The new age. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1896-1905, 1906-08-18

questions concerning naturalization
have been of more Importance to the
United States than to any other coun.
try IN the world owing to the fact that
the whole trend Of our history has
been In the direction of an invitation
to the discontinued and oppressed for
more than century The discussion
began long before Washington entered
upon his presidency, the declaration OF
Independence, indeed, furnishing the
starting point. In volume just pub.
llshed by Prof. Frank G. Franklin OF
the University of the Pacific, under the
title, The Legislative History of Nat
uralization IN the United States" the
progress of the discussion Is followed
In the various governmental acts, and
ar the same time 1t Is made apparent
that right at the start there was diff.
Guilty connected with the lack of uni.
formity In the naturalization laws OF
the several States, a difficulty which is
perhaps most responsible for the meas
ure which has now passed Congress and
Is to go into operation ninety days after
Its approval by the President. Mr..
Franklin's account indicates that there
IS nothing specially new In naturaliza-
ton questions as now discussed, since
the matter has been debated and rede-
bated again and again ever since the
first law on the subject in 1890, unless
1t be connected with the tremendous
tides of immigration which have flowed
In the direction of America during re-
cent years. Two features deserve spe-
cal mention when the present measure
Is examined, one the barring of an
Grchists and the other the requirement
OF knowledge Of the English language
on the part of the would-be citizen. The
bill provides that no person who dis
believes In or Is opposed to organized
government should be naturalized. Few
VIII question the wisdom of this clause,
for while the utmost freedom of
thought, expression and action is popu-
lar with every American, the wide lati.
tude permitted should not include the
admission to citizenship of those whose
avoWed purpose Is to destroy the gov
eminent offering them such freedom
What the practical value OF the clause
will be remains to be seen. 1t will be
easy for one who seeks citizenship to
conceal his real sentiments, to perjure
himself, perhaps, thus gaining privi-
{O h ot 1,o r. IaI
II his anarchiStic sentiments were
known. 1t may serve q useful purpose
in excluding notorious enemies of law
ard order As for the requirement from
the intending citizen Of knowledge OF
the English language, that Is a wise
provision which will work little hard
ship. but which will hasten the efforts
of many an immigrant to learn the COM
monty used speech Of the country, and
there Is much gained in a way when a
foreigner shows his intention to give ND
the old tie of language for the new one
Of his adopted home. In practical work
ing it is unlikely that the language test
will be so severe as to prove a serious
barrier to any worthy applicant. There
probably will be a great rush now to
get In under the old law, and much OBJ
portunity will be afforded judges for
the exercise of care In admission. There
need be no hurry about letting In to citl-
zonship a lot of undesirable persons
who have not yet fully proved their
worthiness. The laws have been pref
ty easy in the past, and there are not
many who would be injured by delay
In their admission.