The Topeka state journal., 1913-11-19
CASE Of LERRIcO
Senator Thompson Presents It
to q. 8. Senate.
Gives History Of T0pekan Who
Seeks Naturalization Papers.

Washington D. c. Nov. 19.-Some
time ago Senator Thompson Of Kansas
introduced a bill admitting to citizen
ship and fully naturalizing George
bill is now pending in the house. The
senate committee on immigration re-
Gently reported adversely on the bill.
In view of this action Senator ThOmp-
explain his reason for Introducing the
bill a second time. In part he said:
The committee labored under the
Impression that there was no prece-
dent for a bill Of this character. Since
the action of the committee I have
found that there have been at least
two cases where the rights OF citizen
ship have been conferred by special
act OF congress-. One Is the case OF
Eugene Prince of Boston. Mass. HIS
grandfather was native-born Amer1-
can citizen residing at Boston. He
removed to Russia, and there the faith
er of Eugene Prince was born. who
married a Russian woman. and OF that
union Eugene Prince was born.
Eugene's father and mother never
were residents of the United States
Eugene Prince came to the United
States. and about year ago, by spec
ial act Of congress, the rights OF c1t1-
zenship were conferred upon him:
1.-THE other is the case of Mrs. Sar-
toris, well known to all, the daughter
ship by marriage to British subject.
When she returned to America the
rights of citizenship were conferred
upon her by special act of congress.
the impression that Mr.. Lerrigo could
avail himself of the general laws of
naturalization. After thorough in
vestigation of the naturalization laws
it has been shown conc1usfvely that
there Is no way at all by which MI.
7 h Of the n
eral laws without giving up his posi-
tion in China and returning to Amer1-
ca and then establishing five years
residence. Mr.. Lerrigo has represent
ed in China since 1909 the Young
Mems Christian association of Ameri-
ca and has lost his residence in the
United States, although he had lived
here ever since he was Is years ola
and until receiving his appointment.
We, therefore, have a young man in
that new republic by representing the
Y. M. c. A. of America, who can not
avail himself Of the benefit and pro-
lection of the laws of his own country
in that foreign land"
Senator Thompson then filed with
the senate a statement of Mr.. Lerrigo
in the case, which is as follows:
George f. Lerrigo, white man. was
born in Wellington. England, September
3. 1871.
In 1886, when George E. Lerrigo was Is
years Of age, his father left England and
brought his entire family to America.
where they took up their residence in the
state Of Kansas that year.
In 1892 before coming Of age, George E.
Lerrigo made general inquiry to find out
whether it was necessary for him to do
anything to complete his citizenship. He
was assured that his fathers naturaliza- |
ton would include all members Of the
family. = f =
Prior to the election in 1892 he registered !
as a citizen of the state Of Kansas and |
voted at that election and at every sue |
cessive state, county, and city election |
held in the state until 1909.
In. 1899 he was married to Miss Annette |
Montgomery, a native-born white citizen |
of the state OF Illinois.
he was general secretary of the Young |
Mems Christian Association Of Topeka |
Kan.
In 1909 he accepted appointment as rep |
resentative of the Young Mems Christian |
Association Of the city Of Chicago and |
of the International Committee of North |
America to go out to China as a Young |
Mems Christian Association secretary, |
which he did, and resided in China in
to February, 1918.
During his residence in China he con-
tinued to regard himself as an American
citizen and was registered in connection
with the consulates at Hongkong and |
Canton.
In 1911 he made application to the Amer
ican consul in Hongkong for passport to
visit some Of the interior provinces. and
in proof of his citizenship sent for his
fathers papers.
When those papers arrived and he pre-