The record-union., 1891-05-23
HOW THEY MAKE CITIZENS.

Siby dC Il IScGIlI Iu6SIluR duOpleu T0SOIu-
tons, consequent upon a labored investi-
CATION by committee, denouncing the
courts for evading and perverting the
naturalization laws.
1t is well known that the evil is not SO
much with the naturalization laws that
improper persons are admitted to citizen
ship, as with the laxity of the admins
tration of the law. The club cites the
startling fact that in one year in New
York City, between October and Novem-
Der dates, the courts admitted no less
than $4,000 aliens to citizenship. In those
few weeks the courts, by their records,
claim to have examined the $4,000 appli-
cants and the 10000 witnesses required
by the law, and to have filed out and
issued 68,000 letters of naturalization.
If it be assumed that there are twenty
five courts in New York competent to
issue papers of that order, that they sat
from A. NJ. to noon, and to P. M, six
days in the week, and that they did no
other work and passed upon and com
pleted one application every five min
utes-a manifest impossibility-they
could naturalize 5000 persons per diem,
which task would then require of them
four weeks of hard work to the exclusion
of all other matters.
This simple calculation proves how
recklessly the law has been administered,
and how flagrantly its provisions have
been ignored
The club in this connection says:
Courts have been held open from earlv in
the morning until well toward midnight to
carry out this great conspiracy and crime
against the American people. Thousands of
citizens have been made almost Immediately
attet they had landed in our port who were
unable 70 speak or write the English language
whose fitness had been in a pro forma man
ner sworn 10 by professional witnesses, and
yet judges, under the seal of the court have
certified that 1t appeared to their satisfaction
mat they Were persons of good moral charae-
Ter, attached TO the principles of the Constitu-
ZION of the United States, and well disposed to
the good order and happiness of the same.
Inc whole proceeding has been rank of
tense against the people of the United States
IN which the chief offender has been the Judge
before whom the proceedings have been con-
Quoted.
1t is to be noted. to the everlasting credit of
louisiana, that as early as 1914 il caused the
Impeachment OF Judge Eliot for frauds COM
United by him between 1871 and 1914 in
the administration OF the laws of naturaliZa-
ton.
The time has come to call halt. Tin the
future Judges shall observe their duty and adj
minister this important law with the recti-
tude and judgment that pertains to the dis
charge OF their other judicial functions. it Will
do something toward arresting heeler and
manager who is jealous for the success of his
party or candidate.
In seventeen States and Territories
aliens are invested with the voting priv
ilege on declaration of intention being
filed in the court. Yet it is clear that it
was the intention of the founders of the
Government that citizens only should en-
joy the right of suffrage.
The clubs memorial addressed to Con-
gress, and which is to be circulated in all
the States for signatures, recites that
gross frauds have been and are perpe-
trated in naturalization; that many State
courts admit to citizenship upon evidence
manifestly insufficient and false, and by
careless, corrupt and wicked use of
power defeat the purposes of the law of
naturalization. Therefore it is necessary
that there shall be reformation of our
system so as to restrict the power to
naturalize to the jurisdiction of the Fed
erai Courts; that longer probationary
residence be required; that application
for citizenship shall be made in the hand
writing of the applicant in the English
language; that citizens shall be given the
right to contest any application, or to
move to have any letters issued set aside
or annuned for cause.
To none of these clauses of the petition
do we object except the first, asking that
the power to naturalize be taken from the
State courts. 1t is not necessary, and it
might operate dangerously to concentrate
such power in Federal tribunals, besides
1t is movement in the direction of CEN
tralization. Moreover, the Federal
Courts are and must be few and far apart.
and it would be hardship to compel APP
plcants to travel long distances with
their witnesses in order to reach the
United States Courts. In California. for
instance, applicants from all parts of the
State would be compelled to go either to
San Francisco or to Los Angeles to prove
up their applications.
If the law is properly framed there will
be no danger in State courts issuing
naturalization papers. For instance, if it
is required that the applicant shall give
public notice of his intention on given
day to apply to a court, to be named, and
it is required that the testimony of the
witnesses shall be taken down in writing,
read over to them by the court and sub
scribed by them, and that certain clearly
defined questions shall be propounded to
them, and that the applicant shall, in the
presence of the court, prove his ability to
read and speak English, and demonstrate
his understanding of the leading prin-
ciples Of the American system, there will
be very little danger of misuse of the law,
especially if there attach severe penalties
for its evasion and non-observance, and
for the giving of false testimony concern
ing the fitness of applicants.
A MoNEYED VIEW,
The community of Sacramento is now