Los Angeles herald., 1892-08-14
HE GOT THROUGH ALL RIGHT,
Another Case ofIllegal Natural
izatiOn.
How Judge Clark Made Citizen of
John Scherrer.
More Shady Business DiscIosed-A Flag
rant Violation of the Law-Facts
Which No Explanation Can
Really Excuse.

Which No Explanation Can
Really Excuse.
The records of the county clerks
Office show another instance, besides
that OF Robert A. Taylor, of a man hav-
ing become citizen of the United States
contrary to and in direct violation of the
laws of the United States governing
! the naturalization of foreign born resi-
dents.
THE sCHERRER CASE.
Page 305 of volume 8, of the record Of
declarations of intentions, on file in the
Office of the county clerk. show that on
February %, 1891. John Scherrer de-
clared his intention of becoming citi-
zen of the United States. The decl ara
ton sets forth that Scherrer entered the
country at New York City on March s,
1886, and that he is q native of Switz-
erland, and at the time--1S91-aged 81
| years.
The record of certificates of citizenship
on file in the same office, page 2S2, vol
ume 5, show that the same identical
John Sherrer was, on August g. 1892,
made q citizen on the order of Judge
Clafk, presiding in department two Of
the superior court.
| JUDGE CLARK's QUESTIONABLE ORDER.
This order of Judge Clark was direct
violation of the statute and virtually
John Sherer's certificate of citizenship
! is void. 1t is true he had been in the
country over five years but the federal
law expressly states that an applicant
shall have been two years a resident
/ after the filing of his declaration of in
1 tention before he is entitled to citizen
ship. The exact language of the lawsis
| very plain. Section 2l65, of the re-
vised statutes of the United States pro-
| vides: , Tss
"Aliens may be admitted to citizen
| ship OF the United States III the follow
ing manner AND NOT OTHERWISE:
He shall declare on oath, befofe
or court of record of any of
the states having common law jurisdic-
ton and seal AID clerk, TWO YEARS AT
LEAST PRIOR to his admission that itsis
nis bona fde intention, to becomes q
citizen and to renounce forever all al
legiance and fidelity to any foreign
prince, potentate state or SOW
erelgn. 80 q
sCHERRER WAS NOT ELIGIBLE.
Scherrer was not eligible under this
statute. Only one year, five months
| and eleven days had elapsed prior to
the time that he was given his final
| papers by Judge Clark. yse
This fact was clearly and plainly set
! out in his declaration of intention, which
L =. H. -. l. IL rSfE N
man Scherrer was forced to produce that
declaration for the judges inspection
before the judge could issue an order
directing the clerk to issue to him GER
ti6cate of citizenship. Certainly it was
dates upon this declaration, which
would call particular attention to all of
1 the figures upon it.
just what excuse Judge Clark can
! give for making citizen of Scherrer,
contrary to law, is not known. The
judge is not now in the city, having
| gone to San Francisco.
HE WAS SENT TO THE UNION LEAGUE. n
Scherrer first came to the Democratic
bureau of naturalization to get informa-
tion about his final papers. His de-
| claration OF intention was examined,
and he was informed of his ineligi-
bility. -
| In a joking way some one present told
him to go to the Union League and he
would be put through all right. This
little pleasantly Scherrer evidently took
in earnest, and followed out the direc-
tions. Any way he got his final papers
when he was NOT entitled to them.
The question is asked why was humor
INDUCED in by the persons at the Demo-
cratic bureau when Scherrer was told
that hegwas not entitled to be made a
citizen yet, but if he went to the Union
League he could get through O. K?
PECULIAR ACTION OF THE JUDGES.
The answer. to this is that several
parties who went to the Democratic
bureau to procure assistance in getting
their final papers were denied them hy
the judges OF the superior court upon
the ground that the applicant was not
well enough acquainted with the form
of government under which he lived.
and because he could not enswer ques.
tions put to him by the judge. In every
other respect these applicants were
qualified, but upon the technical ground
of insufficient knowledge Of this repuh-
lie their application was rejected.
These same identical parties have
afterward gone to Republicans and have
been by these Republicans taken before
the superior court and admitted to full
citizenship, despite the fact that when
they appeared with Democrats they were
denied final papers.
This has become a common by-vord
that if a foreign-born resident, who had
not the requisite qualifications, wanted
to become citizen, all he had to do
was to 30 to tire Union League, or to
come Republican, and he could get
through all right.
The facts of the case are that some five
or SIX traps have been laid by Republi-
cans to ensnare parties connected with
the Democratic bureau in crooked work
in the matter of naturalization papers.
In no single instance has an endeavor
succeeded.
For the Best Groceries
60 to Fl. A. Winslow, the old established Red
Store, Third street, Santa Monica The most
4 com plete assortment of prOcerieg. efn Heaf