The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-07
NATURALIZATION FRAUDS,
Conditions Require the Immediate At
tentiOn of Congress.

The special investigation of the sub,
ject Of naturalizatio under the direc-
ton Of the attorney general, and the
consequent prosecutions, reveal a con-
dition Of affairs calling for the imme-
diate attention Of the congress-. Forg-
cries and perjuries of shameless and
fragrant character have been perpe-
trated, not only in the dense centers
Of population, but thruout the cOun-
try; and it is established beyondsd oubt
that very many so-called citizens OF the
United States have no title whatever
tolthat right, and are asserting and en-
joying the benefits of the same thru
the grossest frauds. It is never to be
forgotten that citizenship is, to quote
the words recently used by the SUI
preme court Of the United States, an
''inestimable heritage whether. it.
proceeds from birth within the coun-
try or is obtained by naturalization;
and we poison the sources of our ma
tional character and strength at the
fountain, il the privilege is claimed
and exercised without right, and by
means of fraud and corruption. The
body polite cannot be sound and
healthy if many Of it's constituent
members claim their standing thru the
prostitution of the high right and call
| Ing of citizenship. 1t should mean
something to become citizen of the
| United States; and in the process no
IlOOpHOle Whatever SllOu1u D0 tle1t- open
| to fraud.
II The methods by which these frauds
I--now under full investigation with a
! view to melting out punishment and
providing adequate remedies-are
perpetrated, include many varia-
tions of procedure by. which. false
certificates of citizenship are forged
1 Gates fraudulently or cOIlus1vely OBJ
tanned In blank are filled, in by the
criminal conspirators; or certificates
are obtained on fraudulent statemen
as to the time of arrival and resi-
dence in this country; or imposition
and substitution Of another party for
the real petitioner occur in court: or
certificates are made the subject of
barter and sale and transferred from
- the rightful holder to those not en-
) titled to them: or certificates are
forged by erasure Of the original
names and the insertion Of the names
of other persons not entitled to the
, same. 49, s-.s.-s.s..4s
;: r. 1t is not necessary for me to refer
II to this state of affairs. The desire
for naturalization is heartily to be
= commended where it. springs from E
sincere and permanent intention tt
become citizens, and a. real appreci
: alton of the privilege. But it is {
source or untold evil and trouble
where 1t is traceable to selfish an6
dishonest motives. such as the effor
: by artificial and improper means, il
. wholesale fashion to create voters wht
: are ready-made tools Of corrupt poll
! ticians, or the desire to evade certain
labor laws creating discrimination
: against alien labor. All good citizens
: whether naturalized or native born
are equally interested in protectin,
. our citizenship against fraud in an.
form, and, on the other hand. in af
fording every facility for natura1iza
ton to those who in good faith desir
= to share alike our privileges and ou
. responsibilities.
e The federal grand jury, lately i
- :. session in New York city, dealt WITT
- this subject and made present
ment which states the situation briefi
= and forcibly and contains importan
- suggestions for the consideration q
% . the congress. This presentment is in
:. cluded as an appendix to the repor
Of the attorney general.