The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-23
NATURALIZATION FRAUDS.

In the United states with their r,ner-
Gus grant OF universal suffrage easv nat
uralizaton laws and the prominence ana
'aiue OF tho qualified voter about election
'lmo, IL would be singular, indeed. If many
frauds were not perpetrated In securing
naturalization papers. IL is something out
of the ordinary, however. to hear of off.
GERS OF the United States courts committing
such frauds in wholesale way for mnrce-
nary purposes.
In the United States district court I'm
Philadelphia the other day three men two
OF them officers of the court. were SEN
fenced for issuing false and fraudulent
naturalization certificates. by kind of
mock ceremonial according to the reports.
| imposed upon foreigners who desired TO
become citizens while they waited" these
officers We're turning out voters at an ex-
pedtious and profitable rate.
| The judge, In announcing severe sen.
fences, scored the criminals roundly. we
are told. and pointed out the magnitude
and dangers of the crime OF naturalizlnp
| applicants who are not entitled to certifi.
| Gates of citizenship. Not only Is such an
onense an injury to the State and an inn
position upon the qualified electorate of
the country, but 1t might lead to serious
international complications, putting tho
Nation TO vast expense aud trouble In
an effort to protect one of these fraudu-
lently naturaliaed residents who had again
gone abroad and fallen into the clutches
of foreign authorities.
II Is doubtful II these possible dangers
ever suggest themselves to the officers of
the courts In this country when they are
indinerently naturalizing alniost any alien
who comes along and applies for certifi-
cate or for first papers There may be few
intentional frauds committed by those is
suing the papers but It is questionable IL |
a rigid inquiry is always or even generally
made into the antecedents of the applicant |
We know for fact that many Cubans
have ensily obtained letters OF citizenship
IN this country without a purpose TO be-
come bona flde citizens OF the United |
States, hut simply 10 he In position TO 20 ,
back TO Cuba and claim American protec-
tion in the event OF trouble with the Span
ish authorities. Others have fraudulently
obtained citizenship papers in order that
they might return to Europe aud escape
military duties.
This case In Philadelphia ought TO call
attention TO fruitful sourco OF abuse of
our generosity and hospitality and prove
. warning to both applicants aud officers
who might otherwise be disposed 10 take
an unfair advantage OF the law.
r-~r--r~>----------.
inc mutter ~ draanyc the more cleaning
out Or the street cutters from block to block
VIII rot accomplish the desired results. Tho
faii should be regulated nlong the entirs
street according to scientific principles. max
Ing the proper allowance and celebrations far
TIC cross streets. The cutters are frequently
cleaned. but the drainage remains bad.
y is fererally computed tlat shere "a ope
sotcr q tyery iise iersans In a city. Unouoa.
tlvA1biy scores u qualified ,oters have faiIcd
70 rsf'aler, as is always tho cuse. and yet Il
VIII te fcurd when tho .otal h publlshed thar
10 have nearly 1000 registered. This giyss