Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-06

field Of philsnthfepic endeavor. IL 10
, equally true that among the mon OF
whom we are most proud ns Ameri-
cans no. distinction whatever can bs
drawn between those who themselves
or whose parents came over in sailing
ship or steamer from across the water
and those whose ancestors stepped
ashore into the wooded wilder. ess AT
Plymouth or at the mouth of the Hud-
son, the Delaware or the James nearly
three centuries ago. No fellow citizen
of ours is entitled to any peculiar re-
gard because of the way In which lie
worships his Maker or because of the
birthplace OF himself or his parents.
nor should he be in any way dscrmi-
mated against therefor. Each must
stand on his worth rs a man. and each
is entitled to be Judged solely thereby
There is no danger of having too
many immigrants of The right kind. 1t
makes no difference from what coun-
try they come. III they are sound In
body and in mind and above all If they
are OF good character. so that We can
rest assured that their children and
grandchildren VIII he worthy fellow
citizens OF our children and grandchil-
dren, then we should welcome them
with cordial hospitality.
But the citizenship of this country
should not be debased. 1t is vital that
we should keep high the standard OF
well being among our wageworkers.
and therefore we should not admit
masses of nsen whose standards OF liv-
tx.sr
habits are such that they tend to lower
the level of the American wagework-
er, and above all we should not admit
any man OF an unworthy type, any
man concerning whom we can say
that he will himself be bad citizen or
that his children and grandchildren
will detract from instead of adding to
the sum of the good citizenship of the
country. Similarly we should take the
greatest care about naturalization
Fraudulent naturalization, the natural
ization ofNimproper persons, Is Il curse
to our government, and il is the affair
OF every honest voter wherever born to
see that no fraudulent voting is al
lowed, that no fraud I'm connection
with naturalization Is permitted.
In the past year the cases of false.
fraudulent and improper naturalization
of aliens coming to the attention OF the
executive branches of the government
have increased to an alarming de
gree Extensive sales of forged certifi-
Gates OF naturalization have been dis
covered, as well as many cases OF nat
uralization secured by perjury and
fraud, and. in addition, instances have
accumulated showing that many courts
issue certificates of naturalization care
lessly and upon insufficient evidence.
Under the constitution it is in the
power of the congress Ito establish IA
uniform rule of naturalization" and
laws have from time to time
been enacted for that purpose. which
have been supplemented I'm few states
by state laws having special applica-
ton. The federal statutes permit nat
by any court OF record I'm
the United States having common law
Jurisdiction and n seal and clerk. ex-
cept the police court OF the District OF
Columbia, and nearly all these courts
exercise this important function. 1t
results that where so many courts OF
such varying grades have 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 naturaliZa-
Ion in one place might be denied Ii I'm
another, and the-intent of the constitu-
.i0nal provision is, I'm fact, defeated.
the certificates of nat
issued by the courts differ
widely In wording and appearance and
when they are brought into use I'm for
ign countries are frequently subject
o suspicion.
Laws Should be Revised.
There should be a comprehensive re-
isiOn of the naturalization laws. The
ourts having power to naturalize
hould be definitely named by national
uthority; the testimony upon which
may be conferred should
q definitely prescribed; publication OF
naturalization applications
hould be required in advance of their
caring I'm court: the form and wording
all certificates issued should be uni
orm throughout the country, and the
ourts should be required to make re-
arms to the secretary of state at stated
eriods Of all naturalizations conferred.
Laws Concerning Citizenship.
Not only are the laws relating to
now defective, but those
elating to citizenship of the United
tates ought also to be made the sub
,ct OF scientific inquiry with n view to
further legislation. BY what
cts expatriation may be assumed to
ave been accomplished, how long an
merican citizen may reside abroad
nd receive the protection OF our pass
,rt, whether any degree Of protection
lOuld be extended to one who has
ade the declaration OF intention to be-
,me citizen of the United States, but
rs not secured naturalization, are
lestions of serious import, involving
,rsonal rights and often producing
lotion between this government a-d
reign governments. Yet upon these
Iestions our laws are silent. recon-