Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-12-29
Naturalization of Foreigners.

The question of the indiscriminate gran
ting Of naturalization papers 10 our foreign
citizens is being discussed quite freely
throughout the country, BY most Of the
leading papers, and with scarcely an ex-
ception, either Wing or Democrat, they
have acknowledged there ought 20 be an
alteration in the Jaw, by which more
thorough knowledge oftbe applicant to cit
izenship could be had. There has recent
ly been two decisions in the Courts Of the
State OF New York, forbidding the clerks
to take proofs and grant naturalization pa
pers. The Troy. N Y. Whig, says, "Judge
DEAN, Of the Supreme Court of this State,
at Poughkeepsie, has forbidden his clerk TO
take proofs of citizenship and grant natu-
ralizaton papers, and has directed that all
those who wish to become citizens hereaf-
ter, must apply to the Court After hear
ing the proofs from number of applicants
be rejected nearly all Of them. He has
given written opinion, holding that admit.
ting an alien to the rights of citizenship, is
q judicial act, and requires an examination
by the Court in each case.
II will be remembered that some OF the
leading points in an able opinion of Judge
CLINTON, of the Superior Court Of Buffalo.
on the same subject, were published in our
colums. Judge CLINTON held that the law
was not properly administered unless the
Court itself, to its satisfaction, receive proof
that the applicant. for five years next pre-
cecding his application, "has behaved as a
man Of good moral character, attached to
the principles of the Constitution of the
United States, and well disposed 10 the
happiness and good order OF the same," and
that the Court cannot delegate to the Cleri
the power Of determining upon the suffi
cheney of the testimony. On this point, i
will be seen. Judge DEAN agrees Will
Judge CLINTON.
"The fact that applications Of numbe
Of a|ens,for their naturalization papers, have
been rejected BY the Supreme Court, may
be taken as promise OF reform, where re
form has been for long period great,
needed. The administration Of the nstu
ralization laws has been so lax, that the,
have been almost dead letters on the stat
ute book. The object Of the Courts ha
hitherto seemed to be, to break down th
. barriers erected for the protection of tn
country, and 10 remove all obstacles in th
way Of aliens. Of whatever standing or char
acter, who sought TO obtain the high priv
ilege Of citizenship in the American repub
! c So common had il become to disre
gard the requirements Of the law, that W
have little doubt the Judge upon The Benc
ever heard the names of one-tenth of ,h
? persons naturalzed in the Court over whic
lie has presided IL has been mainly ow
ing to the evils which have been entaile
upon the country by the indiscriniinate &C
: mission to the rights Of citizenship of a
who have chosen to apply for the privilege
!, that the public demand for the amendmer
Of the naturalization laws has been Undue
ed. Whether the term Of residence requ
e red by the present laws be increased or no
il is hoped that the time has come whe
8 the comforting Of American citizenship Q
aliens will be deemed serious matter,
i be decided only after ample proofs touch
: ing the qualifications Of the applicant.
"Bishop HoPKIss. in recent lecture o
the naturalization laws. maintains that the
are good enough now. II they are only jus
6 iy administered He holds that in part
y nership so impo rtant as that formed by th
members Of the body polite. the old men
e bers ought TO be allowed voice as 10 VIII
IS shall come into the firm. and that too greI
care could not be exercised, since citIze;
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