Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-23
POLITICAL PROGRESS.
Not Quite Such a Costly Matter
Nowadays to Run for an Office,
AS 1T WAS In FORMER YEARS.
Rules of Some Courts on the Subject Of
Naturalization.
BUYING OF TAX RECEIPTS OPPOSED

The world is moving toward oetter
state of things politically, and probably In
other respects. Its political progress is
slow, but by setting up line of sight
stakes it can be perceived. A prominent
county official, the veteran of many
hard political battles, said yesterday
that in his last campaign the
hummer element cost him much less than In
any preyious one, and this was on account
of the diminution of saloons. When there
we're over l. 600 saloons in the county, each
with its little sphere of political 'inf1u-
ence," and an Office seeker was forced to
paw his court in each, he usually came
out at the end of the campaign
a physical, mental, moral-and, if
his purse were not unusually long-a fnan-
cial wreck The strain is not nearly SO
great now, and if Allegheny county courts
were to follow the lead of those OF Philsdel-
phia county, and the suggestions of some
practical politicians were adopted, there
would be great saving, not only of money,
but of public debauchery as well.
Two years ago the Judges of the Philadel-
phis Common Pleas decided that courts
were not run exclusively in pre-eleetion
times for the benefit of people who wanted
to be naturalized and for the politicians who
wanted the votes of the Aforesaid. So these
Judges decided that applications for natur-
alization should only be heard between
December l and July 1. This was
had on the practical politicians who,
to secure the vote of the man whom he has
spent money to make greater than king,
must keep the fresh-pledged citizen in sight
and in good humor for four months prior to
the time he wants to use him.
MUST GET THEM THEMSELVES.
These Philadelphia judges also decided, in
cold blood, that certificates must be deliv-
cred 20 the applicant himself, who must also
pay all charges. Shades of illustrious
bosses, what judicial arrogance! Some peo-
pie, however, are optimistic enough to justi-
fy these Judges on the ground that it is
more conducive to public veal that suitors'
troubles be composed than that the time be
spent IN conferring sovereignty on italian
brigands ami Hungarian tramps.
United States Commissioner McCandless
and County Prothonotsry Bradley state
that there has been neither variableness nor
shadow Of turning in this county. In all
courts put the finishing touch on exotic,
would-be citizens whenever they ask
Tor them and show their legal
right to them, but our county courts
hear such applications daily, only
when in regular session, and during vaca-
tions applicants must present themselves on
Saturdays or such other days as the courts
NAV elect to sit
1t costs but 81 here for a foreigner to
natriculate, while in Philadelphia the cost
is s. So foreigner coming into this country
is years of age can get his final papers two
wears after declaring his intentions, but il
over Is at the time of his arrival, he must
wait five wears before first papers can be OBJ,
tanned, and two years more before securing
certificate OF citizenship, or seven in all
MAY BE THE REASON.
While the reason for the distinction may
seem occult, it may possibly have arisen out
of an impression among lawmakers thar
the minds of people under is years OF age
were more plastic than those of more mature
persons, and that less probation was needed.
ANY count baron, marquis, yiscount
lord or duke who NAV wish TO vote for Del
amater or Pattison must secure fnal paper
before October 4, and IN consequence thu
United States courts in Philadelphia may
be forced to run double turn for the next si1
weeks.
Philadelphia judges have also pointed
the way to reform, which, as even prac.
tical politicians applaud it, ought to be
popular with all who do not wish to see
themselves outvoted by hangers-on. Tha
is, requiring voters to paw their own tax as
Qualification to vote. Were this rul,
carried out it would eliminate much of tht
Etonswill method of electioneering, and as
Sam Miller termed #, there would b,
no profit in focusing" At present
it only requires, as a rule, 3S cent
payment of tax to get a vote, anG mai
who cannot raise that amount hasn't tn
time to waste going to vote, and should no
be asked to defer his evening repast for tn
sake of saving a country that won't sta
saved any great length of time, anyhow. /
has been suggested, and by politicians a
that, that the chairmeu of county and cit
committees should confer and decide not t
pay taxes for anyone. The experimen
would not do any harm.