The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-14
San Francisco Engineers Oppose
Competitors Citizenship.
WOULD REVOKE THEIR PAPERS.
Sensational Allegations Against Sc
attie Judges Because Officers of
Northern Pacific Liners Retain
Their Positions Under American
Regisfry-Claims Denied by the
Federal Judge, {. III. Hsnford.

The mar. ne engineers Of San Francisco
are much aroused over what they ailece
IS a gross perversion Of the United States
naturalization laws by Seattle courts.
claiming that officers On the Northern Pa
C.iic steamers recently admitted 20 Amer
lean registry were granted immediate citt-
zgnsh!p that they might retain their posi-
tons. Interviews wiki Judge Hanford and
Ikea. marine authorities show thar the re-
port Is considered a canay5.
The ma. .er WAS received by the Post-In-
teGlgencer in the following SPECIAL dis
patch from san Francisco:
The Cal says: Indignation is running
hlgh in local marine circles over the action
of the Sea..ie Officials in granting immedi-
ate ci'izea ship to the deck officers and en-
SlneerS OF tie four British steamers, the
Victoria, Olympia. Tacoma and GienCare.
Of ne Northern Pacific company. that were
recently granted American registry. IN
81 artsng Immediate citizenship 70 tha thir-
ty-two officers OF the foreign boats they
were era h.et 10 get American licenses and
hold their positions under American regis
i'af on. 10 the disbarment OF native crafts
neE
The local Marine Engineers Benevo-
lent Association has taken Official cogni-
z2nce OF the matter, and measures VIII be
taken to nullify what The association con-
siders an unwarTanted and unjust action
on the pari Of The government
Fed, FedeFai judge ,1 G r. HanfoFd; whs 81
be-.eve II IS canard. The courts are net
accustomed 10 railroaGing foreigners
through - citizenship. The law IS too
plain OF that matter 10 admit Of any mis-
construction. To become 4 citizen Of tae
United States q man must have Resided
mere nVe years, and at least TWO Yeas
after declaring his intention Of becoming
a citizen. There is only one exception. aud
that is when one comes TO the country
pf-or 10 having passed ais eighteenth year.
BY proving this and five years residence.
he may get his papers without the prslinA
nary declaration.
III Is also provided that all officers Of
American vessels must be American citi-
zens. This Law originally extended 10 mas
FRS only. but Amendmt MS were recently
added providing that ali officers, including
mates and engineers must also be citizens
before they may be given licenses
AS far that dispatch is concernt d,
there have been no Irregularities III the
United states court. But enc of those men
was examined before me. and he proved his
residence here for the required period, and
tEat he had lived here before he was IS
William j. Bryant. United States inSpec-
tor OF hulls, who has charge OF examining
applicants for masters and other licenses.
said hast night that The men came to him
with their citize nsAip papers and he had
nothing 10 do bur examine them
Those who passed The examinations were
given licenses ne said.
prominent marine man, WAC was
shown the dispatch. said: There were a
10, of fellows who wanted TO get the jobs
Of these men who were working on the
boats that came under the American regis
ny. and they have been raising their pro-
tests because they became citizens. II IS
preposterous 10 think that the courts would
admit men 10 citizenship who were MOI
entitled TO IL"