Evening journal., 1906-08-15
MANY APPLY
FOR CITIZENSHIP
Seek to Avoid Com
pIIanCe With the New
Law
PROVISIONS OF THE LAW

ing the naturalization of aliens, and |
which goes into effect September 20. |
many persons have made application to
Prothonotary Speakman for their first
papers. in order to avoid compliance
with the more stringent provisions reg
ulating citizenship which We're incor-
porated in the amended act
Among others who have applied are
men who have been residents Of this
country for 20 years, but who neglected
to take advantage Of their opportuni-
ties to become citizens. Having been
informed of the additional require
ments. which would make II more DIFF
ficult for them to obtain all the rights
and privileges now enjoyed by natives,
they are fguratlvely speaking. falling
over one another to get in before IL isl
too late.
Had the bill as originally introduced
passed without amendment the require
ments would have been almost pro-
hibitive. Il required. among other
things. that the applicant should he
able to read write and speak English.
This was regarded as too drastic and
was so. changed as to require that the
applicant should be able to speak the
English language. He is not obliged
to read or write IL.
The author OF the measure also in
tended TO confine jurisdiction TO only
United States courts. AS this would
have imposed hardship not only on
the Federal judges. but on the aliens
seeking admission as we'll IL was de-
cided to permit state as we'll as Fed
eral courts to have jurisdiction.
There were other stringent features
either eliminated or changed; but even
as it is the law imposes conditions
which will render II very difficult for
undesirable persons to become citi-
zens.
Main Object of Framer.
The main object of the framer was
to secure a uniform law enforced by
and through the United states Gov
ernment. Under the present system
each state could regulate the method
of procedure TO suit itself This let
to abuses of the privilege and the in.
duction into citizenship Of many whS
We're, to say the least, undesirable.
The new law, when IL goes into effec
= will be enforced by a newly organized
] naturalization bureau. which acts unde
the supervision Of the commissions
! general of immigration. who is, In turn
e controlled by the Department of Com
e nerce and Labor. His Instructions q
e the immigration boards are to the ef
n feet that they must keep a record O
every immigrant who arrives In thi
?. country, preserving a detailed persona
& description. including the color Of tn
y eyes and hair facial expression, helgh
{ and any distinguishing marks.
d When an alien desires 10 apply 10
o his first papers he must obtain cop
n of this certificate from the Immigra
tion Department, which must be file
p with his petition. The certificate mus
f. be verified by the clerk OF the coul
o in which application is made.
% All Of the old provisions with tn
k reference to the renouncing Of alleg
g lance to foreign potentates remain 1
force but in addition the applicar
must also renounce an claims 70
title OF nobility and. in fact. sever a
connection with the country which h
had recognized.
l. AS heretofore, no papers are issued 2
r, days prior to a general election. but o.
a instead Of 30. days must elapse befor
action Is taken on a petition. Whe
q, passing upon this the court Is author
lie lied to change the name of the allie
l. IL he so desires. This will probably b
done In a number of cases. for eve
% now not a few cut their names in hal
n fearing they might be recognized b
n a foreign government and efforts /
l. made for some real OF fancied offens
to have them extradited.
t. a provision that will bar many
v. that requiring them to speak Englisl
a Exception is, Of course, made i'm IL
j. cases Of those who are dumb or other
wise physically disqualified But a
l. must demonstrate their acquaintant
t. with the language. An applicant wh
)f has lived a part OF the five years
n state other than that in which /
of makes application may prove by wit
s, nesses. who make deposition TO n
w fact, that he has resided in that 9th,
I'd state, and this deposition must be file
with the district attorney and the Bt
rean of immigration and Natursiis'
NJ t.on
ne Provision Concerning Minors.
- Heretofore a minor under IS yea
ID OF age could declare his intention
% becoming a citizen, and at the az
of 21 receive his papers. This is
- changed that only after having reach'
the age Of IS can petition be filed, al
then the applicant must wait five yea
before he is accepted.
Within 80 days after a declaratil
the clerk Of the court must file wi
the Bureau of Immigration a dup
cate Of the record of such declaratio
and keep on a stub the essential fac
subscribed. He must also notify I
department at Washington Of Z
names of all persons who are deni
naturalization. The cost TO the app
cant will be doubled. Instead Of
he must pay Sc for both papers. a
where deposition is necessary mu
| bear all the expenses. including I
per diem Of witnesses who may
summoned.
The clerk Of the court must tu
over TO the department all fees in e
cess of $1,000.
That is TO say. If the amount reach
$4,000 he may retain half, and all oS
that amount goes to the governme
Under the system now obtaining
money retained goes into the st'
treasury.
One peculiar provision Is that all a
nlicatione must he posted in conSp