the establishment
OF growing American interests in REGIONS
heretofore unsurveyed and imperfectly
known brought into prominence the
urgent necessity of practical demarca-
ton Of the boundaries between the ju-
rlsdictions of the United States and Great
Britain. Although the treaty OF 1928 be
tween Great Britain and Russia, the pro
visions of which were copied in the treaty
of 867 whereby Russia conveyed Alaska
to the United States, was positive as to
the control, first by Russia and later by
the United States, of a strip of territory
along the continental mainland from the
western shore of Portland canal TO Mount
st. Elias, following and surrounding the
indentations of the coast and including the
islands to the westward its description OF
the landward margin Of the strip was in
definite, resting on the supposed existence
of Il continuous ridge or range OF noun
tainS skirting the coast. as figured III the
charts of the early navigators. 1t had at
no tine been possible for either party in