Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-11-18
NATURALIZATION FRAUDS.
Radicals of Lorain County AT
tempt 10, and are Caught
Judge Steele Seriously ImPIica-
ared-HOw the Thing is Done.

- NdGc steele seriously 1mpitca-
aled-How the Thing is Done.
lFrom the Lorain ConstitutionalstI
Last week John Cliff, William Cliff and
one II. II. Clough, of Amherst, in this
county, were arrested and brought before
perjury in obtaining naturalization papers
in our Probate Court. From the examina-
ton it appeared that the father of the Cliffs
came into the United States from England
with his family in 1851, the boys, John and
William, at that time being seven and nine
years of age respectively; that he lived
short time in Connecticut, then went
to Iowa; from there moved to Pennsylva-
mia, and again from there to Connecti-
cut, occupying about four years in trav-
cling backwards and forwards. In 1855
he meyedg his family, to Canada, with
the intention Aof+ +staying.sEpurehased
property and carried on business there
continuously until March, 1885, when he
came back to. the United States, his two
sons, John and William, living with him
all the time, William coming to the United
States with him, and John coming just one
year before. 1t further appeared that the
old man had never declared his intention of
becoming a citizen, and that none of the
family had been in the United States since
1855. The boys are working In Clough's
quarry in Amherst, and on election day
II. Ciough, having been sent for by Judge
Steele, and naturalization papers issued to
them by him, and by reason of these papers
they voted at Amherst on that day.
From the testimony itsfappeared that
Judge Steele issued final ma turalzation
papers to them, knowing they had not been
in the United States but about two years
and a half and three years and a half, re-
spectively ,and without taking any evidence
of their having resided in the United
States five years last past, as the law re:
quires. 1t did appear, however, that Fl
ii. Clough's name was attached so an aft.
davit stating chat John Cliff had iresided
in the United States for the foe years last
past, and John Cliffs name was attached
to a similar affidavit to. prove the
residence of William Cliff, On and Tor
making these affidayits Clough and John
Cliff were arrested for perjury; but on the
| trial the defendants proved by the Probate
Judge himself and others, that they had no
Knowledge. of the contents of these affida-
Wits; that they did not read them; that they
i were not read tothem, and their contents
were not stated to them by the Probate
Judge; that they were Ignorant of their
contents; that the facts stated therein were
untrue and did not correspond to Che state
ments made to the Judge; that no question
/ was asked any OF them as TO the Cliffs having
resided five years in the United States,
and as matter of fact no proof was given
or required on that point.
| THE United States statute relating to
ruturalizations provides (section 10y that q
continuous residence of five years shall be
REQUIRED of all aliens who desire to become
citizens. Es
Judge Steele had this statute before hin
at the time, and in defiance of it issued
these fraudulent and illegal naturalization
papers 1-aa tf 3 70
The defendants have established the fac
that they did not intend to commit PERU
ry, and that the fraud and wrong was OF
the part of Judge Steele, If on any one
They were discharged. We forbear fur
ther comments at present, as far as Judg g
Steele is concerned. as we understand hi
conduct is to be judicially investigated.