New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-09
THE CITIZENSHIP MILL.
1T NOW GRINDS SLOWLY AND WITH En-
CEEDING CARE.
REFRESHING CONTRAST WITH THE OLD
METHODS-JUDGE PRYOR'S PAINSTAKING
EXAMINATION or CANDIDATES SOME
FUNNY REPLIES.

FUNNY REPLIES.
The acquiring Of American citizenship is much
longer and more complicated process In this city
than II was a few years ago vast change has
been wrought since January / No greater contrast
can be imagined than that between the scenes In
the Superior and Common Pleas Courts in the
months Immediately preceding important cleo
ton under the oil order Of things and that which
! is observed in Supreme Court Chambers on any
day when naturalization cases are heard in the
present year. Formerly the clerks ala most Of the
examining and at times crowds OF applicants and
Witness would appear at time before the
Judge. the witnesses would all raise their right
hands and be sworn at once and tho applicants
would become citizens almost rapidly the
Judge could sign the papers The scenes In the
Court House In 1858 were almost disor1crly. and
| little Investigation used that thousands Of
persons not entitled to citizenship were then adj
mittcd. Even under the less corrupt administration
OF justice in the last few years many cases of false
personltion and OF the sale Of certificates
Of admission 10 citizenship have occurred. Under
the present strict rules any Of perjury is apt
to come to light.
Justice Pryor assigned for January to Part II.
Of the Special Term. in which naturalization pro-
coedings are had As the first Judge Of the
organized court - sit I'm naturalization cases, his
methods may be precedent for other Judges, ana
If the woull-be citizen will have n difficult road
TO travel before arrives the goal of American
lends added interest to the proceedings While
hearing the applications Of counsel their
plantations 20 the orders submitted to him he Is
gently courteous. hut when he turns to the appli-
cants for citizenship his countenance assumes
expression Of relentless sternness. as he sharply
eyes the witness and the who desires to be
come citizen In spite Of his sxty-scven years,
Justice Pryor's long straight locks have no trace OF
grayncss. His manner is quick. his eye piercing.
and the set OF his chin and lips indicates
severity which ne does not always really feel In
such presence and assalled hy questions often
put in the language of the courts rather than that
of the common people. it Is not strange that some
OF those VINO come before him Indicate confusion OF
mind. II they have made considerable study
of the subjects on which they expect to be ex-
amincl.
| QUESTIONS PIT TO THE WITNESS.
The witness Is first called 70 the bar The lawyers
who have ox-partc orders to present and have not
yet had opportunity to offer them are required
- sit down ard remove from the space before tho
Judge. The witness stands directly IN front OF the
judges bench and IS sworn 20 toll the truth. Jus
tice Pryor then asks him as 70 how long he has
known tho applicant. and whether he Is sufficiently
acquainted with his character and habits to know
| that he il OF good character ana has not been
convicted Of crime. lie is also asked whether he
believes the applicant to he wcll-iisposed toward
! the Constitution Of the United states. Generally
! the witnesses are intelligent men anl acquit thom-
selves Wei. In the short examination 20 which they
| ~ - .',,, , =, ,..
Nv '"' " 80
80 sa,,,o ,rr, ,h, ,os I,,,,'l ,,I,.a.,'., ,r, H.,
uerhapa inporfectlv ncquainicI with A.. r.anire-
| monts for American citizenship One Young man
| who had tho gestures ~ an actor. though he con
fesssl to a mechanical vocation. asked whether
| he though: tho applicant x good character
and answered. Yes. h. VIII MAKE an elegant ciu-
non VII - he
which led tho Justice 70 ask whether he would he
| good as We'll as elegant
| When tho witness has retired. TIC applicant for
citizenship is himself called to the bar and hen tho
real test OF fitness Is made Justice Pryor has hc-
fore him long list Of typewriter questions from
which he makes ihc inquiries. Wacn DC puf'
poser of .si .eal intrl.1cy ho leans back u hls
! chair ana eyes mo witness Win f'nrrh.ng look
some Of The applicants ar" r'liy in their answers.
| while others arr easily puz%cL or" "h' gave q
| good explanation rs - his failure 90 answer a
question correctly was a police court stan rrapAof.
recently appointed. who had not Yet become cl'l-
zen when be- took ofice. ~" answered several
questions CORE ana ih'n justice Pryor asked
| "Who declares war. according 10 20" Constiu'oaT
/ 1.-The President MAS ih" answer 40 .nti
Justice Pryor. with a relaxation u tho features.
which might nave Indicated a readiness - smile.
there Is where your English training comes in.
war He does not in this country" wei. I
'housh' from Mr. t'''''ai message mat he d.
"' W "
| 'Ihai IS very s'ol, justice Pryor answered,
really smiling this time
.,,,. o,,,.,. -. .. ..,- ~, ,,,. =. -,,.,, -, ,
WHY IHfl " AM ~ hf' "a RALLIED.
Justice prvor's examination is first directed
, 81. ..,....... ,,s
,.,n...s ,n, ,,.,, - ,os,,.,r@ ~, ,,,,. .,,.
Then he puts a question wal-h puzzles many per
sons He SAYS 10 the applicant "Whv 10 Won
want I, become an American citizen" Tho ma
answer but most Of ;hem say that they want t.
be able t. vote. one sall. II want to vote and
hold Office" Another said. Il to bee free"
| ami some want 10 bee able to own real estate.
| Those who appear intelligent are intcrroratcl