The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-28
How sworn Officers do their Duty.

EVERY now and then the curtain OF political
mystery is lifted, and the honest, simple
hearted public obtain glance of how things
are done behind the scenes. We hear great
deal about fraudulent naturalization-abou
the ease with which the foreigners recently
arrived on our shores are enabled to obtain a
vote. But as to how this result is accom-
plished, we, in common with thousands Of our
citizens, are almost entirely ignorant. When
the law is read, and the numerous precautions
which are thrown around the process of natu-
ralization are considered, we can but wonder
at the means resorted to to deiraud the people.
On Saturday the public were allowed glance
behind, and the manner in which the De-
mooracy manage things was made clear. A
more vile and systematic arrangement for de-
frauding the citizens of Philadelphia would b9
difficult to conceive.
The Supreme Court through its Prothono-
tary, Mr.. J. Ross Snowden, has the power Of
granting naturalization papers to foreigners.
Before this can be done the applicant must be
sworn, and voter produced who will vouch
under oath for the truth of the applicants
statements. When this is done the papers are
signed by the Prothonotary, and given to the
new citizen. OF course, the power which Mr..
Snowden possesses is a great one, the duty
is clearly marked, and in its exercise the
utmost vigilance and strictest adherence to
rule are required, as both a moral and legal
obligation. Now we do not hesitate to say,
after the revelations of Saturday, that the
manner in which the important process Of natu-
ralization is conducted is net only careless In
the extreme, but criminally wrong. Let us
state how the case stands. By an accident
there is such thing as an accident
1t came to the cars of certain Re-
publican gentlemen that German
named Leckfeldt and number of other low
characters had been swearing as vouchers for
foreigners about whom they know nothing.
These sooundrels were arrested. A list of four
teen names was found on one of them, seven
of whom had had papers made out. The
evidence showed that a wholesale system of
fraudulent papers had been inaugurated. Let
US look at it. One witness, named Huninger,
swOre:-
"I was in the Rebel army from 1859 to 1885,
Schnitzei asked me how long had been In the
", IL i
my citizen paper; said no. and he said could
get IL without much cost; we went to Nos 495
and 497 N. Third street. to Democratic conlmU
tee; he put his name TO paper and paid ten
cents, and got ticket; we then came TO the
Court; Schntzel also swore for George Meinich;
feldrs he said:-"I can swear fifty times for a
glass Of beer"
Another, named Molock, swore:-
ST am forty two years old; have been at Leck'
feldrs for fourteen days; came there from New
Npr a ma M nna1N hnf in.d
here one year Immediately before l made the
application; never Sa,0 him before, nor have
seen him since."
This is evidence of how the perjury was
done. Is it not natural to ask if a proper per-
formance of duty on the part of the Democrat
who is Prothonotary, and the Democrats ,oho
are clerks in his office, could not have put some
sort of check on this sort of fraudY Do we
find them, when the crime is detected, doing
what they can to secure its punishment? Let
their evidence speak.
"Oolonel j. Ross Snowden was examined but
he did not recognize any OF the men. HIS duty
was to attach his name to The papers Dhen brought
10 him by The tipstaves of The Court and he admit.
ted LhaS his sadme might possibly be attached 10
some Of them Uithout their hauing been sVorn TO-
he also stated that the upstaves were natural-
ztng persons while he was then In the Alder
mans office. but qualified the statement by
saying there was Judge on the bench.
Supreme Court; or Mr.. Schell swear the petit
tioners and vouchers. but do not mark The papers
go that zoe can recognize them; haze administered
oaths."
Under the circumstances of the case, we
would like to know what protection there is
afforded against fraudulent naturalization to
the most unlimited extent? Mr.. SAowden
confesses that he delegates the high authority
vested in him to the irresponsible Office of
crier and tipstave, and that it is not impossi-
ble that his signature might be affixed to
papers without any oath having been ad-
ministered at all. This condition of affairs is
frightful. 1t is premium on fraud. 1t is open
ing wide the door for perjury and crime. 1t is
necessary for the safety of the people of this
Commonwealth that this mode of procedure
be stopped, and, if it is no., that the officials
who thus neglect their duty be punished by
removal from Office. Mr.. Snowden is acting
with negligence which is criminal, and we
are astonished beyond measure that a gentle
man of his standing should so far forget what
is due to his oath of Office. We hope that
immediate and summary measures will bs
taken to stop this course of wholesale oaths
Of attesting afidavits by the pound of paper
without the officer knowing what he is sign
Ing. 1t is disgrace to those engaged in it,
and crime against the honest and qualified
voters Of fhiiadelphia.
The GERMANS have phrase, 'Krieg in
Krieg," or War in War, but the Democratic
xnarty NAV we'll boast oil tba ;ouoor;t Z. l. n ,