Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-12-14
REVIEW AND RECOMMENDED
T|ON OF THE PRESIDENT
CONTINUED from first page.l

- eha IN
whether 1t is not possible to secure
an agreement in the business world
Tor lettering the system: the commit
ices should consider the question OF
the retirement of the greenbacks and
the problem of securing in our cur
rency such elasticity as is consistent
with safety. Every silver dollar
should be made by law redeemable in
gold at the option of the holder.
Oriental Markets.
The growing importance Of the or
lent as a field for American exports
drew from my predecessor, President
Mckinley, an urgent request for its
special consideration by the congress.
The importance OF securing proper
Information and data with a view to
the enlargement of our trade with As
la Is u~ndminished. OuI consular rep
resentatives in China have strongly
a place for permanent display of
American products in some prominent
trade center of that empire, under
government control and management,
as an effective means of advancing
our export trade therein. call the
attention Of the congress to the desir-
ability of carrying out these sugges-
lions.
immigration and Naturalization.
In dealing with the questions of i'm
migration and naturalization, ii Is in
dispensable to keep certain facts ever
before the minds of those who share
in enacting the laws. First and fore.
most. let us remember that the ques-
ton of being a good American has
nothing whatever to do with a mans
birthplace any more than 1t has to
do with his creed. In every genera
ton from the time this government
was founded, men Of foreign birth
have stood In the very foremost rank
OF good citizenship, and that not mere.
ly In n but In every field of Ameri.
can activity; while to try to draw q
distinction between the man whose
parents came to this country and the
man who came to II several geneI.
ations back is a mere absurdity.
There is no danger Of having too
many immigrants Of the right kind.
II makes no difference from what
country they come. II they are sound
in body and in mind, and, above all,
SO that we can rest assured that their
children and grandchildren will be
worthy fellow citizens of u children
and grandchildren, then we should
welcome them with cordial hospitality.
Naturalization Laws Should be Revis'
ed.
There should be a comprehensive
revision Of the naturalization laws.
The courts having power to n~aturalize
should be definitely named by nation
al authority; the testimony upon
which naturalization may be conferr'
ed should be definitely prescribed;
publication of impending n~aturaliza'
ton applications should be required
in advance Of their hearing in court;
the form and wording Of all certifi
Gates issued should be uniform
throughout the country. and the
courts should be required to make
returns to the secretary Of state a,
stated periods of all naturalizationt
conferred.
Laws Concerning Citizenship.
Not only are the laws relating tc
naturalization now defective, but
those relating to citizenship of the
United States ought also to be made
the subject of scientific inquiry with
a view to probable further legislation
By what acts repatriation may be as
sumed to have been accomplished
how long an American citizen ma,
reside abroad and receive the pro
lection of our passport, whether an,
degree of protection should be ex
tended to one who has made the dec
laration of intention to become a cit
izen Of the United States but has no
secured naturalization, are questions
Of serious import, involving persona
rights and often producing friction
between this government and foreign
governments. Yet upon these ques
tions our laws are silent I recon
mend that an examination be made in
to the subjects Of citizenship. expatria
ton and protection Of American
abroad, with a view to appropriate
legislation.
Protection Of Elections.
The power of the government Il
protect the integrity Of the elections
of its own officials Is inherent ant
has been recognized and affirmed b!
repeated declarations of the supreme
court. There is no enemy Of free gov
eminent more dangerous and none 81
insidious as the corruption of the cleo
torate. No one defends or excuses
corruption, and 1t would seem to fol
low that none would oppose vigorous
measures to eradicate II. recon
mend the enactment of a law directet
against bribery and corruption In thu
federal elections. The details OF sucl
a law may be safely left to the wis.,
discretion Of the congress, but
should go as far as under the constitu
ton it is possible to go. and shoul'
include severe penalties against hin
who gives or receives a bride intend
ed to influence his act or opinion a
an elector; and provisions for the pub
LEGATION not only Of the expenditure
for nominations and elections OF al
candidates but also of all contribution
received and expenditures made b,
political committees.
Alaska.
Alaska, like all our territorial az
tuisitions, has proved resourceful be
yond the expectations of those VIII
made the purchase. II has becom
the home of many hardy, industriou
and thrifty American citizens. Town
of a permanent character have bee
built. In some respects 1t has ou'
grown its present laws, while in otf
ers those laws have been found to b
inadequate. Alaska should have
delegate In the congress. Where POI
sible the congress should aid in tn
construction of needed wagon road
Additional lighthouses should be pr
,ided. In my judgment. 1t is espe'
tally important to aid in such maj
ner as seems just and feasible in tn
construction of a trunk line Of raj
way to connect the Cuff OF Alask
with the Yukon river through Anne
lean territory. This would be mos
beneficial to the development OF tn