The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1916-02-18
THE NATURALIZATION
MIDDLE
Many are Negligent in COmplet-
ing the Process After First
PAPERS" are Filed

Examiner, H. A. Wilson OF
st. Louis, Mo-, has just COM
pleted an examination of the nat
utilization records of the office
of Mr.. w. T. Tut, clerk of the
circuit court of this county. He
states that this inspection in
dicates a considerable number
of the foreign-born residents of
the county, who as a preliminary
step to citizenship filed their
declarations of intention (com-
monty known as "frst papers,
have been most negligent in
their efforts to complete their
naturalization.
Under existing naturalization
law, the life of a declaration of
intention is limited to seven
years, it being required that petit
ton for naturalization Common
ly known as Second papers") be
filed thereon not less than two
years, and not more than seven
years, following the date Of ex-
ecution of such declaration.
This fact is not generally known
among those who in this country
have filed their declarations Of
intention, as already a very con-
siderable number of such papers
have expired" or elapsed" by
reason of this limitation. 1t viii
accordingly be necessary for the
holders of such papers to file new
declarations, if they desire cit
izenship, and delay at least two
years thereafter before being
again eligible to petition for nat
utilization.
An equally large number Of Dr.
clarations of intention in the
hands of the foreign-born res,
idents of this county, though
still good, will nevertheless be
7 come worthless in a very short
time, through the limitation
placed by law on the life Of sucE
2 papers, unless the holders at ono,
exercise t cir privilege Of peti
( tioning for citizenship thereon
t This matter, being one of grea
Importance to the individual
! concerned, should receive the
: immediate attention. The Cir
cult Court, at Lexington is tn
{ state court having naturiliza
: tion jurisdiction throughout thi
county. All candidates for cit
n izenship, as well as for decla
e tions of intention, should presen
+ themselves before the clerk G
: the said court, Mr.. Tut at hi
office in the court House. He wi
gladly render every ~assistanc
in his power in these matter.
The filing fee for a petition fC
naturalization is 81; for a d,
claration of intention 81.
Applications for citizenshi,
as well as declarations of intel
ton, may be filed at any tin
ri during the Office hours of IL
lie clerk of the court. Many aliel
S. labor under the impression TIL
IS they must file their papers du
ri ing the session of the coul
This is not the case, however.
r is better to apply when the cou
I'd is not in session, as the clerk W
s. then have more time to ASST
ne candidates. No time will be 10
C. in pursuing this course as nine
RS days must elapse in any ca
g. following the filing of a petit
he before it can be heard, this I
n riod being given the governme
in which to investigate the cha
acter, ETC., Of the candidate, a
his witnesses.
~ The naturalization of aliens
in by law placed under the iur
70 diction Of the Bureau of Matt
ilization, U. S. Department
Labor, Washington, D. c. +
81. convenience Of administrati,
is the United States is divided il
districts each of which l. 10,