Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-05

well handled, but they are utterly use less when not we'll handled, and they cannot be handled at all without long and careful training. This training can under no circumstance be giveI when once war has broken out No fighting ship of the first class should ever be laid up save for necessary re pairs, and her crew should be kept constantly exercised on the high seas 50 that she may stand at the highest point of perfection. To put new and untrained crew upon the most powerful battleship and send it out to meet g formidable enemy is not only to invite but to insure disaster and disgrace. To improyise crews at the outbreak of a war, so far as the serious fighting craft are concerned, is absolutely hopeless If the officers and men are not thor oughly skilled in and have not been thoroughly trained to their duties i, would be far better to keep the ships fin port during hostilities than to send them against formidable opponent for the result could only be that they would be either sunk or captured. The marksmanship of our navy is now on the whole in a gratifying condition, and there has been great improve ment in fleet practice. We need ad, aifiopaI saarnap. xr-a r.aad q lar1a cfnra of reserve guns; we need sufficient money for ample target practice, .lm- pie practice of every kind at sea We should substitute for comparatively in efficient types-the old third class bat tleship Texas, the single turreted mon- ftors above mentioned and indeed all the monitors and some of the old cruis- ers-eficient, modern seagoing vessels. Seagoing torpedo boat destroyers should be substituted for some of the smaller torpedo boats. During the present congress there need be no ad- ditions to the aggregate number of units of the navy. Our navy, though rery small relatively to the navies of other nations, is for the present suffi- rient in point of numbers for our needs, and, while we must constantly strive fo make It's efficiency higher, there need be no additions to the total number of ships now built and building save in the way of substitution as above out lined. I recommend the report of the secretary of the navy to the careful consideration of the congress, espe- cially with a view to the legislation therein advocated.
 Naturalization Laws.
 During the past year evidence has ac- cumulated to confirm the expressions contained in my last two annual mes sages as to the importance of revising by appropriate legislation our system of naturalizing aliens. appointed last March a commission to make a careful examination of our naturalization laws and to suggest appropriate measures to avoid the notorious abuses resulting from the. improvident or unlawful granting of citizenship. This commis- sion, composed of an officer of the de pertinent of state, of the department of justice and of the department of com merce and labor. has discharged the duty imposed upon it and has submit ted report, which will be transmitted to the congress for it's consideration and, hope, for its favorable action.
 The distinguishing recommendations of the commission are:
 First.-A federal bureau of naturali- zation, to be established in the depart ment of commerce and labor, to su- pervise the administration of the natu- ralization laws and to receive returns of naturalizations pending and accom- plished. s-.
 Second. d.-Uniformity of naturalization certificates, fees to be charged. and pro cedure
 Third.-More exacting qualifications for citizenship.
 Fourth.-The preliminary declaration of intention to be abolished and no alien 10 be nsturalized until al least ninety days after the filing of his peti- tion.
 Fifth.-Jurisdicti0n to naturaliZe aliens 10 be confined 10 United States district courts and to such state courts as have jurisdiction in civil actions in which the amount in controversy is un- limited. in cities of over 100000 inhab- Itants the United States district courts to have exclusive jurisdiction in the naturalization of the alien residents of such cities.
 Criminal Laws.
 Tn my last message I asked the atten- ton of the congress 10 the urgent need of action 10 make our criminal law more effective. and most earnestly re quest that you pay heed 10 the report of the attorney general on this sub 5ect. Centuries ago it was especial 1y needful 10 throw every safeguard round the accused. The danger then was lest he should be wronged by the state. The danger is now exactly the reverse. Our laws and customs tell i'm mensely in favor Of the criminal and against the interests Of the public be has vrongei. Some antiquated and outworn rules which once safeguarded the threatened rights Of private citizens BOW merely work harm to the general body polite. The criminal law of the United States stands iH urgent need of revision The criminal proress of any court of the United States should run throuxhout the entire territorial extent