Bismarck daily tribune., 1903-12-07

/ INC attcIitiol oi inc secretary Oi com
merce and labor
The special investigation of the sub.
| ject Of naturalization under the direc-
ton Of the attorney general and the
consequent prosecutions reveal con
dition of affairs calling for the imuir-
diate attention Of the congress. For
geries and perjuries of shameless and
fragrant character have been perpetrat-
ed not only In the dense centers Of
popula ton. but throughout the country.
and it Is established beyond doubt
that very many so called citizens Of the
United States have no title whatever
to that right and are asserting and en-
joying the benefits Of the same through
the grOssest frauds. 1t Is never to he
forgotten that citizenship is. to quote
the words recently used by the su-
prelne court of the United States. an
'inestimable heritage" whether it pro-
ceeds from birth within the country or
Is obtained by naturalization and we
poison the sources of our national
character and strength at the fountain
il the privilege Is claimed and exer-
cised without right and by means of
fraud and corruption. 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 calling of citizen
ship. 1t should mean something to be
come citizen of the United States.
end in the process no loophole what
ever should be left open to fraud.
The methods by which these frauds.
now under full investigation with a
view to melting out punishment and
providing adequate remedies. are per-
petrated include many variations Of
procedure by which false certificates
Of citizenship are forged in their Gu
tirety. or geniiine certificates fraudu-
lently or cOllusively obtained in blank
are filled in by the criminal conspira-
tors. or certificates are obtained on
fraudulent StlteWents as TO the time
Of arrival aud residence in this cOun-
try. or imposition and substitution OF
another party for the real petitioner
occur in court. or certificates are made
the subject of barter and sale and
transferred from the rightful holder
to those not entitled to them, or Ger.
tificates are forged by erasure of the
original names and the insertion of the
names of other persons not entitled to
the same.
Naturalization Frauds.
1t is not necessary for me to refer
here at large to the causes leading t.
this state Of affairs. The desire for
naturalization is heartily to be com
mended where it springs from sin
cere and permanent intention to be
come citizens and Il real appreciation
Of the privilege, but it is source o!
untold evil and trouble where it is
traceable to selfish and dishonest mo
tives. such as the effort by artificia
and improper means in wholesale fash
Ion to create voters who arc ready
made tools Of corrupt politicians. or th
desire to evade certain labor laws ere
ating discrimina tons against alien la
; ',or. All good citizens. whether natu
rallied or native born, are equally in
= terested in protecting our citizenship
against fraud in any form and. on tn
other hand, In affording every f;-cii,
for naturalization to those who in goo
faith desire to share alike our priv
! leges and our responsibilities.
The federal grand jury lately in ses
sion in New York city dealt with thi
subject and made presentment whicl
states the situation briefly and forci
bly, and contains important suggestion
for the consideration OF the congress
This presentment is included as an ap
pendiX to the report of the attorne.
general
In my last annual message in connec
ton with the subject of the due regula
tion of combinations of capital whicl
are or may become injurious to tn
public | recommended a special appro
priation for the better enforcement o
the antitrust law rs it now stands. Il
| be expended under the direction of IN
l. attorney general. Accordingly (by tn
legislative. executive and judicial ap
l propriation act of Feb. % 1903. 81 Stat
S54. 904) the congress appropriated fo
the purpose of enforcing the variou
= federal trust and interstate commerce
laws the sum of $500 900. to be eXpend
: ed under the direction of the attorne
general in the employment of specia
counsel and agents in the department
Of justice to conduct proceedings an
= prosecutions under said laws in til
4 courts Of the United States.
/. Public Land and Postal Frauds.
now recommend. as matter G
the utmost Importance and urgenc!
J. the extension of the purposes of thi
u appropriation. so that it may be avail
L able. under the direction of the alto
$ ney general and until used. for the du
enforcement of the laws of the Unite
J. States in general and especially Of tn
: civil and criminal laws relating to pul
e lie lands and the laws relating to post;
U crimes and Offenses and the subject {
v naturalization. Recent investigation
have shown deplorable state of a
II fairs in these three matters of Wit:
Ii concern. BY various frauds and l.
II forgeries and perjuries thousands {
" acres of the public domain. embraciu