Year: 1870

and respected. And on no one subject Car
it be more important that the laws should
be more stable, simple, and we'll under
stood than upon the question of Dsturaliz, 4
ton. They in general more Immediately
affect those not learned in the law. So
far as private interests and rights are con.
cerned they affect the laborer, the agricul-
turist, the mechanic, those who have not
the time or the opportunity to make them
selves acquainted with intricate and CON-
plicated statutes.


1t is of the greatest importance that
these laws should be known and compre-
hended by the people of other countries,
and especially those countries from which
our population has SO largely come. The
Intelligent foreigner, considering the ques-
ton of uniting his destiny with this coun-
try and people, will be largely Influenced
in his action by the consideration that he
may easily and speedily and cheaply be-
come a citizen and be entitled to the full
protection and benefits of citizenship. The
law as it has heretofore stood accomplish
ed these objects, and the prosperity,
wealth, and growth of this country has
been greatly promoted thereby. The law
and proceedings for naturalization are al
most as well understood now in Ireland,
Great Britain, Germany, and in the other
countries on the Continent from which our
foreign population has chiefly come, as
they are here. This knowledge has been
disseminated through a period of nearly
seventy years by great effort and large ex-
pense. If the radical and sweeping
change now proposed shall be made, it will
be at the cost Of much time, money, and
labor that our system and policy shall
again be understood, either at home or
abroad.


Mr.. Speaker, it is pretended by some
gentlemen that this bill was not intended
to and will not require longer residence
before the applicant can become a citizen
than IS required under the law as it now
stands. At first view it might look as
though this were true The bill is adroit>
ly AID cunningly drawn. Let us look at
the provisions calculated to increase the
time. The bill as amended in the Judicia-
ry Corlmttee, when we struck out five
years and Inserted three, provides:


Such alien shall have continuously resided
within the United States, with the intention to
become a citizen thereof, at least three years
before making his application for naturaliza-
ton, and shall have resided six months in the
State, and, except in cases hereinafter spec
tally provided for, thirty days in the district,
county, or parish in which such application is
made next before making the same.


Let it be observed here that change of
residence from one State to another NAV
add SIX months TO Tue l!iIUo ,oaI., "a
one county TO another thirty days N ore
Then, by the second section it is provided
that the proceedings for naturalization
must be had in the district and circuit
a.
counties where there shall not be holden
annually more than two stated or ap-
pointed terms of oae or both of said
courts OF the United States, and then only
such proceedings for naturalization may
aisv be had i'll the cOurr or highest Jurlsdlc
tion in each State, having a clerk and seal,
which holds stated or regular session for
the trial Of civil causes in such county.
Now, it will be readily perceived that at
least four months and possibly six or even
ten months more may be added by the
time at which these terms OF court may oc-
cur. If the three years required before
application can be made were to expire
have to wait, and could not make his appli
cation till the next term, which might be
six or even ten months away. Then sup





twenty days notice filed, the proceedings
are then commenced 1t is a regular pro.
eeeding in court, where the applicant is or
may be made substantially defendant and
every citizen of the United States his pros
eeutor. BY the first section it is provided
that at the term Of court specified in the
notice of application, or at any term to
which the hearing may be adjourned By
the court, the applicant shall produce one
or more witnesses to prove tho facts neces.
sary to be established, and such alien and
witnesses shall be examined on oath in
open court, and may be cross examined
by any citizen who shall appear for that
purpose. 1t is further provided that


On the hearing of such application any citi-
zen shall be allowed to appear and oppose the
naturalization Of such alien, and to Introduce
any legal evidence tending to dsprove the
right of such alien to become q citizen of the
United States.


Unlimited power Is given to the court
before which the application may be pend
ing to adjourn from time to time the hear
ing. And any citizen of the United States
shall be allowed to appear and oppose the
naturalization. How long do gentlemen
suppose these proceedings, under such cir
cumstances, may not be continued? One
opponent after another may and oppose the
naturalization, to the extent Of the whole
number included in the language of The
bill, ANY citizen Of the United States, )"
until all shall have had the opportunity Of
opposing application.


Here then, is power given to the court
OF judge to adjourn or continue the hear
ing for an indefinite and unlimited period.
of time. The court is imperatively requir-
ed to allow any citizens of the United States
to appear and oppose she naturalization. -
This, too, is without condition. without re-
strlction, and, without limitation. ANY
citizen here must mean every citizen who
chooses to intervene either to prolong the
proceedings, or from ill will, malice, or
spite of the applicant, or for partisan and
political purposes. Let it not he urged
that these obligations which | suggest
would be an abuse of power from which We
shall be protected by the high character of
the courts and judges. The improper con
duet Of judges In the commission Of fraud,
or conniyance at it, under the present law :,
is the pretense for the passage of this bill.
Frauds in elections which could only occur
by the bad conduct or neglect of duties by
the judges is the great, the sole objection
have heard urged against the law as it now
stands. The gentlemen who make this ob-