The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-02

food Of naturalization cases in October, and
II divests this solemn function OF govern
ment-the bestowal Of American citizenship
upon an applicant born abroud-of the mere
partisan aspect given to the formality dur
ing former times, when the matter was
under the volunteer supervision OF the
workers" OF one or other political party.
Now the chief applications for naturaliza-
ton papers are in June, July and August,
when the courts are least busy, and, accord
ingly, more discriminating, and careful
scrutiny into them by Judges Is possible,
so that there are now many cases OF re-
lection whore the applicants show unfit
ness for citizenship by their answers.
The day OF election this year falls on
Tuesday Nov I. Accordingly, under the
Constitutional provision, tn" present week
is the last opportunity for the completion
of naturalization.
The great changes in both the character
and the nationalites Of immigrants dur
ing recent years have substituted Italy,
Poland and Hungary for Ireland and Ger
many as tho great sources of supply OF
naturaliZed citizens. An increase In Fin
nsh and Syrian immigration to New
York and n falling Off in the immi-
grafton from Bohemia and from Cuba are
also noticeable. 1t Is true, however,
that the volume Of immigration from Il
country does not always afford n measure
OF subsequent naturalizations. Many Ital-
ians, for instance, and more especially
those who do not expect to do govern
nent work" or unsklled manual labor for
the national, State or city government, do
not become naturaliZcd. SO, also, many
resident Canadians Scotchmcn, and some
Engishmen insist stubbornly on remain
ing aliens Some of the Scandinavians and
Dutchmen arriving here are negligent as
to the matter, since the laws OF certain OF
the Western States, their ultimate destina-
ton, require Il shorter residence than those
of the East, and in some cases even permit
applicants for citizenship papers to vote
before they become naturalized.
These exceptions apart, the demand for
citizenship from unnaturalized residents OF
New York was never before so earnest and
SO general as it is now. Tho dignity OF
American citizenship has risen in the es-
timation OF all the world since our war with
Spain. Judges, too, are no longer lax in
their scrutiny into the qualifications of APP
plicants, but are careful in the performance
OF that solemn function. Another very de-
sirable change has occurred. Formerly,
newly naturaized citizens segregated them
selves in districts colonies or clubs. per-
petuatng their Old World preiudices
and distinctions by the display OF for
eign flags and notices but now these
old and mischevous lines Of separa-
ton in citizenship are being oblterated.
New citizens are becoming almost immedi
ately assimilnted with the rest Of the citi
zcnship OF the nation.
New York is n cosmopolita city in the
sources OF its population, out its American
ism Of spirit Is strengthening. The old
barriers Of separation of races are tum-
bling down. The mathematical ratio OF the
naturalizcd is getting less. but a more
valuable change than is reflected in that
steadily diminishing percentage is in the
binding together OF all the people in
common national sentiment.