The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-06
RUSH TO BECOME VOTERS
Would Citizens Swarm the New
York Federal Building.
Only Two Days Remain in Which to
become Naturaiized in Time to
Cast n Ballot Rt the Presidential
ElectiOn-The Political orgnnizn-
tiOns Busy Drumming Up Votes.

NEW YORK, Aug. 5.-They have been
making voters at great rate for the past
few weeks over at the Naturalization Bu-
reau that Uncle Sam runs in connection
with the United States District Court.
Since the citizen factory OF the State of
New York, over at the county courthouse
was closed for the season, some two weeks
ago. the United States District Court has
been the only place hereabouts where a
man could obtain his second or full citi-
zenship papers in time to enable him to
cast vote at the November elections.
And even in the United States courts
there are only two days more in which
applications for citizenship papers may be
made out.
All such applications must be made
either by tomorrow or Tuesday in order
that the applicants who are successful
in passing the oral examination to which
all must submit may be taken before the
judges on Wednesday and sworn in as
American citizens. Wednesday, being just
ninety days before the election, is, accord
ing to the Constitution, the last day upon
which new citizens can be sworn in, if they
expect to vote for President this year.
The fact that so little time remains in
which new voters may be made is the
cause of the extraordinary activity in the
clerks Office of the United States District
Court. Representatives OF both Tammany
Hall and the Republican County Committee
have been active within the last fortnight
corralling prospective citizens and urging
upon them the Importance OF taking out
their second papers. oftentimes & man
does not appear over anxious to take the
step.
1t Is then that the party whip" gets
in its work and exerts his persuasive pow
ers upon the individual. In various ways
is impressed upon him the wickedness of
negIecting to vote. He is generally i'm
pressed" The pink and white cards clutch
ed tightly in the hands of about half the
men who wait their turn in the corridors
of the Postofflce Building testify to the
activity of these party. workers and to their
success. The pink tickets bear the imprint
of the Tammany Society and the white
that of the Republican County Committee.
And the holders of these pieces of paste
board, when they present themselves be-
fore the clerk. are marked men. Admis-
sion to the great guild Of American citi-
zens costs them nothing. The quick eye
Of the Organization" man, who is omni
present, it seems. notes the ticket holders,
aud as every one steps to the desk he is
accompanied by man who kindly pays out
of his own pocket the fee OF $3.50 which is
charged for the papers.
Yesterday there were 200 applicants in
line waiting TO obtain their papers. The
line extended along the Broadway corridor
Of the Federal Building and two thirds
Of the way UP the winding stair that leads
to the floor above. 1t took half of Marshal
Henkels star of deputies to keep them In
order. Every man was accompanied by
friend. ready TO testify on oath to having
known him as residen. OF this country
for at least FIVE years.
When a man has finally reached the
clerks desk. and had his application blank
filled in, he Is compelled to fall In at the
foot Of another line, which takes him
finally before United States Commission
er. Many get no further than this. for IN
less they are able to answer correctly a
dozen or more questions put to them about
the structure of our Government, the eiec-
tion OF Congressman and Senators. and
some other things of the same sort, they
are told that they must call again.
The Tammany and Republican managers
prepare their citizens for this ordeal by
furnishing them with printed slips on
which are the probable questions correctly
answered. That is all very well II the men
can read. The applicants are frequently
coached up" on the answers Just as stu
dents in our colleges often have to be
coached in preparation for examination.
Yesterday one of these coaches" held a
continuous session on one OF the stairwayz
where the coming citizens were taught the
rudiulents of government in the simplest
and clearest language.
The applicants sometimes try "cribbing"
One who tried to outwit Commissioner
Alexander in this way came to grief last
week. He stood with eyes cas- down and
hat in hand In front OF the commissioner
desk, and answered the questions put to
him very readily, Suddenly the commits
sioner looked up and noticed that the man
was not looking at him while he answered
his questions, but into his hat. The COM
missioner leaned quickly over and snatched
the hat from the mans hand. and found
one OF the printed slips fastened inside the
hat. The slip was confiscated and the man
Will probably not have vote this fall
Some Of the answers n commissioner gets
are odd enough.
Who makes our laws" asked a COM
missioner
President Mckinley" responded a man
with brshy black whiskers, who had Just
foresworn allegiance to the Gar OF Rus
sia
Name the Houses OF Congress" was the
direction given TO red-faced German. He
hesitated r moment. then responded:
II dondit know shust who are dose al
reaty, but tink de White House is one ov
i'd"
Few, however-not owe. Is per cent
fau OF passing. and these, according to
Commissioner Alexander, are mostly Ital-
ians and Russian Jews.
Last Wednesday 526 new citizens took
the oath OF allegiance before Judge
Thomas. Judging from the rush during
the past four days between six and seven
hundred will present themselves next
Wednesday.