New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-18
HUGE FRAUDS LAID BARE.
CITIZEN PAPERS SOLD.
Many Hdytadns Bug from Gang at
Waterbury. Conn.

The startling ma gnitude of the naturalization
frauds now engaging the attention of the fed
eral authorities is shown bv the statement made
yesterday to a Tribune reporter by Joel NJ.
Marx, Assistant United States Attorney, who
personally is conducting the investigation. that
the appointment of special federal grand jury
in September for the disposition of these cases
considered directly responsible for the violation
of the naturalization laws in the case Of the
Chinese offenders. Mr.. Marx said:
Il consider the judges who issued the papers
responsible for the dense and almost inexcusa-
bic ignorance shown by them in not knowing
OF the naturalization laws passed in 1870 and
reiterated in 1882 in section 126 Of the Revised
Statutes. which explicitly states that Chinese
cannot be naturalized. I shall report the cases
to my superior. General Burnett. United States
District Attorney, who undoubtedly will lay all
the facts before the Attorney General. AS to
what other future action will be taken L am not
at liberty to divulge at present"
rs not former Under Sheriff John B. Sexton.
under whose signature Tom Lee held deputy
sheriffs commission. accountable to some ex-
tent?" was asked.
so far as Sexton is concerned. the response
bilty is outlawed. SO that, in any event. no &C
ton can be taken against him. The only action
that could be taken other than against the
judges who issued the papers to the Cinnamon
would be against the inspectors of election
and poll clerks who permitted the Cinnamon to
vote. Their offence comes under the jyrisdio-
ton of the State law however. Ny Report,
though, will recommend the prosecution of them
for negligence. and I am safe in saying that the
least punishment they will get will be a sharp
warning
HAYTIANS SEEK PROTECTION.
LAS example Of the large scale which
these naturalization frauds are being carried
on. have been getting information recently
to the effect that a regular traffic In fraudulent
American citizenship papers IS being conducted
in Hayti. The people there are anxious to pro-
cure these papers. which guarantee the protec-
ton OF American authorities from the exorbitant
taxation imposed by the Haytian government
Mr.. Marx said yesterday that Dempsey P.
Meetze. specially detailed by John E Wilkes
Chief Of the United States Secret Service TO
down the naturalization frauds arrested
wealthy Syrian merchant of Hayti on the
steamer Prins Willem III as the vessel was
about to sail for Hayti. The merchant had IN
his possession a fraudulent citizenship certif-
cate taker out In his name on November 13
1908. whereas he came to the United States fer
the first time six weeks ago Investigation Of
his case discloses the fact that he came TO this
country for the sole purpose OF obtaining the
certificate. and had even written to the State
Department at Washington to try to procure a
passport the face OF the fraudulent certif-
cate The request was refused and practically
led TO his arrest. He was arragned by Mr.
Marx and his associate, Clarence s. Houghton
before United States Commissioner Shields and
is held in $4,000 bail to await the action OF the
federal grand jury.
SALE OF CITIZENSHIP PAPERS
About two months ago result Of the CO.
operation Of Commissioner William Williams
and his law clerk Mr.. Govern Alexander
Sefershayan a Haytian. was arrested on the
charge Of violating the naturalization law. He
arrived from Hayti an American citizen, and
had citizenship papers issued in his name on
November %, 1903. in Waterbury Conn In
vesttgation proved that he never had been to
America before In his life. When he was in
said he had bought them at Port-au-Prince
Hayt. for 500 from a merchant, whose name
he refused to give. He said he had given an
order TO the merchant for the papers and six
out in his name. On investigation at Water
bury Mr. Marx said his agents discovered that
the paper had been obtained from the court
there. and bore the genuine seal and signature
OF the court.
It later developed that Their. was an organ
tied band OF men at Waterbury engaged in the
business OF supplying United States citizenship
papers to Haytians. The name OF the applicant
would be forwarded to the band, who would
send one OF their number TO the court iraper-
sonating the applicant, and also false wit
plcant had lived in this country the REQUIRED
number OF years. The papers being obtained they
would be forwarded TO the agent at Haytt who
received from $500 to $3.50 for each one the
federal authorities are actively engaged in run
ming down this gang. and II is expected that
they soon Will be brought to justice.