The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-23
MAKING NEW
VOTERS.
''LittIe Russia Naturalized In
Bunches By Judge Hazen.
Work Superintended By Mr.. A.
Y. Lindell,
Employed By Republican State
Central Committee.
SCENES IN THE COURT
While the Prospective Voters
Are Being Naturalized.
Mckinley Campaign Buttons
SCENES IN THE COURT
Mckinley Campaign Buttons
Pinned on Them at Once.

Pinned on Them at Once.
little Russia" was depopuIated last
night. It's Inhabitants were before
Judge Hazen being changed from sub
/ jects of the Gar of Russia to American
citizens. There were a few Germans,
Swedes and English from other parts
Of the city also, but the Russians pre-
dominated.
They were in charge Of A V. Lindel,
who is employed in the Republican
state central committee headquarters
and he had his pocket full of McKin-
ley buttons and each man was supplied
with at least one. 1t was distinctively
a Mckinley crowd or at least Mr.. Lin
dell supposed it was or he would not
have exercised such a fatherly interest
in their welfare.
There were many intelligent faces
among the men and some of whom had
mastered the English language. There
were others who could understand al
most no English and when they were
stood up before Judge Hazen to be
catechised an interpreter was neces-
sary. The bright ones as a rule an
swered that they would vote for Nc
Kinley when interrOgated but others
to understand what was meant when
asked how they intended to vote.
Nearly ali the men are employed as
labOrers on the Santa Fe and Judge
EIazen agreed to hold court so that they
might be accommodated without los
ing any time as they almost all work
all day.
George Etzel. who is a section fore
man, acted as sponsor for the railroad
men. Etzel is of stalwart form with
almost white hair and he speaks the
English language we'll He stood al
most directly in front of Judge Hazen
and the men to be naturalized stood on
either side.
How long have you been in this
country?" inquired Judge Hazen-
The man interrogated looked puz-
zled and shook his head
He has been here five years."
prompted Etzel.
How old were you when you eame2'
was the next question.
The puzzled look on the Russians
face deepened but Etzel again came
to his relief with a reply that he was 25
years old when he came.
Then Judge Hazen would turn to Et-
eel
You know this MANI"
Yes sir"
How long have you known him?"
Five years.
you know him to be a peaceable. law
abiding citizen, do you2''
Yes sir"
If there was another witness present
he was also examined regarding the
qualifications of the candidate and then
Judge Hazen would say:
THE clerk will issue the papers,
The questioning was hurried and
though the room was full of people
They were all made into full hedged
American citizens before they left the
room and the whole proceeding re
quired less than an hour.
While one squad was being question
ed the rest sat around the room con-
versing and stranger might have sup
posed that he had been transported to
some foreign country SO far as the Ian
guage was concerned. They all spoke
German and they talked rapidly and
about everything but politics.
When all those who were to be natur-
allied passed the fire of questions E. !
NJ. COckerell. clerk of the district court |
came in to administer the oath. All |
the Russians were then commanded to I
rise and nearly every one in the room /
got up after considerable drumming
for some did not understand what was /
wanted When they We're finally on I
their feet Mr.. COckereu in a strong /
voice, prOpOunded the following oath:
lO YOU promise TO support LIla con- ]
stitution of the state and Of the United |
States and ren0unce and abjure for !
ever all allegiance and fidelity to every I
foreign power. prince or pOtentate, or /
and severe gnty whatsoever and partic- /
uIarly to Alexander III, czar of Rus |
sia, so help you GOd2'
Perhaps Mr. Cockrell did not know /
that Alexander III. has been dead some /
years and Nicholas II is now emperor /
of Russia.
A few nodded their heads, but others |
simply dropped into their seats. Few 4
noticed the mistake in the name of the 1
ruler of Russia. and it did not matter, |
anyhow.
After that the half dozen subjects of |
Sweden were treated in a similar man /
ner except that they were asked to re- /
nounce their allegiance to the king of /
Sweden, and the English and Germans |
in turn threw off the yoke of Queen /
Victoria and Emperor William.
Are all these people going to vote |
for Mckinley . asked the Journal re- /
porter Of Mr.. LindeI.
Il am not saying anything about /
that" replied Mr.. Linden, and all ef- /
forts to induce him to talk were futile. !
One of the more Intelligent of the |
men, who seemed to be a second assist
ant to Mr.. Lindel. came into the court /
room when all but few had gone, and /
going up to Mr.. Linden said:
Here. there are three or four fellows !
out there who have no Mckinley but
tons and they must have them"
Lindell blushed. because it was not /
supposed to be known that he had the /