New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-05
MIR. DAVENPORT EXAMINED.
HE TELLS THE IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE
ABOUT NATURALIZATION FRAUDS.


PROOFS OF GREAT CORRUPTION IN NETWORK
OITY-GooD WORK OF FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
Washington, June 4.-Senators Chandler and Hl,
OF the Senate Committee Imm gration, to-day
examined John l. Davenport, chief supervision OF
elections Of New-Yorh, relative to the evils Of tho
present administration Of the naturalization laws In
New-l ork, as set out In the petition presented to
the Senate recently by Senator lIscock, Before
Mr.. Davenport made his statement he closely
catcchsed by Senator Hill to the petition itself.
He developed the .act that the petition. which was
signed irrespective Of party" bore the signatures
of five Democrats and nineteen Republicans nearly
I'll OF The latter being members Of the Union
League Club.
Mr. Davenport read prepared statement in which
he said that he appeared not as a Republican. but
In his official capacity He proceeded to give his
tory OF the administration Of the naturalization laws
in NewYork When he referred to Judge Barnard's
impeachment Senator Hin declared that that i'm
parchment had connection with naturalization.
Mr.. Davenport was about TO explain that nauraiza-
lion frauds formed no part Of the charges because
he Davenport, who was present as witness. was
not permitted to testify. when Senator Hill asserted
that he Senator HID had been OF the impeach-
ment managers aud questioned Mr.. Davcnports
knowledge Of the facts Of tho case. After a col
loquy between himself and Mr.. Davenport, the latter
proceeded with his statement
lie gave figures showing the enormous increase Of
naturalization since 1866 saying that In the month OF
october in one year two NcwYork courts had
granted 10000 certificates OF citizenship. senator
Hill again interjectcd question ms TO whether this
increase had resulted from the stOppage of natu-
ralzation during the War. to which the witness as
scented. lie proceeded to assert that in 1883 there
was another period OF fraudulent naturalization which
was less In magnitude than In 1865 only because OF
the active work OF the Federal election officers lie
said that he by no means satisfied that the
records Of the Superior Court showed the actual
number Of certificates granted and cited certain sus
pclous In his view, based variance In the
court records; n search made in one year showing
that than 5000 applications had disappeared
and were not recorded. When the witness touched
upon where a man had lived five years In
This country, Senator Hill asked why he had not beer
arrested. Mr. Davenport replied that he had pre-
arrest the witnesses who had sworn falsely,
Senator Hill challenged some bread statements Of
facts but the witness declared that he had with him
the legal records and papers necessary to prove all
that he asserted.
Mr.. Davenport continued TO point out alleged cor
rpt and irregular practices In naturalization cases and
said that the entire proceeding was wild scramble. 10
get certificates OF naturalization. lie presented a
table showing the number Of persons from each nation
naturalzcd In october 1891 by the Superior Court OF
NewYork. This made a total Of GS7i persons.
At the conclusion Of the reading OF his paper Mr..
Davenport was asked by senator Chandler number OF
questions pertaining 10 his official duties and with re
gard 10 his method Of securing copies Of papers in
naturalization cases to be used In court.
Mr.. Davenport indicated al the Trquest Of Senator
Chandler, the nature OF defects which lie had found
generally existed in the original papers During the
progress Of the investigation Senator lin reminded Mr..
Davenport that the statements not TO, but
the latter said to Chairman Chandler that he pre-
pared to eubstantiae the statements. Mr.. Davenport
said that result Of his abors he had secured
fifteen twenty indictments In naturalization cases
and convictions some cases. In reply to further
questions by senator Chandler as TO why, In view OF
the relief afforded by the and by other IN
the matter. a COngrcs Onal investigation was desired
by the persons signing the memorial which this
preliminary hearing Is based. the witness sad that
Congress the supreme power over questions OF
naturalization, and IL the privilege u persons H.
come 10 that authority for relief. Public attention
would thus be drawn 10 the matter and by this means
legislation may be had 10 prevent similar proceedings
the coming fall.
senator Hill desires TO read carefully the statements
made by Mr.. Davenport and In order to accommodate
him the committee adjourned until next Thursday.