The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-19
RULES ARE STRICT
New Naturalization Law Not
Like the Old.
Applicant Must Speak and Write
English.
IN EFFECT NEXT WEEK
After That Foreigners Must
Follow the Rules.
No More Manipulation for Elee-
ton Purposes.


The new naturalization law goes into
effect on September 27. The law is con-
siderably more stringent than the old.
The person desiring to take out natural
ization papers is required to be able not
only to speak the English language but
to write it as well. This provision how
ever does not apply to the person who
has taken out his declaration papers
prior to the time that the law goes into
effect.
Congress naturally took the view that
if an alien did not show enough interest
to learn to speak and write the English
language he would not make a good
citizen Of the United States. The clan
nishness of races, which leads them TO
withdraw from the duties of citizenship
viii be broken up to a great extent I'M
der the new law
Two years prior to his admission and
after he has reached the age of Is years
the alien intending to become a citizen
of the United States must make his dec
laration to renounce all allegiance and
fidelity to foreign prince, power or poten-
tate. He must make in his declaration
a statement giving his age, occupation,
place of birth, personal description, last
foreign residence and allegiance, date
of arrival, name and present residence
in the United States.
Not less than two years nor more than
seven years following this declaration
the intending citizen must make and file
in duplicate a petition in writing signed
by the applicant in his own handwriting
and duly verified, giving his full name,
his place of residence, occupation, If
married his wife's name and her place
of birth, the names of their children
and their place of birth, date and place
of residence and birth. name of the rul-
ing prince, king or pOtentate of the
country at the time Of the aliens birth
in that country.
In addition to this he must have the
afhdavits of two persons showing that
ihe has resided continuously in the
United States and in the state, territory
or district in which the papers are ta-
ken out at least one year of continuous
residence preceding the date OF filing.
Before the court can decree the alien
a full citizen he must make his declar-
alton in open court of intention to up
hold the constitution of the United
States. The fact that no citizenship
can be conferred finally except in open
court viii aim blow at any shady
transactions surrounding intended
grants of citizenship for the purpose of
securing voters To guard against this
granted 80 days prior to a general cleo
ton
To give SUFFICIENT publication the court
must keep posted for 80 days previous
to the last filing of papers the name Of
the party making application. his age,
personal description and occupation.
A large number of those who have
made a declaration of citizenship but
have not taken out their final papers
are scurrying around. If they failM to
take out the final papers before the ex-
pira ton of seven years they win have
to go all over the ground that they have
gone through previously. for the declar-
- ~. Vii kacnr,na 8-nid