The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-29
is GOV. ALTGELD AN ALIEN?
Chance for the People of Illinois to
Worry the Friend of Anarchists.
His Claim to Citizenship and Also His Right
to Act as Chief Executive OF the State
Disputed by Newspaper.

CHICAGO, June 2s.-A sensational sequel
comes tonight to Governor Altgelds re-
lease of the Haymarket Anarchists. The
Evening Journal raises the question
whether he is legally Governor of the State
of Illinois or citizen of the United States.
1t is asked If his acts are legal as Governor.
particularly the pardon of the Anarchists.
The opinion is expressed that the famous
Governor Boyd case. of Nebraska. may be
re-enacted in Illinois. with John z. Altgeld
as the principal actor. The Journal says:
Governor Altgeld bases his claim to cit
Izenship on the simple statementepat his
father was naturaliZed while the son was
q minor child. John Z. Altgeld was born
in Prussia. in 1S4S, and came to this coun-
try with his parents when boy. MS Ia
ther settling on q farm near Mansfield. u.
If the father of Aitgeld was made Q clti-
zen while the latter was under twenty.one.
always providing that the father was
legally natura1ized. then there can be no
question as to the Governors title to citi-
zenshlp. but if Mr.. AltgeId. senior. waited
until his son was over twenty-one before
taking out papers then most assuredly the
title Of the Governor to citizenship 10
badly clouded. The registration book has
the following record opposite the namo OF
John p. Altgeld. In accordance with the
latest registration law of Illinois:
"Residence-No 1882 Frederick street.
"Place Of Nativity-Germany.
''Term of Residence in the Precinct-Twelve
years; in the county, seventeen years; In the
State seventeen years.
"Naturalzed-Yes: by act of Congress. yes.
"Qualified Voter-Yes.
"Date of RegistratiOn-Oct. %, 1892.
Removed TO Springfield.
There is nothing to show when and
where the father of Governor Altgeld was
naturalized or by what act of Congress the
Governor was made citizen. In the case
Nh
decided that his claim to citizenship on the
ground that his father was naturalized
while he was q minor did not hold good anc
so decided against him on the point. What
saved Governor Boyd was that being
resident of Nebraska when it was yet
Territory and at the time OF it's admit
tance into the Union as State he thereby
became q citizen by virtue OF tho law
which provides that every resident Of .
Territory at the time of it's admittance is
made q citizen. Governor Altgeld has no
such law to fall back on. A section of the
naturalization laws provides that any alien
who has served in the armies OF the United
States may become citizen upon petition.
ing for it. Governor Altgeld served for .
few months during tho war III COMPANY c,
One hundred and sixty fourth Infantry.
but 1t is not shown that he ever petitioned
to become a citizen or that he was made q
oitlzen under that section. Many leading
attorneys think that an explanation is in
order from the Governor just at this time.
THE fact was developed to-day that the
friends of Fielden. Schwab and Neebe
knew before the election the Governor to
be in sympathy with the cause of the Am
nesty Association. from the fact that he
wac one of the sIgners of the unsuccessful
petition presented to Ex-Governor Fifer.
asking for Neebe's pardon. 1t is said that
the Amnesty Association will not dsband,
as popularity supposed, but will continue
its labors with q view to securing the par
don of the Anarchist Hroneck. who W as
sentenced to Joliet for fourteen years some
time after the conviction of the Haymarket
rioters.o
Representatives Of the fifty Socialistic
sections in tho United States Will open
their annual conference here July /. The
convention Will be in session for five days.
Represent tatives of many of the sections in
other cities have already arrived. Among
the matters which will receive special at
tentlon are the gains of the party at the
recent elections in Germany and the par
doning of the Anarchists by Governor Alt
geld. prominent member of the Chicago
Sooialistic organization. in speaking of the
probable action of the convention. said to.
day: There will uncon btedlv be resolu-
tions passed at the convention thanking
Governor Altgeid. These resolutions will
be adopted unsnimously.n