The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-13
Davenport To Be NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Method or Granting Naturalization


an investigation of the proceedings of John
/. Davenport, Chief Supervisor Of Elections,
in causing the arrest and imprisonment of
innocent persons in the late election. 1t is
proper thing to do from Mr.. Woods own
point of view, but it is more important for
reason which is quite beyond the scope OF
his intentions. The HERALD has been in
sisting, for several months, on the neces-
sity Of so revising the present method OF
naturalization as to make it more strict,
efficient and trustworthy, and we are dis
posed to bestow upon this movement OF
Mr.. Wood greater warmth of approval than
it would otherwise deserve because it may
be utilized in fixing public attention on
the slovenly and scandalous manner in
which aliens are transformed into citizens.
We have no doubt at all that many Of the
naturalization certificates granted in 1868
were fraudulent, and we desire to see the
door shut and bolted against the repetition
of similar frauds hereafter. If any good
comes Of the proposed investigation it will
consist chiefly in the stimulus it will give
to revision Of the method Of naturaliza-
ton.
Mr. Davenport's conduct ought to be in
vestigated and exposed, but exposure is
probably the only punishment which will
be inflicted on him. Davenport's abuse Of
authority will come within the scope Of
Mr.. Blaines resolution if passed with Mr..
Thurman's amendment, but as a majority
of the Blaine committee will be republicans
they will give their first and chief attention
to the alleged Southern outrages and may
not reach Davenport's highhanded doings
before the close Of the session. The sub
ject is too important to be slurred over.
and Mr.. Wood has done we'll in
starting separate investigation which
will secure due prominence to Daven-
ports audacious intimidation of New
York voters. Hundreds of naturaliZed citi-
zens were frightened from the polls by
Davenport's threats and his execution Of
them to sufficient extent to show that he
was in earnest. Timid holders of natural
ization certificates issued in 1868 did not
care enough for the right of voting to brave
arrest and Imprisonment, although they
were innocent Of any deception in procur-
ing their papers. They quailed before
Davenport's broad and bold charge that
the certificates given that year in this city
were fraudulent.
Judge Blatchford, of the United States
Circuit Court, has decided that Davenport
was wrong, and this judicial action gives
strong color of justice to Mr.. Woods deter
mination to investigate and punish him.
The resolution offered yesterday contem-
plates no other punishment than removal
and as the ordinary power Of removal be-
longs to the President there is no likel-
hood that it will be exercised in this case.
The other power of removal by the cum
brous process Of impeachment cannot be
invoked in q case like the present, for Dav-
export is not a commissioned officer. The
investigation is of course undertaken for
political effect, but such exposures are fair
means of party warfare.
There can be no justification for the
strategy of intimidation adopted by Mr..
Davenport. Most certainly fraudulent
naturalization certificate does not entitle
its holder to vote, but it is prima facie evil
dence Of the right and is to be accepted as
valid until it is revoked or annulled by the
judgment Of q competent court. Just as
every naturalization certificate is the result
Of q separate judicial proceeding, SO every
annulment must likewise be the result Of
separate action by some proper court.
However fraudulent they may be they can
not be cancelled in the lump, but only one
by one as the consequence Of judicial
inquiry.
certificate Of naturalization granted by
competent court in this city entities the
owner to all the privileges of citizenship,
not only here, but in every part Of the
United States. No court in any other
State can call its validity in question. The
federal constitution declares that "full
faith and credit shall be given in each
State to the public acts, records and
judicial proceedings of every other State"
The granting of q certificate of naturaliza-
ton by State court is judicial pro-
ceeding, and the constitution requires that
full faith and credit shall be given to it in
all the other States. If the person whom
Davenport arrested and Judge Blatchford
discharged had removed to Connecticut or
California his certificate Of naturalization
would have been accepted as perfectly valid
in his new residence and could not have
been taken from him at the mere beck of
supervisor of elections. The laws make it
a complete title to all rights and immuni-
tics Of citizenship, not only IN every part Of
the United States but in voyages at sea and
in foreign countries. II authorizes him to
invoke the protection Of our government in
all foreign lands where he may be subjected
to injury. A court Of justice in Oregon or
Texas, or United States consul at Hong
Kong must necessarily accept the certificate
and seal Of New York court as complete
evidence Of citizenship, and it seems