Mexico weekly ledger., 1916-03-02
ONLY FEW WERE NAT
URALlzED N AUDRAIN
Many More Papers of Intention Filed
Than Those Applying for
Citizenship.
IT is THE DUTY OF AN ALIEN
Citizens of the United States Should
Encourage Them to Take Out
Naturalization Papers.

ton Of the naturalization records Of
the office of Mr.. E. F Elliott, clerk of
the circuit court of this county. He
states that this inspection indicates 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 FIRST 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 re-
qrired that petition for naturalization
Commonly known as second papers")
be filed thereon not less than two
years, and not more than seven years,
following the date Of execution Of
such declaration. This fact is appar-
emily not generally known among
those who in this county have filed
their declarations of intention, as all
ready a very considerable number of
such papers have expired" or '1ap-
sedp by reason of this limitation. 1t
will accordingly be necessary for the
holders of such papers to file new dec
larations, if they desire citizenship,
and delay at least two years there
after before being again eligible to
petition for naturalization.
An equally large number of dec
larations Of intention in the hands of
the foreign-born residents of this
county, though still good, will aver
theless become worthless in a very
short time, through the limitation
placed by law on the life Of such
papers, unless the holders at once ex-
ercise their privilege Of petitioning
for citizenship thereon. This matter,
being one of great Importance to the
individuals concerned, should receive
their immediate attention. The Cir
cult Court, at Mexico is the state court
having naturalization jurisdiction
throughout this county. All candi-
dates for citizenship, as well as for
declarations of intention, should pres
ent themselves before the clerk Of the
said court, Mr.. Elliott, at his Office in
the Court House. He will gladly rem
der every assistance in his power in
these matters. The fling fee for a
petition for naturalization is 81; for a
declaration of intention 81.
Application for citizenship, as well
as declaration Of intention, may be
filed at any time during the Office hours
of the clerk Of the court. Many aliens
labor under the impression that they
must file their papers during the ses-
sions Of the court. This is not the
case, however. 1t is better to apply
when the court is not in session, as the
clerk will then have more time to
assist candidates. No time will be
lost in pursuing this course as ninety
days must elapse in any case follow
ing the filing of a petition before it
can be heard, this period being given
the Government in which to investi-
gate the character, etc, of the candi-
date, and his witnesses.
The naturalization Of aliens is by
law placed under the jurisdiction Of
the Bureau of Naturalization, U. s,
Department Of Labor, Washington, d
C. For convenience of administration
the United States is divided into dis
tricts, each of which is placed under
the supervision Of a chief examiner
The officers of the Bureau and field
stations are attorneys who have high
ly specialized in the naturalization
law. The Bureau places the services
of these skilled attorneys at the dis
posal Of all candidates for citizenship
without cost to them. 1t is therefore
wholly unnecessary for applicant fol
naturalization to employ local coun.
sci to represent them. 1t is also tbs
province of the Bureau to see tha'
those who seek citizenship are as the,
represent themselves to be, i. e., per
sons of good moral character, having
the requisite Unitde States and Stat
residence and that when nee nat
uralized such candidates secure wha
they have actually paid for, that is
unimpeachable citizenship.
The matter is citizenship is one o
increasing importance, particular!
where those of foreign birth are con
cerned. For instance, in cas- Of wa
between the United States and a for
eign power, the subjects of that coun
try residents in the United States a
the time, would under our laws be de
barred from naturalization during tn
period of such war. Again, property
as well as civic rights depend yer,
often wholly on the citizenship statu
of the person concerned. The children
of those who are foreign-born are es
pecially concerned, as the ~naturaliza
ton Of the parent confers CITIZENSHIP
upon his minor children what may a
the time be dwelling within the Unite'
States. An American woman VIII
marries an alien thereby becomes a
alien, and she is dependent upon he
husband becoming naturalized to re
. gain her citizenship. The laws of tn
, United States, in the protection &C
] corder by them to the individual an
! his property, recognize no distinction
between the native and the n~aturaliz
ed. Declarations of intention, how
ever, do not confer the benfts an
privileges Of citizenship, and accor
. their holders little voice in the at
fairs of the state
The number Of aliens who have file
their declarations of intention in thi
county, is out Of all proportion t
those that have actually applied 70