New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-20
ABAD RECORD NOT YET FINISHED.

W0LTMAN" - DETAILS OF THE FRAUDULENT
sCBEME-HOw JUDGE BARNARD FREED GANa
OF REPEATERs.
The Wallace Committee resumed its investigation
yesterday morning, in Postmaster James room, in
the Post Office Building, Senator Wallace, the chair
man, Senator Mcdonald and Senator Blair, being
present.
John l. Davenport was again on the stand, under
the cross-examinatiop of Senator Mcdonald. The
first demand was for the witness TO furnish the
names of those against whom warrants had been is
sued by HIM. He expressed his willingness to CON-
ply If the committee would pay the expense. Tho
Senator then referred to the case of Antonio Kur-
chell. and asked for his naturalization papers. Mr.
Davenport said they were in his possession anu hs
would produce them in tho afternoon. Without
these papers and the list of persons against whom
warrants werc issued, Senator Mcdonald was un.
able to proceed. and it proposed that in the ab.
sence OF Mr.. Wallace, who had not then appeared,
the committee should take a recess Senator BIaif
said that this was unnecessary. as he had a few
questions to put to the witness in the meantime.
In reply to these questions, Mr. Davenport said
that many of the applications for naturalization in
1868 did not bear the signatures of the applicants
and that no witness appearing upon them was ex-
amined.
also found, he continued, on the part Of appl-
cants great Ignorance as to what the proceeding
was which they had gone through. Many Of them
still unable to read or write English many Of
them were unable to read or write OF all. One Of
them had sent to his house q copy Of one of tho
Mayors proclsmations in 1870 relating to the cen
sus. He got a certificate in 1868, but thought that
was his first paper, and subsequently, when he re-
ceived the proclamation he kept them together be-
lleving that the latter his naturalization paper.
These naturalization papers frequently sent to
the residences of persons. and were marked with
compliments of the Democratic brethren. have
here an original envelope which was sent out in this
way marked with the compliments of Coroner
WOltman." In addition to the list furnished tho
other day of persons whose names were used IN tho
courts as witnesses are those of Richard Croker
Joel o. Stevens, J. Campbell and Stephen O'Brien.
There were ordered and printed for the Supreme
Court on September 10. 1868, 10000 blank appli-
cations and 5000 certificates; three DAYS after
ward, although they never naturazed single per-
son until October 8, 10000 new applications wero
ordered and printed. On the 5th. when they had
naturazed only two persons, $4,000 more blank
applications and 5000 more blank certificates on
the 18th of October, 5000 applications and 5000
certificates more on the 18Th 1O, 900 more appli-
cations on the 18th, 10000 more certificates on
the 10th, 5000 more applications; OH the 10Th,
5000 more applications; on the Goth. 10000 mors
certificates; and on the 22d the last day they had
in which to naturaze 5000 more applications.
That was in the Supreme Conrt alone.
Senator Blair-I think you stated that il was only
in that year that the Supreme Court natrralized al
allf
Mr.. Davenport-I have so testified.
Senator Blar-State whether or not Judge Bar.
nard, who presided over this court and accom-.
Mi hal fI,aca fb,pD
reelection that yeari
Mr.. Davenport-He was.-
NO PUNISHMENT FOR THE PERJURY.
want to call your attention Mr.. Davenport CON
inued to the fact that there was no statute Of the
United States under which any of the persons
swearing TO these naturalization papers could be
punished for perjury as the use of adavits IN nat
urazation proceedings is wholly unauthorized.
In the of Sweetman. who was indicted 70,
swearing TO just such aiiavits as these and was
convicted in tho court below on certiorari 10 the
Court of Oyer and Ierminer the cony icion Was re.
versed. npon the ground that IL il was perjury ID
was within the United States aud not the State
Courts. The United States Courts have no statute
under which such perjury could be punished. This
was generally known.
Senator Blalr-Therefore these persons supposed
they could make these statements with llnpunity.
OF thIngsf
Mr.. Davenport-The statute of 1870 under which
these arrests were made, covers the use Of these
fraudulent certificates which had been issued pre-
vlously, and makes it an offence 10 use them or TO
be possessed of them. The provisions Of the statute
were published. aud became a matter OF common
know ledge in the State
With reference TO other changes that might bs
in the law would first ask for the en-
aetment Of some provision extending 10 those who
have received honorable discharge from the Navy
the same provision granted to men who ara
honorably discharged from the ARMY.
SeoOnd-The passage of an act legalizing the nat.
nraizatiOns made throughout the United States
between the years 1873 and 1875 for, az it stands
to-day, there was no white in the United States
who could be DaturalIz.d by law in the period be.
tween those years. The courts were ignorant
of the fact that the statute, for the naturali.
sation of white aliens had been repealed
ind went on naturalizing men as before. The stat.
ate that had existed down to 1873 was repealed by
Ihe passage OF the Revised Statutes. which pro-
Gided only for the naturalization Of persons of Afri
IAN descent. In 1873 the fact was brought before
The notice of Congress, and the words " and white
aliens" were relnserted but they neglected 10 legal
40 the naturalization OF persons who had become
IN the intervening period. That fact
was brought TO the notice Of the present Congress
IN tho session OF 1879, but presume they have
been too much engaged in investigations to notice
t. 1t may be that some one may want TO ae. arbi-
rariy IN these cases at some future day therefore
should like 10 see the question provided for.
3hird-The adoption OF some amendment OF tho
laws which will forever prevent
courts sitting for the naturalization of aliens from
the application of more than per-
son seeking to be admitted as citizen at one and
the same time, or TO receive evidence from moro
than person before the court at the same time.
Fourth-I suggest the enactment of some pro-
vision, whereby IN one of tue departments OF Gov
eminent at Washington there shall he csta bshed u
National bureau 20 record the naturalization Of
citizens; at Which bnreau every court authorized
under ITS seal aud under the hands of its clerk the
name, age. place Of birth, time of arrival In tho
United States and the port OF place Of arrival. with