Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1915-09-16

the administration OF the naturalization law IT
is safe to state that although $4,000 foreigners
have been refused citizenship because OF mental
and moral unfitness. at least that many have been
admitted 10 citizenship, in spite OF these def
ciencies during the period OF federal supervision
The courts have been reluctant to refuse citizen
snip TO candidate. even though he be ignorant
OF our institutions or OF the privileges conferred
upon him. Especially is this so where there arc
no facilities offered by the cities and towns wher.
the petitioners live for overcoming these defects
In many places the public schools have under
the inspiration OF the bureau OF naturalization
opened their doors TO the foreigner and have
taught him the duties OF American citizenship
and, in these places. the courts have readily re-
sponded to the new order Of things aud refused
citizenship unless the candidate could come up
to'the higher standard which has been brought
about by the federal supervision This system
the bureau has tried out for years and with sue
cess In various localities throughout the country
There Is scarcely a state tn the whole country
that does not now have citizenship classes car.
ricd on either by the public schools or under the
direction of private agencies
In many localities where there are hundreds
and indeed thousands, Of citizens admitted an.
nnaiy no cognizance had been given this I'm.
portant proceeding ny the general puhlfc rnunt
cipal offciaidom. public school or other authorI.
ties until brought TO their attention by the repre-
sentativcs Of the bureau of NATURALIZATION This
was so evident that the bureau through it's Off
GERS, brought to the attention of the mayor of
the city Of Philadelphia. last winter the fact that
about 1000 petitions for naturalization would be
heard during the spring months and as a result,
OF this. approximately $500 new citizens would
be made at that time In the persons of the candi
dates and their wives and children born abroad
This resulted In the first reception extended by
any municipality In the United States to its citt
Zens OF foreign birth
This reception was but one OF the activities of
the bureau Of naturalization to bring TO the atten
ton OF the entire nation this most vital activity
OF citizenship. In the press OF the DAY preceding
the reception there was published throuehout
me United States announcement OF the nation.
wide movement for the education of the resident
alien body through the candidates for citizenship
Heretofore the activities OF the schools have
been directed almost wholly TO the candidate for
hnal papers while the foreigner possessing his
hrst papers. or who has Just declared his inten.
ton to become a citizen at some future time has
been largely neglected The bureau has reco.
nized, however. that there has been a constant
and steady. though silent. appeal coming annually
from the hearts OF hundreds OF thousands of for.
eigners holding first papers. for relief. helm and
assistance to the attainment OF their hopes and
desires In this country
The law permits an alien to declare his inten.
ton who IL an illiterate. In from two yearr tn
FIVE he Is eligible to petition for natursl,.a,,oa.
During that period. while the United States holds
the candidate to be on probation. Il has done
nothing heretofore TO help his claim exeep, In 4
very meager way The bureau Of naturalization
has been the only governmental agency which
has extended to him the helping hand n has
now arranged and perfected plans for the help
ing hand to be extended to the nearly kstf q nil
lion foreigners who each year ash for eitirensktp
During the last year over 3sseoe foreigner,
declared their intention and petitoned for nstur,I
nation This 10 the high water marh since fed
eral supervision. The federal census r~cords fer
the United States show that the fo-etr popui..