Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-05-25
AN INJUSTICE
TOAPPLICANTS
County Clerks Views on
Citizenship Examinations.

In the opinion Of County Clerk
Bernard NJ. Cannon, of this city, the
preliminary examinations being con-
Quoted by u. S. Naturalization Ex-
amfner John A. Nash at the custom
house are an outrage and an inJus-
tice to the applicants, VINO, 1t is
claimed by Mr.. Cannon, are required
to lose a days work and also recom-
pense their witnesses to appear here
and answer questions which will be
repeated when Naturalization Day"
is held in the court house, at New
Brunswick, June 8.
Examiner Nash began the exami-
nations yesterday and they were be-
ing continued this morning when Mr..
Cannon appeared at the custom
house to become acquainted with the
purpose and possibilities of the ex-
aminations. There were about twenty
foreigners present at the m
Explanation by Examiner.
Mr.. Cannon was informed by Ex-
aminer Nash that the examinations
are held to familiarize the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor, under
which head the papers are granted,
and thus facilitate matters when the
final hearing is held before Judge
Peter F. Daily, of the county court.
Mr.. Cannon declared 1t was an in
Justice to serve applicants with
notices to appear here and testify at
a hearing of which there Is no appar-
ent need. Applicants from all over
the county, Mr.. Cannon declared, are
Sent notices by the department and
the prospective citizens, not familiar
with the customs of our country,
look upon the communication with
awe and Immediately lay plans to
attend the hearing even at "a great
financial loss.
One applicant, it Is said, was pres
ent from Midtown, while others have
appeared from Dunellen, Sayreville,
and other distant places. Mr.. Nash
claimed later, in an interview with a
NEWS reporter, that this was not
the case, the applicants only appear
ing from this city and vicinity. He
said Examiner M. J. Maloney has
held a similar examination at New
Brunswick during the past week for
applicants in that neighborhood.
Applicants Ask Questions.
During the reporters short stay
at the custom house he heard several
questions answered by intelligent
looking applicants, one being to the
effect the mar was from Helmetta.
Another man, from this city, lost a
days work yesterday and had to re-
turn this morning because the exam
nations were not concluded.
Mr.. Nash acknowledged, In an
swering a question of Mr.. Gannon's,
that the same questions would be re-
asked at the New Brunswick hearing,
to which applicants and all witnesses
are required to come. The examiner
also stated he had not sent out the
notices, also that he did not know
the number issued or in what section
of the county they had been sent,
but had been informed that the ap-
plicants or witnesses were not forced
to appear at the preliminary exami-
nation.
First Assignment Here.
Examiner Nash said it was his first
assignment of this nature and could
not inform the reporter whether or
not he would conduct the final hear
ing at New Brunswick, or another
mar assigned, as is usually the case.
1t was learned afterward that the
same proceedings have been held
Cannon, not in such an extensive
manner, the applicants appearing
being solely from this city. There is
no decision given at these hearings,
several questions being asked the
witnesses and applicant, w%hereupon
they are excused.