The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-09

rest assured shat their children and
s~rancchil6rsn win be worthy fellow cit
;xers OF oar children and grandchildren
then we should welcome them with COR
iias hospitality
But the citizenship Of this country
should not be debated. II Il vital that
we should keep high the standard OF
wesi-being among our wage-workcrs.
and therefore we should not admit
masses or men whose standards o. fv-
ing and whose personal customs and
haasss are such that they tend 10 lower
the level OF the American wage-worker:
and above ali we should not admit q
man OF an unworthy type. any man con-
corning whom we can say that he VIII
himself be a bad citizen. or that his
children and grandchildren win detract
from instead OF adding TO , sum Of
the good citizenship of the country.
Similarly we should take the greatest
care about naturalization. Fraudulent
naturalization. the naturalizaticu Of i'm
proper persons. Is n curse to our Gov
eminent: and II Is the affair OF every
honest voter. wherever born. 10 see that
no fraudulent voting Is allowed. that
no fraud Tn connection with naturalist
ton Is permitted.
In the past year the Sase o. false.
fraudulent. arE improper naturalization
or aliens coming TO the attention OF che
executive branches 81 the Government
have Increased 10 an alarming degree
Extensive sales Of forged certificates or
naturalization have been discovered.
as well IS nan cases OF nEr-
u~raiization secured by perjury
and fraud: and in addition. In
stances have accumulated showing that
turalization care,essly and upon In
tural ization caresessly and upon in
sufficient evidence
Under the Constitution IL Is In he
power OF the Congress TO establish.
8 uniform rule of naturalization" and
numerous laws have from time to time
been enacted for that purpose. which.
have beer supplemented in 4 few States
by state laws having special appiica-
ton. The Federai statutes permit nat
u~ralization by any court OF record In
the United states having common-iaw
Jurisdiction and a seal and clerk. except
the police court OF the District of Co.
fumbia, and nearly all these courts ex-
erclse this important function. II re-
suits that where 81 many courts OF
such varying grades nave Jurisdiction.
there is lack OF uniformity In the rules
applied in comforting naturalization.
Some courts are strict and others lax.
An alien who may secure naturalization
irr n place might be denied IL in an
other. and the intent of the constitu-
tional provision is I'm "a defeated
many courts issue certificates OF ma
aiization issued by the courts differ
widely in wording anda appearance. and
when they are brought into use In for
eign countries. are frequently subject
TO suspicion.
Naturalization Laws Should be Re-
yised.
There should be a comprehensive re-
vision of the naturalization laws. The
courts having power to naturaiize
should be definitely named by national
authority; the testimony upon which
naturalization may be conferred should
be definitely prescribef; publication OF
impending naturalization applications
should be required in advance of their
hearing in court; the form n word
ing sf all certificates issued should be
uniform throughout the country. and
the courts should be required TO make
returns TO the Secretary OF States at
stated periods OF all naturalizations
conferred.
Laws Concerning Citizenship.
Not only are the laws relating to nat
r~ralization now defective. but those re-
lstirg TO citizenship or the United
States ought also to be mad the sub
jecr Of scientific inquiry with a view
to probable further legislation. BY
what acts e~xpatriationf may be assumed
TO Rave been accomplished. how long
an American citizen may reside abroad
and receive the profession of our pass
port, whether any degree of protection
sh,.G be extended TO one who has
made the declaration Of intention In be-
come a citizen OF the United states but
has not secured naturalization, are
questions Of serious import. involving
personal rights ands often producing
friction between this Government and
foreign governments Yet upon these
aEFsrfons our avs are silent. I recon-
mend that an examination be made into
the subjects OF citizenship, expatria-
tag1. and protectEa1 of Americans
abroad. with a view TO appropriate leg
isfatfon.
Protection VI Elections.
Pine power of tha-covernment to pro-
tScf the integrity Of the elections OF
ia' y officials is inherent and haotbeen
recognized and affirmed by repeated
celebrations OF tffe Supreme court.
There IL no enemy OF free government
more dangerous AM none 80 lnsidious
az the corruptioEs q the electorate. No.
lone defends or excuses corruption, and
n would seem tosrofIow that more would
oppose vigorous measures to eradicate.
lit recommend the enactment OF 4.
paw directed asafnst bribery and cor
ruption In Feshraf elections. The de-
taiis OF such a law may be safely left
TO the wise discretion OF the. Congress.
OUT IL should go as far az under the