Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 2 (of 7)Roosevelt, Theodore
History
Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 2 (of 7)
Roosevelt, Theodore
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; United States -- Politics and government -- 1901-1909
We can not have too much immigration of the right kind, and we should
have none at all of the wrong kind. The need is to devise some system
by which undesirable immigrants shall be kept out entirely, while
desirable immigrants are properly distributed throughout the country.
At present some districts which need immigrants have none; and in
others, where the population is already congested, immigrants come in
such numbers as to depress the conditions of life for those already
there. During the last two years the immigration service at New
York has been greatly improved, and the corruption and inefficiency
which formerly obtained there have been eradicated. This service
has just been investigated by a committee of New York citizens of
high standing, Messrs. Arthur v. Briesen, Lee K. Frankel, Eugene A.
Philbin, Thomas W. Hynes, and Ralph Trautmann. Their report deals
with the whole situation at length, and concludes with certain
recommendations for administrative and legislative action. It is now
receiving the attention of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor.
* * * * *
The special investigation of the subject of naturalization under the
direction of the Attorney-General, and the consequent prosecutions,
reveal a condition of affairs calling for the immediate attention
of the Congress. Forgeries and perjuries of shameless and flagrant
character have been perpetrated, not only in the dense centres of
population, but throughout the country; and it is established beyond
doubt that very many so-called citizens of the United States have
no title whatever to that right, and are asserting and enjoying the
benefits of the same through the grossest frauds. It is never to be
forgotten that citizenship is, to quote the words recently used by
the Supreme Court of the United States, an “inestimable heritage,”
whether it proceeds from birth within the country or is obtained by
naturalization; and we poison the sources of our national character
and strength at the fountain, if the privilege is claimed and
exercised without right, and by means of fraud and corruption. The
body politic can not be sound and healthy if many of its constituent
members claim their standing through the prostitution of the high
right and calling of citizenship. It should mean something to become a
citizen of the United States; and in the process no loophole whatever
should be left open to fraud.
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