The Minneapolis journal., 1904-12-06
Fraudulent Naturalization.

LII UllS potoC y col Cllc CdScS Ol ldlS0,
fraudulent and improper naturalization
Of aliens coming to the attention of
the executive branch of the govern
ment have increased 20 an alarming de-
gree. Extensive sales of forged GER
tifcates of NATURALIZATION have been
discovered, as well as many cases of
naturalization secured by perjury and
| 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 'sto establish a
/ uniform rule of Naturalization and
numerous laws have from time to time
been enacted for that. purpose, which
have been supplemented in a few states
by state laws having special applica-
ton. The federal statutes permit nat
uralization by any court of record in
the United States having common-law
jurisdiction and a seal and clerk, eX-
cept the police court of the District Of
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-
tion in one place might be denied it
in another, and the intent Of the con-
stitutional provision is, in fact, de-
feated. Furthermore, the certificates
| Of naturalization issued by the courts
differ widely in wording and appear.
ance, and when they are brought into
use in foreign countries, are frequent.
ly subject to suspicion.
There should be a comprehensive re-
vision Of the naturalization laws. The
courts having power to naturalize
should be definitely named by nationa!
authority; the testimony upon which
naturalization may be conferred should
be definitely prescribed; publication o1
impending naturalization applications
should be required in advance of thei1
hearing in court; tho form and wording
of all certificates issued should be uni
form thruout the country, and court!
should be required to make returns tt
the secretary of state at stated periods
, of all naturalizations conferred.
naturalization now defective, but thos'
, relating to citizenship of the United
, States ought also to be made the sub
iect of scientific inquiry with viev
to probable further legislation. B,
what acts eXpatriation may be assumed
: to have been accomplished, how. Ion,
, an American citizen may reside abroa'
, port, whether any degree Of protection
should be extended to one who ha
made the declaration of intention t
, become citizen of the United State
= but has not secured naturalization, ar
questions Of serious import, involvin
personal rights and often producin
friction between this government an
: foreign governments, Yet upon thes
= : questions our laws are silent. I ret
y ommend that an examination be mad
y into the subjects Of citizenship, eXps
> triation and protection Of American
abroad with a view to appropriat
legislation. I"
. Integrity Of Elections.
The power of the government to pr,
/, tect the integrity of the elections Of il
s own officials in inherent and has bee
j. recognized and affirmed by repeate
e declarations Of the supreme court. ~Thel
J. is no enemy of free government MOI
n dangerous and none so insidious as tt
corruption of the electorate. No one d
l. fends or excuses corruption, and
q would seem to follow that none woul
s oppose vigorous measures to eradica1
- it. / recommend the enactment Of
q law directed against bribery and CO
: ruption in federal elections. The d
10 tails of such law may be safely le
10 to the wise discretion of the congres
- constitution it is possible to go, al
e e should include severe penalties again
u him who gives or receives a bribe j
Y tended to influence his act or opinit
as an elector; and provisions for tt
publication not only Of the expenditur
for nominations and elections of all ca
: didates, but also of all cOntrlbutlo
IN received and expenditures made by p
litical committees.