The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-15
Work Now Being Pushed
By the Ward Bosses.
Effect of the Democratic Red
Figure Mark Down.
Some Interesting Facts About the
Naturalization Laws.

Ward bosses are beginning to hustle In
naturalization voters. The most OF the
work is being done by the state court,
although a few drift into the United
States court in the custom house build
ing. At one time foreign born men
oil had TO go to the United States Court.
That was before the Rhode Island AS
sembly, under Democratic domination,
decided that voters would be q good
thing to have and reduced the price
from e to 80 cents head. A sort OF
red-fgure mark down sale, so to speak.
Voters must be had at any rrice. Like
everything else that Democrats SOW,
Republicans reap, and the 50-cent voter
was hustled in to qualify TO receive the
glad hand just previous TO, and iIamedi-
ately on election day. The division OF
the work made il easier for the United
states Court clerk, and Mt the same time
sachusetts the present law is the same as
it used to be In Rhode Island, and the
work of making American citizens is all
done at s2 per head.
One peculiarity OF the law is that the
naturalization of the father naturaliZes
the whole family. For instance, Patrick
Clarke may come to this country with a
whole family of boys ranging from 10
years to 20, and at the proper age they
all become voters, provided papa has taken
out his papers, This kind OF parent is
always a Joy TO the ward worker, because
it presents large opportunities. This
subject is interesting just at present, be-
cause the poor man is particularly con-
cerned about his family and the wages
that will come to him for their support.
He is going to vote for the party that
seems best for his personal interests. lie
is looking for assurance that the mills,
factories, workshops and other places
open to the Iaborer wtii-be started and
for the most part the naturalized citizen
and every other citizen will cast an intelli-
gent vote in November.
At present the courts are engaged in
making citizens of Armenians. A good
many Of them cannot speak English but
they ere steered properly and receive
papers according to law and the evidence.
The laws relating to naturalization are
not always easily accessible and much
confusion exists as to the qualifications
for citizenship ana the methods under
which the naturalization laws are carried
out.
The alien who comes to this country
before he is Is years OF age, is required
to take out only one set of PAPERS after
ho has resided in this country five years.
At any time after his arrival be can file
application for final papers, but a resi-
oence OF five years in this country is OBJ
ligatory upon every candidate for citizen
ship within the United States.
IL tie alien arrives inthis country after
the age of Is years ne must takes out two
sets of papers and two years must elapse
after he has taken out the first papers be-
fore ne can take out the second. The first
papers can be taken out at any time after
his arrival but as before stated,a five year
residence in this country must be proven.
II the applicant is applying for second
or final papers, he must take with him
to the clerk of the court to which he ap-
plies the certificate which shows that his
first papers nave been granted. In this
final declaration the applicant must re-
nounce allegiance TO the ruler OF tn,
county in which he was born and must
certify as to his residence in this country.
The clerk of the court will inform MIN
when he must appear before the court for
naturalization. On the date set he must
be accompanied by two witnesses, citizens
of this country, who must be able to
prove tnat the applicant has resided with
in the United States five years. Final
action in oil cases must be taken in open
court and witnesses must appear in per-
son.
Whsn the alien who has fled his first
papers dies before he is admitted to cit
considered citizens and are entitled TO
the rights and pri vileges Of such upon
taking the osths prescribed by law.
Naturalization cannot be applied to
other than white persons and to aliens of
African nativity or African descent.
ians cannot be naturalized.
An alien who has been honorably dis.
charged from the army or navy in the
United states may become q citizen upon
proof OF one years residence in this coun.
try.
The punishment for crimes committed
against the naturalization laws are very
severe. The laws provide heavy punish
ment for fsise swearing, rersonation,
forgery OF signatures Of witnesses or
principals. or for aiding or abetting
any rerson In the commission OF any
felony denounced in the statutes.
Naturalization is a function Of the gov
ernment alone, but each state regulates
the privilege of franchise.
The Theosophists.