Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-03-15
PUBLIC LANDS AND ALIENS

reported for the HERALD by l.. 5. Ander-
son, attorney at law, 80, Butler block. Seat
tie, Washington: Late principal examiner
q claims IN the United states land office.
Washington. ID. O.
Since aliens cannot, generally speaking,
have the advantages and privileges con-
terred 10y the land laws TO acquire title TO
the public lands in this country. IL is
right and important that foreigners seek
ing to identify themselves with our inst
tutiuns. and being encouraged therein by
the policy OF the government should be
advised OF the legal steps upCa SaTy TO az
quire citizenship. The following concise
statement Of the general law on this sub
lect Is from the land Office circular Of OC-
tOber /, 1871: Amy free alien over the age
OF 81 years may, at any time after his ar
rival declare before any court OF record
having common law jurisdiction with
clerk and SeaD, his intention to become
citizen. The application must be made
at least two years before application for
citizenship.
AT the expiration OF two years after
such declaration, and at any time after
five years residence. the party desiring
naturalization. If not then "A citizen. deni-
zen or subject Of any country at war with
the United States. must appear in a court
OF record AM there be sworn TO support
the constitution Of the United States and
renOunce all foreign allegiance. If he
possessed any title or order Of nobility
this must also be renOunccd, and salts
factory proof produced to the court by
the testimony OF citizens OF the United
states OF the i've years residence in this
country, one year OF which must be it re
state or territory where the court is held,
and that during that time the applicant
was person Of good moral character and
attached to the principles of the constitu-
ton: whereupOn he will be admitted to
qif iynug hin and fhnrahv his sntldraV
under 81 years Of age. if dwelling within
the United States, will also be regarded
as citizens
The tncr features of the naturalization
laws OF most importance as affecting APP
phcants for title to the public lands are
here set forth:
The widow and children. whether
minors or not, Of an alien who dies after
making his declaration, but before being
actually naturaliZcd. become citizens OF
the United States upon taking the pre-
scribed OathS. But before taxing these
OatES they are, as regards the land laws
In the position Of persons who have de-
clared their intention to become citizens
And the wife of a citizen, whether he be
native or naturuliZed, is also q citizen.
Any allen over the age Of 81 years who
has enlisted in the armies Of the United
States and been honorably discharged
therefrom may be admitted to citizenship
vi Dlubl VI Oilt Nfdi itSlutntt anu Oh
good moral character, without making
the declaration required OF other aliens,
II being held that his oath Of allegiance
required at the time II his enlistment is
sufficient
Children OF citizens, though born out Of
the country, are also citizens.
ANY alien who has resided in this coun-
try three years before attaining his ma
joriry may at any time thereafter when
he can show a residence OF five years, in-
GLIDING the three years OF his minority,
be admitted to citizenship without having
made previous declaration OF intenSion;
but he will be required to file such declar-
alton at the time OF his admission. aud
make proof to the court that for the past
TWO years IL has beeu his Intention TO be-
come a citizen.
The regulations OF the land department
a. To the proof Of be naturalization have
been frequently changed. At present
copy OF the record Of the act Of uaturali-
cation, or OF the declaration. as the ca
may be. will be accepted. IL properly certi-
lied as a copy by the clerk OF the court
having charge OF the record, or by the Of
ficer taking fnil proof, or by the register
or receiver. Copies should always be
furnished and not the originals, for The
original certificate Is valuable to the ap-
pllcant and should not be parted with, at
the risk Of losing Il entirely either in the
officer or In having itreturned. as so often